Voices of Liberty

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Naomi Brockwell believes privacy is the foundation of a free society—and that Americans are rapidly losing it in the digital age. As founder of the Ludlow Institute, creator of NBTV, co-founder of the Soho Forum Debates, and a former producer for John Stossel, Naomi has dedicated her work to helping people understand digital surveillance and reclaim control over their personal information. In this conversation, Sean and Naomi examine how government surveillance has expanded beyond the protections envisioned by the Fourth Amendment, why giving information to technology companies can weaken expectations of privacy, and how constant surveillance causes people to self-censor. Naomi also explains practical ways individuals can better protect their data, why privacy technology matters, and her work on the Surveillance Accountability Act to restore warrant requirements for government searches. Her warning is simple: Americans should stop debating how much surveillance government should be allowed to conduct and start asking a more fundamental question—does government work for the people, or do the people exist to be controlled by government? Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org.

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Peter Lipsett has spent his career helping build the people, organizations, and resources that power the liberty movement. As vice president of DonorsTrust, chair of America’s Future, and chair of the Jefferson Forum, he has seen firsthand what it takes to turn principles into lasting impact. In this conversation, Sean Themea and Peter discuss the mentors who shaped Peter’s career, lessons he learned working alongside some of the liberty movement’s most influential leaders, and why young professionals should never underestimate the value of doing the unglamorous work well. They also explore strategic philanthropy, developing the next generation of liberty leaders, strengthening free-market institutions, and why optimism remains essential to creating meaningful change. For Peter, liberty is ultimately about more than individual freedom. It is about giving people the freedom to pursue their talents, strengthen their families and communities, and work together to build a better society. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org.

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Liberty advocate Jim Babka has spent decades finding new ways to persuade people that freedom works. In this wide-ranging conversation from FreedomFest, Jim explains his philosophy of “human respect,” why coercion reduces happiness and prosperity, and why voluntary cooperation remains one of the most powerful forces for improving people’s lives. Sean and Jim explore why government intervention has made challenges like housing and healthcare worse, rebuilding family and community in an increasingly political culture, congressional accountability, immigration, foreign intervention, Second Amendment rights, and Jim’s work developing the Read the Bills Act and expanding the reach of the World’s Smallest Political Quiz. Jim also offers young Americans a powerful challenge: experiment, take risks, discover what you are uniquely good at, and build a life around work that gives you meaning. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Reason editor-at-large Nick Gillespie has spent decades making the case for liberty through journalism, culture, and debate. In this conversation, Sean Themea talks with Nick about what it actually means to be libertarian, why the movement should focus on expanding freedom rather than policing ideological purity, and how liberty can reach people far beyond traditional politics. They explore free speech, culture, government surveillance, immigration, economic nationalism, foreign policy, and the importance of making principled arguments without sacrificing persuasion. Nick also looks toward the future, explaining why he believes young Americans should reject pessimism, embrace technologies like AI, learn from the past, and adopt what he calls a more “Promethean” approach to building the world they want to inherit. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Wyoming State Representative Daniel Singh was just 25 when he won his first election, driven by a belief that protecting liberty requires people willing to step forward and fight for it. Sean Themea and Representative Singh discuss how his family’s immigrant story shaped his appreciation for American freedom, his work defending Second Amendment and free speech rights, the fight for hospital price transparency, concerns over government surveillance and biometric data, and why young people shouldn’t wait for permission to become leaders. Representative Singh also shares what he has learned from serving in the Wyoming Legislature and why he believes courage, preparation, and a willingness to take risks can make a real difference. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. What does it really take to build wealth, think independently, and create lasting prosperity? Investor and entrepreneur Ron Muhlenkamp joins Sean Themea to discuss the principles that have guided his life—from growing up on an Ohio farm to earning degrees from Harvard and MIT, founding Muhlenkamp & Company, and receiving praise from economist Milton Friedman. Together, they explore the relationship between liberty and free markets, why long-term investing requires patience and optimism, the dangers of inflation and government spending, and why personal responsibility remains at the heart of financial success. Ron also shares lessons on entrepreneurship, family, and why freedom creates opportunity unlike any other system. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Investor, economist, and Research Affiliates founder Rob Arnott has spent decades challenging conventional wisdom on Wall Street while championing the principles of free markets and limited government. In this episode, he shares why the ideas first outlined by Adam Smith nearly 250 years ago remain just as relevant today. Sean Themea and Rob discuss The Wealth of Nations, the invisible hand, affordability, government spending, taxation, free trade, artificial intelligence, and why competition—not government intervention—drives innovation and prosperity. They also explore the future of AI, investing, constitutional government, and the enduring value of personal and economic freedom. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Moving Picture Institute co-founder Frayda Levy has spent decades advancing the ideas of liberty through entrepreneurship, storytelling, and philanthropy. From working in the Reagan administration to helping launch films and television projects that introduce audiences to free-market ideas, she has dedicated her career to changing culture one story at a time. In this episode, Sean Themea and Frayda discuss why liberty begins with personal responsibility, how parenting shapes a free society, the importance of entrepreneurship, the future of artificial intelligence, and why culture often changes hearts faster than politics. They also explore how compelling storytelling can introduce millions of people to the principles of liberty without ever feeling like a lecture. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Welcome back to Voices of Liberty with host Sean Themea, powered by Young Americans for Liberty. Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman never planned to become a politician. After building a successful career in the energy industry, he entered public office because he believed government had grown too large and too disconnected from the principles of liberty. In this episode, Sean Themea sits down with Senator Biteman to discuss his journey into politics, the influence of the liberty movement on his life, and the battles he has fought in Wyoming to protect constitutional rights. They explore property tax reform, school choice, energy policy, free markets, and why state legislatures remain one of the most important places to advance freedom in America. Senator Biteman also shares why he believes young people need a renewed understanding of liberty, why affordable energy and limited government go hand in hand, and why the fight for freedom is far from over. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube, and learn more at YALiberty.org. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

Why do so many good people refuse to run for Congress—and what would it take to change that? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with longtime libertarian leader and U.S. Term Limits Chairman Howie Rich to discuss why he believes term limits are the key to restoring representative government. Drawing from decades of experience in the liberty movement, Howie explains how career politicians have transformed Congress, why the current seniority system discourages accomplished citizens from serving, and how term limits could bring entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, and everyday Americans back into public office. The conversation also explores the constitutional path to congressional term limits, common objections to the movement, and why Howie believes this is one of the most important liberty reforms of our time. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

What does it take to build a company from a small startup into a global technology leader with 14,000 employees? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with entrepreneur, engineer, and philanthropist Jerry Rawls, founder of Finisar, to explore the journey behind one of America’s greatest business success stories. Jerry shares how taking a risk, embracing innovation, building a culture of integrity, and solving real problems helped transform a startup into a company that revolutionized fiber-optic communications. He also discusses capitalism, entrepreneurship, higher education, energy policy, and why he believes America’s greatest opportunities are still ahead for those willing to work hard and think differently. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, free markets, leadership, and the principles that drive innovation, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

What happens when government power goes unchecked? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, Sean Themea sits down with constitutional attorney and Cato Institute Senior Vice President Clark Neily to discuss the principles that first drew him to the liberty movement, his role in the landmark D.C. v. Heller Supreme Court case, and why he believes protecting individual rights starts with limiting government power. Neily explains the constitutional foundations of self-defense, the dangers of overcriminalization, civil forfeiture, qualified immunity, and the growing threat posed by government surveillance and facial recognition technology. He also shares why criminal justice reform should be a priority for anyone who cares about freedom and accountability. The conversation closes with a powerful message on persuasion, courage, humility, and how advocates for liberty can effectively create lasting change in their communities. Subscribe to Voices of Liberty on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or YouTube. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

What happens when an award-winning journalist starts questioning everything he was taught about government? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with legendary journalist and 19-time Emmy Award winner John Stossel. Stossel shares how his career as a consumer reporter transformed him from a self-described leftist into one of America’s most influential advocates for free markets and limited government. They discuss why government programs often fail despite good intentions, how regulations drive up costs and limit opportunity, the rise of school choice, inflation, media bias, entrepreneurship, and what young people can do to become effective communicators for liberty. Stossel also reflects on his years at ABC News and Fox Business, the launch of Stossel TV, his battle against censorship, and why the future of freedom depends on people willing to do the hard work of finding and telling the truth. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, learn more here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK