The Great Antidote

Juliette Sellgren
  • 4.7 (40)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Adam Smith said, "Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition." So join us for interviews with the leading experts on today's biggest issues to learn more about economics, policy, and much more.

  1. 12/19/2025

    The Story of The Great Antidote: A Conversation with Veronique de Rugy

    Send a text In this final episode of The Great Antidote, I sit down with my mom, Veronique de Rugy (does this feel like a Mr. Big name reveal for some of you?!), to reflect on the podcast and the remarkable journey of the past five years. Together, we revisit how the show started, the ideas that shaped it, the moments that changed me, and the people whose support made everything possible. This episode is a reflection on learning, growth, and gratitude—and a thank-you to everyone who has been part of this project. Veronique de Rugy is the George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She is also an incredible mother (just ask me (if you don't trust me, you can ask my sister)). Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    37 min

  2. 12/05/2025

    How Definitions Change Debates: Freedom, Rights, and Equality with Rebecca Lowe

    Send a text Philosopher Rebecca Lowe (Mercatus Center) joins me to do an ideas-only deep dive: what freedom really is, why it matters, how it intersects with equality, and how to tell coercion from choice. We talk charitable argument (steelmanning), the social value of clear definitions, and Rebecca’s agent-focused view of freedom—plus why doing something freely can have value even when the act is bad.  Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    50 min

  3. 11/21/2025

    Innovation on Trial: Jack Nicastro on Empower’s Fight to Exist

    Send a text Why is D.C. trying to shut down a rideshare app that pays drivers more and charges riders less? Jack Nicastro of Reason joins to unpack Empower’s battle with regulators, what “innovation vs. permission” means in real life, and how markets—not mandates—keep people safe.  Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    54 min

  4. 11/07/2025

    Tech Panic, Then and Now: Judge Glock on AI, Regulation, and Real Harms

    Send a text Is tech panic new—or just history on repeat? Judge Glock (Manhattan Institute) walks through what past tech scares (lead gasoline, CFCs, TV) got right and wrong, why “externalities” matter more than vibes, and how to think about AI regulation today—transparency mandates, liability vs. preclearance, “AI pauses,” and realistic optimism. We end with his own journey from socialism to markets.  Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    52 min

  5. 10/24/2025

    Why Markets Run on Trust: Tawni Ferrarini on Honesty, Reputation, and Decentralization in the Information Age

    Send a text Markets don’t work without trust. Tawni Ferrarini joins Juliette Sellgren to explore how honesty and reputation make exchange possible — from medieval trade networks to blockchain and Amazon reviews — and why decentralized trust systems matter in today’s economy of polarization, misinformation, and weak institutions. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    47 min

  6. 10/10/2025

    Is China Really a Threat? Derek Scissors on China’s Economic Reality

    Send a text AEI Economist Derek Scissors joins Juliette Sellgren to unpack the reality of China’s economy, U.S.–China relations, and whether China is truly a threat. From demographics to debt and political control, Scissors explains what’s really driving China’s trajectory, and why it matters for America’s future. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    57 min

  7. 09/26/2025

    Empowering the Next Generation: Economics Olympiad & Common Sense Economics

    Send a text This week, Juliette Sellgren sits down with Martina Bacik, the 21-year-old founder of the Economics Olympiad that has grown to 120,000 students in 35+ countries, and Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, coauthor of Common Sense Economics. Together they explore why teaching economics early matters, how competitions and books ignite curiosity, and what inspiring young people can teach us about building a hopeful, prosperous future. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    47 min

  8. 09/12/2025

    Why Freedom Matters: Tom Palmer on Authoritarianism and January 6th

    Send a text Why does freedom matter? How can we defend it in an age of rising authoritarianism? In this episode, I sit down with Tom Palmer to explore the ideas, virtues, and strategies that keep liberty alive. We cover: ·       The rise of authoritarian movements and global threats to liberty ·       The morality of freedom: how to know what to fight for and when ·       January 6th as a failure of duty, and what true constitutional leadership requires ·       Trump, responsibility in office, and the role of virtue in political life ·       How persuasion, clarity, and even humor (à la Bastiat) can advance freedom Palmer draws on decades of experience—from supporting dissidents in the USSR before the Berlin Wall fell to working in Ukraine’s struggle against Russia today, and fighting for self-defense rights, marriage equality, and freedom from conscription in the U.S. The through line is clear: defending freedom takes more than theory—it requires virtue, duty, and clarity of purpose to make liberty resilient and worth fighting for. Support the show Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    51 min
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4.7
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Adam Smith said, "Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition." So join us for interviews with the leading experts on today's biggest issues to learn more about economics, policy, and much more.

Information

  • Creator
    Juliette Sellgren
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Great Antidote
  • Show Website
    The Great Antidote