Cato Events Podcast

By Cato InstituteNews Government News Commentary Politics

Cato Events Podcast episodes

July 31, 2025 The Effects of Tariffs
Join us at the Cato Institute for a conversation on the complex and uncertain US tariff situation and the policies’ effects, especially for the American wine and spirits industries.

In Kentucky, bourbon has long been a source of local pride and economic growth, contributing $9 billion annually and supporting 23,000 jobs. Similarly, the Virginia wine industry has exploded over the past 30 years, today accounting for $1.73 billion in annual sales and more than 10,000 jobs. These industries now face economic headwinds because of US tariffs on key production inputs, foreign retaliation against their exports, and weakened distribution channels here and abroad.

The challenges faced by American wine and bourbon producers are emblematic of the issues American farmers and manufacturers in many other industries must now face.

This discussion will offer unique insights, examining the legal, economic, and political challenges that tariffs present as well as alternative paths forward.
There will be a tasting of a variety of domestic wines and bourbons immediately following the discussion.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
45 min
July 25, 2025Libertarianism vs. Conservatism Intern Debate
Libertarians and conservatives often share values like individual liberty and limited government, but their approaches to key policy issues can differ sharply. From trade policy to immigration, these differences reveal deep philosophical divides. Despite frequent political alliances, the two ideologies are not interchangeable. Join us for a dynamic debate between interns from the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation as they explore which philosophy offers better solutions to today’s pressing public policy challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how these competing worldviews stack up.

Highlights
Learn About Public Policy: Augment your knowledge about major policy issues, from trade and immigration to executive authority.
Delve into Political Philosophy: Gain a concise view on the alignment and distinctions between libertarianism and conservatism.
Explore How Ideas Shape Policy: Acquire insight into how ideas and philosophy intersect with policymaking.
Who Should Attend
College students looking to learn about political philosophy
Researchers exploring the distinct libertarian and conservative approach to public policy
General audiences interested in public policy issues
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 30 min
July 25, 2025 Presidential Tariff Authorities and the Need for Reform
Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution grants Congress the sole power to “lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises” and to regulate commerce with foreign countries. Today, however, Congress has broadly delegated its tariff powers to the executive branch via several laws that give the president vast, discretionary authority to impose sweeping trade restrictions with little, if any, input or oversight by the other branches of government, US trading partners, or the American public. Recent tariffs increasingly call such delegations into question.

Join us for a fireside chat with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D‑WA) and the Cato Institute’s Scott Lincicome on the implications of unchecked executive tariff powers and how Congress can reclaim its constitutionally mandated authority.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 3 min
July 22, 2025 A Check-In on the Fed: Why Politically Motivated Monetary Policy Is Dangerous and Counterproductive
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15 min
July 08, 2025 What Would Online Age Verification Mean for Speech, Privacy, and Youth Online Safety? Examining the Potential Impact of Recent Legal Cases and Proposed Legislation
A new wave of age-verification laws for app stores and internet services like social media have been proposed at both state and federal levels. These laws raise pressing constitutional concerns about privacy, free speech, and the proper role of government in regulating online behavior. The Supreme Court decided Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a pivotal case challenging a requirement that users verify their age, such as by uploading government-issued identification, to access online adult content. While well-meaning adults may want to protect young people from certain harms both online and off, these proposals could also threaten to chill lawful speech, compromise privacy, and set dangerous precedents. Requiring age verification for online content could open the door to broader government controls over political speech and dissent. These burdens are felt not only by “Big Tech” but also by smaller companies that may be providing services for more specific communities. Furthermore, it’s unclear if these proposals will actually improve online safety. Are there alternative approaches that can balance the concerns of parents with the freedoms of users of all ages and the benefits of innovation? How should courts, policymakers, and parents weigh the potential trade-offs between the benefits and risks for kids and teens online? This event will explore the legal, technological, and ethical implications of age-verification laws.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 4 min
July 08, 2025 Competencies in Civil Discourse: Episode 7
In this episode, Erec Smith speaks with Andrew Hartz, a practicing clinical psychologist and Founder, President, and Executive Director of the Open Therapy Institute. Hartz and Smith discuss the detrimental effect that identity politics have had on talk therapy and how the Open Therapy Institute works to remedy that effect.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
July 07, 2025 Dissolving the Education Department: The Role of Congress
One of the hottest topics on the Hill is the future of the Department of Education and the current administration’s education priorities. As national conversations grow around school choice, federal overreach, and the role of states in shaping curricula and standards, many in Congress are reevaluating the federal government’s place in our educational system. Join us for a fireside chat with Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota and the Cato Institute’s Director for the Center for Educational Freedom, Neal McCluskey, on Congress’ role in dissolving the Department of Education.

This conversation will explore efforts to return control of education to the states, empower local school districts, and ensure that parents and communities have a greater say in their children’s education. The speakers will examine policy frameworks behind dismantling the department, the feasibility of such a move, and what a post–Department of Education future might look like.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
June 27, 2025 US Immigration Policy in 2025
The current administration has enacted the most active immigration policy in American history, issuing unprecedented executive orders, attempting to deport one million people a year, and imposing new restrictions on legal immigration. David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, and Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, will provide analysis of the current administration’s policies on deportation, the rule of law, legal immigration, and the role of Congress.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
59 min
June 25, 2025 Removing Barriers to Capital Formation Panel II
Join us for an afternoon dedicated to discussing barriers to capital formation and the solutions to break through them. Small businesses are central to the US economy. Not only are small businesses the primary generators of new jobs, but they are also the incubators of innovation and the pipeline for future large businesses. Small businesses rely on many different sources of financial support, but the capital markets play an important role in helping small businesses grow. Unfortunately, tapping the equity markets can be difficult, owing in part to the complex web of regulations and exemptions that stand between an entrepreneur and raising capital in a securities market. Small businesses face obstacles from the tiny start-up stage through the time that a company is considering accessing the public markets.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
58 min
June 25, 2025 Removing Barriers to Capital Formation Panel I
Join us for an afternoon dedicated to discussing barriers to capital formation and the solutions to break through them. Small businesses are central to the US economy. Not only are small businesses the primary generators of new jobs, but they are also the incubators of innovation and the pipeline for future large businesses. Small businesses rely on many different sources of financial support, but the capital markets play an important role in helping small businesses grow. Unfortunately, tapping the equity markets can be difficult, owing in part to the complex web of regulations and exemptions that stand between an entrepreneur and raising capital in a securities market. Small businesses face obstacles from the tiny start-up stage through the time that a company is considering accessing the public markets.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
55 min

About Cato Events Podcast

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The Cato Events Podcast brings you live recordings from the Cato Institute's events, where leading scholars, policymakers, journalists, and experts come together each week to discuss the ideas and…