The Libertarian Christian Podcast

In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Cody Cook and guest Jacob Winograd (host of Biblical Anarchy) dissect the provocative Dispatch article “Is MAGA Christianity True Christianity?” by Michael Renaud and Paul D. Miller.The article's authors frame “old-guard” conservatism as the heir to the magisterial Protestant Reformation (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli) — elite, intellectual, and state-aligned — while casting MAGA Christianity as a modern echo of the populist, emotional, and disempowered Radical Reformation (Anabaptists). Cook (Anabaptist) and Winograd (reformed Baptist) find the parallel historically flawed and politically irritating, yet valuable for discussion. They critique the article’s oversimplifications and discuss whether true Radical Reformation principles align more closely with libertarianism’s emphasis on voluntary society and rejection of state violence.The conversation explores whether political positions can ever disqualify Christian faithfulness, the dangers of conflating anti-elitism with anti-statism, and why both establishment conservatism and MAGA ultimately fail to challenge coercive power meaningfully.A thoughtful, nuanced critique of Christian political engagement that challenges listeners across the spectrum to examine the gospel’s true implications for power, authority, and liberty.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Doug Stuart welcomes the outspoken and innovative "lunatic farmer" Joel Salatin for a lively conversation on faith, food freedom, and regenerative agriculture. Joel Salatin shares his family's dramatic journey from Venezuela to Virginia and explains how his Christian and libertarian convictions shape his approach to farming and environmental stewardship.Together, they tackle topics like government barriers to small farming, the spiritual parallels found in creation, and the pitfalls of centralized power—both in food systems and politics. Joel Salatin also discusses how true freedom enables both creative entrepreneurship and individual responsibility.This episode is packed with practical insights, honest takes on modern agriculture, and a vision for a more decentralized, flourishing future. Tune in for inspiration and a fresh look at what it means to honor God’s creation while defending liberty.Check out Polyface Farms! Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

Bryan Caplan is a professor of economics at George Mason University and a New York Times bestselling author of thoughtful, persuasive, and contrarian books that challenge conventional wisdom on topics like immigration, education, government regulation, and feminism.This interview is a grab bag that covers some of his more controversial arguments and will be a delight to libertarians who are interested in "challenging the statist quo."Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

Doug Stuart sits down with Cody Libolt, founder of For the New Christian Intellectual and co-author of Redeeming the West: A Christian Defense of Reason and Individualism. Together, they dive into the philosophical roots of Western civilization, discussing why reason, self-interest, and individualism are crucial not just for a flourishing society, but also for a biblically faithful worldview.Cody Libolt unpacks the dangers of philosophical altruism and collectivism—contrasting them with what he calls "holy self-interest" and a biblical understanding of personal value. The conversation explores big questions like: Is Western civilization worth defending? How should Christians think about faith, reason, and emotions? What does the Bible say about individual rights, and where does Ayn Rand’s controversial legacy fit in?Whether you’re curious about the philosophical underpinnings of liberty, grappling with criticisms of individualism, or wondering how Christians can thoughtfully engage the cultural challenges of today, this episode offers a clear, thoughtful, and sometimes provocative take guaranteed to get you thinking.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this festive episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Cody Cook and guest Jacqueline Isaacs unpack her viral 2011 article A Christmas Carol: A Capitalist Story. Despite Dickens’ socialist leanings, the story he crafts actually depends on free markets—without Scrooge’s wealth, there’s no life-saving operation for Tiny Tim, no turkey for the Cratchits--no redemption arc at all. Isaacs argues capitalism isn’t the villain; it’s the stage. Even selfish Scrooge fuels prosperity via the “invisible hand,” while transformed Scrooge proves voluntary generosity trumps state poorhouses.Also: which political demographic are the modern day Scrooges? Does the Grinch make a case for commercialism? Which film adaptation of A Christmas Carol is the best? And the oft-forgotten anti-slavery verse in "O Holy Night." Don't get humbugged by socialist talking points--listen to this compelling conversation or else the Ghost of Christmases Libertarian might just come to pay you a visit tonight.Links referenced in this conversation:A Christmas Carol: A Capitalist StoryJacqueline Isaacs on X and Linkedin.The Institute for Faith, Work, & EconomicsJacqueline's Washington Times article "Seeing the People Behind Adam Smith's 'Invisible Hand'"Bellwether CommunicationsCalled to Freedom: Why You Can Be Christian and LibertarianAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

Host Doug Stuart welcomes back Katherine Mangu-Ward, Editor-in-Chief at Reason and co-host of the Reason Roundtable, for a candid conversation about what it means to be "the normal person in the room"—especially as a libertarian. Together, they unpack the challenges and rewards of approaching political dialogue with humility, common ground, and empathy rather than combative debate tactics. Katherine Mangu-Ward shares her evolution from zealous young debater to a more seasoned, thoughtful advocate for liberty, reflecting on the importance of reading the room, resisting the urge to "win" arguments, and planting seeds for long-term change.The conversation also dives into common libertarian stereotypes, the pitfalls of contrarianism, and the temptation of conspiracy thinking—especially in a post-COVID world. They discuss the importance of rhetorical strategy, the value of gradual versus radical reform, hypocrisy-detecting instincts, and why demonstrating real-life alternatives to state solutions is both necessary and inspiring. From personal anecdotes to reflections on political polarization, this episode offers practical wisdom for libertarians and anyone interested in effective, principled conversations about freedom.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

LCP host Cody Cook welcomes Dr. Gary Chartier to discuss his book, Christianity and the Nation-State. Chartier, Distinguished Professor of Law and Business Ethics and Associate Dean of the Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University, challenges Christian nationalism and state authority, advocating for a pluralist, consensual political order rooted in radical consociationalism. He critiques both nationalist and center-left establishment views, proposing a society of overlapping voluntary networks rather than our current system of territorial monopolies on force. Drawing from medieval Europe’s fragmented authority, he envisions a libertarian society where diverse, overlapping identities can thrive without coercive state power. Chartier emphasizes cosmopolitanism–rejecting homogeneity while affirming equal moral standing–and argues that liberty fosters human flourishing without undermining Christian values. This thought-provoking conversation blends theology, ethics, and politics, offering fresh insights into how Christians can engage society without ruling it. Tune in to explore Chartier’s compelling vision for a freer, more diverse world—available at GaryChartier.net or wherever fine books are sold!Books by Gary Chartier discussed in this episode:Christianity and the Nation-StateThe Conscience of an AnarchistLoving CreationThe Analogy of LoveAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart and Jacob Winograd sit down with James Lindsay to explore whether the West — and Israel by extension — can escape what Lindsay calls the “trap of catharsis.” Drawing from his recent essay Civilization vs. Catharsis, James explains how our culture has replaced reason and moral responsibility with emotional release — a worldview that seeks justice through outrage and purification rather than truth and reconciliation. Together, the discussion unpacks how this mindset, rooted in critical theory and postmodern thought, shapes everything from social movements to the global narratives surrounding Israel, the West, and the meaning of civilization itself.But this wasn’t a debate — it was an attempt to understand. Doug and Jacob press James on the taboos surrounding foreign policy discussion, the tendency to frame every disagreement as friend versus enemy, and whether defending the West from ideological decay risks mirroring the same tribalism it seeks to resist. The conversation wrestles with the spiritual and moral foundations of truth, liberty, and civilization — and asks whether any of them can survive without humility, repentance, and the courage to confront our own moral blindness.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

Hosts Doug Stuart and Cody Cook have a lively exploration of movies and their deeper significance beyond mere entertainment. The conversation kicks off with playful banter about the differences—or pretensions—between the terms "film," "movie," and "cinema," before diving into their personal journeys into movie appreciation, including the influence of family, childhood favorites, and the allure of old TV comedies.As the discussion unfolds, Doug Stuart and Cody Cook tackle how movies clarify, challenge, and shape values, examining the artistic, message-driven, and thematic layers beneath the surface. They consider why storytelling is central to human experience and how films, like the Bible, can illuminate questions about morality, suffering, and meaning.The episode highlights how both Christian and libertarian themes can emerge from unlikely cinematic places. From the rich symbolism and messaging in blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Minority Report to the nuanced character dynamics in The Dark Knight trilogy, Cody Cook breaks down how central planning, redemption, forgiveness, and the problem of evil play out on the big screen. The conversation also covers cult classics, overlooked gems, genre preferences, and how personal references and pop culture literacy shape one's perspective on film.Listeners are invited to reconsider the films they love—not just as sources of entertainment, but as vehicles for reflection, values, and even theological conversation. Whether you’re a cinephile, a casual watcher, or someone looking for libertarian or Christian undertones in your favorite movies, this episode is packed with recommendations, insight, and plenty of food for thought.Have a film that fits the libertarian or Christian mold? Doug Stuart and Cody Cook want to hear from you! Reach out and join the ongoing conversation about the transformative power of movies.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

Are you confused about libertarian talking points like cryptocurrency, gold standards, central banks, and fractional reserves? Mike Maharrey, a seasoned expert from Money Metals Exchange and the Tenth Amendment Center, joins us for our "Money for Dummies" episode. Mike helps Cody Cook (the perennial stand-in for monetary dummies) demystify complex economic concepts for everyday libertarians, tackling questions like: what is money, why did humans invent it, and where do banks come in? From the evolution of gold-backed currency to today’s fiat system, Mike traces how governments and central banks, like the Federal Reserve, drive inflation by printing money unchecked—building a debt-fueled economy. Also: are trade deficits a bad thing? Can tariffs make a country rich? Should a gold standard or a competing market for money predominate?Tune in for a clear, engaging guide to understanding money’s role in our economy, and why central planning fails.For more from Mike Maharrey, check out his work at moneymetals.com/news and listen to The Midweek Memo podcast.Other resources mentioned in this conversation:The Godarchy PodcastCarl Menger's The Origins of MoneyAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★