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Acton Line — Education
Acton Line

Dedicated to the promotion of a free and virtuous society, Acton Line brings together writers, economists, religious leaders, and more to bridge the gap between good intentions and sound economics.

Copyright: © 375388 - Acton Institute 2023

Latest Episodes:

Technological Threats to Liberty Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

On today episode, Acton’s director of programs and education, Dan Churchwell, speaks to Philip Bunn, assistant professor of political science at Covenant College. They discuss his Acton Lecture Series presentation “The Heart of a Machine: Technological Threats to Liberty in Adam Smith and Beyond.”

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Acton Lecture Series

The Role of Business in Society Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Acton librarian Dan Hugger speaks with James Otteson from Acton University 2024. They discuss Adam Smith and what he tells us about the role of business in society.

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Acton University

Acton On-Demand

James Otteson | Mendoza College of Business

Who Benefitted from DEI Initiatives? May 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Isaac Willour, journalist and analyst at Bowyer Research. They discuss his Religion and Liberty Online essay “America Poured Billions into DEI Initiatives. Who Benefited?” What ideology underlies diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives? How did DEI take root in corporate America, and why is it now in retreat? What roles do journalism, shareholder activism, and employee initiative play in the ebb and flow of the fortunes of DEI? What alternatives to DEI exist to counter hostile work environments and build workplace cohesion for employees regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or faith?

America Poured Billions into DEI Initiatives. Who Benefited? | Isaac Willour

The Strange Death of DEI | Isaac Willour

A Friedman Doctrine: The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits | The New York Times

The Social Responsibility of Business: Milton Friedman Reconsidered | John Elrick

What Costco’s Doubling Down on DEI Means—and Doesn’t Mean | Isaac Willour

Not Tragically Colored: Freedom, Personhood, and the Renewal of Black | Ismael Hernandez

Commonality Training | Freedom & Virtue Institute

An Ascetic Way of Life in a World of Abundance May 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Dylan Pahman, research fellow and executive editor of the Journal of Markets and Morality at the Acton Institute. They discuss his recently published essay “An Ascetic Way of Life in a World of Abundance,” an adaptation of a chapter from Dylan’s forthcoming book, The Kingdom of God & the Common Good (Ancient Faith, 2025). How is Orthodox Social Thought shaped by liturgical theology? Why should Christians view life as fundamentally ascetic? What lessons does Orthodox Social Thought have to teach other Christian traditions?

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‘An Ascetic Way of Life in a World of Abundance’ | Acton Institute

For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy | Alexander Schmemann

A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Volume 1 |: Alexander Schmemann

A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Volume 2 | Alexander Schmemann

The Pillar and Ground of the Truth: An Essay in Orthodox Theodicy in Twelve Letters | Pavel Florensky, Boris Jakim, Richard F. Gustafson

What Is Marriage?: Man and Woman—A Defense | Sherif Gergis, Ryan T. Anderson, Robert P. George

Quadragesimo Anno (May 15, 1931) | PIUS XI

CHURCH FATHERS: Epistle to the Smyrnaeans | St. Ignatius

Pope Leo XIV and 'New Things' May 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with John Pinheiro, director of research at the Acton Institute, and Daniel Wagner, chair of the philosophy department and director of Catholic Studies at Aquinas College, about the election of Pope Leo XIV. Why is the election of an American pope so surprising? How is his choice of name significant? How will the legacy of Pope Leo XIII in philosophy and Catholic Social Teaching inform Leo XIV’s papacy? What are the “new things” of the 21st century that the new pope will address?

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Pope Leo XIV and a New Age of ‘New Things’ | The Dispatch

Pope 267: The Guessing Game | Religion & Liberty Online

All Things Conclave | Acton Institute

Aeterni Patris (August 4, 1879) | LEO XIII

Rerum Novarum (May 15, 1891) | LEO XIII

Centesimus Annus (May 1, 1991) | John Paul II

Pope Leo XIV on the counterculture of the new evangelization (Part 1 of 2)

Pope Leo XIV on the counterculture of the new evangelization (Part 2 of 2)

FULL TEXT AND VIDEO: Pope Leo XIV’s homily at Mass with the cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel | Catholic News Agency

Leisure the Basis of Culture | Josef Pieper

The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion | Berger, Peter L. Berger

All Things Conclave May 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with the Acton Institute’s John Pinheiro, director of research, and Michael Miller, director of the Center for Social Flourishing, about all things conclave.

Why are conclaves important? What should people make of the horse race coverage in the media? What sort of qualities does the Church need most in her next pope?

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What to Expect at the Conclave | Religion & Liberty Online

Requiem Aeternam: Pope Francis (1936–2025) | Religion & Liberty Online

The Pope of Progress? | Richard M. Reinsch II

A Conclave Like No Other | The New York Times

Business as usual is untenable | Catholic World Report

Catechism of the Catholic Church | USCCB

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Being Rich in This World and the Next Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Dan Churchwell, Acton's director of programs and education, interviews Raymond Harris, author, architect, and a venture capitalist in God’s kingdom. They discuss his new book, “Enduring Wealth: Being Rich in This World and the Next,” where Raymond shares how he has seen God multiply human efforts when people faithfully steward all God has given them.

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Enduring Wealth: Being Rich in This World and the Next | BroadStreet Publishing

The Legacy of Pope Francis Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with the Acton Institute’s Stephen Barrows, chief operating officer, and John Pinheiro, director of research, about the life and legacy of Pope Francis. This wide-ranging conversation covers Pope Francis’s perspective on the market, the environment, liturgy, synodality, business, ecumenicism, and the poor. Which parts of Pope Francis’s legacy will endure? What was his contribution to the life of the Catholic Church?

Requiem Aeternam: Pope Francis (1936–2025) | John Pinheiro & Michael Matheson Miller

Pope Francis’ Plea for Migrants and Acton’s Core Principles | Stephen Barrows

Pope Francis and the Caring Society | Robert M. Whaples, ed.

Can a Capitalist Society Also Be a Caring Society? | Robert Whaples

Pope Francis changed the Catholic church, but not as much as he hoped | The Economist

Laudato Si' (May 24, 2015) | Pope Francis

Pope Francis's Authority in Laudato Si | National Review

Message of the Holy Father to French Entrepreneurs (Paris, August 28–29, 2023)

Declaration Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings (December 18, 2023)

Pope Francis’ Legacy of Question Marks | Francis X. Maier

Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Role of Literature in Formation (July 17, 2024)

Full text: Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Armenia | Catholic News Agency

From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran–Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017 | The Lutheran World Federation

theology matters: A New Doctor of the Church (St. Gregory of Narek) | Mark Del Cogliano

Lumen Gentium | Pope Paul VI

Ut Unum Sint (May 25, 1995) | John Paul II

Dominus Iesus |Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Markets and Dignity in the Fight Against Global Poverty Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

The 2024 PovertyCure Summit “Dignity, Agency & Charity” was a virtual event put on by Acton’s Center for Social Flourishing. Over two days, participants learned from scholars and practitioners involved in the global struggle against poverty—and against the “toxic charity” that hinders people’s ability to rise.

On today’s episode, we bring you the keynote presented by Dr. William Easterly entitled “Beyond Material Progress: Markets and Dignity in the Fight Against Global Poverty.” As material living standards improve in the developing world, are people better able to pursue their own aspirations and desires? Less able?

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PovertyCure Summit

Encouraging Better Journalism Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Marvin Olasky, executive editor for News and Global at Christianity Today and the founder and chairman of Zenger House. They discuss many of the news stories that won the 2025 Zenger Prizes. What is the state of journalism today? How does honoring excellence in journalism encourage better journalism? What makes for a good story, ethically and technically? How can those who love reading great journalism become great journalists themselves?

Zenger House | Biblically Objective Journalism

2025 Winners | Zenger House

At Bible Study for the Homeless, a Search for Meaning | The New York Times

What I Saw in the Darién Gap | The Atlantic

The Border Crisis Won't Be Solved, No Matter Who Wins the Election

Heroes and heartbreak: 36 hours of hell in Helene's historic floods

A Retiree in California Is Teaching Afghan Women How to Drive | The New York Times

‘I lied about everything’: An NFL player hid his family trauma until he saved them — and himself | The Athletic

The Indian Midwives Who Turned the Tide on Infanticide

The Christians Trying to Restore Our Faith in Elections | Christianity Today

The Heroic Race to Rescue 370 Orphans from a War Zone—Twice | WSJ

Doctors Can Now Save Very Premature Babies. Most Hospitals Don’t Try. | WSJ

The Most Revealing Moment of a Trump Rally | The Atlantic

The Elements of Style | Wikipedia

Writing with Style: The Economist Guide | Profile Books

Globe Trot | Mindy Belz | Substack

Bonnie Kristian | Substack

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