Senior Fellow Judy Shelton, author of Good as Gold is interviewed on BBC radio. In the last months of 2024, the US economy grew at a lower pace than economists forecast. Judy Shelton says the effect of tariffs will be less important than the supply side agenda of the Trump administration. Inflation should go down if energy prices fall and businesses can expand with access to captal. International currency manipulation hurts US manufacturing and Trump intends to use tariffs as a negotiating tactic, she says .

Lawrence McQuillan from the Independent Institute joins Bob to delve into the regulatory failures and mismanagement behind the wildfire crisis in California. They discuss the environmental policies that exacerbate risks, offer practical solutions to firefighting and prevention shortcomings, and examine the role of private stewardship in mitigating future disasters. This episode overall sheds light on how California’s political landscape and approach to wildfires continues to fuel a recurring tragedy.

La Canada Flintridge resident Kristian Fors reacts to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order suspending environmental regulations and explains why he is not confident in the government's management of the forests.

In the wake of hurricanes, we need to ask an uncomfortable question: has federal flood insurance policy made the damage more extensive? The East Coast port workers strike is temporarily settled, but the effort to kill port automation is still on the table; does automation kill jobs? California and Minnesota are outlawing political AI deepfakes. Is this a victory against hate and disinformation? And what about California’s new law banning legacy admission at even private colleges? We discuss these subjects and more on today's episode of Independent Outlook.

Ever wonder why California gas prices are perpetually higher than in other states? Or why residential real estate in California is overwhelmingly more expensive than elsewhere? Or why wildfires got so out of control in recent years? Or why a visit to a California DMV office has been such an ordeal—but is maybe a bit better in recent years? More about the California Golden Fleece Awards

Senior Fellow Ivan Eland, author of War and the Rogue Presidency discusses the recent US Supreme Court arguments on enforcement of regulations by unelected federal agencies. Eland says Congress should make laws that are easy to understand and enforce. But instead, Congress intentionally makes laws that are vague in order to appear benevolent without being specific.

Dr. Atlas interviews Professor Steven Koonin of NYU. Koonin served as Undersecretary for Science in the Department of Energy from 2009 to 2011 and was a professor at Cal Tech for nearly 30 years. They discuss the science on climate change and the general state of science, as climate and energy have become so prominent in the media and public policy debates.

Senior Fellow Lawrence J. McQuillan discusses California mismanagement of forests, resulting in out of control wildfires.

Related: California Wildfires: Key Recommendations to Prevent Future Disasters