Liberty + Leadership

Roger welcomes Ted Tucker, executive director of the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) and Lisa Chang, director of operations and teacher programs at FTE, to discuss the organization’s 50-year legacy of teaching the economic way of thinking to high school students and teachers. They share the fascinating history of FTE’s founding in the 1970s, the pivotal role of leaders like Milton and Rose...

Roger welcomes Robert Lawson, economist, author, and director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at Southern Methodist University. Lawson is the co-author of “Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World.” In this episode, they discuss Lawson’s firsthand observations from socialist regimes including Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea and how central planning c...

Roger welcomes Benjamin Hall, FOX News correspondent and New York Times bestselling author, for a powerful conversation about courage, recovery and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. They discuss Halls’ harrowing experience surviving a Russian missile strike while covering the war in Ukraine, the loss of his colleagues that day and the long physical and emotional road to recovery th...

Roger welcomes Kyle Mann, a comedian, writer, podcast host, and the editor-in-chief of the Babylon Bee. They discuss the origin story of the Babylon Bee, the creative process behind crafting their daily satirical headlines, and their expansion into film and other media projects. Plus, how they navigate the landscape of censorship and fact-checking, and why humor is such a valuable outlet when it c...

On this very special episode of Liberty + Leadership recorded at the TFAS Annual Conference in Naples, Florida, Roger welcomes Catherine Shea and Caleb Davis, two recent TFAS alumni from the summer class of 2024. Catherine and Caleb share their positive TFAS experiences, highlighting the program’s focus on fostering open dialogue, civility and respect for different viewpoints. They reflect on how...

On this special episode of the Liberty + Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the Annual TFAS Conference in Naples, Florida, Roger welcomes Dan Proft. Proft is co-host of the morning drive-time radio talk show Chicago’s Morning Answer and a 1993 TFAS alumnus. They discuss, Proft's successful career in radio, his experience as a TFAS student and his observations on the first months of the Trum...

Roger welcomes Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, the former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs and editor of her father Lev Dobriansky’s newly released book, “Unyielding Resolve: Captive Nations and the Path to Freedom.” Together, they discuss Lev Dobriansky’s work advocating for the rights of captive nations, his role in establishing an annual Captive Nations Week proclamation s...

Roger welcomes Talmage Boston, a lawyer, historian, and author of “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents,” which was released in April of last year. They explore Boston’s top 8 presidents, the leadership lessons they teach Americans — especially young Americans developing their leadership characteristics, and the importance of optimism, unification, and the ability of a p...

Roger welcomes Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush and an esteemed communication and crisis management leader. They discuss Fleischer’s firsthand experience of the September 11 attacks while serving as White House Press Secretary, reflecting on the immediate chaos and the key lessons learned in crisis management, particularly the importance of staying c...

This week, Roger welcomes Mark L. Clifford, the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation and author of “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic,” which was released in December of 2024. They discuss the remarkable life story of Jimmy Lai, a Chinese refugee who built a successful business em...

This week Roger welcomes Tim Goeglein, the vice president of external and government relations for Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry and nonprofit organization. They discuss how the cultural and moral shifts of the 1960s shaped many of the challenges American society faces today, how the seeds for these changes were planted earlier in the 20th century by progressives like Woodrow Wilson an...

This week Roger welcomes Randy DeCleene, TFAS’s very own chief development and communications officer to the show. They discuss the transformative impact TFAS programs have on both current students and alumni of all ages, the achievement and growth of TFAS over the past year and the need for continued funding to support future students and programs. Plus, how Randy’s longstanding relationship with...

This week Roger welcomes Michael C. Maibach to discuss the significance of the Electoral College in the American republic, its origins, and the historical context of its establishment. They also discuss the ongoing debates surrounding the Electoral College’s relevance and how to view the Constitution through the lens of Natural Law. Michael C. Maibach is the founder and director of The Center for...

This week, Roger welcomes Judge Gregory E. Maggs to discuss the role of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the concept of originalism in constitutional law and the importance of civic education. Plus, Judge Maggs shares insights on the quality of TFAS Law Fellows and the practical education they receive, as well as his experiences in the JAG Corps. Judge Gregory E. Maggs was appointed...

This week, Roger welcomes Dr. Joshua Mitchell, a professor of political theory at Georgetown University. They discuss the perils of identity politics, the meaning of the material, blank and spiritual economies, and the need for a return to competence and community engagement. Dr. Mitchell also shares firsthand insight on the state of higher education and the ever-growing fear of free and open dial...

Is there still a place for local journalism in today’s media landscape? This week, Roger welcomes the 2023 Joseph Rago Memorial Journalism Fellow, Sierra McClain. They discuss her experiences from the fellowship, the true value of on-the-ground journalism, the differences between local and national journalism, and advice for young journalists. Sierra is the assistant editorial features editor for...

What happens to our nation’s discourse when every issue has only two possible positions? This week, Roger welcomes Kat Timpf to explore the complexities of division within American society. They discuss how embracing vulnerability can be a tool to diffuse that division and examine the dangers of binary thinking, touching on topics like religion, mental health and the size of government. Plus, disc...

What has led to the erosion of civic engagement and volunteerism over the course of the past generation? This week Eric J. Tanenblatt joins host Roger Ream to discuss how his TFAS experience led to him to pursue a career in government and public service, and the memorable moments he experienced as a result (coordinating the 2004 G8 Economic Summit, serving in the George H. W. Bush administration a...

Why has there been a sharp decline in institutional trust amongst Americans and how can that confidence be rebuilt? This week Gerard Baker joins host Roger Ream to discuss the loss of trust in American institutions (particularly in the media, government, and big business), the reasons behind that decline, and the impact of globalization. Plus, the true value of objective intellectual diversity in...

Journalism requires courage and a commitment to pursuing the truth, even in challenging environments. Thomas McKenna and Jonas Du, two talented students participating in the TFAS Student Journalism Association, understand this. Through the Student Journalism Association, TFAS supports young independent journalists who approach journalism through a lens of sound objective reporting and a desire to...

This week Randy Barnett joins host Roger Ream to discuss the ideas of constitutional originalism, natural law vs. natural rights, the importance of the ninth amendment, and how they all inform his interpretation of libertarianism. Plus, the benefits of teaching constitutional law through a narrative lens and stories from Randy’s newly released memoir, “A Life for Liberty: The Making of an American...

On this very special episode of Liberty + Leadership, host Roger Ream is joined by the 48th Vice President of the United States Mike Pence for a fireside chat at the TFAS 2024 Summer Law Fellows Closing Ceremony. They discuss the state of religious liberty, how our nation maintains peace through strength, and why democracy depends on heavy doses of civility. Plus, the work of Advancing American Fr...

Our nation’s constitution serves to protect innocent people from punishment…but what happens when legal precedent and case law runs contrary to that notion? This week Diana Simpson joins host Roger Ream to discuss her work in promoting economic liberty and protecting individual rights, fighting against government infringements, and the important mission of creating legal precedent to expand libert...

What is the impact of expanding government roles on family policies? This week, Dr. Veronique de Rugy joins host Roger Ream for a critical conversation on economic freedom, including her takes on policy and ideological differences among the left and right. Dr. de Rugy compares their approaches to expanded government involvement in areas such as paid family leave, childcare subsidies, and tax credi...

How can people apply economics to daily life? This week, join host Roger Ream for an engaging conversation on economics and the transformative power of education with Dr. Rosolino Candela , a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Dr. Candela emphasizes the importance of meeting students where they are by making complex economic concepts accessible and relevant. He delves...