FEATURED EPISODE
Karen Peterson on how education policy really gets made in Utah
Utah education policy is shaped by a lot of decision-makers, and most people only see a small piece of the system. Karen Peterson has been on nearly every side of it. In this episode, Karen explains why education has “a lot of hands on the wheel,” what that means when pressure is real, and how leadership looks when the decisions cannot wait.
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Johnny Ferry on American manufacturing’s moment and what Utah makes
American manufacturing is having a moment, and Utah is right in the middle of it.
In our latest episode of Back Channel, Marty Carpenter sits down with Johnny Ferry, President and CEO of the Utah Manufacturers Association, for a fast, candid conversation about what Utah actually makes, why the sector matters more than most people realize, and what manufacturers need most right now.
Gene Shawcroft on Utah’s water future and where the Colorado River negotiations stand
Utah’s historically dry winter couldn’t have come at a worse time. The seven states that share the Colorado River are locked in negotiations on how to divide a dwindling water supply; the Great Salt Lake is receding, and critical infrastructure at Lake Powell is jeopardized by low water levels. As Utah’s River Commissioner, Gene Shawcroft is at the heas of these issues and he outlines where we are and where we’re headed.
Rep. Cal Roberts on how understanding the budget is key to making sound policy and getting bills passed
Utah is growing fast. Can our infrastructure and institutions keep up?
In this episode of Back Channel, Rep. Cal Roberts breaks down how Utah politics works when you zoom in on budgets, incentives, and the unglamorous mechanics that decide what gets built and what does not.
We talk gas tax politics, housing affordability, and why infrastructure is often the bottleneck.
Tyler Clancy on Utah’s homelessness challenge and the work of solving it
Utah’s state homeless coordinator Tyler Clancy joins Back Channel for a conversation about the experiences that shaped him before public office.
From growing up in South Carolina and playing lacrosse at BYU to working in homelessness services, law enforcement, and the Utah Legislature, Episode 3 focuses on the path behind the title.
Francis Gibson on how Utah’s hospitals are navigating a health system under pressure
Francis Gibson joins Back Channel for a candid conversation on leadership, healthcare, public service, and personal discipline.
The President and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association and former Majority Leader of the Utah House reflects on his path from Texas to BYU football, his years in legislative leadership and the personal transformation that reshaped his health and perspective.
Abby Osborne on the controlled chaos of the House and keeping the trains on the tracks
Abby Osborne, Chief of Staff for the Utah House of Representatives, joins Back Channel for a candid, one-on-one conversation on the people and decisions shaping the state.
No scripts. No spin. Just real perspective.