Beito’s new biography explores FDRs impact on American freedom and prosperity.

In this episode, Jonathan Fortier talks with David Beito about FDR's rise to the American presidency, and the negative consequences for civil, political and economic liberty.&nbsp;The conversation explores the ways in which Roosevelt was influenced by Wilson, who had promulgated a new formulation of freedom, and Teddy Roosevelt, whose nationalism, coupled with the ideas imported from Bismarck's German thinkers, encouraged a strong movement toward centralization and an increase in federal power.&nbsp;

David Beito on his book FDR: A New Political Life

Sandefur explores how libertarian values are woven through creative endeavors.

In this episode, Jonathan Fortier talks with Tim Sandefur about his recent book, You Don’t Own Me, published by Libertarianism.org in 2025. The conversation explores themes of liberty, individualism and personal autonomy as they find expression in novels, films, blues music and architecture, to name just a few of the genres up for discussion. Important note:&nbsp;Tim notes that it was Bernard Taupin, not Tim Rice, that wrote the lyrics for “Nikita”

You Don’t Own Me: Individualism and the Culture of Liberty with guest Tim Sandefur 

Each golden age has a unique lesson to teach us about the world we hope to live in today. 

In this episode Jonathan Fortier talks with Johan Norberg about his new book&nbsp;Peak Human, which explores seven golden ages to reveal the common thread that makes societies thrive. Their conversation explores not only what went wrong when these civilizations collapsed, but the lessons to be learnt about what was done right. Openness, Norberg argues, has historically triumphed over withdrawal from the rest of the world.&nbsp;

Peak Human: Lessons from the Rise and Fall of Golden Ages with Johan Norberg 

In this episode Jonathan Fortier talks with Lawrence Reed about his essay, "I, Smartphone", which revisits the themes of Leonard Read's famous essay, "I, Pencil" for contemporary audiences. Their conversation explores the incredible complexity and power of free markets and the foundational principles that allow those markets to function most successfully.

I, Smartphone: The Power of the Free Market with Lawrence W. Reed

Jonathan Fortier talks with Brad Lips, CEO of Atlas Network, about a network of over 500 liberty-advancing think tanks around the world. Their conversation explores the necessity of decentralized knowledge and local efforts as essential elements in promoting free societies in different cultures with unique circumstances. Jonathan and Brad discuss the recent issue of the Atlas magazine, “Freedom’s Champion”, in which Brad celebrates the legacy of Milton Friedman, his close to connection to Atlas, and his many contributions to promoting liberty around the world.

Talking Liberty and Milton Friedman: A Conversation with Brad Lips, CEO of Atlas Network

Jonathan Fortier talks with Johan Norberg, author of The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Global Free Market Will Save the World. The conversation explores how a simple coffee shop can illustrate the complexity of international trade, why capitalism is a "double thank you" system in which we may all get what we need more efficiently, and much more. Norberg delves into everyday examples that help us appreciate this economic system that has brought&nbsp;us unprecedented prosperity.&nbsp;

The Capitalist Manifesto: A Conversation with Johan Norberg

Jonathan Fortier talks with Brian Doherty, author of Modern Libertarianism: A Brief History of Classical Liberalism in the United States. The conversation explores some of the main themes in Doherty’s book, including figures like Mises and Hayek, Ayn Rand, Leonard E. Read and many others. Doherty muses on the nature of the libertarian movement and the many strains of thought animated by fractious individuals.

Modern Libertarianism: A Conversation with Brian Doherty

Jonathan Fortier and Bryan Caplan discuss the reissue of Open Borders a graphic non-fiction novel published by Libertarianism.org. Caplan argues for the tremendous power of open migration to unleash economic potential and generate much greater overall human flourishing. The episode explores some of the common objections to immigration, considering both the American and European context, and concludes with some speculation about how best to modify current regulation to facilitate the movement of people looking for opportunity in the United States.

Open Borders: A Conversation about Immigration with Bryan Caplan

In this episode, Jonathan Fortier and Bruce Pardy discuss some of the ways that the government response to COVID (both in Canada and abroad) revealed the fragility of individual freedom in the face of political power and explore the various reasons that political, legal and civic institutions failed to protect individual liberty in a time of apparent crisis. The conversation explores aspects of the Canadian trucker protest as, in a sense, representative of the wider international and democratic opposition to authoritarian governments. Jonathan and Bruce conclude with some reflections on the centuries-long tendency to “move power around” from one place of authority to another, without questioning the legitimacy of exercising power over others.&nbsp;The conversation concludes with some thoughts about the administrative state, and the manner in which it stands in opposition to accountable government and a robust individual freedom.

The Freedom Convoy: The Case of the Canadian Truckers with Bruce Pardy

Puzzling through the theories, history, and practice of liberty.

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