Bob Murphy Show

Bob explains the fundamental role that subjective choice plays in various fields, suggesting there is something quite extraordinary about it.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Bob's book Choice. A recent Human Action podcast episode with Jonathan Newman, discussing Bob's introductory textbook and why action is so important in economic science.BMS ep. 304, the first installment of the Bible commentary, which includes Bob's movie theater analogy for reconciling free will and determinism.BMS ep. 257 laying out Hans Hoppe's case that Mises' action axiom solved the mind-body problem.A good YT video explaining the weird results of the 2-slit experiment.A good YT on Bell's Theorem. Sabin Hossenfelder on Hoofdt and superdeterminism.InFi ep. 22 featuring Michael Fraser, who consults with business leaders that they should view AI as a cauldron, not a crystal ball.Background info on the Axiom of Choice from set theory.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns, this time for a 2fer. First he and Bob discuss the recent SoHo Forum debate on immigration between Dave Smith and Alex Nowrasteh. Then they discuss Michael Malice's recent appearance on Bret Weinstein's DarkHorse podcast to talk about egalitarianism and anarchy.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The SoHo forum debate, and the Michael Malice interview.BMS ep 194 on Bob's views on immigration under anarchy.Dave Smith on the Human Action podcast laying out his views on immigration vis-a-vis libertarian theory.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Dr. Protais Nshogoza is the Rwanda National Coordinator for ECLEA (Equipping Church Leaders -- East Africa). He lived through the Rwandan genocide though many of his friends and family did not. Even as a Christian pastor, Protais struggled with thoughts of revenge until God showed him the power of forgiveness.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.Protais' organization in Rwanda. The section of ECLEA's website on Rwanda.BMS ep 392 with Jonathan Menn (who started ECLEA).Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns, this time helping Bob to evaluate Oren Cass--a leading protectionist on the right--in his recent appearance on the Tucker Carlson show.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Oren Cass on Tucker Carlson.Bob's interview of Oren on the InFi podcast.Oren's essay on free trade's "origin myth," and Phil Magness' response.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Terry Hulsey joins Bob for a fascinating discussion of history and political science, with an end to providing a framework for Texas secession that can endure.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.The Mises Bookstore entry for TL Hulsey's book.BMS on Arrow's Theorem. BMS on Daniel Miller on the Texas Nationalist Movement.Randy Barnett's critique of Nozick in the Journal of Libertarian Studies.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

As if they had watched the previous crossover, Bret Weinstein and Tucker Carlson discuss many of the same issues (such as the existence of God, the multiverse, the role of evolution) that Adam and Bob covered, but also a new one (human sacrifice). So the duo return for another crossover to react.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The Bret Weinstein appearance on Tucker Carlson.David Gornoski on the BMS talking about Rene Girard and scapegoats.The Martyr Made series on human sacrifice. The Pete Leeson paper.BMS ep 358 in which Adam and Bob discussed Nick Bostrum and simulation theory.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Connor Boyack is the founder of the Libertas Network, and co-creator of the popular Tuttle Twins book series. He discusses a recent controversy in which the children's books were (temporarily) removed from public libraries in New York state. He also discusses Bob's new economics course which is part of the Tuttle Twins Academy.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.The link to Bob's online economics course at the Tuttle Twins Academy.Connor Boyack's website, with links to his various projects.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to help Bob navigate through yet another Twitter battle, this time on Darwin's theory of evolution vs. simulation theory (i.e. the notion that we are all in a giant simulation). Lots of interesting fodder to make you think.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Bob's battles after his jab at the Carl Sagan account's tweet.BMS ep 303 featuring Jonathan Bartlett, explaining that standard evolutionary theory uses non-random mutations all the time.BMS ep 358 in which Adam and Bob discussed Nick Bostrum and simulation theory.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob analyzes the GDP report for Trump's 1st quarter, which was characterized by a surge in imports and private inventories, and a drop in government spending. Although the conventional discussion of these topics is confused, the fall in real GDP does indeed signify a weak economy.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The BEA GDP report.Peter St. Onge's rosy analysis.Bob's article (from 2010) about quirks in the standard approach to inventory in GDP.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to discuss perhaps the most difficult problem in libertarian legal theory: the treatment of children. The discussion then spills over onto the treatment of animals and even AI.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.BMS 182 which laid out the trust approach.Bob (and Gene Callahan)'s critique of Hans Hoppe's argumentation ethics.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob covers some loose ends on the Douglas Murray / Dave Smith debate, then analyzes how a libertarian legal system would handle the thorny problem of human shields.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Bob's journal article on libertarian law and military defense.Sam Harris interviews Douglas Murray on the JRE debate.Previous BMS episodes on the Murray/Smith debate (here and here).John Spencer's twitter essay critiquing Dave Smith's views on war.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob responds to a Heinlein quotation (from Starship Troopers) that claimed violence had settled more issues in history than any other factor. Bob relies on Mises and Jesus to argue the contrary.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Jeremy Kauffman's tweet that prompted this episode.Bob on why the AI won't wipe us out.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to analyze the continued fallout from the Murray/Smith debate on the Joe Rogan podcast. As always, Adam and Bob have unique video and insights that other commenters have overlooked.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The full Murray/Smith debate on Rogan.Douglas Murray on Australia's Sky News. His NY Post op ed.Konstantin Kisin's article.A Spiked analysis of the debate.Pat Buchanan's C-SPAN debate on Churchill.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to dissect the Douglas Murray / Dave Smith debate on Joe Rogan. Adam and Bob present evidence--including an old clip of Murray talking about Iraq--that other commentary has missed.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The full Murray/Smith debate on Rogan.The UNICEF fact sheet on the Gaza blockade.Murray talking to Lex Fridman on "lived experience."Murray talking about his visit to Iraq.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Chris Barnard is president of the American Conservation Coalition, which has some 75,000 members. He joins Bob to discuss the unfortunate pattern of ceding concern for the environment to the political left, and what the ACC is doing (especially on college campuses) to shatter that stereotype.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.Chris Barnard's bio at American Conservation Coalition.The Market Environmentalism Academy.Bob's article showing that Naomi Klein supported the Green New Deal for non-climate reasons.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to discuss the hot topic of the day: Trump's tariffs! In particular, Adam helps Bob to analyze the justifications for the tariffs given by MAGA fans, and how free trading libertarians should respond.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Bob on Trump's tariffs and income taxes.Leonard Read's, "I, Pencil."The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman and Bob interview Domenic Scarcella (author of Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen) on the events leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus. The conversation includes Domenic's unorthodox take on Judas.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Domenic Scarcella's substack.Scarcella's earlier appearance on BMS ep. 310, arguing that Jesus was a good neighbor but bad citizen.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob covers John 2: 13-25, where Jesus drives out the animals and moneychangers from the temple in Jerusalem at the start of His public ministry.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:RC Sproul on cleansing of the temple. John MacArthur on it.The previous episode in this series, i.e. BMS ep. 374, Installment 8: Turning Water Into Wine.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns, this time discussing with Bob the controversy over sending accused gang members to an El Salvador prison. Should they be given due process? Adam and Bob then discuss the is/ought distinction from ethics.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Glenn Greenwald on due process.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Cody Cook is a theologian and anarchist writer with a new book out from the Christian Libertarian Institute. He explains the background of anabaptism first, and then explains its intimate connection with anarchism in the Rothbardian tradition.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.The landing page for The Anarchist Anabaptist.Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast episode covering the Protestant takeover of Munster.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns again, this time to discuss the pros and cons of shutting down debate. The context is Darryl Cooper's recent appearance on Joe Rogan.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.Darryl Cooper's March 2025 appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Jonathan Menn is a retired trial attorney who earned an MDiv and has started a ministry equipping pastors in East Africa. His latest book, Is Christianity True?, covers three main topics: 1) the trustworthiness of the Bible, 2) the incoherence of naturalism, and 3) the problem of evil.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.The ECLEA (Equipping Church Leaders -- East Africa) website.The Amazon links for Menn's books, Is Christianity True? and Biblical Eschatology.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman joins Bob (yet again) to discuss various topics, but most important: Was Trump right to say that the Biden Administration was funding research on transgender experiments on mice?Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The reason article "debunking" Trump's claim.Bob's InFi episode on GDP calculations and government spending.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob samples from Alex O'Connor, Ben Shapiro, and Freeman Dyson to offer his latest understanding of the connection between free will, the self, and quantum uncertainty.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Alex O'Connor debates Ben Shapiro on God.Freeman Dyson on free will and quantum physics.The double-split experiment showcasing uncertainty at atomic level.The BMS episode which outlines Bob's "red dot in a movie theater" analogy to reconcile human free will with God's sovereignty.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

In yet another crossover episode, Adam Haman and Bob discuss the fiery showdown between Ukraine's Zelensky and the US president and VP, on live television, from the Oval Office. As usual, Adam and Bob bring up points that others have neglected.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

In another crossover episode, Adam Haman joins Bob to discuss deep theological questions. As usual, they strive to provide new angles on age-old problems.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.BMS ep 295, where Christian Hubbs present historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Jimmy Morrison is a filmmaker who, with Tom Woods, created the original documentary "The Bubble," featuring interviews with several Austro-libertarian experts, including the host of the Bob Murphy Show. Jimmy explains the sequels to the film and his other work.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.LetUsDisagree.com, the site for all Bubble films from Jimmy.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

In another crossover episode, Adam Haman joins Bob to discuss the phenomenon of arguing with midwits on social media. They. beautifully illustrate the bell curve meme. Examples include the COBOL red herring regarding DOGE and Social Security, as well as Krugman's handling of the claim that excessive debt "burdens future generations."Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Justin Wolfer's tweet endorsing the COBOL theory.Bob's EconLib article on government debt burdens.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Mikkel Thorup is founder and CEO of ExPat Money. He joins Bob to discuss various geopolitical events, including Trump's talk of grabbing the Panama Canal and Greenland, as well as the dollar's shrinking importance in the global economy. He gives thoughts on the importance of setting up a "Plan B" of assets and living arrangements outside your home country.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.Mikkel Thorup's ExPat Money Show. His Wealth, Freedom, and Passports conference in March 2025.Thorup's article on Trump wanting the Panama Canal.The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob first explains the neoclassical theory of "optimal tariffs," by which a large country can use a modest tariff to improve its terms of trade. He then shows how this theoretical possibility is consistent with standard arguments making the case for free trade.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The link for Monetary-Metals.com.Fed Reserve Bank of Richmond piece on optimal tariff theory.Bob and Josh Hendrickson discuss Stephen Miran's strategy for using tariffs to help the US position.Bastiat's "Petition of the Candlemakers."Bob on the Human Action podcast clarifies comparative advantage.Bob interviews Brian Domitrovic on economists having a biased view of tariffs vs. income taxes.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to discuss yet another whirlwind of activity from the Trump Administration, including dismantling of the USAID program and his announcement that the US it taking ownership of Gaza.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Trump announcement on Gaza.The Stephen Miran report on trade reform.Dave Smith setting up the Elizabeth Warren clip.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The executive editor of the Libertarian Institute, Sheldon Richman, joins Bob to push back against the popular use of the term "corporate" as a pejorative. They cover both cultural and theoretical issues.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Sheldon Richman's post on the term "corporate." His bio at the Libertarian Institute.Murray Rothbard's essay on Michael Milken.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

In yet another crossover, Adam Haman returns to discuss the recent admission by the feds that the origin of Covid-19 was probably the Wuhan lab leak. Adam and Bob then discuss the age-old question, "If you could go back in time and find baby Hitler, would you...?"Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Fergus Hodgson is originally from New Zealand but has lived in several countries. His new book explains that the prospects for being an ex-pat in Latin America don't live up to the hype.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Fergus Hodgson's homepage. His book The Latin America Red Pill.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman and Bob discuss Trump's whirlwind first day in office, as well as Elon's intriguing hand salute.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Bob's analysis of The Purge.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob responds to Curtis Yarvin's commentary on the H1B visa argument among conservatives, wherein Yarvin actually advocates government slavery as the solution to America's woes.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Curtis Yarvin's substack post and the YouTube version.Bob's analysis (part 1 and part 2) of the Yarvin vs. Dave Smith debate.Bob's critique of Milton Friedman on overstating the benignity of trade deficits.Bob's interview of Mark Thornton on the inefficiency of slavery, and the related critique of reparations.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman and Bob discuss the various theories for the causes of the devastating LA fires. Quick hint: the government doesn't come out pretty.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Adam's post on the FAIR fire insurance program.John Papola's coverage, which contained two of the clips used.Rufo's tweet showing the focus on DEI.Investigation of the empty reservoir.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Back in April 2024, Adam Terrell of the Theocracy podcast posted his discussion with Bob about the intersection of his Christian beliefs and writings on privately produced law.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The Theocracy podcast.Bob's article on law without the State.Adam Terrell's book on Public Stoning.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman suggests that he and Bob discuss popular conspiracy theories, including 9/11, the JFK assassination, and the moon landing.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.BMS ep 92 on the IG report on FISA applications to spy on Trump team.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob covers John 2: 1-12, the wedding feast at Cana, where Jesus performs His first miracle.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:John MacArthur on turning the water into wine.The previous episode in this series, i.e. BMS ep. 372, Installment 7: the Son of Man.The first two installments (one and two) in the series, giving the framework of Bob's views on miracles and God's sovereignty / human free will.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman joins Bob to discuss the recent "civil war" on the right over the H-1B visa program, with a focus on Vivek Ramaswamy's critique of American culture.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial tweet on US culture.Robert Sterling's stats on the H-1B program.An EPI study (based on 2019 data) of the H-1B program.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob finishes his commentary on the first chapter of John, covering chapter 1 verses 43-50.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:RC Sproul on the Son of God vs. Son of Man titles for Jesus.The previous episode in this series, i.e. BMS ep. 363 Installment 6: Calling the First Disciples.Bob's children's book, The Three Lads and the Lizard King.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Inspired by the outrage over Daryll Cooper's remarks on Tucker Carlson's show, the Libertarian Institute's Keith Knight summarizes his article exploding the aura of Churchill.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.Keith Knight's article on Churchill (the subject of this interview).Keith Knight's article on atomic bombs and Pearl Harbor, and BMS ep 354 discussing it.Keith's archive at the Libertarian Institute.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman joins Bob to discuss the recent debate between Hans Hoppe and Javier Milei over closing the Argentina central bank.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Hans Hoppe's critique of Milei. Milei's vehement response.Bob's interview of Nicolas Cachanosky, a co-author of Argentina's dollarization plan.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Spike Cohen was the 2020 VP candidate for the Libertarian Party, and founder of Power to the People. He discusses his debates with Destiny and David Hogg, running with Jo Jorgenson, and how he fights government abuse of ostensible child protection.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Spike Cohen's You Are the Power homepage.Spike's debate against Destiny and (highlights of) his debate against David Hogg.Bob's critique of a different Destiny debate.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Jeremy Kauffman is a popular libertarian commentator on social media, and is associated with the Free State Project. He joins Bob to discuss health care, strategies for liberty, and the controversies around spicy tweets.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Kauffman's Twitter profile, and his thread on US health care.Bob's article explaining Ezra Klein's flip-flip on the Oregon Medicaid study. His earlier episode (with Adam Haman) pushing back on the praise for Kauffman's handling of the FBI visit. Bob's pamphlet for Texas secession. Bob's book (with Doug McGuff) on US health care.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Tom Woods and Bob Murphy team up once again for a Contra Krugman episode, discussing the retirement of Krugman from his NYT column. They share some memories, some laughs, and most important, some Krugman whoppers.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.The archives for the Contra Krugman podcast, and the book.A Murphy article on "expansionary austerity."Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman joins Bob to discuss the recent feuding among right-wingers about the "Woke Right," focusing on James Lindsay's recent hoax in which a Christian Nationalist website published a dressed-up excerpt from the Communist Manifesto.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.James Lindsay's recent appearance on Michael Malice's podcast (which aired after Adam and Bob recorded), discussing the latest hoax. Lindsay's blog post explaining the recent affair.Dave Smith's recent critique of Lindsay.BMS ep 102 (Feb 2020) which analyzed the Grievance Studies hoax.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Recently Steve Patterson made the case for bigger blocks in Bitcoin (in the course of summarizing Roger Ver's new book). Stephan Livera, host of a popular Bitcoin podcast, joins Bob to make the opposite case.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Stephan Livera's podcast, and Twitter profile.The BMS ep 361 on Hijacking Bitcoin.Bob's book (with Silas Barta) on Understanding Bitcoin.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to discuss Trump's recent tweet promising 100% tariffs if the BRICS nations try to develop an alternative to the US dollar.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.A recent Human Action podcast where Bob clarifies some arguments about international trade.Bob's book Understanding Money Mechanics.The Haman Nature page.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob covers John 1: 32-42, where John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Son of God, and Jesus calls His first disciples.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The previous episode in this series, i.e. BMS ep. 339, Installment 5: The Lamb of God.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.