Welcome to Top Priority, the podcast where we discuss the most pressing issues facing our nation today. In this episode, our host Duane Lester sits down with Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow on Fiscal Policy with Americans for Prosperity Foundation, to talk about one of the most critical issues of our time: inflation.

Inflation is a topic that affects every American, yet it's often misunderstood and overlooked. With the recent surge in prices, it's more important than ever to understand what inflation is, how it works, and what can be done to address it.

In this 30-minute episode, recorded on January 3, 2023, Duane and Kurt dive deep into the causes and consequences of inflation, and discuss the policies that can help mitigate its impact on American families and businesses. They'll explore the role of the Federal Reserve, the impact of government spending and taxation, and the importance of free markets in promoting long-term economic growth and stability.

Join us for this informative and thought-provoking conversation on inflation, and learn how you can be a part of the solution.

Don't miss this episode of Top Priority with Duane Lester and Kurt Couchman, available now on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe today and stay informed on the issues that matter most to our nation's prosperity.

Show: 045 Top Priority Podcast | Book: Get Out of Control

Host: Duane Lester, Director of Issue Education, Grassroots Leadership Academy

Guests: Neil Chilson, Senior Research Fellow, Technology and Innovation at Stand Together

Neil Chilson, the senior research fellow for technology and innovation at Stand Together, launched his book, Getting Out of Control: Emergent Leadership in a Complex World, on September 23rd. A frequent guest on Top Priority, he joins us again to discuss his book.

Our Vision:

We break barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their potential. This moves our society toward one of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping others improve their lives.

History demonstrates people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed. We can transform society by breaking the internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their potential, enabling all people to improve their lives and find fulfillment by helping others do the same.

This vision is guided by the following mutually reinforcing principles:

• Equal Rights A system of equal rights—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—requires respect for the dignity of all people and equality under the law.

• Mutual Benefit When the values and laws of society respect the dignity of individuals and uphold their rights, people succeed by creating value for others, motivating them to assist rather than harm one another.

• Openness Equal rights and mutual benefit foster openness by allowing the free movement of ideas, resources and people that generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity, fueling progress throughout society.

• Self-Actualization For such a society to exist, its key institutions—education, communities, business, government—remove rather than erect barriers to people realizing their potential and finding fulfillment. As more people have the opportunity to use their unique talents to succeed by helping others improve their lives, society flourishes.

To realize this vision, we strive to build movements of millions by inspiring and equipping principled social-change entrepreneurs to bring us closer to a society of mutual benefit by eliminating injustice of all kinds. We stand by our principles at whatever cost, with a commitment to unite with anybody willing to dedicate themselves to any of these goals.

Recognizing the magnitude of the task, our efforts are guided by a heightened sense of urgency. We are committed to continually transforming ourselves and our organizations, constantly experimenting, learning and innovating. As we improve and add to our capabilities, new opportunities open, which point to the need for additional capabilities, and so on, in never-ending cycles of improvement and human betterment.

Stand Together Website

Show: 044 Top Priority Podcast | AFPF v. Bonta

Host: Duane Lester, Director of Issue Education, Grassroots Leadership Academy

Guests: Casey Mattox, Vice President, Legal and Judicial Strategy at Americans for Prosperity Foundation, Senior Fellow, Free Speech and Peace at Charles Koch Institute

Today’s top priority is free expression. Specifically, the Supreme Court case AFPF vs. Bonta. Our guest today is Casey Mattox. He’s the Vice President, Legal and Judicial Strategy at Americans for Prosperity Senior Fellow, Free Speech and Peace at Charles Koch Institute.

Our Vision:

We break barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their potential. This moves our society toward one of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping others improve their lives.

History demonstrates people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed. We can transform society by breaking the internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their potential, enabling all people to improve their lives and find fulfillment by helping others do the same.

This vision is guided by the following mutually reinforcing principles:

• Equal Rights A system of equal rights—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—requires respect for the dignity of all people and equality under the law.

• Mutual Benefit When the values and laws of society respect the dignity of individuals and uphold their rights, people succeed by creating value for others, motivating them to assist rather than harm one another.

• Openness Equal rights and mutual benefit foster openness by allowing the free movement of ideas, resources and people that generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity, fueling progress throughout society.

• Self-Actualization For such a society to exist, its key institutions—education, communities, business, government—remove rather than erect barriers to people realizing their potential and finding fulfillment. As more people have the opportunity to use their unique talents to succeed by helping others improve their lives, society flourishes.

To realize this vision, we strive to build movements of millions by inspiring and equipping principled social-change entrepreneurs to bring us closer to a society of mutual benefit by eliminating injustice of all kinds. We stand by our principles at whatever cost, with a commitment to unite with anybody willing to dedicate themselves to any of these goals.

Recognizing the magnitude of the task, our efforts are guided by a heightened sense of urgency. We are committed to continually transforming ourselves and our organizations, constantly experimenting, learning and innovating. As we improve and add to our capabilities, new opportunities open, which point to the need for additional capabilities, and so on, in never-ending cycles of improvement and human betterment.

Stand Together Website

Show: 043 Top Priority Podcast | Protests and Riots

Host: Duane Lester, Director of Issue Education, Grassroots Leadership Academy

Guests: David Voorman, Senior Policy Analyst, Americans for Prosperity Foundation

Today’s top priority is free expression. Specifically, we’re talking about the difference between protests and riots, and some troubling legislation being proposed that can impact your free speech rights. Our guest today is David Voorman. He’s a senior policy analyst with Americans for Prosperity Foundation.

Our Vision:

We break barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their potential. This moves our society toward one of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping others improve their lives.

History demonstrates people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed. We can transform society by breaking the internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their potential, enabling all people to improve their lives and find fulfillment by helping others do the same.

This vision is guided by the following mutually reinforcing principles:

• Equal Rights A system of equal rights—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—requires respect for the dignity of all people and equality under the law.

• Mutual Benefit When the values and laws of society respect the dignity of individuals and uphold their rights, people succeed by creating value for others, motivating them to assist rather than harm one another.

• Openness Equal rights and mutual benefit foster openness by allowing the free movement of ideas, resources and people that generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity, fueling progress throughout society.

• Self-Actualization For such a society to exist, its key institutions—education, communities, business, government—remove rather than erect barriers to people realizing their potential and finding fulfillment. As more people have the opportunity to use their unique talents to succeed by helping others improve their lives, society flourishes.

To realize this vision, we strive to build movements of millions by inspiring and equipping principled social-change entrepreneurs to bring us closer to a society of mutual benefit by eliminating injustice of all kinds. We stand by our principles at whatever cost, with a commitment to unite with anybody willing to dedicate themselves to any of these goals.

Recognizing the magnitude of the task, our efforts are guided by a heightened sense of urgency. We are committed to continually transforming ourselves and our organizations, constantly experimenting, learning and innovating. As we improve and add to our capabilities, new opportunities open, which point to the need for additional capabilities, and so on, in never-ending cycles of improvement and human betterment.

Stand Together Website

Show: 042 Top Priority | Housing Regulations with Jason Sorens

Host: Duane Lester, Director of Issue Education, Grassroots Leadership Academy

Guests: Jason Sorens, Director for the Center for Ethics in Society

Today’s top priority is Economic Opportunity, specifically housing regulations. Our guest today is Jason Sorens. He’s the Director for the Center for Ethics in Society from Saint Anslem College.

Our Vision:

We break barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their potential. This moves our society toward one of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping others improve their lives.

History demonstrates people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed. We can transform society by breaking the internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their potential, enabling all people to improve their lives and find fulfillment by helping others do the same.

This vision is guided by the following mutually reinforcing principles:

• Equal Rights A system of equal rights—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—requires respect for the dignity of all people and equality under the law.

• Mutual Benefit When the values and laws of society respect the dignity of individuals and uphold their rights, people succeed by creating value for others, motivating them to assist rather than harm one another.

• Openness Equal rights and mutual benefit foster openness by allowing the free movement of ideas, resources and people that generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity, fueling progress throughout society.

• Self-Actualization For such a society to exist, its key institutions—education, communities, business, government—remove rather than erect barriers to people realizing their potential and finding fulfillment. As more people have the opportunity to use their unique talents to succeed by helping others improve their lives, society flourishes.

To realize this vision, we strive to build movements of millions by inspiring and equipping principled social-change entrepreneurs to bring us closer to a society of mutual benefit by eliminating injustice of all kinds. We stand by our principles at whatever cost, with a commitment to unite with anybody willing to dedicate themselves to any of these goals.

Recognizing the magnitude of the task, our efforts are guided by a heightened sense of urgency. We are committed to continually transforming ourselves and our organizations, constantly experimenting, learning and innovating. As we improve and add to our capabilities, new opportunities open, which point to the need for additional capabilities, and so on, in never-ending cycles of improvement and human betterment.

Stand Together Website

Show: 041 Top Priority | Drug Policy in a Society of Mutual Benefit

Host: Duane Lester, Director of Issue Education, Grassroots Leadership Academy

Guests: Brianna Nuhfer, Director of Criminal Justice at Stand Together, Jeremiah Mosteller, Senior Policy Analyst at Americans for Prosperity Foundation

What should we do about the use of drugs in a free society? If we apply the principles of equal rights, mutual benefit, openness, and self-actualization, what does the policy look like? That's what we discuss in this episode.

See also: Billionaire Charles Koch On Why Cannabis Should Be Legal

Our Vision:

We break barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their potential. This moves our society toward one of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping others improve their lives.

History demonstrates people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed. We can transform society by breaking the internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their potential, enabling all people to improve their lives and find fulfillment by helping others do the same.

This vision is guided by the following mutually reinforcing principles:

• Equal Rights A system of equal rights—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—requires respect for the dignity of all people and equality under the law.

• Mutual Benefit When the values and laws of society respect the dignity of individuals and uphold their rights, people succeed by creating value for others, motivating them to assist rather than harm one another.

• Openness Equal rights and mutual benefit foster openness by allowing the free movement of ideas, resources and people that generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity, fueling progress throughout society.

• Self-Actualization For such a society to exist, its key institutions—education, communities, business, government—remove rather than erect barriers to people realizing their potential and finding fulfillment. As more people have the opportunity to use their unique talents to succeed by helping others improve their lives, society flourishes.

To realize this vision, we strive to build movements of millions by inspiring and equipping principled social-change entrepreneurs to bring us closer to a society of mutual benefit by eliminating injustice of all kinds. We stand by our principles at whatever cost, with a commitment to unite with anybody willing to dedicate themselves to any of these goals.

Recognizing the magnitude of the task, our efforts are guided by a heightened sense of urgency. We are committed to continually transforming ourselves and our organizations, constantly experimenting, learning and innovating. As we improve and add to our capabilities, new opportunities open, which point to the need for additional capabilities, and so on, in never-ending cycles of improvement and human betterment.

Stand Together Website

In this Top Priority, we explore the topic of second chance hiring, meaning the hiring of ex-cons. Jeremiah Mosteller joins the podcast again and explains why hiring ex-cons has benefits not just for the employee, but for the employer and society as a whole.

Our Vision:

We break barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their potential. This moves our society toward one of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping others improve their lives.

History demonstrates people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed. We can transform society by breaking the internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their potential, enabling all people to improve their lives and find fulfillment by helping others do the same.

This vision is guided by the following mutually reinforcing principles:

• Equal Rights A system of equal rights—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—requires respect for the dignity of all people and equality under the law.

• Mutual Benefit When the values and laws of society respect the dignity of individuals and uphold their rights, people succeed by creating value for others, motivating them to assist rather than harm one another.

• Openness Equal rights and mutual benefit foster openness by allowing the free movement of ideas, resources and people that generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity, fueling progress throughout society.

• Self-Actualization For such a society to exist, its key institutions—education, communities, business, government—remove rather than erect barriers to people realizing their potential and finding fulfillment. As more people have the opportunity to use their unique talents to succeed by helping others improve their lives, society flourishes.

To realize this vision, we strive to build movements of millions by inspiring and equipping principled social-change entrepreneurs to bring us closer to a society of mutual benefit by eliminating injustice of all kinds. We stand by our principles at whatever cost, with a commitment to unite with anybody willing to dedicate themselves to any of these goals.

Recognizing the magnitude of the task, our efforts are guided by a heightened sense of urgency. We are committed to continually transforming ourselves and our organizations, constantly experimenting, learning and innovating. As we improve and add to our capabilities, new opportunities open, which point to the need for additional capabilities, and so on, in never-ending cycles of improvement and human betterment.

Stand Together Website