From Big Gulps to Raw Milk: The Rise of MAHA
Elizabeth Nolan Brown joins Nick Gillespie to discuss the rise of MAHA, RFK Jr.’s influence on wellness politics, and how the culture war came for your diet.
Jul 02, 2025•46 min
The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
Want to know what comes next in politics, culture, and libertarian ideas? Reason’s Nick Gillespie hosts relentlessly interesting interviews with the activists, artists, authors, entrepreneurs, newsmakers, and politicians who are defining the 21st century.
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Episodes
How LSD Helped Launch a Radical Libertarian Counterculture
Drug Smuggler. Fugitive. Icon. Meet The Acid Queen.
Jun 25, 2025•50 min
Did Bombing Iran Make America Safer?
Emma Ashford and Faisal Saeed Al Mutar join Nick Gillespie to discuss the conflict in Iran.
Jun 24, 2025•58 min
Scott Barry Kaufman: Incels, Narcissists, and the Victim Mindset
Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman joins Nick Gillespie to discuss toxic identity politics, the rise of grievance-based thinking, and why true self-actualization requires moving beyond victimhood.
Jun 18, 2025•52 min
Kennedy: A Gen X Rebel's Journey From MTV to Fox News
The Fox News personality reflects on her evolution from a contrarian Republican to a libertarian and her belief that personal freedom, humor, and not giving a shit are the keys to a better America.
Jun 11, 2025•49 min
Helen Lewis: The Dark Side of Genius
In The Genius Myth, the journalist delivers a sharp, funny takedown of our obsession with "brilliant" men, showing that behind every so-called genius is a crowd and a big PR machine.
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Lawrence Wright: America's Misadventures in Wars, Cults, and Panics
The Pulitzer Prize–winning author discusses the enduring roots of Middle Eastern conflict, the rise and fall of cultural panics, and why Texas may be the blueprint—and battleground—for America's future.
May 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
C. Bradley Thompson and Jeremiah Johnson: Rise of the 'MAGA Manosphere'
Did mainstream conservatives and libertarians lose a generation of young men to the reactionary right?
May 23, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Brian Brushwood: Why We Fall for Scams
Magician and podcaster Brian Brushwood talks about deception and skepticism while exploring historical hoaxes, the psychology of magic, the libertarian dystopia of Epcot, and the story behind World’s Greatest Con.
May 21, 2025•51 min
Robert Rosenkranz: How To Use Stoicism To Build a Meaningful Life
The billionaire philanthropist explores how stoic philosophy shaped his views on capitalism, politics, and philanthropy, arguing for rational optimism, individual responsibility, and civil public discourse as foundations for life.
May 16, 2025•52 min
Richard Dawkins: Why Atheism Is Winning
The evolutionary biologist challenges modern dogmas, defends scientific objectivity, and warns against the rise of ideological orthodoxy in society.
May 14, 2025•1 hr 34 min
Billionaire Cliff Asness: Can Technology Outrun 'Stupider and Stupider' Government?
Co-founder of AQR Capital Management, Cliff Asness, discusses the decline of market efficiency, the dangers of populist economics, and his libertarian outlook on capitalism.
May 09, 2025•52 min
Steven Pinker: Can Harvard Be Saved?
The Harvard psychologist discusses recent gains for free speech at Harvard, growing political and ideological threats to academic freedom, and the importance of shared knowledge in sustaining truth and progress.
May 07, 2025•59 min
John Arnold: Government Can't Be Trusted To Fix Any Problems
John Arnold argues that private markets solve problems better than government or philanthropy, and that real reform comes from decentralization, incentives, and evidence—not top-down control.
Apr 30, 2025•51 min
Jeffrey Singer: Get Government Out of Health Care
Longtime surgeon and Cato Institute fellow Jeffrey Singer argues that government overreach in health care undermines patient autonomy.
Apr 23, 2025•52 min
Jason Furman: Why Everyone Is Wrong About the Economy
Former Obama administration economic adviser Jason Furman explains why both major parties have abandoned economic reality in favor of political fantasy.
Apr 16, 2025•53 min
Mark Clifford: A Political Prisoner Fights for Free Speech in China
The former editor in chief of the South China Morning Post discusses his book on Jimmy Lai, who is currently on trial in Hong Kong for having the audacity to stand up to the government.
Apr 09, 2025•58 min
Leigh Stein and Julius Taranto: Did Wokeness and Trump Kill Literary Satire?
The novelists join the podcast for a sharp, satirical dive into fiction, free speech, and the absurdity of modern culture.
Apr 02, 2025•52 min
James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber: Psychedelics Legalization Will Continue No Matter Who Is President
Authors James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber discuss their new book Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance.
Mar 26, 2025•59 min
Brian Doherty: The Fascinating Women and Weirdos Who Founded Libertarianism
Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty explores the evolution of libertarian thought in his new book.
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Rachel Barkow: Did Trump and Biden Turn Pardons Into a Corrupt Joke?
Presidential pardons have become a tool of favoritism and politics.
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Alton Brown: A Culinary Legend Offers Food for Thought
The Good Eats host talks about the virtues of Cap'n Crunch, why fusion cooking isn't cultural appropriation, and how Martha Stewart's perfectionism ruined dinner parties.
Mar 05, 2025•59 min
John McWhorter: Is 'Wokeness' Finally Dead?
New York Times columnist and linguist John McWhorter discusses the rise and fall of "woke," DEI and affirmative action, and his new book on the history of pronouns.
Feb 26, 2025•49 min
Jim O'Shaughnessy: Don't Squander This Age of Innovation
Wall Street legend Jim O’Shaughnessy discusses how to live well and innovate boldly during the age of Trump, Musk, and AI.
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Sean McMeekin: Don't Whitewash the History of Communism
Historian Sean McMeekin dissects how communism has enduring and resurgent appeal in the West despite its history of violence and economic disaster.
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Nico Perrino: What the Trump-Musk Alliance Means for Free Speech
FIRE’s executive V.P. discusses the Biden administration's failures, Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s influence on free speech, and the most pressing First Amendment issues facing the U.S. today.
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Alex Nowrasteh and Bryan Caplan: The Case for More Immigration
Immigration experts Alex Nowrasteh and Bryan Caplan make the case for significantly more and easier immigration to the U.S.
Jan 29, 2025•57 min
Michael Shermer: Conspiracy Thinking, Wokeness, and the Future of Free Thought
The founder of Skeptic magazine discusses whether conspiracy thinking is on the rise and whether it's coded right or left.
Jan 22, 2025•53 min
Christina Dent: The Evangelical Christian Fighting To End the Drug War
The evangelical Christian argues that drug legalization is the conservative thing to do.
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Douglas Irwin: Why Trump's Tariff Plans Are Dangerous
The trade economist details the most alarming protectionist policies proposed by the incoming Trump administration.
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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