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Acton Line

Acton Institute
Acton Institute
Christianity
Everyday Freedom
Poverty
The Great Unlearning
Faith
Matthew Desmond
Common Good
Human Responsibility Model
Government Intervention
Social Justice
Cancel Culture
Governance Of Cities
Economic Mobility
Inflation
Public Employee Unions
Deconstruction
Jesus
Evangelicalism
Community Flourishing

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes538Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Acton Line

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Dave Hebert, a senior research fellow at AIER and an affiliate scholar here at the Acton Institute, about the state of the American economy, economic policy, and how American politics on both the left and the r... more

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Isaac Willour, an analyst at Bowyer Research, America's leading pro-fiduciary proxy consulting firm, about all things ESG, an investing principle that prioritizes environmental issues, social issues, and corpor... more

YouTube

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Dylan Pahman, research fellow at the Acton Institute and founder and president of the St. Nicholas Cabasilas Institute for Orthodoxy & Liberty, about his account of the history of economic thought found in his ... more

YouTube

This month on the Acton Rundown Dan & Mark chat about upcoming Acton events and new video content.

Winter 2025 Religion & Liberty:

Why Orwell Still Matters by John Rodden

Video content:

Stephanie Slade Is Chronicling the New Right

Peter Boettke ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

John Wilsey
Professor of Church History and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Episode: John Wilsey Is Priming Conservatives for Religious Freedom
Brad Birzer
Russell Amos Kirk Chair of American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Brad Birzer Wonders if Russell Kirk’s Conservative Movement Has a Future
Stephen Barrows
Chief Operating Officer here at Acton, and also a trained economist
Acton Institute
Episode: Stephen Barrows Integrates Catholic Social Teaching and Economics
Nathan Mech
Special guest and moderator of debates at the Collins Center
Collins Center
Episode: Acton Rundown | September 2025
Jenna Robinson
President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
James G. Martin Center
Episode: Jenna Robinson on the Crisis in Higher Ed and the Prospects for Academic Renewal
Dave Hebert
Senior Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research and affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute.
American Institute for Economic Research
Episode: Dave Hebert Unpacks America’s Recent Economic Policy Missteps
Kevin Vallier
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toledo and Associate Director at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership.
University of Toledo; Acton Institute
Episode: Kevin Vallier Is Infusing Fusionism with New Arguments
Eric Kohn
CEO of America's Future
America's Future
Episode: How the CEO of America’s Future Is Preparing for America’s Future
Marcel van Hattem
Brazilian politician and political scientist
Episode: Acton Rundown | July 2025

Hosts

Dan Hugger
Librarian and Research Associate at the Acton Institute, frequently discussing philosophical and economic topics.
Mark Townsend
Producer with a focus on blending cultural insights and economic principles.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 263 ratings
  • Beatles

    The only thing missing from the excellent Beatles episode was a discussion of Brian Epstein and his crucial role as manager.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stegj
    United States3 years ago
  • Well produced and thoughtful podcast that features interviews on a wide variety of topics: culture, economics, science, theology, technology, psychology, etc. Comes from the perspective of the intelligent Christian right. Good podcast content and the length makes it easy to get through an episode during my commute.

    Podcast Addict
    datadriven
    3 years ago
  • Well produced and thoughtful podcast that features interviews on a wide variety of topics: culture, economics, science, theology, technology, psychology, etc. Comes from the perspective of the intelligent Christian right. Good podcast content and the length makes it easy to get through an episode during my commute.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    datadriven
    3 years ago
  • Daring and humble - A positive path forward

    Fearless in taking on controversial topics, but in a kind and thoughtful way. I love the emphasis on virtue, and the ideas on how to navigate our society and promote democracy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisafromtheMidwest
    United States3 years ago
  • Captivating and arousing episodes!

    There are few institutions that so faithfully promote the free and virtuous society. This podcast unpacks the big questions and tensions that surround this society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NtwaliB
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many comment on the podcast's respectful and engaging tone, indicating it successfully provokes critical thinking without losing clarity.
Audience feedback often mentions the relevance of the discussions to contemporary social issues, stressing the importance of a balanced perspective.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful exploration of complex topics, often highlighting the blend of virtue ethics with practical economic insights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Isaac Willour Is Helping Corporate America Move on from ESG
Q: How do you deal with state pension funds that might have interests contrary to fiduciary duty?
State pension funds have significant weight, and many need to align their voting practices with their stated fiduciary responsibilities.
Isaac Willour Is Helping Corporate America Move on from ESG
Q: When did you start reporting and what got you interested in these angles?
Willour got involved in corporate engagement as part of his work at Bowyer Research and was driven by the tangible impact of shareholder proposals.
Isaac Willour Is Helping Corporate America Move on from ESG
Q: What is ESG?
ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance, which looks at factors in a corporation's performance outside of shareholder return.
Father Robert Sirico on What Christmas Is All About
Q: What advice would you give people to draw closer to God at this time?
Focus on calming down and being quiet, turning off distractions to encounter God in silence.
Stephen Barrows Explains the Jimmy Lai Verdict
Q: What are some other dimensions of Jimmy Lai's relationship with Acton?
Jimmy's faith journey and his dedication to promoting freedom through his media outlets.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Acton Line

What is Acton Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the principles of a free and virtuous society, episodes emphasize the intersection of faith, economics, and cultural discourse. The podcast features discussions with a diverse range of guests, including writers, economists, and religious figures, exploring timely issues such as social justice, virtue ethics, and the implications of contemporary economics. Notably, the content frequently draws on historical and philosophical perspectives, making complex subjects accessible while aiming to inspire listeners towards personal and societal flourishing.

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How many listeners does Acton Line get?

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How many subscribers and views does Acton Line have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Acton Line?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Acton Line:

1. First Things Podcast
2. The McCarthy Report
3. The Ricochet Podcast
4. The Editors
5. Uncommon Knowledge

How many episodes of Acton Line are there?

Acton Line launched 9 years ago and published 538 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Acton Line?

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What guests have appeared on Acton Line?

Recent guests on Acton Line include:

1. John Wilsey
2. Brad Birzer
3. Stephen Barrows
4. Nathan Mech
5. Jenna Robinson
6. Dave Hebert
7. Kevin Vallier
8. Eric Kohn

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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