Liberty Curious

Dive into a riveting discussion on the future of money and banking with George Selgin, director emeritus of the Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives at the Cato Institute, and our host Kate Wand. In this episode of Liberty Curious, they explore the history of money, the evolution of fractional reserve banks, and the impact of emerging technologies like Bitcoin and CBDCs on personal and economic freedom. Join them as they discuss the merits of free banking, Keynesian economics, and the potential for a Bitcoin Standard in a world where governments have long abused and mismanaged money. Don't miss this enlightening conversation for insights on the future of the financial system! #Money #Banking #Bitcoin #LibertyCuriousaier.org/podcasts*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***0:00 - intro 1:10 - debates between liberty people4:04 - how is Bitcoin different?7:56 - what about cryptocurrency & stablecoins?10:20 - operation chokepoint 2.014:20 - Fed rejecting Custodia 18:37 - repercussions for regulators 21:22 - predictions for crypto regulation 25:40 - history of government monopolies 32:02 - Keynes the whipping boy40:48 - have free markets ever really existed? 45:38 - free banking 53:49 - Rothbard and fractional reserve banking1:00:08 - does the bank own your money?1:06:07 - secrets & beliefs 1:09:42 - bitcoin standard 1:15:00 - freedom & money 1:17:40 - wrapping up

This episode discusses Operation Chokepoint and its possible resurgence in the form of Operation Chokepoint 2.0, which targets the crypto industry. The speaker, Tom Hogan, explains how government regulators have been pressuring banks not to lend to politically unpopular industries, such as firearms, payday lenders, and crypto companies, even though there are no laws against lending to them. He also notes that the regulators' power has increased over time, with unelected bureaucrats making and enforcing regulations that circumvent the democratic process. The current aggressive stance of regulators may be due to the appointment of more aggressive leaders by the Democrats and the inability to pass laws through the legislative process. The speaker also draws parallels between Operation Chokepoint and the New Deal's creation of regulatory agencies.aier.org/podcasts*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***0:00 - why do they hate crypto?1:07 - operation chokepoint8:17 - chokepoint 2.012:02 - the new deal parallels15:38 - regulators motives17:10 - bitcoin / alt currencies22:14 - all about control24:44 - gary gensler & regulators27:43 - climate change30:47 - securities31:53 - nic carter article36:32 - Fednow42:45 - CBDC

Can a former Wall Street banker fix our broken financial system? Or will the banking cartel succeed at destroying the competition?In this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand had the honor of speaking with Ms. Caitlin Long, founder of Custodia, a financial institution anchored in Bitcoin, sound money, and safe banking. Long has been fighting an ongoing battle with the most powerful institutions in the world, in her fight of Custodia vs. the Fed. We discuss the importance of economic freedom in a rapidly centralizing world, the philosophy that shapes Long’s decisions, and the implications of the Fed denying Custodia's application for membership. We dive into the Fed's balance sheet, fractional reserve banking, and the link between Austrian economics and Bitcoin. She explains why she sees Bitcoin as so important, and how it is linked to both personal and economic freedom. We also touch on the history of the banking system, bank failures, central banks, and CBDCs. This is a real-life David vs. Goliath tale, and Caitlin Long is fighting for all of our economic and personal freedoms.aier.org/podcasts0:00 - Intro1:13 - Caitlin Long4:05 - fractional reserve banking7:13 - Focus of Custodia13:05 - Changing the architecture of the banking system20:54 - There's something broken in the system28:23 - Austrian vs. MMT33:08 - Bitcoin & decentralized banking37:50 - Bitcoin skeptics & fiat money45:50 - Authoritarian regimes & bitcoin48:00 - Custodia & self-custody50:54 - Choking the competition57:00 - What do you want your bank to be?59:13 - Why? (CBDC)1:01:49 - Last thoughts*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***

In this podcast, we take a closer look at the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which was one of the banks that went down during the ongoing banking crisis. SVB was a politically correct and extremely diverse operation that pledged billions of dollars to progressive causes. Many have speculated that the bank was more focused on social justice than financial risk, which contributed to its demise. Venture capitalists, those involved in climate initiatives, and the big tech crowd had their money in SVB. When the herd mentality mimeticism kicked in, everyone started pulling their money out at the same time, causing an old fashioned bank run to occur. The video explores some interesting details in this tale, including the CEO and top executives selling a large amount of their shares just before the bank collapsed, and SVB paying out annual bonuses to their employees at 1.5 to 2X their regular salaries just hours before going bust. We also examine what actually caused the bank to collapse and how depositors were bailed out, on the dime of the little guy. This video will be an eye-opener for those interested in the ongoing banking crisis and the bigger picture issues at the core of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse.aier.org#svbcollapse #svb #siliconvalleybank 0:00 - intro0:39 - go woke go broke?2:25 - who was invested?3:26 - how it went down6:08 - fdic bailout7:20 - the bigger picture problem8:42 - safe banks10:08 - fundamental questions

For over four decades, affirmative action has been a hotly debated topic in the United States. In essence, affirmative action allows for the consideration of an applicant's race in university admissions, in an attempt to level the playing field in light of a history of systemic racial discrimination. However, this practice has faced legal challenges, with groups arguing that it is unfair and unconstitutional.In this podcast, we sit down with Ryan Yonk, senior research faculty at AIER, to discuss the latest challenge to affirmative action. A group called "students for fair admissions" is taking on Harvard University, claiming that racial classifications and preferences in college admissions are unnecessary and unconstitutional.We delve into the history of affirmative action and how it came to be, as well as the various arguments made for and against the practice. Ryan also provides insights on the Supreme Court's previous rulings on affirmative action, including the landmark case of Grutter v. Bollinger.We explore the question of whether affirmative action truly achieves its intended goal of levelling the playing field, or if it perpetuates further discrimination. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of judging a person based on the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.If you're interested in learning more about affirmative action and its current legal challenge, then tune in to this podcast. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel for more thought-provoking discussions on social and political issues. Leave your comments and questions below, as we love to hear from our viewers.On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand was joined by Ryan Yonk.Listen and subscribe 👇Apple: https://aier.site/LiberyCuriousPodcastSpotify: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousSpotifyAudible: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousAudiblePlayer FM: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlayerfmYouTube: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlaylistMore about AIER: https://aierdotorg.taplink.ws/aier.org

The Federal Reserve has publicly stated that they would stay out of climate change policy, but their actions tell a different story. In this video, we'll explore the Fed's recent actions and what they mean.We'll examine how the Fed has quietly incorporated climate change into their economic analyses, stress tests, and regulatory oversight of financial institutions. Despite saying they will stay out of climate policy, we will discuss their contradictory actions in joining the Network for Greening the Financial System, whose stated purpose is "to help strengthening the global response required to meet the goals of the Paris agreement and to enhance the role of the financial system to manage risks and to mobilize capital for green and low-carbon investments in the broader context of environmentally sustainable development." We'll also discuss why the Fed's involvement in climate change could impact the economy and financial markets, and why they should stay in their lane. Despite the Fed's reluctance to get involved in climate change policy, their actions suggest that they are doing it anyways. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this video will provide you with the essential information you need to know about the Fed's secret involvement in climate change policy.On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand was joined by Thomas Hogan.Listen and subscribe 👇Apple: https://aier.site/LiberyCuriousPodcastSpotify: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousSpotifyAudible: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousAudiblePlayer FM: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlayerfmYouTube: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlaylistMore about AIER: https://aierdotorg.taplink.ws/aier.org

America’s founding is tainted with the stain of slavery.This is undoubtedly among the darkest parts of American history, that has long been repudiated.It also presents a paradox which is this: the founding principles of liberty and equality under the law are incompatible with the institution of slavery that was still present upon the founding.This has left a void ready to be filled with all kinds of interpretations as to what America is fundamentally about. There are historians who research the past in order to understand the nuanced truth.And then there are those who are focused on rewriting history in order to further their ideological and political agenda in the modern day.Phil Magness is one of the most passionate, significant and qualified critics of the New York Time’s 1619 project, which just launched a Hulu miniseries. As a historian who specializes in 19th century United States, the American revolution, and the political and economic dimensions of slavery, he was astonished at the core fallacies, distortions and omissions of the 1619 project, and its blatant attempt to rewrite American history to fit a modern day political agenda. In this episode of Liberty Curious, we explore the fundamental flaws of the 1619 project, and point to stories about abolitionists like Frederick Douglass that never made the cut. Phil also explains how they shockingly use pro-slavery figures to make a denouncement of slavery and free market capitalism, and exposes the underlying Marxist ideology that underpins the 1619 projects’ premises, when ironically, it is slavery and Marxism that have much more in common than the 1619 projects’ authors care to admit. What I really wanted to ask him first was, “is tipping rooted in slavery and racism?”. 0:00 - intro1:58 - is tipping racist? 6:10 - Nikole Hannah-Jones 7:28 - what is the 1619 project? 9:51 - what is the New History of Capitalism? 14:13 - the slave owner the 1619 project distorts 19:25 - capitalism and the cotton industry 25:00 - pairing slavery with capitalism 27:03 - American revolution & Nikole Hannah-Jones28:38 - 1619 discounts the abolition movement 35:19 - an example of an abolitionist free market capitalist 40:28 - Did Canada have a slavery problem? 44:37 - American values & hypocrisy 47:09 - Nikole Hannah-Jones doubles down 50:10- history, journalism, or politics? 52:17 - last thoughts To read Phil's book: https://www.amazon.com/1619-Project-Critique-Phillip-Magness/dp/1630692018Footage in the intro used from Hulu's 1619 Project is fair use and meant for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Listen and subscribe 👇Apple: https://aier.site/LiberyCuriousPodcastSpotify: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousSpotifyAudible: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousAudiblePlayer FM: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlayerfmYouTube: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlaylistMore about AIER: https://aierdotorg.taplink.ws/aier.org

With the rise of crypto, and particularly in the case of stablecoins, Thomas Hogan argues that “Electronic stablecoins are the modern analog to paper banknotes.”Stablecoins are just one type of cryptocurrency, and the regulations behind stablecoins is one of the most controversial topics in the crypto world.Regulators & the Biden administration have their eye on them, warning that stablecoins threaten financial stability.Although regulators' stated reason is to protect consumers and stabilize the banking system, and many of them may even truly believe that their means are justified, history has shown that the result of these types of regulations for banknotes have achieved the ends of destroying competition and creating a monetary monopoly.But what if the current debate over stablecoin regulations is missing a vital piece of information?What if a little-known loophole, that’s been around for decades, changes the game?In this video, we are going to tell that story.full podcast discussion: https://youtu.be/g46_lnBbGPAarticle: https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/01/23/can-banks-issue-stablecoins/Listen and subscribe 👇Apple: https://aier.site/LiberyCuriousPodcastSpotify: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousSpotifyAudible: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousAudiblePlayer FM: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlayerfmYouTube: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlaylistMore about AIER: https://aierdotorg.taplink.ws/0:00 - Introduction: Stablecoin regulations0:55 - Effect of SBF and FTX crash2:37 - the loophole4:33 - Stablecoins & Banknotes7:06 - why are stablecoins/bitcoin valuable?9:22 - CBDC: Cutting off the competition?12:58 - currency wars17:17 - the low hanging fruit18:57 - the pre-fed system19:24 - competition vs monopolies22:30 - the march of regulation27:08 - why don't banks issue stablecoins?30:24 - acknowledging the issue32:20 - no need for excess regulation32:59 - last thoughts

There are increasing signs that the 2021 – 2022 inflationary surge is cooling. But will there be a soft landing? A recession? What are the kind of narratives we will be told about Fed policies over the last few years, and the effectiveness of monetary policy?To help me answer these questions, I was joined by Pete Earle on Liberty Curious. Pete is an economist for AIER who spent over 20 years as a trader at a number of securities firms and hedge funds in New York and the New York area.He expects narratives to emerge about how the Fed handled Covid, and that there is a distinct possibility that - like in the past - a far more charitable version of the last three years than is justified will emerge and become the definitive account. Why is this important? Because the narratives that form today will become the received wisdom and history book accounts of the future. That may result in less skepticism among the public regarding what monetary policy can do, and we may confront a more emboldened central bank in the future.Pete's article: https://www.aier.org/article/welcome-the-disinflation-beware-the-narrative/#thefed #softlanding #powell 0:00 - introduction1:06 - effects of fed policy2:04 - the lag time3:15 - money printing & inflation4:09 - narratives5:33 - how much can the fed control?6:33 - soft landing of the 'Maestro'9:14 - monetary policy & myth of central bankers11:40 - the importance of narratives13:00 - the New Deal & studying narratives14:18 - what are we going to be told?16:54 - there is no formula18:04 - central planning & central banks21:19 - last thoughtsIf you enjoy the Liberty Curious podcast and other content by AIER, make sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel @AIER dedicated to short, dynamic videos that explore the topics of sound money, economic freedom, defending freedom & fighting collectivism. Listen and subscribe 👇Apple: https://aier.site/LiberyCuriousPodcastSpotify: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousSpotifyAudible: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousAudiblePlayer FM: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlayerfmYouTube: https://aier.site/LibertyCuriousPlaylistMore about AIER: https://aierdotorg.taplink.ws/aier.org

We are polarized between two political tribes, perhaps like never before: left vs right, liberal vs conservative, democrat vs republican. In ongoing culture wars, progressives are ascendant and conservatives fight to recover lost ground. But do these opposing camps have more in common than they care to admit? And is there a political philosophy that sees the world through a completely different lens?To help us answer these questions, we're joined by Bruce Pardy, a professor of law and executive director of Rights Probe, a law and liberty think tank. He is a classically liberal legal academic who believes in equal treatment under the law, negative rights, private property, limited government, and the separation of powers, which are foundational to the Western legal tradition. He is a critic of legal progressivism, social justice, and the discretionary managerial state, and has written extensively on a range of pressing legal subjects that are at the forefront of the culture war inside the law.Bruce has taught at law schools in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand, and has also served as a tribunal adjudicator and mediator. A prolific writer and figure in the public arena, he has worked with leading liberty-oriented think tanks in Canada, including the Fraser Institute and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and has published and commented widely in traditional and online media. He spearheaded resistance to and ultimate repeal of the Law Society of Ontario’s statement of principles policy that required Ontario lawyers to attest to their ideological purity to maintain their licence to practice. He is also one of the co-creators of the Free North Declaration, a public petition and movement to protect civil liberties from COVID-19 irrationality and overreach.We began our discussion by highlighting the differences and similarities in prevailing ideologies, and how: Bruce: “The political philosophies can be judged as much as what they say when they are in power, then when they are not in power.”