Back Channel Utah

Geoffrey Landward, Utah’s commissioner of higher education, explains what “ROI” should actually mean for college degrees and post-secondary certificates, and why the value of higher ed goes beyond wages alone. He discusses Utah’s upcoming enrollment peak, what the national “enrollment cliff” could mean for public institutions, and why Utah’s system structure is an advantage if leaders plan strategically. Landward also breaks down how the state should think about technical education, stackable credentials, and returning adults as AI transforms the workforce. Finally, he shares why banning AI in the classroom is the wrong approach, and what “pro-human” looks like when education is trying to prepare students for real life.

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Ray Conley, founder and CEO of Creekstone Energy, breaks down why the AI era is becoming a land rush for power, fiber, and the physical footprint needed to train frontier models. Conley explains why Delta is unusually advantaged, how Utah’s “golden spike” infrastructure history shaped modern fiber routes, and why “behind the meter” power generation is essential if AI infrastructure is going to scale without spiking local power bills. He also offers a clear explanation for why people suddenly fear data centers, arguing it is less about the buildings and more about what they represent now that AI “actually worked.” The conversation connects Utah’s role in AI infrastructure to bigger questions of competitiveness, growth, and what it means to build responsibly.

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Dustin Lipson, president of Primary Children’s Hospital, explains why healthcare is so difficult to reform, and what it takes to run a children’s hospital built on deep community trust. He shares how Primary has climbed into the top tier of U.S. News and World Report rankings, why “the child first and always” is designed to be an operational standard, and how pediatric care must support families, not just patients. Lipson also outlines the tradeoffs that come with rapid growth, including expansion across the Intermountain West, and the financial pressure children’s hospitals face as Medicaid budgets tighten. The message is clear: investing in children early is not only moral, it is long-term economic strategy.

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Rob Bishop served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and previously held the gavel as Speaker of the Utah House. After retiring from Congress, he returned to the Utah House of Representatives to serve his local district, bringing decades of legislative experience full circle.

In this episode, he offers a clear look at how Congress operates behind closed doors, why standard textbooks fail to capture real legislative mechanics, and what has changed inside the Utah Capitol over the last fifty years. He breaks down the realities of federalism, the unwritten rules of Washington, and why maintaining personal humility is essential for effective public service. Listeners will gain an insider perspective on federal agency oversight, parliamentary rules, and the vital role of interpersonal relationships in passing effective public policy.

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Utah State Senator Todd Weiler joins Back Channel for a candid look at his fourteen-year career in the legislature and his new role as President and CEO of the Sutherland Institute. Growing up as the son of a custodian in the Chicago suburbs, Weiler learned early how to negotiate, work hard, and speak directly. In this episode, he breaks down the inner workings of the Utah Senate, why the state budget will face tighter constraints next session, and the critical policy lessons he’s learned along the way.

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Back Channel is taking a short break for Labor Day — but this is a great weekend to catch up. Listen to last week’s conversation with Utah Attorney General Derek Brown or go back through the full catalog wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

We’ll be back September 11 with Utah Senator Todd Weiler, the new president of the Sutherland Institute, for a candid conversation about the evolution of the Utah Legislature during his time on the Hill, the best and worst of being a lawyer, and more.

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Utah Attorney General Derek Brown details the major legal battles facing the state's largest law firm. Brown explains his office's push against the "addiction economy," the recent court victory against prediction market platform Kalshi, protecting consumer genetic data in the 23andMe bankruptcy, and leading a 50-state coalition against automated robocalls. He also reflects on his career across state government and public policy.

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Brad Wilson, CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games and former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, discusses what it takes to prepare for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games while balancing one of the largest organizational efforts in state history.

He shares how his background in business and public service prepared him for the role, why Utah is uniquely positioned to host another Winter Olympics, and what success will look like long after the closing ceremony. Wilson also reflects on the Great Salt Lake, leadership, and the importance of making decisions with future generations in mind. 

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Rep. Ariel Defay represents Utah House District 15 after joining the Legislature through a 2023 appointment. Drawing on experience in government, political campaigns, and her family's small business, she has quickly become a leading voice on education and technology policy.

She discusses artificial intelligence in schools, classroom technology, early literacy, child protection, and how lawmakers can encourage innovation while putting students first. Defay also shares why collaboration shapes every bill she sponsors and why listening to teachers, parents, and constituents is essential to building effective public policy.

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Curtis Blair, President and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber, discusses why Utah County has become one of the fastest-growing business communities in the country and what it will take to sustain that momentum.

In this episode, he shares how the Chamber is helping shape conversations around housing, transportation, infrastructure, workforce development, and economic growth. Blair also reflects on leadership, entrepreneurship, community partnerships, and why intentional growth is the key to Utah County's future.

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Off Script. On Record.