Let People Prosper

What does it mean to be a conservative in the 21st century—and how do we bridge liberty with virtue?In this milestone 150th episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation and a leading voice behind the Freedom Conservatism movement (sign the statement of principles at the link).We talk about his career as a journalist and policy expert, how fiction writing helped him rediscover deeper meaning, and why a renewed framework for conservatism is essential for America's future. From education and immigration to family and fiscal responsibility, this conversation unpacks the foundations for prosperity in a free society.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com.

How do we make sense of inflation, government overreach, or why housing costs keep climbing? It all comes back to basic economic principles—ideas too often ignored by those crafting the laws that shape our lives. So this week on This Week’s Economy, I’m kicking off a new Econ 101 series to reconnect the fundamentals of economics with the everyday issues Americans face. These aren’t abstract theories. They’re tools for protecting prosperity.In today’s episode, I explain what economics really means, why strong institutions and secure property rights are the foundation of growth, and how bad incentives and broken systems have left our economy in a fragile state. You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

What do the American Revolution, free trade, and the fragility of global supply chains have in common?In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Austin Petersen—former presidential candidate, liberty advocate, and media entrepreneur—about how understanding our nation’s founding principles and sound economics is critical to restoring freedom and prosperity.We unpack what a recent flag controversy at the Smithsonian tells us about modern politics, how symbols shape civic culture, and why tariffs fail to protect national security. Plus, Austin shares insights from his political campaigns and why even losing the race can mean winning hearts and minds.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

Why does the economy feel so uncertain right now—and what can we do about it?From Washington’s protectionist tariffs to Austin’s bloated budget, Americans feel the consequences of poor economic policy. Rising prices squeeze families, businesses struggle under new regulatory burdens, and taxpayers foot the bill for government expansion at every level.In this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I discuss the big stories driving economic uncertainty and what real reform looks like. Watch now and subscribe for weekly updates on how we can let people prosper.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.comListen and Subscribe on: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify

Why is the electricity market so broken—and what can we do to fix it?In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Glen Lyons, a Texas-based energy expert and advocate for Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE). Glen shares his journey from advertising to energy policy, offering unique insights on ERCOT’s dysfunction, the original sin of electricity monopolies, and how free markets—not central planning—can finally unleash innovation, reliability, and cost savings for consumers.We also explore the growing demands of data centers, the role of AI in energy usage, and why Texas has a golden opportunity to lead the way with CRE.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

In Washington, Congress is hard at work trying to pass a “one big, beautiful bill” that brings together key parts of the Trump administration’s agenda—covering energy, taxes, immigration, and more. There’s hope it could deliver real benefits for Americans, including tax cuts, health care reform, and regulatory relief. Getting it across the finish line by the desired July Fourth deadline will be no easy task.Back home in Texas, we’re seeing policies branded as “conservative” but are not. A massive, California-style spending bill just passed. What’s conservative about that? During this session, Texans were promised real property tax relief and universal school choice, but lawmakers haven’t delivered. There’s still work to be done to keep Texas a bold beacon of pro-growth policy and prosperity, with Sine Die on June 2.Watch now and subscribe for weekly updates on how we can let people prosper.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.comListen on: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify

Are we really in control of our government—or is it hiding in plain sight?In this eye-opening episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, to expose the hidden costs of big government and the vital need for transparency in public spending. We explore how real-time data, civic engagement, and digital accountability are reshaping the conversation around fiscal responsibility before it’s too late. We cover everything from the infamous Bridge to Nowhere to Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative.This conversation is for you if you care about liberty, limited government, and making every dollar count.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

The Trump administration has inherited a broken financial policy landscape. President Biden’s legacy of regulatory overreach and heavy-handed interventions stifled growth, distorted markets, and limited opportunity for individuals and businesses.The good news? The Trump White House and a Republican-led Congress now have an opportunity to reverse course and restore financial freedom, creating a more dynamic and inclusive economy. Americans are counting on them to deliver.In this edition of This Week’s Economy, I’m sharing my top financial policy reform priorities—from ending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to empowering fintech innovation.Watch now and subscribe for weekly updates on how we can let people prosper.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.comListen on: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify

Why do so many families turn down work opportunities—and how can we fix that?In this thought-provoking episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I sit down with Nic Dunn, vice president of strategy at the Sutherland Institute, to explore how benefit cliffs, broken welfare incentives, and poorly designed safety nets can trap people in poverty instead of lifting them out of it.Nick shares his personal journey into public policy, his belief in the dignity of work, and the data-driven case for state-led welfare innovation that removes the fear of losing benefits for earning more. This episode is all about restoring upward mobility and helping families truly prosper.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

Texas lawmakers just passed three major bills: a record-breaking $337B budget, $8B more to public schools, and $1B for a limited school choice program—but property taxes are still rising, and only 1.5% of students benefit from ESAs. Meanwhile, federal spending remains sky-high, tariffs are already costing American jobs, and new data regulations threaten privacy. I break it all down in this week’s episode.Topics Covered:The truth about Texas’s so-called $51B in tax reliefWhy limited school choice could backfireHow Trump’s tariffs and Powell’s Fed create uncertaintyWhy CFPB’s data grab is government overreachWhat parents, not politicians, need in tech regulationWatch now and subscribe for weekly updates on how we can let people prosper. Visit: VanceGinn.com. Subscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com.Listen on: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify