Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, gave a memorable speech at the Reagan Foundation Economic Forum last week. In it, he reiterated the completely true economic principle of permanence – that when policies are properly codified they assure economic actors of the rules of the road, enabling more confident decision-making when it comes to hiring, production, consumption, and investment. In today’s Capital Record, David flushes out this concept more, acknowledges where the permanence of OBBBA has be...
Jun 02, 2026•11 min•Ep. 305
Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent tirade against private equity is a libelous set of dishonest manure that should be treated as seriously as any attempt to broadly demonize private equity these days, which is not at all. Whether the Senator’s problem is intellectual or just in telling the truth, she is wrong in so many ways that today’s Capital Record gives us a chance to set the record straight. You will be better off for hearing it, which is never true when one listens to today’s private equity c...
May 28, 2026•17 min•Ep. 304
We started this podcast over five years ago, committed to a free and virtuous society, and now with 300 episodes under our belt, the commitment is deeper and more robust than ever. In this very special episode, David revisits the genesis of Capital Record , reaffirms the themes that matter, identifies the enemies of human flourishing working to undermine freedom and opportunity, and offers up a manifesto of commitments for the years ahead. Pre-roll: Duke Energy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz c...
May 19, 2026•14 min•Ep. 303
Ben Sasse may not know exactly how much more time God has for him here on earth, but he sure is using whatever time he does have to spread truth and wisdom. On today’s Capital Record we look at Sasse’s recent op-ed in the WSJ and his contrarian approach to the AI tech revolution. In this transformative technological moment, Ben doesn’t see a need to “get with the algorithms” but rather an opportunity to “re-discover the virtues.” And he knows just where to go to find them. Show notes: Habits for...
May 12, 2026•13 min•Ep. 302
David is joined this week by U.S. energy industry legend and pioneer, Charif Souki. Hear not only his incredible story as a leading force in the shale revolution but also get the lay of the land in one of the great stories of our time: U.S. energy dominance. All at once this episode will remind you of the role robust capital markets play in the cause of free enterprise and reiterate the most important business principles that matter. A truly special Capital Record ! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsW...
May 07, 2026•47 min•Ep. 301
American capital markets are celebrated on this podcast -- as they should be by anyone who values a free and virtuous society. Rule of law is a vital component to upholding the effect strong capital markets have on our economy. The DOJ blocking of a Jet Blue acquisition of Spirit Airlines did not avoid two bankruptcies -- it created one. And on today’s podcast, we prove it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data...
May 05, 2026•15 min•Ep. 300
If only there was a way to avoid taxpayers now bailing out a failed private enterprise whose pricing model cannot work in this economy? Well, there was -- it was a merger with a more capitalized and established brand name airline, only the same government about to spend your tax dollars on a failed private business with no national security connections whatsoever was the same one who blocked the private markets solution that would have been a winner for everyone. Now, instead of everyone winning...
Apr 28, 2026•11 min•Ep. 299
David concluded an 18-month research project and interviews with a dozen attorneys and judges with a lengthy piece on the the disaster of our current legal system. In today’s Capital Record he offers a dozen reform ideas that are desperately needed, and concludes with one that is more important than all of them put together. Hint: It doesn’t involve the judicial system. Show Notes: David’s National Review article, " The Next Supply-Side Battle " Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm....
Apr 21, 2026•22 min•Ep. 298
The political world was abuzz Sunday night at the devastating defeat pro-Putin post-liberal, Viktor Orbán, suffered in Hungary’s national election. Some on the American right have mistakenly cozied up to Orbán, finding some compatibility with his occasional messages about social values. But alas, even beyond the confused moral messaging, what did Orbán in is what will do all “new right” illiberals in -- a disdain for the freedom and opportunity of a market economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...
Apr 14, 2026•11 min•Ep. 297
David French wrote a provocative piece in the New York Times recently asking the very legitimate question, “If people are doing better, why are they more resentful?” In today’s Capital Record , David Bahnsen looks at the macroeconomic picture, reviews the thesis of our crisis of responsibility, unpacks the difference between greed and envy, and suggests a culprit that is at least a good starting place for improving those who feel left out of the modern economy. " How Can America Be So Miserable ...
Apr 09, 2026•21 min•Ep. 296
What does it say about a con man and con woman that they got away using fake names and doing fake events to rip off people, charities, and investors for years? It says that they are con artists! Perhaps the bigger question, though, is what it says about their marks. In today’s Capital Record David looks at a depressing fact about too many affluent people that even makes something like this possible. Show Notes: The Fake Cartier and the Fake Rockefeller Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. S...
Apr 02, 2026•13 min•Ep. 295
A jury ruled last week that social media companies are financially liable for a young woman's becoming “addicted” to social media use. In today’s Capital Record , David opines on the utterly ridiculous verdict and the horrific things it says about society, but also offers a social commentary on where companies do have a moral burden, outside the law, if we are to have a free and virtuous society. As is often the case, there is enough fusionism in David’s take to bother everyone. Hosted by Simple...
Mar 31, 2026•18 min•Ep. 294
Is it a good thing for wealthy people to give money away? Is it a good thing for them to give half of it away? All of it? Is a pledge a gift? How should one who values a virtuous society think about this very idea? In this Capital Record , David looks at the results of a high-profile 2010 effort launched by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, and suggests that there is a way to promote generosity that does not lend itself to a high-profile indulgence. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...
Mar 24, 2026•10 min•Ep. 293
The World Bank has spent three decades saying industrial policy is a bad way to go -- stunting growth, creating bad signals, and facilitating suboptimal outcomes. But now, lo and behold, they claim that government management of an economy can be a very good idea, as long as it is done the way they suggest. The internal contradictions in this statist mess are easy to see, and we’re not having it. You shouldn’t either. Show notes: WSJ on World Bank reversal on industrial policy Hosted by Simplecas...
Mar 19, 2026•5 min•Ep. 292
Do financial transactions all add up to zero? Should we be more concerned with piety than technique? Is a business going out of business a good thing if the founder treats his people well? Does money serve a greater purpose if we apply nice-sounding adjectives to our marketing pitch? Are all views of human dignity okay as long as they end with humans having dignity? On today’s Capital Record , David analyzes a plethora of things he literally heard in the last few days alone! Hosted by Simplecast...
Mar 10, 2026•17 min•Ep. 291
David is joined this week by a very special guest, Tim Estes, for a thorough discussion on artificial intelligence. But this is not one of those exhausting conversations about whether or not AI would take our jobs, or is a good investment, or one of the other numerous things that dominates AI discussion these days. Rather, David and Tim use first principles to address the problems that conservatives are missing. The discussion goes all over the map but then ends with a profound idea from our spe...
Mar 03, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 290
