The Center Square

Future of Freedom

News EN ↓ 76 episodes

Future of Freedom is your antidote to cable news brawls and social media shouting. A podcast for serious, good-faith conversations about liberty and the ideas that shape it. Hosted by Scot Bertram, each episode explores a single topic and brings together two guests with opposing views. But this isn’t a debate show: no interruptions, no dunking, just thoughtful, civil discourse. It’s compelling, challenging, and refreshingly real. Subscribe now and join the conversation.

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The Center Square

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News

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podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jun 26, 2026

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Episodes

Thomas Jipping & Damon Root: Should Supreme Court Justices Have Term Limits? 26.06.2026

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different perspectives on the subject of term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices. First on the show is Thomas Jipping, Senior Legal Fellow in the Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law at Advancing American Freedom. Later, we hear from Damon Root, a senior editor at Reason and the author of Reason's sem...

Mark Christie & Annie Chestnut Tutor: How Should We Approach the Data Center Boom? 02.06.2026

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different concerns about data centers in America. First on the show is Mark Christie, who directs the Center for Energy Law and Policy at William and Mary Law School, where he teaches energy law. He is a former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and served 17 years as a utility regulator in Virgi...

Ahmad Sharawi & Dominik Lett: How Should the U.S. Evaluate the Iran War? 22.05.2026

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the wisdom and effectiveness of the conflict in Iran. First on the show is Ahmad Sharawi, senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Later, we hear from Dominik Lett, a budget and entitlement policy analyst at the Cato Institute. You can find Ahmad on X at @Ahm...

Thomas A. Berry & Richard A. Epstein: Is Birthright Citizenship Guaranteed by the 14th Amendment? 30.04.2026

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship. First on the show is Thomas A. Berry, director of the Cato Institute’s Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies and editor in chief of the Cato Supreme Court Review. Later, we hear from Richard A. Epstein, Laurence A. Tisch Professor...

Cameron Abrams & Ilya Somin: Should ICE Be Strengthened or Restrained? 18.02.2026

On this episode of  Future of Freedom , host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about ICE immigration enforcement efforts in the country. First on the show is Cameron Abrams, policy analyst for Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation . Later, we hear from Ilya Somin, B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute , and a profe...

John Tamny & Adam Michel: How Should We Think About America’s Debt? 22.12.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the country’s debt and annual deficit. First on the show is John Tamny, President of Parkview Institute, Editor at RealClearMarkets, and author of The Deficit Delusion. Later, we hear from Adam Michel, director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute and author of the recent essay, “...

Nicole Gelinas & Diana Furchtgott-Roth: Should Congestion Pricing Be the Future of City Travel? 01.12.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about New York City’s congestion pricing program. First on the show is Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal. Later, we hear from Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Director of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment and The Herbert an...

Simon Hankinson & Brent Orrell: Should the U.S. Rethink the H-1B Visa Program? 12.11.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the country’s H-1B visa program. First on the show is Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation. Later, we hear from Brent Orrell, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find Simon on X @WatchfulW...

Jacob Sullum & Ammon Blair: Should the U.S. Treat Cartel Boats as Military Targets? 03.11.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about recent actions taken by the United States against cartels. First on the show is Jacob Sullum, senior editor at Reason. Later, we hear from Ammon Blair, a Senior Fellow for the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s ‘Secure & Sovereign Nation’ Initiative. You can find Jacob on X at @JacobSullum...

Daniel J. Samet & Doug Bandow: What Should Be the American Strategy in the Middle East? 03.10.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about American strategy in the Middle East. First on the show is Daniel J. Samet, a Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on US-Israel relations and Middle East policy. Later, we hear from Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, specializin...

Chris Edwards & Jerry Theodorou: Should FEMA Be Eliminated? 24.09.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). First on the show is Chris Edwards, Kilts Family Chair in Fiscal Studies at the Cato Institute and is the editor of Down​siz​ing​Gov​ern​ment​.org. Later, we hear from Jerry Theodorou, Director of the Finance, Insurance and Trad...

David Dunmoyer & Joe Lancaster: Should a 'Ban' on TikTok Be Enforced? 10.09.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about enforcing the law that could ban TikTok in the United States. First on the show is David Dunmoyer, Associate Vice President of Campaigns at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Later, we hear from Joe Lancaster, an assistant editor at Reason. You can find David on X at @DDDunmoyer and Joe...

J.D. Tuccille & Mark Krikorian: How Should the U.S. Enforce Illegal Immigration Laws? 28.07.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the Trump administrations’ handling of immigration enforcement. First on the show is J.D. Tuccille, a former managing editor of Reason.com and current contributing editor. Later, we hear from Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. You can find J.D. on X...

Henry Olsen & Alex Muresianu: Should University Endowments Be Taxed? 10.07.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about taxing endowments of American colleges and universities. First on the show is Henry Olsen, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and host of the Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen podcast. Later, we hear from Alex Muresianu, Senior Policy Analyst at the Tax Foundation. You...

John Yoo & Charles C. W. Cooke: Who Decides When America Goes to War? 03.07.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints concerning when the President needs the approval of Congress to engage in military action. First on the show is John Yoo, the Emanuel Heller Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley, Senior Research Fellow at the Civitas Institute, University of Texas at Austin, and a Nonre...

Tobias Peter & Judge Glock: How Should Zoning Be Viewed & Reformed? 16.06.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about zoning laws and America’s housing supply. First on the show is Tobias Peter, a senior fellow at AEI and the codirector of the American Enterprise Institute’s Housing Center. Later, we hear from Judge Glock, director of research and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contrib...

Keith E. Whittington & Charles Fain Lehman: Does Federal Involvement Safeguard or Endanger Free Speech on College Campuses? 21.05.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about whether federal involvement safeguards or endangers free speech on college campuses. First on the show is Keith E. Whittington, is the David Boies Professor of Law at Yale Law School and founding chair of the Academic Freedom Alliance. Later, we hear from Charles Fain Lehman, fellow at t...

Oren Cass & Iain Murray: Can the Use of Tariffs Help Improve the U.S. Economy? 06.05.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about tariffs. First on the show is Oren Cass, Chief Economist at American Compass. Later, we hear from Iain Murray, Vice President for Strategy and senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. You can find Oren on X @oren_cass and Iain at @ismurray. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

Johan Norberg & Derek Scissors: How Should the U.S. Economically Engage With China? 15.04.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about trade with and investment in China. First on the show is Johan Norberg, senior fellow at the Cato Institute. Later, we hear from Derek Scissors, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find Johan on X @johanknorberg and Derek at @DerekScissors1. Hosted by Simplecast,...

Brian Rankin & Howard Husock: Should the Federal Government Fund Public Broadcasting? 03.04.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about federal funding for public broadcasting. First on the show is Brian Rankin, an Adjunct Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Later, we hear from Howard Husock, senior fellow in Domestic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find the Competitive Enterprise...

Charles Fain Lehman & Jacob James Rich: Should Online Sports Gambling Be Legal? 21.03.2025

On this episode of  Future of Freedom , host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the legalization of internet sports gambling. First on the show is Charles Fain Lehman, fellow at the Manhattan Institute and senior editor of City Journal. Later, we hear from Jacob James Rich, policy analyst at Reason Foundation . You can find Charles on X, formerly Twitter, at @ Cha...

Grover Norquist & Jessica Riedl: Evaluating the Effectiveness of DOGE 05.03.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). First on the show is Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. Later, we hear from Jessica Riedl, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, focusing on budget, tax, and economic policy. You can find Grover on X, formerly Twitt...

Neal McCluskey & Rick Hess: How Should the Department of Education Be Addressed? 14.02.2025

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the Department of Education. First on the show is Neal McCluskey, the director of Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom. Later, we hear from Frederick M. Hess, Senior Fellow and Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find Neal on X, formerly Tw...

Joe Lancaster & Thomas J. Healey: How Should the IRS Be Reformed? 20.12.2024

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about possible reform of the Internal Revenue Service. First on the show is Joe Lancaster, an assistant editor at Reason. Later, we hear from Thomas J. Healey, the former assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury under President Ronald Reagan, a senior fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School and the...

Robert VerBruggen & Adam White: Should SCOTUS Be Reformed? 28.10.2024

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the need for reform of the U.S. Supreme Court. First on the show is Robert VerBruggen, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and writer for City Journal. Later, we hear from Adam White, Laurence H. Silberman Chair in Constitutional Governance and senior fellow at the American Enterprise In...

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