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Independent Conversations

Independent Institute
Venezuela
Homelessness
Nimbyism
Wildfires
Obamacare
CEQA
Post-Liberalism
Donald Trump
California Housing Crisis
Housing Costs
Tariffs
Constitution
Minneapolis, United States
Cato Institute
International Emergency Economic Powers Act
Anarchism
California
Urban Planning and Zoning
DEI (diversity, Equity, Inclusion)
Nuclear Power

Brought to you by the Independent Institute, Independent Conversations is a regular round-table conversation that provides timely insights and cutting-edge commentary on the most pressing issues of the day. It features Independent’s Graham H. Walker (President), Williamson M. Evers (Senior Fellow), and as well as additional Independent Institute fellows and other special guests.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes110Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

What happens when courts shape elections? And, is redistricting ever actually fair? In this episode of Independent Conversations, we attempt to answer these questions as Graham H. Walker sits down with Williamson M. Evers and Phillip W. Magness for a... more

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You know Adam Smith and Milton Friedman—but what about the economists whose ideas quietly kept the free market running? These overlooked thinkers shaped modern economic life, yet rarely receive the recognition they deserve. "Unsung Heroes of the Mark... more

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With California electricity demand growing exponentially, why is the state holding so tenaciously to its ban on new nuclear power plants? Why has California closed itself off from the largest source of carbon-free power generation in the United State... more

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When U.S. and Israeli bombs fall on Iran, and Iranian bombs then strike American regional bases and even ritzy hotels in Dubai, it sure looks like war. Did the President have the authority for this war under the Constitution? Defenders of Trump’s pow... more

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Recent Guests

Robert Whaples
Co-editor of Unsung Heroes of the Market
Wake Forest University
Episode: The Economists You Probably Don’t Know—But Should
Deanna Thomas
Co-editor of Unsung Heroes of the Market
Creighton University
Episode: The Economists You Probably Don’t Know—But Should
Christopher Coyne
Co-editor of Unsung Heroes of the Market
George Mason University
Episode: The Economists You Probably Don’t Know—But Should
Paige Lambermont
Policy Fellow at Independent Institute; affiliated with Competitive Enterprise Institute
Independent Institute / Competitive Enterprise Institute
Episode: End California’s Nuclear Energy Ban!
Christian Fors
Director of the Golden Fleece Research Program at Independent Institute
Independent Institute
Episode: End California’s Nuclear Energy Ban!
Ivan Eland
Senior Fellow at Independent Institute, expert on defense and foreign policy
Independent Institute
Episode: Is the Constitution the First Casualty of the Iran War?
Williamson Evers
Senior Fellow at Independent Institute, economist and policy analyst
Independent Institute
Episode: Is the Constitution the First Casualty of the Iran War?
Ian Skoble
Author of Deleting the State
Bridgewater State University; Independent Institute
Episode: Deleting The State: Fear, Power, and Political Authority
Phillip Magness
Theroux Chair in Political Economy at Independent Institute
Independent Institute
Episode: Slaying Tariffs: From Declaration to Supreme Court Victory

Host

Graham H. Walker
Host and moderator of discussions; President of the Independent Institute

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Talking Points

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The Economists You Probably Don’t Know—But Should
Q: Tim in Western Springs asks why Ivy League economists believe they know best how to run an economy through regulation. What's the perspective?
The host and panel suggest that intellectual prestige, a belief in technocratic optimization, and the structure of economics education contribute to a confidence that government-led regulation can solve problems, whereas classical liberals emphasize voluntary exchange and limitations on state power.
The Economists You Probably Don’t Know—But Should
Q: Rhonda in Alameda, California asks about differences between the Austrians and Chicago schools. Can you summarize for a layperson?
The panel notes that the Chicago School tends to assume efficiency and equilibrium, while the Austrian School emphasizes disequilibrium, discovery, and coordination as ongoing processes, with markets as a dynamic mechanism rather than a flawless system.
Reclaiming the Constitution: The People and the Bill of Rights
Q: What are the main distortions of key constitutional provisions in modern jurisprudence?
The guest highlights the Commerce Clause, the General Welfare clause, due process, and equal protection as the four most distorted provisions, arguing that the federal government has stretched its powers beyond original intent, expanding centralized power at the expense of state sovereignty.
End California’s Nuclear Energy Ban!
Q: What are your key recommendations to unlock nuclear energy in California?
Paige outlines multiple federal and state reforms: eliminate or reform CEQA/NEPA layers, adopt technology-neutral permitting reform across the environmental Acts, overhaul the NRC, and reconsider radiation safety standards like ALARA and Linear No Threshold to reflect practical realities while maintaining safety.
End California’s Nuclear Energy Ban!
Q: What exactly do you mean by a siting policy?
A siting policy refers to the spatial and zoning requirements for locating energy projects, including harsh setbacks like 3,000 feet from residences or schools, which can dramatically constrain where new plants can be built and raise project costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Conversations

What is Independent Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A round-table focused current affairs discussion centered on economics, public policy, constitutional law, and energy policy. Episodes frequently feature Independent Institute senior fellows and researchers, along with external academics and policy experts, to unpack complex topics—from market theory and regulatory reform to energy transitions and foreign policy. Notable strengths include a strong libertarian-leaning analytical lens, thoughtful historical context, and policy recommendations grounded in data and case studies. The format blends expert debate with practical implications for policymakers, business leaders, and informed listeners who want nuanced takes on how policy shapes markets, governance, and everyday life.

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How many listeners does Independent Conversations get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Independent Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Independent Conversations:

1. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
2. The McCarthy Report
3. Conversations with Tyler
4. WSJ What’s News
5. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

How many episodes of Independent Conversations are there?

Independent Conversations launched 4 years ago and published 110 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 Independent Conversations?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Independent Conversations?

Recent guests on Independent Conversations include:

1. Robert Whaples
2. Deanna Thomas
3. Christopher Coyne
4. Paige Lambermont
5. Christian Fors
6. Ivan Eland
7. Williamson Evers
8. Ian Skoble

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