Voices of Liberty

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. For more than four decades, Grover Norquist has been one of America's most influential advocates for lower taxes and smaller government. As founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform, he created the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and has spent his career pushing elected officials to commit to never raising taxes. For Norquist, the issue goes far beyond economics—taxation defines how much of an individual's life and income government is allowed to control. In this conversation, Sean Themea and Grover discuss why government spending—not lower taxes—is at the heart of America's fiscal problem, which taxes do the most economic damage, and why competition among the 50 states is one of America's greatest defenses against bad policy. Grover also breaks down the growing push to phase state income taxes toward zero and how Americans for Tax Reform holds politicians accountable when they break their promises to taxpayers. They also look at Grover's long-term vision for dramatically reducing the size and scope of the federal government, expanding school choice, returning power to the states—and, in a change of pace, what more than a decade of attending Burning Man has taught him about spontaneous communities and liberty. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org.

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Naomi Brockwell believes privacy is the foundation of a free society—and that Americans are rapidly losing it in the digital age. As founder of the Ludlow Institute, creator of NBTV, co-founder of the Soho Forum Debates, and a former producer for John Stossel, Naomi has dedicated her work to helping people understand digital surveillance and reclaim control over their personal information. In this conversation, Sean and Naomi examine how government surveillance has expanded beyond the protections envisioned by the Fourth Amendment, why giving information to technology companies can weaken expectations of privacy, and how constant surveillance causes people to self-censor. Naomi also explains practical ways individuals can better protect their data, why privacy technology matters, and her work on the Surveillance Accountability Act to restore warrant requirements for government searches. Her warning is simple: Americans should stop debating how much surveillance government should be allowed to conduct and start asking a more fundamental question—does government work for the people, or do the people exist to be controlled by government? Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org.

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Topher Field knows firsthand what it means to stand against government overreach. During Australia’s COVID-era lockdowns, he became a leading public voice against restrictions, joined protests despite government prohibitions, faced arrest, and spent years fighting criminal charges. In this conversation, Sean Themea and Topher discuss what Americans can learn from Australia, why civil disobedience can be necessary to preserve liberty, and how to determine when a law crosses the line from something you disagree with to something your conscience demands you resist. Topher also explains why standing for liberty can carry a real personal cost—and why ordinary people must sometimes be willing to become the “spark” that challenges government power. At America’s 250th anniversary, Topher’s message is simple: America needs less 1984 and more 1776. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Peter Lipsett has spent his career helping build the people, organizations, and resources that power the liberty movement. As vice president of DonorsTrust, chair of America’s Future, and chair of the Jefferson Forum, he has seen firsthand what it takes to turn principles into lasting impact. In this conversation, Sean Themea and Peter discuss the mentors who shaped Peter’s career, lessons he learned working alongside some of the liberty movement’s most influential leaders, and why young professionals should never underestimate the value of doing the unglamorous work well. They also explore strategic philanthropy, developing the next generation of liberty leaders, strengthening free-market institutions, and why optimism remains essential to creating meaningful change. For Peter, liberty is ultimately about more than individual freedom. It is about giving people the freedom to pursue their talents, strengthen their families and communities, and work together to build a better society. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. David Nott, president and chief executive officer of Reason Foundation, has spent decades advancing the ideas of free minds and free markets. In this conversation from FreedomFest, Nott explains how Reason takes bold libertarian principles and turns them into policy victories, cultural influence, and ideas capable of changing minds. Sean and David explore Reason’s work on drug policy, public pensions, artificial intelligence, criminal justice, government debt, and transportation, along with the importance of meeting people where they are when making the case for liberty. They also discuss the mixed record of the Trump era, the enduring political power of an anti-war message, and why major national events can suddenly create opportunities for liberty that once seemed impossible. For young people looking to make a difference, Nott offers a simple challenge: experiment, find the community where your talents and values can thrive, and don’t be afraid to fail while figuring out where you can make the greatest impact. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org.

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Liberty advocate Jim Babka has spent decades finding new ways to persuade people that freedom works. In this wide-ranging conversation from FreedomFest, Jim explains his philosophy of “human respect,” why coercion reduces happiness and prosperity, and why voluntary cooperation remains one of the most powerful forces for improving people's lives. Sean and Jim explore why government intervention has made challenges like housing and healthcare worse, rebuilding family and community in an increasingly political culture, congressional accountability, immigration, foreign intervention, Second Amendment rights, and Jim’s work developing the Read the Bills Act and expanding the reach of the World’s Smallest Political Quiz. Jim also offers young Americans a powerful challenge: experiment, take risks, discover what you are uniquely good at, and build a life around work that gives you meaning. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Pennsylvania State Representative Robert Leadbeter went from a successful corporate career to public office after the COVID era showed him how quickly government can strip away individual liberty. Now chairman of the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus, he is working to limit government, strengthen local control, and push Pennsylvania toward a freer future. In this conversation, Sean Themea talks with Representative Leadbeter about why citizens cannot afford to sit on the political sidelines, the fight for liberty inside the Pennsylvania legislature, and his push for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. They also explore inflation, sound money, healthcare price transparency, and why the next generation must get involved before government makes decisions for them. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Reason editor-at-large Nick Gillespie has spent decades making the case for liberty through journalism, culture, and debate. In this conversation, Sean Themea talks with Nick about what it actually means to be libertarian, why the movement should focus on expanding freedom rather than policing ideological purity, and how liberty can reach people far beyond traditional politics. They explore free speech, culture, government surveillance, immigration, economic nationalism, foreign policy, and the importance of making principled arguments without sacrificing persuasion. Nick also looks toward the future, explaining why he believes young Americans should reject pessimism, embrace technologies like AI, learn from the past, and adopt what he calls a more “Promethean” approach to building the world they want to inherit. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Matt Kibbe has spent decades advancing a simple but powerful vision of liberty: don't hurt people and don't take their stuff. Today, as president of Free the People, he is taking that message beyond traditional politics and using documentaries, comedy, filmmaking, and storytelling to reach new audiences. Sean Themea and Matt discuss why culture matters in the fight for freedom, how storytelling can make the principles of liberty accessible, the opportunities available to young creatives, and why today's political setbacks could create the foundation for a new liberty movement. From Cuba and Venezuela to independent filmmaking, Thomas Massie, Rand Paul, and even the Grateful Dead, Matt explains why freedom ultimately depends on building a culture where people value liberty enough to defend it. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Wyoming State Representative Daniel Singh was just 25 when he won his first election, driven by a belief that protecting liberty requires people willing to step forward and fight for it. Sean Themea and Representative Singh discuss how his family’s immigrant story shaped his appreciation for American freedom, his work defending Second Amendment and free speech rights, the fight for hospital price transparency, concerns over government surveillance and biometric data, and why young people shouldn’t wait for permission to become leaders. Representative Singh also shares what he has learned from serving in the Wyoming Legislature and why he believes courage, preparation, and a willingness to take risks can make a real difference. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Author Mark Monoscalco joins Sean Themea at FreedomFest to explore the ideas behind his book The Forbidden Idea, which features a foreword by Dr. Ron Paul. Mark spent years studying the philosophy and history of liberty, from natural rights and the non-aggression principle to the thinkers and movements that have challenged government power throughout history. Sean and Mark discuss why liberty means the absence of coercion, the importance of private property and voluntary cooperation, what Ludwig von Mises understood about the failures of socialism, and how ordinary Americans can begin rebuilding a culture of freedom through their families, communities, and local institutions. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. What does it really take to build wealth, think independently, and create lasting prosperity? Investor and entrepreneur Ron Muhlenkamp joins Sean Themea to discuss the principles that have guided his life—from growing up on an Ohio farm to earning degrees from Harvard and MIT, founding Muhlenkamp & Company, and receiving praise from economist Milton Friedman. Together, they explore the relationship between liberty and free markets, why long-term investing requires patience and optimism, the dangers of inflation and government spending, and why personal responsibility remains at the heart of financial success. Ron also shares lessons on entrepreneurship, family, and why freedom creates opportunity unlike any other system. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Successful companies don't happen by accident, and neither do great leaders. Serial entrepreneur Joel Trammell has built, scaled, and sold multiple companies while helping countless executives become more effective CEOs. In this episode, Sean Themea sits down with Joel to discuss entrepreneurship, the principles of effective leadership, building strong company cultures, making difficult decisions, and why personal responsibility, integrity, and clear communication are essential to leading any successful organization. Joel also shares lessons from decades of building businesses and explains why liberty creates the environment where entrepreneurs and innovators can thrive. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Investor, economist, and Research Affiliates founder Rob Arnott has spent decades challenging conventional wisdom on Wall Street while championing the principles of free markets and limited government. In this episode, he shares why the ideas first outlined by Adam Smith nearly 250 years ago remain just as relevant today. Sean Themea and Rob discuss The Wealth of Nations, the invisible hand, affordability, government spending, taxation, free trade, artificial intelligence, and why competition—not government intervention—drives innovation and prosperity. They also explore the future of AI, investing, constitutional government, and the enduring value of personal and economic freedom. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Kelley Paul is an author, advocate, and champion for the principles of liberty. Through her children's books Goodnight Little American and Goodnight Young American, she is helping introduce America's founding story to a new generation while encouraging families to celebrate the ideas that made the United States unique. In this episode, Sean Themea sits down with Kelley to discuss why America's founding still matters, the importance of teaching children about freedom and personal responsibility, the dangers of socialism, and why informed citizens must always question government authority. They also reflect on the lessons of the COVID era, the importance of entrepreneurship, and how parents can help preserve liberty by passing America's story to the next generation. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Moving Picture Institute co-founder Frayda Levy has spent decades advancing the ideas of liberty through entrepreneurship, storytelling, and philanthropy. From working in the Reagan administration to helping launch films and television projects that introduce audiences to free-market ideas, she has dedicated her career to changing culture one story at a time. In this episode, Sean Themea and Frayda discuss why liberty begins with personal responsibility, how parenting shapes a free society, the importance of entrepreneurship, the future of artificial intelligence, and why culture often changes hearts faster than politics. They also explore how compelling storytelling can introduce millions of people to the principles of liberty without ever feeling like a lecture. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Brant Pinvidic is a bestselling author, former Hollywood television producer, entrepreneur, and Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Council at Young Americans for Liberty. After decades in the entertainment industry, he stepped away from Hollywood to become a leading voice for persuasion, entrepreneurship, and the principles of liberty. In this episode, Sean Themea talks with Brant about why America remains the greatest place for opportunity, what Hollywood taught him about culture and politics, why personal responsibility matters more than government control, and how the liberty movement can inspire the next generation of leaders. Brant also shares lessons from his bestselling book The Three-Minute Rule and explains why effectively communicating ideas is one of the most important skills freedom advocates can develop. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman never planned to become a politician. After building a successful career in the energy industry, he entered public office because he believed government had grown too large and too disconnected from the principles of liberty. In this episode, Sean Themea sits down with Senator Biteman to discuss his journey into politics, the influence of the liberty movement on his life, and the battles he has fought in Wyoming to protect constitutional rights. They explore property tax reform, school choice, energy policy, free markets, and why state legislatures remain one of the most important places to advance freedom in America. Senator Biteman also shares why he believes young people need a renewed understanding of liberty, why affordable energy and limited government go hand in hand, and why the fight for freedom is far from over. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Arizona State Representative Alex Kolodin has built a reputation as one of the country's leading advocates for election integrity and constitutional government. As an attorney, legislator, and candidate for Arizona Secretary of State, he has spent years fighting to make elections more transparent, more secure, and more accountable to the voters they serve. In this episode, Sean Themea talks with Representative Kolodin about restoring confidence in elections, protecting the First Amendment, increasing transparency in government, and why liberty depends on trust in the democratic process. They also discuss property rights, water policy, free markets, and why strong principles matter more than partisan politics. Representative Kolodin explains why he believes the next generation of liberty leaders must build strong families, understand the Constitution, and never stop learning if they hope to preserve freedom for future generations. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Why do so many good people refuse to run for Congress—and what would it take to change that? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with longtime libertarian leader and U.S. Term Limits Chairman Howie Rich to discuss why he believes term limits are the key to restoring representative government. Drawing from decades of experience in the liberty movement, Howie explains how career politicians have transformed Congress, why the current seniority system discourages accomplished citizens from serving, and how term limits could bring entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, and everyday Americans back into public office. The conversation also explores the constitutional path to congressional term limits, common objections to the movement, and why Howie believes this is one of the most important liberty reforms of our time. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK