PODCAST

The Curious Task

Institute for Liberal Studies

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

education social sciences

All Episodes

73:16

Chris Coyne - How Do You Run A War?

The Curious Task ·

2026/01/07

In this episode from 2024, Alex speaks with Chris Coyne about the complexities and ramifications of war, focusing on the interplay between media narratives, propaganda, and the impact on civil liberties, drawing insights from Coyne's book co-authored with Abigail Hall, which is a satirical guide on war strategies and their broader societal implications.Episode Notes: Chris and Abigail's book "How to Run Wars": https://www.independent.org/store/book.asp?id=145 1. Bruce Winton Knight's "How To

53:30

What Is The Path Out Of Poverty? - Randy Hicks

The Curious Task ·

2025/12/31

Matt speaks with Randy Hicks (CEO of the Georgia Center for Opportunity) about why jobs and social capital matter, how government programs can stabilize but often fail to help people escape poverty, and what reforms might better support work and self-sufficiency. They also discuss the benefits cliff, UBI, the role of civil society (including faith-based organizations), Utah’s “one door” model, and the minimum wage.References The Georgia Center for Opportunity:

77:00

Kevin Erdmann - Why Are We Afraid Of Building Homes?

The Curious Task ·

2025/12/24

In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Kevin Erdmann about how zoning, the 2008 economic crisis, and the desire to live away from "those people" is effecting the state of housing. Episode Notes: Kevin's page at the Mercatus Centre: https://www.mercatus.org/scholars/kevin-erdmann The Erdmann Housing Tracker: https://kevinerdmann.substack.com/ Kevin on X: https://x.com/KAErdmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Kevin's book "Shut Out: How a Housing Shortage Caused

53:20

What Is The New Right? - Sean Speer

The Curious Task ·

2025/12/17

In this episode, Matt speaks with Sean Speer about the rise of the so-called “New Right” and the growing tension between conservatism and classical liberalism. Speer defends a fusionist vision rooted in ordered liberty, pluralism, and institutional restraint, arguing that attempts to use state power to impose cultural outcomes misunderstand how culture actually evolves. Together, they explore elite anxiety, civil society, immigration, and why liberal means remain essential even for those with

68:02

What Do Companies Owe Society? - Abraham Singer

The Curious Task ·

2025/12/10

In this episode, Alex speaks with Abraham Singer about his book Everyone’s Business, exploring why businesses and other private organizations should be understood not only as economic entities but as political communities that shape power, responsibility, and moral life. Singer explains how firms structure our choices, why classical liberals must take internal organizational governance more seriously, and what it means to treat workplaces as sites of real political and ethical

68:56

What's Wrong With The Notwithstanding Clause? -...

The Curious Task ·

2025/12/03

In this episode, Alex speaks with constitutional scholar Leonid Sirota about the notwithstanding clause—what it does, how it functions within Canada’s constitutional architecture, and why its routine use undermines the very rights the Charter is meant to protect. Drawing on arguments from his National Post piece and earlier writing, Sirota explains why Section 33 was intended as an exceptional political safeguard, not a convenient escape hatch for governments, and why treating it as a routine tool

57:08

How Can We Do Indigenous Reconciliation Better? -...

The Curious Task ·

2025/11/26

In this episode, Matt interviews Karen Restoule on the challenge of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. Restoule stresses that true reconciliation must begin by re-embracing the vision of coexistence enshrined in early agreements such as the Treaty of Niagara — a relationship based on mutual respect and shared sovereignty — and not merely through state apologies or symbolic gestures.References Karen Restoule: Reconciliation requires looking back to move forward — The Hub

53:34

How Did Hungary Become Illiberal? - Zoltan Kesz

The Curious Task ·

2025/11/19

In this episode, Matt digs into modern Hungarian politics with Zoltan Kesz, exploring how Viktor Orbán evolved from a young liberal reformer into an illiberal, Putin-aligned strongman presiding over a reactionary kleptocracy. Zoltan breaks down how Orbán consolidated power, manipulated institutions, reshaped the media, and abandoned liberalism while Hungary’s economy and democratic norms declined.References: Zoltan at LibertyCon: https://libertycon.net/speaker/zoltan-kesz/ Zoltan at Emerging

61:08

Should The State Be In Charge Of The Post? - Moin Yahya

The Curious Task ·

2025/11/12

ILS Educational Programs Manager Alex Eames speaks with Moin Yahya about whether the state should run the postal service. They explore the history of Canada Post’s monopoly, competition and innovation in mail delivery, and why Lysander Spooner’s 19th-century rebellion still matters for debates about government-run enterprises today.References: Moin A. Yahya — Faculty Profile (University of Alberta, Law) https://apps.ualberta.ca/directory/person/myahya Canada Post Corporation Act (Justice Laws,

54:56

What Is Technohumanism? - Jason Crawford

The Curious Task ·

2025/11/05

Matt speaks with Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress Institute) about “technohumanism”—the view that science, technology, and industry are good insofar as they advance human flourishing. They dig into agency vs. accelerationism, why progress creates new problems to solve, and where the next big gains may come from (AI, biotech, nuclear, housing, etc.).References Announcing “The Techno-Humanist Manifesto” — Jason Crawford (Roots of

40:32

Can Halloween Save Democracy? - Rachel Humphries

The Curious Task ·

2025/10/29

In this episode, Matt speaks with Rachel Davison Humphries, Senior Director of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Bill of Rights Institute, about how rituals like Halloween can strengthen democracy by building trust and social capital in communities.References “Halloween Treats for Democracy” — Rachel Davison Humphries (Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/opinion/halloween-treats-for-democracy-c8e861ba Rachel Davison Humphries — Profile (Bill of Rights

51:42

Mustafa Akyol — How Free Is The Muslim World?

The Curious Task ·

2025/10/22

In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Mustafa Akyol as he explores whether Islam can be compatible with liberalism, and his recent research on freedom in Muslim-majority countries.References from Episode 70 with Mustafa Akyol Mustafa Akyol is the author of Rethinking the Kurdish Question: What Went Wrong, What Next? (Turkish), Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case For Liberty, The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims, and his book set for

73:00

How Is Conservatism Changing In Canada? - Sam Routley

The Curious Task ·

2025/10/15

In this episode, Alex speaks with political researcher Sam Routley about how conservatism is changing in Canada. Drawing on his article “Decoding Canada’s Conservative Coalition” published in The Hub, Routley explains why Canada’s conservative movement has remained more stable than those in other Western democracies, where right-wing politics have undergone dramatic upheavals. They discuss the historical roots of Canada’s “fusionist” conservatism, the economic and cultural shifts driving new

37:19

Neil Boyd - Does Drug Decriminalization Work?

The Curious Task ·

2025/10/08

In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with Neil Boyd about the effects of drug decriminalization and legalization in Canada and around the world, and how regulation and criminalization can have positive or negative impacts on users of various substances and the communities around them.References 1. “Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, 1996” by the Justice Laws Website Link: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-38.8/ 2. “Cannabis Act, 2018” by Justice Laws

64:48

Jason Lee Byas - How Should We Deal With Historic...

The Curious Task ·

2025/10/01

In this conversation from 2022, Alex speaks with Jason Lee Byas about the complexities of responding to questions of historic injustice, reparations, and compensation within a libertarian framework. References 1. Articles by Jason Lee Byas, Center for a Stateless Society Link: https://c4ss.org/content/author/jason-byas 2. “Rectification and Historic Injustice” by Jason Lee Byas Link: https://philpapers.org/archive/BYARAH.pdf 3. “A Black Commons: A Framework for Recognition, Reconciliation, and

65:12

Seth Kaplan - Why Are Neighbourhoods Important?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/24

In this coversation from 2023, Matt speaks with Seth Kaplan about his book Fragile Neighborhoods, and why a decision as simple as where we choose to live can often make the difference between lives of prosperity and lives of uncertainty and strife. Seth's book can be ordered here: https://a.co/d/aqUzRny

73:49

Andrew Coyne - Why Is Canadian Democracy In Crisis?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/17

In this episode, Alex speaks with journalist and author Andrew Coyne about why Canadian democracy is in crisis. Drawing from his book The Crisis of Canadian Democracy, Coyne explains how the concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s Office, the erosion of cabinet and caucus independence, and the iron grip of party discipline have hollowed out Parliament. They explore electoral reform, regional alienation, and voter disengagement, and discuss why Canada’s institutions now fail to hold leaders

58:42

Tyler Cowen - Who Is The Greatest Economist Of All Time?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/10

In this conversation from 2024,Matt speaks with Tyler Cowen about his recent book "GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Matter?", as they discuss the case for and against each of the top finalists, and the interactive AI features that Tyler has integrated into the book's online release. Episode Notes: The full book plus all interactive AI features can be found for free here: https://goatgreatesteconomistofalltime.ai/en

56:42

Aaron Powell - Is Fusionism Dead?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/03

In this episode from 2022, Alex speaks with Aaron Powell about the origins of fusionism, where it stands today, and why non-traditional alliances might be the way of the future. References 1. Free Thoughts Podcast Link: https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts 2. ReImagining Liberty Podcast Link: https://www.reimaginingliberty.com/podcast/ 3. “After protests, Disney CEO speaks out against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill” by Elizabeth

50:32

Mike Munger - What Is The Difference Between...

The Curious Task ·

2025/08/27

In this conversation from 2023, Alex and Mike Munger discuss two strains of thought within the liberty movement - one concerned with philosophical purity and cohesion, the other with advancement towards a common ideal of greater freedom for all. Episode Notes: Mike's article "The Right Kind of Nothing": https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-right-kind-of-nothing/ An introduction to Coasian bargaining: http://www.ejolt.org/2015/09/coasian-bargaining-2/ The Piece commissioned by Leonard Read by

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