Let People Prosper

I’m consistently inspired by the entrepreneurial journeys shared by my guests on the Let People Prosper Show . Their stories of building businesses, overcoming challenges, and innovating to improve lives remind me of the incredible value entrepreneurs bring to our world. At the same time, it’s frustrating to see how policymakers can undermine entrepreneurship through higher taxes, regulatory hurdl...

We hear it all the time: the planet is doomed unless we regulate energy into the ground. But what if the real path forward is the opposite—more energy, fewer mandates, and stronger markets? In this week’s Let People Prosper Show , I’m joined by Gabriella Hoffman , Director of the Center for Energy and Conservation at the Independent Women’s Forum and one of the most insightful voices in energy pol...

President Trump’s recent visit to the Federal Reserve was more than symbolic—it was a direct challenge. At a time when Americans are grappling with rising grocery bills, housing costs, and debt payments, the Fed is spending up to $3.1 billion to renovate its D.C. headquarters. Trump’s question— “What’s going on at the Fed?” —is one more people are starting to ask, and rightly so. How do we actuall...

What’s going on in South Carolina? A lot more than people realize—and not all of it’s good. In this week’s Let People Prosper Show , I sit down with Sam Aaron , Research Director at the South Carolina Policy Council and one of the most promising young voices in state-level policy today. Sam and I have worked together for years on the Responsible South Carolina Budget . In this episode, we dig into...

America’s healthcare system is the most expensive in the world, costing nearly $5 trillion annually —almost $15,000 per person . Yet despite that staggering price tag, millions of Americans still struggle to access basic care . Routine procedures are delayed for months, providers are buried in bureaucracy, and even those with insurance often feel powerless and frustrated. If healthcare is meant to...

What if we stopped pretending that insurance coverage equals care? In this week’s Let People Prosper Show , I’m joined by Dean Waldman, MD MBA—physician, policy expert, and my co-author of our recent book, Empower Patients: Two Doctors’ Cure for Healthcare . We tackle what’s truly broken in American healthcare: it’s not just the cost or complexity, but who holds the power. Spoiler: it’s not the pa...

It’s time to set the record straight on prices. They’re not just random numbers set by sellers—they’re powerful signals that reflect what the market is willing to pay for goods and services. But when the government steps in—through price controls, subsidies, or bailouts—those signals get distorted. This results in market confusion, unintended consequences, and long-term economic harm. In this epis...

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...