
The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
Want to know what comes next in politics, culture, and libertarian ideas? Reason’s Nick Gillespie hosts relentlessly interesting interviews with the activists, artists, authors, entrepreneurs, newsmakers, and politicians who are defining the 21st century.
Latest episodes

Oct 13, 2023 • 1h 38min
Max Abrahms: Historic Escalation in the Israel-Hamas War
Exploring the motivations behind the recent Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli civilians and the Israeli government's response. Examining Hamas' true objectives and the impact on negotiations. Discussing the potential increase in Hamas' popularity among the Palestinian population. Exploring the symbiotic relationship between the Israeli right and radical groups in Palestinian political media. Highlighting the issuance of work permits to Gazans by the Israeli state. Analyzing the impact of the Israel-Hamas war and US politics. Discussing Gaza's dependence on Israel and examining strategies for militant groups to achieve success.

Oct 11, 2023 • 48min
Alexandra Hudson: How Civility Can Save America—and the World
Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility, discusses the importance of mutual respect and tolerance in a politically polarized world. Topics include the difference between civility and manners, the need for civil disobedience, the impact of declining religion and family, and the importance of de-emphasizing politics for societal improvement.

Oct 6, 2023 • 1h 26min
Aella: Is Porn Too Pervasive?
This podcast explores the impact of age verification laws on the online porn industry. It delves into a judge's ruling on restricting access to explicit material and discusses the influence of violent pornography on sexual expectations. The speakers also discuss arguments on access to explicit content in books, the legacy of feminism in the sexual revolution, and the changing cultural dynamics that have led to a backlash against men. They conclude with a discussion on the future of technology and the need for alternatives for those experiencing loneliness.

Oct 5, 2023 • 1h 3min
Yascha Mounk: Avoiding The Identity Trap
Yascha Mounk discusses the dominance of identity politics, the power of post-modernism, critical race theory and intersectionality, teaching 'stupid things' to privileged children, family history and identity, challenges of being a college administrator, and embracing universal principles.

4 snips
Sep 29, 2023 • 1h 23min
Josh Barro: A Republican Presidential Debate Detached From Reality
The podcast discusses the second GOP primary debate, the candidates' positions on key issues, and their response to Donald Trump's absence. It explores topics such as Ron DeSantis' proposal to send troops to Mexico, the feud over TikTok, military aid to Ukraine, and the 2024 election. Other interesting discussions include education reform, concerns over TikTok, government waste, fact-checking, and the communication styles of Joe Biden and Gavin Newsom.

Sep 27, 2023 • 57min
Bjorn Lomborg: How Our Climate Fixation Hurts the World's Poor
Bjorn Lomborg challenges apocalyptic climate change predictions and discusses his work with the Copenhagen Consensus. He presents 12 efficient solutions for the global poor, arguing they could save 4.2 million lives and generate $1.1 trillion in value annually. Topics also include addressing tuberculosis, investing in primary education, the declining reputation of the UN, skepticism in environmental discussions, and overcoming pessimism in media.

Sep 22, 2023 • 1h 24min
Johan Norberg: How Sweden Defied Dire COVID Predictions
Johan Norberg, Swedish economist and author, discusses Sweden's pandemic policies. Topics include media coverage of Sweden's approach, low COVID-19 death rate, political culture, elder care homes, and debunking myths about Sweden's socialism.

5 snips
Sep 20, 2023 • 37min
Erika Dyck: Are We Living in a Psychedelic Renaissance?
Explore the resurgence of psychedelic drugs like MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD and their potential to revolutionize mental healthcare. Learn about the history of psychedelics, tensions between indigenous communities and medical practitioners, and arguments against the war on drugs. Discover the importance of involving indigenous populations in discussions about psychedelic legalization and harm reduction, and the potential benefits and risks of a world where psychedelics are normalized. Dive into the concept of neurodiversity and its potential to transform mental health interventions, while also exploring tensions surrounding authenticity and appropriation of psychedelics.

Sep 15, 2023 • 1h 24min
Aaron Kheriaty: Will COVID Restrictions Persist Indefinitely in Schools?
Psychiatrist Aaron Kheriaty discusses the persistence of COVID restrictions in schools and explores the impact of authoritarian measures on American society. They cover topics such as the influence of teachers unions, the effectiveness of interventions like masks, and the requirement of vaccine passports. The conversation also touches on the long-term effects of COVID setbacks on language acquisition, debates surrounding vaccine mandates in higher education, and strategies for opposing the implementation of surveillance and digital identification systems.

Sep 13, 2023 • 22min
Rick Perry: The Conservative Case for Psychedelics
Former Texas governor and Trump administration member Rick Perry discusses the conservative case for psychedelics as legal medicine for veterans and individuals with PTSD. He highlights Ibogaine as a potent substance and advocates for logical conversations on immigration reform. The podcast also explores the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy for trauma survivors and emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis, dosing, guidance, and follow-up. The host concludes by recommending other Reason-produced podcast series.
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