Best Justin Borges Podcasts (2025)

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Charlie Kirk and Political Violence | #360 29:47

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2d ago29:47

29:47

Political violence is ramping up again: Charlie Kirk was recently murdered on stage in front of his family on a college campus. At the time of recording, many details were still not settled. Peter leads a discussion about what the Charlie Kirk murder means, what we can learn from this horrific event, and what we ought to do going forward.…

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Conquest's 3 Laws of Politics | #359 31:29

9d ago31:29

31:29

20th Century Sovietologist Robert Conquest famously articulated three 'laws' of politics: Everyone is conservative about what they know best. Any organization not explicitly right-wing will eventually become left-wing. The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming it is controlled by a cabal of its enemies. Join i…

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Becoming the Boring Borg | #358 39:17

16d ago39:17

39:17

Commercial architecture is trending toward bland brown and grey boxes. Newly built suburbs are grey. New cars look increasingly indistinguishable and have mostly eliminated bright exterior color. What is going on? Peter leads a discussion on the rise of a design monoculture that seems both pervasive and stifling. Where did it come from? Where is it…

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Who Opens the Overton Window? | #357 36:20

23d ago36:20

36:20

What political possibilities are on the table? Political pundits often refer to the 'Overton Window', to refer to the changing set of policies which we are 'allowed' to consider. Peter leads a discussion of the ways in which the Overton Window constrains, and is constrained by, politics, culture, and even specific individuals.…

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Is Gold Good for Retirement? | #356 33:05

1M ago33:05

33:05

Whenever inflation is in the news, discussion of using gold as an inflation hedge usually follows. Russ leads a discussion on the merits of incorporating gold into retirement planning, and his simple message is: don't do it. Join the Gwartney Team for an informative discussion about growing your financial independence.…

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A Powder Keg of Potential Revolutionaries? | #355 36:20

1M ago36:20

36:20

A population consisting of disillusioned young men who think they have no stake in the future has historically been a recipe for disaster. A graph showing the collapse in the percentage of Americans in their 30s who are both a) married and b) own a home caused a stir on X recently. Peter leads a discussion about what this means for the political pr…

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Defusing Political Disagreements | #354 30:21

1M ago30:21

30:21

Political disagreements are rarely settled and often end in a stalemate where each party believes the other is just obviously wrong. Justin leads a discussion about ways to defuse political disagreements by taking a look at what kinds of beliefs political theories consist of, focusing on how and where we might move the needle…

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Zero-Based Budget May Make You Rich! | #353 41:15

2M ago41:15

41:15

Nearly 3 in 4 Americans think more people should start using a budgeting app, according to a recent WalletHub survey - do you agree? Peter and Russ both agree that a budget is critical component for financial success. Listen to them lay out why this is so important as it relates to spending, investing, and giving. Is it biblically sound to invest y…

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Defend the Suburbs! | #352 34:12

2M ago34:12

34:12

You may not know it, but the suburbs are under ideological attack as exclusionary, artificial, and socially destructive. We discuss these criticisms, along with the legal mechanisms employed to make suburban construction more difficult or flat-out impossible. The team also develops some arguments in favor of the virtues that suburban living fosters…

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Like a Prayer | #351 34:34

2M ago34:34

34:34

How should we pray? Peter leads a thoughtful discussion about the importance of prayer, and in particular the virtues of the different forms' prayer can take. Should our prayers be scripted and recited, or personal conversations with God? What should we be praying for? When should we pray? Join the Gwartney team for a discussion about the way we ou…

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How Independent is the Federal Reserve? | #350 34:48

2M ago34:48

34:48

Fed independence is in the news as the Trump Team spars with Jerome Powell, and this clash brings with it questions about how independent the monetary system is and ought to be from the political system. Russ and Peter explain the reasoning behind Fed independence and articulate just how this nominal independence actually plays out, and Justin trie…

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Pope Leo XIV with Levi Russell | #349 42:41

3M ago42:41

42:41

The Catholic Church has a new Pope! Levi Russell joins us today to talk about what this means for the Church going forward, including what the selection of the name 'Leo' might indicate for the Pontiff's intended trajectory. Levi is a former Gwartney Institute member and co-founder of this very podcast, currently teaches at the University of Kansas…

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Utility: What is it? | #348 40:06

3M ago40:06

40:06

The concept of 'utility' is often deployed in economic arguments, and this can make it seem like economists are speaking an exotic and technical dialect. So, what exactlyis utility? How do we measure it? Is there utility in the room with us right now? Join us for a fruitful clarification of a fundamental concept in economic theory.…

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Over the Top: Arm Wrestling with Levi Russell | #347 36:29

3M ago36:29

36:29

Everyone's favorite guest Levi Russell joins the podcast today to talk about his new hobby/obsession: competitive arm wrestling. Levi talks the ins and outs of what competition entails, strength vs. technique, and what it's like to jump into the deep end of a seemingly intimidating subculture. Join us for a fun and informative discussion!…

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Trade Deficits and Tariffs with Levi Russell | #346 48:29

3M ago48:29

48:29

Economists disagree about things! Levi Russell of the University of Kansas joins us today to discuss trade imbalances and tariffs, and why he thinks that Trump's use of tariffs to remedy trade imbalances is a prudent tactic. Join us for a spirited debate about whether trade imbalances are a problem in the first place, and (if so) whether tariffs ar…

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Sexual Freedom and Economic Growth with Dr. Feler Bose | #345 43:10

4M ago43:10

43:10

When we claim that freedom leads to prosperity, we usually mean that economic and political freedom usually lead to an increase in overall wealth and well-being. But do all 'freedoms' promote general societal welfare? Do all types of freedom mutually reinforce one another? Dr. Feler Bose (Economics, Indiana University) joins the podcast to discuss …

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How to Start a Country | #344 46:22

4M ago46:22

46:22

Vít Jedlička, Founder of Liberland joins the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations involved in founding a state from scratch. Liberland itself is a 'micronation', situated between Serbia and Croatia, founded in 2015 with the aim of fostering liberty in Eastern Europe. But wait - what exactly is involved in starting a country? Join us for a…

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Free Banking on a Bitcoin Standard | #343 36:56

4M ago36:56

36:56

'Free Banking' advocates want banks to be able to issue their own currency and let the market dictate answers to questions regarding things like the currency's relation to various precious metals and optimal levels of bank reserves. Such advocates historically have argued that the market would settle on something like a gold standard but have disag…

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Sports! | #319 33:43

4M ago33:43

33:43

Why do we care so much about sports? Sports play a large role in our lives. Most of us grow up playing sports, and then slowly settle into the role of spectator as age takes its toll on us. Why do we care so much about sports, and which ones are the good ones? What is a ‘sport’ anyway?

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The Political Empathy Gap | #342 33:21

4M ago33:21

33:21

The traditional mainstream narrative has it that those on the left are more empathetic than those on the right. However, new research suggests that the issue is more nuanced than this might suggest. Justin leads a discussion about some interesting recent findings claiming that there is a rather large difference between left and right, and that thos…

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Can Executors Live in a Probate House in California? Here’s the Truth 4:58

4M ago4:58

4:58

Executors often ask: Can I live in the inherited house during probate? This episode breaks down California law, beneficiary rights, and what to do if you’re in Pasadena or LA County.By Justin Borges

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Will The Amish Inherit the Earth? | #341 30:12

5M ago30:12

30:12

Declining fertility rates across the globe have been in the news lately. Peter notes that the Amish have a high fertility rate, that rate isn't dropping, and they pair this with an upbringing and coming-of-age ritual (Rumspringa) which results in a very high religious retention rate (those born Amish tend to stay Amish). How do they do this? Is thi…

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China: Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Turbulence | #340 33:48

5M ago33:48

33:48

China has been the target of Trump's trade rhetoric for more than a decade. China plays multiple roles in our current discourse, as a trading partner, geopolitical enemy, and all-around boogeyman. What do we do with a problem like China, if in fact China is a problem? Join the Gwartney Team for a discussion of the available options.…

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AI, Resource Use, and Jevon's Paradox | #339 34:16

5M ago34:16

34:16

Jevon's Paradox is an unintuitive result in economics concerning the effect that increased efficiency has on resource use. Peter explains the standard examples of the paradox, and the team thinks about how this paradox might play out with regard to Artificial Intelligence and energy consumption.

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Yes, You Can Prove A Negative! | #338 35:07

5M ago35:07

35:07

People often say, "you can't prove a negative". These people are wrong, and they drive Justin crazy, and he wants to set the record straight: you can absolutely, positively, prove a negative.

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DOGE Dividend Plan? | #337 32:14

5M ago32:14

32:14

Elon Musk's Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been busy identifying government programs and expenditures that are inefficient, wasteful, or downright corrupt. One proposal on the table involves giving a fairly generous percentage of the DOGE cuts/savings back to taxpayers in the form of a 'DOGE Dividend'. Does this proposal make sense,…

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Trump's Territorial Expansion (Canada? Greenland?) | #336 35:45

6M ago35:45

35:45

Trump has been rattling sabers and threatening to expand the territorial claims of the United States. Canada and Greenland have been the most discussed targets of this potential expansion. Are these proposals serious? If these proposals are serious, are they desirable or defensible?

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The Assault on Boyhood | #335 31:46

6M ago31:46

31:46

Boys seem to be having a hard time. Why is that? One answer is that our cultural/educational/economic apparatus is increasingly structured to frustrate boys, and to eliminate behavior that thriving boys engage in, enjoy, and benefit from. What exactly does this mean, and how much truth is there to it? Finally, what should we do?…

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How to Have a Conversation | #334 33:04

6M ago33:04

33:04

Have people forgotten how to talk normally to each other? With the rise of social media and texting, the art of in-person, real-time conversation seems to have been lost. What exactly are people doing wrong? There are plenty of recent articles, podcasts and books about how to have 'difficult' conversations. This isn't that. We're concerned with how…

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On 'Severance' (The TV Show) | #333 35:04

6M ago35:04

35:04

The hit show 'Severance', directed by Ben Stiller and available on Apple+, raises a number of extremely interesting questions regarding personal identity, our work/life balance, and what exactly it means to be a human being. 'Severance' is described by Justin as "the best show about anything, ever." Has he finally, completely, lost his mind?…

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Is Irony Dead? | #332 42:21

7M ago42:21

42:21

Irony, cynicism, and sarcasm seem to be pervasive in our culture. Is this a good or bad thing? Peter leads the discussion today, presenting an analysis of the different forms that irony can take (and the different layers in which it can be embedded). Does irony help us communicate with each other, or is it an impediment to clear communication? Shou…

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Low Hanging Fruit | #331 34:25

7M ago34:25

34:25

What are some easy things that most people could do that would dramatically improve their quality of life? The Gwartney Team has tips and tricks get more bang for your buck. Live better!

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Philosophers and Economists: Getting it Wrong | #330 37:35

7M ago37:35

37:35

What does everyone get wrong about Philosophers and Economists? What do Philosophers and Economists get wrong about everyone? The view from inside a field is often startlingly different from the public's perception of that field. Join the Gwartney Team for a fun discussion about what the public gets wrong about what we do in our respective discipli…

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Debate! The Great Tariff Tussle | #329 48:35

7M ago48:35

48:35

Will tariffs save America? We debate, you decide! Listen in to a live recording of an exciting and informative debate between the Gwartney Institute's own Dr. Russ McCullough and podcast friend and occasional guest Jon. Jacobsen (who also teaches at Ottawa University). It is a battle of brains, a war of words and a fight for the future of freedom. …

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Trump’s First Ten Days | #328 28:59

8M ago28:59

28:59

Donald Trump’s hands are now on the wheel, and so far, he has been making changes quickly. Join the Gwartney Team for a discussion covering some of the more interesting, important, and surprising maneuvers from the former and current Commander in Chief.

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Left and Right on Right and Wrong | #327 34:57

8M ago34:57

34:57

Who and what should we spend our time caring about? A paper has been making the rounds that shows that there are profound differences in the way those on the political left and the right think about our moral obligations. What does this mean? Why is this so? Can this difference be bridged?

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Time to Ditch the Penny? | #326 36:57

8M ago36:57

36:57

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may recommend we get rid of the penny. It costs about 3 pennies to make one penny. That appears to be a big waste of taxpayer money, but is there an argument that it is worth it? Dr. McCullough say ditch it and Dr. Jacobsen says don’t! Both learn through the discussion a few things they did not conside…

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The Murder of an Insurance Executive | #325 37:48

8M ago37:48

37:48

The CEO of United Healthcare was murdered. The public response to this incident has been extremely interesting, and highlights exactly how toxic the discussion around healthcare and health insurance has become. What can we learn from this tragedy?

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New Years Resolutions | #324 36:20

8M ago36:20

36:20

The Gwartney Team shares their resolutions for 2025, and they reflect on the nature of New Years Resolutions in general. What makes a good resolution? Why should we be making them? Join us for a fruitful discussion!

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Dirty Politics with guest Jon Jacobsen | #323 39:23

9M ago39:23

39:23

As a former Iowa State Legislator for seven years, Jon Jacobsen saw first-hand the way the power structure of the state government operates. Join Jon, Peter, and Russ as they get their hands dirty uncovering what really goes on behind the closed doors of public service.

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2025 Predictions | #322 40:25

9M ago40:25

40:25

The Gwartney Team gives their predictions for 2025. Politics! Sports! Bitcoin! The Catholic Church! Listen in and have every question that anyone could ever ask answered ahead of time in full, with 100% accuracy guaranteed.

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How to Tell a Story | #321 33:27

9M ago33:27

33:27

What is Drama? The telling of stories is one of humanity’s most distinctive activities, and yet the basic mechanics of a good story often go unnoticed. Justin outlines the theory of Drama articulated by American playwright and director David Mamet. Listen in and learn how to tell your stories better, or at least learn how to critique your significa…

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Bitcoin Breaks 100K | #320 40:37

9M ago40:37

40:37

Bitcoin has surged to new all-time highs, passing the 100k ceiling. The Gwartney team breaks down what this means, and they make some predictions about what we can expect going forward.

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Capitalism and Democracy | #318 37:12

10M ago37:12

37:12

Which system contributes more to human flourishing: capitalism, or democracy? Are capitalism and democracy the same thing, or are they mutually exclusive? what do these terms even mean? Dr. Chris Boudreaux of Florida Atlantic University joins the Gwartney Team to discuss capitalism, democracy, flourishing, freedom, and how we ought to think of thei…

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The Real RFK Jr. | #317 33:21

10M ago33:21

33:21

Recorded prior to RFK Jr.'s nomination for Secretary of HHS, the Gwartney Institute's resident RFK Jr. fanboy (Justin) articulates his bullish case for a pivotal RFK Jr. role in the incoming administration.

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2024 Election Results | #316 37:23

10M ago37:23

37:23

Recorded after the election but prior to any nominations, the Gwartney team discusses the promises and perils of a second Trump term. How will this term compare to the previous Trump administration? How did we get here, and where are we going?

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Tarriff Time! | #315 30:24

11M ago30:24

30:24

Russ leads a discussion about Tarriffs: What they are, how they work, and why he doesn't like them. Along the way the team discusses the manner in which other state interventions in the market (such as regulations) generate the demand for tariffs, and what this all means going forward.

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Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theatre | #314 32:58

11M ago32:58

32:58

Exactly what kind of speech does the first amendment protect, and why? There is concerted pressure, both domestically and internationally, to expand the State's ability to regulate speech. Those advocating for these policies justify their proposals by citing the need to combat "hate" and "misinformation."…

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AI and Universal Unemployment | #313 30:34

11M ago30:34

30:34

A recent article makes the now familiar claim that AI will render most of the population unemployable. Rather than advocate for a universal basic income, the author argues that we should use the state to shape the labor market to guarantee employment. This is a 'jobs program', but for everyone! Is this really the least-bad option?…

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The Psalms | #312 33:46

11M ago33:46

33:46

Peter leads the Gwartney team in fruitful discussion of the Psalms. A rich and rewarding book, The Psalms comprises songs and prayers and prayerful songs, without a single author or viewpoint. How then are we to interpret them?