On this episode of "Deseret Voices," host McKay Coppins delves into the extraordinary life and legacy of Sen. Harry Reid, lawyer and former Majority Leader of the US Senate. In a conversation with Jon Ralston, author of “The Game Changer,” a new political biography about Reid, we discover how Reid rose from his humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada, to become one of the most influential political figures in America. Ralston gives an unmatched look at Reid's indomitable spirit, strategic prowess, and how he reshaped the Democratic party, leaving a lasting impact on American politics. He shares insights into Reid's controversial decisions, including invoking the nuclear option and his memorable entanglements with fellow Latter-day Saint Mitt Romney. 

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

The ousting of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro is one of those moments that invites a lot of strong opinions, and that becomes even more complicated once you start asking questions. Who is running Venezuela now? Will America try to overthrow regimes in Cuba or Colombia next? What does this tell us about President Donald Trump’s foreign policy positions? And what does it mean for the future of Venezuela and its people who have been living under a brutal dictatorship for more than a decade? 

On this episode of “Deseret Voices,” McKay Coppins explores those questions with foreign policy expert Richard Fontaine, who has advised President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain, and who now runs the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a think tank in Washington, D.C. 

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," join Jane Clayson Johnson for a compelling conversation with Dr. Lynn Bufka from the American Psychological Association. As we step into the new year, they dive into insights from the 2025 Stress in America survey, unpacking the complexities of how societal division, disconnection, and loneliness are affecting our stress levels more than ever. 

This discussion offers tips on how to foster connection with others and build resilience, challenging listeners to rethink their interactions in an increasingly disconnected world for their new year’s resolutions.  

Tune in for guidance on nurturing meaningful connections and reducing stress for a more connected, healthier new year.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," join host Jane Clayson Johnson as she welcomes Sharon Eubank, the global humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sharon shares invaluable insights from her 28 years in global humanitarian work and her new book, "Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World."

In this conversation, Sharon emphasizes the importance of local solutions, leveraging personal interests for community service, and the essentiality of listening over imposing solutions.

You’ll gain practical tips on how to initiate meaningful change in your own community, cultivate a service-oriented mindset, and understand the profound impact of doing small things with great love. Whether you're looking to get involved in your community or seeking inspiration to serve, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and motivation.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of “Deseret Voices,” host McKay Coppins is joined by political strategist and publisher of The Bulwark, Sarah Longwell, whose countless hours holding voter focus groups have given her an unparalleled insight into the mind of everyday Americans. 

As a lifelong Republican, Sarah has navigated the complex world of political strategy and emerged as a leading voice in anti-Trump conservatism. Her research provides a fascinating perspective on how the Trump era has reshaped the conservative movement as well as American politics. 

This episode examines the evolving definition of conservatism in America, the future of the GOP and what Democrats need to do to attract swing voters.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the Deseret Voices podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," McKay Coppins sits down with author and New York Times columnist Ross Douthat to discuss cultural currents surrounding religion in contemporary secular societies. As Douthat shares his insights, he reflects on the unexpected openness he encountered towards religious discussions during a recent book tour and in his interactions with readers.

This interview delves into Douthat's exploration of American culture's shifting attitudes towards spirituality, the evolving narrative of faith, and his arguments for religion’s relevance in modern life.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," James Walsh, a seasoned writer from New York Magazine known for his compelling insights into technology and higher education, Joins Jane Clayson Johnson to discuss his controversial piece, "Everyone is Cheating Their Way Through College," which has ignited a nationwide dialogue about the implications of generative AI in higher education. 

Through this conversation, we delve into his findings and explore how tools such as ChatGPT and Claude are not only transforming but also challenging the traditional mechanisms of learning and evaluation in educational institutions.

With AI tools for students becoming increasingly accessible, James reveals a stark reality — the ubiquitous use of technology to cut corners on assignments and exams. College students are using AI to write essays, code, and more, presenting what many believe to be the ultimate cheating tool in educational settings. 

This episode sheds light on the perceptions and justifications students use to rationalize AI's academic presence and how educators are grappling with this new norm, struggling to detect AI-assisted work and maintain integrity in their classrooms.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," host Jane Clayson Johnson engages in a heartfelt conversation with Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez, exploring themes of resilience, grief, and personal transformation. Astrid opens up about the profound challenges she faced after the tragic and sudden loss of her husband, compounded by the Charlie Kirk assassination at UVU just months later. 

Through a lens of vulnerability and strength, Astrid shares how she navigated these dual tragedies, embraced pain as a catalyst for growth, and led the UVU campus community toward healing and unity. 

Astrid’s story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's ability to transform through trauma, offering hope and inspiration to listeners navigating their own paths through trauma and the grief cycle.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the Deseret Voices podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," McKay Coppins is joined by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a seasoned political leader whose career has been unexpectedly thrust into the national spotlight. Cox has witnessed firsthand the insidious power of social media and its role in shaping — and often warping — our political discourse and personal lives.

After the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, Cox was not just responding to a crisis but confronted with a pivotal moment of decision: How would he utilize his platform amidst the national attention? Rather than delve into partisan blame games, he chose to call out the "cancer" of social media, the algorithms he deems as "evil," and the companies profiting from societal divisions.

In this episode, we explore the rising phenomenon of political polarization exacerbated by technology, how social media platforms, initially hailed as revolutionary tools for connection, have become vehicles for division and strife. And the state of Utah’s fight to take on the top platforms to protect kids.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," McKay Coppins connects with Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., to explore the pressing issue of political violence in America. As someone intimately familiar with the impact of such violence, Kelly reflects on the recent tragic events at Utah Valley University and shares his perspective on what can be done to de-escalate the current political climate. They discuss the role of leadership in fostering unity, the challenges posed by economic inequality and social media, and the importance of cross-party collaboration. Listen as Kelly provides a candid and insightful discussion on the state of American democracy and the path forward.

Deseret Voices is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the Deseret Voices podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

Deseret Voices is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts. 

Episodes of Deseret Voices drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).