Society and the State | Life, Liberty, and Your Pursuit of Happiness

Anyone who has found himself or herself prepared for an unexpected situation knows how comforting it is to realize that you have the ability handle unforeseen challenges that arise. Sometimes, however, the desire to become self-reliant can morph into the caricature of “the prepper” with an almost pathological focus on what can go wrong. Where is the golden mean of being prepared but not over-prepared? For that matter, what exactly are we preparing for?

For every person who is making sound investments that will bring them future happiness and security, not very many are neglecting their most important asset of all—themselves! Connor has the opportunity to pick the brain of Paradigm Life CEO Pat Donohoe on the importance of investing in yourself. No matter what your plans are for the future, this kind of self improvement can pay off richly on many different levels.

Everyone encounters things they find disagreeable, from time to time. But is there a point where each of us must draw a figurative line in the sand rather than simply go along to get along? It’s a decision that will come to each of us, at some point. This is when most of us learn whether or not we’d be willing to suffer for our principles. In this episode, we discuss how to best decide what’s worth taking a stand for and how to do so effectively.

What kind of reaction does the term “dark money” elicit when you first hear it? If it’s a mixture of fear and suspicion, you may be playing right into the hands of the political operatives who coined the phrase. Zac Morgan from the Institute for Free Speech joins Connor to discuss how campaign donations have never been more public and the chances of the Koch brothers or George Soros taking over the world may have been exaggerated.

If there is such a thing as a civic religion, then voting might well be considered its high sacrament. We’ve all heard people say, “If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.” But what should we make of those who say, “Not voting means you’ve consented to the status quo”? With another highly polarizing election cycle dead ahead, now is a good time to sort out what our vote represents and how consent plays into the way we choose to vote—or not vote.

Given recent events in the Persian Gulf, it’s not hard to imagine that the United State government is on a collision course with the Iranian government. Who is pushing the hardest for military action? Is a war between the U.S. and Iran a near certainty? Author and correspondent Gareth Porter joins us to help sort the fact from fiction and to explain the possible reasons that we are being steered toward more military action in the Middle East.

Everyone loves the idea of getting something for free. This is something politicians regularly use to their advantage as they try to leverage votes by promising their constituents free stuff. One of the more popular promises of late is the prospect of a free college education for everyone. What should we think of free college and is there really such a thing as free higher education?

It seems like there’s no shortage of scientific studies to justify or debunk nearly anything you can think of. For some issues, it’s the perfect appeal to authority. After all, who would dare argue against science? Tim Errington from the Center for Open Science joins us to discuss where some scientists go astray and how we can best keep fact and fiction separate within the realm of science.

For some time now, a great many career-seekers have been following the same predictable script of going to college, getting a degree and then finding someone to hire them. What if there was another way to begin a productive and fulfilling career without having to take on backbreaking amounts of student loan debt? Connor shares insight into the book “Skip College - Launch your career without debt, distractions or a degree” which he recently edited. Learn what some of the the most innovative and creative minds are suggesting as alternatives to the standard script most of us grew up with.

As Independence Day approaches, most everyone looks forward to the celebrations, the parades, the fireworks and time off work. Are we forgetting what it is that we’re actually celebrating each year? Professor Kevin Gutzman joins us to talk about the courageous act of treason that set America on a path to independence and set in motion the most remarkable experiment in freedom in human history.

What’s the difference between a law enforcer and a peace officer? It’s a distinction that more of us should understand. One of the best illustrations of this difference can be seen in the recent actions of a Minnesota officer who was sent to an elderly woman’s home on a welfare check. Officer Matt Siltala found the woman’s yard was in violation of local code and was faced with a choice of whether to deal with the issue as a law and code enforcer or as a peace officer. We discuss his decision and what can be learned from it.

If you’re not familiar with the 2005 Kelo case dealing with eminent domain, this is a conversation you need to hear. Dana Berliner of the Institute for Justice joins us to discuss what has happened to the property owner and the property itself in the 14 years since the decision. It’s not particularly good news, especially if you’re a believer in private property rights and limited government. There’s a lesson to be learned here.

One of the biggest dilemmas faced by people of faith is when the line between their moral principles and their political beliefs begins to blur. This is particularly true when it comes to what political authorities refer to as “matters of national security.” Whether it’s going to war against another country or maintaining control over the borders of your own country, it’s hard to see others as children of God while simultaneously viewing them as an active threat.

With so many laws on the books, there are virtually unlimited ways that a person can become a criminal. This puts an enormous strain on our legal and judicial system. Utah County Attorney David Leavitt joins us to discuss a groundbreaking approach that he is trying that seeks to handle problems in ways other than simply prosecuting people. Learn what he hopes to accomplish and how it could cut down on the the unnecessary criminalization that bogs down our justice system.

What’s the best way to fight racism or sexism? Depending upon who you ask, the answer may be with even more racism or sexism. This can take fairly innocuous forms such as focusing exclusively on the rights of women or minorities rather than the rights of all. Is there a better way? Can we right authentic wrongs without giving in to the temptation to create a new double standard?

Taxes are a part of life but just how big a part of our lives is a question that is constantly being asked. When governmental entities need revenue, taxing the citizenry is often the preferred way to get that money. But should services be taxed in the same manner as other items on which we pay sales taxes? Connor gets some great insights from Jared Walczak from the Tax Foundation on how sales taxes have evolved over the years.

Each of us has opportunities to wield our influence wherever we happen to be. Wielding that influence wisely can be harder than it sounds. Do we win others to our side with persuasion or do we use a more brute force approach? In this episode, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach when it comes to winning supporters.

Unless we personally know someone who has been incarcerated, chances are that we know very little about the prison system. It’s a part of life that takes place out of sight and out of mind for many us and we seem to prefer it that way. Libertas policy analyst Molly Davis joins Connor to discuss their takeaways from a recent tour they did at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah.

Few things feed the power the state more than when we invite it to become the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. This is particularly true regarding the topic of abortion where the moral question at the root of the dialogue is getting lost in the struggle to impose solutions on others. Is using the force of law to establish our position the best solution? Could more innocent lives be saved without appealing to the state?

Medical procedures often produce certain ethical concerns and the occasional dilemma. One of those is when pelvic examinations are conducted on unconscious women. The physical risks may be secondary to the emotional damage that can result when a woman realizes that her reproductive organs have been examined while she was under anesthesia for another procedure. Connor visits with Robin Fretwell Wilson from the University of Illinois College of Law about recent legislative efforts to protect the patient’s right to informed consent.

Is socialism gaining in popularity among younger people? For that matter, is capitalism on the outs with the millennial generation? Depending upon who you ask, this appears to be the case. But where do these attitudes originate? Do the young people allegedly embracing socialism even understand what it is, or are they just excited at the prospect of “free” stuff? In this episode, we discuss how to counter this trend and when to start teaching free market principles to youngsters.

There are many areas of our lives where regulation can be more of a hindrance than a blessing. Nowhere is this more true than when patients who want or need a particular medication find themselves stymied by excessive regulation. Do you understand your rights when it comes to self-medication or informed consent? Connor visits with Jessica Flanigan about medical paternalism and what we can do about exercising our individual rights as they pertain to our health.

  Peer to Peer technology is opening the door to a new class of decentralized, trustworthy ways to solve problems. If you’ve ever used Uber or Lyft or stayed at an Airbnb, you’ve already encountered it. Same thing if you’ve ever purchased something off of Ebay rather than going to a big box store. In this episode, Connor explores the pros and cons of eliminating the middlemen that we regard as common.

Everyone makes mistakes. But when that mistake is a criminal one, should it follow a person for the rest of his or her life? Few of us understand the process of expungement and how it can provide a person with an opportunity for starting over with a clean slate. Rebecca Vallas from the Center for American Progress joins Connor to discuss why it’s in our interest to provide some offenders with a second chance at life.

Being summoned for jury duty is rarely cause for celebration. But it should be. It’s a pretty sure bet that those who feel inconvenienced by the prospect of jury duty simply don’t understand the essential role the jury fills in a free society. Unfortunately, this information is not something the state is going to freely share with prospective jurors. But we will! In this episode we talk about the history of trial by jury and how the jury can be the last bulwark to hold back injustice or tyranny.

Frustrated with how so much of the political discussion going on today consists of people talking or shouting past one another? If so, you’ll be encouraged by what Arnold Kling from the Cato Institute has to say.  This conversation is a golden opportunity to learn how to move beyond tribal war whoops and to really start communicating with others about political subjects.

The arrest of Julian Assange by British authorities has captured the attention of the world. As the Wikileaks founder awaits extradition to the U.S. to face charges of conspiring to reveal secrets government officials don’t want the public to know. The implications for whistleblowers, the press and truth-tellers everywhere are considerable. Is Assange the boogeyman we’re being told he is or does he deserve recognition for creating transparency where there was none?

Parental choice in your child’s education isn’t something to be taken for granted. Depending upon the country in which you reside, homeschooling your child may be seen as a questionable act. In this episode, we visit with the Petersen family and discuss the legal battle they’ve fought with officials in Sweden for the right to homeschool their kids. Their story should be heard by every parent who feels a personal responsibility regarding their child’s education.

Life takes on noticeably greater depth and purpose when we are actively living to make a difference. It’s not enough just to be against something, we have to know how to stand for something and how to persuade others. If you’ve reached the point where you’re no longer content shouting slogans from the sidelines, here are some proven tips to help you wield your influence wisely.

Think of how many public policies have been created for the purpose of helping the poor. Now ask yourself, why does it seem that none of them are working? Michael Tanner joins us to discuss the ways that the political left and right are inadvertently making matters worse with their respective approaches to bring wealth to the poor. You’ll learn what government should be doing to stop pushing people further into poverty and how the power can be authentically empowered.

A key part of the conversation regarding personal liberty and free markets always comes back to the proper role of government in our lives. One of the most common justifications for the expansion of government power is the perceived need for some type of social safety net. Is the term “social safety net” synonymous with the welfare state? What are some of the options that exist to care for the truly needy without increasing the size and costs of government?

The issue of digital privacy is one that should be on the minds of every person who uses a smart phone. Recently the state of Utah became the first state in the U.S. to require law enforcement to get a warrant before accessing anyone’s data on a third party’s server. Marina Lowe from the ACLU of Utah joins Connor to discuss what this law does and why it was a needed protection of our Fourth Amendment rights.

After a brief but productive hiatus, the Society and the State podcast is back in production and we have a lot to discuss. In today's episode, Connor and Bryan each share 3 of the books currently taking up space on their respective night stands. See what's captured our interest and attention of late and feel free to add your suggestions for other worthwhile books in the comments section. 

Few things are as controversial as the topic of abortion. One-size-fits-all approaches only tend to reinforce the controversy by causing their proponents to dig in ideologically. In today’s episode, Connor visits with Joe Baker from Save the Storks. Joe’s work is proving to be a creative way to tackle the issue with an eye towards furthering the protection of innocent lives. Bridge-builders are few and far between on this subject, so listen as Joe explains how it’s done.

When the news first hit about a caravan of refugees making their way towards the U.S. border to seek asylum, it didn’t take long to become a political football. Are they simply “dreamers” looking for a better life far away from the crime and corruption of their homelands? Or are they an existential threat to America coming here to overthrow us by signing up for welfare benefits and by voting Democratic? Somewhere amidst all the anger, fear and virtue signaling, there must be a more dispassionate way to respond to the situation. In this episode we set out to search for that common ground, if it exists.

When it comes to shaping public policy, especially on hot button issues, it can be tricky to build consensus. Especially at the grassroots level, emotional and passionate dialogue can quickly become angry shouting back and forth. Make no mistake, anger alone isn’t sufficient to decisively shift public opinion and change minds. In this episode, Connor explains the critical lessons he’s learned in how to persuade and build consensus between highly polarized opponents.

The recent Thanksgiving holiday meant different things to different people. Some people celebrate it as a day of gratitude for abundance, others, as a day of sadness and oppression. One thing’s for certain, the simplified version we were taught as children only tells a fraction of the story of those who settled the New World. We revisit some of the popular myths and discuss the valuable lessons learned from the way the pilgrims experience began.

Of all the technological advances going on around us, none have so much potential to change our world as the science of artificial intelligence (AI). Some see AI as a potential danger, e.g. “The Rise of the Machines”, while others see it as the next giant leap forward for mankind. Ben Taylor is the co-founder and Chief Data Officer of Ziff, the world's only unstructured database powered by AI. He joins us to discuss the implications of what a world with AI might be like.

One of the most influential voices on education fell silent recently when John Taylor Gatto passed away. For many of us who have homeschooled or sought alternatives to public schooling, Gatto was the catalyst that caused us to begin questioning compulsory education. As a highly respected and award-winning former public school teacher, John Taylor Gatto spoke with clarity on the system in which he once taught. If you don’t know his story, it’s one worth learning.

Nothing helps to shift public perception on an issue like putting a human face and story to how the issue affects common people. Paige Figi is the mother of Charlotte, a young girl who suffered from a severe form of epilepsy. Charlotte is one of thousands of patients who have found authentic relief in medicinal cannabis products. Paige joins us to discuss how her little girl’s illness prompted an exhaustive effort to gain access to a powerful naturally occurring plant that makes a world of difference in Charlotte’s life.

Another midterm election cycle has played out with its attendant pageantry and fanfare. For all the attention it garnered, we’re still left asking the question: Has anything actually changed? Have the “I Voted” stickers become the new participation trophy for modern Americans? Citizenship requires that we be engaged in our governance but we’re still left wondering if all the focus on the act of voting is as essential as we make it out to be. Join us as we examine some of the things good citizens should be doing outside of the election cycle.

Most of us have heard the public service announcements on our radios from the Ad Council. The crash test dummies Vince and Larry are a good example of this. Have you ever stopped to wonder why so many of those PSAs have a very pronounced big government slant? It’s because they are being financed by the federal government. Pagona Stratoudakis from the American Media Council joins us to discuss how our tax dollars are used to propagandize us.  She also shares how her organization is helping to bring a message of freedom to the airwaves.

For some folks, the semi-annual ritual of setting the clock forward an hour in Spring or back an hour in Fall is no big deal. For the rest of us, it’s an unnecessary disruption of our sleep cycles and something that can have repercussions for days or weeks afterwards. Daylight savings is the result a legislative decree rather than an act of nature. Is it time to rescind this policy and to just let nature take its course? 

If you want to see an example of what authentic investigative journalism looks like, look no further than Ben Swann. His “Reality Check” segments have been a highly popular alternative to the agenda-driven content being promoted by so many news outlets. Ben joins us to discuss the ongoing social media purge of dissenting voices and also to tell us about his new platform from which he is broadcasting.

If you’re a regular listener to the Society and the State podcast, you’ve no doubt noticed that we’ve had a few gaps in posting new episodes lately. Given how much we enjoy doing this podcast, it would be more than a bit out of character for us to have grown tired or lazy about doing SATS. It turns out that some very exciting projects have been keeping Connor and Bryan burning the midnight oil these past few weeks. In this episode we’ll tell you what they are.

Most of us tend to take for granted that our justice system works. This means we assume that the system is hard at work protecting the innocent by only putting bad guys in jail. Our guest may cause you to rethink that assumption. Brett Tolman is a former U.S. Attorney and prosecutor for the federal government. Now, he is a criminal justice reformer who is working to address some serious problems within the system. Learn what he came to realize and what he is doing to correct some of the institutional obstacles to authentic justice.

Knowing how to market ideas to the Millennial generation is a necessity for anyone who wants to succeed. This is especially true when it comes to promoting the cause of liberty and free markets. But not everyone has figured out how to turn good ideas into education and productive conversation. Matt Kibbe from Free the People joins us to offer his insights on how to effectively reach out to the liberty-curious.

The topic of abortion has evolved into one of the most contentious subjects in modern day America. It likely rivals the intensity of the debates over slavery in 1840s America. Bottom line, it’s tough to have a principled discussion of a topic that is so emotionally laden. A recent viral social media post suggested that not only do men have zero interest in stopping abortion but also that unwanted pregnancies are caused by men. That’s a tough divide to bridge. What if abortion could be approached from a personal responsibility and property rights angle?

The confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have been animated, to put it mildly. The circus-like atmosphere isn’t just a symptom of politics-as-usual. It’s an indicator that the American body politic has experienced some major shifts in how we perceive the role of our national government. What do these antics portend for the constitutional republic that our founders created? Is the Supreme Court supposed to be the linchpin on which our nation’s fate hangs?

Concern over the death penalty isn’t just limited to bleeding hearts and liberals. It’s not a matter of coddling criminals. DNA evidence and other technological advances are proving that genuinely innocent people are sitting on Death Row or have been executed. Questions about the inefficiency, inequity and inaccuracy within the justice system mean that opposition to the death penalty is finding acceptance in conservative circles as well. Hannah Cox from Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty joins us to discuss the issue.

In a republic form of government, lawmaking is generally handled by representatives of the people. But is there also a place for direct democracy, where the people can exercise their franchise on specific issues via ballot initiative? In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of the initiative process as well as when and where it may be necessary to limit the power we’ve delegated to government.