Liberty + Leadership

Hosted by Roger Ream

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Episodes

127

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

TFAS has reached 53,000 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

June 10, 2026Episode 930 min

National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with historian and author Michael Auslin to discuss his new book, “National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America.” As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Auslin explores the remarkable history of the Declaration of Independence, not only as the nation's founding document but also as a living symbol that has shaped American identity for nearly two and a half centuries. Together, they discuss the Declaration's origins, its philosophical foundations in natural rights, natural law and the Anglo-American constitutional tradition, and the ways its meaning has evolved throughout American history. Auslin explains how figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. drew upon the Declaration's principles to advance their own visions of liberty and equality while arguing that the document's most enduring message is one of national unity. The conversation also explores the upcoming America 250 celebration, the state of civic education in the United States and why a renewed understanding of the Declaration remains essential to preserving the American experiment in self-government.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

May 27, 2026Episode 824 min

Why Character Still Matters in Leadership

In this episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger Ream sits down with Stock Executive Search CEO and TFAS alumnus Toby Stock to discuss leadership, civic culture and the habits that shape successful careers and institutions. Toby reflects on his work with prominent public intellectuals and organizations including the American Enterprise Institute, the National Constitution Center, Harvard Law School and The Dispatch, where he helped launch the media company alongside Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes. Together, they discuss the qualities that define effective leaders, the difference between management and leadership, the importance of courage and integrity in public life and why developing sound judgment matters more than ever for young professionals. The conversation also explores America 250, the current state of civic education, Congress and institutional incentives and the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence. Toby also shares practical advice for students and young professionals seeking careers in Washington and beyond.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

May 13, 2026Episode 745 min

Developing Courageous Citizens: Highlights from the 2026 TFAS Annual Conference

This special episode of Liberty + Leadership features highlights from the 2026 TFAS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., where students, scholars, alumni and national leaders gathered around this year’s theme: Developing Courageous Citizens.As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, TFAS is placing renewed focus on civic education, the American founding and the responsibility each generation bears in preserving a free society. Across keynote remarks, panel discussions and alumni reflections, this episode explores the institutions, principles and habits of character that sustain self-government.Featured speakers include Vice President Mike Pence, Daniel Hannan, Lord of Kingsclere and many others. Together, they discuss America’s founding principles, constitutional government, civic education, economic freedom, free speech and the enduring importance of preparing young people to lead with courage, conviction and integrity.The episode also highlights the lasting impact of TFAS programs through personal stories of intellectual formation, public service and lives shaped by encounters with the ideas of liberty both in the United States and around the world.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

April 29, 2026Episode 643 min

Did Adam Smith Attend the Constitutional Convention?

This special episode of Liberty + Leadership features a panel discussion recorded live at the 2026 TFAS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., centered on the question, “Did Adam Smith Attend the Constitutional Convention?” Moderator Dominic Pino is joined by Anne Bradley and Ted Tucker to explore how the ideas in “The Wealth of Nations” influenced the American founding and continue to shape our understanding of economic freedom today.Together, they discuss the role of free markets in creating prosperity, the importance of limited government and the rule of law, how Adam Smith’s ideas contrasted with mercantilism and why these principles must be actively taught and defended in each generation. The conversation also examines modern misconceptions about capitalism, the appeal of socialism and the importance of educating young people through experiential learning and civic engagement.Anne Bradley is the George and Sally Mayer Fellow for Economic Education and vice president of academic affairs at TFAS. Ted Tucker is executive director of the Foundation for Teaching Economics. Dominic Pino is an editorial writer for The Washington Post opinion section.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

April 15, 2026Episode 540 min

From Bicentennial to Semiquincentennial: Class of ’76 TFAS Alumni Conversation with Mark Levin

Roger welcomes Mark Levin, bestselling author, nationally syndicated radio host and constitutional lawyer, for a special conversation recorded live at the 2026 TFAS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Mark and Roger reflect on their shared experience as members of the TFAS Class of 1976 during America’s bicentennial and discuss how that formative summer shaped their commitment to liberty, constitutional principles and public service. They examine how the United States has changed over the past 50 years, including the growth of government, the expansion of the administrative state and the increasing national debt. Levin shares his perspective on the proper role of Congress, the separation of powers and the ongoing debate between originalism and the idea of a living Constitution. Additional topics include presidential war powers, the influence of the progressive movement on American institutions, changes in the media landscape and the importance of civic education as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The conversation also highlights the role of organizations like TFAS in developing informed and courageous citizens who can help preserve 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

April 1, 2026Episode 435 min

The Untold Story of Jesus and His Fishermen

Roger welcomes Randal C. Teague, chairman of The Fund for American Studies and author of “Jesus and His Fishermen: The Untold Story,” for a conversation on the historical, economic and cultural context of Jesus’ early ministry. Drawing on years of research and firsthand experience traveling throughout Israel, Teague explores how the familiar story of “fishers of men” reveals a deeper understanding of work, leadership and daily life in the first century. They discuss what it meant to be a fisherman in the ancient world, including the heavy taxation, regulation and economic pressures faced by working families. Teague explains how preparation, patience, success and failure shaped both the profession of fishing and the structure of Jesus’s ministry. Additional topics include the role of government and taxation in first-century Judea, the organizational dynamics among the disciples, the influence of broader historical and religious traditions, and how understanding the context of the Gospels can deepen one’s perspective on leadership, responsibility and individual purpose. The conversation also touches on the enduring relevance of these lessons and the parallels between the challenges of that era and the modern world.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

March 18, 2026Episode 335 min

The Making of the American Mind

Roger welcomes Dr. Matthew Spalding, Kirby professor in constitutional government and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College, for a conversation about the ideas and intellectual traditions that shaped the Declaration of Independence. Drawing from his latest book, “The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence,” Spalding explains how the American founding was influenced by classical philosophy, the Christian tradition and centuries of debate about law, liberty and self-government. They discuss the philosophical roots of the Declaration and the influence of thinkers such as Cicero, Aristotle, John Locke and Richard Hooker. Spalding also explores how sermons, pamphlets and debates in the Continental Congress helped shape public understanding during the revolutionary period. Additional topics include the role of natural law in American political thought, the founders’ views on religion and liberty, debates surrounding slavery and the Declaration, and the importance of teaching younger generations the true story of America’s founding. The conversation also looks ahead to the upcoming America 250 celebrations and the opportunity to renew public understanding of the nation’s founding principles.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

February 25, 2026Episode 234 min

Relearning American Political Thought

Roger welcomes Samuel Goldman, associate professor of humanities at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education and TFAS faculty member, for a conversation about American political thought, civic education and the ideas that sustain a free society. Goldman reflects on his academic journey, his work teaching TFAS students in Washington and his commitment to helping young people engage seriously with the founding principles of the United States. They discuss Goldman’s approach to teaching the Declaration of Independence by reading it closely and treating it as a carefully constructed argument about the purposes of government. Goldman explains how studying Jefferson’s writings, “The Federalist Papers” and “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” helps students understand both the ideals and the imperfections of the American founding. They also explore the growth of civic centers such as the Hamilton School, the decline of civic literacy in K-12 education, the role of religion in public life, the influence of Adam Smith and how the founders might assess the condition of the republic 250 years later.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

February 11, 2026Episode 137 min

Venezuela’s Path Back to Liberty

Roger welcomes Andrés Guilarte, vice president of opinion research at Eyes Over US and Stratus Intelligence and a former TFAS outreach fellow. Guilarte reflects on growing up under Venezuela’s socialist regime, his journey to the U.S. after facing political persecution, and his work raising awareness about the consequences of authoritarian rule. They discuss the U.S.-led efforts to pressure Nicolás Maduro’s regime, the regional implications for Latin America and the challenges of rebuilding democratic institutions after decades of authoritarian rule. Guilarte explains the role of opposition leader María Corina Machado, the slow process of releasing political prisoners, and the continued influence of the military. He also recounts his travels across the country as a TFAS outreach fellow, sharing his firsthand experience with socialism, educating students about its real-world consequences, and addressing common misconceptions he encountered from young Americans who believe it could be implemented differently in the United States.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

December 22, 2025Episode 2542 min

Looking Back on 2025: Liberty, Leadership and the Next Generation

On this special year-end episode of Liberty + Leadership, Roger reflects on a remarkable year for The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). He highlights moments from the podcast that celebrate TFAS’s mission and the work of alumni, fellows, students, and friends who are advancing individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic freedom around the world. These moments feature foreign policy leaders, courageous journalists, economists, educators and student leaders. Topics range from reflections on captive nations and the global fight for freedom to firsthand accounts of the costs of courageous journalism, discussions on fiscal responsibility and sound governance and the changing media landscape. They also showcase the impact of TFAS programs and the voices of students and alumni just starting their leadership journeys.These moments tell the story of a year defined by growth, intellectual seriousness and a renewed commitment to the principles that sustain a free society. As TFAS looks ahead to 2026 and America’s 250th anniversary, it is a reminder of why developing principled leaders remains more important than ever. 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