

Acton Line
Acton Institute
Dedicated to the promotion of a free and virtuous society, Acton Line brings together writers, economists, religious leaders, and more to bridge the gap between good intentions and sound economics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 53min
Kevin Vallier Is Infusing Fusionism with New Arguments
Kevin Vallier, a philosophy professor at the University of Toledo and associate director at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership, brings fresh perspectives on American conservatism's fusionist tradition. He discusses the critiques of fusionism and argues for its theoretical depth. Vallier emphasizes the timeless interplay of liberty and virtue, calling for renewed philosophical dialogue to address contemporary fragmentation. He also explores the moral implications of power and the role of public spirit in governance, advocating for a blend of rigorous ethical discourse and intellectual pluralism.

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 5min
How the CEO of America’s Future Is Preparing for America’s Future
In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Eric Kohn, CEO of America’s Future. They discuss just that—and what the organization Eric leads is doing to make that future a bright one. What are the ideas that animated America at its founding, and how do we best transmit them to a new generation? What are the sociological dimensions of building up the liberty movement in America? How can young people build skills and community—and have a good time doing so?Home — America's Future
Writing Fellows — America's Future
Gell-Mann amnesia effect | Wikipedia
A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream | Yuval Levin
The Internet of Beefs

Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 3min
David Bahnsen on the State of the U.S. Economy
In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with David Bahnsen, founder, managing partner, and CIO of The Bahnsen Group. With an ever-shifting policy environment and ever-expanding public debt, what is the state of the American economy? How have tariffs and interest rate policy affected economic growth? Why is the housing sector so crucial to the economy? What are the prospects for economic growth in the near future, and will AI revolutionize the American economy?
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Crisis of Responsibility: Our Cultural Addiction to Blame and How You Can Cure It | David Bahnsen
Capital Record | National Review Capital Matters
Two dolls instead of 30? Toys become the latest symbol of Trump's trade war | AP News
The Broken Window | Frédéric Bastiat
Understanding the National Debt | U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data
Powell Reiterates Fed’s Wait-and-See Approach Before Cutting Rates | The New York Times
“The Counter-Revolution in Monetary Theory” | Milton Friedman
Abundance | Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
If you’d like to support this podcast, you can help by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or suggestions for a future episode, you can email us at podcast@acton.org.

Jul 7, 2025 • 12min
Acton Rundown | July 2025
This month on the Acton Rundown: Dan and Mark recap Acton University 2025 and discuss Acton’s upcoming events and publications.
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Religion and Liberty Online
Acton University
Acton On-Demand
Marcel van Hattem on the Fight for Freedom in Brazil
Silicon Valley Revival?

Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 15min
Marcel van Hattem on the Fight for Freedom in Brazil
In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Marcel van Hattem, a Brazilian politician, journalist, and political scientist who is an elected federal representative of the State of Rio Grande do Sul in Brasilia. They begin by discussing Brazil’s history, people, and culture. The conversation then turns to the ongoing constitutional crises and how the Supreme Court’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies have threatened the rule of law, a free press, and freedom of speech in Brazil. What is the best course of action for freedom-loving Brazilians? How are liberty-minded legislators trying to fulfil their duties in the face of authoritarian pressure? Why are the upcoming Senate elections so important for the future of freedom in Brazil?
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Acton University
Marcel van Hattem – Deputado Federal
Marcel van Hattem (@marcelvanhattem) | Instagram photos and videos
Marcel van Hattem (@marcelvanhattem) | X
Delton Dallagnol on the fight against corruption in Brazil | YouTube
Why Brazil?: Pursuing Freedom in the Americas | Lucas Berlanza & Alex Catharino

Jun 25, 2025 • 51min
Silicon Valley Revival?
In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Dan Churchwell, director of programs and education at the Acton Institute, and A. Trevor Sutton, senior pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church, about their essay “The Gospel According to Silicon Valley,” which is the cover story for the Summer 2025 issue of Religion & Liberty.
Is there a Christian revival going on in Silicon Valley? How might technology shape and be shaped by a renewal of Christian faith? Is the renewed interest in Christianity genuine? Is “cultural Christianity” merely ideological? What would the fruits of a genuine revival mean for Silicon Valley and the technology produced there?
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The Gospel According To Silicon Valley | Religion and Liberty Online
Christianity Was “Borderline Illegal” in Silicon Valley. Now It’s the New Religion | Vanity Fair
The Silicon Valley Christians Who Want to Build ‘Heaven on Earth’ | WIRED
Silicon Valley Is Embracing Christianity (With the Help of Peter Thiel) | The New York Times
Come to Me, All You Networking Techies | Christianity Today
ACTS 17 Collective
Church in a Digital Age: Must We Worship Bodily to Worship at All? | Acton Lecture Series
Darrell Bock and Jonathan Armstrong on virtual reality church | Acton Institute
If you’d like to support this podcast, you can help by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or suggestions for a future episode, you can email us at podcast@acton.org.

Jun 18, 2025 • 37min
A Preview of Acton University 2025
On today’s episode, Dan Hugger speaks to Dan Churchwell, Acton’s director of programs and education, about what people can expect at Acton University 2025. They share some favorite memories from past years, look forward to some special guests this year, and dive in to what makes this conference unique.
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Acton University
Acton On-Demand
If you’d like to support this podcast, you can help by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or suggestions for a future episode, you can email us at podcast@acton.org.

Jun 16, 2025 • 11min
Acton Line: Now on Video!
Today, Acton librarian Dan Hugger and podcast producer Mark Townsend announce that the podcast will be on video going forward. They reveal the new podcast studio, talk about how recent economic events forced them to move quickly, and discuss the joys of flailing-arm tube men.
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Acton On-Demand
If you’d like to support this podcast, you can help by leaving a 5-star review at Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or suggestions for a future episode, you can reach us at podcast@acton.org.

Jun 11, 2025 • 1h 4min
Technological Threats to Liberty
Philip Bunn, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Covenant College, dives into the intersection of technology and liberty. He discusses how tech advancements create a generational divide and pose threats to individual freedoms, drawing on insights from thinkers like Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill. The dialogue also touches on the dual nature of technology, its impact on education and societal well-being, and the ethical implications of AI, emphasizing a return to critical engagement and authentic human contributions.

Jun 4, 2025 • 45min
The Role of Business in Society
On today’s episode, Acton librarian Dan Hugger speaks with James Otteson from Acton University 2024. They discuss Adam Smith and what he tells us about the role of business in society.
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Acton University
Acton On-Demand
James Otteson | Mendoza College of Business