Roger welcomes Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution History Lab and author of “Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future.” They discuss Wang’s perspective on China’s technological rise and the contrast he draws between China’s engineering approach to governance and the United States’ lawyerly system, which emphasizes rights, pluralism and individual liberty. Wang also explains how his life in Canada, the United States and China shaped his understanding of the assumptions and incentives that drive each society.

They explore China’s intense focus on large-scale industrial and technological projects, as well as the costs and vulnerabilities of this top-down model. Wang discusses the long-term social damage caused by policies such as the one child policy and zero-COVID, which reflected an engineering mindset stretched beyond physical infrastructure into attempts to reshape society itself. Additional topics include America’s challenges with permitting, infrastructure and housing, the limited areas where a modest shift toward engineering thinking could help, and how both countries might navigate the complex and uncertain future of U.S. and China relations.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Ben Rothove, editor-in-chief of the Madison Federalist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Elsa Johnson, managing editor of the Stanford Review, for a conversation about their experiences as student journalists and fellows in TFAS’s new Campus Transparency Fellowship, a program created to bring accountability and openness back to higher education.

They discuss the challenges of reporting on controversial topics such as DEI mandates, antisemitism, and administrative overreach, as well as the personal costs of standing up for free expression on progressive campuses. Rothove recounts his investigation into a university-sponsored sex education program that linked to explicit content, while Johnson describes her yearlong investigation into Chinese Communist Party influence at Stanford. Together they reflect on the state of free speech in academia, the fallout from recent campus controversies and how young journalists can pursue truth with courage and professionalism.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Daniel J. Flynn, senior editor at the American Spectator and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, for a conversation about his new biography, “The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer.” Flynn explores the fascinating journey of Meyer, a former communist who became one of the most influential conservative thinkers of the 20th century and whose ideas still shape conservative thought today.

They discuss Meyer’s early years as a communist organizer at Oxford, his dramatic break with the party, and his later role as literary editor of National Review. Flynn highlights Meyer’s enduring contribution to American conservatism through his philosophy of “fusionism,” the idea that freedom and virtue must coexist for a society to thrive. Additional topics include Meyer’s clashes and friendships with figures such as William F. Buckley Jr., Brent Bozell and Rose Wilder Lane; his mentorship of emerging writers; and the extraordinary archival discoveries that made this biography possible.

Daniel J. Flynn is the author of seven books, including his most recent title, “The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer.” His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and City Journal. He also served as a reservist in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1994 to 2002 and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Kurt Couchman, senior fellow in fiscal policy at Americans for Prosperity, for a conversation on the risks of the nation’s growing debt and his proposal for a balanced budget amendment to restore sound governance.

They discuss why fiscal insolvency threatens future generations, how intergenerational debt burdens undermine prosperity, and why Congress struggles to act despite bipartisan public support for reform. Couchman explains “fiscal democracy,” outlines his balanced budget amendment, and shares lessons from countries like Switzerland and Sweden. The discussion also touches on the politics of government shutdowns, Social Security’s unsustainable path, and how institutional reforms could improve Congress’ ability to govern responsibly.

Kurt Couchman is the author of “Fiscal Democracy in America: How a Balanced Budget Amendment Can Restore Sound Governance.” He has worked on Capitol Hill as a congressional staffer, at leading budget policy organizations, and is a frequent commentator in national media on fiscal issues. A TFAS alumnus, Couchman received the 2023 Kevin Burkett Alumni Service Award for his contributions to the TFAS community.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Dr. Mark Skousen, economist, author and the Doti-Spogli Chair of Free Enterprise at Chapman University, for a conversation about Benjamin Franklin’s enduring wisdom and what it means for today’s debates on liberty, economics and civic life.

They explore Franklin’s defense of wealth and philanthropy, his views on capitalism and free trade, and his complex relationships with fellow Founders such as Washington, Jefferson and Adams. Skousen shares lessons from Franklin on personal finance, diplomacy, optimism in the face of crisis and even the power of compound interest. 

The discussion also touches on Franklin’s role in shaping the postal system, his influence on Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations", and why Franklin’s humor and optimism still resonate in divided times.

Skousen is the bestselling author of more than 25 books, including his latest, “The Greatest American: Benjamin Franklin, the World’s Most Versatile Genius.” He has served as president of the Foundation for Economic Education, writes widely on business and finance, and is the founder of FreedomFest, a national conference celebrating liberty, ideas and free enterprise. 

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Sam Feist, longtime journalist and CEO of C-SPAN, for a conversation about why the role of nonpartisan reporting and transparency remains essential to the future of journalism and public trust.

They discuss the importance of unfiltered access to government, the challenge of maintaining neutrality in a polarized media environment, and the upcoming launch of "Ceasefire," a program designed to foster civil dialogue and bipartisan common ground. Feist also reflects on lessons learned from covering historic events like 9/11, producing landmark debate programs, and interviewing world leaders from Margaret Thatcher to Yitzhak Rabin. Plus, how young journalists can prepare for meaningful careers, and why balanced reporting is vital to a healthy democracy.

Sam Feist previously served as Washington bureau chief and senior vice president at CNN, where he produced award-winning coverage of major political events and breaking news. Over his career he has interviewed U.S. presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders, earning five Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. He is active in several professional organizations and now leads C-SPAN in its mission to provide Americans with fair, unfiltered access to their government.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Dr. Donald J. Boudreaux, professor of economics at George Mason University and longtime TFAS senior scholar who teaches the economics for the citizen course, for a conversation about the enduring value of economic freedom and the importance of correcting common myths that cloud public understanding of capitalism.

They discuss how misconceptions about economic history — the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and the New Deal — have shaped misguided policies and narratives; why free markets, not government planning are responsible for the unprecedented rise in global living standards; and why economic literacy is essential for preserving that progress. They also reflect on the power of clear, engaging economics education in helping students see the world more clearly.

Donald J. Boudreaux is a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He has authored numerous books, including his new title, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism,” co-authored with Senator Phil Graham. He writes widely on trade, liberty and economic growth, and is the longtime editor of the blog “Café Hayek.”

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Lord Daniel Hannan, a British writer, historian and member of the UK House of Lords, for a wide-ranging conversation on executive overreach, constitutional principles and the ideas that preserve liberty.

They explore how power has steadily concentrated in the hands of presidents and prime ministers, weakening the roles of legislatures and citizens alike. They also reflect on what America borrowed and improved on from British political traditions through its written Constitution, and consider how both nations risk forgetting the foundations of their freedom. Other topics include the aftermath of Brexit, the future of free trade and why humility and historical awareness are essential for effective governance in the 21st century.

Lord Daniel Hannan serves as international secretary of the Conservative Party, is the founding president of the Institute for Free Trade, a New York Times bestselling author and a former Conservative member of the European Parliament. He was also the keynote speaker this year at TFAS’s annual Neal B. Freeman Lecture, which discusses the principles of a free society, free markets, personal responsibility and virtue.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Dominic Pino, the Thomas L. Rhodes journalism fellow at the National Review Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation on why both political parties are drifting away from free-market principles—and what that means for the United States’ economic future.

They discuss the growing embrace of industrial policy, the return of tariffs and subsidies, and the bipartisan belief that government should play a bigger role in steering the economy. Pino breaks down why this approach has historically failed, why politicians are often poor at picking winners and losers, and why market-driven growth remains the most effective path to prosperity. They also touch on entitlement spending, the misunderstood nature of trade deficits, and how public skepticism of economic expertise is shaping policy debates.

Dominic Pino hosts the “Econception” podcast and is a former William F. Buckley Jr. Fellow in Political Journalism and a National Review editorial intern. He also was a 2020 Political Studies Fellow with the Hertog Foundation and has held internships with ALEC, the Heritage Foundation and the Tax Foundation. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics from George Mason University. While at Mason, he served as an opinion editor of Fourth Estate, the university’s student paper.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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Roger welcomes Marian L. Tupy, founder and editor of HumanProgress.org and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, for a compelling conversation about human progress, population growth and the myth of scarcity.

They explore the legacy of economist Julian Simon, the surprising data behind global trends and why more people often means more innovation, not less. They also break down how human ingenuity continues to drive prosperity across the globe and why doomsday narratives about overpopulation, resource depletion and environmental collapse fail to reflect reality. Plus, they examine how the idea of “the ultimate resource” shifts our understanding of economics, freedom and the future of human flourishing.

In addition to his work with Cato and HumanProgress.org, Marian L. Tupy is the co-author of “Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet” and “Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know: And Many Others You Will Find Interesting”. He’s also a co-creator of The Simon Project, an initiative that examines the relationship between population growth and resource abundance and publishes the yearly Simon Abundance Index. His work focuses on the intersection of data, human liberty and long-term optimism.

The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media. If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at [email protected]. To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support.

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