

Bob Murphy Show
Robert Murphy
The podcast promoting free markets, free minds, and grateful souls.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
May 7, 2025 • 43min
Ep. 405 Sorry MAGA, the GDP Report Doesn't Bode Well
The latest GDP report reveals a troubling 0.3% decline in the economy, driven by increased imports and a drop in government spending. Experts debate the implications, with some offering overly optimistic takes on the data. A closer look at the details shows a complex picture of economic performance, particularly the impact of government expenditure on growth. Historical parallels add depth, revealing how these trends can shape the future, and raise concerns about inflation and consumption.

7 snips
May 1, 2025 • 1h 7min
Ep. 404 How Would a Libertarian Society Handle Children's Rights?
Adam Haman, a thinker on libertarian legal theory and creator of the HamanNature substack, joins the discussion on children's rights within a libertarian context. He tackles the challenging dynamics of parental obligations and critiques traditional views of ownership. The conversation spills into animal treatment and the ethical implications for AI. Humorous anecdotes about gambling lighten the mood while serious topics like guardianship without state intervention and the morality of dietary choices raise compelling questions about autonomy and welfare.

9 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 27min
Ep. 403 How Would a Libertarian Society Handle Human Shields?
The discussion dives into the intricacies of how a libertarian society would address moral dilemmas surrounding human shields. Ethical implications of military actions and civilian casualties are scrutinized. The role of private defense in crises is explored, highlighting critical engagement in the political discourse. Complexities of self-defense in a libertarian framework and the influence of economic factors on military strategies are also examined. The importance of nuanced analysis in extreme situations adds depth to the conversation.

5 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 402 Against Heinlein: Peace, Not Violence, Settles Issues
Bob responds to a Heinlein quotation (from Starship Troopers) that claimed violence had settled more issues in history than any other factor. Bob relies on Mises and Jesus to argue the contrary.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Jeremy Kauffman's tweet that prompted this episode.Bob on why the AI won't wipe us out.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep. 401 Even More Fallout From the Douglas Murray vs. Dave Smith Debate
Adam Haman returns to analyze the continued fallout from the Murray/Smith debate on the Joe Rogan podcast. As always, Adam and Bob have unique video and insights that other commenters have overlooked.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The full Murray/Smith debate on Rogan.Douglas Murray on Australia's Sky News. His NY Post op ed.Konstantin Kisin's article.A Spiked analysis of the debate.Pat Buchanan's C-SPAN debate on Churchill.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 47min
Ep. 400 New Analysis of the Douglas Murray / Dave Smith Debate on Rogan
Adam Haman, a commentator from HamanNature, joins to analyze the heated debate between Douglas Murray and Dave Smith. They tackle the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and critique the dynamics of the debate, likening it to an unexpected boxing match. The conversation dives into Murray's historical perspectives on foreign interventions and the fog of war's impact on decision-making. They also discuss personal biases, the role of lived experiences in shaping opinions, and how narratives can distort public perception.

Apr 15, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 399 Chris Barnard Gives Conservatives Permission to Care About the Environment
Chris Barnard is president of the American Conservation Coalition, which has some 75,000 members. He joins Bob to discuss the unfortunate pattern of ceding concern for the environment to the political left, and what the ACC is doing (especially on college campuses) to shatter that stereotype.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.Chris Barnard's bio at American Conservation Coalition.The Market Environmentalism Academy.Bob's article showing that Naomi Klein supported the Green New Deal for non-climate reasons.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

4 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep. 398 How Should Libertarians Debate Trump’s Tariffs?
Adam Haman, a writer at HamanNature substack, joins to tackle the contentious issue of Trump's tariffs. They dissect the justifications for these tariffs, linking them to rising nationalism and protectionism, especially post-COVID. Haman challenges common misconceptions around trade deficits, emphasizing their complexity and potential coexistence with strong economies. The duo explores the adverse effects of tariffs on consumers and the deeper implications for U.S. manufacturing and global trade dynamics, urging a reevaluation of free-market principles.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep. 397 Judas and Fredo: Domenic Scarcella on the Passion of Jesus
Adam Haman and Bob interview Domenic Scarcella (author of Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen) on the events leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus. The conversation includes Domenic's unorthodox take on Judas.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Domenic Scarcella's substack.Scarcella's earlier appearance on BMS ep. 310, arguing that Jesus was a good neighbor but bad citizen.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Apr 3, 2025 • 42min
Ep. 396 An Interdisciplinary Commentary on the Gospel Accounts of Jesus Christ: Installment 9, Cleansing the Temple
Bob covers John 2: 13-25, where Jesus drives out the animals and moneychangers from the temple in Jerusalem at the start of His public ministry.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:RC Sproul on cleansing of the temple. John MacArthur on it.The previous episode in this series, i.e. BMS ep. 374, Installment 8: Turning Water Into Wine.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.