Voices of Freedom

• Interview with Gonzalo Schwarz and Clay Routledge

  An Interview with Gonzalo Schwarz and Clay Routledge, Archbridge Institute Despite prevailing messages to the contrary, recent research reveals a surprising finding: nearly seven in ten Americans say they either believe they'll achieve the American Dream or already have. Yet a deeper question remains: What does it actually take for people to flourish? Our guests on this episode of Voices of Freedom have dedicated their careers to answering this question by building a bridge between the truths revealed by research and the narratives that drive people and society. Gonzalo Schwarz and Clay Routledge of the Archbridge Institute share insights from their work building a "human flourishing movement" that goes beyond traditional economic measures to understand what truly enables people to live better, fuller lives. Together, they explain why most Americans remain optimistic about their futures—despite pessimistic narratives we often hear. Topics Discussed on this Episode: How growing up in multiple countries shaped Gonzalo's understanding of institutions and opportunity Why Clay transitioned from academia to policy work and the connection between psychology and public policy Why Archbridge regards "human flourishing" as a better framework than traditional economic measures The "crisis of meaning" affecting young people and its impact on well-being and success Why young Americans are more pessimistic about the American Dream and how to encourage optimism Why most Americans remain optimistic about achieving the American Dream Breakthrough insights and policy solutions that could make a difference in people's lives

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• Interview with Nathan McGrath

  An Interview with Nathan McGrath, President and General Counsel of the Fairness Center When public employees face retaliation for exercising their constitutional rights or encounter union corruption, where can they turn for help? Often, they're confronting powerful forces that possess unlimited resources – an uphill battle for any worker. That's where organizations like the Fairness Center step in to level the playing field. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Nathan McGrath, President and General Counsel of the Fairness Center, a nonprofit law firm providing free legal services to public-sector employees hurt by union officials. Since the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME, Nathan and his team have been on the front lines helping workers understand and exercise their rights. From challenging illegal contract provisions to exposing embezzled union dues, Nathan's work touches on fundamental questions about individual liberty, the constitution, and the role of public-sector unions in America Topics Discussed on this Episode: Nathan's transition from private practice to constitutional and labor law The Fairness Center's mission to help public employees How the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision changed the landscape for public-sector workers Why small financial disputes can raise crucial constitutional principles How different state laws affect public employees' rights across the country The broader impact of the Fairness Center's work on worker liberty The biggest challenges facing public-sector employees today

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• Interview wth Mark L. Clifford

  An Interview with Mark L. Clifford, Author and Editor For more than four years, one of the greatest entrepreneurs in Hong Kong’s history has been in solitary confinement on sham charges that could lead to imprisonment for life. Despite being held in a small cell, 77-year-old Jimmy Lai has become one of Beijing’s greatest threats and one of the world’s most courageous leaders in the fight for freedom. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Mark L. Clifford, Lai’s close friend and an advocate for freedom in Hong Kong. He shares Lai’s remarkable story, from his childhood in poverty, to his rise as a successful business owner and newspaper publisher, to his stand against tyranny. This year, The Bradley Foundation has awarded Lai with an Honorary Bradley Prize for his unwavering commitment to the ideals of freedom. Topics Discussed on this Episode: Lai’s childhood on mainland China and why he fled to Hong Kong How Lai was able to quickly rise above his circumstances The influence of free market ideas on Lai’s career and life The impact of Tiananmen Square and the massacre of 1989 Lai’s introduction to Catholicism and how religion shaped his belief system Lai’s decision to stay in Hong Kong and take a stand for freedom Lai’s state of mind after more than four years in prison Why the Chinese Communist Party fears Lai Whether there’s hope for Hong Kong’s democratic movement About Mark L. Clifford: Clifford is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, the former executive director of the Asia Business Council, and a former board member at Next Digital. He is editorial chair of the Asian Review of Books and served as editor in chief of both English-language papers in Hong Kong, The Standard and the South China Morning Post.

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• Interview with Christopher Rufo

  An Interview with Christopher Rufo, Writer, Filmmaker and Commentator For more than half a century, many of America’s most revered institutions have been infiltrated with ideas that run counter to the country’s founding principles. This ideological capture has been acute within prestigious universities, to the point where the opportunity for viewpoint diversity continues to be under severe threat.  Yet, according to our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom, all is not lost. In fact, he believes that there has been an ideological shift not only within higher education, but in society, politics, culture and in civic institutions. And, he says, it’s only beginning.   Christ Rufo discusses how his unique background, which is rooted in both scholarship and filmmaking, has led him to believe that it’s possible and vital to restore the principles of American exceptionalism.  Topics Discussed on this Episode Why Chris went into documentary filmmaking upon graduation from Georgetown University. What Chris learned directing documentaries and why he focused on urban areas How Chris’ filmmaking experience turned him into an advocate for solutions to the problems he was seeing Reversing the ideological capture of higher universities and how to turn ideas rooted in scholarship into reality. Opportunities to change the culture in institutions that seem permanently captured, such as government, higher education, and entertainment Why the younger generation is gravitating towards values and ideals traditionally tied to free enterprise, liberty and free speech The rise of independent media and how it has contributed to the cultural shift What it means to receive a Bradley Prize About Christopher Rufo  Rufo is a bestselling author, filmmaker and commentator, whose work has significantly influenced contemporary American culture and policies. He’s also a senior fellow and director of the initiative on critical race theory at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal. Rufo is a 2025 Bradley Prize winner.

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• Interview with Barry Strauss

  An Interview with Barry Strauss, Esteemed Classicist, Military and Naval Historian, and Best-selling Author Different civilizations, cultures and countries have experienced the rise of remarkable leaders. While these leaders may have ruled under vastly different circumstances, they often share similar characteristics. Many too, have made the same costly mistakes. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Barry Strauss, a leading historian who has explored many fascinating leaders, particularly from ancient classical times. He deepens our understanding about the universal qualities of leadership and shares lessons of the ancient world that remain applicable today. Topics Discussed on this Episode: What drew Barry to the study of the ancient world and the leaders who shaped it Universal qualities of a capable and effective leader Common mistakes that great leaders have made and what can be learned from them The ancient leader that fascinates Barry the most Barry’s experiences in promoting free speech within the academy Why free speech has been restricted within higher education What previous civilizations tell us about free speech, including who had the privilege or right to practice it The history of disinformation and how it was used in the ancient world Barry’s process of bringing ancient leaders to life through his writing How to get young people to engage with the classical world Whether the ideals of the Western tradition are at threat of being lost Reaction to winning a Bradley Prize About Barry Strauss Barry Strauss is a bestselling author, and an esteemed military and naval historian.  He is currently the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Series Editor of Princeton’s Turning Points in Ancient History. Barry is also the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he was the Chair of the Department of History as well as Professor of History and Classics.    In addition, he is a 2025 Bradley Prize winner. :   

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