Liberty + Leadership

Hosted by Roger Ream

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Episodes

137

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

TFAS has reached 59,000 students and professionals through their academic programs, fellowships and seminars. Representing more than 140 countries, TFAS alumni are courageous leaders throughout the world – forging careers in politics, government, public policy, business, philanthropy, law and the media. Join TFAS President, Roger Ream, as he reconnects with these outstanding alumni to share experiences, swap career stories, and find out what makes their leadership journey unique. The Liberty and Leadership podcast is produced at Podville Media in Washington, D.C. If you have a comment or question for the show, please drop us an email at podcast@TFAS.org.

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60 recent

November 5, 2026Episode 1935 min

Phil Gramm Says the Numbers on American Inequality Are Wrong

Are Americans really falling behind, or are the numbers telling us the wrong story? In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with economist and former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm to challenge some of the most common assumptions about poverty, inequality and economic opportunity in America. Gramm explains why he believes official statistics dramatically overstate inequality by leaving most government transfer payments out of income calculations while failing to account for taxes paid. He argues that the American Dream remains very much alive, pointing to rising living standards and economic mobility that have given Americans opportunities previous generations could scarcely have imagined. Roger and Senator Gramm also tackle some of today’s biggest economic debates, including tariffs, the decline in manufacturing jobs, fears that artificial intelligence will put Americans out of work and the renewed appeal of socialism among young people. Throughout the conversation, Gramm argues that economic freedom is about more than efficiency or prosperity. It is ultimately about who gets to make decisions: individuals or the government, and why preserving that freedom remains essential to the American experiment. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

October 21, 2026Episode 1828 min

Covering Trump from Air Force One: Audrey Fahlberg on Politics and the Press

What is it really like to cover Donald Trump up close, and what are political reporters seeing as the 2026 midterms approach? In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Audrey Fahlberg, Washington correspondent for The Free Press and a 2024 TFAS Robert Novak Journalism Fellow. Audrey shares stories from the campaign trail, Capitol Hill and Air Force One, including the moment President Trump yelled at her after she asked him a question about China and tariffs. Roger and Audrey also examine the forces reshaping American politics ahead of the midterms. They discuss the growing influence of Democratic Socialists, divisions inside the Democratic Party, questions surrounding corruption and self-dealing, immigration enforcement, tensions within the MAHA movement and whether Republicans can maintain control of Congress. Audrey also reflects on breaking major political stories, what it takes to develop sources in Washington and how journalism is changing as reporters increasingly compete for audiences through video, social media and personality-driven news. She explains why persistence, sometimes to the point of being “a little annoying,” remains one of the most important skills a young reporter can develop. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

October 14, 2026Episode 1723 min

Is Rand Paul Running for President in 2028?

Senator Rand Paul joins Liberty + Leadership for a wide-ranging conversation on his investigation into the government’s COVID-19 response, his fight against federal waste and overreach, and a question that could have major implications for 2028: could Senator Paul make another run for the White House? Paul discusses his ongoing investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci and gain-of-function research, including his efforts to obtain testimony and records related to the government’s handling of the pandemic. He also explains why he believes the lack of transparency during the pandemic damaged public trust in health institutions and what reforms he wants Congress to pursue. Roger and Senator Paul also examine fraud and waste in federal programs, presidential emergency powers, tariffs, free trade and why Paul believes constitutional principles are hardest to defend when members of the same political party hold power. He argues that Republicans have moved away from traditional positions on limited government and trade and explains where he believes the party should go next. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

September 30, 2026Episode 1636 min

The Humble Grocery Store and the Case for Capitalism

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, TFAS professor Anne Bradley guest hosts a conversation with Emma Camp, senior editor of The Wall Street Journal’s “Free Expression” newsletter and a 2025 Robert Novak Fellow. Anne and Emma begin with Emma’s viral video celebrating the “humble American supermarket” and what its shelves can teach us about economic freedom. They look at how global trade, competition and technological innovation produce an extraordinary variety of choices that can be easy to take for granted. The conversation then turns to why Emma believes there is a need for a more optimistic case for capitalism. They examine why capitalism is often blamed for problems created or worsened by government intervention, including housing shortages and rising costs, as well as rent control, state-run grocery stores, the tradeoffs behind expansive government programs and the “fixed pie” mentality that treats economic gains as a zero-sum contest. Emma also reflects on her own intellectual journey toward free-market ideas, her effort to make basic economic concepts accessible to younger audiences and how her TFAS Robert Novak Fellowship helped give her the time and freedom to work on her forthcoming book, “No Hard Feelings.” The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

September 16, 2026Episode 1527 min

A Revolution Prevented: Russell Kirk and the Legacy of 1776

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Michael Lucchese, a 2022 TFAS alumnus and editor of the new collection "Russell Kirk on America: How to Understand the Legacy of 1776." Roger and Michael explore Russell Kirk’s distinctive understanding of the American founding and his belief that the Revolution was not a radical break with the past, but an effort to preserve inherited rights, self-government and the accumulated wisdom of Western civilization. They discuss Kirk’s idea of a “revolution not made but prevented,” the influence of history and tradition on the founders and the importance of liberty, order, prudence and what Kirk called the “permanent things.” The conversation also examines Kirk’s writings on figures including John Adams and Ronald Reagan, his belief in the importance of literature and poetry to the conservative tradition and the intellectual community he built at his home in Mecosta, Michigan. Lucchese also reflects on the influence of Whittaker Chambers, his own experience as a TFAS Public Policy Fellow and why the ideas of Kirk and Chambers remain relevant to a new generation. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

August 19, 2026Episode 1433 min

What Can Economic History Teach Us About the Future?

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Robert Whaples, professor of economics at Wake Forest University and longtime teacher with the Foundation for Teaching Economics, TFAS’s high school division. They explore what economic history can teach us about the way we live today, from the dramatic decline of the American workweek to rising productivity and improvements in living standards. Whaples explains why studying economic history remains essential, how economic growth has given people more leisure and opportunity, and why looking to the past can help us better understand the changes still to come. The conversation also turns to artificial intelligence and technological change, public choice economics, falling fertility rates and Whaples’s approach to teaching economics as a practical way of understanding the world. He also reflects on his personal journey of faith and why he begins and ends each semester with a brief prayer for his students and the work they will undertake together. Throughout the episode, Whaples makes the case for understanding economics in the context of history, emphasizing that even in an increasingly abundant world, scarcity, tradeoffs, incentives and human choice remain at the heart of economic life. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

August 5, 2026Episode 1337 min

The Fragility of Freedom in the Americas

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Mary Anastasia O’Grady, opinion columnist at The Wall Street Journal and member of the Journal’s editorial board. Mary reflects on her nearly three decades covering Latin America and the Western Hemisphere, discussing why countries rich in natural resources and human capital have often struggled to sustain prosperity, the rule of law and constitutional government. She explains how populism, weak property rights, corruption and authoritarian movements have shaped the region’s political and economic development. Roger and Mary also discuss recent developments across the Americas, including Argentina’s reform efforts, Chile’s constitutional debates, Peru’s security challenges, Colombia’s struggle with organized crime and the ongoing crises in Venezuela and Cuba. Throughout the conversation, Mary emphasizes the connection between political freedom, economic opportunity and the institutions necessary for people to build better lives. The episode concludes with a reflection on the late Joseph Rago, the importance of mentoring young journalists and why Americans should pay closer attention to the politics, economics and security concerns of their own hemisphere. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

July 22, 2026Episode 1224 min

The Rule of Law and the Economics of Freedom

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Dr. Ekaterina Brancato, a member of the TFAS faculty who teaches Economics for the Citizen in the D.C. Academic Internship Program. Dr. Brancato reflects on growing up in the Soviet Union, coming to the United States through the Bill Bradley Future Leaders Exchange Program and later returning to the United States to study economics and business at Hillsdale College. She explains how her experience living under socialism shaped her understanding of freedom, responsibility, institutions and the rule of law. Roger and Dr. Brancato discuss how she brings these lessons into the TFAS classroom, helping students understand that economics is not just a subject but a way of seeing the world. She shares how field trips, classic economic texts and personal stories help students connect abstract ideas to real life, from incentives and spontaneous order to preference falsification and the dangers of institutional collapse. The conversation also explores the promise of TFAS students and the importance of preparing young people to become thoughtful, courageous leaders to contribute to a free and flourishing society. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

July 8, 2026Episode 1134 min

Austrian Economics and the Case Against Central Planning

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Christopher Coyne, professor of economics at George Mason University and TFAS faculty member, to discuss his new book, “Austrian Economics: An Introduction”, co-authored with Abigail Hall. Roger and Christopher explore the origins and enduring relevance of the Austrian School of economics, tracing its development from Carl Menger and Ludwig von Mises to F.A. Hayek and Israel Kirzner. Together, they discuss subjective value, economic calculation, entrepreneurship, spontaneous order and the role prices play in helping individuals coordinate activity in a complex and changing world. The conversation also examines why central planning fails, whether artificial intelligence changes the calculation problem and how Austrian economics can help students understand contemporary debates over industrial policy, government intervention, economic development and human flourishing. These ideas remain essential for understanding markets, preserving individual freedom and preparing the next generation to think seriously about economic life. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show

June 24, 2026Episode 1033 min

The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Bradley Birzer, the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College and author of “The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty.” Together, they explore the ideas and events that shaped the Declaration, the tension between conservatism and radicalism in the American founding and why the founders believed liberty required both enduring principles and courageous citizens. They discuss the intellectual and religious influences on the Declaration, the difficult legacy of slavery and how the promise that "all men are created equal" has shaped the American story for nearly 250 years. The conversation also turns to civic education and the future of the American experiment. As the nation prepares to commemorate the Semiquincentennial, Birzer argues that the Declaration remains more than a historical document. It is a timeless statement of human equality and liberty that each generation must rediscover and make its own. The Liberty + Leadership Podcast is hosted by TFAS president Roger Ream and produced by Podville Media . If you have a comment or question for the show, please email us at podcast@TFAS.org . To support TFAS and its mission, please visit TFAS.org/support . Support the show