In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen talks with Michael Calles, a fourth-generation Arizonan, U.S. Air Force and Army veteran, and retired Phoenix police officer running for Glendale City Council.

Calles shares how nearly 30 years of public service — from law enforcement to high school coaching — inspired his campaign focused on strengthening public safety, supporting local businesses, and improving city responsiveness.

He discusses his priorities for increasing patrol presence, addressing homelessness with compassion and firmness, and fostering stronger neighborhood communication.

Calles also outlines his vision for smart budgeting, revitalizing Glendale's economy, and restoring community trust through transparency and direct engagement

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen speaks with Joseph Nixon, litigation counsel at the Public Interest Legal Foundation and a veteran election attorney with more than 30 years of experience.

Nixon discusses Louisiana v. Callais, a U.S. Supreme Court case examining whether Louisiana's new congressional map violates the 14th and 15th Amendments by using race as the primary factor in redistricting. He explains how the case highlights the tension between the Voting Rights Act—which requires consideration of race to prevent voter dilution—and the Constitution's prohibition against race-based decision making.

Nixon details his organization's legal brief in the case, outlines possible national implications for redistricting, and shares insights on election integrity work by the Public Interest Legal Foundation, including voter roll audits and privacy protections.

Parent advocate Tiffany Hawkins joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss her fight for transparency in Arizona's school districts. Using her auditing background, she uncovered missing public records and pushed for reforms to safety and bullying policies after her daughter was injured on campus.

Hawkins described how she's worked with the state ombudsman to enforce compliance and now campaigns for stronger public access laws. She urged parents to attend board meetings, file detailed records requests, and connect through community networks to demand accountability from local schools

In this episode of the Grand Canyon Times podcast, host Leyla Gulen speaks with Timothy Minella, Senior Fellow at the Goldwater Institute's Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy.

Minella explains why he believes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs undermine America's founding promise of equal opportunity. He outlines how DEI has become embedded in public universities and government institutions, replacing equal treatment with ideological conformity.

Minella discusses ongoing Goldwater legal actions—such as the case of ASU professor Owen Anderson—state reforms like Idaho's Freedom from Indoctrination Act, and efforts to eliminate mandatory DEI training.

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

Matt Beienburg, Director of Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute, discusses Arizona's education landscape, the growth of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, and the ongoing debate over school choice. He explains how ESAs work, addresses criticisms, and highlights their impact on families across income levels