President Trump declared April 2 Liberation Day, where he signed an executive order imposing a minimum of 10% tariff on all US imports. Higher tariffs were imposed on 57 countries. With the stock market reacting poorly to the tariffs, Trump placed a 90 day pause on the tariffs, except for China. We are joined by Dr. Brian Domitrovic of the Laffer C…

President Donald Trump’s statement on Holy Week is creating a stir, which is very much in contrast to President Biden’s Easter statement last year for Trans-Visibility Day. On this week’s episode we talk about President Trump’s Easter statement and how Easter is good news for all people. ⁠ If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Di…

What’s the role of religion in American society? Is Christianity antithetical to America’s idea of liberty? And what does it mean to be an American? On this week’s edition of The Commonwealth Matters, we’re gonna tackle these questions with Dr. John Wilsey, Professor of Church History and Philosophy at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr.…

In this week’s episode of the Commonwealth Matters, we are joined by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to discuss the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and how he and others in Washington, DC are working to reign in ridiculous government spending. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Poli…

Kentucky is one of twelve states that only allows abortion when necessary to save the mother’s life. Critics argue that this restriction has endangered women facing life-threatening pregnancy complications. In response, the Kentucky State Legislature recently passed a bill to clarify the legal definition of abortion and outline exceptions for serio…

What does it really mean to be free? Is freedom simply the ability to do whatever you want as long as no one gets hurt? Or is there a deeper, richer understanding of freedom? This week on The Commonwealth Matters, we sit down with Brad Littlejohn, Director of Programs & Education at American Compass, to explore his latest book, Called to Freedom: R…

In this episode, we delve into the fundamental aspects of a healthy society, questioning whether it is rooted in the individual or the family. We explore the impact of family breakdowns and examine the connection between such occurrences and government policies. Joining us to talk about this important issue is Colin Smothers, executive director of …

In this episode, we delve into the escalating issue of wildfires in the American West, a trend that has been on the rise for several decades. As debates stir around the role of global climate change in intensifying these fires, we invite Danielle Franz, CEO of the American Conservation Coalition, to discuss whether these changes are contributing to…

For years, we’ve heard the phrase “drain the swamp,” but what does it actually mean for a congressman tasked with investigating corruption? What challenges come with exposing abuse at the highest levels of government? In this episode, we sit down with Congressman James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, to discuss his new book, All the …

Strengthening families is a bipartisan goal—but the real debate is how to make it happen. In this episode, CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson explores the role of tax policy in supporting Kentucky families and discusses how the state can create a more family-friendly economic environment. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive …

Presidential pardons are making waves as President Biden grants clemency to his son Hunter and close family members, while former President Trump issues a sweeping pardon for over 1,500 individuals tied to the January 6th riots. In Kentucky, lawmakers are seeking to limit the governor’s pardon power, raising questions about executive authority. Plu…

What would you do if you were told by your boss to use gender-preferred pronouns in the work place forcing you to violate your conscience, and if you refused to do so, you would lose your job? Or what would you do if you were a pro-life nurse and were forced to give abortion-inducing drugs to a patient? These issues aren’t theoretical, but are issu…

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, ushering in what many see as a new day in our federal government. In this episode of The Commonwealth Matters, CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson examines Trump’s first days in office, analyzing his executive actions, policy agenda, and the potential im…

Do your words matter? Does it matter that society has an agreed-upon definition of those words? What happens to culture when definitions of really important words change? Joining us to help us answer these questions is Scott Allen, president of Disciple Nations Alliance, whose vision is to shape nations according to biblical truth so they might be …

In this episode, we dive into the contentious issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in schools. Are they fostering inclusion or perpetuating division? We focus on a recent controversy in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), where the Chief Equity Officer made sweeping claims about an entire race. State Senator Lindsey Tichenor…

How should we handle money? Is money something that Christians should avoid? After all, isn’t it the root of all kinds of evil? And what about the next generation and their view and stewardship of money? Joining us to talk further about the Next Gen Challenge: God, Money, and Stewardship is Dan Lewis, who is the executive director of the River Foun…

It is hard to believe that another year is in the books. Much has happened this year, including the campaign between Trump and Pres. Biden and then VP Harris, President Trump was elected, legacy media outlets lost their influence, and many social issues were at the fore. Joining us to reflect on 2024 is Ron Hicks, Pastor of Henderson Memorial Bapti…

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Pastor Ron Hicks of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church to discuss the true meaning of Christmas and the hope of the gospel. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠…

On this special Christmas episode of The Commonwealth Matters, we take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the season to reflect on its true meaning. Amid gift-giving, parties, and festive decorations, it’s easy to forget the central focus of Christmas: Christ Himself. Joining us this week to talk about the character of Christ and the deep th…

What would you do if your child’s school library contained books that were inappropriate for children? For our guest Miranda Stovall, this was not a hypothetical situation. After discovering explicit books in her child’s middle school library in Louisville, she took action—but found no support from teachers, principals, or the school board. Joining…

America faces its toughest economic challenges in decades: record-high inflation, a staggering $35 trillion federal debt, and heavy-handed regulations that threaten to stifle growth. These conditions set the stage for Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency. But what’s the way forward? How can the federal government create policies that foster econom…

Thanksgiving is a cherished American tradition, filled with turkey, pumpkin pie, and football, but have you ever stopped to wonder what we’re truly celebrating? Is it just about family and food, or the story we learned in school about Pilgrims and Indians sharing a feast? How accurate is the history we’ve been told? In this episode, we explore the …

In this episode, we dive into the the 2024 presidential election, where Donald Trump secured a significant victory over Kamala Harris with 312 electoral votes. Reflecting on an analysis written the day before the election, we explore the key factors that tipped the scales, including voter sentiment and the impact of Democratic policy priorities. Yo…

School choice was dealt a blow in Kentucky when Amendment 2 went down in flames on election day by nearly 2 to 1 margin. Voters rejected the idea that Kentucky parents should have some kind of choice in education by teacher deception and misinformation about the amendment, and it was funded by the National Educational Association. Was defeat of Ame…

In this week's episode, we dive into a pressing question: Is overpopulation the true challenge we face, or is depopulation a more urgent concern? To discuss this important issue, we are joined by Lyman Stone, a senior fellow and Director of the Pronatalism Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies, and the Chief Information Officer at Demograp…

Election day is next week (Nov. 5, early voting begins Oct. 31)! Also on the ballot in Kentucky is Amendment 2, which would open up the opportunity of school choice to parents across the Commonwealth. Yet, there’s strong opposition and misinformation going around. To learn more about the amendment go here. To view other election resources, includin…

To what extent should Christians be engaged in politics? Do Christians have a responsibility to vote? And what if there are two bad choices at the top of the ticket? Joining us to discuss this issue further is pastor and author Bob Russell. Bob is the former pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, the author of a number of books, and ha…

With Election Day fast approaching on Tuesday, November 5th, the choices we make will shape our nation’s future—from the presidency to Congress and to state leaders. In this episode, we explore how Christians can thoughtfully engage in the public arena, guided by distinctly Christian principles. Join us as we unpack biblical tenets that offer a cle…

Is there a moral foundation to free market capitalism? Does virtue play a critical role in its success? And how has the Christian worldview influenced wealth creation in the United States? In this week's episode, we explore these important questions with Dave Brat, former congressman from Virginia and current Vice Provost for Engagement & Public Re…

Is school choice a good thing for families and children? Will it improve education outcomes? Amendment 2 is on the Kentucky ballot on November 5th and it would open up the opportunity of choice to parents across the Commonwealth, but there’s strong opposition and misinformation. Joining us to talk about this important amendment is Dr. Gary Houchens…

Most crime, including murder and sexual assault, is done by men. Are men toxic? Are they inherently violent and inferior to women? These are some of the questions we’ll try to answer in this week’s edition of the Commonwealth Matters. We are joined by Professor Nancy Pearcey, author of The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the S…

How is Kentucky doing economically compared to other states? Do we find meaning and purpose in our work? And what does it look like to have a healthy economy and flourishing people? On this week's episode of the Commonwealth Matters, CPC Exec. Director Richard Nelson discusses how Kentucky can have a growing economy based on biblical principles. He…

Are you a pastor wondering how to address sensitive political issues with your church? Have you felt uncertain in the voting booth and wondered how to fulfill your civic duties without violating your conscience? Do you want to know how to speak to—and be heard by—your local city council or school board? The Scriptures help us answer all of these qu…

A recent MSNBC article claimed that Donald Trump uses Christianity as a political prop to advance a theocracy and Kamala Harris practices the Christian faith she was raised in and embraces pluralism. Many on the Left call the Right Christian nationalists, and paint Christian nationalism as an existential threat to America, democracy, and the Church…

As power outages become increasingly common across the nation, particularly in states phasing out coal-fired power plants, many are left questioning the reliability of our electrical grid. In Kentucky, a winter storm a few years ago led to rolling blackouts, highlighting the vulnerabilities in our power supply. Are we taking our electricity reliabi…

The church should be a place of hope and healing for broken sinners. But what happens when the church fails at its mission, is no longer safe, and there's a sexual predator who is a leader in the local church? These questions aren't theoretical, but was a reality in LexCity Church in Lexington, KY. To help us think through these difficult issues is…

Too many Americans have a low view of work today. Work has become devalued, and it is seen as something we unfortunately have to do to live. But is this how God and the Bible views work? Are we meant to work and is work the meaning of life? David Bahnsen, founder of the Bahnsen Group, joins us this week to discuss his new book Full-Time: Work and t…

What is leadership? How do you become a leader? What biblical principles can leaders integrate into their lives and work? To talk further about biblical leadership is Todd Gray, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and host of the podcast "Leadership Lessons." If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of…

School choice (or educational freedom) is on the ballot this November in Kentucky. Kentuckians will vote for a constitutional amendment to allow more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers. Proponents of school choice say that this will empower parents with better opportunities that fit the needs of their children. To talk fu…

According to a recent report, the Social Security Fund Reserve will run out by 2035. This means that something needs to be done within 9 years for retirees to receive their full benefits. To talk further about the need for fiscal responsibility in our federal government is Dr. Mark Warshawsky, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (A…

Is marriage an out-of-date institution? Does it get in the way of happiness and fulfillment? To talk further about the importance of marriage to individuals, families, and society, Dr. Brad Wilcox of the University of Virginia joins us to discuss his latest book Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civili…

How should Christians engage the culture? And should Christians engage politically? To help us think through these important questions with help from the wisdom of the early Church, we are joined by Dr. Stephen Presley to discuss his latest book Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church. Dr. Presley is a professor of Church …

Americans pushed back against big businesses like Target and Bud Light when they entered the culture war. But what do we do when businesses target conservative organizations and individuals? To discuss these issues, we are joined this week by Daniel Cameron, former Attorney General of Kentucky and CEO of the 1792 Exchange, an organization dedicated…

The Biden Administration is implementing a rule to require would require children who identify as LGBTQ+ be placed in foster homes that accept the child's "gender identity," which would include "gender affirming" medical procedures. This threatens the existence of faith-based ministries like Kentucky's Sunrise Children's Services. In this week's ed…

Kentucky's primary election season is over, and we can now reflect on the impact of the political action committees (PACs). Churchill Downs, Jefferson Co. Teacher's Association, and others poured in money to defeat conservative candidates. But a little PAC known as Conservatives for the Commonwealth had an outsized influence. In this week's edition…

Should existing health care providers have veto power over new providers moving into the community? How does this affect your health care in your community? In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Robert Moffit of the Heritage Foundation to discuss and clarify the complex topic of certificate of need reform in Kentucky. …

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Prof. Robert P. George of Princeton University to discuss celebrating Fidelity Month in June, a month dedicated to the importance of fidelity to God, spouses and families, and our country and communities. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Comm…

Our universities seem to be collapsing, as colleges have implemented safe spaces and trigger warnings and suppress dissenting voices, mostly those of conservatives. Joining us this week to talk about his new book Conformity Colleges: The Destruction of Intellectual Creativity and Dissent in America's Universities is David Barnhizer, professor of La…

Politicians are now talking about taxes since it's an election year. Those on the right generally want to lower taxes, and those on the left want to raise them. And we as citizens usually think we pay too much. Joining us this week to talk about taxes is Dr. Brian Domitrovic, a scholar at the Laffer Center for Supply-Side Economics and a co-author …

Early voting for the primary election begins tomorrow (May 16th) and primary election day is May 21st. How should Christians think through the important issues this election season, and how can Christians vote in a way that honors God? Joining us this week to talk about these questions is Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics & Religious Liber…