

Words & Numbers
CiVL
Words & Numbers touches on issues of Economics, Political Science, Current Events and Policy. Each Wednesday we'll be sharing a new Words & Numbers podcast featuring Antony Davies Ph.D and James Harrigan Ph.D talking about the economics and political science of current events. Words and Numbers is a CiVL Original Podcasts, learn more at civl.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 6, 2025 • 33min
Episode 443: Private Equity in Business
Explore the intriguing world of private equity and its transformative power in business. Discover how it breathes new life into underperforming assets, like changing a pizza restaurant into a yoga studio. The hosts tackle common misconceptions while celebrating philanthropy in education, particularly with a generous donation to a medical school. Delve into the balance of profit motivations and ethics, highlighting how private equity can reshape iconic American brands and drive innovation in today’s marketplace.

Jul 30, 2025 • 49min
Episode 442: Surveillance Pricing?
Explore how inflation quietly erodes your purchasing power, and the deceptive game of monetizing debt and what it means for your future. Dive into the digital clampdown on adult content as age verification systems signal the end of the internet’s unrestricted era. Ant and James grapple with the morality of price discrimination based on search history — who really benefits, and who gets left behind.
Join CiVL for member-exclusive access to our show, bonus content, and live Q&As. https://civl.com/
Get 50% off your annual subscription with code: WORDSANDNUMBERS
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!
http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 23, 2025 • 37min
Episode 441: A Budget Surplus? Really?
In this week's Words & Numbers, Ant and James tackle the misunderstood world of corporate stock buybacks—are they economic malpractice or just savvy business? The duo then pivots to publicly funded media, taking aim at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and questioning its continued reliance on taxpayer dollars in an age of abundant private alternatives. They also examine the federal government's rare (and tiny) budget surplus in June, dissecting whether it's a meaningful trend or a statistical blip. Along the way, Steve Miller cancels his tour for baffling reasons, Trump forgets he appointed Powell, and the guys reflect on why government tax revenue stubbornly sticks to 18% of GDP—no matter the policy. As always, they ask: what’s the data say, and so what?
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com
See More Ant and James!http://www.wordsandnumbers.org
Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers
Quick Hitshttps://loudwire.com/steve-miller-cancels-tour-natural-disasters/
Foolishness of the Weekhttps://www.npr.org/2025/07/17/nx-s1-5469904/npr-pbs-cuts-rescission-senate-vote
Words & Numbers Backstagehttps://youtu.be/i73H047bID8?si=zUTcXrBYDolwTVgl
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MSPUS
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LES1252881500Q
https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/average-home-size/#space
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CUUR0000SETA01
More James at Smoke & Storieshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig
More Ant on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/antonydavies
Let Us Know What You Thinkmailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com
Antony Davies on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/antonydavies
James R. Harrigan on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan
#AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 56min
Episode 440: Debunking the Religion of Decline
In this episode of Words & Numbers, James and Ant announce their new partnership with CiVL and reflect on the state of modern life. Using Jurassic World and a Nobel Prize winner’s comments as a springboard, they unpack the economics of innovation, incentives, and monopolies. They take on popular claims that life has gotten worse—breaking down the real costs of housing, cars, and higher education over time—and challenge the doom-and-gloom narrative with hard data and perspective.
The debut of the new “So What?” segment offers concrete takeaways: count your blessings, question the media’s distortions, and don’t believe everything “everybody knows.”
Words and Numbers is a CiVL Original Podcast.
Join CiVL for member-exclusive access to our show, bonus content, and live Q&As. https://civl.com/
Get 50% off your annual subscription with code: WORDSANDNUMBERS
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!
http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com
See More Ant and James!
http://www.wordsandnumbers.org
Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers
Quick Hits
https://www.jurassicworld.com
https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2025-07-04/charles-rice-nobel-prize-winner-in-medicine-its-a-crime-that-a-drug-exists-that-could-cure-everyone-yet-not-everybody-has-access-to-it.html
https://www.thetimes.com/world/latin-america/article/gringo-go-home-why-mexico-is-turning-against-us-immigrants-cmq2qsv2j
Foolishness of the Week
https://www.yahoo.com/news/fema-removed-dozens-camp-mystic-111716138.html
Words & Numbers Backstage
https://youtu.be/i73H047bID8?si=zUTcXrBYDolwTVgl
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MSPUS
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LES1252881500Q
https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/average-home-size/#space
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CUUR0000SETA01
More James at Smoke & Stories
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig
More Ant on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies
Let Us Know What You Think
mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com
Antony Davies on Twitter
https://twitter.com/antonydavies
James R. Harrigan on Twitter
https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan
#AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9, 2025 • 35min
Episode 439: The America Party
Words and Numbers is a CiVL Original Podcast.
Join CiVL for member-exclusive access to our show, bonus content, and live Q&As. https://civl.com/
Get 50% off your annual subscription with code: WORDSANDNUMBERS
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com
See More Ant and James!http://www.wordsandnumbers.org
Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers
Quick Hitshttps://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/tours/ozzy-osbourne-takes-to-the-stage-for-the-last-time/news-story/4ca30c3eb598a7b97f6735e975c9da91
Foolishness of the Weekhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ar-AA1I2tzC
Words & Numbers Backstagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/
More James at Smoke & Storieshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig
More Ant on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/antonydavies
Let Us Know What You Thinkmailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com
Antony Davies on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/antonydavies
James R. Harrigan on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan
#AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 30min
Episode 438: Do We Need an 8 Hour Work Day?
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits https://www.pgpf.org/article/the-ratio-of-workers-to-social-security-beneficiaries-is-at-a-low-and-projected-to-decline-further/ https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TR/TR02/lr5A3-h.html https://www.newsweek.com/mcdonalds-june-boycott-what-know-2087469 Foolishness of the Week https://apnews.com/article/chemtrail-louisiana-ban-conspiracy-e7562efe0251588978153cef30034e63 https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/09/louisiana-among-at-least-12-states-seeking-chemtrail-ban Topic https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/20/workers-are-stuck-in-infinite-workday-according-to-microsoft-report.html Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke & Stories https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 37min
Episode 437: Rosy Projections
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60392 https://sciencenews.dk/en/the-stem-cell-race-to-rewire-the-parkinsons-brain Foolishness of the Week https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/19/politics/trump-non-working-holidays-juneteenth https://polyhymnia.org/2025/06/19/juneteenth-2025/ https://polyhymnia.org/2025/06/19/of-patriots-and-freedom/ https://www.10tv.com/article/news/nation-world/juneteenth-12-federal-holidays/507-6955e5af-770e-416f-ac0a-e8db360032f7 Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke & Stories https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 2025 • 38min
Episode 436: What About Buying From China?
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits https://www.pcmag.com/news/chatgpt-gets-absolutely-wrecked-in-chess-match-with-1978-atari https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/564133/marines-carry-out-first-known-detention-of-civilian-in-los-angeles Foolishness of the Week https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/14/business/trump-income-crypto-licensing Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke & Stories https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 2025 • 34min
Episode 435: End of a Bromance
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/us-debt-downgrade https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/social-cohesion-poverty-top-agenda-at-milei-pope-meeting.phtml https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/democrats-young-male-voters-2024-rcna210085 Foolishness of the Week https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-drop-20m-bizarre-american-men-strategy-plan-study-effort-dig-out-2024-political-hole Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke & Stories https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2025 • 32min
Episode 434: The Moon!
Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits https://thehill.com/business/housing/5326389-homesellers-outnumber-buyers-housing-market/ Foolishness of the Week https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbard-considering-ways-revamp-trumps-intelligence-briefing-rcna209805 Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke & Stories https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices