REBROADCAST OF EPISODE 222

We examine the movie Barbie from the standpoint of social interactions and libertarian principles. We can conclude that Barbie is a wonderful satire with multiple nuances for consideration. The libertarian principle of personal freedom, and the relationship to the freedom of others, is the most important take away.

Watch our video: The Movie "Barbie" and Libertarian Principles (ep 222)

Barbie is a 2023 fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she wrote with Noah Baumbach. Based on the eponymous fashion dolls by Mattel, it is the first live-action Barbie film after numerous animated films and specials. Starring Margot Robbie as the title character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film follows them on a journey of self-discovery through Barbieland and the real world following an existential crisis. It is also a commentary regarding patriarchy and the effects of feminism. The supporting cast includes America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell.

A live-action Barbie film was announced in September 2009 by Universal Pictures with Laurence Mark producing. Development began in April 2014, when Sony Pictures acquired the film rights. Following multiple writer and director changes and the casting of Amy Schumer and later Anne Hathaway as Barbie, the rights were transferred to Warner Bros. Pictures in October 2018. Robbie was cast in 2019, after Gal Gadot turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts, and Gerwig was announced as director and co-writer with Baumbach in 2020. The rest of the cast was announced in early 2022. Principal photography occurred primarily at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, England, and at the Venice Beach Skatepark in Los Angeles from March to July 2022.

Barbie premiered at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 9, 2023, and was released in the United States on July 21. Its concurrent release with Universal Pictures' Oppenheimer was the catalyst of the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, encouraging audiences to see both films as a double feature.

The film grossed $1.446 billion and achieved several milestones, including the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the 14th highest-grossing film of all time. Named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, it received widespread critical acclaim and other accolades, including eight Academy Award nominations (among them Best Picture), winning Best Original Song for "What Was I Made For?"; the song also won Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song while Barbie was awarded Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.

Watch the Barbie | Main Trailer Barbie | Main Trailer


#barbie #coffee #consideration #freedom #interactions #julie #libertarian #libertarians #mike #movie #nuances #personal #principles #psychology #social #standpoint #talk


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All audio & videos edited by: Jay Prescott Videography

Until recently, our leaders were very good at slow reveals that might negatively affect our voting population. That is not the style of the Trump administration! And one advantage is that we get to see almost everything even when they try to tell us that’s not what we are seeing.

Here are a few silver lining revelations from the last few years:

• The new individual podcast journalists like Dave Smith are revealing the truth about our current military conflicts. And they are revisiting the real causes for past wars.
• Covid waked up the entire country when it comes to our flawed leadership and medical complex
• The Joe Biden presidency alerted our country to fantasy power positioning
• We can finally see the connection between government spending and inflation

Clip from Dave Smith | PartOfTheProblem
               The Delusional War Hawks


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To celebrate this July 4 we re-watched the HBO miniseries on John Adams. This is a fabulous show and should not be missed. We discuss the circumstances that led to the revolution and Declaration of Independence and how the US differs from other countries and other forms of government. The unique characteristics of the country include how power is arranged and balanced.

Clips Used: 

While I Live Let Me Have A Free Country!
By: That Coool Guy

HBO's John Adams - Thomas Jefferson and John Adams' faith in humanity
By: Joseph Spiros


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(This is a rebroadcast of episode 309)

See our video at https://youtu.be/BwSR9LpqRm0

In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, we dive deep into one of the most defining economic turning points in modern U.S. history: 1971, the year President Nixon ended the Bretton Woods agreement and removed the dollar from the gold standard. This decision—often overlooked—set in motion decades of inflation, currency distortion, and financial instability that still affect every aspect of life today. Drawing on Dave Smith’s compelling explanation, we explore how radically different the world could have been if the U.S. had maintained a stable, sound money supply. Imagine a world without runaway inflation, without the boom-bust cycles created by loose monetary policy, and without the government’s ability to quietly tax citizens through currency debasement. Smith argues that abandoning gold didn’t just change the economy—it changed society, culture, and global power dynamics. We break down:

• What exactly happened in 1971
• Why stable money is foundational to liberty and psychological well-being
• How inflation quietly alters behavior, incentives, and family life
• How fiat money fuels political overreach, endless wars, and corporate distortion
• What individuals and communities can do now, in an unstable financial era
• Sound money solutions, from decentralization to Bitcoin to local alternatives

If you've ever wondered why everything feels more expensive, more chaotic, and more distorted than it used to, this episode connects the dots. Understanding 1971 is the first step—deciding what to do next is the challenge we tackle together.

Clip from Dave Smith | PartOfTheProblem



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Are there two Americas or is the United States alternating between open and closed system characteristics? We listen to some information from  Elephant in the room podcast about the factors that has led to the Democrats and Republicans having a serious gap between their ideologies. We discuss how this might be an issue with openness, a personality and group characteristic, between the two parties. We touch on the fact that while the Democrats are more open, the Republicans are more conscientious. Some problems are more favorably addressed by one or the other.

Clip Used: 
Why are cities liberal and rural areas conservative?
By: Elephants in Rooms - Ken LaCorte


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Since we have spent our lives in Gulf coast states we have some recommendations concerning hurricanes: 

• Be ready to take an “evacucation” between July and September.
• Gasoline and water are important, even if there is corporate greed.
• Get rid of trees that could fall in your home’s living area.
• The government will not have enough resources to help you in time.

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We discuss the loss I have a libertarian congressman Thomas Massie. Are libertarians prone to stick to their ideals in light of compromising and consensus? What does it say about the current situation for libertarians to get their ideas across and live to fight another day? We also discussed redistricting and how it reflects on the balancing out affirmative action and majority rule. Has affirmative action led to reverse discrimination?

Clips Used: 
Ed Gallrein speaks out on primary victory over Thomas Massie in Kentucky
By: Fox News

WATCH: Rep. Thomas Massie's full concession speech after defeat in Kentucky GOP primary
By: PBS NewsHour


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Julie did not seem to be impressed with my personal Gregg Louganis story. But at least I enjoyed it, and so did my high school buddies.

So the real topic was the dilemma with deception and theft. Apparently it is prevalent in a large percentage of our population. This seems like a difficulty when we hope to have an open and free marketplace.


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Are we actually in an assassination culture? What factors have contributed to the current culture where radicalized individuals justify murder and other types of political violence. We discussed some of these possible issues in light of the recent assassination attempt and relate to libertarian values.

Clip Used: 
'ASSASSINATION CULTURE': Ex-FBI agent warns of SERIOUS ideology-driven violence
By: Fox Business


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OK, so the 1969 Supreme Court decision about free speech was very nice. The problem is that in today’s world it simply is not enough.

That decision about illegal speech was good, and should continue. But speech that invites violence should be called out socially. In other words, criticize people that use terms like Nazi or Hitler or the N-word. People have been getting away with this kind of talk as if it is free speech. Yes, but It is inappropriate free speech. And then maybe we can use the same kind of standards for judging the activities of other countries.


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