Were the good old days actually better—or are we forgetting what life was like?

In episode 223 of the Let People Prosper Show, economist Vance Ginn welcomes Chelsea Follett, a Cato Institute research fellow working with HumanProgress.org and author of The Grim Old Days.

They examine preindustrial living conditions, child survival, industrialization, economic freedom, and how openness and innovation improve everyday life. The conversation also considers AI’s potential to extend that progress.

The message is hopeful: understanding the past can help us preserve the freedom to build a better future.

Follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who enjoys history and economics.

Full episode show notes + newsletter subscription:
https://vanceginn.substack.com/p/ab1570b1-694a-4085-aa2f-04327891d338

Chelsea’s book:
https://www.cato.org/books/grim-old-days

Research and policy guides:
https://vanceginn.com

Will cracking down on healthcare middlemen make your prescriptions more affordable?

In This Week’s Economy 188, economist Vance Ginn examines pharmacy benefit managers, the services they perform, and the incentives shaping America’s healthcare system.

The episode asks what happens to drug-price negotiations and benefit administration when policymakers restrict intermediaries, why a reform that helps one business may still raise costs for patients, and how competition and greater patient control could improve the system.

PBMs deserve scrutiny. Every proposed replacement does, too.

Before another mandate, ask: Who benefits? Who pays? Who gets to choose?

Follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone navigating healthcare costs.

Full episode show notes + newsletter subscription:
https://vanceginn.substack.com/p/b088f5ee-12b3-41c3-b728-39a49f510819

Research and policy guides:
https://vanceginn.com

Buying or selling a home can cost thousands before the moving truck arrives. What would greater competition mean for families?

In episode 222 of the Let People Prosper Show, economist Vance Ginn welcomes Jack Ryan, former Goldman Sachs partner, REX co-founder, and co-author of Bringing Adam Smith into the American Home with John Tamny.

We explore brokerage commissions, Jack’s experience challenging the traditional model, transparent pricing, housing affordability, and the potential for technology to reduce transaction costs. We also consider how moving costs affect opportunity and why homeownership should be a choice.

Jack presents his criticisms of industry practices; REX did not prevail on its antitrust claims against Zillow and NAR.

Follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share this conversation with someone considering a move.

Show notes and newsletter subscription:
https://vanceginn.substack.com/p/654eefd1-8e28-4cd3-9728-834cabe3f584

Research and policy guides:
https://vanceginn.com

God bless you, and let people prosper!

Why fiscal restraint, free markets, and innovation matter for America’s prosperity.

Grocery bills, property taxes, and shrinking purchasing power are putting pressure on families. Policymakers keep promising relief—but are their proposals addressing the underlying costs?

In episode 187 of This Week’s Economy, I explain how inflation, government ownership in private businesses, property taxes, Texas employment trends, and artificial intelligence connect to affordability.

The path forward requires fiscal restraint, sound money, stronger property rights, competition, and room to innovate.

Follow the podcast, share this episode, and subscribe to Let People Prosper for practical economic analysis.

Full show notes:

https://vanceginn.substack.com/p/d5903c04-5a3f-4c6b-9dee-7a4276a74788

More research and policy guides:

https://vanceginn.com

AI, data centers, online safety, and the freedom to build a more prosperous future.

Patrick Hedger, director of policy at NetChoice, joins the Let People Prosper Show to examine whether government responses to new technology are helping Americans—or making innovation more difficult and expensive.

We discuss electricity prices and data centers, the difference between business size and consumer harm, conflicting AI regulations, and how to protect children without sacrificing privacy and parental authority.

Patrick also explains how growing up in a small-business household shaped his commitment to free enterprise.

For policymakers and everyone concerned about affordability and opportunity, the central question is practical: How do we address real harms while preserving the freedom to experiment, compete, and build?

Read the full show notes and subsribe to my newsletter here:
https://vanceginn.substack.com

Patrick’s work:
https://netchoice.org/team/patrick-hedger/

More research and commentary from my work at Ginn Economic Consulting:
https://vanceginn.com

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Let people prosper!

A real affordability agenda starts by addressing why things cost so much.

Families are trying to afford a home, pay medical bills, and keep the lights on. They deserve more than another campaign promise that the government will pick up part of the tab.

In episode 186 of This Week’s Economy, I explain how policymakers can address the underlying costs of housing, health care, and energy—and why subsidies, tariffs, and production restrictions can work against the relief candidates promise.

The test is simple: Does a proposal make it easier to produce and compete, or does it shift costs while leaving the underlying problem in place?

Listen for practical reforms that expand supply, empower patients, encourage energy investment, and give people more freedom to prosper.

Subscribe to the Let People Prosper newsletter:
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More research, commentary, and episodes:
https://vanceginn.com

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Let people prosper!

Why is socialism gaining appeal while free enterprise has produced extraordinary prosperity?

John Tillman, author of The Political Vise and founder of Hall of Giants, joins me to discuss why socialist ideas can be so compelling, where free-market advocates have fallen short, and why defending capitalism requires more than statistics.

We explore political power, victimhood, entrepreneurship, identity, storytelling, and how to make a more human case for economic freedom.

Get show notes and more at vanceginn.substack.com.

Should politicians decide which American businesses succeed?

From Washington's ownership stake in Intel to tariffs, industrial subsidies, and proposed restrictions on diesel exports, the government is taking a larger role in directing economic decisions.

In This Week's Economy #185, economist Dr. Vance Ginn explains why these policies can raise costs, distort competition, and put taxpayers at risk. He explores the lessons of spontaneous order, the hidden costs of government intervention, and why markets work better when entrepreneurs and consumers make economic decisions.

The central question: Does America need more government direction or more economic freedom?

Explore Ginn Economic Consulting at https://vanceginn.com and subscribe to the Let People Prosper newsletter at https://vanceginn.substack.com.