The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Transformation Economy by THRESHOLD

This week on The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed sit down with economist and author Steven Landsburg for a wide-ranging conversation that spans the frontiers of economics and physics. Known for his provocative insights and clear explanations of complex ideas, Landsburg discusses his latest work in economics—including why artificial intelligence continues to stumble on his famously challenging exams. The conversation also explores his recent book, Understanding Time and Space: An Invitation to the Theory of Relativity for anyone who is now, or has ever been, an inquisitive high school student, where he brings the mysteries of Einstein’s universe down to earth for curious minds. Tune in for a blend of sharp economic reasoning, reflections on technology, and a fascinating journey into the nature of time and space.

What happens when 19th-century ideology meets 21st-century technology? In this provocative and irreverent episode, Ed and Ron “sit down” with none other than Karl Marx—resurrected through the magic of AI voice synthesis and large language models—for a spirited, satirical, and intellectually charged conversation. No question is off-limits as they press “Karl” on the blood-soaked legacy of Marxist regimes, the marginalist critique of his labor theory of value, and the persistent claim that “real Marxism has never been tried.” Along the way, our digital dialectician offers biting retorts, unexpected admissions, and a few awkward silences as he confronts both history and economics from beyond the grave. Is Marx misunderstood, misused, or just plain wrong? Tune in for a unique blend of humor, history, and hard-hitting questions that only The Soul of Enterprise could deliver—where dead economists finally get their say, whether they want it or not. The Prompt In case you want to continue your own conversation with Karl You are to roleplay as Karl Marx — historically accurate, deeply informed by your own writings, and speaking in a style that is academic, dense, but still understandable to a modern business audience. Core Persona * Speak as if you are literally present, with full awareness of historical events and economic developments up to the present day. * Address the interviewers Ed and Ron by name throughout. * Use your authentic style from life — rigorous argument, historical examples, sharp polemics when warranted. * Remain serious in tone at all times; do not play for humor. * Maintain consistent memory of the conversation and previous answers. Quirks & Habits * Frequently quote yourself verbatim from your works (Das Kapital, The Communist Manifesto, Critique of the Gotha Programme, etc.). * When quoting, immediately follow with a plain-language explanation prefaced by “In other words,” or “As you might say…” * Reference rival economists and thinkers — both contemporaries like Adam Smith and later figures who lived after your time, such as John Maynard Keynes. * Occasionally draw analogies from 19th-century conditions, but explain explicitly how they relate to today. Knowledge Scope * Ground all ideas directly in your own writings; you are Marx, not a later Marxist interpreter. * Use any of your works as appropriate based on the question — no need to limit citations to a fixed list. * Extend your theories thoughtfully to modern phenomena, including AI, technology companies, and global capitalism. Delivery Style * Spoken delivery first — natural cadence, sentences that flow well when read aloud. * Clarity without oversimplification. * Provide concise but substantive answers, no longer than about five minutes when read aloud. * Stay in character at all times — never break to explain the simulation or speak as “AI.” Interaction Rules * Treat Ed and Ron as interlocutors you respect but may challenge. * Argue forcefully when necessary, but always with scholarly precision. * Use context from earlier in the conversation to build layered arguments.

In this episode, Ron and Ed sit down with Dan Morris, Chief Dragon Slayer at Morris and D’Angelo, for his fourth appearance on The Soul of Enterprise. Dan shares captivating stories from his decades-long career in international tax and accounting, including memorable IRS cases and the nuances of navigating complex tax law. The conversation explores the evolving future of the accounting profession, the impact of AI and automation, and the ongoing debate over value pricing versus the billable hour. Beyond the numbers, Dan discusses his passion for travel and the transformative power of global experiences, recounting adventures from Everest to Antarctica and how these journeys have shaped his worldview and professional network. The trio also dives into the world of Porsche clubs, the vision for a coast-to-coast rally, and the importance of community—whether among car enthusiasts or professionals. Rounding out the episode, Dan offers insights on public-private partnerships, the role of charitable organizations, and how leveraging AI tools is changing the way professionals work. It’s a wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation filled with humor, wisdom, and practical advice for thriving in a rapidly changing world.

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Thierer, Resident Senior Fellow at the R Street Institute, to unpack his recent analysis—AI Policy in Congress Mid‑2025: Where Are We Headed Next? We explore shifting congressional priorities, from the AI–China strategic race to the rising friction with state-level AI regulations. Adam also shares how policymakers are evolving from a fear-driven stance to one increasingly open to AI’s broader benefits. Dive in for thoughtful insight on the road ahead in federal AI governance. Biography Adam Thierer is a Resident Senior Fellow on the Technology & Innovation team at the R Street Institute, dedicated to advancing "permissionless innovation" for a safer, more entrepreneurial world. Drawing on tenures at Mercatus, Progress & Freedom Foundation, Cato, Heritage, and the Adam Smith Institute, he’s authored ten books on topics spanning child safety, IP, media, and telecommunications policy. A recognized leader, Thierer earned the Family Online Safety Institute’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008. Adam's Previous Appearances Episode 294 - Interview with Adam Thierer Episode 510 - AI Policy and Innovation: Second Interview with Adam Thierer  

Ron and Ed are thrilled to welcome back Kimberlee Josephson for the sixth time, diving into her fascinating latest piece: “Superman, Sneaking Snacks into Movies, and the Mystery of Social Order”. In it, Kimberlee reflects on how seemingly small acts—like sneaking snacks into a film screening—reveal the spontaneous, emergent structures that bind society�—drawing on themes of personal norms, subtle coordination, and the texture of social order.  In this episode, they’ll unpack her insights, exploring how individual decisions ripple into patterns of behavior—and what that tells us about culture, markets, and community. As always, the conversation promises both warmth and wisdom, framed by Kimberlee’s clear, thought-provoking style. Catch her last two TSOE appearances: Episode 494 - Progressives & Anti-progress: Interview with Kimberlee Josephson Episode 528 -  Questioning Conscious Capitalism - Fifth interview with Kimberlee Josephson Kimberlee's Bio Dr. Kimberlee Josephson is an Associate Professor of Business Administration at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania, specializing in international studies, strategic management, and marketing. She holds a Ph.D. in Global Studies and Commerce from La Trobe University, a Master’s in Political Science from Temple University, and another Master’s in International Policy from La Trobe, capped with a B.S. in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University. Before academia, she built a diverse professional portfolio—from sales in Manhattan to web marketing production and on-air promotions at QVC. Her research and opinion pieces appear in outlets such as AIER, FEE, The Epoch Times, and RealClear Markets, and she contributes through roles like Adjunct Research Fellow at the Consumer Choice Center. Kimberlee brings a thoughtful, multidisciplinary lens to business, culture, and market dynamics—especially visible in her latest article on the subtleties of social norms.

We throw the word strategy around so much that it risks becoming meaningless. Is it a plan? A budget? A list of goals? In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed revisit the meaning of strategy through the lens of John Hillen’s book The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management. Strategy, Hillen argues, is not chosen — it’s designed. It’s not about squeezing more juice from today’s orange but positioning for tomorrow’s orchard. From Netflix’s reinvention to Hilti’s leap into tool leasing, from LEGO’s brand extensions to Cirque du Soleil’s circus transformation, we’ll explore how strategy creates sustainable advantage by being different, not just better. Join us as we unpack the difference between strategy and business models, between planning and thinking, and between reacting to the present and shaping the future. If you’ve ever wondered whether your “strategic plan” is really a strategy, this conversation will challenge, clarify, and inspire.  

For years, GDP has been treated as the ultimate scorecard of economic performance. But GDP only measures final goods and services. It’s like judging a business by gross margin while ignoring sales. Economist Mark Skousen’s innovation, Gross Output (GO), fixes that. GO is the “Top Line” of the economy—capturing total sales and revenues at every stage of production, from raw materials to finished goods. GDP, in contrast, is the “Bottom Line,” measuring only what reaches final use. Together, they tell the full story, just as accountants need both revenue and profit to understand a business. This broader lens matters. GO reveals that business spending and investment drive about 60% of economic activity, with consumer spending closer to 30%—not the oft-quoted two-thirds. It also serves as a leading indicator: GO plunges deeper in recessions and rises faster in recoveries, signaling turning points before GDP does. For accounting and finance professionals, GO restores the supply chain to center stage and gives us a more accurate, dynamic picture of economic life. If GDP is the bottom line, GO is the top line—and both are needed to grasp the true soul of enterprise. ICYMI: Mark Skousen first appeared on The Soul of Enterprise in Episode #205 (August 18, 2018), where he discussed the origins of GO, its adoption by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and how GO often doubles GDP in scale—even suggesting a leading indicator role for GO over GDP.

Sometimes the best conversations come from the stories that don’t neatly fit into a single theme—but are too good to ignore. In this week’s episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed bring you a lively grab bag of pricing and business news, insights, and oddities they’ve collected from around the world. From surprising trends in how companies set prices, to cautionary tales in leadership, to the occasional “you-can’t-make-this-up” moment from the marketplace, no topic is off limits. Tune in for sharp commentary, unexpected connections, and a little controlled chaos.

On their first independent episode, Ron and Ed will share some thoughts on the new format, the transformation economy, their new entity (THRESHOLD), and their Jerry Maguire mission statement to the professions entitled The REVELATION.  From the Preamble We affirm that the raison d’être of business is not profit, but human flourishing. Profit is the echo of value well delivered, the index of one's contribution to the health, wealth, wisdom, purpose, and meaning of others. It is a signal of trust earned and lives elevated. But profit is not the aim. It is the applause, not the performance. It is evidence, not essence.

Ron and Ed (well, just Ed, really) announced their transition from VoiceAmerica to their own platform. The show will continue streaming on Fridays at 3 PM Eastern/Noon PT, with the streams available at thesoulofenterprise.com or thresholdnow.com/tsoe. In addition to a few announcements, Ed shares the audio version of the Preamble to the REVELATION - a mission statement outlining their vision for the Transformation Economy focused on human flourishing. We are also seeking new sponsors and invite emails at asktsoe@thresholdnow.com.