Let People Prosper

What happens when your life changes in an instant, and you have to rebuild it from the ground up? In this week’s Let People Prosper Show , I talk with Rachel Barkley, a policy advocate, wife, mother, and one of the most resilient individuals I know. After a rare spinal cord tumor left her paralyzed just weeks after giving birth to her first child, Rachel began a long and painful road of recovery—o...

My family recently returned to Texas after a week-long vacation in Colorado. It was heartbreaking to come home to news of the deadly flooding in Kerrville, which took so many lives. While our area was spared, the grief and devastation in nearby communities are deeply felt. My prayers are with the families who are mourning and those beginning the hard work of rebuilding. Policy usually slows down i...

What happens when men lose their sense of meaning? Why are so many in their prime—ages 25 to 45—struggling to lead lives that matter? In this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Rick Walker, entrepreneur and author of 9 Steps to Build a Life of Meaning, about the personal and cultural challenges facing today’s men. We delve into topics ranging from failure and faith to entrepreneurship, bo...

There's no shortage of economic confusion in Washington, from tariffs and trade wars to myths about trade deficits. But these misguided narratives lead to bad policies that raise consumer costs, hurt workers, and weaken America’s economy. Let’s set the record straight. Tariffs don’t create jobs—they destroy them. Protectionism raises prices, stifles innovation, and undermines our competitivene...

What if education dollars followed students, not systems? That’s the idea Milton Friedman planted decades ago, and it’s the one powering the school choice revolution sweeping America today. In this week’s Let People Prosper Show , I talk with Robert Enlow , President and CEO of EdChoice , to discuss how the movement is finally turning Friedman’s vision into reality. Robert brings deep experience a...

Summer is typically a slow season for policy in D.C. and the states. Legislative sessions wrap up, and Congress heads into recess. But if you thought that meant a quiet summer, think again. With the bombings in the Middle East, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” moving slowly through Congress, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calling a special session, this summer is shaping up to be anything but calm. On Thi...

Why does New Mexico, rich in resources and culture, remain poor in economic freedom? That’s the question I explore in this week’s Let People Prosper Show with Paul Gessing , president of the Rio Grande Foundation . Paul brings nearly two decades of insight into New Mexico’s political and economic trends, offering a sobering look at why the state is falling behind and what must change to turn it ar...

What’s driving state-level prosperity—or stagnation? While Washington obsesses over headlines and dysfunction, the real policy battles shaping Americans’ lives are happening in state capitals. From tax cuts and spending reforms to school choice and regulatory rollbacks, we’re seeing a tale of two paths: one that embraces economic freedom and another that doubles down on top-down control. In this e...

Is capitalism really crushing the middle class—or are bad policies and worse narratives to blame? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I’m joined by Dr. Norbert Michel , vice president and director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Fiscal Alternatives. We dig into his new book, Crushing Capitalism: How Populist Policies Are Threatening The American Dream . Norbert pulls b...

There’s been a lot of conflict making headlines lately—from the clash between Elon Musk and President Trump over the “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) to riots in Los Angeles sparked by immigration raids. These events all point to the true national emergency: overspending in Washington. Congress has a critical opportunity to take action. As a strong advocate for sustainable budgeting, we must cut curren...

Can 12-year-olds really grasp supply and demand, entrepreneurship, and the role of government in the economy?  In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I talk with Jon Foster , a passionate advocate for teaching economics early and often. As a former leader in Junior Achievement and president of the Middle School MBA , Jon is on a mission to improve economic literacy where it matters most—...

In This Week’s Economy episode, Dr. Vance Ginn emphasizes returning to fundamental economic principles. He discusses the rationality of human behavior, the functionality of markets, and the detrimental effects of government intervention. By exploring concepts such as opportunity cost, market signals, and subjective value, he advocates for a free market approach that respects individual choices and...

Why is housing so expensive in many cities—and is the government making it worse? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Dr. Emily Hamilton , senior research fellow and director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center . We explore the big questions in housing policy: What drives rising costs? How do land-use regulations distort supply? And what reforms would make it eas...

Today marks the conclusion of the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, and what a session it's been. Once renowned for its commitment to pro-freedom and pro-growth policies, Texas now grapples with decisions that challenge its conservative principles. This session has strayed from the fiscal conservatism Texans expect, from expanding corporate handouts to unprecedented spending. The...

What does it mean to be a conservative in the 21st century—and how do we bridge liberty with virtue? In this milestone 150th episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I interview John Hood , president of the John William Pope Foundation and a leading voice behind the Freedom Conservatism movement (sign the statement of principles at the link). We talk about his career as a journalist and policy exp...

How do we make sense of inflation, government overreach, or why housing costs keep climbing? It all comes back to basic economic principles—ideas too often ignored by those crafting the laws that shape our lives. So this week on This Week’s Economy , I’m kicking off a new Econ 101 series to reconnect the fundamentals of economics with the everyday issues Americans face. These aren’t abstract theor...

What do the American Revolution, free trade, and the fragility of global supply chains have in common? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I talk with Austin Petersen —former presidential candidate, liberty advocate, and media entrepreneur—about how understanding our nation’s founding principles and sound economics is critical to restoring freedom and prosperity. We unpack what a rece...

Why does the economy feel so uncertain right now—and what can we do about it? From Washington’s protectionist tariffs to Austin’s bloated budget, Americans feel the consequences of poor economic policy. Rising prices squeeze families, businesses struggle under new regulatory burdens, and taxpayers foot the bill for government expansion at every level. In this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I disc...

Why is the electricity market so broken—and what can we do to fix it? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I interview Glen Lyons , a Texas-based energy expert and advocate for Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE). Glen shares his journey from advertising to energy policy, offering unique insights on ERCOT’s dysfunction, the original sin of electricity monopolies, and how free markets—...

In Washington, Congress is hard at work trying to pass a “one big, beautiful bill” that brings together key parts of the Trump administration’s agenda—covering energy, taxes, immigration, and more. There’s hope it could deliver real benefits for Americans, including tax cuts, health care reform, and regulatory relief. Getting it across the finish line by the desired July Fourth deadline will be no...

Are we really in control of our government—or is it hiding in plain sight? In this eye-opening episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I interview John Hart , CEO of Open the Books , to expose the hidden costs of big government and the vital need for transparency in public spending. We explore how real-time data, civic engagement, and digital accountability are reshaping the conversation around f...

The Trump administration has inherited a broken financial policy landscape. President Biden’s legacy of regulatory overreach and heavy-handed interventions stifled growth, distorted markets, and limited opportunity for individuals and businesses. The good news? The Trump White House and a Republican-led Congress now have an opportunity to reverse course and restore financial freedom, creating a mo...

Why do so many families turn down work opportunities—and how can we fix that? In this thought-provoking episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I sit down with Nic Dunn , vice president of strategy at the Sutherland Institute , to explore how benefit cliffs , broken welfare incentives, and poorly designed safety nets can trap people in poverty instead of lifting them out of it. Nick shares his pe...

Texas lawmakers just passed three major bills: a record-breaking $337B budget, $8B more to public schools, and $1B for a limited school choice program—but property taxes are still rising, and only 1.5% of students benefit from ESAs. Meanwhile, federal spending remains sky-high, tariffs are already costing American jobs, and new data regulations threaten privacy. I break it all down in this week’s...

How much government is too much? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show , I sit down with Richard Stern, Director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at the Heritage Foundation , to discuss the moral and economic urgency of cutting government spending, restoring community, and reclaiming freedom. Richard shares his journey from a progressive upbringing to becoming a free...