Episodes
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This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by John Pinheiro, Anthony Bradley, and Dylan Pahman to discuss the results of the 2024 U.S. elections. What do the results say about American society, its politics, its parties, and its future? A wide-ranging conversation from pre-election polls to possible party futures.
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2024 Presidential Election Results | AP News
Exit poll results 2024 | CNN Politics
How the Trump Polymarket Whale Correctly Called the Election, and Made Nearly $50 Million | Alexander Osipovich, WSJ
Pro-Kamala Harris spot targeting ‘real men’ ripped as ‘cringiest political ad ever’
Susie Wiles: Who is Trump’s new chief of staff? | Max Matza, BBC News -
This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by Dylan Pahman and Anthony Bradley to ask, what should politics look like in church? A highly polarizing election season is upon us and debates about church involvement in politics and how difficult political questions are discussed in church have renewed vigor. How does the way particular churches and religious traditions navigate politics differs according to time, place, and circumstance? In what way’s does America’s own history shape the way churches in America think about politics? In what ways can churches and church members constructively engage American politics without opting out into quietism or indulging in partisan polarization?
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Calming the Storm of Images | Acton Institute
The Rambler and the Transformative Power of Magazines | Acton Institute
Globalization and Orthodox Christianity | Victor Roudometof
Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement: Koyzis, David T.: 9781514008621: Amazon.com: Books
Catechism of the Catholic Church | USCCB
Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation - 2017 Edition - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org)
The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism - Google Books
An Exact Exposition Of The Orthodox Faith : St John of Damascus : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive -
Episodes manquant?
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This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by Dylan Pahman and Noah Gould to ask, Are those jobs numbers fake? Can we trust economic data, and do they tell the whole economic story? They then discuss the emerging bipartisan consensus that America should “build, baby, build” to address housing shortages and rising costs. How does such a consensus emerge, and is this a positive development? The panel concludes by scrutinizing the megachurch model. Why are some Catholic dioceses embracing the model? Should we welcome our new praise-and-worship overlords?
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Too Fake to Tell | balajis.com
No, the Biden Administration Is Not Manipulating Jobs Data | National Review
Democrats Are Pushing One Policy Loud and Clear: Build, Baby, Build | POLITICO
The Intellectual Roots of YIMBYism | Marginal REVOLUTION
Kamala Harris’ Economic Policies Can’t Keep Her Promises | Religion & Liberty Online
Catholic priest shortage gives rise to California “megachurch” as parishes expand | CBS News
Why Catholic bishops rocked out to megachurch worship hits | The Christian Century
Church in a Digital Age: Must We Worship Bodily to Worship at All? | Acton Lecture Series
AI and the Discipline of Human Flourishing | Acton Institute -
This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by Anthony Bradley and James Patterson to discuss James’ recent essay at Law & Liberty: “Into the Reactionary Abyss.” Why are post-liberal Catholics drawing on European reactionary thinkers to critique liberalism? Why is the use of such sources dubious? And how do the arguments of public intellectuals form and deform young people? The panel then counts the costs of marijuana legalization: Was it a good idea? What have we learned in the past decade post-legalization? The panel concludes with an examination of some of Vice President Harris’ recent proposals to lower the cost of living. Are grocers price-gouging? Do we just need to subsidize more demand?
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Into the Reactionary Abyss | James M. Patterson
After Republican Virtue | James M. Patterson
Why Postliberalism Failed | YouTube
An Awkward Alliance: Neo-Integralism and National Conservatism | James M. Patterson
Maybe Legalizing Weed Wasn’t Such a Great Idea | Tyler Cowen
Harris Is Set to Lay Out an Economic Message Light on Detail | The New York Times
Harris to propose up to $25K in down-payment support for 1st-time homebuyers | ABC News -
This week, new host Dan Hugger is joined by Noah Gould and Dan Churchwell to discuss the recent unrest in Bangladesh, why the rule of law matters, and the importance of religious liberty to free societies. They then explore Vice President Harris’ selection of Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. What does this mean for the Democratic Party and for the presidential race going forward? Is Senator Vance’s love of Magic: The Gathering and Governor Walz’s addiction to SEGA Dreamcast the path through polarization? Finally, what do Americans think about tariffs and trade? The panel digs into a new CATO Institute study. Do the populist politicians and the populace agree on trade and globalization?
Bangladesh has achieved its second liberation, says Muhammad Yunus | The Economist
Bangladesh has ousted an autocrat. Now for the hard part. | The Economist
Muhammad Yunus on Bonsai People [PovertyCure Episode 3] | Acton Institute
Harris chooses Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as VP Pick | The Washington Post
JD Vance talks Tim Walz, Ukraine, and Ohio State football with Semafor | Semafor
Tim Walz Was a Clear Eyes, Full Hearts Kind of Coach | The New York Times
Poll: 63% of Americans Want to Increase Trade with Other Nations, 75% Worry Tariffs Are Raising Consumer Prices | Cato
The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger | Marc Levinson -
This week, it’s Eric’s final episode hosting Acton Unwind. Bye, Eric! He’s joined by David and Dan to discuss the national debt hitting $35 trillion. That seems bad. Then they discuss Republican VP nominee J.D. Vance’s recent comments that it would be worth $10 million to save a single toaster-manufacturing job in America. That seems expensive. And finally, the stock market is tanking. How bad is that?
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U.S. National Debt Tops $35 Trillion for First Time | New York Times
J. D. Vance’s Toaster-Making Dreams Would Burn American Manufacturers | National Review
To Fix Economics, Try Teaching Economics | Alex Salter, Econlib
Dow drops 1,000 points, Nasdaq craters 4% in global market rout | CNBC -
This week, Eric and Dan are joined by Mike Cosper of Christianity Today to discuss last week’s firing and then un-firing of ERLC president Brent Leatherwood and the subsequent resignation of ERLC board chairman Kevin Smith. What happened there, why, and what does it tell us about the political battles going on in the church? Then, is it worth being angry or upset over the blasphemous parts of the Paris Olympics opening ceremonies? And finally, does our American politics have a “childless cat lady” problem, as VP nominee J.D. Vance suggests?
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ERLC Retracts Announcement Firing President Brent Leatherwood | Christianity Today
Paris Olympics organizers sorry for Last Supper at Opening Ceremonies | Washington Post
Vance continues to feel the scratch of "childless cat ladies” | Axios -
This week, Eric is joined by Dylan and Peter Balos from Acton’s Emerging Leaders class to discuss President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. Is this a sign that our institutions are healing and that they’re starting to act in furtherance of their long-term interests? Then they examine former president Donald Trump’s choice of Ohio senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate, both of whom appeared at a rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Does this suggest a victory for the National Conservatives and their desired economic program?
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Peter Balos, Acton Emerging Leader
Acton’s Emerging Leaders Program
Statement from President Joe Biden
The Constitution Is Still the Answer | Acton Line
Pray for Our Nation | Acton Unwind
J.D. Vance, Breaking the Beard Barrier | New York Times -
This week, Eric is joined by Dan Hugger, Anthony Bradley, and Stephanie Slade of Reason magazine as they discuss the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump over the weekend. Then they turn their attention to the National Conservatism 4 conference that took place last week in Washington, D.C. What is the state of this movement, where does it seem to be headed, and who were the standouts from the conference?
Questions Surround Attempted Trump Assassination | The Morning Dispatch
NatCon 4 Speakers
Vivek Ramaswamy Debuts 'National Libertarianism' at NatCon 4 | Stephanie Slade, Reason Magazine
What I Saw at the National Conservatism Conference | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty
National Conservatism One Year Later | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty -
This week, Eric is joined first by Justin Brierley to discuss his essay in the Summer 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The ‘God' of the ‘Philosophers,’” a review of the book “Philosophers on God: Talking about Existence,” edited by Jack Symes. Then Eric is joined by Dylan and Dave to discuss the current state of America and the Constitution in the wake of the country’s 248th birthday. They then turn their attention to the recent elections in the United Kingdom and France to wonder if there’s any theme, like anti-establishment/anti-incumbency, that ties it all together.
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The “God” of the “Philosophers” | Justin Brierley, Religion & Liberty
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The Dream of Scalable Democracy | Dylan Pahman, Law & Liberty
5 Takeaways from France’s Snap Election | New York Times
Keir Starmer confirmed as Britain’s new prime minister after Labour Party’s decisive win | NBC News -
This week, Eric, Anthony, and Emily are joined by Aaron Pomerantz, a post-doctoral research fellow at Rice University who specializes in conspiracy theories. They begin by discussing the first presidential debate through the lens of an observation by Anthony: that what we’re seeing is people caring more about politics than about Joe Biden’s well-being. Then Aaron shares his thoughts on why conspiracy theories still abound in this election and in modern society. And finally, the Supreme Court overturned Chevron deference. What will this mean for representative governance and the rule of law?
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Video of the Presidential Debate
The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories | Acton Line
Can Americans Learn to Trust Again? | Christine Rosen, Religion & Liberty
Supreme Court Overturns the Chevron Doctrine | The Morning Dispatch -
This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan are joined by AEI’s Christine Rosen to discuss her cover essay for the Summer edition of Religion & Liberty, "Can Americans Learn to Trust Again?” Why has social trust eroded in America, and what can be done to restore it? Then, would warning labels on social media like we have on cigarettes protect children, or anyone, from its harms? And finally, Cornerstone University here in Grand Rapids has laid off its humanities and music faculty, in addition to making other cuts. Is Christian higher education in a crisis?
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Can Americans Learn to Trust Again? | Christine Rosen, Religion & Liberty
Christine Rosen | American Enterprise Institute
Surgeon General: Why I’m Calling for a Warning Label on Social Media Platforms | Vivek Murthy, New York Times
Decay and Reform in Christian Higher Education | Dylan Pahman, Acton Institute -
This week, Eric, Noah, and Emily discuss the secret recording of SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. What will be the long-term consequences of these attacks on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court—one of the few institutions left that Americans still have faith in? Next, actor-director Rob Reiner has co-produced a new documentary on the threat of Christian Nationalism. Noah discusses his review of the film and if there’s any there there. And finally, former President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the federal income tax and replacing it with import tariffs to raise revenue. Bad idea? Or the worst idea?
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Filmmaker who recorded Alito, Roberts says she did it ‘in service of a public good’ | NPR
The Smear Campaign Against Justice Alito | National Review
A Christian Nationalist on Every Corner? | Noah Gould, Acton Institute
The Will to Power Is Not the Christian Way | Jonathan Clark, Acton Institute
Can Trump Eliminate the Income Tax? Maybe with an 85% Tariff | Forbes -
This week, Eric, Dan, and David discuss the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster. Is there anything the federal government can do to appease unhappy Taylor Swift fans who couldn’t get tickets to the Eras Tour? And, more importantly, is Live Nation literally a monopoly? Next, the United States’ trade deficit surged by 9% in April. Does it matter? How concerned should we be with the balance of trade between the United States and the rest of the world? And finally, the guys break down the election results in India and Europe. Are we all in our populist era?
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U.S. Calls for Breakup of Ticketmaster Owner | New York Times
The Myth of the Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America | Burton W. Folsom
Trade deficit jumps to 18-month high, but rise in imports is ‘good news’ for economy | Marketwatch
Trade Deficits: Accounting Masquerading as Economics | David Hebert, AIER
Relying on coalition partners, Modi is sworn in for a rare third term as India’s prime minister | Associated Press
Far-right gains in the EU election deal stunning defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz | Associated Press -
This week, Eric and Dan are joined by Jeffrey Polet to discuss his essay in the Spring 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The Teacher as Prophet: John Dewey’s Liberating Education.” How did Dewey’s vision shape education in America and how is he still influential today? Next, Emily joins the conversation about Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker’s commencement address heard ’round the web. In what ways did it miss the mark? Are there any positive lessons we can take from it? Then, does Apple want to crush all your creative things? A new ad for the iPad Pro suggests yes, but only if you’re hyper-literal. And finally, what does the lewd and inappropriate behavior at The Portal art installation connecting New York City and Dublin, Ireland, reveal about human behavior?
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The Teacher as Prophet: John Dewey’s Liberating Education | Jeffrey Polet, Religion & Liberty
Harrison Butker’s Benedictine College Commencement Address | National Catholic Register
Harrison Butker Misses the Point | Haley Strack, National Review
Crush! Apple iPad Pro Ad
Dublin–New York portal reopens with set hours | BBC -
This week, Eric and Noah are joined by Acton’s Dan Hugger to discuss his essay in the Spring 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The Rambler and the Transformative Power of Magazines.” Why, even in an age of digital publishing, have print magazines endured? Then the group looks at legislation that has recently moved in Congress to add a definition of anti-Semitism to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If we acknowledge that anti-Semitism is a problem on college campuses, is this the best way to address it? And finally, Oklahoma’s charter school board has approved a Catholic charter school. We don’t yet know if this is legal, but is it a wise move by proponents of religious education?
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The Rambler and the Transformative Power of Magazines | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty
The End of Democracy? The Judicial Usurpation of Politics | First Things
The Paper of Record Meets an Ephemeral Web: An Examination of Linkrot and Content Drift within The New York Times | SSRN
House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests over Gaza war | Associated Press
First Religious Charter School Sparks Legal, Philosophical Battles | Wall Street Journal -
This week, Eric, Anthony, and Emily are joined by Gene Edward Veith to discuss his essay “Sheen and Maier: Broadcasting Theology,” which explores the broadcast ministries of Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier. Then, are frat bros the heroes we’ve been waiting for, pushing back on the radical protests on elite college campuses and defending the American flag? And finally, Florida has banned lab-grown meat. Is there anything more to this than protection for the traditional meat industries?
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Sheen and Maier: Broadcasting Theology | Gene Edward Veith, Religion & Liberty
UNC frat brothers who defended US flag speak out: 'Deeply important to us’ | The Daily Mail
Flag-Protecting Frat Brothers Have Plans for $500K in Donations | Newsweek
Heroic Fraternities: How College Men Can Save Universities and America | Anthony B. Bradley
‘We Will Save Our Beef’: Florida Bans Lab-Grown Meat | The New York Times -
This week, Eric, Dylan, and Dan are joined by Karen Swallow Prior to discuss her essay in the new Spring 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “Who Will Comfort Me? The Total Care of Cicely Saunders” and issues of, literally, life and death. Then Eric, Dylan, and Dan discuss the place of free markets within the conservative movement and how college administrations should be dealing with the protest encampments being established on their campuses.
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Who Will Comfort Me? The Total Care of Cicely Saunders | Karen Swallow Prior, Religion & Liberty
The Conservative Movement Is Defending Free Markets — from Both Sides | Erick Erickson, National Review
Heritage Foundation’s Wesley Coopersmith’s Response
Karl Polanyi's Battle with Economic History | Alex Nowrasteh, Libertarianism.org
Texas Gov. Abbott faces backlash after mass arrest at UT Austin pro-Palestine protest | The Hill
UF threatens student protesters with suspension, banishment from campus for 3 years | WUFT -
This week, Eric, Dan, and Emily discuss the death of O.J. Simpson and examine how the combination of his celebrity and his criminal trial launched a thousand cultural ships, including reality TV, true-crime obsession, and the 24/7 news cycle. Next, Belgian politicians tried to shut down the National Conservatism Conference, only to have it saved by liberal institutions. Oh, the irony. And finally, what can we learn from NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner’s piece at The Free Press accusing NPR of losing its journalistic integrity?
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O.J. Simpson, Football Star Whose Trial Riveted the Nation, Dies at 76 | New York Times
Europe’s hard-right bags big win after ‘own goal’ by Brussels mayors | Politico
Brussels Mayor Attempts to Shut Down National Conservatism Conference by Force | Stephanie Slade, Reason
What I Saw at the National Conservatism Conference | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty
National Conservatism One Year Later | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty
I’ve Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust. | Uri Berliner, The Free Press -
This week, Eric, Noah, and David Hebert, making his maiden voyage on the podcast, discuss squatters’ rights: Do they really exist? And if so, how big a problem are they really?. Then, has the problem with industrial policy been that we just weren’t doing it right all these years? Sen. Marco Rubio thinks so. Oh, and a new California minimum-wage law for fast-food workers has taken effect. Our future fast-food robot overlords are appreciative. And finally, Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for the fraud he perpetrated. Is this sentence too harsh, too light, or just right?
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What’s Behind Recent ‘Squatters’ Rights’ Disputes? | Reilly Stephens, The Dispatch
Why Christians Should Be (the Best) Landlords | Rachel Ferguson, Religion & Liberty Online
Why I believe in industrial policy—done right | Sen. Marco Rubio, Washington Post
Beware the Bipartisan Folly of Industrial Policy | Noah Gould, National Revie
California’s Crazy ‘Fast Food’ Minimum Wage Takes Effect | David Neumark, Wall Street Journal
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for crypto fraud, to pay $11 billion in forfeiture | CNBC - Montre plus
