The Capitol Forum Podcast

In this episode, The Capitol Forum welcomes National Independent Venue Association Executive Director Stephen Parker to explore how the DOJ’s Sherman Act Section 2 suit against Live Nation Ticketmaster could reshape the live entertainment industry. Parker discusses the current state of the primary ticketing market, the potential impact of structural changes on venues and promoters, and what ideal remedies could look like if Live Nation is found guilty. 

This conversation on the future of crypto regulation under Trump's administration in 2025 reveals how proposed legislation could fundamentally reshape digital assets. Mark Wetjen, Partner at Dentons in their Federal Regulatory and Compliance Practice, looks at how the digital asset landscape may change, with particular focus on the roles of key regulators including the SEC, CFTC, and banking authorities. Wetjen also offers insights into how regulatory frameworks might impact competition among crypto exchanges and traditional financial institutions.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai talks about the intersection of history, economic policy, and trade in this episode of Second Request. Ambassador Tai reflects on her role in shaping the Biden administration's economic approach, contrasting it with decades of trickle-down economics. She examines the historical roots of trade policy, lessons from FDR's legacy, and the challenges of balancing corporate influence with public interest.

Daniel Hanley, Senior Legal Analyst at the Open Markets Institute, discusses his recent paper "Illuminating the Anti-Coercion Foundations of Refusals to Deal" and its implications.

Antitrust attorney Basel Musharbash and Farm Action’s Sarah Carden discuss a groundbreaking report on corporate control in American agriculture. Commissioned by Farm Action and written by Basel, ’Kings Over the Necessaries of Life' dives into the history of competition policy in agriculture, current market concentration levels, and strategies for restoring competition in this crucial sector.

Co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and director of the Energy Democracy Initiative, John Farrell, discusses his recent report on the 100-year-old business model granting private exclusive power over the public resource of electricity. Learn about the abuses that come from allowing private monopoly power to control electricity, including pollution-linked deaths, price-hiking, power-shutoffs for low-income families and other publicly borne burdens. The discussion also includes recommended structural reforms for restoring competition and equilibrium to the sector. 

Jack Ryan, CEO of REX, and John Tamny, RealClearMarkets Editor, discuss the recent NAR settlement's implications for the real estate industry, challenging traditional views on homeownership. They explore topics like rental vs. owning, the role of private equity in housing, changes in buying side fees, and the obstacles in reforming the real estate sector. The conversation also touches on government intervention, market players like Zillow, and the evolving landscape of the residential real estate market.

Eminent economists Kwoka, Valletti, and White discuss the evolving landscape of antitrust economics, analyzing key cases like Google in the US and EU. They explore challenges in competition policy, delve into labor market impacts, and debate the effectiveness of remedies in addressing antitrust concerns.

CEO of Digital Content Next, Jason Kint, offers his analysis of the recently concluded Google trial proceedings. As one of the foremost authorities on digital media and tech policy, Jason offers invaluable insights into the implications and potential outcomes of this landmark case.   

Listen in as Capitol Forum Executive Editor Teddy Downey interviews the authors of a recent paper entitled “The Re-Monopolization of the U.S. Sports Trading Card Industry.” Authors Marc Edelman, Nathaniel Grow and John Holden discuss the history of US sports trading cards leading up to sports retailer Fanatics’ consolidation of the $8B industry. Learn how Fanatics used exclusive sports-licensing agreements to achieve the monopoly and what the potential implications are for the industry and for consumers.