Cato Event Podcast

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has been given an unusual mandate: to end the department she has been tasked with overseeing. As out of the ordinary as that might be, it is the right mission, because the Constitution gives the federal government no authority to govern in education, and the department’s practical track record has been terrible.Join us for a very special fireside chat—shortly after the department celebrated its 45th birthday, on May 4th—where we will discuss why the department needs to go, how that can be done, the steps taken so far, and what American education would look like without a federal Department of Education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

School and district leaders are uniquely positioned to implement interdisciplinary civil discourse as schoolwide practices that empower educators and allow for each student’s voice to be heard. By doing so, leaders build positive school cultures where students and staff bridge diverse viewpoints and have space for discussion, understanding, and reflection.In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of current educational leaders on how they build and foster civil discourse practices. They will discuss supporting educators and students and addressing concerns and challenges. Learn tips for supporting educators and planning the next steps for your community.You’ll also learn about Sphere’s new Leadership Toolkit for Civil Discourse, a collection of free resources designed to support you in getting started, planning action steps, setting goals, and more to foster civil discourse and empower educators. Our suite of new resources is designed for administrators, instructional coaches, department chairs, and other leaders to foster civil discourse at the school or district level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech policy has created more opportunities for entrepreneurship than just Silicon Valley startups. The availability of online platforms has empowered a new wave of entrepreneurs who might never reach household fame but who are contributing both to their own households and the greater economy. Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow in tech policy, speaks with two content creators about how these platforms and tech policy have impacted their businesses and changed their lives.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Competencies in Civil Discourse, Erec Smith welcomes William Deresiewicz to explore the mission of the Matthew Strother Center for the Examined Life. Together, they unpack the role of intellectual courage, liberal education, and moral seriousness in reviving thoughtful dialogue in an age of ideological conformity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Populist narratives are gaining traction across the political spectrum, claiming that free markets have failed the American middle class. Critics argue that trade, immigration, and technological change have hollowed out manufacturing jobs and created an economy that no longer works for most Americans.In Crushing Capitalism: How Populist Policies Are Threatening the American Dream, economist Norbert J. Michel challenges this bleak interpretation. Drawing on historical data and contemporary analysis, Michel argues that the American Dream is not dead—but that it is being threatened by a growing push toward industrial policy, economic restrictions, and government intervention.Americans today enjoy unprecedented levels of prosperity, upward mobility, and opportunity. Rather than retreat from free-market principles, Michel makes the case for preserving the institutions and economic freedoms that have long fueled American success.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with the author, and the Washington Post’s Megan McArdle, as we explore the myths shaping today’s economic debates, the real story behind the rise of American prosperity, and the risks of moving away from market-driven solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United States and Iran are on a collision course. Iran is closer to developing a nuclear weapon than at any point in the country’s history. Mixed messages from Washington and Tehran—coupled with rising pressure from hardliners on both sides—are complicating negotiations. Meanwhile, several flashpoints across the Middle East could set off a conflict. The prospects of American or Israeli military action against Tehran are growing, and the window for diplomacy is closing.Though serious distrust remains between Washington and Tehran and tensions are high, a deal is possible. How the Trump administration chooses to proceed will have far-reaching ramifications.Join us for a conversation with leading experts who will examine Trump’s options vis-à-vis Iran and the associated costs and benefits for each plan of action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), it was told the new energy tax credits would cost about $270 billion over a decade. Revised official estimates put the cost at multiple times that amount. But congressional scorekeepers may still be getting the long-term cost of the IRA energy subsidies wrong. Recent Cato research quantifies the IRA’s fiscal time bomb, showing how its unchecked expansion of government spending with no clear end date could cost almost $5 trillion by 2050.Join us for lunch and learn how the IRA’s calamitous environmental and fiscal effects present a rare opportunity for Congress to use these partisan subsidies to fund permanent, pro-growth tax reform in the upcoming reconciliation package. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sphere is excited to introduce a new suite of interdisciplinary globalization resources to spark discussion with students about the impacts of globalization on society and progress. Globalization has been evolving and connecting societies for centuries, but it has faced renewed attention, particularly in relation to trade and tariff policies. Through moderated discussion with Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics and the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, we will explore what globalization is, what is produced, what alternatives there are, and perspectives on how individuals view global integration in the future.Following our discussion, we will examine strategies for integrating economic concepts in your class to help students analyze and evaluate the underpinnings of decisions impacting policies around topics that influence current and future global integration. We will demonstrate how you can help students visualize globalization through integrative projects in a lesson suite based on a simulated world and with standalone explainer lessons helping students understand economic concepts such as comparative advantage. Through tools, lessons, and multimedia resources, we are excited to help you bring topics explored in this webinar to your classroom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a compelling conversation with Alex Nowrasteh, Cato’s Vice President of Economic and Social Policy Studies, and Clark Neily, Senior Vice President for Legal Studies, as they discuss the alarming rise in deportations without due process and the erosion of due process protections across the United States. They’ll explore the sweeping actions of the Trump administration—what’s really happening, why it matters, and how it reflects a dangerous expansion of executive power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.