Politicit Podcast (Audio)

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 h...

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 vote...

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...

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 c...

Join Utah State Senator John D. Johnson on the Politicit Podcast for an in-depth conversation with Susan Lee, Republican candidate for Davis County Commissioner (Seat B). In this episode, Sen. Johnson and Susan Lee discuss key local issues facing Davis County, including cutting government waste, promoting common-sense policies, economic growth, infrastructure, and protecting taxpayer dollars from bloated bureaucracy and her number ...

Join us for a compelling conversation with James Ebert, the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis and a dedicated community leader in Northern Utah. In this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, James talks about his journey from years of public service — including his time as a Weber County Commissioner — to leading one of the region’s most impactful youth organizations.

We dive into: •

What drives the missio...

On this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, host John Johnson sits down with Todd Weiler, attorney, longtime Utah State Senator, and co-host of the Political as Heck podcast.

Together, they discuss how podcasting is giving Utah lawmakers a new platform for honest, long-form political discourse—beyond soundbites and headlines. Senator Weiler shares why more elected officials are turning to podcasts to engage voters, explain complex le...

On this episode of the Politicit Podcast, host John Johnson examines one of the most debated shifts in modern politics: early voting and turnout strategy within the Republican Party.

The conversation centers on Scott Presler and his work with Early Vote Action, a national effort focused on registering voters and encouraging Republicans to vote early, vote by mail, or vote on Election Day. Presler has been a leading voice urging con...

On this episode of the Politicit Podcast, host John D. Johnson sits down with Randy Watt, retired Ogden Police Chief and Special Forces Colonel, for an in-depth conversation on leadership, policing, and combat-tested decision-making.

Chief Watt brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience, including service in every operational component of the Ogden Police Department, 12 years on SWAT, and 15 years as a firearms an...

🎙️ Doug Fiefia: Protecting Families, Expanding School Choice & Building Smarter Communities In this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Doug Fiefia for a wide-ranging conversation about family, opportunity, technology, and the kind of public policy that actually improves everyday lives. Doug’s story begins with his parents’ immigration from Tonga and growing up in a crowded, multi-family ho...

Catherine Austin Fitts has spent her life following one question: How does money shape power, neighborhoods, and personal freedom? From the row houses of Philadelphia to the trading floors of Wall Street, from the corridors of HUD to founding Solari, Inc., her journey exposes the hidden architecture of modern finance — and the new risks emerging from programmable digital money. In this episode we explore:

🔹 Why neighborhoods crumb...

Catherine Austin Fitts has spent her life following one question: How does money shape power, neighborhoods, and personal freedom? From the row houses of Philadelphia to the trading floors of Wall Street, from the corridors of HUD to founding Solari, Inc., her journey exposes the hidden architecture of modern finance — and the new risks emerging from programmable digital money. In this episode we explore:

🔹 Why neighborhoods crumb...

As CEO of Braver Angels, Maury Giles leads a national movement to preserve one of America’s most vital assets — our ability to disagree, debate, and still work together in pursuit of the common good. Braver Angels is more than a bridge across divides; it’s a mission to restore the unity of purpose essential to the survival of our constitutional republic.

This work goes beyond conversation — it demands courage, clarity, and a commit...

Randy Watt’s Story

Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, Randy built a career that bridged law enforcement and military service. He holds degrees in Police Science (Weber State), Business Administration (University of Phoenix), and Strategic Studies (U.S. Army War College).

Randy served 32 years with the Ogden Police Department, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief before retiring in 2011. In 2017, he was called back to lead as Chief ...

Utah plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Kirk Moore faced a federal indictment for allegedly distributing falsified COVID-19 vaccination record cards. After a five-day trial filled with tension and uncertainty, the case ended abruptly when U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the Department of Justice to dismiss all charges.

Dr. Kirk Moore is a plastic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience helping patients feel confident and com...

In this episode of the PoliticIt Podcast, host Senator John D. Johnson sits down with Kris Andersen and Jamie Renda of Path Forward Utah to unpack one of Utah’s most extraordinary legal sagas. What began as a neighborhood effort to support families during the COVID-19 era — organizing graduations, forming the Freedom Fighters parent network, and connecting with Dr. Michael Kirk Moore for medical choice — escalated into a federal pr...

Celeste Maloy is Utah’s 2nd District Rep, Focused on Rural Issues and Public Lands | PoliticIt Podcast In this wide-ranging Politic-It interview, Representative Celeste Maloy (UT-02) breaks down the realities of serving in Congress, from fiscal debates and reconciliation rules to her influential committee work on Appropriations and Natural Resources. We cover:

✅ The controversy around the reconciliation package and the “tax cuts fo...

Tawnee has been married to Dan for 26 years and is the proud mom of six children and foster kids. She earned her MBA from Utah State University (go Aggies!) with a focus on financial planning and has dedicated her career and community service to helping others.

Tawnee is currently serving her 8th year on the Riverton City Council. She also serves on the Utah League of Cities and Towns Board, is Vice-Chair of the Tourism, Recreation...