Cato Podcast

Ryan Bourne sits down with Cato’s Adam Michel to unpack what the 2026 tax year will bring, including new provisions commonly described as “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime." They also explore the economics of California's billionaire tax ballot initiative, and whether Trump Accounts are a good savings vehicle.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From organizing pioneering conferences in China and the Soviet Union to insisting on rigorous scholarship and principled advocacy, Ed Crane brought classical liberal ideas into mainstream policy debates. Ian Vásquez, Jim Dorn, and Aaron Steelman share firsthand stories about Cato’s growth, Crane’s strategic vision, and the long-term approach that shaped debates on markets, foreign policy, and individual liberty around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Magness, an economic historian and political scientist, discusses the rise of post-liberal thought and its critique of liberal modernity. He highlights key thinkers, the movement’s appeal to aesthetic and moral grievances, debates over executive power and emergency rules, and how these ideas are reshaping conservative politics and policy debates.

Dominic Pino, Washington Post editorial writer who covers sports and globalization, explores how international players reshape professional sports. He discusses the World Series as a global showcase. He explains how imports raise quality, dismantle protectionist myths, and signal prosperity. He highlights how leagues grow value despite fixed rosters and how cultural fusion shows globalization in action.

A sharp conversation about recent Minneapolis shootings and how constitutional protections can break down in practice. They explore clashes between protest rights and firearm laws, plus federal conduct and the role of recordings in holding authorities accountable. The discussion also examines legal fights over carry bans, disarmament rules, and conflicting official messages about gun rights.

Jai Kedia, a Cato research fellow focused on monetary policy and payments, and Norbert Michel, Cato’s monetary and regulatory expert, unpack what the Fed actually controls and how its role expanded. They discuss limits of interest-rate tools, quantitative easing’s permanence, Congress’s role in mission creep, and practical reforms and alternatives to the dollar.

Marcos Falcone, a Cato Institute policy analyst on Latin America, offers concise analysis of Venezuela’s collapse and transition prospects. He discusses why Maduro’s inner circle cannot credibly reform. He highlights María Corina Machado’s liberal platform, her rise and legitimacy, and why immediate engagement matters. He warns that propping up regime insiders risks stalled reform and instability.

Ron Matus, researcher tracing progressive roots of school choice. Matthew Lee, economist studying religious and demographic influences. Cheryl Fields-Smith, historian of Black education and parental empowerment. They trace long, diverse movements for alternatives to district schools. They discuss religious, racial, and progressive strains, homeschooling diversity, parental control, and COVID’s role in accelerating demand.

Tensions rise as U.S. military assets position themselves near Iran, compounded by calls for regime change in Tehran. Hosts debate how this crisis differs from past conflicts, emphasizing the dangers of vague military objectives and inflated threats. They examine the implications of U.S. actions, domestic political pressures, and regional dynamics inhibiting escalation. The conversation critiques the pitfalls of regime change and the potential impact of negotiations, highlighting the risks associated with U.S. military engagement versus diplomatic solutions.

In this discussion, Dr. Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and health policy expert, joins Michael Cannon to explore transformative ideas for health care reform. They advocate for empowering patients with control over their health dollars rather than depending on cash subsidies. The duo emphasizes the benefits of deregulating prescriptions and expanding over-the-counter drug availability. They also critique conventional employer health benefits and propose innovative ways to return health dollars to workers, aiming for broader choices and lower costs.