
Unintended Consequences
Unintended Consequences is the podcast of Regulation magazine, produced by the Cato Institute. Hosted by Peter Van Doren and Paul Matzko, the show explores how government interventions can have surprising—and often negative—consequences. Drawing from Regulation's in-depth policy analysis and cover stories, each episode unpacks the gap between policymakers’ intentions and the real-world outcomes that follow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Feb 14, 2024 • 1h 7min
Starter Homes, Electric Vehicles, and Poverty
The podcast discusses the unintended consequences of government regulations on housing, electric vehicles, and poverty. They explore how Dodd-Frank impacted small dollar mortgages, systemic racism in housing, and the complexities of electric vehicle cost-benefit analysis. The discussion also delves into tax policies, welfare programs, and challenges misconceptions on poverty and welfare systems in the US and Europe.

12 snips
Oct 10, 2023 • 1h 5min
Whiskey, Electricity, and Antitrust
Special guests Macy Scheck and Daniel Smith discuss adulterated whiskey, Texan electricity, and Brandeisian antitrust. Topics include concerns around adulteration in the whiskey market, electricity generation systems in Northeast and Texas, the impact of Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods, productive efficiencies in different sectors, patents and antitrust regulations.

Jul 24, 2023 • 1h 4min
Enforcing Smart Water Management Policies and Encouraging Bureaucratic Neutrality is Harder Than You Might Imagine
Exploring challenges in water management, disaster response, and economic policy. Discussing struggles in enforcing regulations, transitioning to privatized water systems, and maintaining neutrality in government agencies. Delving into public health experts' shifting mask-wearing recommendations and navigating the complexity of cost-benefit analyses in policy decisions.

6 snips
Apr 19, 2023 • 52min
Railroad Profiteering and Mortgage Forbearance
Mark Calabria, Former head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, discusses preventing a mortgage meltdown during the pandemic. Also, railroads' excessive profits and the limitations of zoning reform for housing inflation are explored.