The Global War on Free Speech

The Global War on Free Speech

Author: The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie May 15, 2026 Duration: 1:02:27
Jacob Mchangama and Jeff Kosseff discuss the global decline of free speech, why democracies are embracing censorship, and what can be done to protect open debate.

The conversations on The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie move beyond the day's headlines to explore the deeper ideas shaping our world. Host Nick Gillespie engages with a wide range of guests-from politicians and policy experts to novelists, tech founders, and cultural critics-in dialogues that are substantive yet accessible. This podcast delves into the intersection of individual liberty, innovation, and societal change, examining how libertarian principles apply to contemporary debates. Each episode is a long-form discussion where guests explain their work and worldview in detail, offering listeners a nuanced perspective often missing from soundbite-driven media. You'll hear analyses of political movements, discussions on artistic expression, and debates about the future of technology and free speech. The tone is curious and challenging, favoring open inquiry over partisan talking points. For anyone interested in the forces driving politics and culture, this series provides thoughtful context for understanding both current events and the underlying trends that will define what comes next. Tune in for consistently engaging interviews that illuminate the people and ideas actively constructing the twenty-first century.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
Podcast Episodes
Anthony Scaramucci: How America Got Trump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:06
Anthony Scaramucci discusses how China’s rise, the War on Terror, and the 2008 financial crisis fueled populist anger.
Why Kids Need More Freedom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:28
Psychologist Peter Gray discusses why kids need more unstructured play, how schools are fueling childhood anxiety, and why smartphones aren’t to blame.
Why So Many Men Feel Lost [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:23
Jon Ronson discusses why old social structures are breaking down, the rise of online identity, and what happens when people lose a sense of meaning.
Why America's Prisons Keep Failing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:43
C.J. Ciaramella discusses 250 years of prison reform, the crisis facing state prisons, and whether America can build a more humane system.
Why the Right Is Embracing State Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:11
Stephanie Slade discusses the rise of the post-liberal right, the growing appeal of state power, and why fusionism still matters.
Can America Survive Its Political Divide? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:00
Kurt Andersen discusses the politicization of everyday life, generational conflict, and whether markets have failed younger Americans.
What if the Future Is Actually Good? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:02
Jason Silva discusses the promise of AI, the psychedelic renaissance, and the case for embracing technological optimism.
How a Top Democratic Operative Lost Faith in Her Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:06
Evan Barker discusses the Democratic Party's growing disconnect from working-class voters, the realities of political fundraising, and the future of populism in America.