One of the common worries about a hard money like gold or Bitcoin is that large price deflation could make lending and investment impossible because nominal interest rates can't go below 0%. Bob explains why these fears are invalid.

The Charts Used in This Episode Can Be Viewed Here: https://Mises.org/HAP491a

The economy is teetering on the edge, and the Federal Reserve’s reckless policies have only made things worse. In this episode, Mark Thornton joins Scott Horton to break down the boom-bust cycle, why inflation isn’t going away anytime soon, and how the Fed’s interventions set us up for even bigger economic disasters. Are we headed for a deep recession, or is something even worse on the horizon? Mark explains the hard truths about interest rates, government debt, and why the next crisis may be the biggest yet.

Catch the Scott Horton Show at https://ScottHorton.org

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Ryan McMaken and economist Jonathan Newman look at the government's alleged $750 billion gold reserve, how it got there, and why it's time to privatize the gold.

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The Civil War is often framed as a moral struggle over slavery, but what if economic control was the real driving force? In this lecture, historian Thomas DiLorenzo challenges the mainstream narrative, arguing that Lincoln’s true priority was preserving federal tariff revenues rather than ending slavery. By tracing how tariffs fueled sectional tensions, DiLorenzo exposes how Northern industrialists benefited from protectionism at the South’s expense—and how Lincoln’s war ensured the federal government’s economic dominance. Was the war really about union and emancipation, or was it a fight to maintain Washington’s grip on the economy?

Lecture 1 of 10 from the Steven Berger Seminar: Thomas DiLorenzo on Liberty and American Civilization.

Politicians love to promise "fairer" and "simpler" tax reform, but the reality is that every tax system is built on force and distortion. In this talk, Lew Rockwell dismantles the myth that taxation can ever be neutral, efficient, or morally justified. Whether it’s a flat tax, consumption tax, or a restructured income tax, every scheme still funnels trillions into the hands of bureaucrats while crushing productivity and personal freedom. Instead of searching for a "better" way to take your money, Rockwell asks the real question: Why should the government take it at all?

Recorded on 15 January 2005 at The Trouble with Taxation Conference, Charlottesville, Virginia.

President Trump has indicated that a recession could be coming and the pundits are playing the blame game. Don‘t look to anyone in Washington for a coherent explanation for the downturn, however. Look to the Austrians instead.

Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/who-gets-blame-upcoming-recession

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Does the US government need a gold reserve? No, it doesn’t. The government’s gold is basically an emergency slush fund for elites to use to preserve their political power.

Citation: “What share for gold? On the interaction of gold and foreign exchange reserve returns” by Omar Zulaica, BIS Working Papers, No. 906: bis.org/publ/work906.pdf

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Mark Thornton explores the psychology and economics of extractive industries, from mining to energy production. Despite their crucial role in advancing civilization—providing everything from metals to fuel—these industries are now vilified, especially by younger generations influenced by environmentalist ideology. But what are the real economic consequences of restricting resource development? How does political interference in mining and energy affect future supply, prices, and investment opportunities? Tune in as Mark breaks down the myths, the propaganda, and the financial reality behind one of the most misunderstood sectors of the economy.

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Bob first reviews the standard libertarian case for legalizing drugs as the way to neutralize the Mexican drug cartels. Then he plays a recent clip where Dave Smith argues that drug prohibition leads to violence because (among other factors) you can't call the cops if someone steals your product. Bob argues that libertarians should stop making this (invalid) argument.

Bob's Lessons for the Young Economist: https://Mises.org/HAP490a

Part of the Problem Episode 1233: https://Mises.org/HAP490b

Should we audit the US gold hoard? First, let’s take a look at what the official numbers say about how big the US gold reserve is, where it is located, and how much it is worth in US dollars.

Be sure to follow the Loot and Lobby podcast at https://Mises.org/LL