

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 2, 2025 • 13min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Fifty Years of the Military Industrial Complex
Susan Eisenhower, an expert on international security and granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about the enduring effects of the military-industrial complex. She reflects on her grandfather's warning against unchecked military spending and its impact on democracy. The conversation also critiques the diminishing influence of veterans in Congress and the challenges leaders face in military decision-making. Eisenhower reminds us to align military funding with national priorities, reshaping our understanding of national security.

4 snips
May 1, 2025 • 10min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Abolish the Department of Homeland Security
David Ritgers, a legal policy analyst at the Cato Institute and author of the paper advocating for the abolition of the Department of Homeland Security, shares compelling insights. He critiques the Department's structure post-9/11, highlighting inefficiencies and a misallocation of resources. Ritgers also reassesses the constitutional implications of privatizing aviation security, raising questions about its effectiveness in counterterrorism. Through his analysis, he challenges the necessity of DHS, suggesting it may hinder local governance.

Apr 30, 2025 • 27min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: You Have the Right to Remain Innocent
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.Don’t talk to the police, even if you want to help them solve a crime. James Duane says that’s the advice police and lawyers give their own children. He explains why in his new book, You Have the Right to Remain Innocent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 29, 2025 • 24min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Taking Back Congressional Power over Tariffs and Trade
Rand Paul, a Junior U.S. Senator from Kentucky, advocates for free markets and limited government. He discusses the troubling shift of trade authority from Congress to the White House, warning about the risks of executive overreach. Rand emphasizes the moral imperative of free trade and addresses how tariffs negatively impact consumers and industries. He proposes legislation to restore congressional control over trade policies while examining the implications of increasing U.S. debt and providing a bipartisan blueprint for fiscal responsibility.

Apr 28, 2025 • 10min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Women Are More Than Their Interactions with the State
In this insightful discussion, Anthony Comegna, Assistant Editor for Intellectual History at Libertarianism.org, explores the important yet often overlooked roles of women in the fight for liberty. He argues against a limited understanding of women's contributions, challenging the notion that their significance is confined to political engagement. Highlighting historical examples from 19th century America, Comegna illustrates how women's influence extended beyond the ballot, showcasing their agency in shaping societal change.

Apr 25, 2025 • 29min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth
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.Why have five or more children? Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth by Catherine Pakaluk details the stories and reasoning of dozens of women who have gone well beyond replacement-level fertility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 9min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Smoot-Hawley 81 Years Later
Douglas Irwin, author of "Peddling Protectionism, Smoot Hawley, and the Great Depression," dives deep into the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, discussing its disastrous effects on the economy and international trade relations during the Great Depression. He emphasizes the act's role as a cautionary tale against protectionism, linking it to current political dialogues about tariffs. Irwin warns of the potential resurgence of nationalist trade policies and advocates for a more thoughtful approach to global trade, drawing crucial parallels to today’s political climate.

Apr 23, 2025 • 34min
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Asserting Liberty and the Power of ‘No’
Dive into the concept of liberty and the importance of individual conscience in resisting authority. Explore courage through the lens of Socrates, highlighting the need for open dialogue. Discover the legacy of intellectual independence through 17th-century activism and the importance of challenging norms. Learn about the transformative power of saying 'no' in affirming personal freedom and moral agency. Finally, be inspired to take action in defending freedom for future generations against today's threats.

20 snips
Apr 22, 2025 • 44min
Caleb O. Brown Bids Farewell to the Cato Daily Podcast
Caleb O. Brown has hosted the Cato Daily Podcast since 2007, CatoAudio since 2008, and all told has created several thousand interviews, videos, and other pieces for the Cato Institute. On his final episode, he is interviewed by Cato's Deirdre McCloskey about the art of the interview and his pending move to head Kentucky’s Bluegrass Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 2025 • 8min
Threats to Migrants' Speech Threaten Americans' Speech
The discussion highlights the erosion of free speech rights, showing how targeting non-citizens for their speech undermines everyone's freedom to speak. Experts David Bier and Tommy Berry delve into significant Supreme Court cases, emphasizing the interconnectedness of rights for citizens and non-citizens. They warn that immigration crackdowns based on speech can create broader implications, threatening the fundamental principles of free expression. This raises crucial questions about liberty and rights within a democratic society.