Lectures
Lectures hosted by Wheatley Institute.
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The Role of Religion in Human Flourishing
What does it mean to flourish? And how can societies help people achieve it?
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The Casino-fication of America: How Online Gambling Hooked a Generation
In his viral cover story for The Atlantic, “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler,” McKay Coppins embedded himself inside America’s sports-betting boom—and learned just how dangerous the industry can be.
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What is the Role of Cultural Elites in America's Toxic Polarization?
In May, students, professors, and guests gathered to listen to Bret Stephens— author, Pulitzer Prize winner, and New York Times columnist— speak on the role of the cultural elite in American polarization. The lecture was hosted by Wheatley Institute, the BYU Political Science Department, and the Initiative for Peacemaking, and served as the opening keynote for the 2026 Brigham Young University Peacemaking Conference.
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Faith in Educational Renewal Panel Discussion and Q&A
In a collaborative event between Wheatley Institute and BYU's McKay School of Education, leading scholars and educators from across the country discussed the potential for religious faith to help bridge America's widening student learning opportunity gaps.
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Serpent in Eden: Foreign Meddling and Partisan Politics in James Madison's America
There was standing room only as Tyson Reeder, Wheatley Affiliated Scholar and assistant professor of history at Brigham Young University, delivered a lecture at the Wheatley office earlier this month.
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Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division
Wheatley Institute and BYU's student-led Peacemaker Project hosted conservative legal scholar Robert George and progressive philosopher Cornel West for a discussion on friendship, disagreement, and integrity in a difficult and divided time.
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Amid Rising Hate, Governors Share Message of Faith and Hope
This week, Wheatley Institute sponsored a bipartisan forum in the beautiful Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke on confronting political violence in a country dominated by civic distrust and polarization.
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Mitt Romney: 2025 George W. Romney Lecture on Public Service
We were honored to hear from former Utah Senator, Mitt Romney, for the 2025 George W. Romney Lecture on Public Service. He reminded us that true leadership begins with living by our core values and that in times of division, those values can bring us together.
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Eternal Man and the Power of Identity
Good evening, dear friends. It is a privilege to occupy this pulpit, though, believe me, I am well aware that those who’ve honored to deliver the Truman G. Madsen Eternal Man Lecture through the years are to a person more qualified than I. But Truman Madsen had an outsized influence in my life. So tonight, I welcome the chance to pay tribute to him and, in particular, to the masterful way he combined depth of scholarship with deep faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and to His prophets.
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Experiencing Jesus Christ Through the Family Proclamation
Wheatley Institute sponsored a 2-day BYU conference focused on The Family: a Proclamation to the World in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Speakers included Wheatley Institute Family Initiative Director Jason Carroll and fellows Jenet Erickson, Shima Baradaran Baughman, Brian Willoughby, Loren Marks and Justin Collings.
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Learning to Disagree in a Pluralistic Society
Can we learn to disagree in our pluralistic society? John Inazu, professor of law and religion at Washington University, showed how humility, curiosity, and empathy can transform disagreement into a constructive force for stronger communities and deeper human connection in an inspiring lecture for Constitution Day at Wheatley Institute. Former United States Court of Appeals Judge and Wheatley Constitutional Government Fellow Thomas Griffiths joined Inazu for a discussion following the lecture about applying principles of peacemaking in our lives.
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Faith and Flourishing in Your Life and Work
Wheatley Religion Initiative Director Paul Lambert gave a BYU forum address on the research-backed benefits of religious faith, inviting students to live their faith with conviction and encourage others to do the same.
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