PoliticIt Podcast

Utah Senator John Johnson welcomes Kai Schwemmer to the PoliticIt Podcast for a conversation about faith, political expression, and the next generation of conservative leadership.

A controversial cake. A viral photo. A campus debate over free speech and accountability.

On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Utah Sen. John Johnson welcomes Rylie Barnes, vice president of the University of Utah College Republicans, and Riley Beesley, chairman of the Utah College Republicans, to share their perspectives on the “Kirkiversary” cake controversy.

After a photo of a student holding a cake mocking the anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s death spread online, Barnes and Beesley became the subjects of university inquiries over allegations of doxxing. The university later dismissed both cases and apologized.

Hear their account of the controversy and its aftermath in a conversation about political expression, social media responsibility, campus safety, and the challenges of navigating political division.

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Sen. John Johnson sits down with former U.S. Congressman and current Utah State Representative Rob Bishop to discuss why he returned to the Legislature nearly 50 years after his public-service career began there.

Bishop explains why state government often has a more direct impact on Utahns than Washington and shares his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Their conversation covers Utah’s water future, the Great Salt Lake, desalination, affordable housing, local control, education funding, Medicaid, MITA, and the infrastructure surrounding Hill Air Force Base.

They also discuss protecting agricultural water rights, maintaining the aging canals connected to Pineview Reservoir, and how responsible forest management could conserve water, reduce catastrophic wildfires, and create jobs.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about federalism, effective government, and the challenges shaping Utah’s future.

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I enjoyed the opportunity to sit down with Representative Walt Brooks on PoliticIt Dixie today.

Much of our conversation focused on something that seems increasingly rare in government: reducing the burdens government places on the people. We discussed his efforts to do just that, including eliminating the state tax on Social Security benefits, as well as the burden of an additional sales tax appearing on many Southern Utah ballots.

But we also talked about something much bigger—the direction Utah is heading.

The consequences of Prop 4 and Judge Gibson’s unconstitutional ruling could have a significant impact on rural Utah. With a new congressional district drawn around a compact urban area, we risk having representation focused primarily on urban interests while overlooking the rural communities that provide the water, energy, land, and other resources those communities depend on.

Congressional representatives should represent all of Utah—and understand that the prosperity of our urban areas is deeply connected to the strength of rural Utah.

That conversation, why it matters, and much, much more coming up on the podcast!

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What does it take to keep our community safe during a challenging year for firefighting? On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Sen. John Johnson welcomes Ogden City Fire Chief Mike Slater for a conversation about public safety, the demands facing firefighters, and the people who answer the call when emergencies strike.

Join us for a discussion about protecting lives, supporting first responders, and facing a difficult fire season together.

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I sat down with Representative Neil Walter, Chair of the Utah House Education Committee, for a conversation that went well beyond education.

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Ogden City Police Chief Jake Sube and Detective Breianna Bakker join Sen. John Johnson on the PoliticIt Podcast to discuss the Utah Police Chiefs’ Awards and the outstanding service being recognized within Utah law enforcement. They share the stories behind the honors, the importance of dedicated police work, and what these awards mean to the officers, their departments, and the communities they serve.

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Senator John Johnson welcomes Melanie Mortensen and Alison Smart to the PoliticIt Podcast for a conversation about America’s 250th Family Night at the Utah State Capitol. They discuss the upcoming celebration, the activities planned for families, and the importance of coming together to honor America’s history, founding principles, and promising future.

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The Salt Lake Tribune recently published a critical article featuring allegations from former participants of The Other Side Academy. Joseph Grenny, CEO of The Other Side Academy, joins Sen. John Johnson on the PoliticIt Podcast to respond.

Together, they examine what the article reported, discuss what they believe it left out, and consider how the story might have been written with greater context—including the Academy’s methods, outcomes, and the experiences of those who credit the program with changing their lives.

This is The Other Side Academy’s opportunity to tell the other side of the story.

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On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Senator John Johnson sits down with Brooks Benson, a candidate for Utah State Senate District 11. They discuss Benson’s background, his decision to run for office, the issues affecting District 11, and his vision for representing the community at the Utah State Capitol.

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