Interview with Catherine Pakaluk

Interview with Catherine Pakaluk

From Voices of Freedom by Rick Graber

December 16, 2025 · 44 min · Season 3 · Episode 12

About this episode

Dr. Catherine Pakaluk discusses the deeper aspects of prosperity beyond conventional economic metrics.

An Interview with Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Associate Professor of Social Research and Economic Thought, Catholic University of America What makes a society truly prosperous? Is it GDP growth and stock market returns, or is there something more — something rooted in strong families, vibrant communities, and institutions that help people flourish? Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom has spent her career exploring these deeper questions about economic freedom and human flourishing. Catherine Pakaluk is an economist whose research challenges us to think beyond conventional metrics and consider how families, faith communities, and schools work together to create meaningful prosperity. As both a Harvard-trained scholar and a mother of eight, Catherine brings a unique perspective to debates about family, economic opportunity, and the future of American society. She is an Associate Professor of Social Research and Economic Thought at the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America, where her research focuses on the economics of education and religion, family studies and demography, and Catholic social thought. Catherine's work examines the institutions and…

People in this episode

Host: Rick Graber

Guest: Catherine Pakaluk

Topics covered

  • economic freedom
  • human flourishing
  • family
  • community
  • education
  • demography

Keywords

  • prosperity
  • GDP
  • economic opportunity
  • family studies
  • Catholic social thought
  • education
  • demographics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Catholic University of America

Books & works: Hannah's Children

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