Politicit Podcast (Audio)

PoliticIt is a weekly podcast featuring hosts Utah State Senator John D. Johnson Elizabeth and State Representative Ryan Wilcox.
Podcast Description
PoliticIt is a weekly podcast featuring hosts Utah State Senator John D. Johnson Elizabeth and State Representative Ryan Wilcox.
Episodes
Episodes



Apr 2, 2026
Apr 2, 2026
22 min
Is Weber County growing… or drifting?
In this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Weber County Commission candidate Katrina Gibson for a grounded, no-spin conversation about what’s actually at stake in local government.
This isn’t theory. It’s roads, sewer systems, property taxes, and the real cost of growth.
Gibson brings a rare perspective shaped by rural life, raising six children, and years of watching how government decisions impact families on the ground.
Her message is simple but demanding: plan first, spend responsibly, and respect property rights. But here’s the real question: 👉 What happens when growth outpaces infrastructure? 👉 Who pays when planning comes too late? 👉 And can the government actually discipline itself before taxpayers are asked for more? This conversation goes beyond campaign talking points and into the tension every fast-growing county is facing right now. If Weber County gets this wrong, the costs won’t be theoretical. They’ll show up in your taxes, your commute, and your community. ⸻ 🎵 Featuring the campaign anthem: “Built Right Here” A story of leadership, responsibility, and drawing a line before it’s too late. ⸻
Subscribe for more real conversations on Utah policy, politics, and leadership. No spin. Just substance.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol #WeberCounty #UtahPolitics #LocalGovernment #PropertyTaxes #Growth #PoliticIt #KatrinaGibson #CountyCommission #Policy #Leadership #BuiltRightHereOn



Apr 2, 2026
Apr 2, 2026
26 min
Utah State Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Utah House Representative Ryan Wilcox for an in-depth conversation on one of the most important issues facing Utah families — school safety.
Representative Wilcox discusses his legislative efforts during this year’s session to improve campus security, protect students and teachers, and provide schools with the resources needed to respond to modern safety challenges.
The discussion also covers how these proposals move through the legislative process and what they mean for communities across Utah.
Join us for a thoughtful policy conversation highlighting leadership, public safety, and the future of education in Utah.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



Apr 2, 2026
Apr 2, 2026
34 min
In this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski to break down what it actually takes to run a city that delivers results.
This is not a conversation about political messaging. It is about execution. Mayor Nadolski explains how Ogden is reducing use-of-force incidents, attracting experienced police officers, and holding taxes steady through operational discipline.
He walks through the failures he inherited, including stalled projects and siloed departments, and how aligning city systems has restored momentum. The conversation also explores Ogden’s approach to homelessness, including embedding medical and housing advocates directly into police and fire response systems to reduce emergency room strain and lower long-term costs. At the center of it all is a simple framework: finish the work, align the system, and measure outcomes.
This is what local government looks like when it works. Topics Covered • Why most city projects fail after approval • How Ogden reduced use-of-force incidents by ~20% • The 2400% increase in experienced police hires • Holding taxes steady through efficiency • Homeless response reform and reduced ER transport • Union Station and the future of downtown Ogden •
The “Ogden Way” leadership model Subscribe for more Politic-It conversations Real conversations. Real policy. Real outcomes.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



Mar 15, 2026
Mar 15, 2026
24 min
The PoliticIt Podcast is expanding to Southern Utah! In this special announcement episode, host Utah State Senator John D. Johnson introduces PoliticIt Dixie, the newest addition to the PoliticIt network.
Joining the show is Alexis Ence, a former professor at Utah Tech University and President of the St. George Republican Women, who will host the new program focused on the issues, leaders, and conversations shaping Southern Utah.
PoliticIt Dixie will bring in-depth discussions with elected officials, community leaders, and policy experts from across Washington County and the greater St. George region. Senator Johnson and Ence talk about why this expansion matters, what listeners can expect, and how the new show will highlight the voices and priorities of Southern Utah.
Subscribe now and be part of the conversation as PoliticIt Dixie launches its mission to cover the stories, policies, and people shaping the future of Southern Utah.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



Mar 15, 2026
Mar 15, 2026
20 min
On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, host Utah State Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Utah House Representative Karianne Lisonbee as she officially announces her candidacy for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District.
Rep. Lisonbee discusses why she is entering the race, the issues that motivated her decision, and the vision she has for representing Utah in Washington, D.C. Known for her leadership in the Utah Legislature and her work on key policy issues, Lisonbee shares what she believes voters in the district are looking for in their next member of Congress.
Sen. Johnson and Rep. Lisonbee also talk about the political landscape in Utah, the priorities facing families and businesses, and what the campaign ahead may look like.
Join us for this important conversation as a major congressional campaign begins.
PoliticIt Podcast – bringing you the people, policy, and politics shaping Utah.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



Mar 14, 2026
Mar 14, 2026
26 min
On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, host Utah State Senator John D. Johnson is joined by Melanie Monestere, Vice Chair of the Utah Republican Party, for a timely conversation about the growing effort to gather signatures to place Proposition 4 on the ballot.
Monestere discusses the grassroots movement behind the signature drive, the political stakes surrounding Prop 4, and why activists across Utah are mobilizing to give voters a direct voice on the issue. Senator Johnson and Monestere also explore how the initiative process works in Utah, the challenges of qualifying a measure for the ballot, and what this effort could mean for the state’s political landscape.
If successful, the campaign could put a major policy question directly before Utah voters—making this one of the most closely watched political efforts in the state.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



Mar 14, 2026
Mar 14, 2026
24 min
Welcome to the pilot episode of PoliticIt Dixie, the southern Utah edition of the PoliticIt Podcast network. Hosted by Alexis Ence, a former Utah Tech University professor and President of the St. George Republican Women, this new series brings the political conversation to Utah’s Dixie region.
In this inaugural episode, Alexis sits down with Utah House Representative Karianne Lisonbee (R–Clearfield), who is currently running for U.S. Congress. Lisonbee shares her vision for Utah, discusses key issues facing the state and nation, and explains why she’s stepping into the congressional race.
From public policy and state leadership to the future of conservative politics in Utah, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the state’s most prominent lawmakers and her campaign for Washington.
PoliticIt Dixie connects southern Utah voters with the leaders shaping the future of the state—bringing thoughtful discussion, local perspective, and statewide impact.
Subscribe for more conversations with policymakers, candidates, and community leaders from across Utah’s Dixie region and beyond.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



Feb 17, 2026
Feb 17, 2026
21 min
On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Senator John D. Johnson interviews Randy Watt about protest management, use-of-force standards, elite mission planning, and emerging nonlethal military technologies. Drawing on decades in municipal policing and Special Forces command, Watt explains how disciplined preparation, constitutional guardrails, and accountable leadership reduce escalation and casualties. The conversation connects civic protest management with high-risk operations under a single principle: competence plus accountability preserves legitimacy.
#politicit #utahelections #utpol



