Future of Freedom

Future of Freedom is a podcast that explores the intersection of conservatism and libertarianism in today's society. On each episode we bring together guests who hold opposing viewpoints on a specific policy or cultural issue. We tackle a range of topics, from economic policies to social issues, and from foreign affairs to constitutional law. Our guests come from different backgrounds and have different beliefs, but they all share a commitment to the principles of freedom, individualism, and limited government.

Robert VerBruggen & Adam White: Should SCOTUS Be Reformed?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the need for reform of the U.S. Supreme Court. First on the show is Robert VerBruggen, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and writer for City Journal. Later, we hear from Adam White, Laurence H. Silberman Chair in Constitutional Governance and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former member of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States. You can find Robert on X, formerly Twitter, at @RAVerBruggen and AEI at @AEI.

10-28
33:03

Stephen Miran & Scott Lincicome: Should the United States Prioritize Reindustrialization?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the need for a reindustrialization policy for America. First on the show is Stephen Miran, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and former senior advisor for economic policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Later, we hear from Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute and Cato’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies. You can find Steve on X, formerly Twitter, at @SteveMiran and Scott at @ScottLincicome.

10-07
40:14

Andy Puzder & Allison Schrager: Should Tips Be Taxed?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about a “No Tax on Tips” policy. First on the show is Andy Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants for more than 16 years and currently a distinguished visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a senior fellow at the America First Policy Institute. Later we hear from Allison Schrager, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a City Journal contributing editor. You can find Andy on X, formerly Twitter, at @AndyPuzder and Allison at @AllisonSchrager.

09-16
26:06

Mackenzie Eaglen & John G. Ferrari: How Should Military Recruiting Efforts Be Improved?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about how to improve military recruitment efforts. First on the show is Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Later we hear from John G. Ferrari, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find Mackenzie on X, formerly Twitter, at @MEaglen and AEI at @AEI.

08-30
37:48

Alex Reinauer & Greyson Gee: Should 'Right to Repair' Laws Be Enacted?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about “Right to Repair” laws. First on the show is Alex Reinauer, research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Later we hear from Greyson Gee, policy scholar at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. You can find Alex on X, formerly Twitter, at @Alex_Reinauer and Greyson at @GreysonTGee.

08-16
35:31

Alexandra DeSanctis & Philip Klein: Should Abortion Be a State or Federal Issue?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the wisdom of federal pro-life legislation in the wake of the Dobbs decision. First on the show is Alexandra DeSanctis, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and co-author of the book Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing. Later we hear from Philip Klein, editor of National Review Online. You can find Alexandra on X, formerly Twitter, at @xan_desanctis and Philip at @PhilipAKlein.

07-31
32:42

Jay P. Greene & Tanner Aliff: How Should the Doctor Shortage Be Addressed?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about how to address the doctor shortage in the United States. First on the show is Jay P. Greene, PhD, a Senior Research Fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. Later, we hear from Tanner Aliff, Policy Director for the Center on Health and Families at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. You can find Jay on X, formerly Twitter, at @JayPGreene and Tanner at @taliff5.

06-21
36:01

C. Jarrett Dieterle & Brian Albrecht: Should Non-Compete Clauses Be Banned?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the recent FEC decision to ban noncompete clauses in employment agreements. First on the show is C. Jarrett Dieterle, resident senior fellow at the R Street Institute. Later, we hear from Brian Albrecht, chief economist of the International Center for Law and Economics. You can find R Street on X, formerly Twitter, at @RSI and Brian at @BrianCAlbrecht.

06-04
33:36

John Hood & Andrew T. Walker: What Should Be the Future of Conservatism?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints on the future of conservatism. First on the show is John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation and one of the organizers of the Freedom Conservative Statement. Later, we hear from Andrew T. Walker, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and author of the recent book, Faithful Reason: Natural Law Ethics for God’s Glory and Our Good. You can find John on X, formerly Twitter, at @JohnHoodNC and Andrew at @AndrewTWalk.

05-23
36:44

Elizabeth Nolan Brown & Emma Waters: Is Surrogacy Good for Our Culture?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints on whether surrogacy is good for our culture. First on the show is Elizabeth Nolan Brown, senior editor at Reason and the author of Reason's biweekly Sex & Tech newsletter. Later, we hear from Emma Waters, a Senior Research Associate for the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion and Family at The Heritage Foundation. You can find Elizabeth on X, formerly Twitter, at @ENBrown and Emma at @emlwaters. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

05-09
35:15

Vance Ginn & Angela Rachidi: How Should SNAP Be Reformed?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding possible reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). First on the show is Vance Ginn, president of Ginn Economic Consulting and former chief economist at the White House Office of Management and Budget. Later, we hear from Angela Rachidi, senior fellow and Rowe Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find Vance on X, formerly Twitter, at @VanceGinn and Angela at @AngelaRachidi. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

04-22
35:26

Daniel Lyons & Jonathan Cannon: How Should the Broadband Affordability Gap Be Addressed?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding our approach to the broadband affordability gap. First on the show is Daniel Lyons, nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and associate dean of academic affairs and a professor of law at Boston College Law School. Later, we hear from Jonathan Cannon, policy counsel in Technology and Innovation at RStreet. You can find Daniel on X, formerly Twitter, at @ProfDanielLyons and Jonathan at @JMLCannon. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

04-08
30:54

Mark A. Calabria & Mary L. G. Theroux: How Should Homelessness Be Addressed?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding our approach to the homelessness crisis. First on the show is Mark A. Calabria, a senior advisor to the Cato Institute. Later, we hear from Mary L. G. Theroux, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Institute. You can find Mark on X, formerly Twitter, at @MarkCalabria and Mary at @MaryTheroux1. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

03-27
35:18

Robert Poole & David Ditch: Should a Federal Miles Traveled Tax Be Adopted?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding the implementation of a miles traveled tax to fund transportation infrastructure. First on the show is Robert Poole, director of transportation policy and Searle Freedom Trust Transportation Fellow at Reason Foundation. Later, we hear from David Ditch, a Senior Policy Analyst in the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation. You can find the Reason Foundation on X, formerly Twitter, at @ReasonFdn and David at @DavidADitch. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

03-12
31:06

Aparna Mathur & Rachel Greszler: Should the Federal Government Provide Paid Parental & Medical Leave?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding federal paid parental and medical leave. First on the show is Aparna Mathur, Senior Manager in Economics at Amazon, former resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and a former senior fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Later, we hear from Rachel Greszler, Senior Research Fellow in the Roe Institute at the Heritage Foundation. You can find Aparna on X, formerly Twitter, at @aparnamath and find the Heritage Foundation at @Heritage. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

02-27
32:50

Courtney Joslin & Michael New: Should Contraceptive Access Be Expanded?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding the expansion of access to contraceptives in the U.S. First on the show is Courtney Joslin, Resident Fellow and Senior Manager of the Project for Women and Families at RStreet. Later, we hear from Michael New, Assistant Professor of Social Research at the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America. You can find Courtney on X, formerly Twitter, at @courtneyatlas and find Michael at @Michael_J_New. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

02-07
29:04

James Carafano & Ivan R. Eland: What Role Should the U.S. Play in NATO?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding the future of U.S. involvement in NATO. First on the show is James Carafano, Senior Counselor to the President at the Heritage Foundation and E.W. Richardson Fellow. Later, we hear from Ivan R. Eland, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute and Director of the Independent Institute’s Center on Peace & Liberty. You can find James on X, formerly Twitter, at @JJCarafano and find Ivan at @Ivan_Eland. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

01-22
35:04

Corey DeAngelis & Robert Bortins: Should Conservatives Embrace Universal School Choice Policies?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding universal school choice and school vouchers. First on the show is Corey DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Federation For Children, visiting fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, and a member of the board of academic advisors for Classical Learning Test. Later, we hear from Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations and also a member of the board of academic advisors for Classical Learning Test. You can find Corey on X, formerly Twitter, at @DeAngelisCorey and find Classical Conversations at @ClassicalConv. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

01-10
34:26

Nick Gillespie & Charles Fain Lehman: How Should the U.S. Combat the Drug Crisis?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding the War on Drugs. First on the show is Nick Gillespie, editor at large at Reason and host of The Reason Interview. Later, we hear from Charles Fain Lehman, fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor at City Journal. You can find Nick on X, formerly Twitter, at @NickGillespie and Charles at @CharlesFLehman. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

12-18
38:14

Joshua Treviño & Ilya Somin: How Should the U.S. Respond to Mexican Cartels?

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints regarding the U.S. approach to Mexican cartels and the potential need to utilize military force. First on the show is Joshua Treviño, Chief of Intelligence and Research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Later, we hear from Ilya Somin, Professor of Law at George Mason University and the B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute. You can find the Texas Public Policy Foundation on X, formerly Twitter, at @TPPF and Ilya at @IlyaSomin. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

12-06
29:00

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