Cato Event Podcast

Compulsion in Speech: Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan and Beyond 02.06.2026 1godz

In the recently published No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions: Islamic Arguments for Religious Freedom, Cato senior fellow Mustafa Akyol collaborated with a team of international Muslim scholars to articulate a noncoercive vision of Islam. Among the issues addressed in the book are blasphemy laws that restrict free speech in dozens of countries—with Pakistan often regarded as home to some of the most troubling cases.Akyol will discuss the issue with two Pakistani scholars: Husnul Amin, author of the book’s chapter on blasphemy, and Muhammad Khalid Masud, the book’s academic adviser and a distinguished scholar of Islamic law and theology. The three will also explore how a reformist reading of the Qur’an and other Islamic sources can help build a case against blasphemy laws. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today’s Supreme Court 21.05.2026 1godz

Many Americans think they understand today’s Supreme Court: six conservative justices appointed by Republicans, three liberals appointed by Democrats, and predictably partisan outcomes, especially in the “big” cases. But Sarah Isgur, host of the Advisory Opinions podcast, editor of SCOTUSblog, and one of the savviest Court-watchers in the country, is here to tell you that’s wrong.In Last Branch Standing, Isgur argues that the conventional left-right framing fundamentally misconceives how the justices decide questions—not cases!—and that once you understand how they really think, the Court looks far more like a 3–3–3 institution than a 6–3 one. She also takes readers inside the building itself: the personalities, the quirks, the clerk culture, and the institutional dynamics that shape outcomes far more than partisan affiliation alone.Isgur’s account of the Court’s role in our current constitutional moment is equally illuminating. With Congress having largely abdicated its lawmaking responsibilities, presidents of both parties have rushed to fill the resulting policy vacuum through executive action—often setting themselves on a collision course with SCOTUS. And while the shadow docket creates a misleading impression of unremitting executive branch success, the full picture of how the current administration actually fares before the Court may surprise you.Join us for a conversation with Sarah Isgur about what may be the last constitutionally functioning branch of American government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court 21.05.2026 1godz

Does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee birthright citizenship to persons born in the United States to parents without permanent immigration status? Please join us for an insightful discussion with a group of scholars who will break down Trump v. Barbara, consider the recent Supreme Court oral argument, and explore the approaches the Court might take as it reaches a decision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the United States Withdraw Troops from Germany? 19.05.2026 1godz 28min

President Trump has repeatedly promised to withdraw US forces from Europe in an ongoing debate over America’s role in NATO. Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced that 5,000 troops will be withdrawn from bases in Germany over the next 6 to 12 months, out of roughly 36,000 US personnel based in the country. Although the justification was ostensibly Germany’s unwillingness to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a withdrawal is consonant with Trump’s prior statements and his effort to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany in 2020. More than 75 years after the founding of NATO, is a US withdrawal from Germany warranted? What will be the likely consequences? And can the administration sustain a burden-shift to Europe? Please join our panel of distinguished experts on transatlantic security to discuss these questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse 18.05.2026 1godz 2min

The Summer of Our Discontent confronts the breakdown of civility in American society. Civil discourse has given way to identitarianism, altering our media, education, policing, and the ambient language and culture we use to make sense of our lives. In his book, Thomas Chatterton Williams chronicles the transformation of social justice activism following the summer of 2020. He explores how a culture of racial identitarianism undermines individual agency and empowerment.Join Williams for a discussion with Cato research fellow Erec Smith about the existential crisis facing American liberalism, and how we might move beyond the current impasse toward a more integrated and resilient public square. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the Time Come for Dollarization in the Americas? 15.05.2026 1godz 34min

The Trump administration has elevated the strategic importance of the Western Hemisphere to the United States at a time when countries in the region are turning away from leftist populism. Can dollarization play a key role in achieving stability and growth in Latin America? John Cochrane, David Malpass, and Emilio Ocampo will discuss the benefits of dollarization to Latin American countries with a history of bad monetary policy, why dollarization in the Americas would be good for the United States, and how adopting the dollar as the legal currency has worked out in Panama, Ecuador, and El Salvador. The speakers will discuss ways of dollarizing and why that reform is especially relevant to Argentina and Venezuela today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Freedom to Give: Philanthropy, Civil Society, and the Limits of State Power 15.05.2026 1godz

A free, open, and civil society depends on the freedom of individuals and institutions to direct private resources toward the causes they value. Today, that freedom faces growing pressure as the federal government seeks to use nonprofit status as a lever of political control. Join us for a conversation with President and CEO of DonorsTrust Lawson Bader, Cato Senior Fellow Walter Olson, and President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation John Palfrey on the importance of philanthropic freedom and what’s at stake when the state asserts authority over private giving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How America Can Unleash the Next Energy Revolution A Fireside Chat with Secretary Chris Wright 13.05.2026 49min

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is charged with leading the Department of Energy through unprecedented changes. His mandate to unleash energy dominance—often through deregulation that expands the supply and types of energy available by allowing markets to function more freely—is solidifying the United States as the global leader in energy production. Secretary Wright draws inspiration from a rare mix of academic training, political acumen, and private sector entrepreneurship.Still, deregulation faces significant domestic and international headwinds, and many stakeholders want the government to play an increased role in the energy sector. Join us for a special fireside chat to discuss the current state of energy policy and the energy revolutions to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social Security in the Red: Implications for Federal Debt 06.05.2026 1godz 1min

Social Security is widely portrayed as a self-financed program with a long-term trust fund solvency problem. But for more than a decade, the program has already been financed in part through federal borrowing. The trust fund is a political construct, not a true repository of savings or investments. Since 2010, the Treasury has borrowed more than $1.5 trillion to pay Social Security benefits, and borrowing is projected to rise sharply even before the trust fund is exhausted in 2032. Over the next 75 years, the program’s cash-flow shortfall will exceed $28 trillion in present-value terms.This event will examine how trust fund accounting masks Social Security’s growing contribution to federal debt, why economic growth cannot solve the problem on its own, why lifting the payroll tax cap will not sustainably close the program’s funding gap, and how current benefit design fuels immediate deficits and long-term fiscal imbalance. Experts will discuss reform strategies that address the program’s structural flaws and prevent Social Security from worsening the debt crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence 04.05.2026 1godz 31min

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Proclaiming Liberty revisits the revolutionary summer of 1776 through the minds of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two men whose words and ideas gave birth to modern liberty. Timothy Sandefur’s engaging narrative brings to life the “American mind” of those extraordinary Founders—their arguments, ideals, and dedication to natural rights and self-government, all of which coalesced in America’s Declaration of Independence.Join us for a rich conversation about liberty and the enduring promise of 1776. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Felony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption in Chicago 17.04.2026 27min

What does life on the front lines of criminal justice actually look like—and what can it teach us about the state of American law today? Please join us for a discussion with Randy Barnett on his new memoir, Felony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption in Chicago, a gripping behind-the-scenes account of his years as a young prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Future of Free Speech: Reversing the Global Decline of Democracy’s Most Essential Freedom 09.04.2026 59min

The Future of Free Speech confronts a stark truth: The right to speak freely is under siege. Once celebrated as a cornerstone of democratic societies, free expression is now met with growing suspicion and retaliation across the globe. In this book, Jacob Mchangama and Jeff Kosseff present a panoramic view of how we arrived at this pivotal moment. They argue for a reinvigorated, global commitment to open dialogue and civic-minded solutions.Join Mchangama and Kosseff for a discussion with moderator David Inserra on how free speech can meet modern challenges without abandoning its foundational role in sustaining democracy, human rights, and shared understanding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reforms for a New Era at the Federal Reserve: A Conversation with Eleanor Mueller 03.04.2026 35min

The Federal Reserve, established in 1913, has evolved far beyond its original mandate, becoming one of the most debated institutions in the United States. Some critics blame it for economic instability and want it abolished, while some supporters advocate expanding its powers. Over time, the Fed has taken on more responsibilities like achieving specific macroeconomic goals, providing fiscal support to the federal government, and regulating thousands of banks and other financial institutions. This expansion has led to greater government involvement in individuals’ economic lives. As the Federal Reserve is on the cusp of a new leadership regime, the opportunity for reform is greater than ever. Cato Institute scholars Jai Kedia, Research Fellow, and Norbert Michel, Vice President and Director of the Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, were joined for a timely conversation on their Reforming the Fed series. The discussion was moderated by Eleanor Mueller, Economy Policy Reporter at Semafor, and explored proposals to reshape the Federal Reserve, the challenges facing U.S. monetary policy, and what meaningful reform could look like in practice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress, the Balance of Payments, and Tariff Reform 27.03.2026 1godz 15min

In the wake of the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, the Trump administration has used alternative authorities to reimpose tariffs, including a 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.As written, Section 122 allows the president to impose a temporary import tariff of up to 15 percent to: (1) deal with large and serious US balance of payments deficits, (2) prevent an imminent and significant depreciation of the dollar in foreign exchange markets, or (3) cooperate with other countries in correcting an international balance-of-payment disequilibrium. Many experts have questioned, however, whether any of these conditions apply today and thus whether the administration’s new tariffs are, like the IEEPA levies, unlawful.This policy forum will feature a fireside chat with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D‑CA) and the Cato Institute’s Clark Packard on Section 122 and congressional tariff authorities, followed by an expert panel discussion on the legality of Section 122, whether its conditions exist today, and the role of Congress in reforming executive branch tariff authority. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us 25.03.2026 1godz 4min

The universal human drive to matter—to feel our lives hold genuine significance—fuels both our greatest achievements and our deepest divisions. It inspires innovation, care, and cooperation while giving rise to ideological extremism, tribalism, and zero-sum conflicts that can challenge individual liberty and peaceful coexistence.MacArthur Fellow and National Humanities Medalist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins us to discuss her latest book, The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us. Through real-life stories of individuals pursuing meaning—from artists and thinkers to everyday heroes and reformed extremists—Goldstein illustrates how the uniquely human need for meaning inspires “mattering projects” that drive both progress and polarization.Cato research fellow and psychologist Adam Omary will moderate the discussion and offer commentary on the book’s implications for addressing the contemporary crisis of meaning, defending civil liberties, and advancing human progress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Basel III and Bank Capital Rules: A Conversation with Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle W. Bowman 12.03.2026 46min

In June 2025, when stepping into the Federal Reserve Board’s role of vice chair for supervision, Michelle W. Bowman announced a comprehensive review of the bank capital framework. Since that time, she has introduced changes to two of the framework’s four pillars, the supplementary leverage ratio and the stress-testing regime. As a next step in the comprehensive review, the Federal Reserve, together with the other federal bank regulatory agencies, will introduce proposed changes to the risk-based bank capital requirements.Join Vice Chair for Supervision Bowman at the Cato Institute as she details her comprehensive review and what is next for bank capital requirements and Basel III. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s Iran Gamble 11.03.2026 1godz 16min

President Trump has launched a war with Iran, leaving the American public with more questions than answers. Great uncertainty remains around the war’s strategic objectives, the duration of the campaign, and its long-term impacts on the United States, Iran, and the Middle East. Join us for a conversation with leading experts who will examine the possible trajectories of Operation Epic Fury and its broader consequences for the region and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unsung Heroines of the American Revolution: A Collaboration Between Sphere and the Prohuman Foundation 05.03.2026 1godz 2min

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many of us think about the heroic figures who formed the foundation of our democracy. The Prohuman Foundation and Sphere Education Initiatives are excited to support you in thinking about these brave Americans by highlighting five unsung heroines who greatly influenced America’s Founding: Elizabeth Freeman, Anna Smith Strong, Nanyehi (Nancy Ward), Deborah Sampson, and Esther de Berdt Reed. During this webinar, we will dive deep into five lessons that encourage students to discover character strengths such as curiosity, courage, humanity, grit, and compassion while developing key skills in literacy and civil discourse. You will hear from the Prohuman Foundation and Sphere about the various ways to engage with these women’s stories in helping your students learn to recognize their own capacities for developing character strengths in their own lives.The webinar will consist of two parts. The first part will include a conversation between the Prohuman Foundation and Sphere to set the stage for understanding the unique opportunities presented by this collaborative effort. The second part will include deeper dives into the lessons themselves and the practical, tangible tools that can be applied in secondary classrooms. Educators will be empowered to use these resources to help their students develop a growth mindset, cultivate positive connections, engage in civil discourse, and respect viewpoint diversity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virtual Fireside Chat with Senator Ron Wyden (D‑OR) 27.02.2026 14min

Thirty years ago, as part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Section 230 became law. The law was the result of a bipartisan effort that saw the potential of the internet and sought to encourage innovation and opportunities for online speech. Thirty years later, the law remains crucial to users and innovators of all sizes; however, it has been criticized by both the left and the right.Join us for a day featuring panels on the history of Section 230, the current impact, debates, and legal challenges around the law, and how it might interact with future content moderation strategies including decentralization and technologies such as artificial intelligence. The event will also feature a live virtual conversation with one of Section 230’s co-authors, Senator Ron Wyden (D‑OR). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panel 1: Past: Section 230’s origins and early interpretations 27.02.2026 1godz 25min

Thirty years ago, as part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Section 230 became law. The law was the result of a bipartisan effort that saw the potential of the internet and sought to encourage innovation and opportunities for online speech. Thirty years later, the law remains crucial to users and innovators of all sizes; however, it has been criticized by both the left and the right.Join us for a day featuring panels on the history of Section 230, the current impact, debates, and legal challenges around the law, and how it might interact with future content moderation strategies including decentralization and technologies such as artificial intelligence. The event will also feature a live virtual conversation with one of Section 230’s co-authors, Senator Ron Wyden (D‑OR). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.