The Arizona Talks Podcast

About The Arizona Talks Podcast

Arizona Talks enables civil conversations about public policy issues that affect Arizona! Subscribe and listen to one-on-one conversations with elected officials, panels featuring Arizona’s top political minds, and personal perspectives from academics, politicians, journalists, and activists. About Arizona Talks: The Arizona Talks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating robust debate, open dialogue, and expert analysis on public policy issues. Find out more about what we do at https://ArizonaTalks.org

Publisher

Arizona Talks Foundation

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jan 2020

Latest episode

13 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2025

   Arizona Talks: Constitution Day 2025

   Arizona Talks hosted a special Constitution Day event on September 17, 2025, at Empire in Scottsdale, Arizona. People from across the political spectrum came together to reflect on the Constitution’s meaning today, the importance of the First Amendment, and practical ways we can all help build a more perfect union. Highlights: Opening remarks from Carlos Alfaro on the mission of Arizona Talks: fostering fact-based, civil debate on tough issues like elections, immigration, education, gun rights, and more. Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky read the Preamble and called for civil dialogue in the wake of recent tragic events. Chris Kline (Arizona Media Association) previewed a statewide, nonpartisan education town hall airing across 400+ Arizona media outlets. Rep. Matt Gress discussed Article V, the evolution of free speech protections, and why listening is as vital as speaking in a democracy. ASU Law Vice Dean Angela Banks explored our shared responsibility to “know, care, and act,” and how due process applies to “all persons.” Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick reflected on separation of powers, the courts’ role in protecting liberty, and how civil discourse can counter polarization. Audience Q&A covered free speech, hate speech, judicial independence, elections, gerrymandering, and fostering curiosity and humanity across differences. Laura Terech (Arizona America 250 Commission) shared statewide programming and a traveling museum ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Key themes: Free speech and the duty to listen Civic education and participation at every level Courts as guardians of constitutional rights Building bridges through curiosity, humility, and shared purpose Chapters: 00:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw) Welcome & Mission — Carlos Alfaro 03:30 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=210s) Preamble & Remarks — Mayor Lisa Borowsky 08:15 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=495s) Media/Statewide Education Town Hall — Chris Kline 12:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=720s) Constitution Reflections & First Amendment — Rep. Matt Gress 26:30 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=1590s) Know, Care, Act — Vice Dean Angela Banks (ASU Law) 31:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=1860s) Courts, Liberty, and Civil Discourse — Justice Clint Bolick 43:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=2580s) America 250 — Laura Terech 47:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=2820s) Panel Q&A: Free Speech, Institutions, Elections, Gerrymandering 1:23:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSQP-1hGsw&t=4980s) Closing & Ways to Get Involved Be part of the solution. Visit ArizonaTalks.org (https://arizonatalks.org) to learn more, become a member, donate, and find upcoming events. Invite a friend, bring your questions, and help grow a culture of respectful, informed debate in Arizona.

2. 

   28 Jun 2023

   Arizona Talks: Education (March 8, 2023)

   At our intimate event at Cider Corps in Downtown Mesa, we were joined by guest speakers who shared their stories, expertise, and a myriad of views from across the political spectrum. We discussed the current state of our public education system and how we can improve from consistently being ranked at or near the bottom of state education systems. In this episode, you'll hear from: Beth Lewis, Director of Save Our Schools Arizona Matt Beienburg, Director of Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute Rich Nickel, President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona Jenny Clark, Founder and Executive Director of Love Your School Paul Boyer, Former Arizona State Senator for LD 20

3. 

   12 May 2022

   Arizona Talks Interview Series: Paul Boyer

   Welcome to the second installment of the Arizona Talks Interview Series, our new video series in which we bring professional interviewers and top political minds together. In this episode, which takes place at El Charro Hipster Bar and Cafe on Historic Grand Avenue in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona, you’ll get to hear Chris Kline, President of the Arizona Broadcasters Association, sit down with Paul Boyer, the Arizona State Senator and Chair of the Arizona House Education Committee who represents Arizona’s 20th Legislative District. During the interview, Senator Boyer and Chris Kline talk about education, choosing between party and principle, experiencing death threats, and some of the big issues facing the legislature and the state of Arizona. About Arizona Talks: The Arizona Talks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating robust debate, open dialogue, and expert analysis on public policy issues. Civil and substantive discussions about public policy are essential to preserving a free society. As a nonprofit organization, we create programs of distinction that engage minds and promote a culture of open inquiry, fact based analysis, and vigorous, civil debate. Find out more about what we do at https://ArizonaTalks.org

4. 

   3 Mar 2022

   Arizona Talks Interview Series: Rebecca Rios

   We’re proud to introduce the Arizona Talks Interview Series! This is the first interview from our new series in which we bring professional interviewers and top political minds together. In this episode, which takes place at Kahvi Coffee + Cafe in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona, you’ll get to hear Chris Kline, President of the Arizona Broadcasters Association, sit down with Rebecca Rios, the Arizona State Senate Minority Leader who represents Arizona’s 27th Legislative District. During the interview, Senator Rios and Chris Kline talk about growing up in Arizona, the current state of the political climate, elections, and some of issues that legislators have been working on. About Arizona Talks: Arizona Talks is a platform for learning, dialogue, and connection for individuals impacting public policy. We host public policy talks in Arizona to facilitate robust debate, open dialogue, and expert analysis on public policy, challenging policy leaders to engage. As a nonprofit organization, we seek to create programs of distinction that influence involved individuals to promote a culture of open inquiry, fact based analysis, and vigorous, civil debate. Find out more about what we do at https://ArizonaTalks.org (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbE9aN2Z0eHRTQjFaT3R3WkdPTmRLYXpfRFBhd3xBQ3Jtc0tsN3FIT1FXQlFwdFZNZ0RsaGhEeTdhTjlMWHBJWTZvMnNxM3I5aEtHeDZMenFYNWd6aWJoeGktbVBDVUNEUWY4RzNyOERDZ1JVU1BmSEVYajUtazVrOGtnZkxFZHB6eUFUNGo3RS1LV0xCT3Z3YjNIdw&q=https%3A%2F%2FArizonaTalks.org)

5. 

   21 Jan 2022

   Arizona Talks: Immigration - Public Policy Panel and Q&A

   At this outdoor conversation and reception on November 10, 2021 at Greenwood Brewing in Downtown Phoenix, our panel experts weighed in on the topic of immigration in the United States. We were joined by: - Angela M. Banks, Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University - Adam Estle, Vice President of Field and Constituencies for the National Immigration Forum - Valeria Aponte, Political Reporter for Telemundo Arizona - José Patiño, Education & External Affairs Director at Aliento Find out more about our events and what we do at https://ArizonaTalks.org! (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWYwcFQ1UWhNb0V2dG44akJaVFNKRUpiaFdxd3xBQ3Jtc0ttRTN4aU9mNEFfNnJHOW5NckM1a2dReUowQ1lGa2gwOXNLYUNhc3BEQU5BYTJvQmZXWWJSTkZfYXF0X1lDanRwRnZCTjBYN0diZjFwWG1RR0c4VGpjVFZ1dXFyekRXWVFLZjAxTjl4eHdWcUVsN1pZVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2FArizonaTalks.org%21)

6. 

   18 Jan 2022

   Arizona Talks: Election Integrity & Voting Rights - Public Policy Panel and Q&A

   At this outdoor conversation and reception on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Greenwood Brewing in Downtown Phoenix, our panel experts weighed in on the topic of election integrity and voting rights. We were joined by: - Christopher Kline, President and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association (our moderator) - Luis Acosta-Herrera , Arizona State Director for Unite America - Mike Noble, Chief of Research & Managing Partner at OH Predictive Insights - Alexander Kolodin, Co-Counsel to the Arizona Republican Party Learn more about what we're doing at ArizonaTalks.org (https://ArizonaTalks.org)!

7. 

   18 Jan 2022

   Reginald Bolding Speech on Voting Rights

   Introductory speech for Arizona Talks: Election Integrity & Voting Rights on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Greenwood Brewing in Downtown Phoenix. Reginald Bolding, House Democratic Leader and AZ State Representative (D-27) and Candidate for Arizona Secretary of State shares his views on voting rights in Arizona.

8. 

   22 Jul 2020

   Vanessa Ruiz on Freedom of the Press

   Founder of Arizona Talks, Carlos Alfaro, speaks with Walter Cronkite News Director, Vanessa Ruiz. The conversation revolves around the work that journalists and media outlets play in our discussions of policy and different perspectives on the importance of freedom of the press in our democracy. Go to ArizonaTalks.org for more!

9. 

   24 Apr 2020

   The Personal Side Of The Criminal Justice System, Story by Jeffrey Taylor

   Jeff Taylor, Advocate and Chair of the Salvation Army of Phoenix speaking about his personal story of transformation and experience with the criminal justice system. His talk was featured at a public policy event featuring Arizona's top experts, activists, and reporter on criminal Justice Reform. Recorded February 2020. Arizona Talks: Criminal Justice was a special event that addressed the state of Arizona’s criminal justice system and the people working to reform it. Watch the full event here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMRFKigOHRoSw4VykG9sUdX8jqbFILvvk) Sign up for updates at ArizonaTalks.org

10. 

    17 Jan 2020

    End Cannabis Prohibition Story by Ryan Hurley

    November 2019

11. 

    17 Jan 2020

    Marijuana Politics in Arizona by Luige del Puerto, Stacy Pearson, Geoffrey Lawrence, Mike Noble

    November 2019

12. 

    17 Jan 2020

    The Cannabis Marketplace Panel by Ali Swenson, Laura Bianchi, Dawn Morris, Ryan Hurley

    November 2019

13. 

    17 Jan 2020

    Cannabis Entrepreneur Story by Melissa Diaz

    November 2019

14. 

    17 Jan 2020

    Cannabis Research, Vaping Safety, & Regulation by Kim Prince, Dr. Sue Sisely, & Derek Espinoza

    November 2019

15. 

    17 Jan 2020

    Cannabis Science by Dr. Sue Sisely

    The Science of Cannabis. November 2019

16. 

    17 Jan 2020

    What is Cannabis? by Derek Espinoza

    This lecture covers an introduction to cannabis. November 2019

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.