The Future of Liberty with Mitch Daniels - Liberty Fund

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Matthew Continetti on Tradition and Transformation in Conservative Politics Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with Matthew Continetti, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and founding editor of the Washington Free Beacon, to examine the evolving landscape of American conservatism in the age of Trump. Drawing on historical context, Continetti explores whether the MAGA movement represents a natural evolution of conservative thought—or a populist departure from its traditional principles.

Columbia’s Ideological Legacy & Campus Unrest (1:37)
Populism vs. Conservatism: Trump’s Challenge to the Right (7:47)
Can MAGA Outlast Trump? Institutionalizing a Movement (20:15)
Gen Z’s Rightward Shift & the Future of American Politics (27:44)
Does Character Still Matter in Politics? (38:16)

The Future of Liberty — Former Indiana governor and Purdue University president Mitch Daniels investigates the prospects for liberty and more through conversations with prominent thinkers and leaders across diverse fields. New episodes are available wherever you listen, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Visit thefutureofliberty.org to learn more.

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Tyler Cowen on AI Algorithms, Immigration, and Forgotten Truths Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Tyler Cowen joins Mitch Daniels to explore AI’s promise, economic threats from debt and regulation, and the need for bold, intelligent policy to secure economic growth, innovation, and individual liberty. Cowen discusses his views on immigration, COVID lockdowns and addresses societal fear of confronting rapid technological change.

U.S. Economic Growth & Fiscal Concern (7:32)
Artificial Intelligence, Energy Demand, & the Labor Market (13:26)
Cryptocurrency & Dangers of State-Run Digital Currency (21:54)
Cowen's The Complacent Class (31:13)
Rising Authoritarianism & the Future of Liberty (36:43)

David Keene on Civility, Culture, and Conflict Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with longtime strategist and writer David Keene for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of the conservative movement. From his early mentorship under Frank Meyer and work with Barry Goldwater to leading the American Conservative Union and the NRA, Keene reflects on fusionism, ideological shifts within the GOP, the rise of populism, cultural realignment, and the importance of civic virtue.

Influential Leaders & Early Conservatism (2:40)
The Dawn of Populism (11:57)
Forecasting the Election & "The Problem" (25:36)
Religious Decline & Free People (41:08)
Shifts in News & Political Media (49:39)

Neal B. Freeman on America's Conservative Movement May 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with Neal B. Freeman—author, broadcaster, and founding figure of modern American conservatism. Freeman recounts his early work at National Review alongside William F. Buckley, reflects on the movement’s intellectual origins, and discusses the enduring tension between ordered liberty and state overreach.

Freeman’s Upbringing & Introduction to William F. Buckley (1:30)
The Debate over the Iraq War (12:23)
Producing Firing Line (21:48)
The Defunding of Public Broadcasting (30:12)
Young Leaders & The Future of Liberty (34:43)

Mike Pence on our Constitutional Moment Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss lessons in preserving freedom in the midst of a global pandemic, faith traditions and self-governance, DOGE, and January 6th.

The Preservation of the Republic & Secular Society (13:42)
Essential versus Overrated Personal Character (17:35)
Reflections on COVID-19 (20:09)
The Federal System, DOGE, & National Debt (31:29)
Recalling January 6 (45:17)

Charles Murray on Dignity and the American Dream Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Governor Mitch Daniels and Charles Murray, the F.A. Hayek Emeritus Chair in Cultural Studies at the American Enterprise Institute discuss the changing landscape of achievement in America, the widening gap between classes, and the interplay of liberty, responsibility, and self-respect.

Family Structure & Changing Social Culture (8:45)
Baby Boomers & The New Upper Class (19:58)
College Saturation & The Gifted’s Role in National Success (26:33)
The Precipitous Drop in Religiosity (37:17)
Finding Tocqueville’s America & The Future of Liberty (44:56)

Yuval Levin on Hope and Politics in America Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels and Yuval Levin explore the vital role of hope as an active virtue in sustaining a free society. They discuss the pressing need to rebuild trust, reconnect with one another, and form coalitions that transcend disagreement. The conversation delves into the enduring importance of the Constitution, the often-overlooked "everyday work" of Congress, and thoughtful ideas for reforming America’s political party system.

Civil Discourse & Productive Disagreement (4:46)
Majority Rule & Minority Rights (14:59)
The Constitution as a Political Framework (21:56)
Critiques & Institutional Change (31:54)

Amity Shlaes on the Forgotten Lessons of the New Deal Era Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Governor Mitch Daniels and historian Amity Shlaes discuss misconceptions about the Great Depression and the New Deal; reevaluate the reputations of Presidents Coolidge, Hoover, and FDR; and consider the idea of the Forgotten Man.

The Government Playing God (2:21)
Hoover, The Laissez-faire Champion (8:01)
Crafty Politicians versus Committed Ideolouges (18:57)
The Forgotten Man (31:33)
Why Not Socialism and Youth (40:01)

Niall Ferguson and the Lessons of History Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

Governor Mitch Daniels and renowned historian and author Sir Niall Ferguson discuss pressing current events including political polarization, the disturbing rise of violent antisemitic incidents, and the societal impact of aging populations. They also delve into the United States spending more on debt interest than on national security for the first time in history, the geopolitical threats and China's internal struggles, and a renewal of the U.S. national spirit with the emergence of new forms of American innovation and entrepreneurship.

The reading ratio to understand and make history (2:02)
Political polarization and woke culture (5:02)
The new University of Austin (14:32)
Gerontocracy and its impact on youth (21:30)
Ferguson's Law on national debt and security (27:21)

Stephanie Slade on Liberty, Virtue, and Fusionism Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

Governor Mitch Daniels and Reason magazine Senior Editor Stephanie Slade consider the changing factions of the American political landscape, the history and future of fusionism, and how college students became such big fans of big government. They also consider the contrast between the hopelessness of a static society and the hope and fears of a dynamic one and give us some reasons to be hopeful for the future of liberty.

The American political shift and public opinion polling (2:02)
The roots of fusionism and its modern interpretation (14:18)
Youth and the appeal of the administration state (22:27)
Limitations in a free market and punishing dynamism (30:43)

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