Grand Canyon Times

62: Goldwater Institute's Timothy Manila on Arizona University Curriculum and Civics Concerns

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.

61: Rachel Walden on School Board Power, Curriculum Reform and Preparing Arizona Students for STEM Careers

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.

60: Bill Beard on Data Centers, Property Rights, and the Politics of Infrastructure

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.

59: Rachelle Dené Poth: How AI Is Reshaping K–12 Education

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.

58: Tim Sandefur: Why Individualism Still Matters in Modern America

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.