Deseret Voices

At just 7 years old, Olivia Moultrie wrote a note to her parents stating she wanted to be the best soccer player in the world. By 13, she had signed a historic Nike endorsement deal. At 15, she sued the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to lift its age restriction — and won — forever changing the landscape of American professional sports.

Now 20, and an established superstar for the Portland Thorns and the U.S. women's national team, Moultrie joins Deseret News reporter Krysyan Edler on a special edition of "Deseret Voices." She pulls back the curtain on her meteoric rise, her recent return from a calf injury, and what it felt like to have soccer legend Abby Wambach tell her she has the potential to score in every single international match.

But behind the highlight reels, the history-making lawsuits, and the intense drive that fuels her, lies a deeply grounded individual. Moultrie opens up about her faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, how she navigates the pressures of professional sports by remembering her identity as a daughter of God, and why she believes she is still only scratching the surface of what is possible.

Does religious freedom only benefit the devout or is it the bedrock foundation that keeps all civil liberties intact?

This week on "Deseret Voices," host Jane Clayson Johnson sits down with Josh McDaniel, assistant professor at Harvard Law School and director of the Harvard Religious Freedom Clinic, to unpack the rapidly shifting landscape of the First Amendment.

McDaniel explores the fascinating political evolution of religious accommodations — explaining why a right once championed by political liberals has largely pivoted to the conservative mantle, fueled by modern culture wars. From defending the lifestyle of the Old Order Amish against criminal citations in Ohio, to building broad ideological coalitions to protecting Native American sacred sites in Arizona, McDaniel argues that religious minorities are the ultimate "canaries in the coal mine" for government overreach.

They tackle the thorny realities of modern jurisprudence, the fine line between private religious expression and public coercion in schools, and why robust religious liberty ultimately requires a dose of humility from believers.

As the United States hits its historic 250th anniversary, the nation finds itself caught in the throes of a profound "faith crisis" — not just in its institutions, but in the very endurance of the American experiment. In this episode of "Deseret Voices," host McKay Coppins sits down with former senator and presidential candidate Mitt Romney for a deeply candid, reflective and surprisingly humorous conversation about legacy, leadership and life after the political spotlight.

Romney shares his thoughts on the fragile history of democracies, the massive risks posed by artificial intelligence and hyper-concentrated billionaire wealth, and why he firmly believes leaders over 80 should step aside. He also opens up about his personal life in "quasi-retirement," from mastering the legendary U.S. Senate bean soup to cooking 100 meatballs for his grandkids, and the foundational role his wife, Ann — the "Mitt Stabilizer" — plays in keeping him grounded. It is a rare, unvarnished look at one of the most prominent statesmen of the modern era finding optimism in an increasingly tumultuous world.

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” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and 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 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), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).

The Great Salt Lake is disappearing. 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. In this episode of "Deseret Voices," host 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 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 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 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. 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” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and 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 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), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).