In this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with longtime strategist and writer David Keene for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of the conservative movement. From his early mentorship under Frank Meyer and work with Barry Goldwater to leading the American Conservative Union and the NRA, Keene reflects on fusionism, ideological shifts within the GOP, the rise of populism, cultural realignment, and the importance of civic virtue.

In this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with Neal B. Freeman—author, broadcaster, and founding figure of modern American conservatism. Freeman recounts his early work at National Review alongside William F. Buckley, reflects on the movement’s intellectual origins, and discusses the enduring tension between ordered liberty and state overreach.

Governor Mitch Daniels sits down with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss lessons in preserving freedom in the midst of a global pandemic, faith traditions and self-governance, DOGE, and January 6th.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Charles Murray of AEI discuss achievement in America, the widening gap between classes, and the interplay of liberty, responsibility, and self-respect.

On this episode of The Future of Liberty, Governor Mitch Daniels and Yuval Levin explore the vital role of hope as an active virtue in sustaining a free society. They discuss the pressing need to rebuild trust, reconnect with one another, and form coalitions that transcend disagreement. The conversation delves into the enduring importance of the Constitution, the often-overlooked “everyday work” of Congress, and thoughtful ideas for reforming America’s political party system.

Governor Mitch Daniels and historian Amity Shlaes discuss misconceptions about the Great Depression and the New Deal; reevaluate the reputations of Presidents Coolidge, Hoover, and FDR; and consider the idea of the Forgotten Man.

Governor Mitch Daniels and renowned historian and author Sir Niall Ferguson discuss pressing current events including political polarization, the disturbing rise of violent antisemitic incidents, and the societal impact of aging populations. They also delve into the United States spending more on debt interest than on national security for the first time in history, the geopolitical threats and China’s internal struggles, and a renewal of the U.S. national spirit with the emergence of new forms of American innovation and entrepreneurship.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Reason magazine Senior Editor Stephanie Slade consider the changing factions of the American political landscape, the history and future of fusionism, and how college students became such big fans of big government. They also consider the contrast between the hopelessness of a static society and the hope and fears of a dynamic one and give us some reasons to be hopeful for the future of liberty.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind) discuss current threats to liberty, the state of the American military, the national debt, and the importance of continuing to invest in science and technology. They also consider the complex process of getting legislation passed, the impact of AI on military operations, and they close their discussion with some reasons to be hopeful about America in 2050.

Governor Mitch Daniels and constitutional law professor Randy Barnett discuss what it’s like to be a conservative or libertarian on a liberal college campus, the changes in Barnett’s political philosophy over time, and his development as a public meaning originalist. They also explore Barnett’s interest in the ninth amendment and his theory that \”first come rights and then comes government,\” as well as the idea that sometimes private property and liberty can be in conflict.

Governor Daniels and Joe Lonsdale, the founder and managing partner of 8VC, discuss the prospects for liberty in the technology sector, challenges to liberty in public education, and the difficulty of starting a defense company when your competition is the government. They also discuss Lonsdale’s work with the University of Austin, the perils of DEI, the proper role of government, the way to a better future, and why Lonsdale likes Xenophon.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor in chief of Reason magazine, discuss why it’s so hard for third parties to gain ground in American politics, whether not voting is a responsible choice, the role of technology in education, and the place of traditional and new media in the modern political landscape.

In this episode Governor Daniels and legal scholar and founder of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, Philip Hamburger, discuss the origins of the administrative state in classism, the use of it as an “irregular pathway” around the Constitution, and a series of cases about topics from fishing boats to social media that demonstrate the dangers to liberty that arise from an overreaching administrative state.