Podcast
Future of Freedom
Hosted by The Center Square · EN
Future of Freedom is your antidote to cable news brawls and social media shouting. A podcast for serious, good-faith conversations about liberty and the ideas that shape it. Hosted by Scot Bertram, each episode explores a single topic and brings together two guests with opposing views. But this isn’t a debate show: no interruptions, no dunking, just thoughtful, civil discourse. It’s compelling, challenging, and refreshingly real. Subscribe now and join the conversation.
27episodes
Episodes
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Ahmad Sharawi & Dominik Lett: How Should the U.S. Evaluate the Iran War?
1w ago00:28:10Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the wisdom and effectiveness of the conflict in Iran. First on the show is Ahmad Sharawi, senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Later, we hear from Dominik Lett, a budget and entitlement policy analyst at the Cato Institute. You can find Ahmad on X at @AhmadA_Sharawi and Dominik at @LettDominik. These interviews were recorded on May 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryThomas A. Berry & Richard A. Epstein: Is Birthright Citizenship Guaranteed by the 14th Amendment?
Apr 3000:35:27Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship. First on the show is Thomas A. Berry, director of the Cato Institute’s Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies and editor in chief of the Cato Supreme Court Review. Later, we hear from Richard A. Epstein, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law at NYU School of Law and author of the book The Myth of Birthright Citizenship: What the Fourteenth Amendment Really Says. You can find Thomas on X @Thomas_A_Berry and Richard at @RichardAEpstein. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryCameron Abrams & Ilya Somin: Should ICE Be Strengthened or Restrained?
Feb 1800:29:50Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about ICE immigration enforcement efforts in the country. First on the show is Cameron Abrams, policy analyst for Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Later, we hear from Ilya Somin, B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute, and a professor of law at George Mason University. You can find Cameron on X @CameronSAbrams and Ilya at @IlyaSomin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryJohn Tamny & Adam Michel: How Should We Think About America’s Debt?
Dec 2200:29:38Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the country’s debt and annual deficit. First on the show is John Tamny, President of Parkview Institute, Editor at RealClearMarkets, and author of The Deficit Delusion. Later, we hear from Adam Michel, director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute and author of the recent essay, “The Deficit Trap.” You can find John on X @JohnTamny and Adam at @AdamNMichel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryNicole Gelinas & Diana Furchtgott-Roth: Should Congestion Pricing Be the Future of City Travel?
Dec 100:28:36Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about New York City’s congestion pricing program. First on the show is Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal. Later, we hear from Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Director of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment and The Herbert and Joyce Morgan Fellow in Energy and Environmental Policy at the Heritage Foundation. You can find Nicole on X @NicoleGelinas and Diana at @DFR_Economics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummarySimon Hankinson & Brent Orrell: Should the U.S. Rethink the H-1B Visa Program?
Nov 1200:28:26Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the country’s H-1B visa program. First on the show is Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation. Later, we hear from Brent Orrell, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. You can find Simon on X @WatchfulWaiter1 and AEI at @AEI. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryJacob Sullum & Ammon Blair: Should the U.S. Treat Cartel Boats as Military Targets?
Nov 300:33:16Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about recent actions taken by the United States against cartels. First on the show is Jacob Sullum, senior editor at Reason. Later, we hear from Ammon Blair, a Senior Fellow for the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s ‘Secure & Sovereign Nation’ Initiative. You can find Jacob on X at @JacobSullum and the Texas Public Policy Foundation at @TPPF. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryDaniel J. Samet & Doug Bandow: What Should Be the American Strategy in the Middle East?
Oct 300:33:25Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about American strategy in the Middle East. First on the show is Daniel J. Samet, a Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on US-Israel relations and Middle East policy. Later, we hear from Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, specializing in foreign policy and civil liberties. You can find Daniel on X at @DanielJSamet and Doug at @Doug_Bandow. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryChris Edwards & Jerry Theodorou: Should FEMA Be Eliminated?
Sep 2400:33:36Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). First on the show is Chris Edwards, Kilts Family Chair in Fiscal Studies at the Cato Institute and is the editor of DownsizingGovernment.org. Later, we hear from Jerry Theodorou, Director of the Finance, Insurance and Trade Policy Program at the R Street Institute. You can find Chris on X at @CatoEdwards and the R Street Institute at @RSI. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryDavid Dunmoyer & Joe Lancaster: Should a 'Ban' on TikTok Be Enforced?
Sep 1000:32:47Summary readyOn this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about enforcing the law that could ban TikTok in the United States. First on the show is David Dunmoyer, Associate Vice President of Campaigns at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Later, we hear from Joe Lancaster, an assistant editor at Reason. You can find David on X at @DDDunmoyer and Joe at @JoeRLancaster. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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