Show overview
Radio Rothbard has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 154 episodes. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language News show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 5 days ago, with 13 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 55 episodes published. Published by Mises Institute.
From the publisher
Radio Rothbard is a weekly podcast hosted by Ryan McMaken and a rotation of Mises Institute-aligned experts to dive deeper into some of the most pressing issues. The show tackles politics, current events, culture, media, and the predatory state—all from an uncompromising Rothbardian perspective. Radio Rothbard is the weekly anti politics podcast you don't want to miss!
Latest Episodes
View all 154 episodesNation-States and National Borders
Leninism, Democracy, and Immigration
"Classical" Liberalism and Libertarianism
A Libertarian Theory of Parental Obligations
Ep 227Why Naive, Pro-Democracy Classical Liberalism Doesn't Work
In this lecture from the 2026 Libertarian Scholars Conference, Ryan McMaken looks at how the old classical liberal program of democracy and constitutions has failed, and why we need a more realist view of the state and its many crimes. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227What Would a Strategic Victory Look Like in Iran?
Foreign policy scholar Brandan Buck join Ryan McMaken to talk about whether or not a US tactical victory in Iran can lead to a strategic victory as well. And what does victory for the Iranian state look like? Are there any prospects for a lasting peace? Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Big Government vs. Small Business in America
America has a long history of vibrant small business. But small business went into decline in the twentieth century, and it wasn't just due to large scale industrialization. Government has played a big role. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Why The Iran War Won't Go the Way Trump Hopes
The Trump White House can't decide on a reason for why it went to war. But one goal is clearly regime change. Ryan McMaken and Zachary Yost discuss the many obstacles to this unlikely outcome. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227The European View of Debt, Deficits, and Inflation
Italian economist Bernardo Ferrero joins Ryan McMaken to discuss the state of European politics over taxes, spending, inflation, and fiscal and monetary policy. Do Europeans claim to care about deficits and debt like Americans? Ferrero is a PhD candidate in economics at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Spain. He is also the co-author of The Pandemic and Central Planning (Pandemia e dirigismo) available in Italian at Amazon. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Why Politicians Want Higher Home Prices
Ryan McMaken of the Mises Institute and Christopher Calton of the Independent Institute talk about why politicians want higher home prices. Even Trump now admits he wants higher home prices, and it's because older voters want their asset prices to go up forever. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227The Declaration of Independence Created 13 New Sovereign Countries
Ryan McMaken and historian Larsen Plyler talk about how the Americans of the 1770s envisioned a new community of independent and sovereign states. The first constitution made this clear. But then the new counterrevolutionaries like Hamilton wrote a new constitution designed to create one big national state with vast new powers. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227A Closer Look at John C. Calhoun
When it comes to the great political economist John C. Calhoun, most people love him or hate him. In this episode, economic historian Patrick Newman joins us to take a more balanced look at Calhoun, his origins as a War Hawk and nationalist, and why he was never a true Jeffersonian. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Why Vivek Is So Wrong about the Founding of the United States
Vivek Ramaswamy promotes a fictional version of American history in which a handful of people created America and that culture and religion are canceled out by an ideological "creed." In truth, the American nation and the American state are two different things. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Why We Hate Thomas Hobbes
Ryan and Josh Mawhorter talk about how Thomas Hobbes, even nearly 400 years later, remains a popular spokesman for almost limitless state power. In fact, by Hobbes's logic, the world should by ruled by a single global dictatorship. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Modern Marriage and the Homeownership Rate
Data shows that the marriage rate and the homeownership rate have been closely connected for decades. Historically, more marriage means more home buying, but government intervention has made buying a home much harder. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227John Mearsheimer and Europe's Bleak Future
This week Ryan and Zachary Yost take a look at international relations scholar John Mearsheimer's claim that Europe faces a bleak future as the United States pivots away from NATO. Can Europe thrive without American taxpayers' money? Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227How 50-Year Mortgages Turn Home Owners into Renters
50-year mortgages are likely to increase the likelihood of more "owners" becoming underwater and walking away from their mortgages. This will lead to more bailouts for the financial sector. Taxpayers will pay the price. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Taxes and the Rise of the Modern State
In this lecture from the 2025 Mises Institute Supporters summit, Ryan looks at how the modern state is built on the rapid rise of taxation in recent centuries. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Why Food Stamp Spending Is Out of Control
Ryan McMaken takes a deep dive on food stamp spending, food stamp recipients, and how Big Ag and other industry lobbyists fight to keep food stamp spending flowing and increasing. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off
Ep 227Taxes, War, and the State are Freedom's Biggest Enemies
Ryan and political scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen talk about how taxes, war, and the state are all part of a centuries-old formula for impoverishing the productive class while enriching the government class. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off