Capital Record

The Covid-19 era claims that working in an office was over -- an unnecessary relic rendered obsolete by the realities of Zoom and the cloud -- have spent the last five years being decimated by rediscovery of the facts of human nature. Company after company has backtracked, admitted failure in remote work allowance, and attempted to salvage the damage done to brand, culture, and mentorship by telling people they didn’t need to come to work. But a new study has gone further, and the results should not surprise any of us who understand the human person. They should disturb any of us who claim to care about the wellness of human beings.

Show notes: Science.org study

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David is joined today by special guest Peter Travers, investor, financier, and long-time trustee at National Review. Their conversation goes from a proper definition of Wall Street to a proper defense of Wall Street to, ultimately, the profound benefits of a market system that coordinates all sorts of different people, actors, capital, and motives in a wide array of human endeavor. It is a pivotal conversation for those wanting to understand not just financial markets, but how human dignity is undermined by the enemies of financial markets.

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With the SpaceX IPO and a paper mark-up of value in Elon Musk’s net worth to $1 trillion, many have bemoaned the “concentration of power” that this kind of wealth represents. In today’s episode, David suggests that some may not seem to understand what “concentration of power” really means, and that if people want to see a “concentration of power,” they should see what their desired plans to stop it do.

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Yes, Bernie Sanders, who has always admitted to being a socialist, has called for the government to take equity stakes in American AI companies. And yes, it is a terrible idea. But today on the Capital Record, David does what too few on the right appear willing to do: say why it is a bad idea, and why the right are going to have a very hard time stopping it.

Clip courtesy of Overtime with Bill Maher

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Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, gave a memorable speech at the Reagan Foundation Economic Forum last week.  In it, he reiterated the completely true economic principle of permanence – that when policies are properly codified they assure economic actors of the rules of the road, enabling more confident decision-making when it comes to hiring, production, consumption, and investment.  

In today’s Capital Record, David flushes out this concept more, acknowledges where the permanence of OBBBA has been a benefit, and asks a rather obvious question about another tax policy that remains, well, not permanent.

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent tirade against private equity is a libelous set of dishonest manure that should be treated as seriously as any attempt to broadly demonize private equity these days, which is not at all.  Whether the Senator’s problem is intellectual or just in telling the truth, she is wrong in so many ways that today’s Capital Record gives us a chance to set the record straight.  You will be better off for hearing it, which is never true when one listens to today’s private equity critics.

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We started this podcast over five years ago, committed to a free and virtuous society, and now with 300 episodes under our belt, the commitment is deeper and more robust than ever. In this very special episode, David revisits the genesis of Capital Record, reaffirms the themes that matter, identifies the enemies of human flourishing working to undermine freedom and opportunity, and offers up a manifesto of commitments for the years ahead.

Pre-roll:
Duke Energy

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Ben Sasse may not know exactly how much more time God has for him here on earth, but he sure is using whatever time he does have to spread truth and wisdom. On today’s Capital Record we look at Sasse’s recent op-ed in the WSJ and his contrarian approach to the AI tech revolution. In this transformative technological moment, Ben doesn’t see a need to “get with the algorithms” but rather an opportunity to “re-discover the virtues.” And he knows just where to go to find them.

Show notes:
Habits for Humanity in the Age of AI

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David is joined this week by U.S. energy industry legend and pioneer, Charif Souki. Hear not only his incredible story as a leading force in the shale revolution but also get the lay of the land in one of the great stories of our time: U.S. energy dominance. All at once this episode will remind you of the role robust capital markets play in the cause of free enterprise and reiterate the most important business principles that matter. A truly special Capital Record!

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American capital markets are celebrated on this podcast -- as they should be by anyone who values a free and virtuous society. Rule of law is a vital component to upholding the effect strong capital markets have on our economy. The DOJ blocking of a Jet Blue acquisition of Spirit Airlines did not avoid two bankruptcies -- it created one. And on today’s podcast, we prove it.

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