Cato Event Podcast

In this episode of Competencies in Civil Discourse, I speak with Chris Bush and Joia Houheneka, the co-founders of 1776 Forward and hosts of the Free Speech Forward Podcast. 1776 Forward is a for-profit organization dedicated to sparking a cultural-political-philosophical revolution based on Philosophical Liberalism—an ideal that maximizes human freedom, flourishing, and greatness. They host the podcast "Free Speech Forward" in partnership with the Institute for Liberal Values and publish "The Philosophical Liberal" on Substack.

One hundred years ago, the US Supreme Court famously wrote, “The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” That ruling was Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which launched the parental rights movement that has become especially ascendant, but also controversial, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this special conference, we will first tackle the idea of parental rights broadly, including its application in everything from health care to public school transparency. In the second panel, we will focus on the movement perhaps most influenced by Pierce: school choice. We will conclude with a lunch and keynote speaker.

One hundred years ago, the US Supreme Court famously wrote, “The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” That ruling was Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which launched the parental rights movement that has become especially ascendant, but also controversial, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this special conference, we will first tackle the idea of parental rights broadly, including its application in everything from health care to public school transparency. In the second panel, we will focus on the movement perhaps most influenced by Pierce: school choice. We will conclude with a lunch and keynote speaker.

One hundred years ago, the US Supreme Court famously wrote, “The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” That ruling was Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which launched the parental rights movement that has become especially ascendant, but also controversial, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this special conference, we will first tackle the idea of parental rights broadly, including its application in everything from health care to public school transparency. In the second panel, we will focus on the movement perhaps most influenced by Pierce: school choice. We will conclude with a lunch and keynote speaker.

Can the president unilaterally impose tariffs under his emergency powers? In this webinar, legal scholars Ilya Somin, a professor at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University who is co-counsel in the pending tariffs case VOS Selections v. Trump, and Walter Olson explore the constitutional and statutory limits of presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and other statutes. They’ll discuss President Trump’s recent efforts to justify sweeping trade measures under IEEPA, examine the historical role of Congress in setting tariffs, and consider broader stakes for the separation of powers. Whether you’re a lawyer, policymaker, or interested observer, this conversation will shed light on one of the most important trade and constitutional questions of our time.

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has been given an unusual mandate: to end the department she has been tasked with overseeing. As out of the ordinary as that might be, it is the right mission, because the Constitution gives the federal government no authority to govern in education, and the department’s practical track record has been terrible.Join us for a very special fireside chat—shortly after the department celebrated its 45th birthday, on May 4th—where we will discuss why the department needs to go, how that can be done, the steps taken so far, and what American education would look like without a federal Department of Education.

School and district leaders are uniquely positioned to implement interdisciplinary civil discourse as schoolwide practices that empower educators and allow for each student’s voice to be heard. By doing so, leaders build positive school cultures where students and staff bridge diverse viewpoints and have space for discussion, understanding, and reflection.In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of current educational leaders on how they build and foster civil discourse practices. They will discuss supporting educators and students and addressing concerns and challenges. Learn tips for supporting educators and planning the next steps for your community.You’ll also learn about Sphere’s new Leadership Toolkit for Civil Discourse, a collection of free resources designed to support you in getting started, planning action steps, setting goals, and more to foster civil discourse and empower educators. Our suite of new resources is designed for administrators, instructional coaches, department chairs, and other leaders to foster civil discourse at the school or district level.

Tech policy has created more opportunities for entrepreneurship than just Silicon Valley startups. The availability of online platforms has empowered a new wave of entrepreneurs who might never reach household fame but who are contributing both to their own households and the greater economy. Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow in tech policy, speaks with two content creators about how these platforms and tech policy have impacted their businesses and changed their lives. 

In this episode of Competencies in Civil Discourse, Erec Smith welcomes William Deresiewicz to explore the mission of the Matthew Strother Center for the Examined Life. Together, they unpack the role of intellectual courage, liberal education, and moral seriousness in reviving thoughtful dialogue in an age of ideological conformity.