According to Dr. Robert Epstein, adolescence is an artificial construct of recent vintage, unknown in earlier times or indeed in many parts of the world today. The creation of this category, and the assumptions that inform it (by state and society alike) have harmed young people, he argues, and are responsible for the anxiety and angst we associate with the teenage years. These problems are not evident in cultures that lack this category. We explore Dr. Epstein's thesis and book in today's episode.

Show notes for Ep. 1050

Laura Nicolae, a sophomore at Harvard (and whose father fled communist eastern Europe), made some waves recently with an article for the Harvard Crimson about the cavalier way the campus left treats the subject of communism.

Show notes for Ep. 1049

I've long been associated with the cause of nullification of unconstitutional federal laws, having written a book on it. Here I discuss various arguments -- historical, constitutional, and moral -- in favor, with special emphasis toward the end on the moral argument. Thanks to the Tenth Amendment Center for sponsoring this event.

Show notes for Ep. 1048

Rothbardian anarcho-capitalists, who make up a substantial proportion of my audience, are often confused by non-libertarian anarchists, who don't seem like real anarchists to them. These anarchists, in turn, feel the same way about anarcho-capitalists. In this episode, Professor Gerard Casey reviews the thought of some of the key thinkers associated with anarchism.

Show notes for Ep. 1047

In today's episode I share the remarks I delivered at the Mises Institute's 35th anniversary event in New York City in October 2017. No intra-libertarian drama here; just the hows and whys behind the importance and success of the Mises Institute, a place I truly cherish, and its significance for all of us.

Show notes for Ep. 1046

There's one thing in particular that the Austrian School of economics understands better than do other schools, and it helps to explain why the Austrians in turn better understand how the economy works (and what makes it not work). That thing is capital theory. Boring? Nope. Super important. Here's what other economists don't get.

Show notes for Ep. 1045

John Duncan (R-TN) has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years, and is the last Republican in Congress to have voted against the war in Iraq. He joins me to review the claim that the military has been "eviscerated" in recent years.

Show notes for Ep. 1044

A promotional video about this school sparked a heated debate among listeners in my private Facebook group. The video describes the school as having no classrooms, tests, or homework, in which the students direct and evaluate themselves, etc. Is this a natural model for libertarians, or is it just plain silly? I talk to a staff member and a student at the school in today's episode.

Show notes for Ep. 1043

Seamus Coughlin, creator of Freedom Toons, has mastered the art of using animation to convey libertarian ideas in a way that's genuinely funny, and not at all preachy. I catch up with him on what he's been up to lately, what the animation process is really like, and where he'd like to take his growing empire.

Show notes for Ep. 1041