This week is our August edition of Incentives & Instincts, a recurring series in which Justin speaks with economist and friend Bryce Ward about some of the broader challenges facing our society.

It is back to school season and phones remain a hot topic in public schools. Some states have legislated bans and we're starting to have enough data to evaluate …

This week's guest is Theresa Williams, crisis intervention team program manager for Missoula. CIT programs bring together law enforcement, mental health professionals, advocates and other partners to improve community response to mental health crises. Theresa has a deep background in social work and has worked in the behavioral health space for over 20 years.

In this episode, Theresa talks about her background in social work and how her early experiences working at a homeless shelter made her realize the need for a more trauma-informed approach.

This week Justin speaks with Andrew Light, distinguished professor of philosophy, public policy and atmospheric science at George Mason University. Andrew has also served in the highest levels of U.S. Government, most recently as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs at the U. S. Department of Energy. Andrew recently visited the University of Montana to deliver the 2025 Albert Borgmann Lecture.

In this conversation, Andrew explains how philosophical training set him up for success in navigating and negotiating public policy. He discusses his role in leading the U.S. through energy discussions and the importance of bringing together experts from different fields like science, economics and law to inform policy decisions.