The Right Idea

Just in time for National Marriage Week and Valentine's Day, TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen dive into the evolving landscape of marriage and family in America. Family policy experts Hannah Bruck and Noah Torres join to discuss declining marriage rates, fertility trends, cultural shifts like dating apps and "hetero fatalism," and pro-family policies to encourage family formation. This episode explores why fewer Americans are tying the knot and what policymakers can do about it.

01:10 - Hot Take: Worst Valentine's Day Gifts
04:20 - Guests Introduction: Hannah Bruck and Noah Torres 
04:48 - Causes of Delayed Marriages: Technology, Dating Apps, and Economic Pressures 
06:35 - What Young People Are Waiting For: Unrealistic Standards and Soulmate Myths 
08:41 - Pro-Family Policy Philosophy: Family as the Core Unit of Society 
14:10 - Cultural Communication: Convincing Young People Marriage Leads to Happiness 
15:22 - Combating Social Media Echo Chambers and Influencer Lifestyles 
17:07 - Who Are the Best Messengers? Celebrities, Pop Culture, and Community Leaders 
18:56 - Role of Communities, Churches, and Friend Groups in Promoting Marriage 
20:41 - The Success Sequence: Education, Job, Marriage – Path to Flourishing 
21:44 - Pushback on Teaching Success Sequence in Schools 
23:52 - Hetero Fatalism Explained: Why Boyfriends Are "Out" and Relationships Seen as Doomed 
33:04 - Pushing Back: Policy and Culture to Restore Commitment 
37:19 - Concern: Not Enough "Marriageable" People Due to Changing Expectations
39:10 - High-Connection Couples: Key to Satisfaction and Happiness 
40:44 - Dating Apps: Still Destroying Relationships? 
42:03 - Hurdles to Having Kids: Costs, Housing, and Cultural Parenting Pressures 
44:50 - Politics and Marriage: Polarization, Tribalism, and Government Incentives 
47:44 - Dating Across Political Lines: Focus on Love Over Ideology 
49:45 - Conservatives and Pro-Family Government Policies: Tax Credits and More 
52:10 - Marriage Tips and Communication Advice 
53:57 - Future of Family Success Project: Parental Rights, TANF Reform, AI in Families 

Creators and Guests

Host
Brian Phillips
Brian Phillips is the Chief Communications Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. For over a decade, Brian has helped policymakers and political candidates develop effective messages and communication strategies. Phillips is a veteran of presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns, and has extensive experience working in the United States Congress and public policy think tanks.
Host
Derek M. Cohen
Derek M. Cohen, Ph.D, is the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Chief Policy & Research Officer and Right on Crime Senior Fellow. Previously the Vice President of Policy and director of Right on Crime, the Foundation’s criminal justice reform initiative, Cohen was instrumental in the passage of the First Step Act, federal legislation that borrowed from successful changes to prisons and sentencing that he had helped pass in conservative states. In addition to leading the Foundation’s work on criminal justice, he is also the lead researcher of firearms policy.

What is The Right Idea?

The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.