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We explore philosophy, politics, economics, and other ideas from a classical liberal perspective.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes355Founded7 years ago
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EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Curious Task

Latest Episodes

Matt speaks with James Czerniawski about proposed bans on children using social media and AI, exploring concerns around mental health, digital literacy, free speech, privacy, and the consequences of regulation. James argues that while online harms ar... more

Alex sits down with Holly Doan to discuss Accountability Journalism and the role that non-mainstream journalistic media has in the current Canadian political landscape. They discuss the decline of traditional newsrooms, subsidies for Canadian media c... more

In this episode, Alex speaks with Aris Trantidis about his book Clientelism and why it matters for anyone concerned with democracy, public choice, and the modern state. Trantidis explains clientelism as a system of political exchange in which politic... more

In this episode from 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Dan Griswold as he explores the benefits of open markets and free trade, and whether you can "win" a trade war.

References

1. “Mad About Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Holly Doan
Award-winning journalist; publisher of Blacklock's Reporter
Blacklock's Reporter
Episode: Holly Doan - What Is The Role Of Investigative Journalism In A Free Society?
Aris Trantidis
Senior lecturer in international relations and politics at University of Lincoln; author of Clientelism
University of Lincoln
Episode: Aris Trantidis - Why Should We Care About Clientelism?
Bryce Tingle
N. Murray Edwards Chair in Business Law at the University of Calgary, author, and entrepreneur
University of Calgary
Episode: Bryce Tingle - How Are Regulations Damaging Markets?
Nick Cowan
Associate Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln
University of Lincoln
Episode: Is An Examined Education Better? - Nick Cowen
Reem Ibrahim
Former head of media at the Institute for Economic Affairs, relocating to the U.S. to join Reason Magazine.
Reason Magazine
Episode: Reem Ibrahim - Did Brexit Succeed?
Franco Terrazzano
Federal Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Episode: Franco Terrazzano - What Is Government Waste?
Sabine Benoit
Canadian Policy Associate at the Consumer Choice Center, Expert in Immigration and Citizenship
Consumer Choice Center
Episode: Sabine Benoit - Why Is Canada In A Housing Crisis?
Abraham Singer
Associate Professor of Management at Loyola University, Chicago's Quinlan School of Business, focusing on business ethics.
Loyola University
Episode: What Do Companies Owe Society? - Abraham Singer
Leonid Sirota
Public law scholar and associate professor at Reading Law School
Reading Law School, MacDonald Laurier Institute, UBC Centre for Constitutional Law and Legal Studies
Episode: What's Wrong With The Notwithstanding Clause? - Leonid Sirota

Hosts

Alex Aragona
Co-host and contributor to the show, associated with The Curious Task and the Institute for Liberal Studies.
Matt Buffett
Co-host and contributor to the show, associated with The Curious Task and the Institute for Liberal Studies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 56 ratings
  • Great punchy podcast for Econ Enjoyers

    Found this podcast through extensive searching -thought I would give it a try. Alex (host) gets excellent, well known and respected economists to come and discuss a variety of economic, social, and political topics. He keeps the guests rolling, always keeping it to a manageable time limit, always leaving you wanting just a bit more. I have found a few good books and essays this way, and enjoyed the listen along the journey. Thank you for this great podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    docheretolisten
    United States4 years ago
  • An engaging and intellectually stimulating podcast!

    I really enjoyed the Sandra Peart episode recently! She was amazing in providing a broad yet informative overview of Mill's key ideas. The Curious Task always manages to pack in so much in an hour (big kudos to alex and the production team!), and I always take away from it something new to think about in both my school and personal life! I would recommending this podcast to anyone who wants to understand more about the core liberal ideas that lay the foundations of our government and society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nicnac570
    Canada5 years ago
  • Intellectually stimulating

    Great podcast about classical liberal ideas. If you’re not sure what that means, just start with episode one!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    josh19888
    Canada5 years ago
  • Classical liberalism on demand

    The Curious Task introduces listeners to academic ideas surrounding the classical liberal tradition. If you are curious about ideas or want to explore a particular topic of discussion, this podcast is for you. There is no secret, this podcast is created by the Institute for Liberal Studies, in Canada. You should expect to hear a liberal point of view from the guests and host in most cases. What may surprise you is how even handed this is on the show. This is not a podcast for liberal sound bites... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WLGarrisonian
    United States6 years ago
  • Good podcast

    You love Liberty? This is the best canadian podcast about it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Warlordsalec
    Canada7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality guests and rigorous debate; a go-to for those interested in classical liberal perspectives.
Consistently intellectually stimulating and accessible for listeners new to liberal ideas.
Thoughtful, punchy discussions with excellent guests.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Holly Doan - What Is The Role Of Investigative Journalism In A Free Society?
Q: What is the role of investigative journalism in a free society?
To uncover government actions and hold power to account by detailing what governments actually do, supported by primary documents, and to inform the public so that issues can be corrected and governance improved.
Is An Examined Education Better? - Nick Cowen
Q: What are the risks of shifting too much toward coursework without traditional examinations?
A shift toward coursework can reduce opportunities for testing mindfully and may lead to superficial learning or over-reliance on strategic behavior; it can also mask the need for genuine struggle and resilience that exams historically foster.
Is An Examined Education Better? - Nick Cowen
Q: How does Smithian moral psychology relate to education?
Smith's impartial spectator and self-command concepts can be applied to how individuals internalize educational norms and develop an internal standard of excellence, aligning internal self-perception with external achievement.
Is An Examined Education Better? - Nick Cowen
Q: What do you mean by an examined education beyond traditional exams?
An examined education includes any situation where a person is tested or demonstrates their knowledge in a controlled setting, but it also encompasses on-the-spot demonstrations and ongoing opportunities to show what one has learned, with emphasis on internal growth, metacognition, and resilience rather than just external validation.
Reem Ibrahim - Did Brexit Succeed?
Q: What changed about immigration as a result of Brexit?
We've actually seen more immigration since leaving the EU than less, with a significant surge in legally entering non-EU migrants.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Curious Task

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

Listeners are drawn to rigorous discussions of philosophy, economics, and politics from a classical liberal perspective. Episodes frequently feature economists, policy researchers, jurists, and think-tank voices analyzing current events, regulatory issues, and public policy through a libertarian-leaning lens. A standout aspect is the steady engagement with both Canadian and international policy debates, including housing, taxation, governance, and civil liberties, often balanced with thoughtful critiques of government intervention. The show tends to attract listeners who value deep ideas, high-quality guests, and nuanced debate, and it often serves as a forum for exploring how liberal principles apply to modern policy challenges. Unique str... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Curious Task?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Curious Task:

1. The Answer Is Transaction Costs
2. EconTalk
3. The Soho Forum Debates
4. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
5. The Political Theory Review

How many episodes of The Curious Task are there?

The Curious Task launched 7 years ago and published 355 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 The Curious Task?

Recent guests on The Curious Task include:

1. Holly Doan
2. Aris Trantidis
3. Bryce Tingle
4. Nick Cowan
5. Reem Ibrahim
6. Franco Terrazzano
7. Sabine Benoit
8. Abraham Singer

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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