Grand Canyon Times

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times Podcast, host Leila Golan speaks with Timothy Manila, Director of Higher Education at the Goldwater Institute, about new reports examining Arizona's public universities. Manila outlines concerns about ideological influence in honors programs and gaps in civics education, and discusses proposed reforms to restore academic standards and accountability.  

Rachel Walden, vice chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission and a member of the Mesa Public Schools governing board, joins the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to explain her case for re-election and outline her views on education reform. She argues that public education needs a stronger focus on foundational reading and maths instruction, less ideological content in classrooms, and more rigorous board oversight of curriculum and leadership. Walden also discusses Mesa's academy model, block scheduling and new electives such as cybersecurity and finance as ways to align schooling with Arizona's growing technology and healthcare sectors. The conversation frames school boards as influential institutions shaping both student outcomes and the state's long-term economic future.

William "Bill" Beard, Municipal Affairs Liaison at the Goldwater Institute and a former member of the Pima County Election Integrity Commission, joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss the politics and policy disputes surrounding data centers. Beard argues that data centers are an extension of longstanding information infrastructure, not a novel threat, and says public debate is being distorted by misinformation about energy, water, and land use. He frames the issue primarily as one of private property rights and warns that restrictive or politically driven regulation could deter investment, weaken economic competitiveness, and leave states behind as digital infrastructure demand grows.

Educator, attorney, and author Rachelle Dené Poth joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence is being integrated into K–12 classrooms. Poth explained the practical differences between AI tools and traditional search engines, and outlined best practices for ethical use, data privacy, and academic integrity. She emphasized the need for expanded teacher training and shared how AI can save educators time while enhancing student engagement and critical thinking. Looking ahead, Poth said AI will become a routine part of education, with AI literacy emerging as a key workforce skill over the next decade.

Goldwater Institute Vice President for Legal Affairs Tim Sandefur joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss his new book, You Don't Own Me: Individualism and the Culture of Liberty. Sandefur traced the idea of individual freedom through literature, film, architecture, and American history, arguing that personal self-sovereignty is the foundation of cultural creativity and political liberty. He also addressed modern threats to individuality, including social conformity pressures and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for independent thinking and personal responsibility in a free society. 

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen speaks with Henry Thomson, Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Politics and Global Studies.  Thomson, a political economist and author of Food and Power and Watching the Watchers, discusses the growing polarization on college campuses and the breakdown of open, civil political discourse among students. Drawing from his international academic experience, Thomson compares U.S. polarization to global trends, reflecting on how social media, ideology, and fear of backlash have changed university culture.  In the wake of the killing of activist Charlie Kirk, he explores how universities can foster respectful debate, balance free speech with safety, and help students engage across divides by examining underlying assumptions rather than reacting emotionally.

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen talks with Chris Thomas, Director of Legal Strategy for Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute and a longtime Arizona school attorney. Thomas discusses findings from a Goldwater report revealing the many hidden forms of compensation for Arizona school superintendents—including car stipends, excessive vacation days, and cash payouts—that go far beyond base salaries. He explains how a lack of transparency leaves both taxpayers and school boards in the dark, and calls for public posting of superintendent contracts as already required in Indiana, Illinois, and Texas. The conversation also touches on broader education policy issues, including administrative spending versus classroom funding, chronic absenteeism, and the impact of school choice in Arizona's evolving education landscape

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen talks with Michael Calles, a fourth-generation Arizonan, U.S. Air Force and Army veteran, and retired Phoenix police officer running for Glendale City Council. Calles shares how nearly 30 years of public service — from law enforcement to high school coaching — inspired his campaign focused on strengthening public safety, supporting local businesses, and improving city responsiveness. He discusses his priorities for increasing patrol presence, addressing homelessness with compassion and firmness, and fostering stronger neighborhood communication. Calles also outlines his vision for smart budgeting, revitalizing Glendale's economy, and restoring community trust through transparency and direct engagement

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen speaks with Joseph Nixon, litigation counsel at the Public Interest Legal Foundation and a veteran election attorney with more than 30 years of experience. Nixon discusses Louisiana v. Callais, a U.S. Supreme Court case examining whether Louisiana's new congressional map violates the 14th and 15th Amendments by using race as the primary factor in redistricting. He explains how the case highlights the tension between the Voting Rights Act—which requires consideration of race to prevent voter dilution—and the Constitution's prohibition against race-based decision making. Nixon details his organization's legal brief in the case, outlines possible national implications for redistricting, and shares insights on election integrity work by the Public Interest Legal Foundation, including voter roll audits and privacy protections.

Parent advocate Tiffany Hawkins joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss her fight for transparency in Arizona's school districts. Using her auditing background, she uncovered missing public records and pushed for reforms to safety and bullying policies after her daughter was injured on campus. Hawkins described how she's worked with the state ombudsman to enforce compliance and now campaigns for stronger public access laws. She urged parents to attend board meetings, file detailed records requests, and connect through community networks to demand accountability from local schools