Eye on the Issues
Welcome to Eye on the Issues, the podcast brought to you by the Wyoming Liberty Group. Whether you're a proud Wyoming resident, hail from the Cowboy State, or simply care deeply about the issues facing Wyoming, this podcast is your go-to resource.
Join us as we delve into the heart of Wyoming's most pressing concerns, offering you insights and perspectives from a diverse range of voices. You'll hear from Wyoming lawmakers and elected officials sharing their viewpoints, along with community and thought leaders who are shaping the future of our great state. We also bring in subject matter experts to provide in-depth analysis and understanding on key issues.
The Wyoming Liberty Group is committed to empowering Wyoming's future. With over 15 years of experience and impact in our state, we're more than just a think tank. While we pride ourselves on rigorous research, we go beyond that to craft innovative solutions that promote free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, and government accountability.
Tune in to Eye on the Issues to stay informed, engaged, and empowered. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for Wyoming.
Episodes
49 episodes
The Truth About Economic Development Incentives with Matthew Mitchell
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Matthew Mitchell of the Mercatus Center and Fraser Institute to explore the real impact of targeted economic development incentives.Drawing on years of research, Mitchell explains w...
Reviewing Wyoming's Budget Session with Rep. Tomi Strock
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Representative Tomi Strock (House District 6) to reflect on the key outcomes of the legislative session and the issues shaping conversations across the state.From efforts to rein in...
Nuclear Energy, Data Centers, and the Bigger Policy Picture with Eric Epstein
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Eric Epstein, Chairman of Three Mile Island Alert, an organization that has monitored nuclear facilities in Pennsylvania for decades. Eric brings more than 40 years of experience working on...
Wyoming Secretary of State on Elections and Economic Policy
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sat down with Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray for a wide-ranging conversation on election integrity, business regulation, and the role of the Secretary of State’s office in shaping Wyoming’s future...
Rethinking Degree Requirements in Wyoming Government Jobs
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we’re joined by Courtney Beene, a senior at the University of Wyoming and participant in the Wyoming Liberty Leaders internship program, to discuss her research report, Removing Barriers: A Case for Skills-...
Nuclear Development and Wyoming's Public Lands: An Intern's Policy Research
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we’re joined by Emma Hamlin, a participant in the Wyoming Liberty Leaders internship program, to discuss her research report, Nuclear Development and the Future of Wyoming’s Public Lands.Emma, a sen...
Are Money and Donors Really Buying Wyoming Elections? New Report Breaks It Down.
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we take a deep dive into campaign finance in Wyoming with Steve Klein, author of the new report No One’s Buying Wyoming Elections: A Candid Look at a Decade of Campaign Finance Disclosure.After revi...
Who Really Pays? Taxes, Energy, and Long-Term Costs in Wyoming
Wyoming State Representative J.R. Riggins joins us to talk about the upcoming budget session and his work on the House Revenue Committee.Riggins is back at the Legislature after heart surgery last year, and this is his first full budget ...
When Federal Marijuana Policy Meets Reality
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jordan Davidson, Government Affairs Director for Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), to unpack major developments in federal marijuana policy — including President Trump’s recent executive...
Who Pays for Worn-Out Renewables? The Hidden Risks in Wyoming's Renewable Rules
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Curtis Schube, Executive Director of the Council to Modernize Governance and co-author of a groundbreaking report from the National Center for Energy Analytics. His work takes a deep dive i...
100th Episode: Inside Wyoming Liberty Group with Mandy Ludtke, President & CEO
We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes of Eye on the Issues! For this special edition, host Mike Garofalo sits down with our very own President and CEO, Mandy Ludtke, for an inside look at the Wyoming Liberty Group’s work ...
Facing the Storm: Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on Education Challenges and Opportunities
In this special episode, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing education in our state. From major court battles over school funding and education choice to the state’s pu...
The ESA Freeze and Its Cost to Wyoming Families
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jenny Schucker—founder of Academy of the Winds, a Montessori school in Lander—to unpack the fallout from the recent judicial halt on Wyoming’s Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Jenny share...
Reprocessing, Storage, and Risk: Diane D'Arrigo Explains the Nuclear Cycle
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Diane D’Arrigo of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS). This organization has worked with communities and policymakers on nuclear waste issues since the late 1970s.This ...
Why Local Voices Matter in the Nuclear Debate: A Conversation with Prof. Anna Erickson
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, recorded in mid-May, we sat down with Anna Erickson, a professor of nuclear and radiological engineering at Georgia Tech. As someone who teaches and supports nuclear energy, Prof. Erickson offers an informe...
Radiation, Health, and Nuclear Waste: A Conversation with Mary Olson
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Mary Olson, founder of the Gender and Radiation Impact Project. With decades of experience in nuclear policy and radiation research, Mary offers a practical look at how radiation exposure a...
What's Hype, What's Real: Nuclear Energy with Dr. Allison Macfarlane
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Dr. Allison Macfarlane, former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia.
Lessons From Sweden on Spent Nuclear Fuel: A Conversation with Johan Swahn
As Wyoming considers its role in the future of nuclear energy—including proposals around spent nuclear fuel storage—it’s essential to examine how other countries have approached the same challenge.In this episode of Eye on the Issues, w...
Before the Reactor: Uranium Milling in Canyon City, CO with Jeri Fry
Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cycle—but what happens at the front end of the cycle? In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we look at uranium milling, a process that can leave enormous amounts of radioacti...
Early Session Highlights: What's Moving In the Legislature with Rep. Rodriguez-Williams
Shortly before the halfway point of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, we caught up with Representative Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (HD 50) for a session update. As Chairman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Rep. Rodriguez-Williams shared insight...
Nuclear Risks: A Conversation with Dr. Gordon Edwards
Over the last several days, we've received calls and emails from people around Wyoming and beyond—citizens and lawmakers alike—who want a deeper understanding of nuclear power risks and, most importantly, what is spent nuclear fuel and what it ...
Wisdom from Experience: What Wyoming Must Know About Nuclear Waste Storage
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Mary Beth Brangan, a longtime advocate and expert in the nuclear debate, about the dangers of nuclear waste storage and what she thinks Wyoming citizens and lawmakers should know before moving...
Unveiling the Flaws: Gary Headrick Discusses Nuclear Waste Cask Dangers
In this compelling episode of Eye on the Issues, we delve into the urgent and unavoidable dangers of nuclear waste storage with Gary Headrick, founder of San Clemente Green. As Wyoming contemplates opening its doors to become a repository for n...
Legislating with Common Sense: Rep. Martha Lawley on Wyoming's Priorities
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Representative Martha Lawley of House District 27 to explore the critical legislative issues facing Wyoming as the state prepares for its next session. Representative Lawley, who also serve...
Energy, Elections, and Freedom with Rep. Jeremy Haroldson
In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Wyoming Representative Jeremy Haroldson of House District 4 to discuss key legislative priorities and his vision for Wyoming's future. Recorded prior to the November 5, 2024, elect...
