Cox & Friends Podcast

Utah Lt. Governor, Spencer Cox, is joined today by a skeleton crew of friends, including Owen Fuller and Jon Cox, to talk about the latest election updates, possible alternative voting systems, and what a recount would actually look like. On this week's edition of 'Tech Time' with Owen Fuller, we talk about the surprise sale of survey software maker, Qualtrics, for $8 billion and what it could mean for Utah in the future. Also, Jon Cox unveils more 'Obscure Utah Political History' and we look back on the lives of "Utah's Pollster", Dan E. Jones, long time congressman, Jim Hansen, and Major Brent Taylor.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and friends are joined by longtime KSL radio talk-show host, Doug Wright, to talk about the latest updates from the midterm elections, Doug's background in broadcasting, what drove him to pursue radio, and whether or not he could see himself pursuing politics. We also dive into the possible causes for the high voter turnout this year, Mitt Romney's path to Washington and President Donald Trump's remarks regarding Mia Love. Lastly, we talk about Boston Celtic's Gordon Hayward and his return to Utah Friday night to play the Jazz, Jon Cox's trip to the clinic, and who we get starstruck over.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and friends are back to talk the latest voting updates and the level of negative political ads that we've seen throughout the election. Owen breaks down the "Entrepreneurial Escalator," why Amsterdam has become an attractive place for tech, and what being an entrepreneur truly means on today's segment of 'Tech Time.' We also tease "Just Mercy," written by Bryan Stevenson, that was chosen for 'Abby's Book Club.' Lastly, we touch on the Governor's Annual Gala, High School Musical, Utah's creative background, the Utah Jazz, and the latest local college football updates.

On this episode of Cox & Friends, the Lt. Governor is joined by 'Jane and Emma' producer Tamu Smith to talk about Jane's friendship with Emma Smith, her journey west and the importance of having a movie like this in Utah. We also talk about Utah's history of racial discrimination and how conversations and discussions about race will play their role in ending discrimination that is visible still to this day in the Beehive State. Lastly, we also touch on a couple topics including new voter registration numbers, the latest on the Utah Jazz, and updates on Jon's car troubles.

In order to celebrate Boss's Day, Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and friends are joined by a special guest, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert! In this episode, we talk about the Governor's appearance in Sharknado 4 and how the landscape of real estate in the 80s led to his unexpected journey into politics. The Governor also talks about his relation to notorious American train and bank robber, Butch Cassidy. As well as, his advice for Millennials. The friends also preview the upcoming Utah Jazz season and we reveal some breaking news regarding the Jazz and the Lt. Governor.

Twitter and digital media star Shoshana Weissmann joins the Lt. Governor and Jon Cox to talk about what got her into politics, how she transformed into a social media guru, and the importance of being yourself when growing your brand. Shoshana also gave us an inside look at how she uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Snapchat to create awareness and change. We also break down Shoshana's obsession with sloths and go into the time Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave her a sloth doll. Jon Cox is also back this week to talk about voting, the large number of judicial attention races, as well as the upcoming NBA season and the MLB playoffs. Visit vote.utah.gov to register to vote and to review all the candidates and issues that will be on your local ballot.

Director of Elections Justin Lee joins from the office of Lt. Governor Spencer Cox to explain all the items that will be on Utah ballots in November. Utah has several spicy items to decide on in the 2018 midterms, including three proposed amendments to the state constitution, three ballot initiatives, and a non-binding question on a gas tax to benefit schools and teachers. Visit vote.utah.gov to register to vote and to review all the candidates and issues that will be on your local ballot.

Wildfires in Utah have the state on edge, so Lt. Governor Spencer Cox gives the friends an update on the firefighting status and shares some amazing examples of Utahns stepping up to help those affected by the fires. Kirsten talks about going viral after putting a request on social media to help save the wedding of a couple who couldn’t access their venue due to the evacuations. The LG recounts having to pass along a request from the Red Cross to stop donations because they received too much. Jon recounts his three years as a seasonal firefighter and explains his role as the human repeater and the need to hide his Harry Potter books from his fellow firefighters. Jon also recounts stories of one of his favorite Utah characters, Rick Majerus. The conversation takes an abrupt turn when Kirsten reveals she’s never heard of Rick Majerus, famous basketball coach at the University of Utah. The LG admits that he’s never read the Harry Potter books, which causes the friends to question his character. In the podcast-only segment of the show, the group reviews the college football matchups around the state, including the nationally televised Utah State game with Spencer and Abby Cox in attendance as special guests along with Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell and teammates.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and the friends are back, but this time joined by special guest, McKay Coppins (The Atlantic, Buzzfeed, The Daily Universe) to talk about all things ranging from Coppins flying on President Trump's private jet, what it was like writing for Buzzfeed, and the worst typo in Utah history. We also discuss what it's going to take for mainstream media to regain the public's trust and what it would take for an up-and-coming journalist to make it in today's landscape. Last but certainly not least, we dive into this week's edition of 'Conspiracy Corner' and well, things get a bit interesting.

Some people have strange obsessions, and in the case of Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and his distant cousin Jon Cox, it’s the 1992 races for governor and congress in Utah. Watergate-adjacent FranklinQuest CEO Bob Bennett (son of U.S. Senator Wallace Bennett and grandson of Latter-day Saint President Heber J. Grant) grappled in the 1992 primaries with Geneva Steel Chairman Joe Cannon, the son and grandson of Utah congressmen. After defeating Cannon, Bennett took on popular Democratic congressman Wayne Owens to take over for Jake Garn in the Senate.

Abby Cox returns with Abby’s Book Club, featuring “The Unthinkable — Who Survives When Disaster Strikes” by Amanda Ripley. Lt. Gov Spencer Cox and the friends join Abby and Joe Dougherty from the Utah Division of Emergency Management to talk about what the state is doing to prepare for disasters. The friends describe their disaster personality types and discuss their approach to the moments we never want to happen.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox talks to the friends about the ads rolling out for the 2018 elections, how to spend the 18 summers you get with your kids, and defends his hot take about Yellowstone National Park. The friends talk about how they’d act if they were on a jury and serve up their own hot takes and hit tips, including sports bigamy and not trusting anyone who qualifies statements with “sincerely.” The group discusses strange local menu items, like smoked lemonade and carrot air. In the podcast exclusive portion of the show, the group tries to discover the best restaurant in rural Utah. The LG describes a week in the life and highlights some of the interesting groups visiting Utah.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox returns from a family vacation in Montana to talk with the friends about the year anniversary of Operation Rio Grande, the multi-agency effort to address homelessness and street crime in Utah. Jon Cox dives into obscure Utah history to talk about a 1957 riot at the Utah State Prison with hostages that included the Granger 2nd Ward basketball team and a drama club preparing a production called Felon Follies. The friends also discuss the best and worst national parks in Utah and around the country.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox is joined by Abby Cox and the friends to cover hot August topics, including Utah baby names, the inland port in Salt Lake City, the future of Utah Lake, ethics of food deliveries, and leaning in on Utah honey, funeral potatoes, and socks.

Lt. Governor Spencer Cox talks about his recent visit to London. The friends talk about their favorite obscure places in Utah. There's talk of ligers in Pocatello and karaoke in filipino restaurants.