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Cato Podcast

Cato Institute
CATO Institute
Tariffs
Trump Administration
Donald Trump
Libertarianism
China
First Amendment
Social Security
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Venezuela
Supreme Court
Government Shutdown
Fourth Amendment
Congress
Trade Policy
Tiktok
Federal Reserve
Tax Policy
Social Media

Each week on Cato Podcast, leading scholars and policymakers from the Cato Institute delve into the big ideas shaping our world: individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Whether unpacking current events, debating civil liberties, exploring technological innovation, or tracing the history of classical liberal thought, we promise insightful analysis grounded in rigorous resea... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes4829Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for Cato Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Supreme Court's Callais decision signals that drawing districts with race in mind is now legally hazardous, whether the goal is minority representation or not. Cato's Thomas A. Berry and Walter Olson unpack the ruling, the collision between the 1... more

The third party doctrine has gutted the Fourth Amendment in the digital age, letting the government collect your data without ever getting a warrant. Cato's Nick Anthony and Naomi Brockwell of the Ludlow Institute discuss a new bill that would change... more

California’s $20 fast-food minimum wage cut employment by roughly 18,000 jobs and pushed up restaurant prices. Cato’s Ryan Bourne talks to UC San Diego economist Jeff Clemens about California’s wage-floor experiment—and the broader lessons for state ... more

The US-China summit produced few deliverables and no breakthroughs on Taiwan, Iran, or trade. Cato's Clark Packard and Evan Sankey break down what was actually agreed, why rare earths and semiconductors have created a strategic stalemate, and what th... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Chris Edwards
Kiltz family chair in fiscal studies at Cato Institute
Cato Institute
Episode: The Growing Farm Subsidy Boondoggle
Clark Packard
Research fellow in Cato's Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies
Cato Institute
Episode: The Growing Farm Subsidy Boondoggle
Helen Redmond
Harlem-based filmmaker, journalist and licensed clinical social worker; author of Liquid Handcuffs
Author/Advocate
Episode: Rethinking How America Treats Opioid Addiction
Roger Bate
Fellow at the International Center for Law and Economics and the Brownstone Institute; panel member behind the International Health Reform Project
International Center for Law and Economics; Brownstone Institute
Episode: The Cure for the WHO
Jeffrey Singer
Senior Fellow in Cato's Department of Health Policy Studies
Cato Institute
Episode: Subsidize a Diagnosis, Get More Diagnoses
Adam Omary
Research fellow at the Cato Institute Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity
Cato Institute
Episode: Subsidize a Diagnosis, Get More Diagnoses
Steve Slivinski
Senior Fellow, Economics Department
Cato Institute
Episode: How to Fix Washington's Affordability Crisis
Jai Kedia
Research Fellow, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives
Cato Institute
Episode: How to Fix Washington's Affordability Crisis
Colin Grabow
Associate Director, Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies
Cato Institute
Episode: How to Fix Washington's Affordability Crisis

Hosts

Ryan Bourne
Host of Cato Podcast; multiple entries listed as Host
Jeff
Host of the Cato Podcast
Katherine Thompson
Senior Fellow on the Defense and Foreign Policy Team

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • David Bier

    Is a must-follow on Twitter

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Portland Antifasist
    United States3 months ago
  • Protest, Carry, Die episode is poor.

    Protest, carry, die episode is the Mainstream media version only. This is not the normal CATO quality I expect.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    DF987@
    United States4 months ago
  • Sometimes misleading.

    While usually balanced, I do find that some of the journalists are misleading in their representation of the facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    H82W8
    United States4 months ago
  • Once Great. Now Poor.

    Since the departure of Caleb Brown, this podcast has been in a death spiral. Caleb brought clarity, coherence, and a disciplined commitment to intellectual honesty. His absence exposes how much of the podcast’s credibility rested on his stewardship.

    Discussions that once challenged assumptions with sharp inquiry now drift through MAGA talking points with little depth.

    The shift in tone is disappointing. This show increasingly sounds apologetic toward the current administration, softening criti... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Eat Drink Fun
    United States6 months ago
  • Expected better

    I gave this a try expecting thoughtful, libertarian discussion—but it came across as oddly partisan and more conservative than I anticipated. Hard to tell if this was just a bad sample or if the tone has shifted overall, but it wasn’t what I expected from Cato.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CitiCustomer
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel coverage has shifted in tone or emphasis over time and critique perceived partisanship.
Guests are typically highly credible, with tight, research-backed arguments.
Listeners appreciate concise, data-driven policy discussions with strong expert guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#28
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#161
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#167
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#164
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#192
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#241
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Washington's Tariff Whack-a-Mole
Q: Where are we on Section 301 tariffs, and what comes next regardless of court rulings?
They outline that two Section 301 investigations were initiated to address excess capacity and forced labor, with hearings held and tariff rates to be announced after reports are published; regardless of Section 122's fate, Section 301 processes are ongoing and represent the administration's broader plan to use trade authorities to counter perceived unfair practices.
Talkin’ ’Bout My Generation (Z)
Q: How can libertarian communication be effective with younger audiences?
Libertarian messaging should emphasize personal liberty, minimal government interference in day-to-day life, and tangible examples of how policies affect real lives, such as housing, affordability, and education, while avoiding disempowering narratives and engaging people where they are—on social platforms and in authentic storytelling.
History Makes Clear: School Choice Is Necessary in a Diverse Society
Q: Can you share insights on the differences within the African-American community regarding school choice?
African Americans have historically pursued a variety of educational choices, including Catholic schools, which challenges the idea that they are monolithic in their preferences.
History Makes Clear: School Choice Is Necessary in a Diverse Society
Q: Do you think that myth about school choice being a more right-wing conservative policy idea is a prevalent narrative?
Yes, that myth has been repeated so often that it's almost in the bloodstream, and many people don't realize the historical complexities of school choice.
Social Security’s Popularity Problem
Q: What did you find about Americans' understanding of the program's funding?
Americans are aware of benefit cuts but underestimate the severity of the funding shortfall.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cato Podcast

What is Cato Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features sharp, policy-focused conversations with researchers and policymakers from a libertarian-leaning think tank. Episodes routinely dissect immigration, trade, domestic policy, and national security through a rigorous, evidence-based lens, often challenging conventional wisdom with historical context and economic reasoning. Listeners can expect concise debates, detailed policy analysis, and guest perspectives from experts who prioritize limited government, individual liberty, and free markets. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on practical reforms that aim to improve efficiency, accountability, and policy outcomes, rather than partisan rhetoric. Potential sponsors and guests may find a fit with topics on regulatory reform... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cato Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cato Podcast:

1. The Reason Roundtable
2. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
3. The Libertarian
4. Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke
5. Uncommon Knowledge

How many episodes of Cato Podcast are there?

Cato Podcast launched 20 years ago and published 4829 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Cato Podcast?

Recent guests on Cato Podcast include:

1. Chris Edwards
2. Clark Packard
3. Helen Redmond
4. Roger Bate
5. Jeffrey Singer
6. Adam Omary
7. Steve Slivinski
8. Jai Kedia

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