Kelsey Piper: A Reasonable Approach To AI Reason Podcasts podcast

1:09:27

Economic historian Phil Magness on the real history of tariffs and why Trump is so wrong about them. Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonJustAskingQuestions/featured Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-asking-questions/id1719355507 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SpySKAH3LuVyxXk0MF7tl Text and links to sources available here: https://reason.com/podcasts/just-asking-questions/ What would a Mar-a-Lago accord look like? Just asking questions. Phil Magness is an economic historian with the Independent Institute who has deeply studied the history of tariffs and trade. We invited him on the show to talk about the "global economic reordering" described by Donald Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the president's escalating tariffs, the looming threat of a trade war, the shaky stock market, and the so-called "Mar-a-Lago Accord" that may shed more light on what the Trump administration's economic agenda really is. Other episodes mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Kpyg2mFU8&list=PLBuns9Evn1w9K02WT8x-gzSI-UdeeXFG9&index=12 with Tyler Cowen https://youtu.be/-ED2Dy2aRKM?list=PLBuns9Evn1w9K02WT8x-gzSI-UdeeXFG9 with Phil Magness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh_F4F1CjrE&list=PLBuns9Evn1w9K02WT8x-gzSI-UdeeXFG9&index=1 with Kelsey Piper SEO: Tariffs, Trade Wars & the Mar-A-Lago Accord | Phil Magness on Economic History & Trump’s Agenda In this episode of Just Asking Questions, economist and historian Phil Magness joins us to break down the Trump administration's evolving economic strategy, including its obsession with tariffs, the controversial Mar-A-Lago Accord, and the potential return of protectionism. We dive deep into trade history, from Smoot-Hawley to semiconductors, and challenge the narrative being pushed by Trump’s inner circle. Phil lays out how tariffs act as both revenue generators and protectionist tools, and why the current push may be economically disastrous. We also explore the idea of using tariffs as a foreign policy weapon, Trump's weak-dollar plan, and even the government's unexpected Bitcoin play. Topics Covered 👉 What is the Mar-A-Lago Accord? 👉 Do tariffs really help the American economy? 👉 What caused the Great Depression—was it tariffs? 👉 Why is Trump obsessed with tariffs? 👉 What is the dual purpose of tariffs? 👉 Is the US bringing back manufacturing jobs? 👉 Are tariffs good for national security? 👉 How do tariffs affect inflation? 👉 What are the dangers of a strong US dollar? 👉 What’s the future of free trade in America? 👉 Can the US government use Bitcoin as a reserve asset? 👉 Who is Phil Magness and what are his views on tariffs? 👉 What are the long-term effects of protectionist policies? Chapters: 00:00:00 Coming up... 00:00:27 Trump's Confused Tariff History 00:06:39 The Dual Purpose of Tariffs 00:09:44 Tariffs as Foreign Policy Tools 00:11:26 Smoot-Hawley and the Great Depression 00:15:38 The Great Forgetting of Trade History 00:20:54 National Security Justifications for Tariffs 00:25:32 Debating Strategic Industries Like Semiconductors 00:30:06 JD Vance, Industrial Decline, and Economic Nostalgia 00:37:31 Auto Industry, Union Labor, and Protectionism 00:40:34 The Mar-A-Lago Accord Explained 00:45:58 Should Other Countries Pay for US Security? 00:49:33 Can Tariffs Be Effective Negotiation Tools? 00:53:37 Will Weakening the Dollar Backfire? 00:57:08 Do Tariffs Cause Inflation? 01:00:41 The US Government's Bitcoin Sovereign Wealth Fund 01:06:59 Final Thoughts and What We Should Be Asking…

Reason Podcasts

1
James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber: Psychedelics Legalization Will Continue No Matter Who Is President 58:48

3 days ago58:48

58:48

You've probably heard about microdosing, which involves taking a small, "sub-perceptual" dose of psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin on a regular basis to ward off depression, anxiety, and chronic pain—or to optimize focus and boost energy. Today's guests are James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber, authors of the new book Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance. Fadiman, a Stanford-trained research psychologist who has been working with psychedelics since the early 1960s, popularized the concept of microdosing over a decade ago. They talk with Reason's Nick Gillespie about the mechanics of and theory behind microdosing, its promise and limits, and how it fits into the larger psychedelic renaissance that has been flowering for most of the 21st century. And they discuss the prospects for legalization and cultural normalization of psychedelics under the Trump administration. 1:19 — New book: Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance 5:12 — How Fadiman discovered microdosing 8:10 — How Gruber began microdosing 8:57 — Microdosing is similar to a vitamin protocol 11:17 — MDMA, ketamine, and cannabis work differently 12:50 — Microdosing for depression 16:02 — Other conditions microdosing could help alleviate 19:09 — Is microdosing for life? 21:17 — How to quantify the efficacy of microdosing 30:14 — Psychedelics and drug law 37:30 — Psychedelic-assisted therapy 39:40 — Psychedelics and their benefits are nonideological 46:15 — Fadiman and Gruber's 2020 book: Your Symphony of Selves 53:45 — Drug legalization under Donald Trump Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
Trump’s War With the Courts 1:20:49

5 days ago1:20:49

1:20:49

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie welcome a very special guest, Andrew Sullivan, to discuss President Donald Trump's defiance of court orders on deportations, his antagonism toward Canada, and the COVID-19-era lies told by Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 11:55—Trump deportations ignore due process and defy court order 38:19—Canada as the 51st state? 50:38—Weekly listener question 58:09—The five-year anniversary of COVID-19 and Fauci's lies 1:07:30—This week's cultural recommendations Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name. Today's sponsors: Do you know a student looking for a transformative opportunity that supports the foundations of a free society? Reliance College invites students aged 16 to 24 to the 2025 Great Connections Seminar in Chicago, from July 26th to August 2nd. This year's theme, "Reason and Free Will," dives into timeless ideas from writers such as Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand, and Aristotle. Students sharpen critical thinking in small, dynamic groups, developing the intellectual tools needed to thrive in a free society. Outside the classroom, they'll explore Chicago's vibrant culture—touring museums, trying improv comedy, and building lifelong connections. Parents, this program equips students to think, reason, and act independently. Go to reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Registration is just $800, including room and board for the full week, with scholarships available. Don't miss out! Visit www.reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10% off your first month. Audio production by Ian Keyser Assistant production by Hunt Beaty Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
Kelsey Piper: A Reasonable Approach to AI 1:19:02

9 days ago1:19:02

1:19:02

Reason Podcasts

1
Brain Doherty: The Fascinating Women and Weirdos Who Founded Libertarianism 1:03:53

10 days ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Today's guest is Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty, who has just published Modern Libertarianism: A Brief History of Classical Liberalism in the United States. His previous books include Radicals for Capitalism, the indispensable history of the libertarian movement, and titles covering the Ron Paul revolution, gun rights, Burning Man, and underground comics. Modern Libertarianism analyzes the political and cultural legacies of figures such as Ludwig von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, and Barry Goldwater. Doherty talks with Reason's Nick Gillespie about Ayn Rand and the other two women who helped conceptualize libertarian thought—Rose Wilder Lane and Isabel Paterson. Doherty and Gillespie also discuss how libertarians have played leading, if often underappreciated, roles in battles over free speech, international trade, immigration, deregulation, drug legalization, and lifestyle liberation. This interview was recorded at The Reason Speakeasy, a live monthly event in New York City that doubles as a live taping of this podcast. Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
Why We Don't Need the Department of Education 1:08:19

10 days ago1:08:19

1:08:19

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch explain why eliminating the Department of Education entirely is long overdue. 02:52—Trump administration cuts to the Department of Education 25:55—Mahmoud Khalil detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement 37:13—Weekly listener question 45:22—Lightning round: Congress passes a continuing resolution budget deal 53:41—This week's cultural recommendations Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name. Today's sponsor: Do you know a student looking for a transformative opportunity that supports the foundations of a free society? Reliance College invites students aged 16 to 24 to the 2025 Great Connections Seminar in Chicago, from July 26th to August 2nd. This year's theme, "Reason and Free Will," dives into timeless ideas from writers such as Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand, and Aristotle. Students sharpen critical thinking in small, dynamic groups, developing the intellectual tools needed to thrive in a free society. Outside the classroom, they'll explore Chicago's vibrant culture—touring museums, trying improv comedy, and building lifelong connections. Parents, this program equips students to think, reason, and act independently. Go to reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Registration is just $800, including room and board for the full week, with scholarships available. Don't miss out! Visit www.reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Audio production by Ian Keyser Assistant production by Hunt Beaty Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
Tom Woods: The COVID Lessons We Can't Forget 1:33:10

14 days ago1:33:10

1:33:10

Five years to the day after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, what are the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic? Just asking questions. Tom Woods joins us today. He's a historian, host of The Tom Woods Show, and author of many books, including Diary of a Psychosis: How Public Health Disgraced Itself During COVID Mania, which has a foreword written by the new National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya. Because he so painstakingly documented his experience of "COVID mania" as it unfolded day-to-day, we asked him to reflect on the lockdowns, social distancing, masks, and vaccines, as well as how all these measures ultimately affected liberty and what COVID accountability should look like. Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonJustAskingQuestions/featured Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-asking-questions/id1719355507 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SpySKAH3LuVyxXk0MF7tl Text and links to sources available here: https://reason.com/podcasts/just-asking-questions/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: What have we learned from COVID? 04:30 The early days: Panic, lockdowns, and initial reactions 10:15 Florida vs. California: The great COVID policy divide 16:45 The unseen costs: Lockdowns, economy, and mental health 23:30 The vaccine debate: Mandates, coercion, and public trust 30:20 The science debate: Experts, models, and misleading predictions 37:15 Masks, symbolism, and political messaging 44:00 Australia, New Zealand, and the global COVID response 50:45 Federalism & freedom: Why some states resisted COVID rules 57:30 What comes next? Preparing for the next health crisis 1:04:00 Final thoughts: The lessons we must remember…

Reason Podcasts

1
Just Answering Questions: Live Q&A 47:13

14 days ago47:13

47:13

To celebrate the growth of our new YouTube channel, the Just Asking Questions team livestreamed an Ask Me Anything episode, hosted by their producer, John Osterhoudt. It was a chance for our listeners to share their reactions to guests and topics, suggest ideas for future episodes, and pose some hard questions. Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonJustAskingQuestions/featured Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-asking-questions/id1719355507 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SpySKAH3LuVyxXk0MF7tl Text and links to sources available here: https://reason.com/podcasts/just-asking-questions/…

Reason Podcasts

1
Rachel Barkow: Did Trump and Biden Turn Pardons Into a Corrupt Joke? 1:21:12

17 days ago1:21:12

1:21:12

This week's guest is Rachel Barkow, a professor of law at New York University and the author of the book Justice Abandoned: How the Supreme Court Ignored the Constitution and Enabled Mass Incarceration, which was just released this month. Barkow and Reason's Billy Binion talked about the importance of the presidential pardon power—which is a controversial topic these days, after former President Joe Biden used it to preemptively pardon Anthony Fauci and members of his own family, and President Donald Trump used it to pardon January 6 defendants, some of whom were convicted of assaulting law enforcement. They also discussed Barkow's view that certain Supreme Court precedents around criminal justice are alarming for anyone who cares about the Constitution and individual liberty. Finally, they chatted about what it was like for her to clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia—as a Democrat. 0:00 — Introduction 1:03 — Presidential pardon power under Biden and Trump 9:35 — Biden's "clumsy" end-of-term pardons 13:03 — Trump's January 6 pardons 18:55 — Historical context for pardon power 24:20 — Philip Esformes' pardon limbo 30:07 — Ford's commission on Vietnam War draft dodgers 33:15 — Pardon power and the death penalty 37:57 — Barlow's new book, Justice Abandoned 41:45 — Coercive plea bargaining 57:17 — "Repeat offenders" in the news 1:05:18 — Barkow's clerkship with Scalia 1:15:42 — The biggest misconception about the Supreme Court Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
It's Trump's Economy Now 1:11:19

18 days ago1:11:19

1:11:19

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the frantic uncertainty in the economy due to President Donald Trump's various tariff policies and trade war antics. 03:22—Trump's tariff uncertainty 26:15—Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) check-in 38:35—Weekly listener question 49:01—Five years since COVID-19 56:12—This week's cultural recommendations Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name. Today's sponsors: Let's talk about March Madness! No, not NCAA March Madness that kicks off with selections next week. We're talking about March TAX madness! Digging through your records and files, realizing that you never received acknowledgment of a donation you made and now have to track it down. Did you know that DonorsTrust can help alleviate your tax season headaches? With a donor-advised fund from DonorsTrust, you can simplify your giving and maximize your tax savings. It's private, secure, and managed by a team that shares your belief in limited government. Not all donor-advised funds respect your libertarian principles. DonorsTrust is proudly dedicated to advancing a free society, protecting your charitable intent, and championing individual liberty and free markets. You can focus on making a difference, not on managing paperwork. With DonorsTrust, it's your vision, your values, your impact. Go to DonorsTrust.org/Reason to discover a better way to give. Do you know a student looking for a transformative opportunity that supports the foundations of a free society? Reliance College invites students aged 16 to 24 to the 2025 Great Connections Seminar in Chicago, from July 26th to August 2nd. This year's theme, "Reason and Free Will," dives into timeless ideas from writers such as Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand, and Aristotle. Students sharpen critical thinking in small, dynamic groups, developing the intellectual tools needed to thrive in a free society. Outside the classroom, they'll explore Chicago's vibrant culture—touring museums, trying improv comedy, and building lifelong connections. Parents, this program equips students to think, reason, and act independently. Go to reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Registration is just $800, including room and board for the full week, with scholarships available. Don't miss out! Visit www.reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Audio production by Ian Keyser Assistant production by Hunt Beaty Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
James Pogue: What Ukraine Reveals About MAGA 1:31:08

22 days ago1:31:08

1:31:08

Vanity Fair reporter James Pogue dives into the dissident right, his personal experiences with MAGA, and how Ukraine policy is unfolding. Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonJustAskingQuestions/featured Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-asking-questions/id1719355507 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SpySKAH3LuVyxXk0MF7tl Text and links to sources available here: https://reason.com/podcasts/just-asking-questions/ What does the dramatic collapse of talks between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump and JD Vance reveal about Trump's foreign policy, Vance's ideology, and the future trajectory of MAGA? Just asking questions. James Pogue, who has written extensively about the American "New Right" and who predicted in 2022 that Vance would be "hugely influential in our politics in the coming years," joined the show to dissect the doomed televised negotiations between Zelenskyy and Trump, offer his insight about Vance's aggressive interjection, and discuss why he thinks the rise of the online "dissident right" is poised to either fall apart or lead America into a "a dark night of totalitarianism."…

Reason Podcasts

1
Alton Brown: A TV Chef Offers Food for Thought 58:57

24 days ago58:57

58:57

Our guest today is Alton Brown, who for years hosted Good Eats on the Food Network and brought his interest in science to the making of dinner. He's currently touring the country, and he has also just published Food for Thought, a great collection of essays about food, culture, and his life on and off the screen. In this episode, Reason's Nick Gillespie talks with Brown about how food transcends politics, why fusion cooking isn't cultural appropriation, and why there's always room for Jell-O salad on his menu. Today's sponsor: The Reason Speakeasy. The Reason Speakeasy is a monthly unscripted conversation in New York City with outspoken defenders of free thinking and heterodoxy in an age of intellectual conformity and groupthink. It doubles as a live taping of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. Go here to buy tickets and go here to sign up for Reason's NYC Events newsletter. Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
Trump vs. Zelenksyy: Democracy Dies in Drama? 1:04:32

26 days ago1:04:32

1:04:32

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch react to last week's dramatic exchange in the White House over the war in Ukraine between President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 04:08—Trump and Zelenskyy clash in the Oval Office 27:30—House Republicans agree to increase federal budget deficit 40:32—Weekly listener question 47:18—Lightning round: National Security Agency sex chats, measles in Texas, and the Epstein files 55:29—This week's cultural recommendations Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name. Today's sponsors: Do you know a student looking for a transformative opportunity that supports the foundations of a free society? Reliance College invites students aged 16 to 24 to the 2025 Great Connections Seminar in Chicago, from July 26th to August 2nd. This year's theme, "Reason and Free Will," dives into timeless ideas from writers such as Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand, and Aristotle. Students sharpen critical thinking in small, dynamic groups, developing the intellectual tools needed to thrive in a free society. Outside the classroom, they'll explore Chicago's vibrant culture—touring museums, trying improv comedy, and building lifelong connections. Parents, this program equips students to think, reason, and act independently. Go to reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Registration is just $800, including room and board for the full week, with scholarships available. Don't miss out! Visit www.reliancecollege.org/reason to learn more and apply. Are you being lied to? They tell you to max out your 401(k) and IRA, and then make you beg for permission to use your own money! It's time to get the truth and discover a better way to grow and protect your money! Bank On Yourself is the proven retirement plan alternative banks and Wall Street desperately hope you never hear about. You're in control. You get access to your money for emergencies and opportunities with no questions asked! There are no government penalties or restrictions on how much or when you can take it. And when you use your money, it keeps growing like you never touched it! Try doing that with a 401(k) or IRA…you can't! You can get a free report that reveals how you can Bank On Yourself and enjoy tax-free retirement income, guaranteed growth, and control of your money. Just go to https://www.bankonyourself.com/roundtable. Audio production by Ian Keyser Assistant production by Hunt Beaty Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve Subscribe at YouTube: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magazine Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Visit the archive: https://reason.com/tags/reason-podcast…

Reason Podcasts

1
Matt Taibbi: The Collapse of the Censorship Regime 1:21:42

4 weeks ago1:21:42

1:21:42

Are the online speech wars over? Just asking questions. Award-winning journalist Matt Taibbi joins Reason's Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe on Just Asking Questions today to help analyze Vice President J.D. Vance's blistering speech at the Munich Security Conference, where Vance called on Europe's leaders to stop suppressing speech, banning populist political parties, and annulling elections. Taibbi predicts Vance's speech will be "remembered as a moment of grave importance," as it signals the "collapse of the post–World War II order." They also discuss a nonconfrontational 60 Minutes segment about German speech laws, Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation as director of national intelligence, the crumbling legitimacy of legacy media, and why Taibbi is glad Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election. You can find Taibbi's work these days at racket.news and on the America This Week podcast with Walter Kirn. Chapters: 00:00 Coming up… 00:25 Introducing Matt Taibbi 00:54 Analyzing J.D. Vance's Munich speech 24:17 The history of free speech in Europe 32:09 Back to Vance: the end of the post–World War II American and European alliance? 35:58 Fear of populism fuels censorship 45:13 Is U.S. intelligence using the European Union to route around the First Amendment? 50:32 Tulsi Gabbard as the new director of national intelligence 53:53 Who did Matt Taibbi vote for? 58:05 Reacting to 60 Minutes' praise of German censors 01:16:40 Will the Democrats do any real post-election reflection? (No) 01:19:48 What is a question that you think more people should be asking?…

Reason Podcasts

1
John McWhorter: Is 'Wokeness' Finally Dead? 49:21

4 weeks ago49:21