

Cato Podcast
Cato Institute
Each week on Cato Podcast, leading scholars and policymakers from the Cato Institute delve into the big ideas shaping our world: individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Whether unpacking current events, debating civil liberties, exploring technological innovation, or tracing the history of classical liberal thought, we promise insightful analysis grounded in rigorous research and Cato’s signature libertarian perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 29, 2025 • 11min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Judicial Activism in Defense of Liberty
Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 2025 • 19min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The Life and Death and Future Life of Fusionism
Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.“Fusionism,” something of an ideological nonaggression pact between libertarians and conservatives, has fallen on hard times. Can it be reborn? Stephanie Slade of Reason discusses her new article on the subject. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 27, 2025 • 17min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory
Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 2025 • 18min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Henry Clay, Cassius Clay and Political Compromise
Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 23, 2025 • 10min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Equal Protections and Marriage
Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 2025 • 7min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Remembering Milton Friedman
Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 2025 • 7min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Courage is the Secret to Liberty
Explore the vital connection between courage and freedom, especially in the realm of free speech. A discussion at a prestigious award ceremony highlights the bravery of a Danish newspaper editor who challenged censorship. The conversation underscores how essential free speech is for fostering open dialogue on sensitive issues. Drawing from a Supreme Court case, it warns against the dangers of self-censorship, advocating for fearless discussions to promote individual liberty and encourage social progress.

May 20, 2025 • 5min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Real Problems for REAL ID
Delve into the complexities of the Real ID Act as the podcast examines the challenges and privacy concerns tied to its implementation. The discussion highlights public apprehensions regarding government intrusion and the obstacles Congress encounters in legislating effectively. Additionally, explore the resistance from states over financial implications and the broader implications of a national ID system on individual privacy and rights.

May 19, 2025 • 8min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The Libertarian Mind
David Boaz, Executive Vice President of the Cato Institute and author of The Libertarian Mind, dives into the compelling rise of libertarianism in American politics. He discusses how this philosophy emphasizes personal and economic freedom, resonating with a growing discontent towards government overreach. Boaz highlights the shift in youth attitudes as they seek alternatives to mainstream parties. The conversation also explores civil society’s capability to address social issues, showcasing polling data that supports libertarian principles, calling for a smaller government.

May 16, 2025 • 9min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Is the Welfare State Justified?
In this insightful discussion, Daniel Shapiro, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at West Virginia University and author of 'Is the Welfare State Justified?', tackles the complexities of the welfare state. He critiques advocates' unintended support for market solutions while questioning fairness and intergenerational equity in welfare systems. Shapiro also emphasizes the significance of contractual rights in retirement and explores the conflict between coercive policies and market alternatives, inviting a broad ideological dialogue on personal responsibility and informed healthcare choices.