The Human Action Podcast

Mises Institute
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The Human Action Podcast features in-depth interviews on current topics in economics through an Austro libertarian lens.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Menger's Barter Theory of the Origin of Money Is Still Standing

    Professor Georgy Ganev joins Bob to explain that, contrary to the claims of David Graeber and the MMTers, the barter origin of money has not been refuted. The anthropological evidence is consistent with the Mengerian story, and Mises' regression theorem remains the only coherent explanation for money's value.  Professor Ganev's Paper, "Has the barter theory of the origins of money been rejected?": Mises.org/HAP519aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  2. 21 SEPT

    Are Private Equity Firms Really Driving Home Prices?

    In this solo episode, Bob challenges the populist narrative that private equity ownership of homes is the main driver of rising housing costs. He explains the actual role of speculators in stabilizing markets, compares housing to used car dealerships, and critiques proposals like Henry George’s land tax. Bob also points to zoning restrictions and the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet as the real culprits behind skyrocketing prices. The Social Function of Stock Speculators: Mises.org/HAP518aRothbard's Treatise, Man, Economy, and State: Mises.org/HAP518bBob's Study Guide to Man, Economy, and State: Mises.org/HAP518cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  3. 18 SEPT

    Inflation’s Impact on Marriage and Children

    Bob talks with economist Jeff Degner about his new book Inflation and the Family. Drawing inspiration from Guido Hülsmann’s The Ethics of Money Production, Professor Degner shows how central bank policies and interest rate manipulation create ripple effects beyond prices and GDP. From marriage formation to fertility decisions and divorce trends, he explains how inflation fosters short-termism, debt culture, and moral hazard within households. Join Jeff Degner and other Mises faculty on November 1st for our first student-only event at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Find out more at Mises.org/Cornerstone25 Inflation and the Family: Mises.org/HAP517aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  4. 7 SEPT

    Why the Fed Isn’t Really Independent

    This week, Bob takes on the hot-button debate over Federal Reserve “independence” in light of Trump’s moves against Fed Governor Lisa Cook. He explains why the Fed has never truly been independent, drawing on the Treasury-Fed Accord of 1951 and the institution’s long history of serving political power.  Recalling Elizabeth Warren’s attacks on Jay Powell to insider trading scandals among Fed officials, Bob exposes the hypocrisy of politicians and media figures who cry about independence only when it suits them. He also highlights how the Fed’s structure—unanimous FOMC votes, backroom bailouts, and secrecy over bank rescues—makes it clear the central bank is not a neutral force, but a political engine of inflation and business cycles. A Comprehensive Case for Ending the Fed: Mises.org/HAP516aShould Economists Champion Fed “Independence”?: Mises.org/HAP516bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  5. 1 SEPT

    Peter Klein on Hayek for the 21st Century

    Bob is joined by Dr. Peter Klein to take a look at the Mises Institute's new book, Hayek for the 21st Century. The discussion highlights Hayek’s insights on tacit knowledge, why markets outperform central planners, the dangers of political power, and how monetary freedom could stop inflation. Along the way, Bob and Peter connect these timeless ideas to today’s debates over technology, government control, and economic liberty.  The Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  6. 22 AUG

    Why Rothbard Thought the Fed Eliminated Market Safeguards Against Bank Inflation

    In his underappreciated work The Mystery of Banking, Murray Rothbard first explained how a regime of "free banking" would put strict limits on the ability of the private commercial banks to reduce their reserve ratios and inflate the money supply. Then Rothbard showed that the textbook operation of a central bank systematically neutralized the market's safeguards, and paved the way for credit expansion by a cartel of privileged private banks. The Mystery of Banking by Murray N. Rothbard: https://mises.org/HAP514a"How Private Banks Can Create Money, But Not Like the Fed Can" (Human Action Podcast): https://mises.org/HAP514bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century Get your free copy at https://Mises.org/HAPodFree21st Century Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  7. 15 AUG

    How Private Banks Can Create Money, But Not Like the Fed Can

    Bob explains the mechanics of modern banking and how liabilities and assets on bank balance sheets differ from popular assumptions. He shows how interest rates and central bank policy shape lending and deposit behavior, and why private companies move money differently than commercial banks. Bob also critiques the perspectives of Richard Werner, Steve Keen, and George Selgin, showing where their explanations align or fall short. Bob's Infineo Article, "A Biz vs. a Bank vs. the Fed": Mises.org/HAP513aThe Charts Used in this Episode: Mises.org/HAP513bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

  8. 9 AUG

    Why Zohran Mamdani’s Socialist Supermarkets Won't Feed NYC

    Bob takes on a proposal for New York City to run its own grocery stores, dismantling the historical myths, economic fallacies, and rhetorical tricks behind the idea. From Flint’s water crisis to “food deserts,” he explains why government control will create shortages, low-quality food, and wasted resources. The Jacobin Article, "Municipal Grocery Stores Are Sensible and Obvious": Mises.org/HAP512aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

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The Human Action Podcast features in-depth interviews on current topics in economics through an Austro libertarian lens.

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