Atlas Network with Michael Carnuccio

Atlas Network

Atlas Network with Michael Carnuccio features powerful stories from global partners advancing liberty, free enterprise, and human dignity. Each episode spotlights change makers transforming their communities—from economic reform to civil rights. Join us as we explore how the ideas of freedom are creating real-world impact in over 100 countries.

  1. MAY 5

    Has Greece Achieved Economic Freedom? KEFiM’s Fight for Tax Reform and Policy Change

    Atlas Network Podcast host Michael Carnuccio interviews Nicos Rompapas, president of KEFiM (Center of Liberal Studies), about Greece’s post-2009 crisis recovery and why economic freedom still lags despite strong EU-leading growth, rising investment, and lower tax rates. Rompapas says Greece lost over a third of GDP, remains below 2009 output, and is far behind EU-wide gains, meaning catch-up could take a lifetime. He cites major barriers including an oversized government and high debt, and argues taxation is the key battleground, noting tax revenue remains steady even as rates fall and that Greeks still work about half the year just to cover taxes and pension contributions. Rompapas recounts KEFiM’s evolution from a volunteer group to an influential, politically independent think tank supported by Atlas Network, highlighting breakthroughs via events, Tax Freedom Day, media impact, policy briefs, and engagement with top officials; he also discusses upcoming reform priorities, network learning, and a vision for a freer, more competitive Greece. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Hope After Crisis 00:47 Greece’s Recovery Paradox 03:39 Why Catching Up Takes Decades 05:49 Economic Freedom Barriers 09:15 Taxes Size of Government 11:46 KEFiM’s Origin Story 15:48 Breakthrough Media Moments 21:18 Why Focus on Tax Policy 23:03 Reforms and Misconceptions 26:58 Staying Politically Independent 30:13 Learning Through Atlas Network 34:57 Ambition Vision and Culture 46:36 Free Market Model 50:27 Athens, Food, and Friendship 52:51 Closing Call to Action

    54 min

  2. APR 28

    Smart Bets and Ukraine’s Future: Scaling Economic Education with Nataliya Melnyk

    Atlas Network podcast host Michael Carnuccio interviews Nataliya Melnyk, executive director of the Bendukidze Free Market Center, about rebuilding Ukraine’s long-term freedom through human capital and economic education. Nataliya explains why education must be prioritized alongside physical reconstruction and describes efforts to scale access via digital tools, teacher networks, and co-creation with educators, including “hackathons” and small grants. She highlights the Economics Olympiad’s reach (nearly 28,000 participants from 700 institutions) and discusses adapting existing English-language materials through translation and localization. She credits Atlas Network programs—especially Smart Bets, which she calls a risk-tolerant “trust card”—plus training, mentoring, and peer networks for enabling bold innovation and cross-border partnerships with groups in countries such as Georgia and Moldova. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Smart Bets Explained 00:43 Ukraine Rebuild Starts Now 03:14 Human Capital First 05:23 Why Education Beats Roads 06:47 Ukraine in Ten Years 08:03 Winning Smart Bets 11:09 Kids Are The Future 13:16 Co Creating With Teachers 16:45 Listening And Piloting 20:05 Breaking Language Barriers 22:53 Changing A Rigid System 25:54 Olympiad Scale And Parents 27:49 Economic Thinking Basics 28:54 Teachers Multiply Impact 31:34 Digital Tools for Educators 33:37 Economics Olympiad Momentum 35:48 Support Atlas Network 36:25 Cross Border Partnerships 42:57 Atlas Network Training and Mentorship 45:49 CEO Summit Peer Learning 51:15 Motivation and Hope 55:21 Closing and Get Involved

    57 min

  3. APR 22

    Bolivia’s Post-Socialist Pivot: Building Pro-Freedom Leadership with Libra Bolivia

    The episode discusses Bolivia’s recent political shift after nearly two decades of socialism and what it could mean for lasting economic freedom. Guest Jorge Velarde-Rosso, founder and CEO of Libra Bolivia, says President Rodrigo Paz won by recognizing Bolivians’ growing desire for freedom, entrepreneurship, and “capitalism for all,” while noting cultural and institutional risks of reverting to old patterns. He explains how support from Atlas Network’s Smart Bets program helped Libera scale at this pivotal moment, including plans to develop independent economic data, support legal reforms to attract foreign investment, and expand leadership development from an incubator to a new “Leadership Accelerator.” Jorge also describes Libera’s storytelling strategy through documentaries about informal-market entrepreneurs to show how freedom works and to reach younger audiences, and he praises Atlas Network’s collaborative, adaptive partnership culture and encourages donations to support the work. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Bolivia at a Crossroads 00:33 Meet Jorge and Libera 01:33 Election Shift and Risks 04:20 Why Freedom Is Rising 06:48 Smart Bets Scaling Up 09:57 Independent CPI Rethink 13:27 Leadership Accelerator Vision 16:41 Storytelling and Entrepreneurs 20:02 Betting on Young Leaders 27:45 Atlas Network Partnership 30:14 CEO Summit Lessons 38:23 Foreign Investment Opportunity 42:23 Beer Tradition and Wrap Up 43:41 Final Call to Support

    42 min

  4. APR 7

    Building a Women Led Freedom Movement Across Latin America and Beyond With Izabela Patriota

    Michael Carnuccio interviews Izabela Patriota, Director of Development at Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA), about whether Latin America is truly shifting away from socialism and why deeper, bottom-up cultural change matters more than election cycles. Patriota describes LOLA’s growth to 50+ countries (about 15 in Latin America) and its focus on mobilizing women for liberty through chapters, a speakers bureau, and leadership trainings, emphasizing civil-society and private solutions over government action. She discusses on-the-ground impacts of government control, including public support for price controls in Argentina, and highlights threats to women’s personal freedoms globally. She recounts LOLA’s campaign for Venezuelan political prisoner María Oropeza, including rapid international legal advocacy and support enabled by Atlas Network grants and trainings, and previews LOLA’s expanding regional leadership retreats and ongoing Atlas Network partnership. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Show Opening 01:17 Political Shift in Latin America  03:25 Grassroots Freedom Movement 04:52 Socialism On the Ground 07:10 LOLA’s Vision 10:08 Maria Oropeza’s Case 14:50 How LOLA Began 17:41 Making Liberty Accessible 21:35 Izabela’s Journey in the Movement 24:13 Part of a Global Network 25:23 Atlas Network’s Training Culture 28:00 Atlas Network Grants for Maria 29:40 Growing LOLA Chapters 31:44 Liberty Forum Plans 33:35 First Timer Forum Tips 36:15 Do Donations Matter 37:50 Start a LOLA Chapter 39:39 Roots of Optimism 42:07 Local Food Favorites 43:53 LOLA’s 2026 Vision 45:23 Favorite Travel Surprise 47:56 Final Thanks and Wrap

    50 min

  5. MAR 24

    Brazil’s “Free Speech Recession”: Instituto Sivis on Vague Laws, Election Censorship, and Rule of Law Reform

    Atlas Network Podcast host Michael Carnuccio interviews Jamil Assis of Instituto Sivis about what he calls a “free speech recession” in Brazil, citing harsher punishment for “crimes against the honor” of public authorities, proposed online-safety reforms that leave vague “fake news” and “hate speech” enforcement openings, and a long-running Supreme Court “fake news inquiry” involving secret investigations, passport seizures, and frozen bank accounts. Assis describes a “vicious cycle” where election-time speech restrictions create precedents that expand year-round and are reinforced by importing foreign regulations. He outlines Instituto Sivis’s four-step strategy: identify vague legal points, promote pro-free-speech interpretations with electoral judges, monitor decisions and collect data, and deliver evidence-based reforms to the next legislature. He discusses winning a $65,000 Smart Bets grant to fund legal and tech expertise (including AI-driven judicial data analysis), emphasizes pluralistic cross-ideological collaboration, argues against sanitizing debate by pushing bad ideas underground, and previews competing again at Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner in New York. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Sunlight and Censorship 00:33 Brazil’s Free Speech Recession 03:58 Vague Laws and Elections 06:01 Global Ripple Effects 09:31 Vicious Cycle of Fear 13:30 Four Step Reform Plan 16:40 Smart Bets Win 19:02 Grant Funding in Action 22:15 Answering the Critics 26:56 Building Cross Spectrum Allies 32:41 Atlas Network Support 35:09 Why Donors Matter 38:47 If We Win Again 41:20 Brazil Food and Travel 43:56 Personal Motivation and Closing

    48 min

  6. MAR 10

    Building the Freedom Movement’s Talent Pipeline with Casey Given of Young Voices

    Atlas Network Podcast host Michael Carnuccio interviews Casey Given, executive director of Young Voices, about strengthening the freedom movement through talent development and communications. Given argues the movement has many entry points but needs better career shepherding, and explains Young Voices’ day-to-day work as a nonprofit talent agency and PR firm that edits and pitches op-eds, books broadcast interviews, runs fellowships and events, and operates the Dissident Project speakers bureau. He describes recruiting and coaching classical liberal communicators, balancing ideological consistency with persuasive, nonpartisan mainstream outreach, and building editor relationships through consistent pitching, coffees, and salon dinners. Given shares Daniel DiMartino’s rise from Young Voices contributor to prominent Venezuela commentator, defends Young Voices’ funding diversity and editorial independence, and credits Atlas Network training and networking for Young Voices’ growth, including European communications training and connecting Spanish-language talent for Ecuador commentary. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Introduction 00:37 Talent Pipeline Stakes 03:21 Media Narrative Debate 05:44 What Young Voices Does 07:41 Finding New Talent 09:45 Ideology Versus Persuasion 12:01 Coaching Media Skills 16:17 Pitching Mainstream Editors 19:06 Building Media Relationships 21:28 Daniel DiMartino's Success Story 24:28 Why Communication Matters 27:45 Addressing Criticism 28:43 Funding and Editorial Independence 30:23 Atlas Network Career Impact 33:32 Power of a Global Network 36:20 Message to Freedom Donors 39:16 Optimism in a Polarized Age 43:32 How to Join and Partner 47:11 Global Applicants and Ecuador Story 49:31 NYC Hangouts and Team Culture 53:33 Final Advice and Closing

    56 min

  7. MAR 3

    Holding Power Accountable: Santiago Acosta's Fight for Transparency in Chile

    This compelling episode of Atlas Network with Michael Carnuccio dives into the work of Santiago Acosta, international programs manager at IdeaPaís, a Chilean think tank, to uncover the transformative 'government track record' initiative. This program meticulously tracks political promises against actual performance, exposing the gaps in Chile’s public administration. Acosta shares insights into the project's impacts, challenges to transparency, and its broad influence across Latin America. The episode also discusses Acosta's personal journey from Venezuela to Chile and the inspiring role of Atlas Network in supporting these initiatives. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to IdeaPaís 00:24 Chile's Government Accountability Initiative 01:58 Challenges and Discoveries in Government Promises 08:56 Impact and Success of the Initiative 21:20 Expanding Transparency Across Latin America 24:58 Partnership with Atlas Network 37:18 Personal Reflections and Future Goals 53:46 Conclusion and Call to Action

    55 min

  8. FEB 24

    Portraits of Prosperity: A Visual Revolution for Economic Freedom

    In this episode of Atlas Network with Michael Carnuccio, we explore a groundbreaking project in Puerto Rico led by Terry Nola and Isabel Salichs of Centro CRECE. Their Portraits of Prosperity initiative uses hands-on workshops, visual storytelling, and public photography exhibitions to inspire a new generation to see entrepreneurship as a path to dignity and self-reliance. Highlighted as a finalist for Atlas Network’s 2026 Latin America Liberty Award, this project shows how students capturing stories of entrepreneurs in their communities can shift culture and promote economic freedom. The episode also explores the role of Atlas Network in supporting initiatives like this one and the broader impact of fostering young voices in the freedom movement. Support freedom worldwide: https://www.AtlasNetwork.org Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Atlas Network 00:07 Spotlight on Puerto Rico: Portraits of Prosperity 01:04 The Big Idea: From Hot Dog Stands to Entrepreneurship 03:31 Engaging the Youth: Photography and Storytelling 05:44 Creating a Culture of Collaboration 10:07 Addressing Critics and Measuring Impact 20:23 Global Influence and Partnerships 33:41 The Future of Puerto Rico: Hope and Challenges 50:45 Conclusion and Call to Action

    52 min
See All (43)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Atlas Network with Michael Carnuccio features powerful stories from global partners advancing liberty, free enterprise, and human dignity. Each episode spotlights change makers transforming their communities—from economic reform to civil rights. Join us as we explore how the ideas of freedom are creating real-world impact in over 100 countries.

Information

You Might Also Like