Acton Line

On this week’s Acton Line podcast we hear about a church-based ministry that engages with the homeless and poor “relationally, responsibly, and compassionately.” James Whitford, executive director of Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission in Joplin, Missouri, joins Acton’s Andrew Vanderput in a thought provoking conversation on private charity and the intensely personal nature of the organization’s outreach. In the second segment, Aquinas College economist David Hebert and Acton’s Tyler Groenendal dig into the public’s deep dissatisfaction with America’s political institutions – and Americans’ deep ignorance of how these same organizations work. A 2017 study showed, for example, that more than a third of those surveyed (37 percent) can’t name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Acton Line, Caroline Roberts speaks with Acton's senior editor, Rev. Ben Johnson, about a new study released by a free market think tank in Denmark, claiming that Denmark isn't actually socialist. Although Denmark is regularly cited as a country whose socialist policies have done good, this isn't the whole story. Denmark isn't technically socialist, and the current welfare state program has done harm despite what you may have heard. After that, Alan R. Crippen, II, Chief of Exhibits, Programs, and Public Engagement for the Faith & Liberty Discovery Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joins Daniel Hugger on the show. Crippen and Hugger discuss the legacy of William Penn, the Quaker son of an aristocratic Royal Navy Admiral who gave America its first successful experiment of liberty – Pennsylvania. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Acton Line, Acton's co-founder and president, Rev. Robert Sirico, sits down with Acton's associate researcher and librarian, Dan Hugger, to discuss the realities of socialism seen specifically in Nicaragua and Venezuela. After that, a redux segment is re-released, featuring 2018 summer intern and student at Grove City College, Noah Gould, who speaks with Javier Avila about inflation, unrest and hope in Venezuela. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Acton Line, Caroline Roberts is joined by the founder and president of the Center for American Entrepreneurship, John Dearie, to discuss the state of entrepreneurship in America. Dearie explains why start up innovation and small businesses sustain the economy and alerts us to the danger of declining entrepreneurship in America. Afterwards, occasional host and award winning news anchor, Anne Marie Schieber, speaks with several people about their work ethic, proving that sometimes satisfaction in the workplace depends more on mindset than passion for the job. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Acton Line, research associate at the Acton Institute, Jordan Ballor, talks with best-selling author and leading political satirist, P.J. O'Rourke, about his newest book, "None of My Business." O'Rourke will be giving a talk at Acton's upcoming event in Chicago on March 7 and registration is still open. In the second segment, Acton's director of communications, John Couretas, speaks with Ray Nothstine, editor at Civitas Institute, about the film "They Shall Not Grow Old." In director Peter Jackson's most recent movie, original World War I footage undergoes groundbreaking restoration, complete with voice over acting and sound affects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Acton Line, producer Caroline Roberts speaks with Sarah Estelle, professor of economics at Hope College. Estelle breaks down some common misconceptions about economics and shares what our love for those around us has to do with economics. After that, Acton's Poverty Initiatives Manager, Andrew Vanderput, speaks with Scott Sabin, the executive director at Plant with Purpose. Plant with Purpose is a non-profit organization dedicated to solving both environmental degradation and rural poverty, and Sabin explains how sustainable approaches to tackling deforestation and also tackling poverty go hand in hand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Acton Line, Rev. Ben Johnson, senior editor at Acton, speaks with Rev. Richard Turnbull from the Center for Enterprise, Markets, and Ethics, to talk about the importance of private, voluntary institutions, drawing examples from how things have gone amiss in the UK when the government has stepped in for the church. After that, occasional host Bruce Walker welcomes Emily Jashinsky, culture editor at the Federalist, onto the podcast to discuss how American movies are being increasingly funded by China and as a result, facing significant censorship.​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Caroline Roberts speaks with Stephen Nichols, the president of Reformation Bible College, about the life and work of Francis Schaeffer, 20th century protestant evangelist. After that, host Bruce Edward Walker talks about Netflix's new series, "Watership Down," with John Ehrett, writer, attorney, and editor at the Conciliar Post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Acton’s Tyler Groenendal speaks with Dave Hebert, professor of economics at Aquinas College, about the current government shutdown and what effect is has on individuals and businesses. In another segment, we have a conversation about community revitalization with Ashanti Bryant, director of education at AmplifyGR, a nonprofit working to build flourishing neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, producer Caroline Roberts speaks with Sarah Estelle, associate professor of economics at Hope College. Caroline and Sarah discuss the subject of criminal justice reform in light of the recently passed, bipartisan bill, The First Step Act, covering specific policies in the new bill and effects of the current criminal system. After that, award winning reporter Anne Marie Schieber continues exploring the effects of unemployment. Last week, we showed the importance of being in the right frame of mind when trying to find a job, and this week we show you why it is so hard to get out of the slump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, John Couretas, Acton's Director of Communications, talks with Daniel J. Mahoney, professor of political science at Assumption College, about the legacy of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in light of Solzhenitsyn's memoir recently released in English, "Between Two Millstones Book I: Sketches of Exile," the first of two books in which Solzhenitsyn recounts his exile in the West. Afterwards, reporter Anne Marie Schieber takes us on the first of a three-part series exploring the difficulty of unemployment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this remastered episode of Radio Free Acton, we revisit an interview with David LaRocca: a philosopher, author, and filmmaker who has released a documentary on Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur Brunello Cuccinelli. Cucinelli has built a successful company by creating high-quality apparel, but more interesting than that is the philosophy that undergirds his business and all of his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Senior Editor at Acton, Rev. Ben Johnson, speaks with the Director of the Center for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics, Rev. Richard Turnbull, about the role the Church should take in the market and how that has played out specifically in the UK. After that, Producer Caroline Roberts speaks with Acton’s librarian and research associate, Dan Hugger, about the life and work of the Acton Institute’s namesake, Lord Acton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, producer Caroline Roberts speaks with A.J. Jacobs, journalist and New York Times bestselling author, about his latest book "Thanks a Thousand," detailing his trip around to world to find and thank each person who worked to produce his morning coffee. After that, senior editor at the Acton Institute, Rev. Ben Johnson, speaks with Estonian politician Mari-Ann Kelam about her witness of Soviet occupied Estonia and her work to champion freedom even after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, producer Caroline Roberts speaks with Michael Ward, a British Scholar and professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University, about the work of the 20th century writer C.S. Lewis, in time for the anniversary of Lewis' birthday on November 29. After that, host Bruce Walker speaks with Bradley Birzer, professor of history at Hillsdale College, about the legacy of Stan Lee and the new, third season of Marvel's Netflix show, Daredevil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special thanksgiving episode of Radio Free Acton, occasional host Anne Marie Schieber speaks with Liz Hilton, a designer, entrepreneur and 3D knit innovator. In 2015, Liz founded KNITit in response to the global need for customized knitting and is now finding purpose in helping others with her creativity. Anne also speaks with some of Liz's customers, unraveling a story of gratitude.​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton Trey Dimsdale, director of Program Outreach at Acton, speaks with Adam MacLeod, professor of law at Faulkner University, on what is a basic human right and how is the concept understood in the modern world? Then, Senior Editor at Acton, Rev. Ben Johnson, talks about Brexit with Rev. Richard Turnbull from the Center for Enterprise, Markets, and Ethics. They analyze the aftermath of Brexit and the events that led up to the split between Britain and the EU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Jordan Ballor, Director of Publishing at Acton, speaks with Hunter Baker, Acton Affiliate Scholar, about the need for Christian statesmanship in our current political climate and the attributes of a statesman. Then Bruce Edward Walker and George Nash, American historian, talk about the 70th anniversary of Richard Weaver’s book ‘Ideas have Consequences.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton: Gleaves Whitney, Director of Grand Valley State University Howenstein Center for Presidential Studies, talks with Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman and CEO of US supermarket chain Meijer, about the story of Arthur Vandenburg (1884-1951), a US senator from Michigan who became one of the founders of modern US foreign policy. Then, Bruce Edward Walker speaks with Ben Lockerd, Professor of English at Grand Valley State University, about the horror fiction of Russell Kirk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, award winning news anchor Anne Marie Schieber speaks with James Morgan about his job at Kerkstra Precast, an industrial plant. We get a look into James’ daily work and how he finds meaning and motivation in what he does. Then, Caroline Roberts talks to Phelim McAleer, co-producer of a newly released film "Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer", successful with audiences but since it’s release the film has faced harsh backlash, censorship, and media blackout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Hugger, Research Associate at Acton, speaks with Larry Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education, about the question that seems to be cropping up everywhere nowadays: Was Jesus a socialist? Then, Bruce Edward Walker talks to James Matthew Wilson about his new volume of poetry and on why poetry is important today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, John Couretas, Director of Communications at Acton, speaks with Aaron Rhodes, a human rights activist based out of Hamburg, Germany, about Aaron’s new book "The Debasement of Human Rights." Where does the notion of human rights come from and how can we better defend it? Then Caroline Roberts, Producer of Radio Free Acton, talks to Stephen Smith, Professor of Economics at Hope College, about the new North American trade agreement, the USMCA. They discuss the major differences between the USMCA and NAFTA and the benefits of the new agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this Episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Churchwell, Director of Program Outreach at Acton, speaks with Nathan Hitchcock, education entrepreneur, about the role of character development and virtue play in education, and what the future of education might look like. Then, Bruce Edward Walker talks to John J. Miller, Director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College and writer at the National Review, about John’s new anthology Reading Around: Journalism on Authors, Artists, and Ideas. They discuss some of the most interesting books released in the last few centuries and recommend some lesser known authors to add to your reading list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Associate Director of Program Outreach at Acton, Dan Churchwell, and Missy Wallace, Executive Director of the Nashville Institute for Faith and Work, discuss how Missy became interested in the connection between faith and work, and why it is an important topic in business. Then, Caroline Roberts speaks with Brian A. Smith, Managing Editor of Liberty Fund’s Law and Liberty publication, on Walker Percy’s life and works, as well as his relevance today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, award winning news anchor Anne Marie Schieber visits the studio of Matthew Noykos, a violin maker in Grand Rapids, MI, to learn more about his craft and discuss how he finds purpose and fulfillment in his everyday work. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker speaks with Robert Bird, author of two books on Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, about Tarkovsky’s film Andrei Rublev, which was recently re-issued by the Criterion Collection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Caroline Roberts, producer and host of Radio Free Acton, speaks with Joseph Connors, Assistant Professor of Economics at Florida Southern College, about the global decline in poverty and how we can continue to reduce it. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to Alex Chafuen, Managing Director, International, at Acton, on “Operation Finale” a new film depicting the capture of infamous nazi Adolf Eichmann after he escaped to Argentina following WW2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, John Couretas, Executive Producer of Radio Free Acton, interviews Mark Mills, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, on his new book “Work in the Age of Robots”, about what our jobs and the future of AI might look like. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to Jay Nordlinger, Senior Editor of National Review about Classical music: are people still listening to it nowadays and why is it important? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, host Caroline Roberts speaks with Jonathan Porta, co-founder of e-commerce platform UTZ Market in Guatemala, on his experiences in developing his business and on entrepreneurship in Guatemala, then on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to David Marcus, New York correspondent for The Federalist on the future of the arts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Radio Free Acton features a discussion between Drew McGinnis, Editorial Director and Research Fellow at Acton, and Eric Hutchinson, Associate Professor of Classics at Hillsdale College and translator of a book recently released in Acton’s bookshop: On the Law of Nature. Drew and Eric talk about the book and what Natural Law is. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks with Titus Techera, film critic and contributor to multiple publications including National Review and The Federaist, on the new Netflix sci-fi film Anon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, host Caroline Roberts speaks with Dave Hebert, Professor of Economics at Aquinas College for another Econ Quiz segment on the topic of pensions and state debt. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to Phil Terzian, a writer for The Weekly Standard, on the blind spots in the legacy of Frida Kahlo as well as our modern understanding of Stalinism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Victoria Antram, summer intern at Acton, speaks with Luke Burgis, a businessman who was named a top 25 under 25 entrepreneur by Business Week, about the myths and misconceptions about entrepreneurship. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to J. Bradley Studemeyer about government funded art in anticipation of the upcoming book Art from the Swamp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Radio Free Acton, Noah Gould, summer intern at Acton, interviews Javier Avila, a Venezuelan dissident who speaks of both the bleak and hopeful future he sees for the resistance against tyrannical government in Venezuela. Then, another Acton summer intern, Jenna Suchyta, talks to Jared Meyer, senior fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability, about the sharing economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, host Caroline Roberts speaks with Mihail Neamtu, Romanian conservative author, on the Trump-Putin summit, Russia’s economy, and what Trump should have prioritized at his meeting with Putin. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to Peter Meilaender, Professor of political science at Houghton College, on literary criticism and how to best read a book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, John Wilsey, affiliate scholar of theology and history at Acton, speaks with Allen Guelzo, professor of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg college, about reconstruction in the South after the Civil War. This discussion is a preview of Professor Guelzo’s upcoming Acton Lecture Series talk on the subject of Abraham Lincoln’s moral constitution on August 9 at Acton Headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI. Then, on the Upstream segment, Acton’s director of publishing, Jordan Ballor, and Robert Nelson, professor at the School of Public Policy in Maryland, talk about the new film First Reformed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Radio Free Acton starts with another Transatlantic Intelligence segment, hosted by Senior Editor at Acton, Rev. Ben Johnson, who talks with Juan Pina, Secretary General of the Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty in Madrid, Spain on the Foundation’s World Electoral Freedom Index which ranks the nations of the world on the freedom of their electoral processes. They discuss the importance of free elections to a well functioning democracy and what goes into making elections free and fair. Then, on the Upstream segment, Acton’s Director of Publishing, Jordan Ballor, speaks with a pair of Acton’s summer 2018 interns about the new Pixar movie, Incredibles 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Radio Free Acton, Acton Director of Communications John Couretas speaks with Ray Nothstine of the Civitas Institute about the religious - and especially Puritan - roots of the American Revolution; then we hear an excerpt from Susan Harper's lecture on the Hebrew republic and the origins of America's Constitutional Liberty. Harper serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships at the American Bible Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, we revisit a segment aired 2 years ago. Marc Vander Maas, Audio/Visual Manager at Acton, talks to Jordan Ballor, Senior Research Fellow and Director of Publishing at Acton, about why the Dutch theologian and statesman Abraham Kuyper remains relevant to this day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, we are pleased to bring you the third edition of RFA Reports. Guest Anne Marie Schieber, an award-winning reporter and former anchor with Wood TV Grand Rapids, speaks with Rafael Cruz, father of former presidential candidate Ted Cruz, on the involvement of Christians in the civic arena and the separation of church and state. Then, RFA host Caroline Roberts talks with Suzanne Scholte, president of the Defense Forum Foundation, on the historic Trump-Kim Summit and the state of human rights in North Korea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Tyler Groenendal, Foundation Relations Coordinator at Acton, speaks with Michael J. Clark, Professor of Economics at Hillsdale College, on the morality and importance free trade. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to Jim Person, author of the book Imaginative Conservatism: The Letters of Russell Kirk, about who Russell Kirk is and why he is still important today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this remastered episode of Radio Free Acton, we revisit an interview we had with John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. We examine the major contributions of Christianity to western culture, try to figure out if there's a reasonable system of thought that could replace it in our society, and explore a bit of what the secular left has replaced Christianity with. Spoiler alert: it's sex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Andrew Vanderput, PovertyCure strategy and engagement manager at Acton, holds a discussion with Peter Greer, president and CEO of Hope International, on how human flourishing can be brought about in the context of poverty. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to author Jeremy Begbie about his new book, Redeeming Transcendence in the Arts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Host Caroline Roberts speaks with Fr. Ben Johnson, senior editor at Acton, about his article in the latest issue of Religion & Liberty on the problem of child marriage. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker and film critic Titus Techera discuss the impact and legacy of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey 50 years on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Churchwell, associate director of program outreach at Acton, speaks with Eugene Kandel, CEO of Start-Up Nation Central, on Israeli innovation. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker speaks with Phil Nichols, senior advisor at the Center for Ray Bradbury Studies, on the new Fahrenheit 451 movie from HBO, which releases May 19. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Hugger, librarian and research associate at Acton, speaks with Robert Whaples, research fellow at the Independent Institute and professor of economics at Wake Forest University on Pope Francis’ views on capitalism in a preview of Prof. Whaples' upcoming Acton Lecture Series talk. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to author, musician, and poet Robert Hudson, on the connections between the singer Bob Dylan and writer Thomas Merton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, we feature the second installment of RFA Reports. Guest Anne Marie Schieber-Dykstra, an award-winning reporter and former anchor with WOODTV Grand Rapids, talks with experts and patients on ways in which Direct Primary Care centers are providing better medical care for affordable prices. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks about the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: “Avengers: Infinity War” with Micah Watson, professor of political science at Calvin College. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, we premier a new segment: RFA Reports. Guest Anne Marie Schieber, an award-winning reporter and former anchor with Wood TV Grand Rapids, discusses ways in which Christian healthcare centers are providing better care for affordable prices. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks about the new film Chappaquiddick with Henry Payne, editorial cartoonist and opinion writer at The Detroit News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Radio Free Acton starts off with the second installment of the Business FX segment, featuring a talk on ethics in the workplace between John Couretas, director of communications at Acton, and Phil Sotok, management consultant with DPMC. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker interviews Kathy Murray of the Austin-based Blues band Kathy and the Kilowatts on the history of the Austin blues scene and themes of freedom in Blues music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Acton’s Drew McGinnis and Dan Hugger discuss the book Communism & Christian Faith with Pavel Hanes, professor in the department of theology at Matej Bel University in Slovakia. Communism & Christian Faith was written by Lester DeKoster at the height of the Cold War and is newly reissued in the Acton bookshop. Then we have an Econ Quiz segment on trade deficits: what are they and how are they measured? Finally, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks to mystery novelist Sally Wright on her works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Kevin Schmiesing, research fellow at Acton, speaks with Robert Kennedy, professor in the department of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas, on ‘Justice in Taxation.’ Then, Caroline Roberts talks with Brett VanderKamp, founder and president of New Holland Brewing Company on how entrepreneurs make a freer society. Finally, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker discusses the life and work of Madeleine L'Engle with Sarah Arthur, author of a new biography on L’Engle, and talk about ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ in light of the new film adaptation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Dan Churchwell, associate director of program outreach at Acton, speaks with Kevin Scott, a farmer from Valley Springs, SD, on sustainable farming and growing technology as well as the dramatic changes in agriculture that have taken place due to new technologies. Then, on the Upstream segment, Bruce Edward Walker talks with author Kaethe Schwehn on her new dystopian novel "The Rending and the Nest." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.