The Curious Task
Episodes
Bryce Tingle - How Are Regulations Damaging Markets?
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2024, Alex speaks with Bryce Tingle about corporations, how these unique legal entities are governed, how changes we have made to...
Nigel Ashford - Can We Change The World For Liberty?
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with Nigel Ashford about the prospects for a freer world and how the memory of history, the hope of younger per...
Is An Examined Education Better? - Nick Cowan
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with Nick Cowan about why an “examined education” is better than an unexamined one. Drawing on his paper, Nick argues...
Stefanie Haeffele - Can We Live Better Together?
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with Stefanie Haeffele about her book Living Better Together, which explores the work of Elinor Ostrom and Vivi...
Eric Mack - Why Read Anarchy, State and Utopia? (Part Two)
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of this episode from 2022, Alex speaks again with philosopher Eric Mack about "Anarchy, State and Utopia", this time touching on some of t...
Eric Mack - Why Read Anarchy, State and Utopia?
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2022, Alex speaks with Philosopher Eric Mack about Robert Nozick's "Anarchy State and Utopia" and how the book shaped the convers...
Eric Schliesser - Is Post-Liberalism Already Here?
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Eric Schliesser about the growing declarations of the end of liberalism and what this means for the s...
Reem Ibrahim - Did Brexit Succeed?
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt speaks with Reem Ibrahim about whether Brexit can be considered a success six years after the UK left the European Union. They e...
Franco Terrazzano - What Is Government Waste?
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with Franco Terrazano about government spending, taxation, and fiscal accountability in Canada, with a focus on how defic...
Sabine Benoit - Why Is Canada In A Housing Crisis?
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alex interviews Sabine Benoit of the Consumer Choice Center on Canada’s housing crisis. Sabine argues the main causes are chronic undersupply plus p...
Graeme Thompson - What Is Canada's Role In The World?
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2025, Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about Canada's evolving role on the global stage, from Confederation through ...
Abigail Hall - How Does Government Propaganda Manufacture Militarism?
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2022, Alex speaks with Abigail Hall about propaganda - an elusive and at times far-reaching concept that can be found everywhere:...
Chris Coyne - How Do You Run A War?
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2024, Alex speaks with Chris Coyne about the complexities and ramifications of war, focusing on the interplay between media narra...
What Is The Path Out Of Poverty? - Randy Hicks
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Randy Hicks (CEO of the Georgia Center for Opportunity) about why jobs and social capital matter, how government programs can stabili...
Kevin Erdmann - Why Are We Afraid Of Building Homes?
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Kevin Erdmann about how zoning, the 2008 economic crisis, and the desire to live away from "those peo...
What Is The New Right? - Sean Speer
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt speaks with Sean Speer about the rise of the so-called “New Right” and the growing tension between conservatism and classica...
What Do Companies Owe Society? - Abraham Singer
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with Abraham Singer about his book Everyone’s Business, exploring why businesses and other private organizations should...
What's Wrong With The Notwithstanding Clause? - Leonid Sirota
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with constitutional scholar Leonid Sirota about the notwithstanding clause—what it does, how it functions within Canada...
How Can We Do Indigenous Reconciliation Better? - Karen Restoule
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt interviews Karen Restoule on the challenge of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. Restoule stresses that true reconciliation mu...
How Did Hungary Become Illiberal? - Zoltan Kesz
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt digs into modern Hungarian politics with Zoltan Kesz, exploring how Viktor Orbán evolved from a young liberal reformer into an ...
Should The State Be In Charge Of The Post? - Moin Yahya
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
ILS Educational Programs Manager Alex Eames speaks with Moin Yahya about whether the state should run the postal service. They explore the history of ...
What Is Technohumanism? - Jason Crawford
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress Institute) about “technohumanism”—the view that science, technology, and industry are good in...
Can Halloween Save Democracy? - Rachel Humphries
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt speaks with Rachel Davison Humphries, Senior Director of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Bill of Rights Institute, about how r...
Mustafa Akyol — How Free Is The Muslim World?
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Mustafa Akyol as he explores whether Islam can be compatible with liberalism, and his recent ...
How Is Conservatism Changing In Canada? - Sam Routley
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with political researcher Sam Routley about how conservatism is changing in Canada. Drawing on his article “Decoding Ca...
Neil Boyd - Does Drug Decriminalization Work?
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with Neil Boyd about the effects of drug decriminalization and legalization in Canada and around the world, and...
Jason Lee Byas - How Should We Deal With Historic Injustice?
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2022, Alex speaks with Jason Lee Byas about the complexities of responding to questions of historic injustice, reparations, ...
Seth Kaplan - Why Are Neighbourhoods Important?
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this coversation from 2023, Matt speaks with Seth Kaplan about his book Fragile Neighborhoods, and why a decision as simple as where we choose to l...
Andrew Coyne - Why Is Canadian Democracy In Crisis?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with journalist and author Andrew Coyne about why Canadian democracy is in crisis. Drawing from his book The Crisis of Ca...
Tyler Cowen - Who Is The Greatest Economist Of All Time?
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2024, Matt speaks with Tyler Cowen about his recent book "GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Ma...
Aaron Powell - Is Fusionism Dead?
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2022, Alex speaks with Aaron Powell about the origins of fusionism, where it stands today, and why non-traditional alliances migh...
Mike Munger - What Is The Difference Between Directionalism and Destinationism?
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2023, Alex and Mike Munger discuss two strains of thought within the liberty movement - one concerned with philosophical pur...
Pete Boettke - Is Hayek Still Relevant?
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Pete Boettke about the relevancy of Friedrich Hayek in the contemporary context, what it means to be ...
Robert Poole - What's Wrong With America's Highways?
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with transportation policy expert Robert Poole about his book Rethinking America’s Highways. Poole makes the case for r...
Kevin Vallier - What Are The New Religious Threats To Liberalism?
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with Kevin Vallier about his new book "All The Kingdoms Of The World", in which he takes a global view of anti-...
Brian Dijkema - Did Liberalism Fail?
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt speaks with Brian Dijkema of Cardus, about the moral limits of modern liberalism. Dijkema argues that while classical liberalism...
Chandran Kukathas - What’s Wrong With Immigration Control?
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2022, Alex speaks with Chandran Kukathas about the costs of limiting immigration and what effects there may be on policy if the q...
Pete Boettke — What Is The Curious Task of Economics?
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona chats with Pete Boettke as he dives into what the curious task of economics is and relates it back to the...
Bruce Pardy - Freedom Or Virtue?
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt speaks with legal scholar Bruce Pardy about the deep tension between freedom and virtue. Pardy argues that “freedom people” ...
Ben Woodfinden - What Is Canadian Conservatism?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alex speaks with political theorist Ben Woodfinden about the meaning and complexity of Canadian conservatism. Drawing on his essay “...
Jacob Levy - Is Liberalism Neutral?
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Professor Jacob Levy about the concept of neutrality within the history of liberalism and how many hi...
Bill Wirtz - Why Do Governments Hate Fun?
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary: Matt Bufton is joined by Bill Wirtz of the Consumer Choice Centre to explore why governments often crack down on fun—from drinking ...
Marc-William Palen - Were There Left-Wing Visions of Free Trade?
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Marc-William Palen about the evolution of left-wing visions of free trade from the mid-19th century t...
Russ Roberts - What’s Wrong With Education?
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2022, Alex speaks with Russ Roberts about the nature of education and how we should rethink it in today's world. This is a s...
David Friedman - What Is Anarcho-Capitalism?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with David Friedman about defenses, definitions and critiques of Anarcho-Capitalism in David's work and in othe...
Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Mike Munger about the state of classical liberalism in an era in which conservatism seems intent on w...
James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy - Why Do Families Choose Private Education?
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a special episode of the Curious Task, Matt sits down with James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy at Blueberry Creek Forest School and Nature Centre to dis...
Alan Elrod - How Should Liberals Think About Children?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Janet speaks with Alan Elrod to explore how classical liberalism understands the role of children in a free society. They discuss the liberal view of ...
Chris Freiman — Is it Okay to Ignore Politics?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Christopher Freiman as he explores why you might be happier, and ultimately contribute more t...
Graeme Thompson - What Is Canada's Role In The World?
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about Canada's evolving role on the global stage, from Confederation through to the post-Cold War era and int...
Iain Murray - What Has Happened to Conservatism?
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2023, Matt speaks with Iain Murray about the estrangement of conservative liberalism from identitarian forms of conservative nati...
What Happened To The Carbon Tax? - Franco Terrazzano
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Franco Terrazzano about the carbon tax within the broader context of government spending, taxation, and fiscal responsibility in Cana...
Graeme Thompson — What Is Canadian Liberalism?
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2021, Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tr...
Matt McManus - Is Liberal Socialism An Oxymoron?
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Bufton speaks with Matt McManus about the philosophical foundations of liberalism and socialism, exploring how these two traditions intersect and...
James R. Harrigan - What Is Going On Down There?
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with James Harrigan about U.S.-Canada relations, with a focus on tariffs, trade policy, and economic misunderstandings that shape ...
Don Boudreaux - Why Are We In A Trade War?
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Bufton speaks with Don Boudreaux about tariffs, free trade, and the economic misunderstandings that drive protectionist policies. Don critiques t...
Ryan Manucha - What's Stopping Interprovincial Trade?
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Bufton speaks with Ryan Manucha about interprovincial trade in Canada, focusing on the legal and economic barriers that hinder free trade between...
Bart Wilson - What Do Economists Miss?
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Bart Wilson about what economists often overlook in their analysis—specifically, the role of morality, human cooperation, and langu...
Tim Thurley - Are Canada's Gun Policies Off-Target?
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Tim Thurley about gun policy in Canada, discussing the current state of firearm regulations, the shift away from a past polit...
Ethan Nadelmann - Is Vaping A Public Health Problem?
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Ethan Nadelmann about vaping, e-cigarettes, and pouch nicotine alternatives to cigarettes within the broader context of health policy...
Eric Schliesser - Do Liberals Focus Too Much On Freedom From Restrictions?
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Eric Schliesser about the "freedom to" vs. "freedom from" debate in political theory, using Serene Khader’s book Faux Feminism as a...
Ryan Thorpe and Matt Bufton - Is There A Role For A State Broadcaster?
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona moderates a discussion with Ryan Thorpe and Matt Bufton about the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and its relevance in today’s ...
Steve Davies - Why Is Politics Today So Weird?
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Matt Bufton interviews historian Steve Davies about the political realignment happening across the Western world. Steve explains...
Jacob Levy - Why Is Montesquieu Important For Liberalism?
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from 2021, Alex speaks with Jacob Levy about Montesquieu's role in shaping contemporary political science, the American revolutio...
Victor M. Muniz-Fraticelli - Is Monarchy Absurd?
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from 2021, Alex Aragona speaks with Victor M. Muniz-Fraticelli about whether the monarchy might seem absurd, and whether a little absu...
Neera Badhwar - Are Liberal Societies More Moral And Virtuous?
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Neera Badhwar about her forthcoming paper, “There are Divinities in Liberal Market Societies Too,” exploring how liberal societie...
Alex Tabarrok — Is Giving Gifts Inefficient?
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're revisiting this special Christmas episode of The Curious Task from 2019. --- Alex Aragona chats with Alex Tabarrok on this very special...
Sabine El-Chidiac - What's Wrong With The LCBO?
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Sabine El-Chidiac about the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), exploring its historical context, operational inefficiencies, and...
Danny LeRoy - Why Are Groceries So Expensive?
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Danny Leroy about inflation in Canada, with a focus on the rising price of groceries. Danny explains how monetary expansion and gover...
Brian Albrecht - What Can Policy Makers Learn From Economists?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Brian Albrecht about how policymakers can think more like economists by emphasizing the role of prices, trade-offs, and unintended co...
Matt Zwolinski - Is There Such A Thing As A Free Market?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Matt Zwolinski about whether a truly "free market" exists, delving into concepts of freedom, coercion, and property rights. They exam...
Nimish Adhia - Is Tipping A Good Practice?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Nimish Adhia about the practice of tipping, exploring its cultural and economic implications, as well as its persistence despite wide...
Erwin Dekker - What Is The Value Of Art?
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Erwin Dekker about the economics and public policy perspectives on art, examining various theories on how art derives its value in co...
Lauren Hall - What Is Radical Moderation?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Lauren Hall about "radical moderation," a framework that encourages moving beyond binary thinking in social and political issues. Hal...
Elias Khalil - Who Was Ibn Khaldûn?
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Elias Khalil about the influential ideas of Ibn Khaldun, delving into Khaldun's theories on the rise and fall of civilizations, the n...
Larry White - What Is Free Banking?
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Larry White about the principles of free banking, focusing on how competitive banking systems can operate without centralized control...
Alex Edmans - How Do Stories, Stats And Studies Exploit Our Biases?
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Alex Edmans about his book May Contain Lies, examining the widespread issue of misinformation and exploring how factors like confirma...
Mike Munger - Is Capitalism Sustainable?
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In 2020, Alex spoke with Mike Munger about the sustainability of capitalism. We're republishing that very important conversation today. --- Alex Arago...
Jeffrey Miron - Should Government Discourage Sin?
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Jeffrey Miron about the justice and effectiveness of "sin taxes," evaluating whether taxes on goods like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary...
Adam Lovasz - Is Spontaneous Order Just A Human Phenomenon?
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Ádám Lovász about the concept of spontaneous order, examining its philosophical roots in thinkers like Hayek and exploring its app...
Colin Craig - How Bad Is Canadian Healthcare?
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Colin Craig about the Canadian healthcare system, discussing its inefficiencies, long wait times, and potential reforms, while compar...
Sabine El-Chidiac - What Helps Refugees Succeed?
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate Sabine’s time at the ILS and her work with the Curious Task, we’re revisiting Sabine’s first appearance as a guest on the podcast. ...
Mark Koyama - How Can Monopoly Lead To Shipwreck?
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Mark Koyama about the historical context and economic implications of the Manila Galleon trade, focusing on how monopolistic practice...
Jacob Levy - What Is The Idea Of A Liberal Party?
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Summary Alex speaks with Jacob Levy about the concept of a liberal party, exploring its philosophical foundations, historical context, and touch on al...
Nathan Goodman - How Can Border Control Affect Domestic Life?
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Nathan Goodman about the complexities of border control and domestic policy, focusing on how these issues intersect with libertaria...
Ignacio Cofone - What Is The Privacy Fallacy?
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Ignacio Cofone about the intricacies of privacy in the digital era, examining how personal data is collected, inferred upon, and t...
Bruce Pardy - Do We Have The Rule Of Law?
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Bruce Pardy about the rule of law in Canada, implications of the notwithstanding clause, the evolving interpretation of the Charter, ...
Rosolino Candela - What Is The Morality Of Illicit Markets?
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Rosolino Candela about the morality and dynamics of illicit markets, focusing on the transition from central planning to privatizatio...
Matt Zwolinski - What Is Bleeding Heart Libertarianism?
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Matt Zwolinski about Bleeding Heart Libertarianism and the diverse perspectives within libertarian thought, discussing its history, p...
Chris Coyne - How Do You Run A War?
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Chris Coyne about the complexities and ramifications of war, focusing on the interplay between media narratives, propaganda, and the ...
Greta Lynn Uehling - What Happens To Relationships During War?
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Greta Lynn Uehling about her research on the effects of war on relationships, an underexplored topic in conflict studies. Episode N...
Marc-William Palen - Were There Left-Wing Visions of Free Trade?
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Marc-William Palen about the evolution of left-wing visions of free trade from the mid-19th century through the Cold War, highlightin...
Joanna Baron - Did The Pandemic Undermine Civil Liberties?
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Joanna Baron about how government measures during the pandemic undermined civil liberties in North America and beyond. Episode Note...
Jonathan Blanks - What Is Systemic Racism?
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Jonathan Blanks about why and how systemic racism exists in society, and what can potentially be done to curb it in various aspects...
Kevin Erdmann - Why Are We Afraid Of Building Homes?
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Kevin Erdmann about how zoning, the 2008 economic crisis, and the desire to live away from "those people" is effecting the state of h...
Dominic Parker - Do Environmental Agencies Actually Help The Environment?
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Dominic Parker about his 2024 paper with Dean Lueck entitled "The Economic Origins And Extent Of America's First Environmental Agenci...
Ryan Bourne - Is There A War On Prices?
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Ryan Bourne as he explores the misconceptions around inflation and the dangers of price controls, emphasizing how prices act as s...
Kent Roach - Does Canada Have A Wrongful Conviction Problem?
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Donner prize nominee Kent Roach about a topic that many Canadians may overlook when thinking about issues that are recurring at home:...
Ethan Nadelmann - Has Drug Decriminalization Failed?
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Ethan Nadelmann about drug decriminalization, legalization, and the slow end to the drug war in Canada and the United States, and how...
Craig Biddle - What Is Objectivism?
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Craig Biddle about objectivism and the legacy of Ayn Rand, and how it all ties to classical liberalism, the American ideal, and post-...