The Capitalism and Freedom in the Twenty-First Century Podcast

Jon Hartley and Greg Kaplan discuss Greg’s career as a macroeconomist, the history of macroeconomic theory from Keynesian to Heterogeneous Agent New Keynesian Models, Bob Hall and Michael Woodford’s Nobel Prize, and Greg’s contributions to modeling heterogeneous agents as well as his new book, Macro: The Economic Models That Shape Our World.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, visit Hoover+.

Jon Hartley and Mickey Levy discuss Mickey’s early career working with Alice Rivlin at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and with Arthur Burns at AEI, as well as being part of the Shadow Open Markets Committee from its early days in the 1970s. They also discuss how monetary policy has evolved from monetarism’s influence in the 1970s and 1980s to inflation targeting since the 1990s, the optimal size of the Fed balance sheet, and the recent pandemic-era 2020s inflation.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, visit Hoover+.

Jon Hartley talks with Tyler Hassen about the legacy of DOGE, including Hassen’s time as a member of the DOGE team and his new book Inside DOGE: The Real Story From A Senior Insider. They discuss what Hassen learned working with Elon Musk, the light shed on government spending, how many former DOGE members are now permanently embedded in various federal agencies, and how many DOGE initiatives have since been inspired at the state level.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, visit Hoover+.

Jon Hartley and Steve Hanke discuss Hanke’s career as an academic and policy advisor, including the virtues of using currency boards to combat hyperinflation and when dollarizing is useful. The conversation also looks back at Hanke’s time on President Reagan’s White House Council of Economic Advisers, and helping to fight inflation in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, visit Hoover+.

Jon Hartley and US House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. French Hill discuss Congressman Hill’s background; regulation on housing supply and the recently passed Road to Housing Act; crypto regulation including the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act, securities laws, and the Invest Act; as well as banking regulation and the Main Street Capital Access Act.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, visit Hoover+.

Jon Hartley and Barry Eichengreen discuss his background and research, the status of the US dollar as a world reserve currency, the yuan’s inability to gain traction despite China’s growth, the euro, transitions between world reserve currencies, the rise of public debt, and the history of fixed versus floating exchange rate regimes.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, visit Hoover+.

Jon Hartley and Michael Boskin discuss Michael’s upbringing in Los Angeles, his seminal academic work on savings, working on Governor Ronald Reagan’s tax reform task force, chairing George H.W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisors from 1989 to 1993, the legacy of the Boskin Commission, teaching generations of Stanford students, and working closely with business leaders.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

For more than four decades, Grover Norquist has been one of the most influential figures in the American conservative movement on tax policy and limited government. In this episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, host John Hartley sits down with the founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform to trace his journey from anti-communist activist to architect of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and a central figure in nearly every major tax reform debate since the Reagan era.

Norquist reflects on the Reagan tax revolution, the origins and lasting impact of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, the rise of the modern conservative coalition, and why he believes America's fiscal challenges stem from excessive spending rather than insufficient tax revenue. He also outlines his vision for the future of tax reform—including consumption-based taxation, eliminating or indexing the capital gains tax, expanding investment incentives, reducing state income taxes, and strengthening fiscal federalism—as he argues for policies designed to promote long-term economic growth, investment, and individual liberty.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Dr. Oz along with his two deputies discuss running the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) which administers the major federal government healthcare programs within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), tackling Medicaid and Medicare fraud across the nation, healthcare changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill (Working Families Tax Cuts Act), lowering pharmaceutical drug prices through most favored nation (MFN) deals and TrumpRx, and integrating AI and technology into CMS workflows.

Recorded on June 11, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Pete Klenow has spent his career tackling some of economics’ biggest questions: Why do some countries grow rich while others remain poor? What drives long-run prosperity? And how can policy foster innovation and productivity? In this episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, Jon Hartley sits down with the Stanford economist to discuss Klenow’s influential research on sticky prices, development accounting, economic growth, and the allocation of resources across firms and industries.

The conversation explores how economists measure the sources of growth, why misallocation can hold back entire economies, and what Klenow’s research reveals about productivity differences across countries such as China, India, and the United States. Hartley and Klenow also examine the evolution of macroeconomics, the role of monetary policy, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on innovation, productivity, and future economic growth.

Recorded on June 2, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Sebastian Edwards discuss Edward’s time at the University of Chicago as a PhD student in the time of Milton Friedman and the Chicago School, Chile’s market reforms and the Chicago Boys (documented in Sebastian’s most recent book, The Chile Project: The Story of the Chicago Boys and the Downfall of Neoliberalism), Javier Milei and Argentina’s prospects of reversal, renewed hope for Venezuela, and whether economic freedom and market reforms have returned.

Recorded on May 7, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Phil Gramm discuss Graham’s career as an academic economist at Texas A&M, his service in the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate, and his work on the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings and Gramm-Leach-Bliley legislation. Graham also talks about his recent books on the role that economic freedom plays in economic growth, as well as various fallacies surrounding the rise of inequality in the US.

Recorded on April 28, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Niall Ferguson explore Niall's career, the power of networks in his books The House of Rothschild volume one (1998) and volume two (1999), and The Square and the Tower (2017); the rise and fall of empire in his books Empire (2003) and The Great Degeneration (2013), America’s global role in his book Colossus (2005), and the enduring legacy of Adam Smith on the 250th anniversary of The Wealth of Nations—as well as the Anglosphere, economic growth, and the rise of 21st-century socialism.

Recorded on March 23, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Stephen Miran discuss Stephen’s new paper on strategies to reduce the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, the state of inflation and the labor market in the US economy, estimating the neutral rate of interest and the stance of current monetary policy, and how the rise of AI and the public debt may influence monetary policy going forward.

Recorded on March 26, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Charles Calomiris discuss banking crises, the Diamond-Dybvig model, deposit insurance, the history of bailouts and public subsidies for banking, the historical comparison of the US and Canada banking systems, quantitative easing and ample reserves banking, stablecoins, non-bank lenders, and Charlie’s magnum opus Fragile By Design.

Recorded on February 27, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Jim Esposito discuss Jim’s beginnings, his career in senior roles at Goldman Sachs in New York and London, and moving to Miami to run one of the world’s largest broker-dealer and market makers, Citadel Securities. They also discuss the rising role Miami is playing in global capital markets (becoming “Wall Street South”) with Citadel’s moving its headquarters there, ongoing trends in the economy, and the rising role of AI in finance and business.

Recorded on February 27, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Tevi Troy discuss Tevi’s career as a Presidential historian, serving in a variety of roles in the George W. Bush administration including as White House Domestic Policy Council Deputy Director and as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, as well as Tevi’s new book The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between American Titans of Industry and Commanders in Chief.

Recorded on December 25, 2025.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Andrew Ross Sorkin discuss Andrew’s career as a journalist, Andrew’s recent book 1929 and how the events between the 1929 Wall Street crash and 1933 reshaped banking and financial regulation, comparisons with the 2008 global financial crisis (chronicled in Andrew’s first book Too Big To Fail), and the policy lessons that have been learned from both events.

Recorded on January 9, 2026.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Luis Garicano discuss Luis’s career, including his time as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2019 to 2022, his research on firms, Europe’s struggles with innovation and regulation, and the future of the euro.

Recorded on December 22, 2025.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

Jon Hartley and Matteo Maggiori discuss Matteo’s career on going from trading at JP Morgan to becoming an academic economist, the rise of China’s economy, geoeconomics and sanctions power, measuring international economic data, exchange rates, as well as beliefs and portfolios.

Recorded on December 2, 2025.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.