Let People Prosper

If you listen closely to today’s labor debates, you’ll hear a familiar refrain: workers need more protection from Washington. But scratch the surface, and what many politicians really mean is more power for unions, more mandates for employers, and fewer choices for workers themselves. That’s backward. In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I talk with Vinnie Vernuccio , one of the sharpe...

Affordability is not an abstract debate for American families— it’s the defining issue of daily life. Grocery bills, housing costs, energy prices, healthcare, and childcare all shape whether families feel secure or stretched. Families don’t become pessimistic out of nowhere. Confidence erodes when planning for the future feels harder , margins feel thinner, and basic economics no longer seem to wo...

We talk a lot about opportunity in America—but far less about where opportunity actually exists and why . Why do some states consistently help people climb the economic ladder while others trap families in place for generations? Why do well-intended policies often backfire? And why is “doing more” by the government so often the wrong answer when it comes to social mobility? That’s exactly what we...

How property taxes undermine homeownership—and what states and localities can do to fix it. Affordability is a major issue for voters. Families are feeling squeezed by higher housing costs, rising insurance premiums, and everyday expenses that often outpace income. For many Americans, the question is no longer just whether they can buy a home, but whether they can afford to keep the one they are i...

Few projects in recent memory have done more to distort America’s past—and poison our present debates—than the 1619 Project . What was marketed as a serious historical reckoning quickly hardened into political dogma, shutting down debate, smearing critics, and rewriting the story of capitalism, freedom, and the American founding. That’s why this conversation matters. In Episode 182 of the Let Peop...

Today’s episode is our first of 2026 focused squarely on the latest economic headlines—and what they mean for your wallet, your work, and the direction of the country. Washington has been busy. From another federal budget fight and renewed debates over health care subsidies, to fresh inflation data and major corporate developments, policymakers are already setting the tone for the year ahead. The...

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s easier to order groceries on your phone than to legally cut hair, start a home business, or switch careers, this episode explains exactly what’s gone wrong. America’s labor policies are stuck in the past—designed for a 1930s economy that no longer exists. Meanwhile, workers have moved on. They want flexibility. They want choice. They want opportunity. And increasin...

As we turn the page on another year, the questions facing the economy aren’t abstract—they’re personal. Families are watching prices, businesses are weighing risk, and policymakers are deciding whether 2026 brings stability or more uncertainty. The choices made in the months ahead won’t just shape headlines—they’ll shape paychecks, savings, and opportunity. In this episode of This Week’s Economy ,...

If you’ve ever wondered why so many people assume progress is automatic, why trillion-dollar deficits barely raise eyebrows anymore, or why “economic planning” keeps making a comeback despite its long record of failure—this episode gets to the heart of the issue. Prosperity doesn’t happen by accident. Freedom doesn’t sustain itself. And history doesn’t bend toward progress unless the rules of the...

As we kick off a new year, state legislatures across the country are gearing up for their 2026 sessions. What lawmakers decide in the next few months will shape the economic health, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity of their states. With Americans continuing to vote with their feet—seeking opportunity, affordability, and freedom—states have every incentive to get their policies right. From...

As we turn the page into a new year, many of us take stock, set goals, and make resolutions that help us grow. Policymakers should be no different. After years of rising debt, higher prices, regulatory overreach, and political gridlock, America is overdue for a reset—one rooted in timeless principles and practical reforms. This New Year’s resolutions list isn’t about sweeping government plans or p...

As we head into the Christmas season, there’s something about twinkling lights, slower evenings, and gatherings with family and friends that reminds us what really matters. It’s a moment to take stock, look around, and appreciate the freedoms and opportunities that make our lives possible. This week, we’re leaning into that spirit with a special episode of This Week’s Economy : a classical liberal...

If you’ve ever wondered why so many young people are confused about capitalism, skeptical of markets, or convinced that government control is the answer to rising prices and shrinking opportunity, this episode gets straight to the root of the problem. Economic ignorance isn’t accidental. It’s the predictable outcome of bad policy, bad education, and a culture that treats inflation and government g...

If you’ve felt like your paycheck doesn’t stretch as far as it used to, you’re not alone. Families across the country are finding that grocery prices, gas costs, and even utility bills are putting new strain on their wallets. It’s not just that prices are higher — it’s that the pace of the increases feels relentless. Inflation isn’t an abstract economic term. It’s the frustration of working hard y...

If you’re trying to understand why starter homes have vanished, why marriage and birth rates are falling, or why your kids can’t afford to move out, you won’t find a clearer guide than Dr. Emily Hamilton. Her latest piece in Governing, “To Support Families, Repair the Housing Ladder,” is a must-read. It makes a simple but devastating point: We’ve eliminated the low rungs of the housing ladder—and...

As we close out 2025, the economic and policy landscape isn’t slowing down for the holidays. This final news brief of the year brings a flurry of developments that will shape the year ahead — from sinking consumer confidence and major antitrust rulings to DOGE shutting down, to state budgets sliding deeper into the red, to new scrutiny on algorithmic pricing tools. It’s a fitting close to a year d...

This week on the Let People Prosper Show , I sit down with someone who has lived enough life experience to fill three biographies: Dr. Meaghan Mobbs . She’s a West Point grad, paratrooper, combat veteran of Afghanistan, clinical psychologist, humanitarian leader in Ukraine, national security advisor, and now one of the sharpest voices at the Independent Women’s Forum. Her new report, Women and the...

Tariffs are a misguided way to raise revenue—and they’re already hurting Americans. Businesses warn that rising import costs are squeezing margins, consumers are paying more at the store, and uncertainty is growing as companies pause hiring and investment while they wait to see what tariffs come next. As of this recording, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to set an important precedent: the pre...

This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful to bring you a conversation that captures exactly why freedom matters so much for human flourishing. In this special holiday episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I sit down with Dr. Jason Sorens , Senior Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, whose work shows—again and again—that prosperity grows when government gets out of the way and...

We’re entering the final days of the first year of Trump’s second term, and the economic picture looks very different from his first. Last time, America saw strong growth driven by pro-market reforms — tax cuts, regulatory reductions, and a broader effort to unleash productivity. This time, the administration led with the opposite approach: sweeping tariffs and industrial policy first, and only la...

In a world where protectionism, trade wars, and anti-capitalist rhetoric persist, few voices explain economic freedom with greater clarity and conviction than Dr. Don Boudreaux . This week on the Let People Prosper Show , I’m joined by Don , Professor of Economics at George Mason University , Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center , and one of the most articulate defenders of liberty and markets in...

It goes by many names: cronyism, corporatism, political favoritism, corporate welfare, and more. No matter what you call it, it’s the same idea — government picking winners and losers in our economy. Some companies get special treatment through subsidies, tax breaks, loopholes, government contracts, low-interest loans, or in-kind support. In short, whenever the government promises a company a shor...

In a time when personal discipline and fiscal restraint feel out of fashion, Robert Ordway reminds us that the path to prosperity—both individually and nationally—still runs through faith, family, and responsibility . This week on the Let People Prosper Show , I’m joined by Robert Ordway , a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and policy professional whose life story bridges small-town America and the...

The federal government shutdown is still dragging on — now stretching into its second month — freezing key economic data and labor reports. This adds more uncertainty to already shaky markets, which are struggling under tariffs. Meanwhile, major developments are unfolding in the courts, from a pivotal Supreme Court case that could redefine presidential power over tariffs to an antitrust battle inv...

In a world drowning in talk about government aid, redistribution, and populist “solutions,” it’s refreshing to hear from someone who has actually seen what works. This week on the Let People Prosper Show , I’m joined by Dr. Tom G. Palmer , one of the most respected and influential advocates for liberty around the globe. Tom serves as Executive Vice President for International Programs at Atlas Net...