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Welcome to Eye on the Issues, the podcast brought to you by the Wyoming Liberty Group. Whether you're a proud Wyoming resident, hail from the Cowboy State, or simply care deeply about the issues facing Wyoming, this podcast is your go-to resource.
Join us as we delve into the heart of Wyoming's most pressing concerns, offering you insights and perspectives from a diverse range of voices. You'll hear from Wyoming lawmakers and elected officials sharing their viewpoints, along with community and thought leaders who are shaping the future of our great state. We also bring in subject matter experts to provide in-depth analysis and understanding on key issues.
The Wyoming Liberty Group is committed to empowering Wyoming's future. With over 15 years of experience and impact in our state, we're more than just a think tank. While we pride ourselves on rigorous research, we go beyond that to craft innovative solutions that promote free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, and government accountability.
Tune in to Eye on the Issues to stay informed, engaged, and empowered. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for Wyoming.
40 Episodes
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In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Curtis Schube, Executive Director of the Council to Modernize Governance and co-author of a groundbreaking report from the National Center for Energy Analytics. His work takes a deep dive into an overlooked but increasingly urgent question: What happens when wind and solar facilities reach the end of their lifespan—and who pays for it? Curtis walks us through a state-by-state analysis of financial assurance requirements for the decommiss...
We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes of Eye on the Issues! For this special edition, host Mike Garofalo sits down with our very own President and CEO, Mandy Ludtke, for an inside look at the Wyoming Liberty Group’s work and vision for the future. Since launching Eye on the Issues in 2023, we’ve covered everything from school choice and government transparency to energy policy and campaign finance. In this episode, Mandy reflects on how far we’ve come as an organization and ...
In this special episode, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing education in our state. From major court battles over school funding and education choice to the state’s push for stronger career and technical training, Superintendent Degenfelder shares her perspective on where Wyoming is excelling and where more work is needed. She discusses the launch of TeacherCon 25, efforts to bring patriotism and civics education bac...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jenny Schucker—founder of Academy of the Winds, a Montessori school in Lander—to unpack the fallout from the recent judicial halt on Wyoming’s Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Jenny shares how the ESA freeze has impacted her school’s enrollment and budget, and more importantly, the families left in limbo just weeks before the new school year begins. She discusses the legal challenges behind the ESA program, including the Wyoming Educat...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Diane D’Arrigo of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS). This organization has worked with communities and policymakers on nuclear waste issues since the late 1970s. This conversation explores how radioactive waste is generated through nuclear power, the types of materials it leaves behind, and how these materials interact with the human body and the environment. Diane also discusses the process of fuel reprocessing, the histo...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, recorded in mid-May, we sat down with Anna Erickson, a professor of nuclear and radiological engineering at Georgia Tech. As someone who teaches and supports nuclear energy, Prof. Erickson offers an informed perspective—but even she raises concerns about how nuclear projects are being handled, particularly regarding community trust and transparency. Her message is clear: local voices must be heard before projects move forward. Consent-based siting isn’t ...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Mary Olson, founder of the Gender and Radiation Impact Project. With decades of experience in nuclear policy and radiation research, Mary offers a practical look at how radiation exposure affects the human body—and why understanding those risks is more important than ever as nuclear energy and waste storage debates continue. From routine reactor emissions to the long-term dangers of spent nuclear fuel, she explains why radiation isn...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Dr. Allison Macfarlane, former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia. With decades of experience in nuclear oversight, Dr. Macfarlane brings a measured, practical perspective to the fast-moving conversations surrounding nuclear energy. While many discussions today are filled with excitement—and at times, hype—around small ...
As Wyoming considers its role in the future of nuclear energy—including proposals around spent nuclear fuel storage—it’s essential to examine how other countries have approached the same challenge. In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we welcome Johan Swahn, former director of Sweden’s NGO Office for Nuclear Waste Review and longtime advisor on nuclear transparency and safety. With decades of experience reviewing the science, regulation, and engineering behind Sweden’s nuclear waste program...
Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cycle—but what happens at the front end of the cycle? In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we look at uranium milling, a process that can leave enormous amounts of radioactive waste behind. Our guest, Jeri Fry, co-founder of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, walks us through the history of uranium processing at the Cotter Uranium Mill in Cañon City, Colorado, now a "Superfund site". She details how uranium tail...
Shortly before the halfway point of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, we caught up with Representative Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (HD 50) for a session update. As Chairman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Rep. Rodriguez-Williams shared insights on how the session unfolded, highlighting key legislative victories and ongoing debates. With a conservative majority in the House, bills that previously faced roadblocks are gaining momentum, making this a pivotal session for Wyoming. In this...
Over the last several days, we've received calls and emails from people around Wyoming and beyond—citizens and lawmakers alike—who want a deeper understanding of nuclear power risks and, most importantly, what is spent nuclear fuel and what it has to do with small modular reactor manufacturing in regards to SF186. With projects like TerraPower in Kemmerer and our state's potential new SMR manufacturing industry, these questions should be front and center. In this episode of Eye on the ...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Mary Beth Brangan, a longtime advocate and expert in the nuclear debate, about the dangers of nuclear waste storage and what she thinks Wyoming citizens and lawmakers should know before moving forward with any proposals. Mary Beth is the director and producer of "San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy," a documentary that examines the troubling history of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California. She shares firsthand knowledge o...
In this compelling episode of Eye on the Issues, we delve into the urgent and unavoidable dangers of nuclear waste storage with Gary Headrick, founder of San Clemente Green. As Wyoming contemplates opening its doors to become a repository for nuclear waste, this conversation is a stark warning about the industry’s long-standing failures and unresolved issues. Gary shares his firsthand experience with the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in California, where 3.6 mi...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Representative Martha Lawley of House District 27 to explore the critical legislative issues facing Wyoming as the state prepares for its next session. Representative Lawley, who also serves as Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and is a member of the Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee, shares her thoughtful and principled approach to problem-solving and policymaking. Representative Lawley discusses her legis...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Wyoming Representative Jeremy Haroldson of House District 4 to discuss key legislative priorities and his vision for Wyoming's future. Recorded prior to the November 5, 2024, election, this interview offers a snapshot of the pressing issues facing the state and Representative Haroldson’s plans to address them as the legislative session approaches. Representative Haroldson shares his journey into public service, which began during the chal...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Wyoming State Senator Jim Anderson, representing District 28, to discuss critical legislative topics ahead of the upcoming session. Senator Anderson shares insights on his 12 years of service, his motivations for public office, and the challenges facing Wyoming. We dive into Senator Anderson's proposed legislation to address the growing problem of squatters in Wyoming. Learn how his initiative, inspired by a local constituent's experience...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we explore the complexities of nuclear energy and nuclear waste storage with M.V. Ramana, Professor at the University of British Columbia and author of Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change. Professor Ramana shares his insights on the risks and benefits of nuclear energy, the challenges of safely managing nuclear waste, and the economic realities of building and maintaining nuclear power plants. We also discus...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Eli Bebout, a former Wyoming legislator with nearly three decades of public service, including time as Speaker of the House and Senate President. Eli reflects on his career, his passion for Wyoming, and the current pressing issues facing the state. Our conversation dives into Wyoming's potential role in storing used nuclear fuel rods and the broader implications for nuclear energy in the state’s economic future. Eli shares his thoughts o...
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Senator Charles Scott, Wyoming's longest-serving legislator, who has dedicated an impressive 46 years to the state. As the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Scott discusses his extensive legislative history, including his role in shaping key policies like the Hathaway Scholarship. We dive deep into Wyoming's education challenges, including declining reading scores, the impact of COVID-19 on student performance, and the n...
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