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Artwork for The Libertarian
Donald Trump
Israel
Hamas
Iran
Supreme Court
FCC
Columbia University
Biden Administration
International Law
Media Regulation
Trump Administration
First Amendment
Jimmy Kimmel
Censorship
Gerrymandering
Putin
Free Speech
Joe Biden
California's AB 1780
Immigration

The inimitable Richard Epstein offers his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law. The Libertarian is a podcast of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes101Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsHistoryNews

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Artwork for The Libertarian

Latest Episodes

Richard Epstein takes a look at Trump’s war with Iran and a strategy Epstein sees as dangerously muddled. From the Strait of Hormuz and soaring geopolitical stakes to Trump’s faith in dealmaking, Epstein argues that half-measures have turned a potent... more

Richard Epstein unpacks the antitrust battle over the proposed Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery merger—and what it reveals about the changing economics of Hollywood. From AI and labor unrest to regulatory overreach and interstate competition... more

Richard Epstein and Charles C. W. Cooke discuss Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey—its departures from Homer, its moral themes, and its spectacular scale. They also explore aesthetics, virtue, Greek and Roman law, and the relationship between ordinary m... more

Can the world's most popular sport be improved? Richard Epstein thinks so, and argues that soccer's rules are overdue for reform. From red cards and penalty kicks to VAR, substitutions, stoppage time, and overtime, Epstein applies the principles of l... more

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Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke
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Uncommon KnowledgeHoover Institution

Recent Guests

Richard Epstein
The Libertarian, guest commentator
University of Chicago Law School (implied through discourse)
Episode: Tax the Rich . . . Until They Leave: Mamdani and Rent Control

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Good Sense But…

    RICHARD, as usual this is a good discussion. However, you mentioned Trump gratuitously, and you never linked it back to any part of your argument. Your TDS is showing through!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Biden is a Good man?!
    United States5 months ago
  • Pure wisdom

    Pure wisdom in every episode on timely topics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SoCalCuster
    United Statesa year ago
  • A walking, talking, legal eagle

    The most plain-spoken authority on all things constitutional. Simply love to listen to Epstein, and it makes me very happy to see that he’s returned; this time a guest on his own podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    atypical_user
    United Statesa year ago
  • I miss this podcast

    I hope Richard is coming back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigHaakDaddyAloha
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good show

    I’m not us citizen, and not even major in law. But I listen to Libertarian whenever the new episode is on. Really enjoy the discussions between Prof. Richard Epstein and the host on various topics.

    The show has not been updated since Dec, 2024. Not sure what’s happening. Hope all is well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fan of libertarian
    Taiwana year ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, rigorous libertarian analysis that cuts through noise.
Consistently high-quality legal and policy insights with clear explanations.
Guests bring deep expertise; discussions are thoughtful, sometimes dense but rewarding.
Audience polarity exists around policy disagreements, but analytical depth is valued.
Deep dives that reward careful listening and background knowledge.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#25
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#89
Poland/News
Apple Podcasts
#114
Spain/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#190
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#216
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#225
Spain/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Zeus's Law: What The Odyssey Gets Right—and Wrong
Q: How important is it to understand Homer and Virgil to understand Roman lore?
He argues that Greek and Roman traditions are distinct in their own right, with Roman law and public life shaped by a different emphasis, and that understanding both cultures enriches the analysis of literature and law.
Zeus's Law: What The Odyssey Gets Right—and Wrong
Q: Why don't we start with yours?
Epstein explains his approach to evaluating The Odyssey by contrasting two interpretations of Zeus' Law, highlighting prudential hospitality versus a humane, compassionate reading, and notes the enduring tension between virtue and practical outcomes.
Roundup at The Supreme Court
Q: If you were to improve this FIFA law were revisited, what would you say?
The guest suggests a cautious approach: retain robust protection, avoid broad, one-size-fits-all preemption, and emphasize expert, case-by-case assessment rather than sweeping rules that could hinder beneficial drugs and vaccines.
The Half-War
Q: What do you think of President Trump's strategy in executing our policy in Iran and where we are currently?
Epstein criticizes the strategy as flawed, arguing that air power alone cannot achieve decisive victory and that a combination of ground action and strategic diplomacy is necessary, while also questioning the domestic political constraints and how they shape the decision-making process.
The Slippery Slope of Social Media Liability
Q: Richard, first off, what is happening here? There's no law that allows people to seek damages in this manner, and Section 230, at least, I thought, was supposed to stop this.
Epstein explains the case is likely grounded in common law claims about providing deadly information and that liability could hinge on whether the platform is a content producer or a transmitter, with ongoing debates about the applicability of Section 230 and the need for private rights of action to address perceived gaps in regulation.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Libertarian

What is The Libertarian about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A libertarian-leaning legal policy show that centers long-form conversations with a renowned constitutional scholar. Episodes routinely dissect current events through a rigorous (and often historical) legal lens, covering topics from war powers and executive authority to Section 230, regulatory policy, and economic regulation. Notable strengths include a clearly articulated analytical approach grounded in constitutional law and public policy, frequent deep-dives with a high-signal guest, and a willingness to challenge conventional political narratives. The format is ideal for listeners who want principled, argument-driven analysis on contemporary issues, with a niche appeal to policy professionals, lawyers, and libertarian-leaning audiences... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Libertarian?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Libertarian:

1. Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke
2. Uncommon Knowledge
3. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
4. The Charles C. W. Cooke Podcast
5. The Ricochet Podcast

How many episodes of The Libertarian are there?

The Libertarian launched 12 years ago and published 101 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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Recent guests on The Libertarian include:

1. Richard Epstein

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