

Free The Economy
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Free The Economy is a weekly podcast hosted by Richard Morrison of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, examining the intersection of news, policy, and economics featuring guests that include writers, policymakers, explorers, contrarians, and free thinkers of all kinds.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2026 • 43min
Consumer Protection and Free Speech with Casey Mattox
This week we cover the debt load of state and local governments, advances in nuclear fuel storage, and hope for trade relations with Canada and Mexico. Our interview is with Casey Mattox, vice president for legal and judicial strategy at Americans for Prosperity. We’ll talk about recent lawsuits in Colorado and New Mexico, consumer protection, federalism, social media, the First Amendment, and when more litigation just ends up making the country worse.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Oct 29, 2026 • 46min
Affording the American Dream with Akash Chougule
This week we cover what’s making housing so expensive, the common good of the Constitution, and jawboning from the Federal Communications Commission. Our interview is with Akash Chougule, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP). We’ll talk about FREOPP’s recent publication Affording the American Dream and how to make a prosperous life more attainable for every American family.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Oct 22, 2026 • 60min
The Grim Old Days with Chelsea Follett
This week we cover global energy security, another tariff lawsuit, and new talent in the fight for a free economy. Our interview is with Chelsea Follett, research fellow at the Cato Institute and author of the new book The Grim Old Days: An Introduction to the Preindustrial Past. We’ll talk about tradition, history, nostalgia, prosperity, and the brutal realities of life in previous centuries.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Oct 15, 2026 • 48min
The Future of Fusionism with Stephanie Slade
This week we cover federal vs. state rules for prediction markets, the difference between Detroit and Pittsburgh, and a false solution for railway safety. Our interview is with Stephanie Slade, senior editor at Reason magazine and author of the new book Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right. We’ll talk about conservatives, liberals, big government, religious liberty, and the future of American politics.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Oct 8, 2026 • 1h 2min
Competition and Innovation with Jack Nicastro
This week we cover the case of Suncor v. Boulder County at the Supreme Court, the problems with the Los Angeles mansion tax, new polling on tariffs, and the latest job-creation numbers. Our interview is with Jack Nicastro, antitrust policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. We’ll talk about antitrust law, the consumer welfare standard, how to be an entrepreneur, and the human value of economic growth.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Oct 1, 2026 • 50min
Real-World Economics with Paul Mueller
This week we cover spiraling healthcare costs, reforming state-level regulations, and how to keep asset managers accountable to shareholders. Our interview is with Paul Mueller, senior research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. We talk about teaching economics, debunking myths, applying theory to the real world, and seeing virtue and liberty at work together.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Sep 24, 2026 • 55min
Gen Z Capitalism with Sam Raus
This week we cover how data centers power our lives, how modern technology is fueling family togetherness, and the origins of America’s rebellious spirit. Our interview is with Sam Raus, the David Boaz Resident Writing Fellow at Young Voices. We’ll talk about capitalism, big government, AI, cultural criticism, and how Gen Z thinks about fairness and opportunity.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Sep 17, 2026 • 44min
The Overton Window with James Hohman
This week we cover Treasury yields, oil prices, U.S.-Taiwan security policy, and Trump’s $5,000 dividend checks. Our interview is with James Hohman, director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and host of the Overton Window podcast. We’ll talk about political change, becoming a policy entrepreneur, networking with allies, and working for reform in your own backyard. Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Sep 10, 2026 • 51min
The Search for Critical Minerals with Seaver Wang
This week we cover the latest employment data, a new award for academic courage, free speech versus native land acknowledgements, and polling on data center popularity. Our interview is with Seaver Wang, Director of the Climate and Energy program at the Breakthrough Institute. We’ll talk about rare earth elements, China’s export controls, permitting reform, friendshoring, and where to find tomorrow’s supply of critical minerals.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.

Sep 3, 2026 • 1h 2min
Maximum New York with Daniel Golliher
This week we cover climate collusion between California and Quebec, how luxurious college campuses are breeding socialists, and government regulation’s protection paradox. Our interview is with Daniel Golliher, Cities and AI Policy Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and the founder of the civics academy Maximum New York. We’ll talk about civic engagement, knowing the rules of politics, becoming a good citizen, and building your own career from the ground up.Keep up with new episodes by following us on Twitter at @freethe_economy and read our episode summaries, with links to the stories we cover, at cei.org/blog. Interview transcripts are at greatcapitalism.substack.com.


