Best Institute for Liberal Studies Podcasts (2024)

Alex speaks with Marc-William Palen about the evolution of left-wing visions of free trade from the mid-19th century through the Cold War, highlighting key movements and figures like the Anti-Corn Law League, Karl Marx, and the Fair Trade movement, and contrasting these with protectionist and imperialist policies of the era. Episode Notes: Marc-Wil…

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#133: Amy Edmondson — Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, author of “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well” 27:21

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14d ago27:21

27:21

For any long time listeners of the podcast, you know we are firm believers in failure being a positive thing. From D1 coaches to cutting edge researchers, great performers and leaders across the board understand the importance of allowing people to fail well. But, how exactly do you do that? Enter today’s guest Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of …

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Ep. 235: Joanna Baron - Did The Pandemic Undermine Civil Liberties? 59:30

14d ago59:30

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Matt speaks with Joanna Baron about how government measures during the pandemic undermined civil liberties in North America and beyond. Episode Notes: - Brian Bird's PhD Thesis: https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/4j03d4180 - Fraser Institute: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/ - The Forgotten Fundamental Freedoms - Dwight G. Newman https:/…

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Ep. 234: Jonathan Blanks - What Is Systemic Racism? 1:30:20

21d ago1:30:20

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Sabine speaks with Jonathan Blanks about why and how systemic racism exists in society, and what can potentially be done to curb it in various aspects of institutional life. Episode Notes: - The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity: https://freopp.org/ - An article by Jonathan on defining systemic racism: https://freopp.org/what-systemic-ra…

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Ep. 233: Kevin Erdmann - Why Are We Afraid Of Building Homes? 1:17:00

28d ago1:17:00

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Alex speaks with Kevin Erdmann about how zoning, the 2008 economic crisis, and the desire to live away from "those people" is effecting the state of housing today. Episode Notes: Kevin's page at the Mercatus Centre: https://www.mercatus.org/scholars/kevin-erdmann The Erdmann Housing Tracker: https://kevinerdmann.substack.com/ Kevin on X: https://x.…

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The Complexities of the EU Parliament Elections 46:05

28d ago46:05

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In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey spoke with Francesco Ronchi and Udo Zolleis, two European Parliament officials and analysts. With the European Parliament elections taking place shortly after we spoke, they share their insights on the direction that politics in Europe may take in the coming months and years, espec…

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Tina Beattie - Language, Desire And Creation In The Context Of Laudato Si 49:09

1M ago49:09

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For March's CTRS seminar, Tina Beattie (Professor Emerita of Catholic Studies, University of Roehampton), gives a paper on Language, desire, and creation in the context of Laudato Si'.This seminar forms part of the Catholic Theology Research Seminar Series (CTRS). The CTRS is a regular forum for scholarly discussion of pertinent issues in the Catho…

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Alana Harris - Student Power In Christ The Young Christian Students, Race And Liberation Theology 51:46

1M ago51:46

51:46

For April's CTRS seminar, we were joined by Dr Alana Harris, Reader in Modern British Social, Cultural and Gender History, King’s College London, who will give a paper entitled: ‘Student Power in Christ’: the Young Christian Students, Race Relations and Liberation Theology in Britain after 1968.This seminar forms part of the Catholic Theology Resea…

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Ep. 232: Dominic Parker - Do Environmental Agencies Actually Help The Environment? 1:12:16

1M ago1:12:16

1:12:16

Alex speaks with Dominic Parker about his 2023 paper with Dean Lueck entitled "The Economic Origins And Extent Of America's First Environmental Agencies" Episode Notes: Dominic's paper: https://aae.wisc.edu/dparker/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Lueck-Parker-Origins-December-2023.pdf Some history on the conservation movement from 1850-1920 via…

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We Should Not Take the UN For Granted: A Discussion with Abiodun Williams 33:54

1M ago33:54

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In times where conflicts around the globe are an everyday topic, the place of the United Nations in resolving these conflicts is constantly being questioned. In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey discusses this issue with Professor Abiodun Williams, Professor of the Practice of International Politics at Tufts Universit…

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Ep. 231: Ryan Bourne - Is There A War On Prices? 1:04:48

1M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Alex speaks with Ryan Bourne as he explores the misconceptions around inflation and the dangers of price controls, emphasizing how prices act as signals to coordinate economic activity and promote growth. Ryan explains the adverse effects of government intervention in setting prices, such as shortages, quality declines, black markets, and inefficie…

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The Social Acceptance of Inequality 32:01

1M ago32:01

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On this episode of International Horizons, Francesco Duina, Charles A. Dana Professor of Sociology at Bates College and Luca Storti, Associate Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Turin in Italy and a Research Fellow of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, discuss the rise of inequalities around the globe and the di…

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#132: Kim Reed — Author of “Workhorse: My Sublime and Absurd Years in the New York Restaurant Scene,” Fmr. Executive Assistant for Chef Joe Bastianich 28:02

2M ago28:02

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In recent years, the celebrity chef and restaurant has taken the world by storm. The rise of the ‘chefprenaur’ has created a $10 billion dollar industry encapsulating everything from restaurant chains, branded cookware, cook books, television deals, and social media empires. Despite the glamor, one fact still remains: the restaurant scene is an unf…

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Ep. 230: Kent Roach - Does Canada Have A Wrongful Conviction Problem? 57:14

2M ago57:14

57:14

Alex speaks with Donner prize nominee Kent Roach about a topic that many Canadians may overlook when thinking about issues that are recurring at home: wrongful convictions and its victims. Episode Notes: - Kent's award-winning book "Wrongfully Convicted: Guilty Pleas, Imagined Crimes, and What Canada Must Do to Safeguard Justice" https://a.co/d/d9m…

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The Climate Crisis as a Problem of Collective Action: A Discussion with Dana Fisher 40:34

2M ago40:34

40:34

In this episode of International Horizons, Professor Dana Fisher, Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE) and Professor in the School of International Service at American University, discusses with RBI Director John Torpey her approach to dealing with the climate crisis. Fisher explains how the climate crisis is really a …

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Ep. 229: Ethan Nadelmann - Has Drug Decriminalization Failed? 1:06:24

2M ago1:06:24

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Matt speaks with Ethan Nadelmann about drug decriminalization, legalization, and the slow end to the drug war in Canada and the United States, and how successes and failures in both countries compare to those abroad. Episode Notes: The Drug Policy Alliance website: https://drugpolicy.org/ Some history on Portugal's Drug Harm Reduction Programs: htt…

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What does Biden’s temporary suspension of offensive arms transfers mean for US-Israeli relations? 30:47

2M ago30:47

30:47

Charles Blaha, a former State Department expert on the vetting of U.S. weapons transfers to other countries, helps us understand this important moment in the Israel-Hamas conflict. After an extended period of tension between U.S President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden has decided to freeze some transfers of weapons …

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Ep. 228: Craig Biddle - What Is Objectivism? 1:06:56

2M ago1:06:56

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Matt speaks with Craig Biddle about objectivism and the legacy of Ayn Rand, and how it all ties to classical liberalism, the American ideal, and post-modernism. Episode Notes: Craig's work for the Objective Standard: https://theobjectivestandard.com/author/cbiddle/ Craig on X: https://twitter.com/CraigBiddle Free Ayn Rand books courtesy of the Ayn …

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#131: Dr. Magie Cook — CEO of Magie Cook International, Founder of Maggie’s Salsa, Fmr. Mexico National Basketball Team Member, Board Member at the University of Charleston, Nobel Prize Recipient 25:30

2M ago25:30

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We’ve had a lot of impressive guests on the podcast, many who have overcome some real challenges in their lives to build something great, but today’s guest has an especially impressive story. Dr. Magie Cook began her life with 68 brothers and sisters in an orphanage in Mexico. Battling abuse, hunger, and poverty, during her high school years she ea…

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Ep. 227: Bryce Tingle - How Are Regulations Damaging Markets? 1:16:01

2M ago1:16:01

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Alex speaks with Bryce Tingle about corporations, how these unique legal entities are governed, how changes we have made to corporate governance has discouraged companies from joining Canada’s public markets, and how the decline in our public market is hurting Canadians. Episode Notes: 1. Bryce’s article “Returning Markets To The Centre Of Corporat…

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The Rhetoric of Crisis in Israel-Palestine: A Discussion with Amos Goldberg 51:57

2M ago51:57

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This week, RBI Director John Torpey speaks with Amos Goldberg, Professor of Holocaust History at the Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Among other rhetorical aspects of the conflict, Goldberg reflects on the meaning of such slogans as “From the …

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Ep. 226: Eric Merkley - What Motivates NIMBYs? 56:30

3M ago56:30

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Matt speaks with Eric Merkley about NIMBYism, the surprising touchpoints for unity between left and right on the subject of housing, and how uncovering the true motivations of NIMBYs has altered Eric's view of the housing crisis. Episode Notes: "Housing for Me, but not for Thee", Eric's paper serving as the basis for most of this conversation: http…

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#130: Justin Brooks — Author of “You Might Go to Prison, Even Though You're Innocent,” Founder of the California Innocence Project, Director of the LLM Program in Law at University of San Diego 28:23

3M ago28:23

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According to a recent study, about 4-6% of all those incarcerated are considered to be wrongly imprisoned. That’s over 70,000 people who are wrongly incarcerated every year. Today’s guest, Justin Brooks has dedicated his life to representing those who have fallen victim to wrongful incarceration. Justin practiced as a criminal defense attorney in W…

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Ep. 225: Ben Klutsey - How Do We Rebuild Trust? 1:01:44

3M ago1:01:44

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Sabine speaks with Ben Klutsey about political polarization, commonalities between the United States and Canada, and his documentary on the subject entitled "Undivide Us" Episode Notes: The documentary's website with more information, a trailer and the option to request a screening: https://undivideusmovie.com/ Kevin Vallier's "Trust in a Polarized…

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Words of Attack: Rhetoric Against Liberal Democratic Values with James McAdams 32:56

3M ago32:56

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With a presidential campaign in the US just around the corner and populist and authoritarian thinkers gaining broader platforms, University of Notre Dame political scientist A. James McAdams shines a light on the terms being used today by the Far Right to undermine liberal democracy. How successful are these thinkers in changing public views? And h…

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Ep. 224: Rachael LaRose - What Happened To Our Relationships During The Pandemic? 1:07:58

3M ago1:07:58

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Alex speaks with Rachael LaRose about the hidden costs of the pandemic, especially as they effected our commercial relationships, loose ties with individuals that once provided much value to our lives, and orthodox communities who rallied to prioritize faith in the face of fear. Episode Notes: - Rachael's webpage with past publications, etc.: https…

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Mary Beth Ingham: Reading Scotus today: Franciscan foundations for a renewed Christian humanism 1:03:14

3M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Mary Beth Ingham: Reading Scotus today: Franciscan foundations for a renewed Christian humanism by Centre for Catholic StudiesBy Centre for Catholic Studies

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Giuseppe Buffon: A rule that saves? The Capuchin response to the institutional crisis 40:16

3M ago40:16

40:16

Giuseppe Buffon: A rule that saves? The Capuchin response to the institutional crisis by Centre for Catholic StudiesBy Centre for Catholic Studies

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Margaret Carney: The Third Order Rule of 1982: Discovery, Disruption and Renewed Dedication 1:02:09

3M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Please note that the volume on this track fluctuates throughout the recording.By Centre for Catholic Studies

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#129: Jennifer Pahlka — Author of “Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better,” Fmr. US Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Founder of Code for America 18:18

3M ago18:18

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According to a Pew Research poll, over 40% of adults in the United States are considered to be digitally illiterate, and while America’s crumbling transportation infrastructure often makes headlines, its digital infrastructure is equally as out of date. Organizations from the IRS, to the healthcare system are still relying on technology from the 80…

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Ep. 223: Sam Bowman - Why Can't We Have Nice Things? 1:13:06

3M ago1:13:06

1:13:06

Matt speaks with Sam Bowman about the global housing crisis and why, in English-speaking countries in particular, a growing consensus across the political divide is pointing to problems with central planning, NIMBYism and a supply limit as the causes. Episode Notes: Sam Bowman’s on substack: https://substack.com/@sambowman Sam on "Vetocracy": https…

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Why Should We Preserve Memory of the Holocaust? 44:35

3M ago44:35

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Wojtek Soczewica has led the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation since 2019, near the site of the killing fields. The Foundation aims at the preservation of the remains of the concentration and extermination camp and of all the personal items that belonged to victims and survivors. Today they serve as material witnesses of the tragic history safeguarding…

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Citizenship Across Time and Space with David Jacobson 44:14

3M ago44:14

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In this episode of International Horizons, RBI director John Torpey discusses the past and future of citizenship with David Jacobson, Professor of Sociology at the University of South Florida (Tampa). They discuss the origins of the concept of citizenship in the ancient Near East a few thousand years ago and how kinship notions shape the debate on …

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#128: Dave Eng, EdD — Clinical Professor of eLearning, Training + Development, + Instructional Design at NYU, Principle at University XP, Founder of Bandito’s Gaming on Games, Theory, and Tech 22:38

4M ago22:38

22:38

A study came across our desks recently that said, gamification was “just a fad.” We’re going to disagree with that, and so does our guest today Dr. Dave Eng; a creative intellectual, educator, designer, & researcher focusing on games, theory, and technology. Dave serves as the faculty member of NYU’s School of Professional Studies and the Principle…

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