Audio Engineer
In The Genius Myth, the journalist delivers a sharp, funny takedown of our obsession with "brilliant" men, showing that behind every so-called genius is a crowd and a big PR machine.
Plus: A listener asks if the "big beautiful bill" will decrease the deficit.
The Pulitzer Prize–winning author discusses the enduring roots of Middle Eastern conflict, the rise and fall of cultural panics, and why Texas may be the blueprint—and battleground—for America's future.
Did mainstream conservatives and libertarians lose a generation of young men to the reactionary right?
Magician and podcaster Brian Brushwood talks about deception and skepticism while exploring historical hoaxes, the psychology of magic, the libertarian dystopia of Epcot, and the story behind World’s Greatest Con.
Plus: A listener asks if the economic inequality data is bad.
The billionaire philanthropist explores how stoic philosophy shaped his views on capitalism, politics, and philanthropy, arguing for rational optimism, individual responsibility, and civil public discourse as foundations for life.
Plus: A listener asks which domestic policy changes could realistically boost U.S. manufacturing without raising costs for consumers.
Co-founder of AQR Capital Management, Cliff Asness, discusses the decline of market efficiency, the dangers of populist economics, and his libertarian outlook on capitalism.
The Harvard psychologist discusses recent gains for free speech at Harvard, growing political and ideological threats to academic freedom, and the importance of shared knowledge in sustaining truth and progress.
John Arnold argues that private markets solve problems better than government or philanthropy, and that real reform comes from decentralization, incentives, and evidence—not top-down control.
Plus: A listener asks about possible book club books that are "subtly libertarian."
A go-to study for advocates of restricting sex work used a flawed economic model and abysmal data.
Longtime surgeon and Cato Institute fellow Jeffrey Singer argues that government overreach in health care undermines patient autonomy.
Plus: A listener asks who was the better president: Trump or Obama?
Former Obama administration economic adviser Jason Furman explains why both major parties have abandoned economic reality in favor of political fantasy.
Plus: A listener asks whether or not Thomas Jefferson was right.
The former editor in chief of the South China Morning Post discusses his book on Jimmy Lai, who is currently on trial in Hong Kong for having the audacity to stand up to the government.
Plus: A listener asks if it's time for journalists to stop steel-manning Trump's policies.
The novelists join the podcast for a sharp, satirical dive into fiction, free speech, and the absurdity of modern culture.
Donald Trump is determined to make everything from Canadian whiskey to Mexican avocados more expensive. Can anyone stop him?
Authors James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber discuss their new book Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance.
Plus: A listener asks why some American libertarians seem to unquestioningly accept everything Vladimir Putin says.
Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty explores the evolution of libertarian thought in his new book.
Plus: A listener asks the editors whether a Kamala Harris presidency would have been preferable.
Musk's fans and critics will keep debating whether DOGE is revolutionizing government or wrecking important institutions.
Presidential pardons have become a tool of favoritism and politics.
How pot bureaucrats used legal weed to push their social justice agenda
Plus: A listener asks the editors to discuss the pros and cons of homeownership.
A recent study claiming inequality of opportunity in the sciences commits statistical and conceptual errors that make its findings meaningless.
The Good Eats host talks about the virtues of Cap'n Crunch, why fusion cooking isn't cultural appropriation, and how Martha Stewart's perfectionism ruined dinner parties.
Plus: A listener asks the editors how to best determine whether Trump’s second term is good or bad for individual freedom.
New York Times columnist and linguist John McWhorter discusses the rise and fall of "woke," DEI and affirmative action, and his new book on the history of pronouns.
Plus: A listener asks the editors whether it makes sense for a country to have a sovereign wealth fund.
Wall Street legend Jim O’Shaughnessy discusses how to live well and innovate boldly during the age of Trump, Musk, and AI.
Plus: A listener asks the editors to guess if the real reason Donald Trump is so passionate about tariffs is because he sees them as a deal-making tool rather than a purely economic instrument.
When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis banned cultivated meat, Reason's Zach Weissmueller visited California labs to try cultivated chicken and salmon and explore the future of this industry.
Historian Sean McMeekin dissects how communism has enduring and resurgent appeal in the West despite its history of violence and economic disaster.
Plus: A listener asks the editors if there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of freedom in the United States.
Nearly 40 percent of Americans have at least one ancestor who entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. However, today's migrants may be shut out and deported, a humanitarian tragedy that would profoundly damage the U.S. economy.
FIRE’s executive V.P. discusses the Biden administration's failures, Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s influence on free speech, and the most pressing First Amendment issues facing the U.S. today.
Plus: A listener asks the editors about the implications of Trump personally suing CBS to obtain transcripts from an interview with Kamala Harris.
Immigration experts Alex Nowrasteh and Bryan Caplan make the case for significantly more and easier immigration to the U.S.
Plus: A listener asks the editors to name their least favorite national emergency from the list of those currently in effect.
The founder of Skeptic magazine discusses whether conspiracy thinking is on the rise and whether it's coded right or left.
Do you care about free minds and free markets? Sign up to get the biggest stories from Reason in your inbox every afternoon.
This modal will close in 10
