Best Fiscal Conservatism Podcasts (2025)

1
The Engineering State: Dan Wang on China’s Breakneck Modernization 30:56

Play Pause

1h ago30:56

30:56

Roger welcomes Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution History Lab and author of “Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future.” They discuss Wang’s perspective on China’s technological rise and the contrast he draws between China’s engineering approach to governance and the United States’ lawyerly system, which e…

1
Episode 269: The Antidote to Mamdani 8:32

4d ago8:32

8:32

Now that New York has elected a self-avowed socialist as its mayor, many are concerned with how to combat his dangerous ideas and policies. In this episode of Capital Record, David offers the wild suggestion that one way to defeat Mamdani’s ideas is to not replicate them ourselves! From class warfare to price controls to government ownership of pro…

1
Episode 268: Beef Prices and Corporate Greed 14:02

9d ago14:02

14:02

The ‘Greedflation’ line is back, only it isn’t coming from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, or Joe Biden. With beef prices up nearly +13 percent over the last year, many are wondering why, and many are providing answers that don’t pass the smell test. Fortunately for those of us on the Capital Record, first principles go a long way toward helping …

1
Episode 267: Solving Housing Affordability by Making It Worse 11:55

11d ago11:55

11:55

David devotes this week’s Capital Record to the folly of the “game-changing” idea of a 50-year mortgage. He stands within first principles by allowing risk takers to freely transact, but points out the economic reality of how people who believe they get a cheaper house by paying for it over an extra 20 years are, well, wrong. Hosted by Simplecast, …

1
Restoring Honesty on Campus with TFAS Campus Transparency Fellows 24:14

2d ago24:14

24:14

Roger welcomes Ben Rothove, editor-in-chief of the Madison Federalist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Elsa Johnson, managing editor of the Stanford Review, for a conversation about their experiences as student journalists and fellows in TFAS’s new Campus Transparency Fellowship, a program created to bring accountability and openness bac…

1
Episode 266: What Tucker, Heritage, and Nick Fuentes Have to Do with Capital Record 27:30

18d ago27:30

27:30

The “conservative” world lives in interesting times, navigating on one hand the challenges of being a movement based on ideas and then on the other hand the personalities and frustrations that have recently entered the fray, often at odds with the movement and ideas they claim to have joined. We have spent ample time in this podcast defending the c…

1
Episode 256: Sports Betting in a Free and Virtuous Society 18:30

25d ago18:30

18:30

The NBA world was rocked last week as a current head coach and two players were arrested in a major FBI investigation. The entire matter has led to great consternation over the world of sports betting and the explosive growth of how this is marketed and normalized in society. David does what this podcast exists for him to do: apply first principles…

1
Episode 264: Replacing Work with Screen Time Is Not New 10:56

1M ago10:56

10:56

The pro-work message has found a resurgence, but it has hardly won the war. It is not merely up against pop psychologists and a wide array of confused thought leaders, but the allure of algorithmic screen addictions and other acts of sloth that are hurting society in more ways than one. On today’s episode of Capital Record, David argues that bemoan…

1
Episode 263: Two Dangerous Messages on Philanthropy 12:22

1M ago12:22

12:22

David is inspired today by a recent WSJ op-ed from the widow of Apple founder, Steve Jobs, arguing that too many philanthropists are using their donations for control rather than impact. David takes the position that too many philanthropists are driven by vanity, too many charities are driven by grift, and not enough philanthropists are wisely main…

1
The Man Who Invented Conservatism: Daniel J. Flynn on Frank Meyer’s Life and Legacy 33:15

26d ago33:15

33:15

Roger welcomes Daniel J. Flynn, senior editor at the American Spectator and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, for a conversation about his new biography, “The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer.” Flynn explores the fascinating journey of Meyer, a former communist who became one of the most influential conser…

1
Episode 262: Josh Hawley’s Anti-Worker Marxist Screed 12:30

1M ago12:30

12:30

It feels that New Right Republicans are sometimes trying to out-socialist Bernie Sanders, and in bemoaning the extraordinary results of Amazon in building opportunity for pay and wealth for its workforce and pitting that against the executive C-suite in standard class warfare lunacy, we have teed up all that is wrong with wage controls, price contr…

1
Episode 261: New Japanese Prime Minister Sounds Full Time to Me” 9:32

1M ago9:32

9:32

Sanae Takaichi is not just set to be the first female prime minister of Japan -- and someone whose childhood hero was the legendary Margaret Thatcher. She also launched her global claim to fame by saying she “wanted to abandon the idea of work-life balance” and planned to “have everyone work like a workhorse.” Well, this has generated some push bac…

1
Episode 260: Did the Financial Crisis Make Socialism Great Again? 11:57

2M ago11:57

11:57

As New York City prepares to elect Mamdani as mayor and young people across college campuses tout the miseries of “capitalism,” is the financial crisis of 2008 to blame for a paradigm shift in public sentiment? In this episode, David unpacks the truth of the narrative that everything changed that year. Show notes: The Rise of America’s Young Social…

1
Fiscal Democracy in America: Kurt Couchman on the Case for a Balanced Budget Amendment 33:06

1M ago33:06

33:06

Roger welcomes Kurt Couchman, senior fellow in fiscal policy at Americans for Prosperity, for a conversation on the risks of the nation’s growing debt and his proposal for a balanced budget amendment to restore sound governance. They discuss why fiscal insolvency threatens future generations, how intergenerational debt burdens undermine prosperity,…

1
Benjamin Franklin: The Greatest American with Mark Skousen 27:31

2M ago27:31

27:31

Roger welcomes Dr. Mark Skousen, economist, author and the Doti-Spogli Chair of Free Enterprise at Chapman University, for a conversation about Benjamin Franklin’s enduring wisdom and what it means for today’s debates on liberty, economics and civic life. They explore Franklin’s defense of wealth and philanthropy, his views on capitalism and free t…

1
Listening, Not Lecturing: Lessons for the Next Generation of Journalists with Sam Feist 28:32

3M ago28:32

28:32

Roger welcomes Sam Feist, longtime journalist and CEO of C-SPAN, for a conversation about why the role of nonpartisan reporting and transparency remains essential to the future of journalism and public trust. They discuss the importance of unfiltered access to government, the challenge of maintaining neutrality in a polarized media environment, and…

1
The Triumph of Economic Freedom with Dr. Donald J. Boudreaux 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

Roger welcomes Dr. Donald J. Boudreaux, professor of economics at George Mason University and longtime TFAS senior scholar who teaches the economics for the citizen course, for a conversation about the enduring value of economic freedom and the importance of correcting common myths that cloud public understanding of capitalism. They discuss how mis…

1
The Hidden Costs of Executive Power with Lord Daniel Hannan 33:30

4M ago33:30

33:30

Roger welcomes Lord Daniel Hannan, a British writer, historian and member of the UK House of Lords, for a wide-ranging conversation on executive overreach, constitutional principles and the ideas that preserve liberty. They explore how power has steadily concentrated in the hands of presidents and prime ministers, weakening the roles of legislature…

1
The False Promise of Government-Driven Growth with Dominic Pino 35:17

5M ago35:17

35:17

Roger welcomes Dominic Pino, the Thomas L. Rhodes journalism fellow at the National Review Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation on why both political parties are drifting away from free-market principles—and what that means for the United States’ economic future. They discuss the growing embrace of industrial policy, the return of tariffs and…

1
The Overpopulation Myth with Marian L. Tupy 31:19

5M ago31:19

31:19

Roger welcomes Marian L. Tupy, founder and editor of HumanProgress.org and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, for a compelling conversation about human progress, population growth and the myth of scarcity. They explore the legacy of economist Julian Simon, the surprising data behind global trends and w…

1
Reclaiming the Mission of Higher Education with Dr. Jenna Robinson 31:10

5M ago31:10

31:10

Roger welcomes Dr. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, for a timely discussion on the state of American higher education and how to restore its core mission. They examine the rise of administrative bloat in higher education, the spread of DEI bureaucracies and the decline of intellectual diversity on colleg…

1
FTE at 50: Ted Tucker and Lisa Chang on Building Economic Literacy 29:35

6M ago29:35

29:35

Roger welcomes Ted Tucker, executive director of the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) and Lisa Chang, director of operations and teacher programs at FTE, to discuss the organization’s 50-year legacy of teaching the economic way of thinking to high school students and teachers. They share the fascinating history of FTE’s founding in the 1970s…

1
Socialism Sucks: Robert Lawson on the Real-World Consequences of Central Planning 30:39

6M ago30:39

30:39

Roger welcomes Robert Lawson, economist, author, and director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at Southern Methodist University. Lawson is the co-author of “Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World.” In this episode, they discuss Lawson’s firsthand observations from socialist regimes including Venezuela…

1
The Journalist Who Wouldn't Be Silenced: Benjamin Hall's Story of Survival and Recovery 31:14

7M ago31:14

31:14

Roger welcomes Benjamin Hall, FOX News correspondent and New York Times bestselling author, for a powerful conversation about courage, recovery and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. They discuss Halls’ harrowing experience surviving a Russian missile strike while covering the war in Ukraine, the loss of his colleagues that day and t…

1
Satire in the Age of Censorship: How Kyle Mann and the Babylon Bee Preserve Humor and Navigate Cancel Culture 21:22

7M ago21:22

21:22

Roger welcomes Kyle Mann, a comedian, writer, podcast host, and the editor-in-chief of the Babylon Bee. They discuss the origin story of the Babylon Bee, the creative process behind crafting their daily satirical headlines, and their expansion into film and other media projects. Plus, how they navigate the landscape of censorship and fact-checking,…

1
Leadership in Action: Lessons from A TFAS Summer in Washington 31:50

8M ago31:50

31:50

On this very special episode of Liberty + Leadership recorded at the TFAS Annual Conference in Naples, Florida, Roger welcomes Catherine Shea and Caleb Davis, two recent TFAS alumni from the summer class of 2024. Catherine and Caleb share their positive TFAS experiences, highlighting the program’s focus on fostering open dialogue, civility and resp…

1
Dan Proft on Challenging the Status Quo 29:19

8M ago29:19

29:19

On this special episode of the Liberty + Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the Annual TFAS Conference in Naples, Florida, Roger welcomes Dan Proft. Proft is co-host of the morning drive-time radio talk show Chicago’s Morning Answer and a 1993 TFAS alumnus. They discuss, Proft's successful career in radio, his experience as a TFAS student and his…

1
Unyielding Resolve: Captive Nations and the Path to Freedom with Paula Dobriansky 31:04

8M ago31:04

31:04

Roger welcomes Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, the former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs and editor of her father Lev Dobriansky’s newly released book, “Unyielding Resolve: Captive Nations and the Path to Freedom.” Together, they discuss Lev Dobriansky’s work advocating for the rights of captive nations, his role in establis…

1
Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents with Talmage Boston 32:16

8M ago32:16

32:16

Roger welcomes Talmage Boston, a lawyer, historian, and author of “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents,” which was released in April of last year. They explore Boston’s top 8 presidents, the leadership lessons they teach Americans — especially young Americans developing their leadership characteristics, and the importanc…

1
From the White House to the Crisis Room: An Inside Look with Ari Fleischer 29:58

9M ago29:58

29:58

Roger welcomes Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush and an esteemed communication and crisis management leader. They discuss Fleischer’s firsthand experience of the September 11 attacks while serving as White House Press Secretary, reflecting on the immediate chaos and the key lessons learned in crisis ma…

1
The Cost of Courage: Mark L. Clifford on the Life of Jimmy Lai 29:38

9M ago29:38

29:38

This week, Roger welcomes Mark L. Clifford, the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation and author of “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic,” which was released in December of 2024. They discuss the remarkable life story of Jimmy Lai, a Chinese re…

1
Why the 1960s Damaged the American Dream with Tim Goeglein 31:03

10M ago31:03

31:03

This week Roger welcomes Tim Goeglein, the vice president of external and government relations for Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry and nonprofit organization. They discuss how the cultural and moral shifts of the 1960s shaped many of the challenges American society faces today, how the seeds for these changes were planted earlier in the 2…

1
Investing in the Future with Randy DeCleene 29:53

12M ago29:53

29:53

This week Roger welcomes Randy DeCleene, TFAS’s very own chief development and communications officer to the show. They discuss the transformative impact TFAS programs have on both current students and alumni of all ages, the achievement and growth of TFAS over the past year and the need for continued funding to support future students and programs…

1
The Electoral College: A Safeguard Against Tyranny with Michael C. Maibach 34:21

12M ago34:21

34:21

This week Roger welcomes Michael C. Maibach to discuss the significance of the Electoral College in the American republic, its origins, and the historical context of its establishment. They also discuss the ongoing debates surrounding the Electoral College’s relevance and how to view the Constitution through the lens of Natural Law. Michael C. Maib…

1
Beyond the Bench: Judge Gregory E. Maggs on Constitutional Originalism, the JAG Corps, and the TFAS Law Fellowship 24:37

1y ago24:37

24:37

This week, Roger welcomes Judge Gregory E. Maggs to discuss the role of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the concept of originalism in constitutional law and the importance of civic education. Plus, Judge Maggs shares insights on the quality of TFAS Law Fellows and the practical education they receive, as well as his experiences in t…

1
Why Identity Politics is The Newest Incomplete Religion with Dr. Joshua Mitchell 39:38

1y ago39:38

39:38

This week, Roger welcomes Dr. Joshua Mitchell, a professor of political theory at Georgetown University. They discuss the perils of identity politics, the meaning of the material, blank and spiritual economies, and the need for a return to competence and community engagement. Dr. Mitchell also shares firsthand insight on the state of higher educati…

1
Behind the Editor’s Desk with Sierra McClain 23:08

1y ago23:08

23:08

Is there still a place for local journalism in today’s media landscape? This week, Roger welcomes the 2023 Joseph Rago Memorial Journalism Fellow, Sierra McClain. They discuss her experiences from the fellowship, the true value of on-the-ground journalism, the differences between local and national journalism, and advice for young journalists. Sier…

1
The Binary Trap With Kat Timpf 24:13

1y ago24:13

24:13

What happens to our nation’s discourse when every issue has only two possible positions? This week, Roger welcomes Kat Timpf to explore the complexities of division within American society. They discuss how embracing vulnerability can be a tool to diffuse that division and examine the dangers of binary thinking, touching on topics like religion, me…

1
Restoring Civic Engagement and Volunteerism with Eric J. Tanenblatt 30:18

1y ago30:18

30:18

What has led to the erosion of civic engagement and volunteerism over the course of the past generation? This week Eric J. Tanenblatt joins host Roger Ream to discuss how his TFAS experience led to him to pursue a career in government and public service, and the memorable moments he experienced as a result (coordinating the 2004 G8 Economic Summit,…

1
How to Rebuild American Institutional Trust with Gerard Baker 39:42

1y ago39:42

39:42

Why has there been a sharp decline in institutional trust amongst Americans and how can that confidence be rebuilt? This week Gerard Baker joins host Roger Ream to discuss the loss of trust in American institutions (particularly in the media, government, and big business), the reasons behind that decline, and the impact of globalization. Plus, the …

1
Campus Voices: The Future of Reporting with TFAS Journalism Students 29:47

1+ y ago29:47

29:47

Journalism requires courage and a commitment to pursuing the truth, even in challenging environments. Thomas McKenna and Jonas Du, two talented students participating in the TFAS Student Journalism Association, understand this. Through the Student Journalism Association, TFAS supports young independent journalists who approach journalism through a …

1
Unpacking Originalism: Natural Law, Natural Rights, and the Ninth Amendment with Randy Barnett 38:15

1+ y ago38:15

38:15

This week Randy Barnett joins host Roger Ream to discuss the ideas of constitutional originalism, natural law vs. natural rights, the importance of the ninth amendment, and how they all inform his interpretation of libertarianism. Plus, the benefits of teaching constitutional law through a narrative lens and stories from Randy’s newly released memo…

1
Steering Toward Freedom with Vice President Mike Pence 42:13

1+ y ago42:13

42:13

On this very special episode of Liberty + Leadership, host Roger Ream is joined by the 48th Vice President of the United States Mike Pence for a fireside chat at the TFAS 2024 Summer Law Fellows Closing Ceremony. They discuss the state of religious liberty, how our nation maintains peace through strength, and why democracy depends on heavy doses of…

1
Beyond the Law: Fighting for Liberty When Justice Fails with Diana Simpson 31:21

1+ y ago31:21

31:21

Our nation’s constitution serves to protect innocent people from punishment…but what happens when legal precedent and case law runs contrary to that notion? This week Diana Simpson joins host Roger Ream to discuss her work in promoting economic liberty and protecting individual rights, fighting against government infringements, and the important mi…

1
How Family Policy Impacts the Entire Economy with Dr. Veronique de Rugy 37:38

1+ y ago37:38

37:38

What is the impact of expanding government roles on family policies? This week, Dr. Veronique de Rugy joins host Roger Ream for a critical conversation on economic freedom, including her takes on policy and ideological differences among the left and right. Dr. de Rugy compares their approaches to expanded government involvement in areas such as pai…

1
Economics Beyond the Classroom with Dr. Rosolino Candela 40:54

1+ y ago40:54

40:54

How can people apply economics to daily life? This week, join host Roger Ream for an engaging conversation on economics and the transformative power of education with Dr. Rosolino Candela, a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Dr. Candela emphasizes the importance of meeting students where they are by making complex eco…

1
The Power of Resilience: Carrie Sheffield's Path to Independence 28:54

1+ y ago28:54

28:54

How does one persevere in the face of adversity? In today’s discussion, Carrie Sheffield, journalist and TFAS alumna, joins host Roger Ream to discuss her new book, "Motorhome Prophecies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness." With great candor, Carrie shares a harrowing picture of her childhood living in and out of severe poverty and experiencing …

1
Deception and the Fight for Truth with Senator Rand Paul 31:27

1+ y ago31:27

31:27

In what ways do government overreach and misinformation manifest themselves? This week, Senator Rand Paul joins host Roger Ream for an eye-opening discussion as they delve into the revelations uncovered in Senator Paul’s latest books, “Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up” and “The Case Against Socialism.” From the contentious debates surrounding ga…

1
Exploring Liberty from Budapest to Washington, DC, with Anna Smith Lacey 37:59

1+ y ago37:59

37:59

What role does cultural exchange play in creating balanced perspectives? This week, host Roger Ream is joined by Anna Smith Lacey, executive director at the Hungary Foundation and alumna of TFAS summer programs in Prague and Washington, D.C., to explore her remarkable leadership journey from Budapest to Washington, D.C. Anna reflects on her upbring…

1
Lessons from Ronald Reagan's Presidency with Dr. Donald Devine 28:52

1+ y ago28:52

28:52

What can new generations learn from Ronald Reagan? This week, Dr. Donald Devine, President Ronald Reagan’s civil service director and TFAS senior scholar, joins host Roger Ream for a discussion of his latest book “Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Principles: How They Can Promote Political Success Today.” Delving into his experiences working alongside the p…