

The Libertarian Christian Podcast
Libertarian Christian Institute
Join the Libertarian Christian Institute as each week they explore, debate, and analyze the issues that are directly relevant to the intersection of Christianity and liberty. Always thoughtful, frequently controversial, and never boring (trust us), it is our hope and prayer that The Libertarian Christian Podcast serve as a valuable resource to the Church for years to come.
If you'd like to reach out to us and ask a question or submit some feedback, you can reach us at podcast@libertarianchristians.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, our website, libertarianchristians.com.
If you'd like to reach out to us and ask a question or submit some feedback, you can reach us at podcast@libertarianchristians.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, our website, libertarianchristians.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2025 • 20min
Ep 417: COVID Revisited at FreedomFest, with Benjamin Giffone
Benjamin Giffone, author of the LCI-published book A House Divided: Technology, Worship, and Healing the Church After COVID, gave this presentation at FreedomFest 2025. Benj takes on one of the most controversial topics of our time—COVID-19 and the role of the Church in a world increasingly dominated by state control. He dives into how the pandemic exposed the fragile balance between personal freedom and government overreach, and how both the Church and the state reacted to the crisis.Watch LCI's full presentation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4t4Lb61Cfzw?si=HcCHd2-bqFf2QHNDAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jul 25, 2025 • 49min
Ep 416: The Future of the Libertarian Party, with Paul Darr
Host Cody Cook sits down with Paul Darr, Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee, to explore the current state and future direction of the Libertarian Party. Darr shares his journey from foster care to military service, shaping his libertarian views through personal experiences with state overreach and incompetence. He discusses efforts to heal internal party divisions, particularly between the Mises and Classical Liberal Caucuses, emphasizing unity through shared goals like ballot access, membership growth, and coalition-building legislative initiatives such as Defend the Guard. Darr advocates for modernizing outreach, reviving Project Archimedes, and focusing on local elections to build a stronger foundation. Addressing Christian listeners, he frames libertarianism as a Christ-like pursuit of voluntary cooperation, urging active engagement to dismantle state coercion. With a nod to past leaders like Harry Browne, Darr outlines a pragmatic yet principled vision for a healthier, more effective Libertarian Party, ready to challenge the political duopoly.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jul 18, 2025 • 55min
Ep 415: Can Libertarians Make Immigration Great Again? with Alex Nowrasteh
Is immigration chaos at the border a failure of libertarian ideals—or government itself? Host Doug Stuart is joined by Alex Nowrasteh, Vice President for Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, to tackle the heated issues around immigration policy and American history. Fresh off his Soho Forum debate with Dave Smith, Alex reflects on why the immigration conversation keeps evolving, how Congress uses “hearings” more as political theater than for honest dialogue, and what actually went wrong during the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and border security.Doug and Alex dive deep into the shifts over the past decade in how Americans (especially conservatives and libertarians) perceive legal and illegal immigration, and whether the “open borders” label is even useful. They explore how the welfare of global citizens fits—or doesn’t fit—into Christian and libertarian arguments, the nuances of rhetoric vs. principle, and how immigration intersects with everything from labor unions to the welfare state.Alex candidly addresses the most common libertarian objections—from welfare and roads to claims about immigrants’ voting patterns and threats to freedom—and even steel-mans the best arguments against liberalizing migration.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jul 11, 2025 • 57min
Ep 414: From 1999 to Here: How the Triumph of Low Culture Created Our Political Moment, with Ross Benes
Ross Benes, an author and journalist known for his work with Esquire and the Wall Street Journal, discusses how the chaotic pop culture of the late '90s, like Jerry Springer and Insane Clown Posse, has reshaped our political landscape. He examines the rise of low culture and its effects on democracy and political dynamics, questioning if today's reality TV tactics are a necessary evolution. The conversation also explores how entertainment influences identity and community, particularly in the era of social media.

Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ep 413: Mere Economics, with Caleb S. Fuller
In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Cody Cook welcomes Dr. Caleb S. Fuller, Associate Professor of Economics at Grove City College and co-author of Mere Economics. Together, they explore the foundational concepts of economics through a Christian lens, drawing on the new book Fuller co-authored with Art Carden.Dr. Fuller explains why basic economic principles are widely shared among economists regardless of their political leanings, and why these ideas matter for both economic policy and everyday life. The conversation takes a deep dive into the role of markets, trade, and private property, as well as common misunderstandings about self-interest, selfishness, and the supposed morality of government intervention.The episode also grapples with thought-provoking questions often posed to Christians: Should prosperity make us feel guilty? Is suffering better for spiritual growth? Do economic systems like capitalism promote or hinder spiritual and material well-being? Fuller unpacks myths about capitalism versus other systems, discusses the pitfalls of unintended consequences in public policy, and shares practical insights on how exchange, specialization, and entrepreneurship reflect both human dignity and biblical stewardship.Perfect for listeners curious about the intersection of faith, economics, and liberty, this episode offers a clear, accessible, and principled look at why understanding economics isn’t just for “numbers nerds,” but for anyone who wants to make intelligent, faithful choices in a world of scarcity.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 15min
Ep 412: Beyond Open vs. Closed Borders
In this episode, host Doug Stuart is joined by Jim Babka and Jacob Winograd for a lively conversation that moves beyond the oversimplified "open versus closed borders" debate. Together, they reflect on the recent Soho Forum clash between Dave Smith and Alex Nowrasteh, dissect how libertarians can approach immigration theory and policy, and discuss the implications for Christians invested in political discourse. From philosophical foundations like property rights and voluntarism to real-world concerns about the state’s role, cultural effects, and compassion for individuals, this episode steers away from talking points towards practical and principled engagement.Whether you’re a seasoned libertarian, curious Christian, or someone passionate about how faith and liberty intersect in today’s world, this episode will challenge your assumptions and equip you for deeper conversations about justice, borders, and what it means to truly respect the humanity of others people.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jun 20, 2025 • 60min
Ep 411: Prehistoric Anarchist Societies? with Dr. Charles Stanish
Dr. Charles Stanish was our guest to talk about his archaeological work and what it tells us about the evolution of human cooperation and complex societies–and particularly the surprising existence of complex stateless societies and what we might learn from them. Dr. Stanish is an archaeologist who has worked extensively in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, conducting research on the prehistoric societies of the region. He is the author of The Evolution of Human Co-operation, among other books and articles.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 36min
Ep 410: Trespassing or Invited? Soho Forum Debate Analysis
Join us for a breakdown and reaction to the recent Soho Forum debate on immigration, hosted by Reason Magazine, where Dave Smith faced off against Alex Nowrasteh to answer a hot question: Should libertarians support open borders?Doug Stuart and Jacob Winograd were there in person and here unpack the arguments, the ideological tension between libertarian populism and policy libertarianism, and what it all means for the future of liberty and immigration discourse.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
Ep 409: Make Racism Great Again... Again? with Jacob Winograd & Cody Cook
This is a cleaned-up version of what we thought was a really useful unedited conversation on the Biblical Anarchy Podcast.In it, Jacob Winograd sat down with Cody Cook to wrestle with some uncomfortable questions facing the liberty movement today. We talked about the rise of identity politics—not just on the left, but increasingly on the right—and whether libertarianism can offer a true alternative or if it’s being co-opted by tribal instincts and reactionary impulses. Using Jeff Deist’s controversial “blood and soil” quote as a starting point, we explore how freedom of association intersects with issues of nationalism, racism, and open borders.Can liberty thrive in a society fragmenting along cultural and tribal lines? Is decentralization enough, or do we need a shared moral foundation to preserve peace and voluntary cooperation? We reflect on Rothbard’s Nations by Consent, the Christian nationalist temptation, and whether becoming a republic again is a prerequisite to building a voluntaryist future. It’s a challenging but necessary conversation on where liberty and principle must stand in a world increasingly defined by group identity. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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May 30, 2025 • 60min
Ep 408: Rethinking the War on Drugs, with Jane Clair Tyner
Dive into a thought-provoking episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast with host Cody Cook and guest Jane Clair Tyner, Communications Manager at End It For Good. This compelling conversation challenges conventional views on drug addiction and explores health-centered approaches over punitive measures. Jane shares insights from End It For Good’s mission, drawing from founder Christina Dent’s transformative journey detailed in her book Curious. From Dr. Bruce Alexander's groundbreaking Rat Park study to the harsh realities of the justice system, they unravel the complexities of addiction, debunk the "demon drug" myth, and discuss the societal impacts of prohibition. Jane’s personal story adds a heartfelt dimension, urging listeners to rethink drug policy with empathy and evidence. Tune in for a fresh perspective on balancing grace, liberty, and responsibility in addressing one of society’s toughest issues. Find resources and connect at enditforgood.com!Additional resources:End It For Good's podcast interviews with Dr. Bruce Alexander: Ep. 14 on the Rat Park experiment, Ep. 15 on a deeper dive into addiction and recovery.End It For Good's core resource page.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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