Radio Rothbard - podcast cover

Radio Rothbard

Mises Institutemises.org
Radio Rothbard is a weekly podcast hosted by Ryan McMaken and Tho Bishop. The show tackles politics, current events, culture, media, and the predatory state—all from an uncompromising Rothbardian perspective. Radio Rothbard is the weekly anti politics podcast you don't want to miss!
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

The Declaration of Independence Created 13 New Sovereign Countries

Ryan McMaken and historian Larsen Plyler talk about how the Americans of the 1770s envisioned a new community of independent and sovereign states. The first constitution made this clear. But then the new counterrevolutionaries like Hamilton wrote a new constitution designed to create one big national state with vast new powers. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO COD...

Jan 23, 2026Ep. 227

A Closer Look at John C. Calhoun

When it comes to the great political economist John C. Calhoun, most people love him or hate him. In this episode, economic historian Patrick Newman joins us to take a more balanced look at Calhoun, his origins as a War Hawk and nationalist, and why he was never a true Jeffersonian. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jan 16, 2026Ep. 227

Why Vivek Is So Wrong about the Founding of the United States

Vivek Ramaswamy promotes a fictional version of American history in which a handful of people created America and that culture and religion are canceled out by an ideological "creed." In truth, the American nation and the American state are two different things. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jan 09, 2026Ep. 227

Why We Hate Thomas Hobbes

Ryan and Josh Mawhorter talk about how Thomas Hobbes, even nearly 400 years later, remains a popular spokesman for almost limitless state power. In fact, by Hobbes's logic, the world should by ruled by a single global dictatorship. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Dec 19, 2025Ep. 227

Modern Marriage and the Homeownership Rate

Data shows that the marriage rate and the homeownership rate have been closely connected for decades. Historically, more marriage means more home buying, but government intervention has made buying a home much harder. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Dec 12, 2025Ep. 227

John Mearsheimer and Europe's Bleak Future

This week Ryan and Zachary Yost take a look at international relations scholar John Mearsheimer's claim that Europe faces a bleak future as the United States pivots away from NATO. Can Europe thrive without American taxpayers' money? Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Dec 05, 2025Ep. 227

How 50-Year Mortgages Turn Home Owners into Renters

50-year mortgages are likely to increase the likelihood of more "owners" becoming underwater and walking away from their mortgages. This will lead to more bailouts for the financial sector. Taxpayers will pay the price. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Nov 26, 2025Ep. 227

Taxes and the Rise of the Modern State

In this lecture from the 2025 Mises Institute Supporters summit, Ryan looks at how the modern state is built on the rapid rise of taxation in recent centuries. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Nov 07, 2025Ep. 227

Why Food Stamp Spending Is Out of Control

Ryan McMaken takes a deep dive on food stamp spending, food stamp recipients, and how Big Ag and other industry lobbyists fight to keep food stamp spending flowing and increasing. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Nov 04, 2025Ep. 227

Taxes, War, and the State are Freedom's Biggest Enemies

Ryan and political scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen talk about how taxes, war, and the state are all part of a centuries-old formula for impoverishing the productive class while enriching the government class. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Oct 10, 2025Ep. 227

Does Economic Growth Require an Elastic Money Supply?

A long-enduring myth about money is that we need a flexible or "elastic" currency for the economy to grow. Economist Jonathan Newman joins us to talk about why this has never been true. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Oct 03, 2025Ep. 227

Rothbard's Lost Letters on Ayn Rand

New letters, from Murray Rothbard to Frank Meyer, have been discovered by researcher Daniel Flynn detailing some of Rothbard's earliest views on Ayn Rand, and what later went wrong. This week is our Fall Campaign! Donate $5 today and receive a physical copy of Hayek for the 21st Century: https://Mises.org/RR25 https://Mises.org/RR25 Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROM...

Sep 26, 2025Ep. 227

The Federal Reserve Cut Rates So the Rich Get Richer

As the Federal Reserve signals it doesn't care about price inflation, we're reminded the Fed is mostly motivated to ensure rising asset prices for Wall Street while pushing cheap credit to finance federal deficits. Free Book: Get your copy of Hayek for the 21st Century, featuring Hayek’s classic essays on liberty, knowledge, and markets. Claim yours at https://mises.org/Hayek21 Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Stor...

Sep 19, 2025Ep. 227

The Jobs Picture Is Worse than They Told You

Newly released jobs data this month shows that the jobs narrative from the media was based on bogus numbers. Free Book: Get your copy of Hayek for the 21st Century, featuring Hayek’s classic essays on liberty, knowledge, and markets. Claim yours at https://mises.org/Hayek21 Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Sep 12, 2025Ep. 227

San Francisco's Black Market for Housing

San Francisco politicians have made it so difficult to build new housing that a black market for apartments has emerged. "San Francisco Has A Black Market for Housing. That’s as Bad as It Sounds." by Chris Calton: https://Mises.org/RR251_A Free Book: Get your copy of Hayek for the 21st Century, featuring Hayek’s classic essays on liberty, knowledge, and markets. Claim yours at https://mises.org/Hayek21 Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are av...

Aug 29, 2025Ep. 227

Inflation and Family Economics

Economist Jeff Degner joins Ryan McMaken to discuss how inflationary monetary policy has changed our culture, and the family with it. Free Book: Get your copy of Hayek for the 21st Century, featuring Hayek’s classic essays on liberty, knowledge, and markets. Claim yours at https://mises.org/Hayek21 Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Aug 22, 2025Ep. 227

Five Myths About the History of Political Thought

In his important lectures on the history of political thought, historian Ralph Raico examined five myths that many still believe about classical liberalism and the origins of modern ideology. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Aug 15, 2025Ep. 227

Why We Need Austrian Economics

Economist Joseph Salerno, an expert on the Austrian School, money, and methodology, joins us to talk about what makes the Austrian School of economics different. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Aug 08, 2025Ep. 227

America-First Foreign Policy Is Dead

After promising to end the Ukraine war immediately, and to stay out of Middle East wars, President Trump has instead doubled down on intervening in both conflicts. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jul 18, 2025Ep. 227

Trump Is Wrong about Interest Rates

Let's look at some of the reasons why President Trump and his supporters are so obsessed with demanding that the Federal Reserve force down interest rates even further. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jul 14, 2025Ep. 227

The Federal Reserve Is Covering Up Its Financial Losses

Alex Pollock, an expert on Federal Reserve policy, joins us to talk about how the Fed has backed itself into a very bad financial corner, and there is no painless way out. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jul 03, 2025Ep. 227

The Problem with Pronatalism

Some non-economic arguments made by pronatalists are very good. But when it comes to economics, pronatalists often get it very wrong. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jun 26, 2025Ep. 227

Commercial Real Estate Is in Trouble

Real estate investor and Mises Institute contributor Artis Shepherd joins Ryan to talk about how our stagnating economy is affecting multifamily housing and other commercial real estate. Banks and investors are using "extend and pretend" tactics to cover up the true state of the industry. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jun 19, 2025Ep. 227

Fiat Money and Chartalism: Why MMT Is Wrong

Joshua Mawhorter joins us to talk about how the fiat-money theories of Modern Monetary Theory and chartalism aren't supported by the historical facts. Articles and resources mentioned: Is It Money Because It Is Redeemed in Tax Payments? A Response to Kelton and Wray by Per Bylund. MMT and US History: Redefining Chartalism by Joshua Mawhorter. MMT, Chartalism, and the Colonial Experience by Joshua Mawhorter. How the Classical Gold Standard Fueled the Rise of the State by Ryan McMaken. Be sure to ...

Jun 12, 2025Ep. 227

The Myth of Fed Independence

Jonathan Newman joins Ryan McMaken to talk about the history behind the myth of "Fed independence." The Fed has never been politically independent of the US government, and it has enthusiastically helped fund the US government both in wartime and in peacetime. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

Jun 05, 2025Ep. 227

Poland's Turn Toward a Market Economy Saved It from Poverty

Polish professor of political theory Łukasz Dominiak joins us to talk about how Poland embraced a market economy after the Cold War ended. We discuss some of the factors behind Poland's rise from poverty. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

May 29, 2025Ep. 227

The Rise of War Propaganda and the Defeat of Laissez-Faire

In this lecture from the Mises Institute's recent Conference on War Revisionism, McMaken looks at how classical liberals' pro-peace foreign policy was defeated by a century of war propaganda beginning with the First World War. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

May 22, 2025Ep. 227

A History of Political Theory in the West

Political Scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen joins Ryan McMaken to review Ralph Raico's newly published lectures on politics in the West. We recommend this book for all who want a pro-freedom history of political thought. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

May 15, 2025Ep. 227

California's Bullet-Train Delusion

California economist and resident/victim William Anderson joins us to talk about the absurdity of California's bullet train plan, and how it ignores economic realities. Register for our Revisionist History of War Conference now at https://mises.org/rhw Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

May 08, 2025Ep. 227

Trump's First 100 Days: The Good and the Bad

Historian Chris Calton joins Ryan McMaken to discuss both the upsides and the downsides of Trump's first 100 days. Register for our Revisionist History of War Conference now at https://mises.org/rhw Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off...

May 01, 2025Ep. 227
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android