Thoughts from a Utahn on strengthening the economy, building community, and promoting civil society.

RECENT INSIGHTS

What to expect when your not expecting

By Natalie Gochnour | 05/18/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. In a very real way, June means weddings. The end of school and great weather motivate young couples to tie the knot and schedule summer weddings. Back in the old days, summer weddings meant an uptick in births 10 months later. This is less true today. Utah’s fertility rate…

Dog Economics

By Natalie Gochnour | 05/12/2017

Originally published in Utah Business. I share my life with a beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever named Marley. Marley has the personality of a service dog—gentle, kind, content and loving. She lives for food, walks to the park and family play time. She loves sunspots and scratches on her ears. In the morning, she visits my…

This is Jazz Country

By Natalie Gochnour | 05/04/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. My husband and I were listening to a sports radio station Sunday night shortly after the Utah Jazz soundly defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of the NBA playoffs. We were laughing out loud because of the crazy enthusiasm expressed by a fan who had called the…

Tear down walls to make a better Utah

By Natalie Gochnour | 04/20/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. Jack Gallivan, the former publisher of the Salt Lake Tribune, once challenged community leaders with this statement: “Our task is to make all of Utah as beautiful in man-made additions as it is in God-given wonders; beautiful in the maintenance of the good life; beautiful in social equality and…

Hillbilly Elegy: A deep, compelling look at poverty in America, with implications close to home

By Natalie Gochnour | 04/04/2017

Originally published in Utah Business. I’ll never forget the first time I came face to face with squalor. My car broke down as I was driving home from Capitol Reef National Park. I walked a half-mile or so in the dark to a home just off the highway. A man opened the door, hesitated, and…

Utah and Salt Lake City Policy Innovations

Athena Remarks

Here are reasons why Utah should host another olympics

Christmas reminder: Success in life depends on human kindness

Finding peace in God’s love

Singing my mother to heaven