Best Competitive Enterprise Institute Podcasts (2025)

1
Reforming Washington's 10,000 Commandments with Wayne Crews 47:52

4d ago47:52

47:52

This week we cover the political roots of totalitarianism, why we should put Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out to pasture, the World Bank’s pivot on nuclear power, and human environmental impact in Medieval Europe. Our interview this week is with Wayne Crews, the Fred L. Smith Fellow in Regulatory Studies at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. We’ll…

1
Episode 7: The Future of Speech Online 31:11

5d ago31:11

31:11

The rise of A.I. has ushered in a new era for the internet, right when Section 230 and its protections have never been more threatened. Today’s innovators look to the past for guidance.

1
Economic Ideas for American Workers with Ryan Young 47:46

11d ago47:46

47:46

This week we cover teaching with AI, clearing the way for new nuclear development, and eliminating soda and candy from government food aid programs. Our interview this week is with Ryan Young, Senior Economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He has plenty of problems with where economic, trade, and tariff policy is going right now, so we’l…

1
Episode 6: The Rest of the World 24:29

13d ago24:29

24:29

The web gets big enough to impact presidential elections. And the rest of the world grapples with speech on the internet.

1
Trade Myths (and Facts) with Prof. Michael Coon 44:06

18d ago44:06

44:06

This week we cover smartphones for kids, insomnia and anxiety in pre-industrial times, and a blueprint for modernizing the Environmental Protection Agency. Our interview this week is with Michael Coon, Associate Professor of Economics in the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa. We talk about everything tariff-related, including com…

1
Episode 5: Blowback, and the Dust Settles 30:05

19d ago30:05

30:05

The first real attempt to regulate the internet goes down in flames. But what remains is a structure to support the new, more interactive world of Web 2.0.

1
An Affordable and Reliable Future with Gabriella Hoffman 49:00

25d ago49:00

49:00

This week we cover Republicans for the Green New Deal, diminishing returns from industrial policy in China, and the bottleneck on nuclear development in the United States. Our interview this week is with Gabriella Hoffman, Director of the Center for Energy & Conservation at the Independent Women’s Forum and the host of the District of Conservation …

1
Episode 4: The Solution 24:34

27d ago24:34

24:34

A bill intended to keep smut off the internet threatens to undo everything Representatives Christopher Cox and Ron Wyden have accomplished. How will their compromise play out?

1
Colin Dueck on Trump's Foreign Policy 35:28

1M ago35:28

35:28

Colin Dueck joins Robert to discuss the historical contexts and animating ideas behind the Trump administration's reorientation of American foreign policy. They discuss the evolution of the Republican Party, the effects on Canada and Europe, and the need to confront China. Colin is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute wh…

1
Working for a Better Tomorrow with Vinnie Vernuccio 39:02

1M ago39:02

39:02

This week we cover America’s founding principles, the Cato Institute’s recommendations for reforming financial regulation, why Republicans shouldn’t be busting the SALT cap, and declining egg prices in historical perspective. Our interview this week is with Vinnie Vernuccio of the Institute for the American Worker. We talk about labor unions, indep…

1
Episode 3: Law and Disorder 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

Enter the dotcom era. Dueling lawsuits leave early web companies with a massive question — can they moderate speech without getting sued off the face of the earth? Two tech-savvy Congressman just might have an answer.

1
Tariffs, Tax Cuts, and Trustees with Dominic Pino 54:40

1M ago54:40

54:40

This week we cover retirement investing, pivoting to India, housing on federal land, and priorities for slashing federal spending. Our interview this week is with Dominic Pino of National Review. We talk about tariffs, labor unions, tax cuts, pensions, congressional politics, and why we love our nation’s hard-working farmers. Free the Economy is ho…

1
Episode 2: The Dawn of the Internet 25:32

1M ago25:32

25:32

We travel back in time to the birth of the world wide web to hear how the earliest forums sparked a war over the future of free speech on the internet.

1
The Spectrum Exchange: Networks, Security, and Innovation (with Peter Rysavy) 31:01

2M ago31:01

31:01

Amid debates over spectrum allocation, critical questions about national security, communication infrastructure, and connectivity continue to take center stage. What does spectrum sharing involve? How does spectrum sharing enhance the efficiency of limited spectrum resources? And what impact does it have on deploying emerging technologies like 5G a…

1
Broadcasting Liberty with Jeff Westling 56:44

2M ago56:44

56:44

This week we cover Trump tariffs, the death of the climate hawks, and California’s experiment with fast food wages. Our interview this week is with Jeff Westling, Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at the American Action Forum. We talk about broadcast media, the Federal Communications Commission, news distortion, the First Amendment, and …

1
Episode 1: The Most Misunderstood Law on the Internet 41:22

2M ago41:22

41:22

Pundits and politicians blame an obscure law for everything bad that happens online. What exactly is Section 230, and how did it spark a debate that could change the internet forever?

1
Kimberly Kagan on Ukraine and Russia 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

Kimberly Kagan joins Robert to explore breaking developments in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. They discuss weapon systems, strategies, and the toll of the war on both countries. Dr. Kimberly Kagan is the founder and president of the Institute for the Study of War. Read more about her work here.…

1
Striving for Shareholder Value with Matt Cole 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

This week we cover executive branch powers at the Supreme Court, BP’s pivot back to being an oil and gas company, and the trials and tribulations of Bud Light. Our interview this week is with Matt Cole, CEO of Strive and CIO of Strive Asset Management. We talk about protecting the retirement savings of Americans, corporate purpose, financial regula…

1
Zack Cooper on Competition with China 28:42

2M ago28:42

28:42

Zack Cooper joins Robert to talk about strategic competition with China and his new book Tides of Fortune: The Rise and Decline of Great Militaries. They discuss the balance of military power, the kinds of weapon systems the US should invest in, and the Trump administration's approach to Taiwan. Zack Cooper is a senior fellow at AEI where he studie…

1
Alabama Does DOGE with Stephanie Smith 43:47

2M ago43:47

43:47

This week we cover poverty in Illinois, J.D. Vance on AI, the future of the Jones Act and the limits of the president’s impoundment powers. Our interview this week is with Stephanie Smith, president and CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute. We talk about spending taxpayer dollars, budget reform, cost-sharing with the feds, and the state-level swamp …

1
Introducing Otherwise Objectionable 2:00

2M ago2:00

2:00

In 1996, two Congressmen drafted a bill that would give us the internet as we know it. Now Democrats and Republicans want it gone. Follow the true story of the most misunderstood law on the internet starting March 12.

1
Defend Yourself from Debanking with Nick Anthony 48:44

2M ago48:44

48:44

This week we cover public confidence in the economy, California’s electric vehicle mandate, the prospect of a sovereign wealth fund for the U.S., and what investors talk about when they gather in Las Vegas. Our interview this week is with Nicholas Anthony, policy analyst with the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives. We’l…

1
The Future of the Enterprise Browser 33:06

2M ago33:06

33:06

Web browsers are built for convenience—prioritizing speed, compatibility, and ease of use. But what happens when a browser isn’t for just an individual user but for an entire enterprise? In today’s cybersecurity landscape, where threats are constant and data breaches can be catastrophic, organizations need more than just a traditional browser. They…

1
Pivot or Die with Gary Shapiro 49:23

2M ago49:23

49:23

This week we cover DEI mandates, financial surveillance at the Securities and Exchange Commission, medical fraud among Alzheimer's researchers, and why Congress should defund green energy subsidies. Our interview this week is with Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association and the man behind the #1 trade show in the world, the legenda…

1
Improving State Finances with OJ Oleka 37:01

3M ago37:01

37:01

Our interview this week is with OJ Oleka, CEO of the State Financial Officers Foundation. We’ll talk about how the new administration will affect state financial officers, what states can do about ESG, and the varied ways financial officers can have an impact in their states. Free the Economy is hosted and produced by Richard Morrison and co-produc…

1
Trump vs. the Regulatory State with Susan Dudley 45:55

3M ago45:55

45:55

This week we cover how the feds are forcing your bank to spy on you, a new strategy for housing abundance, and a promising new policy on crypto and digital assets from the White House. Our interview this week is with Susan Dudley, founder and Senior Scholar at George Washington University’s Regulatory Studies Center and former administrator of the …

1
James Capretta on Reducing Health Care Spending 46:50

3M ago46:50

46:50

James Capretta joins Robert to talk about how the US can address increasingly unsustainable spending on Medicaid and Medicare. They discuss actions the executive branch and Congress can take to drive down prices; limit waste, fraud, and abuse; and increase revenue. James Capretta is a senior fellow and Milton Friedman Chair at AEI where he studies …

1
Able Americans with Rachel Barkley 39:09

3M ago39:09

39:09

This week we cover Trump’s executive orders, the demographics of the 119th Congress, our nation’s narrowing fiscal space, reforms to ESG investing, and a new White House appointee in the healthcare space. Our interview this week is with Rachel Barkley, director of Able Americans, a program of the National Center for Public Policy Research. We’ll ta…

1
Taking on DMV Bureaucracy (with Shane Bigelow) 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Digital solutions for vehicle titling and registration are transforming how DMVs operate, replacing slow bureaucratic processes with efficient blockchain-based systems. Through successful partnerships with state governments, companies offering these digital services have demonstrated significant time and cost savings in vehicle-related transactions…

1
Welfare Costs and Benefits with Scott Winship 50:16

3M ago50:16

50:16

This week we cover the Los Angeles wildfires, reforms to high-skilled immigration, new leadership at the Department of Energy, legal peril for ESG investing, and a new agenda for the 119th Congress. Our interview this week is with Scott Winship, director of the Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility at the American Enterprise Institute. We talk …

1
Draining the Swamp with Jim Bovard 50:27

4M ago50:27

50:27

This week we cover fake endangered species, Pennsylvania’s climate policy showdown, a robust defense of property rights in New York, and Biden’s lame-duck attack on offshore energy development. Our interview this week is with journalist, author, and legendary public policy hooligan Jim Bovard. We talk about government reform, freedom of speech, the…

1
Changes in Financial Regulation and ESG with Hester Peirce 34:06

4M ago34:06

34:06

This week we cover how Americans feel about their jobs, the minerals we’ll need to build the future, and lingering inflation fears. Our interview this week is with Hester Peirce, Commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We talk about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, climate-related disclosures, regulatory h…

1
Tax Policy, Part 2: Alex Brill 21:26

4M ago21:26

21:26

In the second of two episodes on the US tax policy outlook, Alex Brill joins Robert to talk about the political dynamics of tax legislation in 2025. They discuss how the reconciliation procedure will shape legislation, what issues could divide Republicans, and what role Donald Trump could play in negotiations. Alex Brill is a senior fellow at AEI w…

1
Mortgage Market Analysis with Mark Calabria 44:07

4M ago44:07

44:07

This week we cover weaponization of financial regulation, the Kroger-Albertsons merger, and a spirited defense of ultra-processed foods. Our interview this week is with Mark Calabria, former Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and author of the 2023 book Shelter from the Storm: How a COVID Mortgage Meltdown Was Averted. We talk about int…

1
Tax Policy, Part 1: Kyle Pomerleau 47:48

4M ago47:48

47:48

In the first of two episodes on the US tax policy outlook, Kyle Pomerleau joins Robert to talk about the impending expiration of many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They discuss what policies are at stake, from the individual rate cut to the child tax credit, and how Congress could balance cutting taxes with the US's deteriorating fi…

1
The Fight against Drug Shortages (with Laura Bray) 46:56

4M ago46:56

46:56

The United States faces a critical drug shortage crisis every day that jeopardizes patient care across medical specialties. The problem is staggering: 83 percent of oncologists cannot prescribe their preferred chemotherapy treatments, and a shocking 96 percent of these drug shortages stem from human manufacturing issues. In 2023, drug shortages rea…

1
Tax and Budget Showdown 2025 with Erica York 38:30

5M ago38:30

38:30

This week we cover new climate disclosure rules for public companies, the case against price controls on credit card networks, and why tariffs can’t pay for tax cuts. Our interview is with Erica York of the Tax Foundation. We talk about the big fight over tax cuts and the federal budget brewing in the new 119th Congress. We ask: Will the temporary …

1
Navigating India's Digital Competition Landscape (with Shruti Rajagopalan and Shreyas Narla) 32:42

5M ago32:42

32:42

As India's economic landscape evolves amid population growth, crafting regulations that foster progress is critical. But how can India leverage its advanced digital infrastructure and young workforce to drive innovation and create sustainable job opportunities? What regulatory reforms could help create an environment that encourages start-up growth…

1
The Value of Work with David Bahnsen 47:26

5M ago47:26

47:26

This week we cover new leadership at the SEC, China’s ban on critical mineral exports, conservative fiscal reform ideas, and the health toll of not embracing nuclear power. Our interview is with David Bahnsen of the Capital Record podcast and the Bahnsen Group. We’ll talk about the value of work, whether Americans have gotten lazy, the work from ho…

1
Big Tech, Antitrust, and the Courts with Patrick Hedger 46:44

5M ago46:44

46:44

This week we cover the DOGE effort to reform government spending, survey results about transportation choices, and a sad loss for the liberty movement. Our interview is with Patrick Hedger of NetChoice. We talk about legal troubles and disputes in the tech world from Google and the Department of Justice to how both red states and blue states have d…

1
Political Drinking with Jarrett Dieterle 46:27

5M ago46:27

46:27

This week we cover student loans, revenue from tariffs, democracy in Hong Kong, and the impact of podcasts on the 2024 election. Our interview is with Jarrett Dieterle of the R Street Institute. We talk about beer, wine, tequila, and all the government policies affecting the price and availability of your favorite drinks. Free the Economy is hosted…

1
AI and the Future of Civics (with Adam Hinds, Michael Champigny, and Will Foster-Nolan) 29:34

5M ago29:34

29:34

In an era when civic literacy is at concerning lows, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate’s Senate Immersion Module (SIM) is revolutionizing civic education by transforming students into senators for a day, complete with an innovative AI policy simulation. What can experiential learning reveal about students’ capacity to eng…

1
Debt and Taxes with Jack Salmon 1:02:13

6M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

This week we cover the death of ESG investing, next moves on regulatory reform, Wall Street enthusiasm for a new administration, and Saudi Arabia’s new city in the desert. Our interview is with Jack Salmon of Philanthropy Roundtable. We talk about what tax and budget reforms we might expect to see in 2025, from Social Security and Medicare to low-i…

1
Special Episode: Leader Mitch McConnell on His Career and Legacy 16:23

6M ago16:23

16:23

In this special episode recorded at AEI’s 2024 Annual Dinner, outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell joins Robert to talk about his almost 40 years in Congress. They discuss the past and continuing importance of the Senate and the challenges facing the next Senate Republican Leader. Leader McConnell has represented Kentucky in the Senate…

1
The Power of Pivots: How Smart Companies Change the Game (with Gary Shapiro) 29:35

6M ago29:35

29:35

What separates the companies that successfully pivot from those that become cautionary tales in business history? How do government regulations either foster or hinder innovation in today’s tech landscape? And what can business leaders learn from the countless pivots that shaped America’s tech dominance? Joining me to address these questions, which…

1
Nuclear Renaissance with Nick Loris 49:23

6M ago49:23

49:23

This week we cover a new vision for the Securities and Exchange Commission, affordable housing in Hong Kong, and how Millennials are killing it financially. Our interview is with Nick Loris of C3 Solutions. We talk about renewables, fossil fuels, transmission lines, and the emerging renaissance of nuclear power in the United States. Free the Econom…

1
Frederick Kagan on the Future of the Ukraine War 41:51

6M ago41:51

41:51

As Americans head to the polls, Frederick Kagan joins Robert to talk about what the next administration can do to deliver victory in Ukraine. They discuss current conditions on the battlefield, the arrival of North Korean troops, and the global stakes of the conflict. Frederick Kagan is a senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project a…

1
Understanding the National Debt with Thomas Savidge 52:55

6M ago52:55

52:55

This week we cover whether Americans feel better off than they were four years ago, why we have more billion-dollar natural disasters than we used to, where tomorrow’s strategic minerals will come from, and why we shouldn’t subject new technology to obsolete rules. Our interview is with Thomas Savidge of the American Institute for Economic Research…

1
Hal Brands on American Grand Strategy 35:41

6M ago35:41

35:41

Hal Brands joins Robert to talk about the foreign policy challenges around the world facing the United States. They discuss the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the future of the war in Ukraine, and the looming threat from China. Hal is a senior fellow at AEI where he studies US foreign policy and defense strategy. Read his latest piece…

1
Freedom to Farm with Bill Wirtz 51:22

6M ago51:22

51:22

This week we cover a new ranking of state governors, reforms to emergency powers, new research on working from home, misguided mining policy, and a podcast recommendation for people who like to have fun. Our interview is with Bill Wirtz of the Consumer Choice Center. We talk about farming, climate change, subsides, and international trade. Our co-p…

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