Independent Conversations

Independent Institute
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Brought to you by the Independent Institute, Independent Conversations is a regular round-table conversation that provides timely insights and cutting-edge commentary on the most pressing issues of the day. It features Independent’s Graham H. Walker (President), Williamson M. Evers (Senior Fellow), and as well as additional Independent Institute fellows and other special guests.

  1. 5 FEB

    Minneapolis Maelstrom

    Between the onslaught of federal immigration enforcement, and organized resistance to it, Minneapolis is being pushed to the brink. What made Minneapolis more of a crucible than other cities? Do anti-ICE protestors have a right to carry arms into the turmoil? Does the State of Minnesota have a right to resist federal agents? Can the powder keg be defused? We tackle these questions and more on this episode of Independent Conversations.

    52 min

  2. 14 JAN

    Reclaiming the Constitution: The People and the Bill of Rights

    Drawing on insights from his forthcoming book, The Independent Guide to the Constitution: Original Intentions, Modern Inventions, author William J. Watkins, Jr. will explore the history and distortions of key constitutional provisions with Independent Institute President Graham Walker.

    58 min

  3. 7 JAN

    Venezuela on the Brink

    Does a U.S. President have the authority to order a military raid on a foreign capital like Caracas, Venezuela? Is the United States really going to “run” Venezuela as President Trump said, or will it take some slightly more modest role as Marco Rubio seems to suggest? And what will happen to Venezuelans themselves? We address these questions on this episode of Independent Conversations--including live commentary from our correspondent on the ground in Venezuela.

    47 min

  4. 7 JAN

    L.A. Wildfires: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    There's been time to reflect on the horrific wildfires in Los Angeles of January 2025. What have we learned about the fires’ origins? And more importantly what have we learned about what could have been done—and what still could be done—to reduce the risks of such devastating fires in the future? We explore these questions on this episode of Independent Conversations.

    41 min

  5. 30/12/2025

    Year in Review: How Did Liberty Fare in 2025? | Independent Outlook 75

    For those who care about liberty, 2025 was a mixed bag. On the down side, socialism was embraced explicitly by some Americans on the left, and implicitly by some on the right. On the up side, the principle that people should be treated even-handedly without reference to their race—especially by the government—seems finally to be reemerging from the DEI house of mirrors. On this episode of Independent Outlook, we take a look back at these and other big issues of 2025, where the fate of liberty has been on the line repeatedly.

    1h 8m

  6. 26/11/2025

    Crackup on the Right, BBC Bias, Rent Control Revisited | Independent Outlook 74

    What’s going on at the Heritage Foundation and elsewhere, with confusion about how to deal with antisemitism and more broadly with what is being called “post-liberalism”? And also, why is President Trump suing the BBC for bias? We take on these issues, and more, in this episode of Independent Outlook.

    57 min

  7. 08/11/2025

    How NIMBYism Worsens California’s Housing Crisis | Christopher Calton

    Due to their persistent interference with much-needed housing projects, the Independent Institute is awarding the seventeenth California Golden Fleece® Award to the many NIMBY groups and individuals that have contributed to the state’s housing crisis. The list of recipients includes environmental organizations, such as the Sierra Club, and anti-density neighborhood groups, such as Livable California.

    46 min

  8. 29/10/2025

    Shutdown Blues; Trumpy Tariffs; "Regime Change" War with Venezuela? | Independent Outlook 73

    What makes government shutdowns drag on? On the other hand, how much does it matter? Shutdown or no shutdown, President Trump’s tariffs are about to go before the Supreme Court; and in the meantime, the President keeps adjusting them pretty much every week. He also seems to be taking liberties in bombing accused drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. We tackle these issues, and more, on this episode of Independent Outlook.

    59 min
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About

Brought to you by the Independent Institute, Independent Conversations is a regular round-table conversation that provides timely insights and cutting-edge commentary on the most pressing issues of the day. It features Independent’s Graham H. Walker (President), Williamson M. Evers (Senior Fellow), and as well as additional Independent Institute fellows and other special guests.

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