

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

Sep 8, 2025 • 13min
Washington Doesn’t Belong in the Boardroom | This Week's Economy Ep. 128
Many lawmakers have lost sight of the basic economic principles that build flourishing societies. From putting Washington in private boardrooms to imposing tariffs, this administration seems intent on focusing on anything but the real problem: runaway government spending.Inflation and many of today’s economic woes are made worse by federal deficits that fuel higher interest rates and add relentless inflationary pressure. These challenges won’t be solved by squeezing “revenues” out of private industry or taxing imports. They’ll only be solved by spending less, taxing less, and regulating less.We’ll break down the latest news on these issues and more in this edition of This Week’s Economy.You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

Sep 4, 2025 • 41min
Defending Economic Liberty with Iain Murray | Let People Prosper 164🎙️
What keeps the socialist temptation alive—and why does it resonate with younger Americans?On this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I interview Iain Murray, Vice President for Strategy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Iain is one of the sharpest voices in the movement for economic liberty, directing CEI’s Center for Economic Freedom and shaping the debate on labor, trade, energy, and beyond.We discuss his journey from the UK to the US, his time as a civil servant under heavy bureaucracy, and his work at CEI to expose the hidden costs of “regulatory dark matter.” We also dive into his book The Socialist Temptation, unpacking why socialism still attracts voters—and how free markets can win the argument with better storytelling. Along the way, we tackle Brexit, trade, environmental stewardship, and the battle of values driving today’s political realignment.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.

Sep 1, 2025 • 11min
Econ 101: Politicians Need to Know Free Markets Work Best | This Week's Economy Ep. 127
With socialist policies coming from progressives and conservatives, it’s clear America’s political class — left and right — has lost its economic compass.Headlines tell the story: student loan forgiveness, tariffs, income redistribution, protectionist trade. Each is a form of central planning that shifts decisions from people in markets to lawmakers and regulators in government. No wonder the economy feels stuck — with $37 trillion in national debt, a bloated Federal Reserve balance sheet, and growing doubts about the American Dream.What we need is a practical, principled defense of free markets — and the courage to push leaders to embrace it, even when it’s politically inconvenient. You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

Aug 28, 2025 • 50min
Empowering Freedom: A Conversation with The Honorable Konni Burton | Let People Prosper Show Ep. 163🎙️
What happens when principles collide with politics—and you refuse to back down?On this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I interview The Honorable Konni Burton, former Texas State Senator and Founder & CEO of The Texan. Konni has lived the journey from grassroots activist to policymaker to media entrepreneur—and she’s never wavered from putting liberty first.We talk about her battles in the Texas Senate—taking on taxpayer-funded lobbying and corporate welfare long before it was fashionable—and her bold decision to start The Texan, an outlet built to restore integrity to journalism in Texas. Along the way, we dig into faith, family, free markets, and the future of conservatism in Texas.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.

Aug 25, 2025 • 18min
How to Secure America’s Energy Future | This Week's Economy Ep. 126
Economist Julian Simon said, “Energy is the master resource, because energy enables us to convert one material into another. As natural scientists continue to learn more about the transformation of materials from one form to another with the aid of energy, energy will be even more important.”Energy powers our homes, fuels our industries, and drives the innovations that secure our future. However, when Washington attempts to micromanage the energy sector through regulations, subsidies, and political agendas, it distorts the market and drives up costs.But it doesn’t have to be this way. When markets are free to work, America thrives. We’ve seen that energy abundance, competition, and innovation emerge naturally when government steps back and entrepreneurs step forward. The path to a stronger economy and a more reliable grid isn’t more government planning—it’s less!In This Week’s Economy episode, I discuss how we got here, what’s at stake, and the four steps we must take to unleash America’s full energy potential. From ending regulations and subsidies, to rejecting ESG mandates, to fueling innovation, the blueprint is clear: trust markets, not bureaucrats, to power America’s future. You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

Aug 21, 2025 • 49min
Is Bitcoin the Future Money? with Stewart Arthur Pelto | Let People Prosper Show Ep. 162🎙️
What if I told you the most important tool for building generational wealth isn't sitting in a 401(k)—it’s digital, decentralized, and already here?This week on the Let People Prosper Show, I sat down with Stewart Arthur Pelto, host of Sat Chats, to talk about why Bitcoin is not just a financial instrument—it’s a movement. A movement about freedom, about family, and about finally reclaiming control of your financial future.Stewart’s journey is compelling: from PAC manager to tech sales to now full-time Bitcoin evangelist. His passion isn’t just philosophical—it’s deeply personal. “I do it for my kids,” he told me. And frankly, that hit hard. Because Bitcoin isn’t just for the tech-savvy—it’s for anyone who wants real ownership in a world of manipulated, fiat money.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.

Aug 18, 2025 • 16min
Is Trump Following China's Lead? | This Week's Economy Ep. 125
In the name of “fixing” the economy, this administration has its hands deep in the market. From firing the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner to inserting itself into corporate deals and demanding a cut of it to imposing tariffs on Americans, President Trump is disrupting vital market signals. That’s no place for a president, especially in what should be a free-market capitalist system (it’s not).There is a place for presidential leadership—urging fiscal discipline, lowering taxes, and cutting red tape. It’s encouraging to hear the president express interest in these areas, but continued actions will speak louder than words.Meanwhile, Texas’ first special legislative session called by Governor Abbott to revisit bills he vetoed ended on Friday. How much progress was made?You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

Aug 14, 2025 • 55min
Trade Is Necessary for Prosperity with Bryan Riley | Let People Prosper Show Ep. 161
Is trade a tool of the elite—or the secret weapon of everyday Americans?On this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I sit down with Bryan Riley, Director of the Free Trade Initiative at the National Taxpayers Union. Bryan has spent his career fighting for economic freedom and debunking the myths that protectionists love to spread—especially the idea that trade makes us weaker or poorer.This episode is a crash course in real-world trade economics. We unpack NAFTA’s lasting legacy, challenge the narrative around trade deficits, and dismantle the idea that tariffs are a smart negotiating tool. Bryan argues that free trade embodies freedom in action—the ability for individuals to choose, compete, and prosper without government interference.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.

Aug 11, 2025 • 13min
Econ 101: Entrepreneurship, Wealth Creation, and Innovation | This Week's Economy Ep. 124
I’m consistently inspired by the entrepreneurial journeys shared by my guests on the Let People Prosper Show. Their stories of building businesses, overcoming challenges, and innovating to improve lives remind me of the incredible value entrepreneurs bring to our world.At the same time, it’s frustrating to see how policymakers can undermine entrepreneurship through higher taxes, regulatory hurdles, and other government interventions that stifle growth. This often stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the crucial role businesses play in driving progress and prosperity.In This Week’s Economy, I’m diving into the principles of entrepreneurship—why it’s so essential and why policies must support businesses to nurture the growth and prosperity they fuel. You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

Aug 7, 2025 • 51min
Energy Abundance, Not Energy Alarmism with Gabriella Hoffman | Let People Prosper Show Ep. 160🎙️
We hear it all the time: the planet is doomed unless we regulate energy into the ground. But what if the real path forward is the opposite—more energy, fewer mandates, and stronger markets?In this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I’m joined by Gabriella Hoffman, Director of the Center for Energy and Conservation at the Independent Women’s Forum and one of the most insightful voices in energy policy today. Gabriella brings a refreshing take to the conversation—rooted in liberty, informed by experience, and focused on prosperity through abundance.We discuss her journey, from the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants to a leading advocate for market-based energy and conservation. We delve into the energy crisis in Europe, explore how over-regulation backfires, and discuss why America must resist the urge to centralize energy decisions in Washington, D.C.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.


