Utah Women & Leadership Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen discusses findings from the August research brief How Higher Education Strengthens Individual, Family, and Community Well‑Being. Drawing on data from the UWLP’s 2025 Fall Survey — completed by more than 5,200 Utahns — the report shows that higher education delivers far‑reaching benefits that extend well beyond jobs and wages. Educational attainment strengthens Utah’s social, civic, and community fabric, shaping how residents understand and navigate key areas of community life.

The research examines how education influences views across ten areas of community well‑being, including domestic violence, child sexual abuse, financial security, health, civic engagement, poverty, and K–12 education. The findings reveal a clear pattern: as education levels rise, awareness of community challenges increases, along with confidence navigating major institutions and systems.

Dr. Madsen is joined once again by Dr. Eric Dahlin, co‑author of the report and professor of Sociology at Brigham Young University, to explore the data and discuss what these insights mean for Utah communities.

Guests

Dr. Eric Dahlin  
Professor of Sociology, Brigham Young University

Download the full research brief HERE.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen discusses findings from the research brief The Power of Education: How Higher Education Shapes Utah Workplaces. Drawing on data from the UWLP’s third annual statewide survey — completed by more than 5,200 Utahns — the report reveals a clear and consistent pattern: education fundamentally shapes how people see the workplace. Across all eight workplace‑related areas of A Bolder Way Forward, higher levels of education were associated with greater awareness of workplace challenges, stronger recognition of inequities, and clearer expectations for fairness, transparency, and supportive organizational practices.

The brief also shows that education shifts women’s perceptions far more than men’s, widening gender gaps in views about discrimination, harassment, and workplace inequality. In this conversation, Dr. Madsen and her guest unpack what these patterns mean for Utah employers, policymakers, and communities.

Dr. Madsen is joined by Dr. Eric Dahlin, co‑author of the report and professor of Sociology at Brigham Young University, to explore the findings and discuss their implications for Utah’s workforce.

Guests

Dr. Eric Dahlin  
Professor of Sociology, Brigham Young University

Download the full research brief HERE.

Visit the Utah Women & Leadership Project website.

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Podcast Description

In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen explores findings from the September 2026 research brief, The Status of Women Leaders in Public Education (K–12): A 2026 Update. The report shows meaningful progress: women now hold just over half of leadership roles statewide, with notable gains on district boards, in superintendent positions, and among principals and assistant principals — particularly in elementary and charter schools. Yet the brief also highlights persistent gaps, including the low share of women serving as district superintendents and a recent decline in women leading public high schools.

Together, these findings offer a clear picture of where representation is improving, where it is stalling, and why gender‑diverse leadership remains essential as Utah’s schools navigate growing challenges. Dr. Madsen is joined by Jamie Faux and Corinne Clarkson, co‑authors of the report, to walk through the data, discuss emerging trends, and reflect on what the future of K–12 leadership in Utah may hold.

Guests

Jamie Faux  
Research Assistant, Utah Women & Leadership Project

Corinne Clarkson  
Research Associate, Utah Women & Leadership Project

Download the full research brief HERE.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen breaks down a powerful new white paper published in June 2026: The Roots of Sexual Violence in Utah: A Framework for Understanding Harm. The report makes one thing unmistakably clear: sexual violence is not random or isolated. It emerges from cultural norms, social systems, and power structures that shape how communities understand gender, authority, and accountability. Utah’s high rates of rape and child sexual abuse stand in stark contrast to its reputation for strong families and close‑knit communities, and this paper explains why.

The white paper introduces the Utah Sexual Violence Pyramid, a research‑grounded framework illustrating how harmful attitudes, normalized behaviors, and systemic silence create conditions where violence can escalate. The message is direct: preventing harm requires honest conversation, cultural awareness, and collective action. This episode walks through the findings and explores how Utahns can use this shared language and roadmap to build communities where violence cannot take root.

Dr. Madsen is joined by Brie Sparks and Deborah Lin, two members of the Utah Women & Leadership Project team, to discuss the research, its implications, and the work ahead.

Guests

Brie Sparks  
Associate Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Brie leads statewide strategy, research translation, and partnership development for UWLP. Her work focuses on strengthening systems that support women, girls, and families across Utah.

Deborah Lin  
Local Outreach & Resource Manager, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Deborah oversees community engagement, resource development, and local partnerships. She works closely with organizations and residents to expand awareness and prevention efforts related to issues affecting Utah women and girls.

Download the full white paper HERE.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen explores key findings from the newly released 2026 research snapshot New American Women (Immigrants and Refugees) in Utah (Authors: Dr. Susan Madsen, Dr. Robyn Blackburn, and Vanessa Tuttle). Immigrants and refugees now make up a growing share of Utah’s population: more than 300,000 residents, including tens of thousands of women and girls who contribute cultural diversity, economic strength, and global experience to communities across the state. Yet the snapshot also highlights the significant challenges many face, including language barriers, limited access to services, discrimination, and increased risks of poverty and gender‑based violence. Despite these obstacles, New American women contribute billions to Utah’s economy and play a vital role in shaping the state’s future. This episode offers a clear, human‑centered look at who these women are and what Utahns can do to better support them.

Dr. Madsen is joined by one of the co‑authors of the snapshot, Dr. Robyn Blackburn, to discuss the experiences, strengths, and needs of New American women in Utah today.

Guests

Dr. Robyn Blackburn

Research Fellow, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Co‑author — New American Women (Immigrants and Refugees) in Utah  

Download the full 2025 research snapshot HERE.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen explores a 2026 research brief from the Utah Women & Leadership Project: Seven Top Opportunities for Utah Girls and Women: A 2026 Update. Building on insights from more than 5,200 Utahns, including over 3,500 written responses, this conversation highlights where Utahns see the greatest potential for women and girls today. Because the same questions were asked in 2023 and 2024 studies, this updated report using data from 2025 reveals what’s emerging, what’s expanding, and how opportunities across the state continue to evolve. Dr. Madsen is joined by Dr. April Townsend to discuss the trends, possibilities, and momentum shaping the lives of Utah women and girls.

Guests

Dr. April Townsend 
Research Fellow, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Co‑author — Seven Top Opportunities for Utah Girls and Women: A 2026 Update  

Download the full 2026 research brief HERE.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen opens the new season of the Utah Women & Leadership Podcast with one of the year’s most significant research briefs: Eleven Major Challenges Utah Girls and Women Face: A 2026 Update. Drawing on insights from more than 5,200 Utahns, nearly 3,500 of whom wrote in their own words, this conversation explores how challenges, perceptions, and experiences have shifted since the 2023 statewide survey. Together, the data reveal what’s improving, what’s changing, and what still requires urgent attention for Utah women and girls.

Dr. Madsen is joined by Dr. April Townsend, Research Fellow with the Utah Women & Leadership Project and coauthor of the report, to walk through the findings and discuss the trends shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today.

Guests

Dr. April Townsend 
Research Fellow, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Coauthor — Eleven Major Challenges Utah Girls and Women Face: A 2026 Update  

Download the full 2026 research brief HERE.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen examines key findings from the newly released snapshot "Utah Women and Skilled Trades." This research brief explores national and statewide demand for skilled‑trades jobs, trends in women’s participation, and how employment and wages compare across occupations in Utah and the U.S. The conversation also highlights education and training pathways—particularly for young women—and outlines strategies to strengthen women’s representation in Utah’s skilled‑trades and construction workforce.

Dr. Madsen is joined by two leaders in this space—Concetta Defa and Dr. April Townsend—to unpack the data, discuss current challenges, and explore opportunities to support women pursuing careers in the trades.

Guests

Concetta Defa  
Project Consultant, Center for Energy Workforce Development
President, Utah Women in Trades

Dr. April Townsend 
Research Fellow, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Co‑Author, Utah Women and Skilled Trades  

Download the full snapshot HERE.

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Share this episode with colleagues, educators, employers, or anyone interested in strengthening women’s participation in Utah’s skilled‑trades workforce.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen explores key findings from the newly released 2025 white paper “Home, Health, Community, & Allyship 2025: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, and Attitudes.” Drawing on insights from an 83‑item survey of more than 5,200 Utahns, this conversation focuses specifically on male allyship: how men perceive their role in supporting women and girls, and how those attitudes have shifted over the past three years. Dr. Madsen is joined by two guests, Richard Hawkes and Brie Sparks, to discuss the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping allyship efforts across Utah’s homes, workplaces, and communities.

Guests

Richard Hawkes

Director of Programs, Northrop Grumman
Former Chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council
Richard has led initiatives that expand opportunities and support for underrepresented groups across his organization.

Brie Sparks

Associate Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project
Brie guides statewide strategy and partnerships that strengthen opportunities for Utah women and girls. She is known for her collaborative leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to building communities where women can thrive.

Download the full 2025 white paper HERE.

Visit the Utah Women & Leadership Project website.

Share this episode with colleagues, community partners, or anyone interested in advancing allyship and women’s well‑being in Utah.

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In this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen explores findings from the newly released 2025 white paper “Home, Health, Community, & Allyship 2025: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, and Attitudes.” This conversation focuses on Political and Civic Representation, examining how perceptions and experiences have shifted for Utah women and girls over the past three years. Drawing on data from an 83‑item survey of more than 5,200 Utahns, the discussion highlights the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping women’s engagement in civic life statewide.

Dr. Madsen is joined by two Bolder Way Forward advisors—Ann Mackin and Sui Lang Panoke—who offer expert insights into representation, leadership pathways, and the systems that influence women’s participation in public decision‑making.

Guests

Ann Mackin  
Founder & President, Springboard Utah
Bolder Way Forward Advisor — Political & Civic Representation Spoke
Ann leads statewide efforts to train, advocate for, and place talented individuals on community boards, government commissions, nonprofit boards, and corporate boards across Utah.

Sui Lang Panoke  
Founder & Principal Consultant, Rethink International
Bolder Way Forward Advisor — Political & Civic Representation Spoke
Sui Lang is a global leadership strategist who challenges organizations to rethink how they develop leaders, build culture, and expand representation.

Download the full 2025 white paper HERE.1

Visit the Utah Women & Leadership Project website.

Share this episode with colleagues, community partners, or anyone invested in strengthening women’s political and civic leadership in Utah.

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