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 unde...
2026 blue wave election results
Our hosts discuss Democrats gaining control of both the House and Senate, historic firsts across the country, and what both parties should take away from this election cycle.
Israel, Obama, Trump, and the 2026 midterm election
Our hosts discuss the Israeli election, Obama and Trump on the campaign trail, and the completion of the $5 billion rebuild of the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Ukraine, Iran, midterm voting, and the cost of war
Our hosts discuss President Trump comments on Ukraine, the role the Iran War is playing in partisan politics, and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's appearance on "60 Minutes."
Blue wave likelihood, public executions, and Utah's congressional races
Our hosts discuss the likelihood of Democrats sweeping the 2026 elections, the economic concerns motivating voters, and how the death penalty is carried out across the U.S.
Katie Matheson and Alliance for a Better Utah
Shireen Ghorbani sits down with Katie Matheson, the new executive director of Alliance for a Better Utah, to discuss her background and goals for the political non-profit.
United Nations, congressional races, and Sen. Curtis' corruption probe
Our hosts discuss China, Iran, Israel, critical midterm races to watch, and growing dissatisfaction with incumbent political leadership.
Education in Utah with Andrea Brandley
Our hosts sit down with Andrea Brandley, senior education analyst at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, to discuss how Utah's education system compares and how to improve it.
Trump's $5000 midterm enticement and the fight over mail-in ballots
Our hosts discuss record high diesel prices, Trump's promise of $5000 checks if Republicans win the midterms, and the federal investigation into Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson.
Climate change, gender partisanship, and Utah's MLB bid
Our hosts discuss the pragmatic approach to climate change politics, whether or not the U.S. is "at war" with Iran, and takeaways from Gov. Cox's new book.
Nepal flooding, beef imports, Venezuelan oil, and Meta settlement
Natalie and Shireen discuss Trump's international trade policies, Meta's $17 billion child safety settlement, and the defining crises of Governor Cox's term in office.
New Iran sanctions, US-Canada trade war, and Flock cameras in Utah
Our hosts discuss the U.S. threatening Iran with an "economic D-Day," the record-breaking $40 trillion national debt, and out-of-state police accessing Utah's Flock cameras.
USS Lincoln, Cox's low approval, and polling on voter ID requirements
Our hosts discuss the morale of U.S. forces deployed in the Middle East, why incumbent approval is dropping in Utah, and the partisan split over voter ID requirements.
Iran War impacts, AG Todd Blanche, and Utah Supreme Court candidates
Our hosts discuss how the Iran War has impacted military stockpiles and gas prices, the confirmation of a new U.S. attorney general, and who will fill the two vacancies on the Utah Supreme Court.
War powers, Sens. McConnell and Graham, and Utah's energy future
Our hosts discuss an Iran war powers resolution's narrow failure, Sen. Mitch McConnell's disappearance, Sen. Lindsey Graham's death, and Utah's bid for a nuclear facility.
Equality Utah
Shireen Ghorbani sits down with the leadership of Equality Utah to discuss the group's political advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and protections in Utah.
Emma Addams and Mormon Women for Ethical Government
Our hosts sit down with the co-executive director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government and discuss the group's inception, national and statewide organizing, and its ethical approach to politics.
Professor Jacob Rugh
Shireen Ghorbani sits down with Jake Rugh, a BYU sociology professor, to discuss the unique politics of Utah and what they mean for the state's future.
Tim Hawkes, chair of the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council
Our hosts discuss the importance of the Great Salt Lake, the danger posed by its disappearance, and how water conservation can protect Utahns' health, environment, and economy.
America 250
Our hosts discuss Independence Day traditions, U.S. leaders and icons, patriotism, and the meaning of the American dream.
Iran, Cuba, the Reflecting Pool, and AI pushback
Our hosts discuss U.S. relations with Iran and Cuba, algae blooming in the Reflecting Pool, and how resistance to AI and data centers is reshaping Utah politics.
World Cup 2026, US-Iran memorandum, and Utah's new justices
Our hosts discuss the World Cup matches taking place across North America, the world's first trillionaire, and the cost of expanding the Utah Supreme Court.
Trump, ICE and CBP funding package, and the audit of Utah voter rolls
Our hosts discuss President Trump's attendance at the Knicks NBA Finals game, Congress's passage of a $70 billion funding package for ICE and CBP, and the results from the audit of Utah's voter rolls.
Gas prices, America's 250th, and the 2024 Democratic post-mortem
Shireen and John discuss affordability, the rush to prepare for the United States' semiquincentennial, and the DNC's faulty autopsy of their 2024 presidential campaign.
Sarah Wright and Glade Sowards
Natalie Gochnour interviews Sarah Wright, CEO and founder of Utah Clean Energy, and Glade Sowards, senior energy and climate program manager with the Salt Lake City Corporation.
Trump's China trip, a new Federal Reserve chair, and data center pushback
Our hosts discuss President Trump's trip to China, Kevin Warsh's plans to change the Federal Reserve, and the increasing state and local scrutiny of Utah data centers.
2026 Wilkes Climate Summit live show
Our hosts record live at the 2026 Wilkes Climate Summit and discuss data centers, water usage, energy demand, and climate solutions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
