

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

Nov 14, 2018 • 35min
Defining a human right; Understanding Brexit
On this episode of Radio Free Acton Trey Dimsdale, director of Program Outreach at Acton, speaks with Adam MacLeod, professor of law at Faulkner University, on what is a basic human right and how is the concept understood in the modern world? Then, Senior Editor at Acton, Rev. Ben Johnson, talks about Brexit with Rev. Richard Turnbull from the Center for Enterprise, Markets, and Ethics. They analyze the aftermath of Brexit and the events that led up to the split between Britain and the EU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2018 • 37min
The need for Christian statesmanship; ‘Ideas have Consequences’
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Jordan Ballor, Director of Publishing at Acton, speaks with Hunter Baker, Acton Affiliate Scholar, about the need for Christian statesmanship in our current political climate and the attributes of a statesman. Then Bruce Edward Walker and George Nash, American historian, talk about the 70th anniversary of Richard Weaver’s book ‘Ideas have Consequences.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 31, 2018 • 36min
The story of Arthur Vandenberg; Russell Kirk’s horror fiction
On this episode of Radio Free Acton: Gleaves Whitney, Director of Grand Valley State University Howenstein Center for Presidential Studies, talks with Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman and CEO of US supermarket chain Meijer, about the story of Arthur Vandenburg (1884-1951), a US senator from Michigan who became one of the founders of modern US foreign policy. Then, Bruce Edward Walker speaks with Ben Lockerd, Professor of English at Grand Valley State University, about the horror fiction of Russell Kirk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 24, 2018 • 22min
Hot, dirty, noisy: Purposeful work at Kerkstra Precast; Media blackout on Gosnell movie
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, award winning news anchor Anne Marie Schieber speaks with James Morgan about his job at Kerkstra Precast, an industrial plant. We get a look into James’ daily work and how he finds meaning and motivation in what he does. Then, Caroline Roberts talks to Phelim McAleer, co-producer of a newly released film "Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer", successful with audiences but since it’s release the film has faced harsh backlash, censorship, and media blackout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 17, 2018 • 30min
Was Jesus a socialist? The importance of poetry
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Hugger, Research Associate at Acton, speaks with Larry Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education, about the question that seems to be cropping up everywhere nowadays: Was Jesus a socialist? Then, Bruce Edward Walker talks to James Matthew Wilson about his new volume of poetry and on why poetry is important today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2018 • 29min
The debasement of human rights; Econ quiz on USMCA
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, John Couretas, Director of Communications at Acton, speaks with Aaron Rhodes, a human rights activist based out of Hamburg, Germany, about Aaron’s new book "The Debasement of Human Rights." Where does the notion of human rights come from and how can we better defend it? Then Caroline Roberts, Producer of Radio Free Acton, talks to Stephen Smith, Professor of Economics at Hope College, about the new North American trade agreement, the USMCA. They discuss the major differences between the USMCA and NAFTA and the benefits of the new agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 3, 2018 • 36min
Virtue in education; Discussing the literary greats
On this Episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Churchwell, Director of Program Outreach at Acton, speaks with Nathan Hitchcock, education entrepreneur, about the role of character development and virtue play in education, and what the future of education might look like. Then, Bruce Edward Walker talks to John J. Miller, Director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College and writer at the National Review, about John’s new anthology Reading Around: Journalism on Authors, Artists, and Ideas. They discuss some of the most interesting books released in the last few centuries and recommend some lesser known authors to add to your reading list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 2018 • 33min
The connection of faith and work; the legacy of Walker Percy
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Associate Director of Program Outreach at Acton, Dan Churchwell, and Missy Wallace, Executive Director of the Nashville Institute for Faith and Work, discuss how Missy became interested in the connection between faith and work, and why it is an important topic in business. Then, Caroline Roberts speaks with Brian A. Smith, Managing Editor of Liberty Fund’s Law and Liberty publication, on Walker Percy’s life and works, as well as his relevance today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 2018 • 26min
Inside the studio of a violin maker; Upstream on the film 'Andrei Rublev'
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, award winning news anchor Anne Marie Schieber visits the studio of Matthew Noykos, a violin maker in Grand Rapids, MI, to learn more about his craft and discuss how he finds purpose and fulfillment in his everyday work. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker speaks with Robert Bird, author of two books on Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, about Tarkovsky’s film Andrei Rublev, which was recently re-issued by the Criterion Collection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 12, 2018 • 27min
The good news about poverty; Upstream on ‘Operation Finale’
On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Caroline Roberts, producer and host of Radio Free Acton, speaks with Joseph Connors, Assistant Professor of Economics at Florida Southern College, about the global decline in poverty and how we can continue to reduce it. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to Alex Chafuen, Managing Director, International, at Acton, on “Operation Finale” a new film depicting the capture of infamous nazi Adolf Eichmann after he escaped to Argentina following WW2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.