
The Future of Liberty
The future of liberty has never been more uncertain. While there remain many reasons for optimism, there is also cause for pessimism or even alarm. With experience in business, education, and politics, former Indiana governor and Purdue University president Mitch Daniels investigates the prospects for the future of liberty and more through conversations with prominent thinkers and leaders across diverse fields.
Latest episodes

Apr 4, 2025 • 57min
Mike Pence on our Constitutional Moment
Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss lessons in preserving freedom in the midst of a global pandemic, faith traditions and self-governance, DOGE, and January 6th.The Preservation of the Republic & Secular Society (13:42)Essential versus Overrated Personal Character (17:35)Reflections on COVID-19 (20:09)The Federal System, DOGE, & National Debt (31:29)Recalling January 6 (45:17)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Mar 18, 2025 • 52min
Charles Murray on Dignity and the American Dream
Governor Mitch Daniels and Charles Murray, the F.A. Hayek Emeritus Chair in Cultural Studies at the American Enterprise Institute discuss the changing landscape of achievement in America, the widening gap between classes, and the interplay of liberty, responsibility, and self-respect.Family Structure & Changing Social Culture (8:45)Baby Boomers & The New Upper Class (19:58)College Saturation & The Gifted’s Role in National Success (26:33)The Precipitous Drop in Religiosity (37:17)Finding Tocqueville’s America & The Future of Liberty (44:56)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Feb 18, 2025 • 49min
Yuval Levin on Hope and Politics in America
On this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels and Yuval Levin explore the vital role of hope as an active virtue in sustaining a free society. They discuss the pressing need to rebuild trust, reconnect with one another, and form coalitions that transcend disagreement. The conversation delves into the enduring importance of the Constitution, the often-overlooked "everyday work" of Congress, and thoughtful ideas for reforming America’s political party system.Civil Discourse & Productive Disagreement (4:46)Majority Rule & Minority Rights (14:59)The Constitution as a Political Framework (21:56)Critiques & Institutional Change (31:54)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Jan 14, 2025 • 53min
Amity Shlaes on the Forgotten Lessons of the New Deal Era
Governor Mitch Daniels and historian Amity Shlaes discuss misconceptions about the Great Depression and the New Deal; reevaluate the reputations of Presidents Coolidge, Hoover, and FDR; and consider the idea of the Forgotten Man.The Government Playing God (2:21)Hoover, The Laissez-faire Champion (8:01)Crafty Politicians versus Committed Ideolouges (18:57)The Forgotten Man (31:33)Why Not Socialism and Youth (40:01)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Dec 5, 2024 • 54min
Niall Ferguson and the Lessons of History
Governor Mitch Daniels and renowned historian and author Sir Niall Ferguson discuss pressing current events including political polarization, the disturbing rise of violent antisemitic incidents, and the societal impact of aging populations. They also delve into the United States spending more on debt interest than on national security for the first time in history, the geopolitical threats and China's internal struggles, and a renewal of the U.S. national spirit with the emergence of new forms of American innovation and entrepreneurship.The reading ratio to understand and make history (2:02)Political polarization and woke culture (5:02)The new University of Austin (14:32)Gerontocracy and its impact on youth (21:30)Ferguson's Law on national debt and security (27:21)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Nov 14, 2024 • 39min
Stephanie Slade on Liberty, Virtue, and Fusionism
Governor Mitch Daniels and Reason magazine Senior Editor Stephanie Slade consider the changing factions of the American political landscape, the history and future of fusionism, and how college students became such big fans of big government. They also consider the contrast between the hopelessness of a static society and the hope and fears of a dynamic one and give us some reasons to be hopeful for the future of liberty.The American political shift and public opinion polling (2:02)The roots of fusionism and its modern interpretation (14:18)Youth and the appeal of the administration state (22:27)Limitations in a free market and punishing dynamism (30:43)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Oct 18, 2024 • 42min
Todd Young on Balancing Liberty, Security, and Markets
Governor Mitch Daniels and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind) discuss current threats to liberty, the state of the American military, the national debt, and the importance of continuing to invest in science and technology. They also consider the complex process of getting legislation passed, the impact of AI on military operations, and they close their discussion with some reasons to be hopeful about America in 2050.Global Threats & Liberty (00:44)Industrial Policy, the CHIPS Act, & Semiconductor Investment (12:22)Artificial Intelligence & TikTok (27:05)Chevron Deference & the Administrative State (33:30)
You can find The Future of Liberty with Gov. Mitch Daniels podcast wherever you get your podcasts including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected with Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Sep 20, 2024 • 46min
Randy Barnett on Liberty Under Law
Randy Barnett, a constitutional law professor passionate about originalism and individual rights, shares his journey from conservative roots to embracing libertarianism. He discusses the challenges of navigating a liberal campus, emphasizing the value of diverse opinions. The episode delves into the often-overlooked Ninth Amendment and its implications for personal rights. Barnett also highlights the tension between individual liberties and corporate power, showing how both can affect freedom. His insights offer a hopeful perspective on the future of liberty and the importance of resilience.

Aug 16, 2024 • 35min
Joe Lonsdale on the Rebirth of Liberty and Cultivating a Successful Future
Joe Lonsdale, founder and managing partner of 8VC, dives into the intersection of technology and liberty, stressing the need for reform in public education to foster critical thinking. He shares insights on launching defense companies amidst government competition and discusses the ethical dilemmas of TikTok as a social media tool for division. Lonsdale also highlights the establishment of the University of Austin, advocating for a balanced educational approach, and draws lessons from historical leaders like Cyrus the Great to inspire future leadership rooted in virtue.

Jul 19, 2024 • 46min
Katherine Mangu-Ward on Journalism and the State
Katherine Mangu-Ward, the Editor in Chief of Reason Magazine, dives into the challenges third parties face in American politics and critiques the belief in the weight of individual votes. She discusses the enduring charm of print magazines in a digital age and explores the complexities of technology's role in both enhancing freedom and enabling control. The conversation also highlights the importance of parental oversight in social media regulations and offers an optimistic view on fostering civic engagement through improved educational options.
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