The Great Antidote - podcast cover

The Great Antidote

Juliette Sellgrenwww.adamsmithworks.org

Adam Smith said, "Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition." So join us for interviews with the leading experts on today's biggest issues to learn more about economics, policy, and much more.

Episodes

Yesim Sayin on the DC Life and Policy

Send us a text Yesim Sayin is the executive director and the founder of the DC Policy Center, a non-partisan, independent think tank that produces research and analyses on the local economy, workforce, education, housing, and other policy issues in the District of Columbia. She talks to us about what makes DC unique compared to other cities, and how that makes the DC Policy Center unique as a think tank. We also talk about DC-specific policy issues and what we can learn from the center. Support ...

May 12, 202343 min

Stephanie Slade on Fusionism

Send us a text Stephanie Slade is a senior editor at Reason , the magazine of "free minds and free markets" and a fellow in liberal studies at the Acton Institute . Today we talk about fusionism, the fusion of freedom and virtue. We talk about the necessary relationship between seemingly contradictory ideals and the importance of civil society. She explains to us the history of fusionism and the need for it in today’s current political environment. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWo...

May 05, 202344 min

Samuel Gregg on The Next American Economy

Send us a text Dr. Samuel Gregg is a distinguished fellow in political economy and senior research faculty at the American Institute for Economic Research. He recently wrote a book called The Next American Economy: Nation, State, and Markets in an Uncertain World . We talk about the current consensus about the American economy and how it’s changed over time. He explains to us the renewal of enthusiasm for industrial policy , and what classical liberals can do to better the defense of free market...

Apr 28, 202351 min

Scott Lincicome on the New American Worker

Send us a text Scott Lincicome is the vice president of general economics and trade at the Cato Institute. He recently coauthored and edited Empowering the New American Worker: Market Based Solutions for Today’s Workforce , which we talk about today. In light of “Buy America” and continuous calls for bettering the position of the American worker, what really is the state of the American worker today? Who is the American worker? Lincicome answers these questions and more as we explore policy area...

Apr 21, 202350 min

Mark Calabria on Shelter from the Storm

Send us a text Mark Calabria was the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the director of Financial Regulation Studies at the Cato Institute. Today, he is a senior advisor to the Cato Institute, and recently wrote a book on his experiences in the Agency, called Shelter From the Storm . Today, he talks to us about the book, and saving the United States from a 2008-like financial crisis by respecting congressional statutes in agency behavior and resisting calls for bailouts. He expla...

Apr 14, 202349 min

Troy Senik on Grover Cleveland

Send us a text Troy Senik is the author A Man of Iron: The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland. He also was a white house speech writer and is the cofounder of kite and key media. Today, he talks to us about his new book and the life of Grover Cleveland. We talk about how Cleveland became president and the political scene of the time, as well as how and why he is often forgotten today. Senik characterizes Cleveland’s principled nature and his time in office. He also give...

Apr 07, 202346 min

Nico Perrino on Individual Rights and Free Expression

Send us a text Nico Perrino is FIRE's Executive Vice President and the creator and host of FIRE’s So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast . He is also the codirector of the 2020 documentary Mighty Ira , which is about the life and career of former ACLU executive director Ira Glasser. Today, he talks to us about FIRE’s name change and mission expansion. What changed and why? What is going on with civil liberties today? He responds to some criticisms of free speech, we explore social media and censor...

Mar 31, 202349 min

Eli Dourado on Energy Abundance

Send us a text Eli Dourado , a senior research fellow at the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University, talks to us today about energy abundance. We discuss at the most basic level what energy is and why it is significant to human life, making the clear case that we should aim for energy abundance. He responds to climate change worries and explains the regulatory barriers in the way of that future, and what that future would bring. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWo...

Mar 24, 202343 min

Timothy Sandefur on Freedom's Furies

Send us a text Timothy Sandefur is the vice president for litigation at the Goldwater Institute and the author of six books, including Frederick Douglass: Self Made Man and Freedom’s Furies: How Isabel Paterson, Rose Wilder Lane, and Ayn Rand Found Liberty in an Age of Darkness . These three women all lived during the Great Depression , so he talks to us about the literary, historical, and political scenes of the time, painting a picture of their works and relationships in context. We discuss th...

Mar 17, 202350 min

Chris Freiman on Consequentialism

Send us a text Chris Freiman, a professor of philosophy at William and Mary and the author of several books, talks to us about another philosophy of liberty: consequentialism. First, he talks to us about the importance of philosophy in defending liberty. Then he talks to us about the differences between consequentialism and other liberty philosophies, and we discuss the strengths and weaknesses in its defense of liberty. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Fac...

Mar 10, 202349 min

Chris Freiman on Consequentialism

Send us a text Chris Freiman , a professor of philosophy at William and Mary and the author of several books, talks to us about another philosophy of liberty: consequentialism. First, he talks to us about the importance of philosophy in defending liberty. Then he talks to us about the differences between consequentialism and other liberty philosophies, and we discuss its strengths and weaknesses in its defense of liberty. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Fa...

Mar 03, 202349 min

Robert Tracinski on Left and Right Illiberalism

Send us a text Robert Tracinski is the editor of Symposium , a substack and podcast about liberalism, the author of several books, a columnist at Discourse Magazine , and he writes on his own substack The Tracinski Letter. Today he talks to us about his view of liberalism and its current opponent: illiberalism, which comes from both the left and the right. We talk about their differences and their similarities, as well as his optimism and plan for the future. Support the show Never miss another ...

Feb 24, 202347 min

Ryan Hanley on the Morality of Markets

Send us a text Ryan Hanley is a professor of political science at Boston College and the author of several books, including Our Great Purpose: Adam Smith on Living a Better Life . Today, he talks to us about the foundations of Adam Smith’s theory of virtue and proceeds to lay this theory out for us. We talk about how Smith’s philosophy and economics intersect, and how Smith comes to make a case for markets being moral, instead of amoral as many economists claim. We also talk about the influences...

Feb 10, 202349 min

Eric Daniels on History

Send us a text Eric Daniels is the assistant director of the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism, as well as a professor with Clemson’s Lyceum Program . Today, we talk about history as a discipline and profession, getting down to what it is and why so many podcast guests say it is so important. We break history down into a few components and even address Adam Smith as a historian! Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram...

Feb 03, 202355 min

Kaytlin Bailey on the Oldest Profession

Send us a text Kaytlin Bailey is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Old Pros , which aims at decriminalizing and destigmatizing sex work. Today, she talks to us about the history of the oldest profession and her experiences with it. She makes the case for decriminalizing sex work and addresses common objections, along with clarifying decriminalization versus legalization. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , a...

Jan 27, 202340 min

Peter Boettke on Don Lavoie and Central Planning

Send us a text Peter Boettke is a professor of economics and philosophy at George Mason University. He talks to us today about Don Lavoie, a late GMU economics professor, and his contributions. Lavoie’s work focused mainly on central planning and the answer to the socialist calculation problem, continuing the work of Mises and Hayek. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram ....

Jan 20, 20231 hr 3 min

Scott Bullock on Criminal Justice - Rerun

Send us a text The Great Antidote is on a break from recording new content right now, but please enjoy this rerun of one of our favorites in the meantime. Happy Holidays and catch you soon with new content! Scott Bullock , president and general counsel of the Institute for Justice and who represented Susette Kelo in the Supreme Court case Kelo v. The City of New London, talks to us about civil asset forfeiture and eminent domain. Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , ...

Jan 13, 202344 min

Nadine Strossen on Hate Speech - Rerun

Send us a text The Great Antidote is on a break from recording new content right now, but please enjoy this rerun of one of our favorites in the meantime. Happy Holidays and catch you soon with new content! Nadine Strossen, civil liberties activist and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) , joins us this week to discuss hate speech, its policy implications, and if we should be protecting it. Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and ...

Jan 06, 202349 min

Russ Roberts on How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life - Rerun

Send us a text The Great Antidote is on a break from recording new content right now, but please enjoy this rerun of one of our favorites in the meantime. Happy Holidays and catch you soon with new content! Russ Roberts , host of EconTalk, author of several books, and research fellow at Hoover Institution, talks to us about his book How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness . Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , ...

Dec 30, 202252 min

Samuel Gregg on Christianity and Liberalism - Rerun

Send us a text The Great Antidote is on a break from recording new content right now, but please enjoy this rerun of one of our favorites in the meantime. Happy Holidays and catch you soon with new content! Dr. Samuel Gregg, Distinguished Fellow in Political Economy and Senior Research Faculty at the American Institute for Economic Research, joins us this week to discuss culture, the origins of morality, and the intersectionality between liberalism and Christianity. Never miss another AdamSmithW...

Dec 23, 202246 min

Daniel Rothschild on Liberalism and Think Tanks

Send us a text Daniel Rothschild is the executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Today, we talk about liberalism and institutions, whatever that means. After exploring their definitions, he talks to us about the role of each in society at the current moment, how this is a departure from the past, and potential paths forward. We also talk specifically about think tanks as an institution- both what they are and the role they play in upholding a liberal order. Support t...

Dec 16, 202243 min

Craig Biddle on Philosophy and Objectivism

Send us a text Craig Biddle is the founder and director of the Objective Standard Institute, as well as the author of several books including Loving Life . Today, he talks to us about the importance of philosophy and the different components of philosophy. Then he explains the philosophy of objectivism, and we explore common objections to it. Listen in and stay tuned for more episodes on the various classical liberal philosophies! Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow...

Dec 09, 202255 min

Henry C. Clark on Montesquieu

Send us a text Henry C. Clark , professor at Dartmouth College and director of the Political Economy Project, talks to us today about Montesquieu . Listen in to learn about his life and the political environment in Europe in the early 18th century, especially in following the death of Louis XIV after a 72-year rule. Learn about Montesquieu’s contributions, such as the idea of separation of powers, and stay a while as Professor Clark talks to us about Montesquieu’s influence on Europe’s political...

Dec 02, 202255 min

Colin Grabow on The Jones Act 2: Treason and Cruises

Send us a text Colin Grabow, a research fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Trade Policy Studies, talks to us today about the Jones Act. He gives us a refresher on what the Jones Act is, but for more details listen to our first episode on the topic, Colin Grabow on The Jones Act. He talks to us about the recent treason charges against critics of the Jones Act, the effects of the Jones Act in times of emergencies -namely Hurricane Fiona- and the Jones Act for cruise ships, the Passenger Ves...

Nov 25, 202241 min

Dianne Durante on Innovators in Sculpture

Send us a text Dianne Durante holds a PhD in Classics from the University of Cincinnati and has been a freelance writer, lecturer, and tour guide for the over 30 years. She has written books on many topics, her books Innovators in Sculpture and Financial Programs of Alexander Hamilton are just a few. Today, we talk about art and art history, as well as their significance. She lays out what an innovation in sculpture is and leads us through some innovations in sculpture. We also talk about govern...

Nov 18, 202242 min

Phil Magness on Academic Integrity: Public Choice Edition

Send us a text Phil Magness is the author of multiple books, a scholar at the American Institute for Economic Research , and the intellectual watchdog for academic writing. Today we talk about Nancy MacLean’s book, Democracy in Chains , and debunks her claims about James M. Buchanan , the father of public choice economics , being a racist. He explains the peer review process and the types of errors made in journalistic malpractice, as well as the current state of academic honesty and integrity i...

Nov 11, 202242 min

James Kirchick on The Secret History of Gay Washington

Send us a text James Kirchick is the author of two books: Secret City and The End of Europe . Today, he talks to us about the intertwined history of gays in Washington DC and the history of the cold war and national security. He explains how and why he came to write this book, along with how homosexuality became conflated with communism. Why were there so many gay men in the state department? What is the relationship between the history of the cold war and the history of gay Americans? What’s so...

Nov 04, 202249 min

Michael Cannon on Medicare

Send us a text Michael Cannon , director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute, talks to us today about Medicare. He provides statistics on the size of Medicare spending and the history of how Medicare came into being. We also discuss the distortions that Medicare creates, and Cannon addresses calls for “Medicare for All”. Do you know how much fraud there is in the Medicare system? Listen to find out. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook , Twi...

Oct 28, 202257 min

Rachel Ferguson on Black Liberation Through the Marketplace

Send us a text Rachel Ferguson is an economic philosopher at Concordia University Chicago and the director of the Free Enterprise Center, as well as an affiliate scholar with the Acton Institute. She is the co-author of Black Liberation Through the Marketplace: Hope, Heartbreak, and the Promise of America . Today, we talk about her book, which focuses on civil society and the classical liberal approach to many of the problems facing Black America today. We also talk about the history of free mar...

Oct 21, 202251 min

Timothy Sandefur on Frederick Douglass

Send us a text Timothy Sandefur , vice president of legal affairs at the Goldwater Institute, talks to us today about his book, Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man . He talks to us about the philosophy behind and the development of American slavery, highlighting Douglass’s escape from it. Listen to learn about Douglass’s journey from slave to abolitionist- as well as to explore the debate about slavery and our Constitution. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Fa...

Oct 14, 202244 min
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