The Freedom of Thought Podcast

The Federalist Society
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Politics

The Freedom of Thought Podcast: An opportunity to explore the people behind the books, articles, arguments, and events that contribute to the law and public discourse. We interview the scholars and attorneys bringing fresh thinking to new challenges and questions, and ask: what makes you different? What are the convictions behind your engagement on controversial questions? How has your work shaped your thinking, and how have your ideas evolved? What have you learned about the value of freedom of thought?

  1. 01/29/2025

    Frozen Out: Debanking Practice and Policy in the New Administration

    Financial institutions have faced growing scrutiny for debanking customers, with no explanation. While debanking is sometimes legally necessary when banks suspect unlawful conduct, recent reports have prompted high-profile questions about the practice, including from the President himself.   The lack of transparency does not help. How do financial institutions determine which accounts or services will be closed? Are these decisions driven by regulatory sensitivities, perceived reputational risk, or other considerations? Should legal limits exist on financial institutions' discretion to debank? What are the rights of corporations to choose what customers to serve and what, if any, limits might apply in an industry as heavily-regulated and protected as banks? What can be done to protect citizens' rights to participate in public discourse without fear of financial exclusion? Featuring: Nicholas Anthony, Policy Analyst, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute Hon. Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Will Hild, Executive Director, Consumers’ Research Prof. Todd J. Zywicki, George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University Moderator: Megan McArdle, Columnist, Washington Post

    1h 29m

  2. 01/16/2025

    Open Minds with Prof. Richard Epstein and Prof. Todd Zywicki - Part I

    Prof. Richard Epstein joins Prof. Todd Zywicki to discuss his academic journey, where he learned early on, particularly through the lens of Roman law, that legal issues cannot be understood by mere definitions, but by understanding deeper substantive theory. Prof. Epstein emphasizes valuable lessons he learned along the way, such as the importance of figuring out where one’s particular strengths lie and how to “do” law by oneself. How does one transition from a dutiful student to a sui generis thinker? Join us for an engaging discussion on Prof. Epstein’s evolution of academic thought and the adaptation of Roman law and early English common law to the world around us. Featuring: Prof. Richard A. Epstein, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law and Director, Classical Liberal Institute, New York University School of Law Prof. Todd J. Zywicki, George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University

    46 min

  3. 12/05/2024

    Panel: Preserving Judicial Independence in a Time of Political Division

    At this Freedom of Thought Project event, panelists will discuss the current political landscape in the U.S. and how rhetoric from political leaders impacts our judiciary, society, and our freedoms. Featuring: James Burnham, President, Vallecito Capital Jay Edelson, Founder & CEO, Edelson PC Prof. Nicole Stelle Garnett, John P. Murphy Foundation Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame Law School Moderator: Megan McArdle, Columnist, Washington Post And later featuring: T. Elliot Gaiser, Solicitor General, Ohio Eric Wessan, Solicitor General, Iowa Moderator: Megan McArdle, Columnist, Washington Post

    1h 4m

  4. 11/26/2024

    Fireside Chat with Solicitors General T. Elliot Gaiser and Eric Wessan

    At this Freedom of Thought Project event, panelists will discuss the current political landscape in the U.S. and how rhetoric from political leaders impacts our judiciary, society, and our freedoms. Featuring: T. Elliot Gaiser, Solicitor General, Ohio Eric Wessan, Solicitor General, Iowa Moderator: Megan McArdle, Columnist, Washington Post

    50 min

  5. 08/27/2024

    Open Minds with Prof. Julia Mahoney and Prof. Joshua Kleinfeld - Part II

    In Part 2, Professor Julia Mahoney joins Professor Joshua Kleinfeld to discuss freedom of thought in diverse professional worlds, from universities to law to corporations to medicine. Why have professional sectors become more ideological? Has concentration in the for-profit sector contributed to this development, and what are some possible solutions? What obligations do shareholders have to their employees? Join us for a conversation on market competition, government regulation, and more. Featuring: Prof. Julia Mahoney, John S. Battle Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law Prof. Joshua Kleinfeld, Professor of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

    1h 15m

  6. 08/19/2024

    Open Minds with Prof. Julia Mahoney and Prof. Joshua Kleinfeld - Part I

    In Part I, Professor Julia Mahoney joins Professor Joshua Kleinfeld to delve into the complexities of governmental regulation and market power. What makes markets possible? How do institutions enable people to cooperate in a productive way? In what ways can they prohibit people from doing so? Tune in for a conversation on private power, free markets, crony capitalism, and more. Featuring: Prof. Julia Mahoney, John S. Battle Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law Prof. Joshua Kleinfeld, Professor of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

    1h 4m

  7. 06/20/2024

    2024 Freedom of Thought Conference: Luncheon Fireside Chat with Hon. Andrew Ferguson and Hon. Paul B. Matey

    Featuring: Hon. Andrew Ferguson, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission Moderator: Hon. Paul B. Matey, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

    52 min

  8. 06/20/2024

    2024 Freedom of Thought Conference: Panel 3 - Securing the Rights of a Free People

    What responsibility do states have in protecting the rights of their citizens? How should we think about rights like the freedom of speech — do rights operate primarily as a limit on government power, or do they protect the natural rights of the citizen? Which framework is more consistent with original understanding? What limits applied to freedoms of speech — to what extent were they regulable by government and for what ends? How were rights defended and enforced? Featuring: Prof. Randy Barnett, Patrick Hotung Professor of Constitutional Law, Georgetown University Law Center Hon. Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Prof. Joshua Kleinfeld, Professor of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law Prof. Maimon Schwarzschild, Professor of Law, University of San Diego School of Law Jonathan Urick, Associate Chief Counsel, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Litigation Center Moderator: Hon. Kyle Duncan, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

    1h 39m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Freedom of Thought Podcast: An opportunity to explore the people behind the books, articles, arguments, and events that contribute to the law and public discourse. We interview the scholars and attorneys bringing fresh thinking to new challenges and questions, and ask: what makes you different? What are the convictions behind your engagement on controversial questions? How has your work shaped your thinking, and how have your ideas evolved? What have you learned about the value of freedom of thought?

Information

  • Creator
    The Federalist Society
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright The Federalist Society
  • Show Website
    The Freedom of Thought Podcast