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PODCAST · government

Both Sides of the Aisle

Both Sides of the Aisle is a weekly debate over politics, policy and current issues facing the state of Utah, featuring voices representing the Right, the Center, and the Left.Representing Right is State Auditor John Dougall (R), on the Left is former Salt Lake County Councilwoman Shireen Ghorbani (D), and speaking for the “common sense middle” is Natalie Gochnour, an associate dean in the David Eccles School of Business and director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. The show is produced by Anthony Scoma.Both Sides of the Aisle attempts to help you understand the important questions facing residents of this state, while proving that Republicans and Democrats can sit in a small room and have a meaningful conversation.

  1. 133

    King Charles III, Box Elder County data center, and the Utah Supreme Court

    Our hosts discuss the Republican Party's political strategy going into the midterm elections, the demise of Spirit Airlines, and the battle over a 63 square mile data center in Box Elder County.

  2. 132

    Attempted assassination, gerrymandering, and Utah party conventions

    Our hosts discuss the failed assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the Democratic gerrymander of Virginia, and the results from the political party conventions in Utah.

  3. 131

    Global economic shocks, measles, and Utah's congressional campaigns

    Our hosts discuss Congress' rejection of a war powers resolution on Iran, growing transmission rates of measles in Utah, and how past online comments may derail Utah Sen. Nate Blouin's campaign for Congress.

  4. 130

    Naval blockades, Pope Leo, and Utah congressional races

    Our hosts discuss the U.S. Navy beginning patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump's online fight with Pope Leo XIV, and updates from Utah's congressional campaigns.

  5. 129

    Iran ceasefire, 25th Amendment, and the next US attorney general

    Our hosts discuss the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire, calls for invoking the 25th Amendment, and whether Sen. Mike Lee will be picked as U.S. attorney general.

  6. 128

    Vote by mail, Iran war address, and the U.S. Forest Service in Utah

    Our hosts discuss the Supreme Court hearing oral argument on birthright citizenship, President Trump's Iran war address to the nation, and the judge halting Trump's White House ballroom construction.

  7. 127

    Global price hikes, Utah voter data, and the future of Prop 4

    Our hosts discuss how war in the Middle East is driving up fuel and fertilizer prices, airport delays across the country, and the withdrawal of signatures from the Prop 4 repeal effort.

  8. 126

    The Strait of Hormuz, the SAVE Act, and ICE in SLC

    Our hosts discuss Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, the SAVE Act in the Senate, and ICE's purchase of a warehouse in Salt Lake City.

  9. 125

    War with Iran and the end of Utah's 2026 legislative session

    Our hosts discuss the escalating war in the Middle East, its political impact in the U.S., and what bills the Utah Legislature passed in the 2026 general session.

  10. 124

    Utah State Auditor Tina Cannon

    Shireen and John sit down with Utah's first female state auditor to discuss her political principles, the work of the auditor's office, and how to increase transparency in local and state government.

  11. 123

    Iran, Board of Peace, tariff ruling, and Prop 4 repeal efforts

    Our hosts discuss the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, the increase in U.S. forces around Iran, President Trump's Board of Peace, and the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariff powers.

  12. 122

    Utah's 2027 budget recommendations with Sophia DiCaro

    Shireen Ghorbani sits down with Sophia DiCaro to discuss the governor's proposals for Utah's 2027 budget.

  13. 121

    Winter Olympics, Super Bowl halftime, and Utah Supreme Court expansion

    Our hosts discuss the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the University of Utah’s new $4.5 million statue, data centers, and the expansion of the Utah Supreme Court.

  14. 120

    Steve Waldrip, senior advisor for housing strategy and innovation

    Natalie and Shireen sit down with the senior advisor on housing for Gov. Cox to discuss how the state hopes to house more Utahns.

  15. 119

    Erosion of global institutions, DHS, and the State of the State

    Our hosts discuss the fraying of world order, problems with the Department of Homeland Security, and whether U.S. citizens' rights are still unalienable after 250 years.

  16. 118

    President Trump's first year and the 2026 Utah Legislative Session

    Our hosts discuss their biggest surprises in the first year since Trump's inauguration, Trump's letter to the Norwegian prime minister, and the start of the Utah legislative session.

  17. 117

    Trump's foreign policy and the fatal Minnesota ICE shooting

    Our hosts discuss President Trump's agenda in Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela, and the circumstances that led to an ICE agent killing a Minnesota woman.

  18. 116

    Venezuela, the 'Donroe Doctrine,' and the new year ahead

    Our hosts discuss the U.S. removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and what this means for the future of both countries.

  19. 115

    Utah Gov. Gary Herbert

    Shireen and Natalie chat with the former Utah governor about his life, lessons from his time in politics, and why he believes Utah is an example for the nation.

  20. 114

    Utah's top challenges and opportunities

    Our hosts discuss the most significant challenges and opportunities facing the state of Utah at the close of 2025.

  21. 113

    Utah Reps. Tyler Clancy and Grant Miller

    Shireen Ghorbani is joined by Utah Reps. Tyler Clancy and Grant Miller for an in-depth discussion of the contributors and potential solutions to homelessness.

  22. 112

    Utah Rep. Doug Owens

    Shireen and Natalie talk to Utah Rep. Doug Owens about bipartisan congressional representation, the cascading benefits of Utah's public lands, and the necessary steps to save the Great Salt Lake.

  23. 111

    Trump administration controversies, future U.S. representation, and the 2034 Olympics

    Our hosts discuss recent controversial actions taken by the Trump administration, how current members of Congress will adapt to the new Utah maps, and the new Utah branding of the 2034 Olympic Games.

  24. 110

    Shutdown post-mortem, Epstein's emails, and the future population of Utah

    Our hosts discuss the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, the political fallout from Jeffrey Epstein's emails, and the controversy brewing over cloud seeding.

  25. 109

    New congressional districts and the Utah Legislature's appeal prospect

    Our hosts discuss the potential constitutional crisis and political opportunities stemming from Judge Gibson's Nov. 10th ruling that tossed the Legislature's preferred map out on grounds of 'extreme' gerrymander.

  26. 108

    2025 election results, tariffs, and detention facilities coming to Utah

    Our hosts discuss the politics of the election day victors, SCOTUS hearing a case concerning the Trump tariff regime, and predict when the federal government shutdown will come to an end.

  27. 107

    Canadian trade talks, federal food benefits, and defining fairness

    Our hosts discuss why Trump halted trade negotiations with Canada, how the federal government shutdown will affect national food insecurity, and which party will pick Utah Rep. Daniel Thatcher's replacement.

  28. 106

    Argentina bailout, No Kings protests, and expanding the Utah Supreme Court

    Our hosts discuss the $40 billion U.S. bailout of Argentina, record-breaking attendance at No Kings protests, and Gov. Cox's thoughts on packing the Utah Supreme Court.

  29. 105

    International affairs, President Trump, and 'partisan symmetry'

    Our hosts discuss the escalating trade war with China, U.S. bombing ships in the Caribbean, the Gaza ceasefire deal, and how Judge Gibson will evaluate Utah congressional maps.

  30. 104

    Shutdown politics, judicial pushback, and new Utah congressional maps

    Our hosts discuss how the federal government could avoid future shutdowns, the national and state fight over university funding, and how new Utah electoral maps could reshape state politics.

  31. 103

    Federal shutdown, new military policies, and a tragic week for the LDS faith

    Our hosts discuss the economic and local impacts of the federal government shutdown, what President Trump told top military leaders, and the passing of LDS President Russell M. Nelson.

  32. 102

    Censorship, food insecurity, and vaccination eligibility

    John Dougall and Shireen Ghorbani discuss the FCC chair's threat to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, the chilling effect on speech, and the cancellation of the federal report on national food insecurity.

  33. 101

    Charlie Kirk, political violence, and the Utah Supreme Court

    Our hosts discuss the murder of Charlie Kirk in Utah, how we improve our political divisions, and the Utah Supreme Court's rejection of retaining existing congressional maps.

  34. 100

    Vaccines, the Second Amendment, and the Utah Supreme Court

    Our hosts discuss HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s combative Congressional hearing, vaccine mandates, and a proposed ban on gun ownership for transgender people.

  35. 99

    Domestic violence, crime, isolationism, and Utah congressional maps

    Our hosts discuss domestic violence and its link to Utah homicides, the international coalition forming against U.S. tariffs, and how and when Utah will redraw its congressional seats.

  36. 98

    The national fight over redistricting and the Utah judiciary

    Our hosts discuss medical research funding, Gov. Newsom's internet trolling, the ongoing fight over Utah congressional maps, and the future of mail-in voting.

  37. 97

    Alaska summit, the Smithsonian Institution, and energy permitting

    Our hosts discuss Russia, NATO, United States history, and who controls the balance of power in Washington, D.C.

  38. 96

    Trump, municipal primaries, toxic dust, and Ty Burrell

    Our hosts discuss Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska, how ranked-choice voting works, and what is necessary to save the Great Salt Lake.

  39. 95

    Tariffs, unemployment, public broadcasting, and gerrymandering

    Our hosts discuss the firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the redistricting showdown in Texas, and how tariffs impact Utah's bid for global commerce.

  40. 94

    Sophia DiCaro and the Utah state budget

    Natalie Gochnour and Shireen Ghorbani interview Sophia DiCaro, the executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.

  41. 93

    Utah trivia, triumphs, and challenges

    Our hosts celebrate Pioneer Day with a discussion of Utah facts, novel achievements, and its biggest struggles as a state.

  42. 92

    Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall

    Natalie Gochnour and Shireen Ghorbani interview Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City.

  43. 91

    Texas floods, America Party, federal injunctions, and public education

    Our hosts discuss the lack of flood warnings in Texas, the Supreme Court's curbing of lower courts' injunctive powers, and cuts to Utah's education programs.

  44. 90

    International uncertainty, the Senate's budget bill, and Utah drought

    Our hosts discuss the long-term consequences of U.S. policy in the Middle East, the tie-breaking Senate budget vote, and state water pricing.

  45. 89

    Iran, the U.S. Constitution's war powers, and federal public lands

    John Dougall and Shireen Ghorbani discuss the U.S. bombing of Iran, Utah's public lands, and the 2026 veto referendum on public sector bargaining.

  46. 88

    Israel and Iran, No Kings Day protests, and the Minnesota assassin

    Our hosts discuss the missile strikes in Tel Aviv and Tehran, the tragic death of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, and Sen. Mike Lee's social media firestorm.

  47. 87

    LA protests, the Trump-Musk feud, tax policy, and Utah's children

    Our hosts discuss the domestic deployment of U.S. Marines, weakening public health institutions, and the logic behind trickle-down economics.

  48. 86

    Gazan children, Senate budget deliberations, NEPA, and Utah Pride

    Our hosts discuss what they hope to see in the Senate budget, SCOTUS siding with Utah on an oil rail line, and how Utahns navigate Pride month.

  49. 85

    The House's budget, Trump's memecoin dinner, and student visas

    Our hosts discuss the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' the phase-out of pennies, religious school funding, Cox's message to Trump, and Utah's tourism industry.

  50. 84

    Russia, Qatar, the Utah GOP convention, and obscenity

    Our hosts discuss Trump's trip to the Middle East, his endorsement of the Utah GOP chair, and allegations of insider trading within the presidential cabinet.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Both Sides of the Aisle is a weekly debate over politics, policy and current issues facing the state of Utah, featuring voices representing the Right, the Center, and the Left.Representing Right is State Auditor John Dougall (R), on the Left is former Salt Lake County Councilwoman Shireen Ghorbani (D), and speaking for the “common sense middle” is Natalie Gochnour, an associate dean in the David Eccles School of Business and director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. The show is produced by Anthony Scoma.Both Sides of the Aisle attempts to help you understand the important questions facing residents of this state, while proving that Republicans and Democrats can sit in a small room and have a meaningful conversation.

HOSTED BY

Natalie Gochnour, Shireen Ghorbani, John Dougall

Produced by Utah Public Radio

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Both Sides of the Aisle have?

Both Sides of the Aisle currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Both Sides of the Aisle about?

Both Sides of the Aisle is a weekly debate over politics, policy and current issues facing the state of Utah, featuring voices representing the Right, the Center, and the Left.Representing Right is State Auditor John Dougall (R), on the Left is former Salt Lake County Councilwoman Shireen Ghorbani...

How often does Both Sides of the Aisle release new episodes?

Both Sides of the Aisle has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Both Sides of the Aisle?

You can listen to Both Sides of the Aisle on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Both Sides of the Aisle?

Both Sides of the Aisle is created and hosted by Natalie Gochnour, Shireen Ghorbani, John Dougall.
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