

Let People Prosper
Vance Ginn, Ph.D.
What works best to let people prosper? Join leading free-market economist Vance Ginn, Ph.D. as he works to understand this question through weekly interviews with interesting people on Tuesdays and weekly economic updates on Fridays. His insights build on past lessons, being president of Ginn Economic Consulting, and contributing to more than 15 think tanks while formerly teaching economics in academia and serving as chief economist of the White House's OMB. Dr. Ginn is a Christian, husband, father of three kids, classical liberal, and rock drummer who resides near Austin, Texas.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 27, 2023 • 37min
LPP 50 w Dr. Jay Bhattacharya | Lessons Learned from U.S. COVID-19 Policies
Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.
Today, I'm honored to be joined by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research.
We discuss:
1) How the U.S.' policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic harmed the poor, working class, and children and the subsequent side effects those groups continue to grapple with;
2) Why shutting down the economy and enforcing social distancing is not effective from a health and medicine perspective and a better alternative; and
3) Why Dr. Bhattacharya fears the U.S. would have the same response in the event of another pandemic and his suggestions for how to handle one.
If you enjoyed the show, please consider sharing this podcast on social media, rating it 5 stars, and leaving a review.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com).

Jun 23, 2023 • 16min
TWE 14 | Inflation is Americans’ Top Concern
Thank you for listening to the 14th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights every Friday morning on key economic and policy news at the national and state levels.
Today, I cover:
1) National: New Pew Research poll reveals that inflation is the top concern for Americans on both sides of the political aisle, Fed needs to do more, and financial markets remain loose;
2) States: New state-level jobs report and which states are leading and breakdown of the largest spending increase in Texas history and why it's not good for keeping the Texas Model strong; and
3) Other: The importance of educating young audiences on capitalism and socialism and my experience teaching with a "minimum wage" game to a group of high school students.
If you enjoyed the show, please consider liking this video, subscribing, and sharing this on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) or Substack newsletter (https://vanceginn.substack.com/).

Jun 20, 2023 • 35min
LPP 49 w Patrick Gleason | Flat Taxes and Responsible Budgeting
Thank you for listening to this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.
Today, I'm honored to be joined by Patrick Gleason, Vice President of State Affairs at Americans for Tax Reform.
We discuss:
1) How the state flat tax revolution has swept across the country over the last two years, which states have joined, and why it is a beneficial change for more flourishing;
2) Misconceptions about flat taxes, Kansas as an example of how to make tax relief fail, and the need for responsible state budgets; and
3) Patrick's current work on tax and school choice reform across states.
If you enjoyed the show, please consider liking this video, subscribing, and sharing this on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com). Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.

Jun 16, 2023 • 14min
TWE 13 | Problems with the "New Right"
Thank you for listening to the 13th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights every Friday morning on key economic and policy news at the national and state levels.
Today, I cover:
1) National: Why the new inflation rate is not exactly good news in light of prices still being too high in many sectors and why the Fed should more aggressively cut its balance sheet;;
2) States: Updates on the Texas special session and the ongoing fight for property tax relief and why I believe eliminating M&O property taxes with compression is the best path forward; Louisiana's latest session and why its budget is irresponsible; and
3) Other: Discussion of "the new right" and why it's anti-capitalism and anti-freedom.
Please like this video and subscribe to the channel if you enjoyed this podcast!
For show notes, thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) or Substack newsletter (https://vanceginn.substack.com/).

Jun 13, 2023 • 39min
LPP 48 w Les Ford | Work Is Key to Escape Poverty
Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.
Today, I'm honored to be joined by Leslie Ford, adjunct fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility and senior fellow with the Alliance for Opportunity.
We discuss:
1) The history of the war on poverty, how safety net programs evolved, and where the war on poverty stands today;
2) How safety net programs can discourage upward mobility and keep people trapped in poverty through penalties such as those on marriage; and
3) Data on what requirements help safety net recipients achieve long-lasting self-sufficiency and prosperity, and more.
If you enjoyed the show, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and a review!
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com). Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.

Jun 9, 2023 • 15min
TWE 12 | Texas ELIMINATING Property Taxes with Compression
Thank you for listening to the 12th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights every Friday morning on key economic and policy news at the national and state levels.
Today, I cover:
1) National: What the new market data and latest jobs report indicate about the current economy, insights from the Establishment and Household Surveys, and my thoughts on the recently passed debt ceiling deal;
2) Texas: Discussion on the latest efforts in Texas to eliminate property taxes with a buy-down of school M&O property taxes using state surplus funds for what’s called compression (details here), and why this is the best path forward for Texas to prosper;
3) Other: Sneak peek of next week's exciting podcast episode with Leslie Ford discussing safety net reforms.
Please rate this show 5 stars and leave a review if you enjoyed it!
And don’t miss my latest Daily Caller article on the debt ceiling deal.
For show notes, thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) or Substack newsletter (https://vanceginn.substack.com/).

Jun 6, 2023 • 35min
LPP 47 w Alex Nowrasteh | Why Immigrants DO NOT "Steal Jobs"
Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.
Today, I'm honored to be joined by Alex Nowrasteh, Director of Immigration Studies at Cato Institute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.
We discuss:
1) Immigration myths, including "immigrants steal jobs," and why that isn't true;
2) What data reveal about where today's immigrants are coming from, how their life improves upon moving to America, and how America is improved by immigrants, and
3) Need for immigration reform, why one day we'll tear down the Texas border wall, and more.
If you enjoyed the show, please consider liking this video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing this on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com). Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.

Jun 2, 2023 • 14min
TWE 11 | Is Debt Ceiling Deal the Worst in HISTORY?
Thank you for listening to the 11th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights every Friday morning on key economic and policy news at the national and state levels.
Today, I cover:
1) National: Why the debt ceiling deal that just passed through the House would be disastrous for the nation and a better path forward is to spend less to relieve economic suffering on Americans.
2) Texas: A recap of the 88th Legislative Session and what Gov. Abbott should push for in the recently-called special session to alleviate Texans of burdensome property taxes, excessive state spending, and massive corporate welfare.
3) Other: Exciting Let People Prosper updates including a new episode with NYT bestseller Amity Shlaes, and an insightful new podcast next week on immigration.
Please rate this show 5 stars and leave a review if you enjoyed it!
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com/), share this post, and leave a comment.

May 30, 2023 • 34min
LPP 46 w Amity Shlaes | What History Gets WRONG About Calvin Coolidge
Thank you for watching this week's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast.
Today, I'm honored to be joined by Amity Shlaes, who has written four NYT bestsellers, chairs the board of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation and the Manhattan Institute's Hayek Book Prize, and serves as a scholar at the King's College.
We discuss:
1) How Calvin Coolidge blazed a trail of balanced budgets, reduced taxes, and common sense economics;
2) Why the popular idea that Coolidge caused The Great Depression is a misconception, and what truly fueled the disaster; and
3) More valuable lessons to be learned from Coolidge and the great work of The Calvin Coolidge Foundation and its Coolidge Scholarship, which is currently the most competitive college scholarship in the nation.
If you enjoyed the show, please rate this show 5 stars and leave a review!
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com).

May 26, 2023 • 18min
TWE 10 | Is U.S. in Recession?
Thank you for listening to the 10th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights every Friday morning on key economic and policy news at the national and state levels.
Today I cover:
1) National: What's the latest on the debt ceiling deal, why I believe that the U.S. is in a recession based on the latest GDP report, and how inflation continues to indicate more aggressive monetary tightening by the Fed;
2) State-Level Jobs: I break down the latest state-level jobs report and share reasons for optimism and more with a focus on Texas and Louisiana.
3) Texas: What's going on with the current Texas legislative session, and why the proposed budget increase would be the largest spending increase in TX history while not passing the largest property tax relief in history. Plus, massive increases in corporate welfare, and large increases in social safety net spending, which would result in a disaster for Texans and the Texas economy;
Please rate this show 5 stars and leave a review if you enjoyed it!
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, check out my website (https://www.vanceginn.com/) and please subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (https://vanceginn.substack.com).


