In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen talks with Chris Thomas, Director of Legal Strategy for Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute and a longtime Arizona school attorney.

Thomas discusses findings from a Goldwater report revealing the many hidden forms of compensation for Arizona school superintendents—including car stipends, excessive vacation days, and cash payouts—that go far beyond base salaries. He explains how a lack of transparency leaves both taxpayers and school boards in the dark, and calls for public posting of superintendent contracts as already required in Indiana, Illinois, and Texas.

The conversation also touches on broader education policy issues, including administrative spending versus classroom funding, chronic absenteeism, and the impact of school choice in Arizona's evolving education landscape

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen speaks with Kim Miller, founder of Arizona Women of Action and America's Women. What began as a small text chain in 2020 has grown into a network of more than 35,000 subscribers and followers.

Miller shares how the organizations mobilize women to protect childhood, strengthen families, and defend faith-based values through civic engagement. The discussion explores practical steps for influencing education, donor awareness, and cultural change while carrying forward a mission rooted in Christian principles

Phil Mason, founder of the Arizona Republican Assembly, talks about improving student performance through teacher incentives, the role of ESAs, and the need for stronger parental accountability. He also shares insights on lobbying, legislative transparency, and the Arizona Republican Assembly's legislative scorecard