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Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy.

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy.

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Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfilling lives. Ian Rowe is the cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of character-based International Baccalaureate high schools inaugurated in the Bronx in 2022. He is also a senior fellow at @AEI and the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power. Ian joins host Nic Dunn to discuss his experiences as an educator, his assessment of the evidence of what actually helps children succeed in adulthood, and why he wrote a book to provide an alternative to the equity-based debates that so often permeate public dialogue. Show notes: Agency - A New Book from AEI's Ian V. Rowe https://www.thefreeframework.com/ The Privilege Hiding in Plain Sight - Ian Rowe in National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/10/02/the-privilege-hiding-in-plain-sight/ FREE Landing Page | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/free/

Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfilling lives.

Ian Rowe is the cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of character-based International Baccalaureate high schools inaugurated in the Bronx in 2022. He is also a senior fellow at @AEI and the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power.

Ian joins host Nic Dunn to discuss his experiences as an educator, his assessment of the evidence of what actually helps children succeed in adulthood, and why he wrote a book to provide an alternative to the equity-based debates that so often permeate public dialogue.

Show notes:

Agency - A New Book from AEI's Ian V. Rowe https://www.thefreeframework.com/

The Privilege Hiding in Plain Sight - Ian Rowe in National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/10/02/the-privilege-hiding-in-plain-sight/

FREE Landing Page | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/free/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC5GM0Q3M0MzMzY5NTJFNTdE

Agency over equity: Ian Rowe on a better vision for upward mobility

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Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfilling lives. Ian Rowe is the cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of character-based International Baccalaureate high schools inaugurated in the Bronx in 2022. He is also a senior fellow at @AEI and the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power. Ian joins host Nic Dunn to discuss his experiences as an educator, his assessment of the evidence of what actually helps children succeed in adulthood, and why he wrote a book to provide an alternative to the equity-based debates that so often permeate public dialogue. Show notes: Agency - A New Book from AEI's Ian V. Rowe https://www.thefreeframework.com/ The Privilege Hiding in Plain Sight - Ian Rowe in National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/10/02/the-privilege-hiding-in-plain-sight/ FREE Landing Page | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/free/

Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfilling lives.

Ian Rowe is the cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of character-based International Baccalaureate high schools inaugurated in the Bronx in 2022. He is also a senior fellow at @AEI and the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power.

Ian joins host Nic Dunn to discuss his experiences as an educator, his assessment of the evidence of what actually helps children succeed in adulthood, and why he wrote a book to provide an alternative to the equity-based debates that so often permeate public dialogue.

Show notes:

Agency - A New Book from AEI's Ian V. Rowe https://www.thefreeframework.com/

The Privilege Hiding in Plain Sight - Ian Rowe in National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/10/02/the-privilege-hiding-in-plain-sight/

FREE Landing Page | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/free/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC5GM0Q3M0MzMzY5NTJFNTdE

Agency over equity: Ian Rowe on a better vision for upward mobility

Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel with his wife and baby son on October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. He joins host Nic Dunn to recount his experience getting his family to safety and react to the recent wave of antisemitism abroad and at home. Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan also returns to the podcast to apply a religious freedom lens to the instances of antisemitism topping the news in the United States. The conversation reminds listeners of America's founding principles, providing a framework to renew a core principle that is currently threatened by these recent events. Show notes: Antisemitic Threats and Violence in the West: A Running Tally | National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/antisemitic-threats-and-violence-in-the-west-a-running-tally/ ‘We cannot be here’: Utah’s Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel as Hamas attacked | KUER https://www.kuer.org/race-religion-social-justice/2023-10-11/we-cannot-be-here-utahs-rabbi-chaim-zippel-was-in-israel-as-hamas-attacked Utah leaders, faith groups join Stand with Israel rally - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/10/11/23912854/utah-stand-with-israel-rally-hamas-attack Chabad of Utah County - Your Home For Everything Jewish, Based in Lehi, Utah jewishutahcounty.com Recent antisemitism prompts a needed reminder of America's culture of religious freedom - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/recent-antisemitism-prompts-needed-reminder-of-americas-culture-of-religious-freedom/

Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel with his wife and baby son on October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. He joins host Nic Dunn to recount his experience getting his family to safety and react to the recent wave of antisemitism abroad and at home.

Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan also returns to the podcast to apply a religious freedom lens to the instances of antisemitism topping the news in the United States. The conversation reminds listeners of America's founding principles, providing a framework to renew a core principle that is currently threatened by these recent events.

Show notes:

Antisemitic Threats and Violence in the West: A Running Tally | National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/antisemitic-threats-and-violence-in-the-west-a-running-tally/

‘We cannot be here’: Utah’s Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel as Hamas attacked | KUER https://www.kuer.org/race-religion-social-justice/2023-10-11/we-cannot-be-here-utahs-rabbi-chaim-zippel-was-in-israel-as-hamas-attacked

Utah leaders, faith groups join Stand with Israel rally - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/10/11/23912854/utah-stand-with-israel-rally-hamas-attack

Chabad of Utah County - Your Home For Everything Jewish, Based in Lehi, Utah jewishutahcounty.com

Recent antisemitism prompts a needed reminder of America's culture of religious freedom - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/recent-antisemitism-prompts-needed-reminder-of-americas-culture-of-religious-freedom/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC4yMDhBMkNBNjRDMjQxQTg1

Antisemitism in America: Rabbi Chaim Zippel on the aftermath of the Hamas attack

Marriage is often viewed as a personal matter that isn't usually included in public policy discussions. But a growing body of evidence shows that strong families, anchored by healthy marriages, are among the biggest drivers of upward mobility and long-term success for the next generation. This prompts the question: Does government have a role in promoting – or even trying to strengthen – marriage? On this week’s episode, Nic Dunn is joined by three different guests who are leading and executing marriage and family initiatives here in Utah: • Brian Higginbotham, Associate Vice President, USU Extension • Alan Hawkins, Manager, Utah Marriage Commission • Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Director of the Utah Office of Families Each will argue that the government does in fact have an important role helping to strengthen marriage and family, citing examples and best practices here in Utah. Show notes: • Stronger Marriage – Utah Marriage Commission | USU https://extension.usu.edu/strongermarriage/ • Healthy Relationships Utah | USU https://extension.usu.edu/hru/ • Utah Office of Families | Governor Spencer J. Cox https://governor.utah.gov/families/ • Opinion: A silver anniversary celebration for the Utah Marriage Commission - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/10/30/23939124/25th-anniversary-utah-marriage-commission • Publications | Utah Family Miracle – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-utah-family-miracle/ • Amazon.com: The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind: 9780226817781: Kearney, Melissa S. https://www.amazon.com/Two-Parent-Privilege-Americans-Stopped-Getting/dp/0226817784

Marriage is often viewed as a personal matter that isn't usually included in public policy discussions. But a growing body of evidence shows that strong families, anchored by healthy marriages, are among the biggest drivers of upward mobility and long-term success for the next generation. This prompts the question: Does government have a role in promoting – or even trying to strengthen – marriage?

On this week’s episode, Nic Dunn is joined by three different guests who are leading and executing marriage and family initiatives here in Utah:

• Brian Higginbotham, Associate Vice President, USU Extension
• Alan Hawkins, Manager, Utah Marriage Commission
• Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Director of the Utah Office of Families

Each will argue that the government does in fact have an important role helping to strengthen marriage and family, citing examples and best practices here in Utah.

Show notes:
• Stronger Marriage – Utah Marriage Commission | USU https://extension.usu.edu/strongermarriage/
• Healthy Relationships Utah | USU https://extension.usu.edu/hru/
• Utah Office of Families | Governor Spencer J. Cox https://governor.utah.gov/families/
• Opinion: A silver anniversary celebration for the Utah Marriage Commission - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/10/30/23939124/25th-anniversary-utah-marriage-commission
• Publications | Utah Family Miracle – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-utah-family-miracle/
• Amazon.com: The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind: 9780226817781: Kearney, Melissa S. https://www.amazon.com/Two-Parent-Privilege-Americans-Stopped-Getting/dp/0226817784

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC5ENDU4Q0M4RDExNzM1Mjcy

Should government promote marriage?

Roughly 37.9 million Americans live in poverty according to the United States Census Bureau's official poverty measure. By any assessment, that's far too many Americans struggling to get by. So a coalition of state-level policy thinktanks called the Alliance for Opportunity is working to bring that number down, starting with the goal of leading 1 million Americans out of poverty in ten years. Alliance for Opportunity Executive Director Rachel Barkley and Senior Fellow Les Ford join Nic Dunn on this episode to profile the work of the coalition, and make the argument for a new national movement of welfare reform to improve social safety net programs. Show notes: • Home - Alliance for Opportunity https://allianceforopportunity.com/ • A firsthand account of overcoming ‘benefits cliffs’ to escape poverty - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/a-firsthand-account-of-overcoming-benefits-cliffs-to-escape-poverty/ • How programs to help the poor can harm upward mobility - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/how-programs-to-help-the-poor-can-harm-upward-mobility/ Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit http://defendingideas.org/.

Roughly 37.9 million Americans live in poverty according to the United States Census Bureau's official poverty measure. By any assessment, that's far too many Americans struggling to get by.

So a coalition of state-level policy thinktanks called the Alliance for Opportunity is working to bring that number down, starting with the goal of leading 1 million Americans out of poverty in ten years.

Alliance for Opportunity Executive Director Rachel Barkley and Senior Fellow Les Ford join Nic Dunn on this episode to profile the work of the coalition, and make the argument for a new national movement of welfare reform to improve social safety net programs.

Show notes:
• Home - Alliance for Opportunity
https://allianceforopportunity.com/

• A firsthand account of overcoming ‘benefits cliffs’ to escape poverty - Sutherland Institute
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/a-firsthand-account-of-overcoming-benefits-cliffs-to-escape-poverty/

• How programs to help the poor can harm upward mobility - Sutherland Institute
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/how-programs-to-help-the-poor-can-harm-upward-mobility/

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit http://defendingideas.org/.

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC45RTgxNDRBMzUwRjQ0MDhC

Why America needs a new welfare reform movement

The U.S. Supreme Court began its new term in October, with several weighty issues already on the docket. Between October and June 2024, the court will review various cases touching on free speech, separation of powers, property rights, and more that could be added throughout the term. Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan returns to the podcast to give us a preview of the cases the court is taking up. He also discusses why some of the recent political attacks on the court are on weak footing – offering listeners a helpful reminder of the court’s true constitutional role, and how we can defend it. Show notes: - Supreme Court 2023-24 preview: 3 issues so far - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/supreme-court-2023-24-preview-3-issues-so-far/ - Attacks on Supreme Court Show Flawed Understanding of Constitution | National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/09/the-flawed-civic-understanding-behind-attacks-on-the-supreme-court/

The U.S. Supreme Court began its new term in October, with several weighty issues already on the docket. Between October and June 2024, the court will review various cases touching on free speech, separation of powers, property rights, and more that could be added throughout the term.

Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan returns to the podcast to give us a preview of the cases the court is taking up. He also discusses why some of the recent political attacks on the court are on weak footing – offering listeners a helpful reminder of the court’s true constitutional role, and how we can defend it.

Show notes:
- Supreme Court 2023-24 preview: 3 issues so far - Sutherland Institute
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/supreme-court-2023-24-preview-3-issues-so-far/

- Attacks on Supreme Court Show Flawed Understanding of Constitution | National Review
https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/09/the-flawed-civic-understanding-behind-attacks-on-the-supreme-court/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC4yMUQyQTQzMjRDNzMyQTMy

Supreme Court 2024: How to better understand – and defend – the court’s constitutional role

This week’s episode of Defending Ideas brings you another installment of our feature segment: Defending Enterprise, with contributor and AEI Senior Fellow Beth Akers. Beth joins Nic Dunn to provide listeners with a guide to what candidates for office in 2024 might say about the economy – and how voters can stay focused on policy proposals that support and defend our free enterprise system. Beth dives into the causes and responses to ongoing inflation, including the role of deficit spending and whether current efforts to create a “soft landing” are working. She also touches on economic issues that often find their way into campaign rhetoric, including free trade vs. protectionism, whether raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy is wise, and how we ought to view issues like the minimum wage and immigration with respect to their impacts on the workforce. Show notes: Beth Akers | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/profile/beth-akers/ President Biden Remarks on Deficit Reduction | C-SPAN.org https://www.c-span.org/video/?523757-1/president-biden-remarks-deficit-reduction#:~:text=2022-10-21T13%3A07,declined%20to%20%241.4%20trillion%2C%20the Federal Reserve Chair News Conference | July 26, 2023 | C-SPAN.org https://www.c-span.org/video/?523971-1/federal-reserve-chair-news-conference Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

This week’s episode of Defending Ideas brings you another installment of our feature segment: Defending Enterprise, with contributor and AEI Senior Fellow Beth Akers.

Beth joins Nic Dunn to provide listeners with a guide to what candidates for office in 2024 might say about the economy – and how voters can stay focused on policy proposals that support and defend our free enterprise system. Beth dives into the causes and responses to ongoing inflation, including the role of deficit spending and whether current efforts to create a “soft landing” are working. She also touches on economic issues that often find their way into campaign rhetoric, including free trade vs. protectionism, whether raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy is wise, and how we ought to view issues like the minimum wage and immigration with respect to their impacts on the workforce.

Show notes:

Beth Akers | American Enterprise Institute - AEI
https://www.aei.org/profile/beth-akers/

President Biden Remarks on Deficit Reduction | C-SPAN.org
https://www.c-span.org/video/?523757-1/president-biden-remarks-deficit-reduction#:~:text=2022-10-21T13%3A07,declined%20to%20%241.4%20trillion%2C%20the

Federal Reserve Chair News Conference | July 26, 2023 | C-SPAN.org
https://www.c-span.org/video/?523971-1/federal-reserve-chair-news-conference

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC41QTY1Q0UxMTVCODczNThE

Defending Enterprise with Beth Akers: How to approach 2024 campaign rhetoric on the economy

Americans don't trust the news media. Polling data shows over and over that many Americans tend to believe the press is politically biased and not trustworthy. At the same time, it seems that our collective ability to engage in healthy, robust debate has also declined. Is there a link between diminishing trust in the press and the dying art of public discourse? On this week's episode, 20-year TV news veteran Glen Mills joins Nic Dunn for a status check on the health of public debate, and the state of one of the most important and impactful institutions of civil society: the news media. Glen shares insights drawn from his decades of broadcast experience spanning Idaho, Wisconsin, Colorado and Utah, covering news, politics and more. The discussion showcases how the news industry has changed, how Americans' ability to debate ideas has suffered, and some ideas for how to fix both. Show notes: Confidence in U.S. Institutions Down; Average at New Low: https://news.gallup.com/poll/394283/confidence-institutions-down-average-new-low.aspx Americans Remain Distrustful of Mass Media: https://news.gallup.com/poll/321116/americans-remain-distrustful-mass-media.aspx News Media Viewed as Biased but Crucial to Democracy: https://news.gallup.com/poll/316574/news-media-viewed-biased-crucial-democracy.aspx Glen Mills | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-mills-9a0192213/

Americans don't trust the news media. Polling data shows over and over that many Americans tend to believe the press is politically biased and not trustworthy. At the same time, it seems that our collective ability to engage in healthy, robust debate has also declined.

Is there a link between diminishing trust in the press and the dying art of public discourse? On this week's episode, 20-year TV news veteran Glen Mills joins Nic Dunn for a status check on the health of public debate, and the state of one of the most important and impactful institutions of civil society: the news media.

Glen shares insights drawn from his decades of broadcast experience spanning Idaho, Wisconsin, Colorado and Utah, covering news, politics and more. The discussion showcases how the news industry has changed, how Americans' ability to debate ideas has suffered, and some ideas for how to fix both.

Show notes:

Confidence in U.S. Institutions Down; Average at New Low: https://news.gallup.com/poll/394283/confidence-institutions-down-average-new-low.aspx

Americans Remain Distrustful of Mass Media: https://news.gallup.com/poll/321116/americans-remain-distrustful-mass-media.aspx

News Media Viewed as Biased but Crucial to Democracy: https://news.gallup.com/poll/316574/news-media-viewed-biased-crucial-democracy.aspx

Glen Mills | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-mills-9a0192213/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC5EQUE1NTFDRjcwMDg0NEMz

The death of discourse? TV news veteran Glen Mills reflects on the press and public debate

We often hear that the best way to prepare the next generation for a successful life is through a quality education. But what about another institution of civil society that might actually play a bigger role in upward mobility and human flourishing? On this episode we profile the recently created Utah Office of Families and show you why the best way to equip children with the tools for a successful life is to elevate the importance of strong, stable and healthy families. Host Nic Dunn sits down with guest Aimee Winder Newton, senior advisor to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and director of the Office of Families. Aimee outlines an approach to family policy in Utah that seeks to support and strengthen all families, while recognizing the positive impact that married couple households have on child outcomes. They also discuss the importance of education, work, and marriage before childbearing (the success sequence) as a framework for the next generation – and talk about why better tracking of family structure data is crucial for good policymaking. Utah Office of Families | Governor Spencer J. Cox: https://governor.utah.gov/families/ Aimee Winder Newton | Governor Spencer J. Cox (utah.gov): https://governor.utah.gov/staff/aimee-winder-newton/ Publications | Utah Family Miracle - Sutherland Institute: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-utah-family-miracle/ Success Sequence - Sutherland Institute: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/?s=success+sequence Tracking ‘two-parent privilege’ in Utah - Sutherland Institute: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/tracking-two-parent-privilege-in-utah/

This video is private.

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC41Mzk2QTAxMTkzNDk4MDhF

Aimee Winder Newton on elevating families as a crucial part of success

Trying to get out of chronic poverty is challenging. Sometimes, government programs designed to help can actually make upward mobility feel harder to achieve. On this episode, we talk with Chris Robinson, Graduated Circle Leader with the local nonprofit Circles Salt Lake. Chris shares what it was like when she lived in poverty and relied on government benefit programs to provide stability for her family. She describes her own experience facing “benefits cliffs” that too often disincentivized work. Chris is joined by Michelle Crawford, Executive Director of Circles Salt Lake, who gives an overview of the work Circles does to help its program participants escape poverty and move toward self-reliance. Together, Chris and Michelle provide a very human angle to a complex policy issue, shedding more light on the importance of refining anti-poverty efforts to better support upward mobility for more Americans. Show notes: – Circles Salt Lake https://circlessaltlake.org/ – https://sutherlandinstitute.org/how-programs-to-help-the-poor-can-harm-upward-mobility/

This video is private.

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC4zMDg5MkQ5MEVDMEM1NTg2

A firsthand account of overcoming ‘benefits cliffs’ to escape poverty

Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfilling lives. Ian Rowe is the cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of character-based International Baccalaureate high schools inaugurated in the Bronx in 2022. He is also a senior fellow at @AEI and the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power. Ian joins host Nic Dunn to discuss his experiences as an educator, his assessment of the evidence of what actually helps children succeed in adulthood, and why he wrote a book to provide an alternative to the equity-based debates that so often permeate public dialogue. Show notes: Agency - A New Book from AEI's Ian V. Rowe https://www.thefreeframework.com/ The Privilege Hiding in Plain Sight - Ian Rowe in National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/10/02/the-privilege-hiding-in-plain-sight/ FREE Landing Page | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/free/

Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfilling lives.

Ian Rowe is the cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of character-based International Baccalaureate high schools inaugurated in the Bronx in 2022. He is also a senior fellow at @AEI and the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power.

Ian joins host Nic Dunn to discuss his experiences as an educator, his assessment of the evidence of what actually helps children succeed in adulthood, and why he wrote a book to provide an alternative to the equity-based debates that so often permeate public dialogue.

Show notes:

Agency - A New Book from AEI's Ian V. Rowe https://www.thefreeframework.com/

The Privilege Hiding in Plain Sight - Ian Rowe in National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/10/02/the-privilege-hiding-in-plain-sight/

FREE Landing Page | American Enterprise Institute - AEI https://www.aei.org/free/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC5GM0Q3M0MzMzY5NTJFNTdE

Agency over equity: Ian Rowe on a better vision for upward mobility

Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel with his wife and baby son on October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. He joins host Nic Dunn to recount his experience getting his family to safety and react to the recent wave of antisemitism abroad and at home. Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan also returns to the podcast to apply a religious freedom lens to the instances of antisemitism topping the news in the United States. The conversation reminds listeners of America's founding principles, providing a framework to renew a core principle that is currently threatened by these recent events. Show notes: Antisemitic Threats and Violence in the West: A Running Tally | National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/antisemitic-threats-and-violence-in-the-west-a-running-tally/ ‘We cannot be here’: Utah’s Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel as Hamas attacked | KUER https://www.kuer.org/race-religion-social-justice/2023-10-11/we-cannot-be-here-utahs-rabbi-chaim-zippel-was-in-israel-as-hamas-attacked Utah leaders, faith groups join Stand with Israel rally - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/10/11/23912854/utah-stand-with-israel-rally-hamas-attack Chabad of Utah County - Your Home For Everything Jewish, Based in Lehi, Utah jewishutahcounty.com Recent antisemitism prompts a needed reminder of America's culture of religious freedom - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/recent-antisemitism-prompts-needed-reminder-of-americas-culture-of-religious-freedom/

Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel with his wife and baby son on October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. He joins host Nic Dunn to recount his experience getting his family to safety and react to the recent wave of antisemitism abroad and at home.

Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan also returns to the podcast to apply a religious freedom lens to the instances of antisemitism topping the news in the United States. The conversation reminds listeners of America's founding principles, providing a framework to renew a core principle that is currently threatened by these recent events.

Show notes:

Antisemitic Threats and Violence in the West: A Running Tally | National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/antisemitic-threats-and-violence-in-the-west-a-running-tally/

‘We cannot be here’: Utah’s Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel as Hamas attacked | KUER https://www.kuer.org/race-religion-social-justice/2023-10-11/we-cannot-be-here-utahs-rabbi-chaim-zippel-was-in-israel-as-hamas-attacked

Utah leaders, faith groups join Stand with Israel rally - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/10/11/23912854/utah-stand-with-israel-rally-hamas-attack

Chabad of Utah County - Your Home For Everything Jewish, Based in Lehi, Utah jewishutahcounty.com

Recent antisemitism prompts a needed reminder of America's culture of religious freedom - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/recent-antisemitism-prompts-needed-reminder-of-americas-culture-of-religious-freedom/

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC4yMDhBMkNBNjRDMjQxQTg1

Antisemitism in America: Rabbi Chaim Zippel on the aftermath of the Hamas attack

Marriage is often viewed as a personal matter that isn't usually included in public policy discussions. But a growing body of evidence shows that strong families, anchored by healthy marriages, are among the biggest drivers of upward mobility and long-term success for the next generation. This prompts the question: Does government have a role in promoting – or even trying to strengthen – marriage? On this week’s episode, Nic Dunn is joined by three different guests who are leading and executing marriage and family initiatives here in Utah: • Brian Higginbotham, Associate Vice President, USU Extension • Alan Hawkins, Manager, Utah Marriage Commission • Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Director of the Utah Office of Families Each will argue that the government does in fact have an important role helping to strengthen marriage and family, citing examples and best practices here in Utah. Show notes: • Stronger Marriage – Utah Marriage Commission | USU https://extension.usu.edu/strongermarriage/ • Healthy Relationships Utah | USU https://extension.usu.edu/hru/ • Utah Office of Families | Governor Spencer J. Cox https://governor.utah.gov/families/ • Opinion: A silver anniversary celebration for the Utah Marriage Commission - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/10/30/23939124/25th-anniversary-utah-marriage-commission • Publications | Utah Family Miracle – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-utah-family-miracle/ • Amazon.com: The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind: 9780226817781: Kearney, Melissa S. https://www.amazon.com/Two-Parent-Privilege-Americans-Stopped-Getting/dp/0226817784

Marriage is often viewed as a personal matter that isn't usually included in public policy discussions. But a growing body of evidence shows that strong families, anchored by healthy marriages, are among the biggest drivers of upward mobility and long-term success for the next generation. This prompts the question: Does government have a role in promoting – or even trying to strengthen – marriage?

On this week’s episode, Nic Dunn is joined by three different guests who are leading and executing marriage and family initiatives here in Utah:

• Brian Higginbotham, Associate Vice President, USU Extension
• Alan Hawkins, Manager, Utah Marriage Commission
• Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Director of the Utah Office of Families

Each will argue that the government does in fact have an important role helping to strengthen marriage and family, citing examples and best practices here in Utah.

Show notes:
• Stronger Marriage – Utah Marriage Commission | USU https://extension.usu.edu/strongermarriage/
• Healthy Relationships Utah | USU https://extension.usu.edu/hru/
• Utah Office of Families | Governor Spencer J. Cox https://governor.utah.gov/families/
• Opinion: A silver anniversary celebration for the Utah Marriage Commission - Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/10/30/23939124/25th-anniversary-utah-marriage-commission
• Publications | Utah Family Miracle – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-utah-family-miracle/
• Amazon.com: The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind: 9780226817781: Kearney, Melissa S. https://www.amazon.com/Two-Parent-Privilege-Americans-Stopped-Getting/dp/0226817784

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YouTube Video UExQb0RWZDJ5SWdBYUZHNkZETEtGckxERldHNk5ZYzA5VC5ENDU4Q0M4RDExNzM1Mjcy

Should government promote marriage?

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Defending Ideas Production Team

Host

Nic Dunn

Feature Contributor

Beth Akers, Defending Enterprise

Producer

Spencer Williams

Assistant Producer

Dan Passen

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