Shows
Liberty and LeadershipThe Triumph of Economic Freedom with Dr. Donald J. BoudreauxRoger 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 prog...
2025-07-3032 minLiberty and LeadershipThe Hidden Costs of Executive Power with Lord Daniel HannanRoger 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...
2025-07-1633 minLiberty and LeadershipThe False Promise of Government-Driven Growth with Dominic PinoRoger 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 p...
2025-07-0235 minLiberty and LeadershipThe Overpopulation Myth with Marian L. TupyRoger 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 th...
2025-06-2431 minLiberty and LeadershipReclaiming the Mission of Higher Education with Dr. Jenna RobinsonRoger welcomes Dr. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, for a timely discussion on the state of American higher education and how to restore its core mission.They examine the rise of administrative bloat in higher education, the spread of DEI bureaucracies and the decline of intellectual diversity on college campuses. They also explore how the Martin Center serves as a model to promote academic freedom, viewpoint diversity, institutional neutrality and transparency in public universities. Plus, reform efforts taking place in North Carolina, how legislative and trustee oversight can serve as...
2025-06-1731 minLiberty and LeadershipFTE at 50: Ted Tucker and Lisa Chang on Building Economic LiteracyRoger welcomes Ted Tucker, executive director of the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) and Lisa Chang, director of operations and teacher programs at FTE, to discuss the organization’s 50-year legacy of teaching the economic way of thinking to high school students and teachers. They share the fascinating history of FTE’s founding in the 1970s, the pivotal role of leaders like Milton and Rose Friedman and Gary Walton, and how FTE has evolved to meet the needs of a changing world.They explore why economic literacy is so critical, yet often neglected today, how FTE’s experi...
2025-06-0329 minLiberty and LeadershipSocialism Sucks: Robert Lawson on the Real-World Consequences of Central PlanningRoger welcomes Robert Lawson, economist, author, and director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at Southern Methodist University. Lawson is the co-author of “Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World.”In this episode, they discuss Lawson’s firsthand observations from socialist regimes including Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea and how central planning continues to fail the people living under it. They explore the dangerous appeal of socialism in modern political discourse, the real differences between Scandinavian welfare states and actual socialist systems, and why economic freedom remains essential to human flourishing. Plus, they h...
2025-05-2130 minLiberty and LeadershipThe Journalist Who Wouldn't Be Silenced: Benjamin Hall's Story of Survival and RecoveryRoger welcomes Benjamin Hall, FOX News correspondent and New York Times bestselling author, for a powerful conversation about courage, recovery and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.They discuss Halls’ harrowing experience surviving a Russian missile strike while covering the war in Ukraine, the loss of his colleagues that day and the long physical and emotional road to recovery that followed. Hall shares reflections from his latest book, “Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds,” offering insights into post-traumatic growth, the role of faith and family and the importance of community suppor...
2025-05-0631 minLiberty and LeadershipSatire in the Age of Censorship: How Kyle Mann and the Babylon Bee Preserve Humor and Navigate Cancel CultureRoger welcomes Kyle Mann, a comedian, writer, podcast host, and the editor-in-chief of the Babylon Bee.They discuss the origin story of the Babylon Bee, the creative process behind crafting their daily satirical headlines, and their expansion into film and other media projects. Plus, how they navigate the landscape of censorship and fact-checking, and why humor is such a valuable outlet when it comes to commenting on the absurdities of modern culture and politics.Kyle Mann writes and publishes articles on topics that include politics, current events, censorship and wokeness. In comedy, he has authored...
2025-04-2321 minLiberty and LeadershipLeadership in Action: Lessons from A TFAS Summer in WashingtonOn this very special episode of Liberty + Leadership recorded at the TFAS Annual Conference in Naples, Florida, Roger welcomes Catherine Shea and Caleb Davis, two recent TFAS alumni from the summer class of 2024.Catherine and Caleb share their positive TFAS experiences, highlighting the program’s focus on fostering open dialogue, civility and respect for different viewpoints. They reflect on how their TFAS courses and internships provided them with an invaluable D.C. experience and discuss the lasting impact TFAS and its supporters have in developing the principled leaders of the future.The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is...
2025-04-0931 minLiberty and LeadershipDan Proft on Challenging the Status QuoOn this special episode of the Liberty + Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the Annual TFAS Conference in Naples, Florida, Roger welcomes Dan Proft. Proft is co-host of the morning drive-time radio talk show Chicago’s Morning Answer and a 1993 TFAS alumnus.They discuss, Proft's successful career in radio, his experience as a TFAS student and his observations on the first months of the Trump administration and the role of the executive branch. Plus, they take a look at the changing tides in the media landscape, the political dynamics in Illinois and Proft’s advice to young people on t...
2025-04-0129 minLiberty and LeadershipUnyielding Resolve: Captive Nations and the Path to Freedom with Paula DobrianskyRoger welcomes Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, the former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs and editor of her father Lev Dobriansky’s newly released book, “Unyielding Resolve: Captive Nations and the Path to Freedom.”Together, they discuss Lev Dobriansky’s work advocating for the rights of captive nations, his role in establishing an annual Captive Nations Week proclamation signed by U.S. presidents, the historical significance of the captive nations concept and its continued relevance today - particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Plus, reflections on the legacy of President Ronald Reagan and the impo...
2025-03-2531 minLiberty and LeadershipLeadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents with Talmage BostonRoger welcomes Talmage Boston, a lawyer, historian, and author of “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents,” which was released in April of last year.They explore Boston’s top 8 presidents, the leadership lessons they teach Americans — especially young Americans developing their leadership characteristics, and the importance of optimism, unification, and the ability of a president to connect with the American people. Plus, they discuss how baseball history is intertwined with American history and how it shapes the American zeitgeist.Talmage Boston is a partner at the Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton law firm...
2025-03-1132 minLiberty and LeadershipFrom the White House to the Crisis Room: An Inside Look with Ari FleischerRoger welcomes Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush and an esteemed communication and crisis management leader.They discuss Fleischer’s firsthand experience of the September 11 attacks while serving as White House Press Secretary, reflecting on the immediate chaos and the key lessons learned in crisis management, particularly the importance of staying calm under pressure. Plus, the modernization of the White House Press Room, the significance of diverse voices in journalism, why supporting Israel aligns with American values, and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government....
2025-02-2529 minLiberty and LeadershipThe Cost of Courage: Mark L. Clifford on the Life of Jimmy LaiThis week, Roger welcomes Mark L. Clifford, the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation and author of “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic,” which was released in December of 2024.They discuss the remarkable life story of Jimmy Lai, a Chinese refugee who built a successful business empire in Hong Kong before becoming an outspoken pro-democracy activist. They cover Lai's early hardships, his spiritual conversion to Catholicism, and his current imprisonment by the Chinese government under harsh conditions. Plus, how Clifford and the Comm...
2025-02-1229 minLiberty and LeadershipWhy the 1960s Damaged the American Dream with Tim GoegleinThis week Roger welcomes Tim Goeglein, the vice president of external and government relations for Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry and nonprofit organization. They discuss how the cultural and moral shifts of the 1960s shaped many of the challenges American society faces today, how the seeds for these changes were planted earlier in the 20th century by progressives like Woodrow Wilson and John Dewey and how the Great Society programs of the 1960s (despite good intentions) led to unintended consequences that undermined traditional American societal institutions. Plus, why the path forward lies in grassroots efforts to rebuild...
2025-01-2831 minLiberty and LeadershipInvesting in the Future with Randy DeCleeneThis week Roger welcomes Randy DeCleene, TFAS’s very own chief development and communications officer to the show. They discuss the transformative impact TFAS programs have on both current students and alumni of all ages, the achievement and growth of TFAS over the past year and the need for continued funding to support future students and programs. Plus, how Randy’s longstanding relationship with TFAS over the course of his career working in both the private sector and government, ultimately led him to a full-time role with TFAS.Prior to joining TFAS in September 2023, Randy DeCleene was a pa...
2024-12-1029 minLiberty and LeadershipThe Electoral College: A Safeguard Against Tyranny with Michael C. MaibachThis week Roger welcomes Michael C. Maibach to discuss the significance of the Electoral College in the American republic, its origins, and the historical context of its establishment. They also discuss the ongoing debates surrounding the Electoral College’s relevance and how to view the Constitution through the lens of Natural Law.Michael C. Maibach is the founder and director of The Center for the Electoral College and is also the current distinguished fellow at Save Our States, an organization dedicated to defending the Electoral College. He also serves on the board for multiple nonprofit organizations including th...
2024-11-2634 minLiberty and LeadershipBeyond the Bench: Judge Gregory E. Maggs on Constitutional Originalism, the JAG Corps, and the TFAS Law FellowshipThis week, Roger welcomes Judge Gregory E. Maggs to discuss the role of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the concept of originalism in constitutional law and the importance of civic education. Plus, Judge Maggs shares insights on the quality of TFAS Law Fellows and the practical education they receive, as well as his experiences in the JAG Corps. Judge Gregory E. Maggs was appointed to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in 2018 and prior to that, he taught full-time at The George Washington University...
2024-11-1324 minLiberty and LeadershipWhy Identity Politics is The Newest Incomplete Religion with Dr. Joshua MitchellThis week, Roger welcomes Dr. Joshua Mitchell, a professor of political theory at Georgetown University. They discuss the perils of identity politics, the meaning of the material, blank and spiritual economies, and the need for a return to competence and community engagement. Dr. Mitchell also shares firsthand insight on the state of higher education and the ever-growing fear of free and open dialog among students.Dr. Joshua Mitchell is one of the world’s leading experts on Alexis de Tocqueville and has written widely on a range of subjects, most recently on identity politics. He ha...
2024-10-3039 minLiberty and LeadershipBehind the Editor’s Desk with Sierra McClainIs there still a place for local journalism in today’s media landscape? This week, Roger welcomes the 2023 Joseph Rago Memorial Journalism Fellow, Sierra McClain. They discuss her experiences from the fellowship, the true value of on-the-ground journalism, the differences between local and national journalism, and advice for young journalists.Sierra is the assistant editorial features editor for The Wall Street Journal, a position she secured upon completion of her Rago Fellowship. Prior to The Journal, she was a correspondent for the Capital Press, a regional newspaper covering agricultural business in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. She gr...
2024-10-1623 minLiberty and LeadershipThe Binary Trap With Kat TimpfWhat happens to our nation’s discourse when every issue has only two possible positions? This week, Roger welcomes Kat Timpf to explore the complexities of division within American society. They discuss how embracing vulnerability can be a tool to diffuse that division and examine the dangers of binary thinking, touching on topics like religion, mental health and the size of government. Plus, discover how Kat’s journalism background led to her successful career as a television personality, writer and comedian.Kat is a regular panelist on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” and her national comedy live show has sold out t...
2024-10-0224 minLiberty and LeadershipRestoring Civic Engagement and Volunteerism with Eric J. TanenblattWhat has led to the erosion of civic engagement and volunteerism over the course of the past generation? This week Eric J. Tanenblatt joins host Roger Ream to discuss how his TFAS experience led to him to pursue a career in government and public service, and the memorable moments he experienced as a result (coordinating the 2004 G8 Economic Summit, serving in the George H. W. Bush administration and serving as chief of staff to former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue). Tanenblatt also emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and volunteerism and gives his thoughts on effective leadership.Eric...
2024-09-1830 minLiberty and LeadershipHow to Rebuild American Institutional Trust with Gerard BakerWhy has there been a sharp decline in institutional trust amongst Americans and how can that confidence be rebuilt? This week Gerard Baker joins host Roger Ream to discuss the loss of trust in American institutions (particularly in the media, government, and big business), the reasons behind that decline, and the impact of globalization. Plus, the true value of objective intellectual diversity in journalism.Gerard Baker is the editor-at-large at The Wall Street Journal and was recently named TFAS Media Fellow. Baker writes a weekly column for the editorial page and hosts a weekly podcast...
2024-09-0439 minLiberty and LeadershipCampus Voices: The Future of Reporting with TFAS Journalism StudentsJournalism requires courage and a commitment to pursuing the truth, even inchallenging environments. Thomas McKenna and Jonas Du, two talented students participating in the TFAS Student Journalism Association, understand this. Through the Student Journalism Association, TFAS supports young independent journalists who approach journalism through a lens of sound objective reporting and a desire to find the truth. In their chat with host Roger Ream, McKenna and Du discuss their TFAS experience, how real-world experience in journalism is often more valuable than classroom learning, the importance of diverse viewpoints, and why it's imperative to support young journalists.
2024-08-2129 min