In this episode, we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Gender Pay Gap: A 2025 Update.” The snapshot provides an update to the 2017 and 2021 reports, offering an overview of the gender pay gap. It defines what the gender pay gap is, its components, and why it matters. It also examines the unique economic, cultural, and structural factors that contribute to Utah’s especially wide gap. Understanding these patterns helps us see not only where we are, but also how far we’ve come and what work still lies ahead. We’ll unpack all of that and more in today’s episode.

Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Brittany Davies, Head of People and Culture at Fullcast, and a spoke leader for A Bolder Way Forward’s Gender Pay Gap spoke. Second, Brie Sparks, Statewide Impact Manager at the Utah Women & Leadership Project. 

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In this episode we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled “Cosmetic Surgery and Body Image Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update.” This snapshot examines how cultural, social, religious, and personal factors influence body image, perceptions of cosmetic surgery and beauty standards in Utah. Using state and national data, the report explores whether Utah’s reputation for high rates of elective cosmetic procedures reflects reality or perception. The analysis highlights four areas: beauty standards, cosmetic surgery trends, cultural influences, and efforts to promote positive body image. What do these findings reveal about how these areas influence body image among Utah women, and the efforts underway to promote greater confidence and self-acceptance? We’ll explore all of that and more in today’s episode. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Corinne Clarkson, co-author of the report and a research associate at the Utah Women & Leadership Project. 

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In this episode, we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Women and Fertility: Trends and Changes from 1970–2023.” This snapshot examines how cultural, social, economic, religious, and personal factors have shaped childbearing decisions in Utah over time. Using state and national data, the report explores whether Utah’s fertility trends align with or diverge from national patterns. The analysis highlights four key areas: fertility trends, marital status, cultural contexts by decade, and considerations for the future. What do these findings reveal about the past, present, and future of fertility trends in Utah? We’ll explore all of that and more in today’s episode. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Dr. April Townsend, co-author of the report and a research fellow for the Utah Women & Leadership Project. 

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In this episode we discuss a recently released policy brief titled “The Status of Women and Entrepreneurship in Utah: A 2025 Update.” This report builds on earlier studies from 2016 and 2020, offering fresh insights into the progress women entrepreneurs have made in Utah’s booming economy, as well as the challenges that still remain. Drawing from recent data, national trends, and expert perspectives, the research provides a clear picture of where women-owned businesses are thriving and where barriers continue to hold them back. What do these findings tell us about the future of entrepreneurship for Utah women, and what solutions are emerging to strengthen their success? We’ll explore all of that and more in today’s episode.

Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Ann Marie Wallace, State Director of the Women's Business Center of Utah, and a spoke leader for the Entrepreneurship Spoke in A Bolder Way Forward. Second, Dr. April Townsend, co-author of the report and a research fellow for the Utah Women & Leadership Project.

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In this episode we discussed a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Women and Mental Health: A 2025 Update.” This research provides an updated overview of women’s mental health in Utah, drawing on recent statewide data and analysis to better understand current rates, contributing factors, and efforts to improve well-being for girls, women, and their families. Findings show that Utah ranks second in the nation for adults living with any mental illness, with women reporting depression at nearly double the rate of men. The research also highlights underlying factors such as adverse childhood experiences, sexual violence and domestic abuse, and gender-based discrimination, all of which significantly impact women’s mental and behavioral health. Together, these insights offer a clearer picture of the barriers Utah women face and set the stage for strategies and solutions we’ll explore further.

Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Sadie Wilde, the lead author of the report and a Professional Practice Assistant Professor at Utah State University Extension. 
 

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In this episode we discussed a recently released research and policy brief titled “Utah Women in STEM Education: A 2025 Update.” The good news is that Utah women’s participation in the STEM workforce has grown, from 17.1% in 2015, to 24.0% in 2023. Yet, there is still a huge gap. Importantly, you cannot get more women in STEM unless more women get college degrees in STEM areas, which means there is interest and preparation at the high school, middle-school, and I would even say the elementary school levels in a variety of fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math.  
  
Dr. Susan Madsen (a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward) interviewed two guests to the podcast for this episode. First, Dr. Stacy Firth (an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah, specializing in K-12 and undergraduate engineering education) and Dr. Robyn Blackburn (a research fellow at the Utah Women & Leadership Project and one of the authors of this research brief). 

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In this episode we discuss a research report released in May titled “Women and Finances - What Utahns Need to Know: A 2025 Update.” In Utah through the years, many women have not dealt with money as that was considered a task for men, but Utah women are more involved than ever in the workforce, are more likely to be single, are bearing fewer children, and are older during major life events involving family—all factors that may impact their financial situations. Yet, many of us are uncomfortable with finances and still may feel like we don’t need to be involved (or sometimes spouses/partners just take over). I’m excited to have a more in-depth discussion on women and money in today’s episode! Two guests joined me for the recording: First, Melanie Jewkes, an Extension Professor at USU as well as a Finance Spoke Leader in A Bolder Way Forward. Second, Susan Spears, who is the CEO of the Utah Association of CAPS and also a Finance Spoke Leader in A Bolder Way Forward. 

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In this episode, Dr. Susan R. Madsen and guests discussed a recently released research whitepaper titled “What Utahns Can Do to Strengthen Girls & Women: Findings from Community Conversations Across Utah.” This research is grounded in a statewide research effort that brought together voices from 28 county-level “think tank” discussions (2 counties were held together) held between 2022 and 2024. These conversations focused on uncovering strategies to improve opportunities and quality of life for women and girls across the state. The findings, now compiled in a comprehensive white paper, are organized into five key areas: business and economics, education, health and well-being, government and community engagement, and culture. What emerged were both shared concerns and unique regional challenges, offering a look at the barriers Utah women face and the solutions being proposed by local residents and leaders alike. So, what are these solutions? We talked about that and other strategies in this report this episode. The two guests included Deborah Lin (UWLP Local Outreach & Curriculum Manager) and Amy Anderson (UWLP Regional Outreach Specialist). Enjoy!

WHITE PAPER: What Utahns Can Do to Strengthen Girls & Women: Findings from Community Conversations Across Utah

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In Utah’s early history, women were highly engaged politically; in fact, Utah women citizens were the first in the US to vote under an equal suffrage law in 1870. Utah was also the first state to elect a female state senator (elected over her own husband in the same race), and as recently as 1992, Utah women had the highest voter turnout in the nation at 76.0%. However, by 2006, Utah women’s voting rates plummeted to 51st (50 states plus Washington DC). So where are we now? In this podcast episode, we talk about that and other elements in this report. 

Dr. Susan Madsen (a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward) interviews Corinne Clarkson (co-author/research associate of the Utah Women and Leadership Project) and Kolene Anderson (co-author and the associate director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project).

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This episode discusses a topic within a new white paper report titled “Utah Women, Discrimination, and Sexism: Experiences and Perceptions.” This is the final report of our statewide study conducted in the fall of 2024 at the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) that explores how Utahns view the challenges facing women and girls. This report looks at public perceptions of discrimination and sexism across key areas of life, but because there is much to unpack, this episode is divided into two parts.

Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by Dr. April Townsend, one of the co-authors of the report and a UWLP research fellow. As the owner of Townsend Consulting, she has 30 years of extensive experience working with government organizations, where she has held leadership positions for the past 21 years. 

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