Episode Summary: Ep 344 | Public Television Doesn’t Have to Be Commie Propaganda

Podcast: Kibbe on Liberty
Host: Matt Kibbe
Guest: Daniel Harmon
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Guest Background: Daniel Harmon is the executive producer of the popular children’s book series Tuttle Twins and an executive at Angel Studios.

Introduction

In Episode 344 of Kibbe on Liberty, host Matt Kibbe welcomes Daniel Harmon, the executive producer of Tuttle Twins and an executive at Angel Studios. The episode delves into the expansion of Tuttle Twins onto international platforms, particularly its recent broadcast on Argentina's public television—a development Matt describes as "karma" for the libertarian-themed series.

Expanding the Reach of Tuttle Twins

Key Discussion Points:

• Targeting the "Liberty Curious": Daniel Harmon emphasizes the goal of reaching individuals who are interested in libertarian principles but may not identify with the term or be familiar with classical libertarian scholars. He states, “[...] our goal was always to reach what we call the Liberty Curious. And, you know, they wouldn't know the word libertarian and they wouldn't know any of the scholars that I was into.” [00:00]

• Accessible Storytelling: Matt Kibbe highlights the importance of conveying libertarian values through emotionally compelling stories and common-sense principles like "don't hurt people and don't take their stuff," making the content accessible to a broader audience. He remarks, “[...] if you could reach them with an emotionally compelling story or common sense values like, you know, don't hurt people and don't take their stuff.” [01:45]

Success Metrics and Growth at Angel Studios

Key Discussion Points:

• Audience Growth: Daniel Harmon shares that Tuttle Twins has become the second most-watched intellectual property on Angel Studios, maintaining steady viewership. He notes, “Seasons one through three are available for free. People that join the Angel Guild will get early access to season four when it comes out. And we've just been steadily growing.” [07:18]

• Angels Guild Membership: The Angel Guild has grown to over 1.2 million paying members, with Tuttle Twins contributing significantly to the platform's success. Harmon states, “The Angel Guild is now up to over 1.2 million paying members.” [07:18]

Broadcasting Tuttle Twins on Argentina’s Public Television

Key Discussion Points:

• Karma and Unexpected Success: Matt Kibbe expresses excitement over Javier Milei, Argentina's president, choosing to broadcast Tuttle Twins on public TV, viewing it as an unexpected triumph for libertarian media. He comments, “I did not have on my 2025 bingo card, but I'm happy to see you there.” [09:12]

• Strategic Collaboration: Daniel Harmon explains the strategic move where Milie’s government shifted from broadcasting Marxist programming to Tuttle Twins, aiming to replace previous content with more libertarian viewpoints. He shares, “[...] the new leadership at Pacapaca... decided to replace Marxist programming with this more, you know, libertarian kind of view of what Tuttle Twins has to offer.” [08:46]

• Impact on Public Discourse: The inclusion of Tuttle Twins in Argentina serves as a counterbalance to previous government-controlled narratives, providing children with content that promotes freedom and economic principles. Harmon notes, “It's exciting to think about a rising generation of kids, kids that are kind of awakening to these principles...” [12:43]

The Angel Guild: A Community-Driven Content Model

Key Discussion Points:

• Crowdsourced Decision-Making: Daniel Harmon describes how the Angel Guild, comprising over a million members, plays a pivotal role in greenlighting content. Every episode must be approved by the Guild, ensuring that the content aligns with community values. He explains, “We cannot have a single episode greenlit unless it goes first through the Angel Guild.” [18:01]

• Quality Control and Audience Alignment: The Guild's approval process ensures that each episode of Tuttle Twins resonates with its audience. Harmon adds, “We have to submit it to the Angel Guild first... they have to say, yes, this is an episode that amplifies light.” [18:19]

• Balancing Creative Freedom and Community Standards: Initially, some creators were hesitant about Guild feedback potentially altering their content. However, Harmon emphasizes the growing appreciation for community-driven quality assurance, stating, “now I think they're seeing more the value of that feedback and serving that audience in that way.” [19:53]

Future Endeavors and Upcoming Content

Key Discussion Points:

• Upcoming Seasons and Expansions: Tuttle Twins is currently in production for its fourth season, promising continued growth and engagement. Daniel Harmon mentions, “Season three is complete. Season four, we're in production right now...” [07:19]

• Angel Studios' Broader Success: Beyond Tuttle Twins, Angel Studios has seen significant success with other projects like Sound of Freedom and King of Kings, solidifying its status as a “mid major studio.” Harmon states, “Angel Studios is now maybe considered a quote unquote, mid major studio at this point.” [22:43]

• Diversification of Content: Angel Studios plans to expand its portfolio with diverse projects, such as The Sketch, a film exploring themes of grief and creativity, indicating a move beyond purely libertarian or faith-based content. Harmon describes it as, “she's processing through some grief and loss and drawing some kind of crazy pictures... it's a monster movie.” [25:04]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Matt Kibbe and Daniel Harmon reflecting on the alignment of business strategies with core libertarian values. They affirm the importance of respecting and engaging with the audience through community-driven platforms like the Angel Guild. Harmon likens their approach to that of entrepreneurial figures in Hollywood, emphasizing the balance between creative integrity and audience satisfaction.

Final Remarks:

• Community Support: Matt Kibbe encourages listeners to support the show by visiting freethepeople.org and joining the Angel Guild to access exclusive content. He summarizes, “If you like what you hear, go to freethepeople.org/kol and support Kibbe on Liberty so we can continue to produce these honest conversations with interesting people.” [10:40]

Notable Quotes

• Daniel Harmon: “We cannot have a single episode greenlit unless it goes first through the Angel Guild.”—[18:01]

• Matt Kibbe: “This is a perfect storm of nightmare for the left in Latin America.”—[12:35]

• Daniel Harmon: “We're just teaching the principles of freedom and economics at face value.”—[14:09]

How to Access Tuttle Twins and Join the Angel Guild

• Streaming: Seasons one through three of Tuttle Twins are available for free on the Angel Studios app, accessible via the Apple App Store or Google Play.

• Joining the Guild: By joining the Angel Guild, members gain early access to upcoming content and have a say in future productions. Daniel Harmon encourages listeners to download the app and engage with the community-driven content model.

This episode of Kibbe on Liberty showcases the innovative approach of blending libertarian principles with accessible storytelling through platforms like Angel Studios. Daniel Harmon’s insights highlight the potential of community-driven media to influence public discourse and foster a new generation of free-thinking individuals.