Let People Prosper

Affordability is not an abstract debate for American families—it’s the defining issue of daily life. Grocery bills, housing costs, energy prices, healthcare, and childcare all shape whether families feel secure or stretched.Families don’t become pessimistic out of nowhere. Confidence erodes when planning for the future feels harder, margins feel thinner, and basic economics no longer seem to work in their favor.Meanwhile, leaders on both sides of the aisle are increasingly pointing the finger at free-market capitalism for nearly everything—high prices, inequality, corporate power, even government debt. But what’s often labeled “capitalism” today is really a mix of subsidies, bailouts, protectionism, regulatory micromanagement, and monetary manipulation—policies that distort markets rather than allow them to function.True free markets are not chaos or greed. They are a rules-based system built on voluntary exchange, price signals, competition, and accountability. When people are free to trade, build, innovate, and respond to real prices, costs fall and opportunity expands—giving families the freedom to flourish.In today’s episode of This Week’s Economy, we explore how free-market capitalism supports families, restores dignity through work, and lowers prices to make life more affordable. We’ll also examine how these principles apply at the federal, state, and local levels. Tune in to the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify, and visit my website vanceginn.com for the show notes in my newsletter and more information.

We talk a lot about opportunity in America—but far less about where opportunity actually exists and why.Why do some states consistently help people climb the economic ladder while others trap families in place for generations? Why do well-intended policies often backfire? And why is “doing more” by the government so often the wrong answer when it comes to social mobility?That’s exactly what we unpack in Episode 186 of the Let People Prosper Show with Dr. Justin Callais, Chief Economist at the Archbridge Institute and lead author of the new Social Mobility in the 50 States (2025) report.Justin brings data, clarity, and—refreshingly—humility to one of the most politicized topics in economics. The findings challenge both the left’s obsession with redistribution and the right’s tendency to overlook the very real policy barriers that states create.Watch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify, Substack for show notes at vanceginn.substack.com, and visit my website at vanceginn.com for more information about my work at Ginn Economic Consulting.

How property taxes undermine homeownership—and what states and localities can do to fix it.Affordability is a major issue for voters. Families are feeling squeezed by higher housing costs, rising insurance premiums, and everyday expenses that often outpace income. For many Americans, the question is no longer just whether they can buy a home, but whether they can afford to keep the one they are in.Across the country, states are beginning to confront one overlooked driver of the housing affordability crisis: property taxes. From proposals to cap assessments to more ambitious efforts to reduce or even eliminate property taxes, lawmakers are reexamining a tax that quietly raises housing costs annually.In This Week’s Economy, we’ll look at how property taxes undermine true homeownership, why they fall hardest on those least able to pay, and what meaningful reform would require if states and localities want to restore affordability and let people prosper. Check out the show notes at vanceginn.substack.com and more information on my work at Ginn Economic Consulting at vanceginn.com. Thank you for watching. Please subscribe and share now!

Few projects in recent memory have done more to distort America’s past—and poison our present debates—than the 1619 Project. What was marketed as a serious historical reckoning quickly hardened into political dogma, shutting down debate, smearing critics, and rewriting the story of capitalism, freedom, and the American founding.That’s why this conversation matters.In Episode 182 of the Let People Prosper Show, I’m joined by Dr. Phillip W. Magness, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute and one of the earliest and most rigorous critics of the 1619 Project. Phil didn’t approach this debate with slogans or counter-myths. He approached it the only way serious scholarship should: with evidence, primary sources, and a willingness to follow the facts—even when they cut against the narrative.What follows is a conversation about history, yes—but also about capitalism, academic integrity, and why truth still matters in a politicized age. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and Substack newsletter with show notes at vanceginn.substack.com, and for more information, visit my website at vanceginn.com.

Today’s episode is our first of 2026 focused squarely on the latest economic headlines—and what they mean for your wallet, your work, and the direction of the country.Washington has been busy. From another federal budget fight and renewed debates over health care subsidies, to fresh inflation data and major corporate developments, policymakers are already setting the tone for the year ahead. The choices being made now will shape whether families see real relief—or continued pressure—from higher costs and slower growth.In this episode, we’ll look beyond the headlines to examine what’s really driving these developments, where policy is helping—or hurting—affordability, and what leaders should prioritize if they’re serious about restoring growth and prosperity in 2026. Tune in to the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify, and visit my website for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s easier to order groceries on your phone than to legally cut hair, start a home business, or switch careers, this episode explains exactly what’s gone wrong.America’s labor policies are stuck in the past—designed for a 1930s economy that no longer exists. Meanwhile, workers have moved on. They want flexibility. They want choice. They want opportunity. And increasingly, government is standing in the way.My guest is Austen Bannan, Workforce Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity and one of the sharpest voices making the case for worker freedom over bureaucratic control. Austen works at the intersection of labor policy, occupational licensing, and education reform—where outdated rules quietly crush opportunity for millions of Americans.This is a conversation about why empowering workers—not protecting systems—is essential if we actually want people to prosper.🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Let People Prosper Show, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. You can also find more of my work at vanceginn.com and vanceginn.substack.com.

As we turn the page on another year, the questions facing the economy aren’t abstract—they’re personal.Families are watching prices, businesses are weighing risk, and policymakers are deciding whether 2026 brings stability or more uncertainty. The choices made in the months ahead won’t just shape headlines—they’ll shape paychecks, savings, and opportunity.In this episode of This Week’s Economy, I look ahead to the policy fights most likely to define 2026. From trade and inflation to artificial intelligence and regulation, these decisions will determine whether we move toward prosperity or remain stuck in cycles of dysfunction.I make the case for returning to basic economic principles that work—and for choosing policies that truly let people prosper.🔗 Show notes and analysis: vanceginn.substack.com🌐 More work and research: vanceginn.com

If you’ve ever wondered why so many people assume progress is automatic, why trillion-dollar deficits barely raise eyebrows anymore, or why “economic planning” keeps making a comeback despite its long record of failure—this episode gets to the heart of the issue.Prosperity doesn’t happen by accident. Freedom doesn’t sustain itself. And history doesn’t bend toward progress unless the rules of the game allow it to.That’s why this conversation matters.My guest is Dr. Peter Boettke, Distinguished University Professor of Economics at George Mason University and Director of the F.A. Hayek Program at the Mercatus Center. This is Peter’s third appearance (episodes 10 and 119) on the Let People Prosper Show, and every time he joins, he brings clarity to questions most policymakers avoid.Today’s discussion centers on his new book, The Historical Path to Liberty and Human Progress, which makes a simple but uncomfortable point: human flourishing depends on institutions—and bad institutions destroy progress faster than good intentions can save it.At a time of runaway federal spending, renewed industrial policy, and bipartisan refusal to confront tradeoffs, this conversation couldn’t be more timely.🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Let People Prosper Show, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. You can also find more of my work at vanceginn.com.

As we kick off a new year, state legislatures across the country are gearing up for their 2026 sessions. What lawmakers decide in the next few months will shape the economic health, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity of their states. With Americans continuing to vote with their feet—seeking opportunity, affordability, and freedom—states have every incentive to get their policies right.From sustainable budgeting and tax relief to school choice to debanking regulations to the future of AI innovation, these are the reforms that can strengthen economies, expand competition, and help states attract new people and new investment. If policymakers want prosperity, this is where to start.In this episode of This Week’s Economy, I’ll break down the key priorities that should be at the top of every state’s agenda. Catch the show notes on my Substack newsletter, and visit my website for more information.

As we turn the page into a new year, many of us take stock, set goals, and make resolutions that help us grow. Policymakers should be no different. After years of rising debt, higher prices, regulatory overreach, and political gridlock, America is overdue for a reset—one rooted in timeless principles and practical reforms. This New Year’s resolutions list isn’t about sweeping government plans or partisan wish-casting. It’s about returning to what works: fiscal responsibility, economic freedom, empowering families, and trusting people—not bureaucracies—to drive prosperity. If lawmakers commit to these resolutions, 2026 can be a year of renewed opportunity and a stronger, freer America.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. Please share with your friends, family, and broader social media network.