Jon Meacham: The Fragility of the American Experiment

Jon Meacham: The Fragility of the American Experiment

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, a creeping sense of political pessimism has captured the national conversation. Are we truly living through an unprecedented era of democratic decay, or is this just another chapter in the long, turbulent history of the American experiment? In this episode of “Deseret Voices,” host McKay Coppins sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and presidential biographer Jon Meacham to unpack his latest book, “American Struggle.” Together, they trace how the political and media landscape has shifted over the last 15 years. Meacham shares why he believes the post-2020 election subversion efforts genuinely earn the title of "unprecedented," why democracy goes against humanity's natural default settings and how he keeps his grounding using a 500-year-old prayer ritual amid the non-stop chaos of modern news cycles. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

Toxic Dust and Economic Collapse: The Real Cost of losing the Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is disappearing [https://www.deseret.com/environment/2026/02/11/why-is-the-great-salt-lake-shrinking/]. With two-thirds of its water gone and more than half of its area desiccated, experts warn that Utah is sitting on an environmental time bomb [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeg4335]. In this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," host Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/] sits down with two leading figures at the forefront of the restoration movement to discuss the stark reality of the lake's decline, the catastrophic health and economic risks of inaction, and why there is still profound hope for a solution. OUR GUESTS: * Dr. Ben Abbott: Professor of ecology at Brigham Young University and executive director of Grow the Flow [https://growtheflowutah.org/] Utah. Dr. Abbott brings global expertise in water security and a deep ecological understanding of the lake’s current crisis. * Josh Romney: Co-founder and chairman of Great Salt Lake Rising [https://gslrising.org/] and a dedicated Utahn fighting to ensure the state remains a safe, thriving home for future generations. Romney bridges the gap between environmental necessity, economic reality, and political action. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: * The Shocking Reality: Why the shrinking lake is a "local problem with a global warning," and how its disappearance impacts local weather patterns and winter snowpack. * The Hidden Health Hazards: The dangerous composition of the exposed lakebed dust — including toxic levels of arsenic, mercury, and selenium — and what happens when it blows into major metropolitan areas. * Agriculture vs. Residential Water Use: Breaking down the math of water consumption. Why changing how we water our lawns and partnering financially with the agricultural community are both critical keys to the lake's survival. * Politics and Funding: A look at the growing political will [https://www.deseret.com/environment/2026/04/13/great-salt-lake-rising-30-million-donations/]to save the lake, including the direct involvement of President Donald Trump, whose 2027 fiscal budget proposal includes a historic $1 billion funding request for restoration efforts. * The 2034 Olympic Goal: Can the lake be set on a path to full recovery before the world arrives in Utah for the Winter Games? "If we can't fix it here, it can't be fixed anywhere. What we are about to do is create a model for the world on how to rescue saline lakes." — Josh Romney WHY THIS MATTERS: This isn't just a Utah issue; it's an American issue [https://www.deseret.com/the-west/2026/05/17/great-salt-lake-harvard-case-study-grow-the-flow-save-restoration/]. From vital mineral supplies to global seafood chains, the collapse of the Great Salt Lake would trigger an economic and ecological disaster felt nationwide. Tune in to find out how a unique public-private partnership is turning a monumental threat into a historic opportunity for innovation and environmental stewardship.   “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.    “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.    Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

Behind ‘The Chosen’: Miracles, Milestones, and the Final Season with Dallas Jenkins

How does a crowd-funded project about Jesus Christ become a global phenomenon? In this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," guest host Sheri Dew sits down with Dallas Jenkins, the creator, director, and co-writer of “The Chosen,” for an intimate, behind-the-scenes conversation as the groundbreaking series films its final season. Dew and Jenkins take a trip down memory lane to early 2020, revealing the untold miracle that allowed “The Chosen” to film its second season on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ historic Jerusalem movie set in Goshen, Utah, during the height of strict COVID-19 lockdowns. Dallas opens up about: * The Global Impact: Breaking a Guinness World Record as the most translated TV show in history (surpassing 125 languages). * Navigating Faith & Criticism: Addressing the evangelical backlash and canceled speaking engagements resulting from his interfaith collaborations. * Filming the Resurrection: The immense creative pressure of adapting the crucifixion and resurrection for Season 6 and Season 7, and how his team captures "Capital-T Truth" over simple logistics. * Family Legacy: How his father, “Left Behind” author Jerry B. Jenkins, maintains humility while writing the official “The Chosen” novelizations. Whether you are a longtime viewer of the series or passionate about how media can change hearts, this episode offers a profound look at what happens when human effort brings the "five loaves and two fish," and God handles the miracle. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

Is American Christianity Losing the Plot?

Are we trading authentic faith for political tribalism and cultural war? In this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," host McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/]  sits down with renowned theologian and Christianity Today [https://www.christianitytoday.com/]editor at large Dr. Russell Moore [https://www.russellmoore.com/] to explore a shift in American religion: The Casinofication of Church. [https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/against-casinofication-church-sports-gambling/] The conversation sparks from a recent Atlantic investigation [https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/04/online-sports-betting-app-addiction/686061/] where Coppins was given $10,000 to experiment with the addictive, transaction-based loops of online sports betting. But as Dr. Moore points out, these same dopamine-driven algorithms aren't just changing how we watch sports — they are hollowing out our congregations. When the gospel and Christian fellowship are weaponized for institutional survival, brand-building, and partisan politics, church communities stop shaping our souls and start serving our anxieties. McKay and Dr. Moore discuss: * The Casinofication Phenomenon: How the modern church is being turned into a vehicle for political outrage and self-image. * The Trap of Political Homelessness: Why authentic Christianity should inherently place us outside the traditional left-right political spectrum. * Algorithmic Faith: How modern technology isolates us from deep spiritual formation and real community. * The Path to Renewal: Why external crises throughout history have forced the church to reckon with its true purpose. Whether you are feeling politically fatigued, spiritually disconnected, or curious about the intersection of faith and modern culture, this episode offers a vital, grounding perspective on how to reclaim what matters most. Follow and Subscribe: Don't miss an episode of “Deseret Voices.” Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

The Death of Local News is Killing American Democracy

Why don’t Americans trust the media anymore? On this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," host McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] sits down with Evan Smith [https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/2026/01/evan-smith-managing-director-events/685629/], co-founder of The Texas Tribune [https://www.texastribune.org/] and managing director for events at The Atlantic [https://www.theatlantic.com/], to dissect the ongoing crisis of trust in American journalism. As local newspapers vanish [https://www.deseret.com/business/2025/11/09/local-news-business-continues-struggle-america-newspapers-closing/] and national media outlets face unprecedented strain, a dangerous information vacuum has emerged. Together, Coppins and Smith explore how the hollowing out [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/local-news-investment-economic-value/674942/] of community newsrooms has fueled political polarization, giving rise to misinformation and social media echo chambers. But it’s not all bad news. From nonprofit journalism to hyper-local transparency, discover the emerging media models that are fighting to save American democracy and rebuild the bond between journalists and the communities they serve. In this wide-ranging and candid conversation recorded live on “The Atlantic Across America [https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/2025/12/atlantic-across-america-events-every-state/685109/]” tour, Coppins and Smith unpack the structural failures and future possibilities of the American press. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).