You’ve seen “In God We Trust.” But have you ever heard what America’s first coin actually said? Hint: it wasn’t about belief. The founders weren’t preaching what you should believe - it was about action. In this episode, we explore Benjamin Franklin's 1787 Fugio coin and uncover its message “Mind Your Business” and what it reveals about freedom, responsibility, and the roots of capitalism.

We contrast that founding-era philosophy with later shifts in U.S. currency and culture — including the adoption of "In God We Trust" and the move toward fiat money — and invite listeners to read the related newsletter article and reflect on the role of money, individualism, and civic virtue.

May Day has become a rallying point for anti-capitalist protest: “No Work, No School, No Shopping." But what if the deeper crisis is not exploitation, but confusion?

In this short solo episode, Mike revisits his “Mayday for the Mind” theme (a speech he gave at Ben-Gurion University in Israel a few years ago) and argues that the real emergency is our failure to understand production, the role of the mind, the morality of work, and the difference between peaceful protest and real intellectual change.

With sympathy for many Americans who feel squeezed or unheard, Mike argues that anger aimed at capitalism (freedom and rights protection) is tragically misplaced. From Occupy Wall Street to the Tea Party, from No Kings to May Day Strong, too many citizens protest with passion but without a clear understanding of the principles involved. As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, this episode calls for recovering the meaning of productive work, individual rights and the moral importance of the human mind.

What does civic engagement have to do with capitalism? More than most people think. In this episode, Mike Williams interviews Sue Moore of Liberty Scorecard Colorado about why free markets depend on informed citizens, accountable lawmakers, and a culture that takes liberty seriously. They also explore a tougher question: are people on the Right as consistent about free markets and individual rights as they claim?

Liberty Scorecard Colorado is a volunteer-run, principles-based tracking system that evaluates legislation and lawmakers by how they affect individual rights, limited government, property rights, and free markets.

The episode explains the scorecard’s methodology, how volunteers analyze bills, its role in educating legislators and citizens, and why consistent oversight matters to protect liberty and hold public officials accountable.

In this episode of Capital Idea, Mike and Mitch discuss recent tariff actions by the Trump administration, why tariffs function as taxes on American consumers, and how emergency powers have been used to impose them.

They examine Congress’s constitutional role in taxation, recent House votes to challenge tariffs, and the economic impact on families and free trade principles.

Mike Williams interviews TerryJosiah Sharpe about his journey from skepticism about capitalism to embracing it as a tool for freedom, and how the Leadership Program of the Rockies helped shape that understanding.

TerryJosiah shares how he founded Anthem Music Enterprises to use music and entertainment to address mental health, scale community programs for youth, and create career opportunities for artists.

He recounts the impact of the program, the loss of a student whose recorded voice lives on, and his decision to step down as CEO to reclaim creative time while continuing to pursue projects that promote freedom and healing.

Mike Williams interviews Dr. Steve Crews, the 2025 Defenders of Capitalism Award winner, about his journey from a small farming town to West Point, a PhD in robotics, and leadership in the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Cruz explains how a commitment to reason and individual rights forms the moral foundation for capitalism.

The conversation covers science vs. faith, education and accreditation, the promise and risks of AI, and the “free market of ideas.” Cruz shares practical advice for using AI responsibly and making principled, persuasive cases for freedom and opportunity.

Mike Williams interviews Nadine Strossen, former ACLU president, Senior FIRE Fellow, and free‑speech expert, about the vital link between free expression, capitalism, and a free society. They discuss campus censorship, government pressure on institutions and platforms, self‑censorship, and legal battles that protect viewpoint neutrality.

Strossen explains why free speech underpins individual liberty and economic freedom, and matters not only for the one speaking, but also the one listening. She shares examples from her experiences at ACLU and FIRE, and urges education and civic courage to preserve the marketplace of ideas.

In this episode of Defenders of Capitalism, Michael Williams and Mitch Whitus sit down with Bob Schaffer, former U.S. Congressman, Chairman of the Leadership Program of the Rockies, and the acclaimed headmaster of Liberty Common School. They have a wide-ranging conversation on liberty, leadership, and the future of education in America.

Schaffer reflects on the values that shaped him, the battles he fought in Washington, and why he ultimately turned to education as the most powerful lever for preserving a free society. The conversation dives into the tensions between public institutions and individual responsibility, the cultural headwinds facing capitalism, and what it really takes to cultivate independent thinkers in today's world.

Hosts Mike Williams and Mitch Whitus examine the Federal Reserve’s role in setting interest rates, its growing powers since the Great Recession, and recent political pressure on its independence. They explain how central banking influences inflation, borrowing, and the broader economy.

Drawing on Hayek’s knowledge problem and the moral case for capitalism, the episode argues for preserving Fed independence (or moving toward freer monetary alternatives) to protect prosperity and limit political manipulation of the money supply.

Mike and Mitch discuss eudaimonia — the Greek idea of human flourishing — and why modern abundance (think Amazon Prime Day) hasn’t made Americans happier. They explore how media, distrust, and polarization feed a cycle of unhappiness despite technological and material progress.

The episode looks at possible remedies: focusing on purpose, meaningful work, and strong relationships. And they have a debate on if wanting less, not just having more actually helps. These ideas are linked to a defense of capitalism by emphasizing the need to rebuild trust in and appreciation of oneself as conditions for prosperity, ultimately making the case for each individual to pursue eudaimonia.