Voices of Liberty

In this episode, Sean sits down with former Indiana State Representative Curt Nisly, a man who learned firsthand what happens when you refuse to bend, even when leadership, lobbyists, and your own party push back. Curt did not grow up in politics. Raised Mennonite and discouraged from civic involvement, he didn’t even vote until he was nearly 30. But the Tea Party movement awakened something in him. What began as studying the Constitution with his son turned into eight years in the Indiana Statehouse, where he stood for life, gun rights, and state sovereignty, no matter the personal cost. Inside the legislature, Curt encountered something few voters ever see: peer group shift, political threats, bills buried in committee, and leadership pressure designed to make principled lawmakers fall in line. He refused. When he pushed for Constitutional Carry, he was sidelined, downgraded, threatened, and nearly isolated. Yet he kept pressing. And because he did, Indiana ultimately passed Constitutional Carry into law in 2022. Just 17 days later, that law helped save lives when a legally armed citizen stopped a mass shooter in a mall near Indianapolis. Curt’s story is one of conviction. He lost a primary after redistricting and heavy establishment spending. But he did not lose the mission. Today, alongside his wife Mary, he trains the next generation of liberty candidates through Liberty Candidate Academies, ensuring others are prepared to stand firm when the pressure comes. This conversation is about remembering who sent you. It’s about standing when it costs you. And it’s proof that principled leadership can change the course of a state. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.  

What does it look like to carry the torch of liberty from the battlefield to the statehouse? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with Ohio State Representative Jennifer Gross, a combat veteran and nurse practitioner who stepped into public office during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American history. Representative Gross shares how her lifelong love of liberty, shaped from childhood and strengthened through military service, led her to stand against government overreach during the COVID era. She discusses the challenges of running against the political establishment, the pressure to “go along to get along,” and what happens behind the scenes in a state legislature. The conversation dives into her work advancing medical freedom in Ohio, including the Right to Try Act and the Conscientious Right to Refuse Act, and why she believes the government must stop at the skin when it comes to personal medical decisions. From grassroots organizing to reading every bill before casting a vote, Jennifer Gross makes the case that liberty is not abstract. It is personal, constitutional, and worth fighting for.  

For more than three decades, Kent Lassman has been on the front lines defending free enterprise and pushing back against government overreach. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, he has helped lead major battles to protect economic liberty in America. On this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with Kent to explore the moment that lit his liberty torch, the mentors who shaped his convictions, and the real pushback that comes with challenging the regulatory state. Kent reflects on key victories, hard-fought lessons, and why he believes the next decade presents a powerful opportunity to advance freedom in America. If you care about limiting government and strengthening liberty in our lifetime, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with Jennifer A. Grossman—a.k.a., JAG— CEO of the Atlas Society, for an in-depth conversation on leadership, philosophy, and the power of ideas. Jennifer shares her journey into the liberty movement, shaped by early experiences in public education and a transformative encounter with the ideas of Ayn Rand. That discovery sparked a lifelong commitment to reason, individualism, and freedom, guiding a non-linear career that included presidential speechwriting, television production, and policy advocacy. The conversation explores the challenges of staying true to one’s principles in high-pressure environments, the temptation to compromise for success, and the importance of intellectual integrity. Jennifer also discusses her vision for the Atlas Society, including innovative digital programming, global outreach to young people, and ambitious creative projects such as the upcoming feature film adaptation of Anthem. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how philosophical ideas translate into real-world leadership, why young people are central to the future of liberty, and how culture and storytelling play a critical role in formingfree societies. Subscribe to Voices of Liberty on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with New Hampshire state representative Sam Farrington, who was elected at just 22 years old after defeating a long-time incumbent through a grassroots, pro-liberty campaign. Sam explains how government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic became the catalyst that pushed him into public service. Frustrated by lockdowns, mandates, and the erosion of individual rights, he decided to run for office rather than stay on the sidelines. He shares how knocking on doors, listening to voters, and speaking honestly about freedom helped him win. The conversation explores Sam’s work in the New Hampshire legislature, including his support for campus carry, right-to-work protections, and strong Second Amendment policies. He also discusses balancing college life with serving in elected office, facing opposition on campus, and why he believes government exists to protect life, liberty, and property. This episode highlights how young leaders can translate conviction into action and why state-level leadership remains one of the most effective ways to defend freedom in America. Subscribe to Voices of Liberty on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with Hannah Cox, a leading voice in the liberty movement, to explore her unexpected journey into activism, public policy, and cultural commentary. Hannah shares how dissatisfaction with the music industry led her to question government power, discover the writings of Frédéric Bastiat, and rethink widely accepted assumptions about capitalism and public policy. Reading The Law became a turning point, introducing her to the concept of unintended consequences and influencing how she evaluates government intervention and economic systems. The conversation dives into the challenges of entering the liberty movement, maintaining principles in an evolving political landscape, and navigating the pressures of partisanship, social media, and modern political activism. Hannah also discusses how authenticity, community-building, and new media have allowed her to change minds on controversial issues and foster critical thinking, even when it comes at a personal or professional cost. This episode offers a candid look at how liberty ideas spread today, why capitalism is often misunderstood, and how grassroots voices can impact the future of liberty in America. Subscribe to Voices of Liberty on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Check out Hannah Cox's Substack here: https://hannahcox.substack.com/ Voices of Liberty is powered by Young Americans for Liberty

In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with Eric Brakey, Executive Director of the Free State Project and former Maine State Senator, for a wide-ranging conversation on how state-level leadership is shaping the future of freedom in America. Eric shares his personal journey into the liberty movement, from being inspired as a college student to serving in elected office, and now leading the Free State Project. The conversation explores why state politics matter more than ever, how reforms like constitutional carry and education freedom accounts are changing lives, and why New Hampshire has become a national proving ground for liberty-minded policy. This episode highlights how grassroots organizing, principled leadership, and focused state-level action can produce real wins that ripple far beyond state borders. Whether you are deeply involved in the liberty movement or just beginning to explore it, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical look at how freedom can advance, one state at a time. Subscribe to Voices of Liberty on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about Young Americans for Liberty at yaliberty.org Learn more about the Free State Project at fsp.org

Voices of Liberty is a podcast powered by Young Americans for Liberty and hosted by Sean Themea. Each week, the show features in-depth conversations with the people shaping the future of freedom in America, including entrepreneurs, elected officials, activists, students, and everyday citizens advancing liberty in real and measurable ways. Through authentic storytelling, Voices of Liberty explores how America’s founding principles are being defended and strengthened today. Listeners hear firsthand accounts of how individuals get involved in the liberty movement, overcome resistance, win support, pass meaningful reforms, and inspire others to take action. This podcast puts a spotlight on the modern liberty movement, highlighting real people, real stories, and real victories happening across the country. Whether the conversation centers on policy, culture, entrepreneurship, grassroots leadership, or the fight for freedom on college campuses, Voices of Liberty proves how freedom is not just an idea, but a movement that continues to grow. Subscribe to Voices of Liberty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us as we share the stories shaping the future of freedom in America.