Borderless

Bob Chitester is the founder of Free to Choose and the man who brought Milton Friedman and free-market economics into living rooms across the globe. After 30 years of television experience, Bob examines the relationship between the philosophy of liberty and the capacity for creativity, reflects on his career and friendship with Milton and Rose Friedman, and explains how good storytelling can impact society's future. 

The mission of Libertad y Progreso (LyP) is to contribute to a deep change in Argentina, and according to Candelaria de Elizalde, LyP general coordinator, that deep change is needed now more than ever. Candelaria explains what things are like on the ground in light of the pandemic, bad government policies, and a rise in populism; and the success LyP is having in sowing the seeds for liberty in the minds of Argentina's next generation through education. She also describes the ways Atlas Network has helped LyP through training and mentorship, and shares the unconventional origins of Libertad y Progreso.

It’s been ten years since the Arab Spring and Nouh El Harmouzi, director of the Arab Center in Morocco, and Dr. Tom Palmer played a major role promoting liberty in Egypt at the beginning of the movement. Hear Nouh tell his story and describe the current state of the Middle East in light of the continuing refugee crisis. Plus, a discussion on the roots of individualism and freedom within the Islamic tradition.

What does crony capitalism look like? In Michigan, it looks like seventy years of the state government taking money from small businesses to give big corporations special incentives to create jobs. Joe Lehman, president of Mackinac; and Mike Lafaive, senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative, explain the ways they show government officials and everyday citizens how these programs are not only ineffective but immoral. They also give practical advice for how other free market think tanks can combat similar programs, as well as the narrative that cronyism and government corruption are the same as free market economics.

Patrick Mardini, president and founder of the Lebanese Institute for Market Studies (LIMS), provides a free market perspective on the fallout of the recent explosions in Beirut. Patrick also describes the precipice that Lebanon currently finds itself; with the choice to either embrace an open economy for trade and utilities, or to hold onto a legacy of mass government control. You’ll also hear about the amazing work Patrick is doing to improve lives by promoting policies that quite literally keep the lights on.

Believe it or not, the Communist Party of Vietnam just cosponsored an economic freedom audit in their country. Fred McMahon, Michael Walker Chair of Economic Freedom Research at the Fraser Institute, explains what economic freedom is, why it matters, and what it looks like on every continent (except Antarctica).

As Sri Lanka nears a complete re-opening post-pandemic and orients itself to a newly elected government, the Advocata Institute continues to advocate the power of a free and open society in the Asian country. Dhananath Fernando, COO and founding member of Advocata, gives us an update on recent events and explains how the think tank communicates a the narrative of less government and more liberty to Sri Lankan youth, government, and the entire nation. Dhananath also describes the connection between libertarian ideals and a desire to help others and gives advice to anyone wondering if/ how they should start a think tank.

Lack of educational opportunities, a bloated government pension structure, and a school-to-prison pipeline: these are massive issues with no easy solutions. But somehow, the Commonwealth Foundation continues to make progress as they promote successful reform. Charles Mitchell, President and CEO of Commonwealth, shares the ways these systemic problems are connected and explains how one think tank can make all the difference. 

When most of the media is owned by the state, how do you get the truth out? How do you promote freedom in a country where many parts of the government are actively suppressing free expression? Petar Čekerevac, executive manager of Libertarian Club Libek in Serbia, gives special insight into the recent protests in his country and the active cover-ups attempted by the government. Petar also tells the story of the creation of Talas, an online media source providing news and opinions without government strings attached.

In a long-form episode, Charlie Fritschner, executive producer at Thatch Films, and Atlas Network's AJ Skiera look back on the Poverty & Freedom film project and how, by telling individual stories, it has so effectively communicated the human impact that free-market reforms provide. Charlie and AJ have created more than a dozen short films over the past two years across multiple continents and have proven that the best way to tell a story is to get yourself out of the way.