Cato Event Podcast

Winner of the Grand Prize for Documentary at the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival, Shuffle is filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty’s powerful exposé of unintended consequences in American health policy. Through intimate portraits of people seeking recovery from opioid addiction, Flaherty reveals how federal mandates—particularly within the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid—have unintentionally enabled predatory rehab operators to turn human suffering into revenue streams. The federal mandates are likely even increasing and subsidizing suffering, rather than reducing it.Join us for a screening of Shuffle in the Cato Institute’s F. A. Hayek Auditorium, followed by a discussion of what the film uncovers about the incentives that are shaping America’s addiction-treatment system and how policymakers, clinicians, and advocates can work toward more effective solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the name of material progress, the West has sought to develop and frequently exploit the less-developed “rest.” William Easterly will draw from 400 years of history—ranging from the conquest of the Americas and the Atlantic slave trade to colonization in Asia and Africa and the invention of the Third World—to show how the West has justified different forms of intervention in the societies it has purportedly intended to improve. Easterly will explain why development based on consent, choice, and human agency is superior to an approach that neglects dignity, focuses narrowly on material improvements, and too often justifies various degrees of coercion. Deirdre McCloskey will comment on the fundamental role of freedom in development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As America’s debt climbs and the danger of a fiscal crisis grows, is it time to add a constitutional guardrail? In Fiscal Democracy in America, Kurt Couchman proposes a principles-based balanced budget amendment (BBA) to address the persistent deficits in Washington in a flexible and politically feasible manner. Marc Goldwein draws on his experience in fiscal commissions and provides a challenge to the BBA as a silver-bullet solution to America’s fiscal crisis.How could a principles-based BBA work, and how would it handle entitlement programs, recessions, and crises? Why did previous attempts at a BBA fail, and what makes a principles-based BBA different? Is a BBA just a distraction from adopting specific policy reforms? And if an amendment were adopted, do other reforms need to occur to complement its implementation? Join us for a discussion with Kurt Couchman and Marc Goldwein, moderated by Romina Boccia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The school choice movement is often seen as a modern, partisan undermining of a cherished institution: public education. Fighting for the Freedom to Learn shows that the struggle for educational freedom is not new but an enduring part of US history. It is rooted in traditions of parents and communities shaping how children learn and perpetual struggles for people without political power to get the education they believe they need.Join us to discuss this important new book! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the 1930s, the federal government has used the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) deposit insurance to justify its increased involvement in banking. Now, in the name of supporting community banks, some policymakers have proposed raising the FDIC insurance cap from $250,000 to $10 million. They claim that in the wake of the bank failures of 2023, depositors fled from small banks and moved their money to “too big to fail” institutions that enjoy implicit government backing. Increasing the FDIC insurance cap, these policymakers argue, will encourage depositors to stay with community banks.Yet for nearly a century, Congress and the FDIC have continued to expand and increase federal involvement in banking, creating a complex web of regulation, increasing costs for consumers, and burdening American taxpayers. Despite these changes being implemented in the name of safety, a select few institutions still clamor for special protection.The proposed expansion will magnify all these problems, making the

How does China’s economy affect US policy? US policymakers have responded to perceived dangers from China by using industrial policy, export controls, and attempting to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities. Some analysts have concluded that China is developing a sizable technological capacity that poses a challenge to the US economy, and potentially constrains US foreign policy. How much leverage has the Chinese economy purchased for policymakers in Beijing? What does the ceasefire in the US-China trade war tell us about the future of US-China competition? Finally, what do these questions about China’s economy tell us about the security threat China potentially poses?Getting the answers to these questions right is essential for crafting an effective US grand strategy. This policy forum brings together two leading experts on Chinese political economy to discuss what China’s economy really looks like and what the implications are for US grand strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George White, CEO of The C.M. Paula Company—an Ohio-based holding company with businesses across several industries—recently joined Scott Lincicome to discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs on several of C.M. Paula’s affiliated companies. White discussed the intricacies of managing firms with a global network of suppliers, the costs the tariffs have imposed on the companies’ operations, and the adjustments that he and his teams have made to operate amid an uncertain business environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few people exerted as profound an influence on the postwar conservative movement and the “fusionist” project of attempting to align libertarians with traditional conservatives on issues of shared interest as William F. Buckley Jr. The founder and longtime editor of National Review, Buckley hosted the weekly PBS program Firing Line, wrote a syndicated column, and authored roughly 50 books. He also found time to run for mayor of New York City in 1965. He had no real intention of winning but rather hoped to influence the terms of the debate over how the city was governed.Buckley commissioned Sam Tanenhaus to write his biography. The result is the comprehensive Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America. Please join us on Monday, November 17, a week before what would have been Buckley’s 100th birthday, for an online discussion of the book and a man who helped shape public discussion for more than five decades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should we grapple with the legacies of complex historical figures? Join Sphere Education Initiatives and Civic Spirit for this unique virtual professional learning opportunity. The webinar will take a deep dive into building civil discourse around the Founders, who embody both profound achievements and troubling flaws. We’ll explore the challenges of avoiding oversimplification, whether by elevating figures to untouchable pedestals or by dismissing them as wholly illegitimate.In discussion, we’ll consider the role of historical context in shaping our understanding: Does it help us balance empathy with accountability, or does it risk excusing harmful actions under the guise of “different times”? We’ll discuss strategies for teaching students to recognize human fallibility in ways that develop their critical thinking and compassion while still holding fast to their values.The event will connect these questions to the present day, sharing resources and strategies to help educators engage their students.

Are you wondering how to spark more joy and curiosity in your child’s learning—or how to make education work better for your students? In her new book, Joyful Learning, Kerry McDonald shares inspiring stories of families and educators who are reimagining education through microschools, pods, and other creative approaches. In this one-on-one conversation, McDonald will answer your questions and share practical ideas to bring more freedom and happiness to learning. Prepare to explore fresh possibilities for both parents and teachers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prospect of a Chinese invasion and conquest of Taiwan is a major focus of US–China security competition. Apart from its political, economic, and moral consequences, some US experts argue that Chinese control of Taiwan would compromise the US military position in Asia, bolstering the case that the United States should commit its military to defend Taiwan’s autonomy. Jonathan Caverley and Evan Montgomery will discuss the stakes of the US commitment to Taiwan, whether preserving Taiwan’s autonomy justifies risking conflict with China, and the relationship between Taiwan and the broader military balance in the Indo-Pacific. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the official launch of Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes by Romina Boccia and Ivane Nachkebia, a timely and urgent new book in which the authors rethink how America can safeguard retirement security for current and future generations. As the Social Security program nears a fiscal tipping point, the authors bring together expert insights, international case studies, and actionable policy solutions to show how the United States can reform its retirement system without burdening younger generations with unsustainable debt and taxes.Now marking its 90th year, Social Security faces a critical moment: By 2033, the program’s trust fund depletion could trigger automatic benefit cuts of 23 percent unless Congress acts. Reimagining Social Security dives into the root causes of this crisis and explores how reforms adopted in countries including Canada, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand can offer valuable guidance for the United States.

Join us for the official launch of Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes by Romina Boccia and Ivane Nachkebia, a timely and urgent new book in which the authors rethink how America can safeguard retirement security for current and future generations. As the Social Security program nears a fiscal tipping point, the authors bring together expert insights, international case studies, and actionable policy solutions to show how the United States can reform its retirement system without burdening younger generations with unsustainable debt and taxes.Now marking its 90th year, Social Security faces a critical moment: By 2033, the program’s trust fund depletion could trigger automatic benefit cuts of 23 percent unless Congress acts. Reimagining Social Security dives into the root causes of this crisis and explores how reforms adopted in countries including Canada, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand can offer valuable guidance for the United States.

Join us for the official launch of Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes by Romina Boccia and Ivane Nachkebia, a timely and urgent new book in which the authors rethink how America can safeguard retirement security for current and future generations. As the Social Security program nears a fiscal tipping point, the authors bring together expert insights, international case studies, and actionable policy solutions to show how the United States can reform its retirement system without burdening younger generations with unsustainable debt and taxes.Now marking its 90th year, Social Security faces a critical moment: By 2033, the program’s trust fund depletion could trigger automatic benefit cuts of 23 percent unless Congress acts. Reimagining Social Security dives into the root causes of this crisis and explores how reforms adopted in countries including Canada, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand can offer valuable guidance for the United States.

Join us for the official launch of Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes by Romina Boccia and Ivane Nachkebia, a timely and urgent new book in which the authors rethink how America can safeguard retirement security for current and future generations. As the Social Security program nears a fiscal tipping point, the authors bring together expert insights, international case studies, and actionable policy solutions to show how the United States can reform its retirement system without burdening younger generations with unsustainable debt and taxes.Now marking its 90th year, Social Security faces a critical moment: By 2033, the program’s trust fund depletion could trigger automatic benefit cuts of 23 percent unless Congress acts. Reimagining Social Security dives into the root causes of this crisis and explores how reforms adopted in countries including Canada, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand can offer valuable guidance for the United States.