Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the controversial U.S.–Ukraine minerals agreement and its connection to ongoing peace talks. What’s the real motive—economic opportunity, geopolitical leverage, or a quiet pretext for deeper involvement? – Whether the U.S. or Europe can—or should—guarantee Ukraine’s security– How the May 1 deal gives U.S. investors first access to […]

Big John and Mike ter Maat break down President Trump’s high-stakes Asia tour — including meetings with Japan, Malaysia, and China’s Xi Jinping. They explore rare earth minerals, trade dependencies, Taiwan tensions, and the future of U.S.–China relations. – Libertarian concerns over government intervention– Trump’s stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea– The Xi meeting […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat dissect the decline of “woke” culture — from corporate DEI retreats to Zuckerberg’s reversal on content moderation — and explore whether artificial intelligence might be the next force shaping conformity. – Is AI the next engine of social engineering?– How “woke” culture collapsed in […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat dive into the unprecedented wave of pardons issued by outgoing President Biden and incoming President Trump — including Hunter Biden, J6 defendants, and Ross Ulbricht — and debate whether the pardon power has become a political weapon rather than a tool of justice. – […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the Trump administration’s immigration actions — from deportations to Guantanamo — and ask what liberty means when policy meets principle. A measured, thoughtful look at how language, law, and freedom intersect in America today. – Why communication failures shape national division– Why […]

Author and podcaster Antony Sammeroff joins Mike ter Maat from Scotland to discuss how the U.S. and its leaders are viewed abroad—from foreign policy and NATO to cultural export and liberty’s global reach. Big John opens and closes with reflections on America’s example in the world. – What “liberty” means to those outside America– How […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat analyze President Trump’s breakneck foreign-policy announcements — from Gaza to tariffs — and what they reveal about strategy, ethics, and liberty. They tackle CIA buyouts, foreign-aid cuts, and the possible end of the Department of Education in a wide-ranging conversation. – Why tariffs hurt […]

In this classic episode: A principled libertarian breakdown of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), Elon Musk’s role, and why court challenges and budget math suggest savings claims aren’t enough. Big John and Mike ter Maat argue for spending caps and entitlement reform over executive-order theatrics. – Case for a nominal spending cap over time– […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the Ukraine war through a libertarian lens—how it started, what’s at stake, and why America’s foreign aid policy deserves scrutiny. They explore Putin’s motives, U.S. involvement, and the ethical divide among libertarians. – European defense spending and free speech concerns– Origins and […]

The Free for All panel breaks down the recent debate between activist David Hogg and libertarian Spike Cohen, exploring how emotion, data, and constitutional principles collided over gun rights. Featuring Chase Oliver, Mike ter Maat, and attorney Daniel Schmutter. – Why gun-free zones may create unintended risks– The team analyzes Hogg’s emotional approach vs. Cohen’s […]