

Free The Economy
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Free The Economy is a weekly podcast hosted by Richard Morrison of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, examining the intersection of news, policy, and economics featuring guests that include writers, policymakers, explorers, contrarians, and free thinkers of all kinds.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 2, 2026 • 49min
Kids, Big Tech, and the First Amendment with Jessica Melugin
This week we cover deficit spending, the burdens of Total Boomer Luxury Communism, and how to renounce the villainization of business. Our guest this week is Jessica Melugin, director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for Technology & Innovation. We’ll talk about social media platforms, keeping kids safe online, why we shouldn’t be following Europe’s example, and how to protect our constitutional rights from government encroachment.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Mar 26, 2026 • 51min
Population and Abundance with Gale Pooley
This week we cover income inequality, myths about homelessness, First Amendment protections for AI, and reforming unfunded mandates. Our guest this week is Gale Pooley of the Discovery Institute. We’ll talk about the death of Paul Ehrlich, the lives of Julian Simon and Norman Borlaug, the politics of population, and the ideas of growth, prosperity, innovation, and optimism.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Mar 19, 2026 • 47min
Enduring Policy Principles with Richard Stern
This week we cover housing affordability, train safety, Paul Ehrlich (1932-2026), and Brian Doherty (1968-2026). Our guest this week is Richard Stern, Vice President of the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise at Advancing American Freedom. We’ll talk about tariffs, the federal budget, tax policy, the national debt, and the North Star values that should guide economic policy.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Mar 12, 2026 • 45min
Regulating Finance with James Copland
This week we cover the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, fighting fraud in broadband deployment, and cutting red tape to boost housing affordability. Our guest this week is James Copland, senior fellow and director of legal policy at the Manhattan Institute. We talk about stock, bonds, cryptocurrency, the SEC, the CFTC, and the future of financial regulation in the U.S.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Mar 5, 2026 • 45min
Mississippi Renaissance with Douglas Carswell
This week we cover housing abundance, capitalism’s approval rating, audits of state finances, and the consumer nostalgia of Stranger Things. Our guest this week is Douglas Carswell of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. We talk about literacy, school choice, workforce development, taxes, and how the people of Mississippi are creating a new generation of prosperity for themselves and their neighbors.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Feb 26, 2026 • 50min
Big Tech, Europe, and Free Speech with Spence Purnell
This week we cover the Supreme Court’s recent decision on tariff powers, myths of the Great Recession, and fiduciary duty for asset managers in Oklahoma. Our guest this week is Spence Purnell of the R Street Institute. We talk about Big Tech companies, European regulators, compliance costs, and the First Amendment. Free the Economy is hosted by Richard Morrison. Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Feb 19, 2026 • 45min
The Impact of Trump’s Trade War with Alex Durante
This week we cover the sneaky federal cause of high housing prices, record outflows from ESG investment funds, and why YouTube and Instagram shouldn’t be legally liable for the emotional problems of anxious teenagers. Our guest this week is Alex Durante of the Tax Foundation. We talk about the impact of Trump tariff policy on revenues, economic growth, and jobs.Free the Economy is hosted by Richard Morrison. Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Feb 12, 2026 • 46min
What’s Wrong with Congress with Kevin Kosar
This week we talk about Consumer-Regulated Electricity, the amazing falling U.S. poverty rate, and how smart TVs are keeping us all connected. Our guest this week is Kevin Kosar, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. We’ll talk about the toxic Congress, the secret Congress, and how the legislative branch can reform itself (with our help).Free the Economy is hosted by Richard Morrison. Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog.

Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 6min
Social Mobility in the 50 States with Justin Callais
This week we talk about satellite shot clocks at the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Reserve nominee Kevin Warsh’s digital-dollar beliefs, the burden of aluminum tariffs, and empowering state attorneys general to sue over credit card fees. Our guest this week is Justin Callais, chief economist of the Archbridge Institute. We’ll talk about education, entrepreneurship, taxes, federalism, and which state has the most social mobility.Free the Economy is hosted by Richard Morrison. Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog.

Jan 29, 2026 • 55min
The Meaning of GDP with Brian Albrecht
This week we talk about the last 50 years of regulatory reform, a new study on climate adaptation, and reforms to Kentucky’s property tax system. Our guest this week is Brian Albrecht, chief economist of the International Center for Law and Economics. We talk about economic growth, happiness, statistics, and the meaning of gross domestic product, or GDP.Free the Economy is hosted by Richard Morrison. Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog.


