Cato Daily Podcast

Follow Cato Daily Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The Cato Daily Podcast allows Cato Institute scholars and other commenters to discuss relevant news and libertarian thought in a conversational, informal manner. Hosted by Caleb O. Brown.

The Cato Institute


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 21m AVG DURATION
    • 4,727 EPISODES

    4.5 from 911 ratings Listeners of Cato Daily Podcast that love the show mention: cato, limited government, terrorist, libertarian perspective, tanks, liberties, libertarianism, libertarians, institute, caleb, principled, it's short, liberty, conservatism, classical, policy, daily podcast, partisan, sensible, current issues.


    Ivy Insights

    The Cato Daily Podcast is an exceptional podcast that offers concise and insightful analysis of current political and policy issues from a libertarian perspective. Hosted by Caleb Brown, this podcast consistently delivers valuable insights backed up by research and facts. One of the best aspects of this podcast is the caliber of guests that Caleb Brown interviews - they are always cutting edge and bring a fresh perspective to the topics at hand. The range of topics covered is wide, allowing listeners to stay informed on various subjects in a digestible format.

    One potential downside of this podcast is its clear libertarian bias. While it can provide thought-provoking discussions, it may not be appealing for those who have differing political ideologies. Additionally, some listeners may find the episodes too lengthy for a daily format and struggle to find time to listen alongside their regular news podcasts.

    In conclusion, The Cato Daily Podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking thoughtful and nuanced analysis of government policy and its impact on personal liberty. Despite its biases, this podcast consistently delivers high-quality content that encourages critical thinking. If you're looking for a non-partisan update on current events from one of the greatest journalists of our age, look no further than The Cato Daily Podcast.



    More podcasts from The Cato Institute

    Search for episodes from Cato Daily Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Cato Daily Podcast

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The Gathering Storm in State Pensions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 18:14


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.“Denial” is the single word that the Reason Foundation's Peter Constant uses to describe the attitude many state governments have taken toward pension finance problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Let's Render Some Federal Codes Unenforceable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 26:56


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Civil disobedience over victimless crimes may be encouraged under an idea by author Charles Murray. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Ben and Jerry and the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 14:51


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are the icons better known for Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Now they're focusing their notoriety on ending qualified immunity. Ben, Jerry, and Cato's Jay Schweikert comment on the campaign to end the powerful, court-invented doctrine that shields public officials from accountability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Judicial Activism in Defense of Liberty

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 10:31


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky defense acast cato judicial activism bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The Life and Death and Future Life of Fusionism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 18:38


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.“Fusionism,” something of an ideological nonaggression pact between libertarians and conservatives, has fallen on hard times. Can it be reborn? Stephanie Slade of Reason discusses her new article on the subject. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast reason life and death cato future life stephanie slade bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 16:58


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    united states kentucky conspiracies acast conspiracy theories cato paranoia a conspiracy theory bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Henry Clay, Cassius Clay and Political Compromise

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 17:54


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Equal Protections and Marriage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 10:01


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    marriage kentucky acast equal protections cato bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Remembering Milton Friedman

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 6:51


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast cato milton friedman bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Courage is the Secret to Liberty

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 7:03


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.In presenting the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty to Danish newspaper editor Flemming Rose, former ACLU president Nadine Strossen discusses the importance of unfettered freedom of speech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Real Problems for REAL ID

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 4:46


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast cato real id real problems bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    The Best of Cato Daily Podcast: The Libertarian Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 8:06


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Libertarianism — the philosophy of personal and economic freedom — has deep roots in Western civilization and in American history, and it's growing stronger. Cato Institute Executive Vice President David Boaz talks about the renewed appetite for smaller government and more freedom.The Libertarian Mind: A Manifesto for Freedom by David Boaz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Is the Welfare State Justified?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 8:48


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast justified cato welfare state bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Is Strip Searching Students in a School Covered by Qualified Immunity?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 10:30


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Discussions of qualified immunity focus almost exclusively on police. What about when public school administrators clearly violate the rights of students? Should parents of those children be able to hold administrators accountable in civil court? Chris Kemmitt is the deputy director of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: A Realistic, Quick Path to Ending Cannabis Prohibition?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 12:49


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.What's the best path forward to end cannabis prohibition without loading it up with needless federal regulation? Jim Higdon is the co-founder of Cornbread Hemp and an advocate for an end to cannabis prohibition. He says the Farm Bill is the key. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: A Few From The Dirty Dozen

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 6:55


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast cato dirty dozen bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Mitch McConnell's Legacy Includes Freeing Political Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 22:07


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.In assessing the legacy of Mitch McConnell as a Republican leader in the U.S. Senate, it's important to include his large role in radically reducing the regulation of Americans' political speech. Cato's John Samples explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: By the People: Rebuilding Liberty without Permission

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 15:43


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Civil disobedience may be the only avenue left for millions of Americans who just want to go about their business undisturbed. Charles Murray explains his dangerous idea in the new book, By the People: Rebuilding Liberty without Permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Communicating Economics in Troubled Times

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 8:24


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Repeal the 17th Amendment?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 10:43


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast amendment cato repeal bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Rights, Powers and the Libertarian Vision

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 13:58


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: POTUS as Chief Magistrate

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 9:39


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast potus cato chief magistrate bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Fifty Years of the Military Industrial Complex

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 12:37


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Abolish the Department of Homeland Security

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 10:02


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: You Have the Right to Remain Innocent

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 26:33


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Don't talk to the police, even if you want to help them solve a crime. James Duane says that's the advice police and lawyers give their own children. He explains why in his new book, You Have the Right to Remain Innocent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast cato remain innocent james duane bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Taking Back Congressional Power over Tariffs and Trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 24:20


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.The freedom to trade is morally good. Congress has sadly delegated many of its powers over trade to the White House. That poses particular risks today. Senator Rand Paul (R‑KY) discusses his efforts at reclaiming legislative power over trade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Women Are More Than Their Interactions with the State

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 10:25


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.As many voters are licking their wounds after failing to elect the first female U.S. President, Anthony Comegna talks about how the important historical role of women on behalf of liberty is more than mere interactions with the state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    women president kentucky acast interactions cato bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 29:23


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.Why have five or more children? Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth by Catherine Pakaluk details the stories and reasoning of dozens of women who have gone well beyond replacement-level fertility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Smoot-Hawley 81 Years Later

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 9:29


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    kentucky acast cato smoot hawley bluegrass institute caleb o brown
    Best of Cato Daily Podcast: Asserting Liberty and the Power of ‘No'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 33:32


    Caleb O. Brown hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing well over 4000 episodes. He has gone on to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. This is one among the best episodes produced in his tenure, selected by the host and listeners.In the long history of the ebb and flow of liberty, some examples stand out. Jim Otteson of Wake Forest University offered a few of those examples at Cato Club 200. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Caleb O. Brown Bids Farewell to the Cato Daily Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 43:41


    Caleb O. Brown has hosted the Cato Daily Podcast since 2007, CatoAudio since 2008, and all told has created several thousand interviews, videos, and other pieces for the Cato Institute. On his final episode, he is interviewed by Cato's Deirdre McCloskey about the art of the interview and his pending move to head Kentucky's Bluegrass Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Threats to Migrants' Speech Threaten Americans' Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 7:32


    It should come as no surprise to learn that when some people in the US are targeted for their speech, it does no service to your right to speak freely. David Bier and Tommy Berry explain why immigration crackdowns triggered by speech are so dangerous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Court Orders and Administration Responses on Illegal Deportations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 10:10


    El Salvador is receiving prisoners snatched by the US federal government. The Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to "facilitate" the return of one prisoner. Ilya Somin details some of the more troubling aspects of this struggle. We spoke April 11, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Meta on Trial

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 13:45


    Meta's trial for alleged monopolistic practices could change how mergers get done and if they get done. Cato's Jennifer Huddleston and CEI's Alex Reinauer comment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A Lawsuit to End 'Liberation Day' Tariffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 11:18


    The so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs use emergency powers from a statute that makes no mention of tariffs. Ilya Somin explains why that's one reason the tariffs are on shaky legal/constitutional ground and why a new lawsuit is challenging them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    End Federal Withholding to Clarify What Government Takes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 12:52


    Federal withholding may among the most insidious of government policies. It hides the full scale of what government takes from us, and makes you feel like you're getting a bonus when you get your own money back. Cato's Adam Michel makes the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Taxpayers Like Their Special Handouts, Dislike Yours

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 9:53


    Cato's Adam Michel ran a bracket of the worst offenders among "tax expenditures," or special benefits for some taxpayers. Turns out people like their own tax benefits and dislike the ones that benefit someone else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Free Trade Didn't Kill the Middle Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 11:35


    The case for tariffs hinges critically on a misunderstanding of the relevant data. Contrary to the claims from the President and Vice President, free trade has substantially enriched most Americans. Cato's Norbert Michel counters the false rhetoric. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bad Arguments for Terrible Tariffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 11:09


    The arguments for tariffs lack the kind of useful perspective provided by a basic economics course. Cato's Colin Grabow picks them apart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Governments That Pursue Tariffs Are Terrible Role Models

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 9:36


    The tariff policies dubiously adopted by President Trump have echoes of previous authoritarian governments. Ian Vasquez explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The 'Liberation Day' Tariffs Aren't Reciprocal and Other Reasons They Don't Make Sense

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 14:30


    There are several errors, misconceptions, and confusing assumptions that went into the creation of Donald Trump's new wealth-destroying tariff regime. Scott Lincicome explains a few of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fed Can't Fix Destructive Trade Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 10:05


    The Federal Reserve can blunt the impact of a good deal of politically driven economic mischief. What about the new punitive tariff regime from the President? Jai Kedia suggests that you get your hopes up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Triumph of Fear: Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression from McKinley Through Eisenhower

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 55:20


    With respect to the substantial federal power to repress and surveil Americans, how did we get here? Patrick Eddington provides the first part of the story in The Triumph of Fear: Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression from McKinley Through Eisenhower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Rooftop Solar a Threat to Stable Electricity?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 22:39


    Big energy facilities make the grid more stable, but rooftop solar reduces the need for those plants. Regulators have a hard time negotiating the tension. Economist Lynne Kiesling comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Challenge Your Narrative & Confront Uncomfortable History

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 11:35


    History can be a weapon. Obscuring inconvenient history can be a weapon. And Left and Right are both guilty of it. Phil Magness provides some helpful examples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Claim Cato Daily Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel