Econ Buff Episodes

03/19/2026

New episode: What Does Economics Have to Say about Civics? 🎧 EconBuff Podcast #58 features Dr. Rex Pjesky discussing how economists approach civics, definitions of economics and civics, and what economists have to say about civics. Listen: https://wix.to/aOX3aER

03/05/2026

New episode alert — EconBuff Podcast #57: What Does It Take to Succeed in the Business of Martial Arts? 🥋🎧

Professor Ty Garrett breaks down the traditional martial arts business model, what often causes it to fail, and the CrossFit-inspired approach he used to build a resilient, growing gym. Short, sharp insights for gym owners, instructors, and entrepreneurs.

Listen now: https://wix.to/I2YH4cS

#57

EconBuff Podcast #57 with Ty GarrettWhat Does It Take to Succeed in the Business of Martial Arts? EconBuff Podcast #57 with Ty GarrettProfessor Ty Garrett joins me to discuss martial arts as a business. We begin with an overview of the business model in martial arts. Mr. Garrett explains how the tra...

06/16/2025

Tariffs and Taxes: What Could US Trade Policy Look Like? with Dr. Fritz Laux

In this episode of *The Econ Buff*, I’m joined by Dr. Fritz Laux to explore U.S. tariff policy and a compelling alternative approach—taxing the income foreign investors earn in the U.S. markets. We begin with an overview of current tariff strategies under the administration, discussing their economic and political framing. Dr. Laux explains how economic theory can help evaluate tariffs’ effectiveness and introduces his proposed investment income tax as a targeted tool for trade management and revenue generation. We dive into how this tax might work, its potential impact on growth and foreign capital flows, and why it’s rarely used despite its promise. Drawing on international examples, we compare tariffs and foreign investment taxes, discuss political and legal hurdles, including tax treaty conflicts, and consider how these policies could coexist.

If you’re interested in trade policy, economics, or innovative tax strategies, this episode is for you.

Listen now on YouTube https://youtu.be/mghpPpMFKtY?si=sFkOpmojxkUdzp0W or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dr. Fritz Laux joins me to discuss U.S. tariff policy and the taxation of foreign investment as a possible alternative approach. We begin with an overview of...

06/16/2025

What does the future hold for U.S. trade policy? Tune into our latest podcast episode with Dr. Fritz Laux as we explore tariffs and taxes. Check it out here: https://wix.to/Rel7QTF

EconBuff Podcast #56 with Fritz LauxTariffs and Taxes: What Could US Trade Policy Look Like? EconBuff Podcast #56 with Fritz LauxDr. Fritz Laux joins me to discuss U.S. tariff policy and the taxation of foreign investment as a possible alternative approach. We begin with an overview of the current a...

03/07/2025

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨

I sit down with Dr. Harry Hueston to break down the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

🔍 Key topics we cover:
✅ The security lapses that allowed the shooter to gain a vantage point
✅ How the Secret Service and local law enforcement responded after the first shot
✅ Details on the firearm and ammunition used—and how they compare to past assassination attempts
✅ The event layout and how it factored into the attack
✅ The resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and what it means for leadership in high-profile security
✅ The delicate balance between public accessibility and ensuring the safety of political figures

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in security, law enforcement, and the protection of public officials.

🎧 Tune in now on
YouTube : https://youtu.be/X2TxdlMmKCU
or
Spotify:

⬇️

02/13/2025

New Podcast Episode!

I sat down with Dr. Rex Pjesky to dive deep into tariffs—what they are, how the incoming administration views them, and their many potential uses. We discuss tariffs as a tool for revenue generation, negotiation, national security, dealing with the trade deficit, protecting industries, and intellectual property.

Dr. Pjesky highlights an underexplored topic in economics, that is a major focus of recent political discussion: the role of tariffs in negotiation and why economists haven't fully studied this aspect. We also break down the historical role of tariffs in tax policy, the risk of retaliatory tariffs and trade wars, and the trade-offs between tariffs and income taxes.

If you're interested in economics, trade policy, or just want to understand what's ahead, this is a must-listen! 🎧

🔗 https://youtu.be/wI2a7hJkuTc

Let me know what you think in the comments! 👇 : https://wix.to/ZyKyZ8a

11/15/2024

📢 New Episode Alert! 📢

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tyler Ransom to dive into the surprising role seed oils may play in the American obesity epidemic. Dr. Ransom explains what seed oils are, how they're made, and presents his hypothesis that the rise in seed oil consumption could be a major—yet overlooked—factor behind obesity trends in the U.S. since the 1960s.

We challenge traditional explanations like sugar and calorie intake and exercise levels, exploring how seed oils could be altering our metabolism and fat storage on a biochemical level. Dr. Ransom even breaks down how "imperfect information" and the influence of food companies, regulators, scientists, and medical providers might be steering us toward overconsumption of these oils.

We wrap up with a look at the bigger picture and policy implications—what would it take to tackle these issues?

This is a fascinating discussion for anyone interested in the links between food, health, and economics. Tune in to explore the science and policy behind one of today’s most debated dietary ingredients.

https://wix.to/tuVjATX

07/12/2024

Check out my blog post https://wix.to/POiVA8h

EconBuff in the WildDefending Academic Freedom and Intellectual Merit - EconBuff #46 with Dan Klein, has been highlighted in a recent article by Dr. Klein!The article, "Statement of Commitment to Academic Freedom and to Intellectual Merit" includes an edited portion of the interview conducted by our...

04/02/2024

Exciting Discussion Alert!

Had an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Ben Powell about immigration! We delved into some fascinating questions:

What happens when immigrants move to America? Do they erode institutions?
Dr. Powell argues that immigrants actually increase economic freedoms in their host country!
Exploring the idea that economics flows from culture, we dive into the values immigrants bring with them.
Dr. Powell highlights that immigrants choose a nation because they appreciate its values.
While immigrants shape culture, Dr. Powell argues they won't diminish economic freedoms.

We also touch on:

The impact on people left behind by immigrants.
Issues like "Brain Drain."
Assimilation in new societies.
The scale of the illegal immigration challenge.
And, of course, I couldn't resist asking Dr. Powell:
"Have your views changed since 2020, given recent events? Any concerns about mass migration?"

Stay tuned for the video interview dropping soon! This conversation will definitely make you think!

https://youtu.be/NuQgn79aV8o

Dr. Ben Powell talks with me about immigration. Dr. Powell unpacks the question of “what happens if immigrants move to America and then erode the institution...

02/17/2024

New Episode!

Tune in to the latest episode of EconBuff Podcast where we delve into the intriguing insights from Dr. Rex Pjesky on Javier Milei's groundbreaking speech at the World Economic Forum in January 2024.

Join me as Dr. Pjesky sheds light on the significance of the World Economic Forum and the uncommon occurrence of having a professor of economics in a political office. We dissect Milei's arguments, reminiscent of economic giants like Milton Friedman and Israel Kirzner, advocating for decentralized economies and debunking the effectiveness of collectivism in economic policy.

Discover the fascinating correlation between the "hockey stick" of economic growth and the industrial revolution, as well as the pivotal concept of the discovery process in markets. Dr. Pjesky emphasizes the vital role of economic freedom in fostering citizenship.

Don't miss out on this thought-provoking discussion! Tune in now and expand your understanding of economics and its implications on society.

Listen on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/srBKy6t7srY

Listen on Spotify:

Dr. Rex Pjesky talks with me about Javier Milei’s speech to the World Economic Forum in January of 2024. Dr. Pjesky explains the importance of the World Econ...

10/28/2023

Dr. Alex Salter talks with me about his book Money and the Rule of Law. Dr. Salter explains the major problems with current monetary policy ex*****on. Dr. Salter argues that central banks struggle to implement monetary policy effectively because of discretion on the part of the central bank. We explore Salter’s main argument in the book, that the Federal Reserve should not make its own goals, but that the democratic process should more tightly define the Fed’s objectives. Dr. Salter lays the framework out for how the paradigm of monetary policy should be redefined, where the rule of law should provide the foundation for monetary policy, removing discretion over the goals of the Fed. Finally, we explore Dr. Salter’s recent opinion piece where he argues that the FED should stop lowering interest rates even though inflation was 3.7% at the time of his writing.

EconBuff Podcast #50 with Alex Salter Dr. Alex Salter talks with me about his book Money and the Rule of Law. Dr. Salter explains the major problems with current monetary policy ex*****on. Dr. Salter argues that central banks struggle to implement monetary policy effectively because of discretion on...