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Join Ryan Bourne, an economic expert at the Cato Institute, and Alex Nowrasteh, VP for Policy Studies, as they delve into the intriguing world of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They explore how DOGE can reshape government operations amidst rising debt and discuss the chaotic yet potentially transformative processes at play. The duo also examines the unpredictable nature of Dogecoin and its impact on public policy, highlighting the tension between political ideologies and fiscal realities in the evolving landscape.

In his latest book, “Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History,” Thomas Albert Howard presents three principal forms of modern secularism that have arisen since the Enlightenment: passive, combative, and eliminationist. Howard argues that the latter two have been especially violence-prone and says Westerners do not fully grasp this because they often mistake passive secularism for secularism as a whole. But a disconcertingly more complicated picture emerges when you adopt a broader global vision. On today’s episode, John Pinheiro, Acton’s director of research, talks to Howard about secularism, what about it we often misunderstand, and his book. Subscribe to our podcasts Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History | Yale University Press Thomas Albert (Tal) Howard | Valparaiso University The Gulag Archipelago | Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression

On today’s episode, Dan Churchwell, Acton’s director of programs and education, talks to James Hartley, professor of economics at Mount Holyoke College, ahead of James’ Acton Lecture Series event. They survey the discipline of economics and how James came to study it for over 30 years. The lecture, entitled “Tariffs, Trade Wars, and the State of the Economy,” sifts through the noise of the often-bewildering claims and counterclaims of economic news. You can watch James’ lecture at ondemand.acton.org.Subscribe to our podcastsActon UniversityActon On-Demand

The 2024 PovertyCure Summit, “Dignity, Agency & Charity,” was a virtual event put on by Acton’s Center for Social Flourishing. Over two days, participants learned from scholars and practitioners involved in the global struggle against poverty—and against “toxic charity” that hinders people’s ability to rise.On today’s episode, we bring you a presentation from Dr. Seth Kaplan, author of the book ‘Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time.’ He talks about why American society is in trouble and what we can do about it.Subscribe to our podcastsFragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a TimePovertyCure Summit

On today’s episode, we bring you a conversation from Acton University between Acton’s director of programming, Dan Churchwell, and Scott Rae, professor of philosophy and Christian ethics at Biola University. They discuss medical and business ethics, death, and the Resurrection. Acton University is Acton’s flagship conference, focused on building the foundations of human freedom and exploring the intersection of faith and free markets. To learn more about Acton University, please visit university.acton.org. And to find additional content from previous Acton Universities, please visit ondemand.acton.org. Subscribe to our podcastsActon UniversityActon On-DemandScott Rae | Biola University

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Stephen Smith, dean of the humanities, Temple Family Chair in English Literature, and professor of English at Hillsdale College, about St. Thomas More, William Shakespeare, and Christian humanism. What is the Christian humanist tradition? How does St. Thomas More exemplify that tradition? How was William Shakespeare inspired by More’s life, scholarship, and sensibility? How can we revive the humanities and continue the Christian humanist tradition today?Stephen Smith — Hillsdale CollegeThomas More StudiesThe Essential Works of Thomas MoreWhat is Christian humanism? A conversation with Bradley J. BirzerThe Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis | Alan JacobsDe officiis, with an English translation by Walter Miller | Marcus Tullius CiceroOn Friendship (De Amicitia) | Marcus Tullius CiceroMore’s Letter to Antonio Bonvisi, 1535The Book of Sir Thomas More

Andrew M. McGinnis, assistant director of research at the CRCD and managing editor of the Journal of Religion, Culture & Democracy, dives into early modern economics and ethics. He sheds light on the School of Salamanca's contributions and the revival of natural law in Protestant thought. McGinnis discusses how print culture during the Reformation shaped ideas and emphasizes the moral complexity of commerce. The conversation also explores exciting technological advancements that help uncover lost manuscripts, inviting curiosity about historical treasures.

In this discussion, Gerard Wegemer, the founding director of the Center for Thomas More Studies and an expert on Thomas More, delves into the critical role of moral philosophy in addressing America's housing shortage. He emphasizes the need to empower impoverished households through dignity and agency. Additionally, Wegemer highlights Thomas More's legacy, advocating for self-governance and the moral implications of law. The conversation also touches on the significance of education and dialogue in fostering a well-formed conscience in society.

On today’s episode, Acton’s director of research, John Pinheiro, speaks to Gerard Wegemer, founding director of the Center for Thomas More Studies. They discuss More’s life, writings, and understanding of law, liberty, and citizenship. Subscribe to our podcasts Center for Thomas More Studies

This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by John Pinheiro and Dylan Pahman to discuss the presidential transition. What have past presidential transitions looked like, and how does this one compare? What should we make of the flurry of pardons from Presidents Trump and Biden? How many amendments does our Constitution, in fact, have—and what do they even mean? Who needs them when you have executive orders? And how will those new executive orders affect the economy and civil service?Subscribe to our podcastsBiden Pardons 5 Members of His Family in Final Minutes in Office | The New York TimesFamily outraged after man convicted in Connecticut killings gets clemency from Biden in drug case | AP NewsPardon of January 6 United States Capitol attack defendants | WikipediaBiden Says Equal Rights Amendment Has Passed, but Does Not Force Certification | The New York TimesBirthright Citizenship Is American Citizenship | John YooTrump Admin Orders Federal D.E.I. Efforts to Shut Down by Wednesday Night | The New York TimesRestoring America Means More Tuskegee Airmen and Less DEI