The Commonwealth Matters

What does it really mean to be free? Is freedom simply the ability to do whatever you want as long as no one gets hurt? Or is there a deeper, richer understanding of freedom? This week on The Commonwealth Matters, we sit down with Brad Littlejohn, Director of Programs & Education at American Compass, to explore his latest book, Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License. We dive into the true meaning of freedom and what it looks like in both personal faith and society.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

In this episode, we delve into the fundamental aspects of a healthy society, questioning whether it is rooted in the individual or the family. We explore the impact of family breakdowns and examine the connection between such occurrences and government policies. Joining us to talk about this important issue is Colin Smothers, executive director of the Center for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and director of the Kenwood Institute in Louisville, KY.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

In this episode, we delve into the escalating issue of wildfires in the American West, a trend that has been on the rise for several decades. As debates stir around the role of global climate change in intensifying these fires, we invite Danielle Franz, CEO of the American Conservation Coalition, to discuss whether these changes are contributing to the severity of the LA fires. We also discuss whether conservatives should be concerned about the environment and environmental policy. The conversation explores the intersection of environmental action, innovation, and limited government principles.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

For years, we’ve heard the phrase “drain the swamp,” but what does it actually mean for a congressman tasked with investigating corruption? What challenges come with exposing abuse at the highest levels of government? In this episode, we sit down with Congressman James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, to discuss his new book, All the President’s Money: Investigating the Secret Foreign Schemes that Made the Biden Family Rich. Representing Kentucky’s First Congressional District, Comer shares his insider perspective on government accountability, political corruption, and the battles behind the investigations.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

Strengthening families is a bipartisan goal—but the real debate is how to make it happen. In this episode, CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson explores the role of tax policy in supporting Kentucky families and discusses how the state can create a more family-friendly economic environment.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

Presidential pardons are making waves as President Biden grants clemency to his son Hunter and close family members, while former President Trump issues a sweeping pardon for over 1,500 individuals tied to the January 6th riots. In Kentucky, lawmakers are seeking to limit the governor’s pardon power, raising questions about executive authority. Plus, we examine the state legislature’s push to reduce and eventually eliminate Kentucky’s income tax. Joining us to break it all down is State Senator Chris McDaniel, chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee.If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicyFollow us on X: @CPC4KentuckyFollow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenterE-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

What would you do if you were told by your boss to use gender-preferred pronouns in the work place forcing you to violate your conscience, and if you refused to do so, you would lose your job? Or what would you do if you were a pro-life nurse and were forced to give abortion-inducing drugs to a patient? These issues aren’t theoretical, but are issues facing Kentuckians. To help us understand and think through how to respond legislatively is Greg Chafuen of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, ushering in what many see as a new day in our federal government. In this episode of The Commonwealth Matters, CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson examines Trump’s first days in office, analyzing his executive actions, policy agenda, and the potential impact of his administration. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

Do your words matter? Does it matter that society has an agreed-upon definition of those words? What happens to culture when definitions of really important words change? Joining us to help us answer these questions is Scott Allen, president of Disciple Nations Alliance, whose vision is to shape nations according to biblical truth so they might be blessed with freedom, justice, and human flourishing. He is the author of 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the Meaning of Our Most Important Words, which is the topic of our conversation today. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

In this episode, we dive into the contentious issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in schools. Are they fostering inclusion or perpetuating division? We focus on a recent controversy in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), where the Chief Equity Officer made sweeping claims about an entire race. State Senator Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield), representing Kentucky’s 6th District, joins us to discuss the implications of this incident and what actions the State Legislature might take to address these concerns. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

How should we handle money? Is money something that Christians should avoid? After all, isn’t it the root of all kinds of evil? And what about the next generation and their view and stewardship of money? Joining us to talk further about the Next Gen Challenge: God, Money, and Stewardship is Dan Lewis, who is the executive director of the River Foundation in Kentucky and teaches at Asbury University. He is also an ordained Anglican minister. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

It is hard to believe that another year is in the books. Much has happened this year, including the campaign between Trump and Pres. Biden and then VP Harris, President Trump was elected, legacy media outlets lost their influence, and many social issues were at the fore. Joining us to reflect on 2024 is Ron Hicks, Pastor of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Pastor Ron Hicks of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church to discuss the true meaning of Christmas and the hope of the gospel. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

On this special Christmas episode of The Commonwealth Matters, we take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the season to reflect on its true meaning. Amid gift-giving, parties, and festive decorations, it’s easy to forget the central focus of Christmas: Christ Himself. Joining us this week to talk about the character of Christ and the deep theology behind of our great Christmas carols is Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jonathan is a hymn writer and author of multiple books, including Sing in Exaltation: A Christmas Devotional Exploring our Favorite Carols and The Character of Christ: the Fruit of the Spirit in the Life of our Savior. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

What would you do if your child’s school library contained books that were inappropriate for children? For our guest Miranda Stovall, this was not a hypothetical situation. After discovering explicit books in her child’s middle school library in Louisville, she took action—but found no support from teachers, principals, or the school board. Joining Miranda is Beanie Geoghegan, her co-founder of Freedom in Education. They also have started the Good Book Drive, an initiative to replace harmful materials with literature that champions truth, goodness, and beauty. In this episode they share why this initiative is needed and how they're meeting the needs of our children in the classroom. To find out more about the Good Book Drive, and to donate, go to freedomined.org/good-book-drive/. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/