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Acton Line

Acton Institute
Acton Institute
Christianity
Everyday Freedom
Poverty
The Great Unlearning
Faith
Matthew Desmond
Human Responsibility Model
Common Good
Social Justice
Government Intervention
Cancel Culture
Inflation
Economic Mobility
Governance Of Cities
Public Employee Unions
Deconstruction
Evangelicalism
Jesus
Community Flourishing

Dedicated to the promotion of a free and virtuous society, Acton Line brings together writers, economists, religious leaders, and more to bridge the gap between good intentions and sound economics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes532Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Acton Line

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Stephen Barrows, chief operations officer of the Acton Institute, about the recent conviction of entrepreneur and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty by a Hong Kong court on Monday in a landm... more

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Peter J. Boettke, Distinguished University Professor of Economics at George Mason University, as well as the director of the F. A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the ... more

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Stephanie Slade, senior editor at Reason magazine and a fellow in liberal studies at the Acton Institute, about the “New Right.” Who comprises the New Right, and what is their approach to politics? Has the old ... more

YouTube

This month on the Acton Rundown Dan & Mark chat about upcoming Acton events and new video content.

Essays:

Fall 2025 Religion & Liberty

American Religion by the Numbers by Miles Smith

A Pope for the 21st Century

Video content:

Anne Bradley Inte... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

John Wilsey
Professor of Church History and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Episode: John Wilsey Is Priming Conservatives for Religious Freedom
Brad Birzer
Russell Amos Kirk Chair of American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Brad Birzer Wonders if Russell Kirk’s Conservative Movement Has a Future
Stephen Barrows
Chief Operating Officer here at Acton, and also a trained economist
Acton Institute
Episode: Stephen Barrows Integrates Catholic Social Teaching and Economics
Nathan Mech
Manager of the Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage at the Acton Institute
Acton Institute
Episode: Nathan Mech on Interfaith Dialogue at the Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage
Clara Piano
Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
Episode: Clara Piano on Markets, Morals, and Vocations Professional and Personal
Jenna Robinson
President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
James G. Martin Center
Episode: Jenna Robinson on the Crisis in Higher Ed and the Prospects for Academic Renewal
Dave Hebert
Senior Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research and affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute.
American Institute for Economic Research
Episode: Dave Hebert Unpacks America’s Recent Economic Policy Missteps
Eric Kohn
CEO of America's Future
America's Future
Episode: How the CEO of America’s Future Is Preparing for America’s Future
Marcel van Hattem
Brazilian politician and political scientist
Episode: Acton Rundown | July 2025

Hosts

Dan Hugger
Librarian and Research Associate at the Acton Institute, frequently discussing philosophical and economic topics.
Mark Townsend
Producer with a focus on blending cultural insights and economic principles.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 262 ratings
  • Beatles

    The only thing missing from the excellent Beatles episode was a discussion of Brian Epstein and his crucial role as manager.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stegj
    United States3 years ago
  • Well produced and thoughtful podcast that features interviews on a wide variety of topics: culture, economics, science, theology, technology, psychology, etc. Comes from the perspective of the intelligent Christian right. Good podcast content and the length makes it easy to get through an episode during my commute.

    Podcast Addict
    datadriven
    3 years ago
  • Well produced and thoughtful podcast that features interviews on a wide variety of topics: culture, economics, science, theology, technology, psychology, etc. Comes from the perspective of the intelligent Christian right. Good podcast content and the length makes it easy to get through an episode during my commute.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    datadriven
    3 years ago
  • Daring and humble - A positive path forward

    Fearless in taking on controversial topics, but in a kind and thoughtful way. I love the emphasis on virtue, and the ideas on how to navigate our society and promote democracy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisafromtheMidwest
    United States3 years ago
  • Captivating and arousing episodes!

    There are few institutions that so faithfully promote the free and virtuous society. This podcast unpacks the big questions and tensions that surround this society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NtwaliB
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many comment on the podcast's respectful and engaging tone, indicating it successfully provokes critical thinking without losing clarity.
Audience feedback often mentions the relevance of the discussions to contemporary social issues, stressing the importance of a balanced perspective.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful exploration of complex topics, often highlighting the blend of virtue ethics with practical economic insights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Peter Boettke Is Teaching the Humanistic Foundations of Austrian Economics
Q: Can you unpack that argument for our listeners, why it's important to read these old figures and not just pick up the latest economics textbook?
Boettke explains that understanding historic figures fosters a better grasp of modern economic principles and helps navigate the complexities of human behavior.
John Wilsey Is Priming Conservatives for Religious Freedom
Q: How do you see this book serving as an entry into the argument regarding the success or failure of the American experiment?
The American experiment, although having challenges, is fundamentally a success story and has not failed despite critics.
John Wilsey Is Priming Conservatives for Religious Freedom
Q: What does it look like in France?
The established church became a point of conflict, leading to a program of secularism in defense of liberty during the revolution.
Peter Lipsett Is Podcasting to Answer the Question, "What Is the Right?"
Q: What role do labels play in understanding the conservative movement?
Labels are important for defining beliefs in the conservative spectrum and facilitate dialogue.
Peter Lipsett Is Podcasting to Answer the Question, "What Is the Right?"
Q: What led you to create the 'What is the Right' podcast series?
I felt a need to scratch that itch and understand the various factions of the conservative movement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Acton Line

What is Acton Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the principles of a free and virtuous society, episodes emphasize the intersection of faith, economics, and cultural discourse. The podcast features discussions with a diverse range of guests, including writers, economists, and religious figures, exploring timely issues such as social justice, virtue ethics, and the implications of contemporary economics. Notably, the content frequently draws on historical and philosophical perspectives, making complex subjects accessible while aiming to inspire listeners towards personal and societal flourishing.

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How many listeners does Acton Line get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Acton Line?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Acton Line:

1. First Things Podcast
2. Capital Record
3. Uncommon Knowledge
4. Hillsdale Dialogues
5. The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

How many episodes of Acton Line are there?

Acton Line launched 9 years ago and published 532 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Acton Line?

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What guests have appeared on Acton Line?

Recent guests on Acton Line include:

1. John Wilsey
2. Brad Birzer
3. Stephen Barrows
4. Nathan Mech
5. Clara Piano
6. Jenna Robinson
7. Dave Hebert
8. Eric Kohn

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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