The Commonwealth Matters

By Commonwealth Policy FoundationNews

The Commonwealth Matters episodes

February 18 The Fight for Life in Kentucky W/ Rep. Nancy Tate
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program.
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28 min
February 11 Kentucky Assembly Highlights
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky
LinkedIn: Commonwealth Policy Center
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
28 min
February 04 How Abortion Harms Everything w/ Alexandra DeSanctis
In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Alexandra DeSanctis, a writer for National Review and fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center, to discuss her new book, co-authored with Ryan Anderson, "Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing." If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky
LinkedIn: Commonwealth Policy Center
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
28 min
January 28 KY Profiting Off the Losses of its People W/ Les Bernal
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
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E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
28 min
January 21 Oppposing Gender Ideology W/ Vernadette Broyles
In this compelling episode, Richard Nelson engages with Vernadette Broyles, founder of the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, to explore the contentious issues surrounding gender ideology, parental rights, and the protection of minors. They delve into the legal battles and societal implications of gender transitions in minors, the role of medical organizations, and the critical involvement of churches in addressing these challenges. Join the conversation as they discuss the impact of these issues on families and communities, and the resources available to support parents and church leaders in navigating this complex landscape.
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky
Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
27 min
January 14 Understanding DEI in Public Schools W/ Senator Lindsey Tichenor
In this episode of The Commonwealth Matters, Richard Nelson engages with State Senator Lindsay Tichenor to explore the implications of Senate Bill 26, which seeks to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from Kentucky's K-12 public schools. The discussion delves into the rationale behind the bill, the potential impact on educational content, and the broader societal implications of DEI initiatives. Senator Tichenor shares her perspective on how DEI may conflict with the principles of equal treatment and opportunity, sparking a thought-provoking conversation on the future of education in Kentucky.
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky
Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
26 min
January 07 Should 18-Year-Olds Gamble on Sports? w/Richard Nelson
Kentucky is one of the few states that allows 18-year-olds to gamble on sports, even as most set the minimum age at 21. On this episode of Commonwealth Matters, we examine the risks legalized sports betting poses to young adults—especially college students—through aggressive advertising, mobile apps, and in-game wagering. Drawing on research from the NIH and NCAA, we discuss the growing concerns over addiction, financial harm, and pressure on student-athletes, and ask whether raising the minimum betting age is a commonsense solution.
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky
Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
28 min
December 31, 2025 Reflecting on 2025: Chaos, Controversy, and the Hope for 2026
In a candid year-end reflection, Richard Nelson surveys the tumultuous political landscape of 2025. From the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk to ongoing controversies over gambling, from debates around Medicaid reform to the sweeping “Big Beautiful Bill,” Nelson examines how the nation navigated a year of profound change and conflict. Looking forward, he identifies the nation’s best hope for 2026, offering a vision for renewal and principled leadership amid uncertainty.
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky
Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
28 min
December 24, 2025 What Human Dignity Requires of Kentucky w/ Dr. Robert P. George
This week, Richard Nelson sits down with Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, for a wide-ranging conversation on human dignity and the moral challenges posed by abortion, IVF, and medical aid in dying (MAID). Drawing on philosophical and theological foundations, they explore why these issues matter and how Kentucky can better protect human life and uphold human dignity in law and public policy.
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky
Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
43 min
December 17, 2025 Preparing for 2026: Moral, Social, and Fiscal Priorities in Kentucky w/ Rep. Max Wise
Richard Nelson of the Commonwealth Policy Center sits down in the office of Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise for an in-depth conversation on priorities for Kentucky’s 2026 legislative session. The discussion explores a range of pressing moral and social issues facing the Commonwealth, as well as key fiscal concerns, including income tax policy and broader questions of economic stewardship. Together, they examine how lawmakers are seeking to balance principle, prudence, and public accountability as they prepare for the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy
Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky
Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter
E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/
30 min