Libertarians talk Psychology
Libertarians talk Psychology - Coffee with Mike & Julie
A Quick Review of the Science about Racism (ep 302)

This is a rebroadcast of ep 168
In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, Julie reviews a report on racial bias published by the Association for Psychological Science. We take a deep dive into what modern research says about racism, bias, and systemic disparitiesâand how these ideas are often misunderstood in public discussions.
Julie explains the difference between racism, which involves hostility or intent, and bias, which can occur without conscious awareness or malice. We explore implicit bias (unconscious) versus explicit bias (conscious), and how these affect perception, behavior, and policy.
The conversation also ch...
Our Country is Flawed, but Who is any Better (ep 301)

This is a rebroadcast of ep 173
In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, we take a deeper look at the idea that America is flawedâbut who really does it better? Inspired by the honest insights of Ron Paul, we explore the structural, political, and cultural flaws that continue to affect freedom and governance in the United States.
While critics and patriots alike can agree the U.S. has serious issuesâcorruption, bureaucracy, surveillance, and economic manipulationâthis discussion also reminds us that perfection doesnât exist anywhere. By examining the Index of Economic Freedom, we compare...
More on tribalism by Victor Davis Hanson and what it means to the psychology of populism (ep 300)

This is a rebroadcast of ep 198
In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, we dive deeper into the theme of tribalism and its psychological impact on modern populism. Drawing from the insights of historian Victor Davis Hanson, we examine how tribalism has developed in America and what it reveals about our cultural and political divides. We connect Hansonâs perspective to research on implicit and explicit attitudes, exploring how hidden biases shape group identity and influence social behavior.
Julie highlights the role of the elites and media in framing populism, often portraying its supporters as outsiders or...
The Show Narcos and our war on drugs (ep 299)

This is a rebroadcast of ep. 119
In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, we dive into the Netflix series Narcos and connect its gritty storytelling to Americaâs decades-long War on Drugs. While Narcos shows the DEA and U.S. forces hunting down Colombian drug lords, the real question is whether U.S. policy fueled the very chaos it claimed to fight. Was the United States truly protecting its citizens, or did political interests, corruption, and unintended consequences make the situation worse?
We explore how prohibition, black markets, and government intervention shaped the rise of cartels, an...
The Movie "Darkest Hour" and Cognitive Diversity (ep 298)

This is a rebroadcast of ep. 194
In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, Julie and Mike take a deep dive into the film Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, set in the tense days before the Nazi invasion of the United Kingdom during World War II. We explore how Churchillâs leadership illustrates the value of cognitive diversityâbringing different perspectives, problem-solving styles, and viewpoints together to navigate crisis situations.
Our conversation connects the lessons of the past to todayâs challenges, showing how cognitive diversity applies not only to wartime leadership but also to mod...
Is it Always the Governmentâs fault? (ep 297)

(Rebroadcast of ep. 77)
In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, we tackle the provocative question: Is it always the governmentâs fault? While government intervention often makes existing problems worse, the truth is more complicated. Sometimes, the public itself resists needed reforms or rejects practical solutionsâeven when they could make life better.
We dig into how policies and cultural attitudes interact, touching on examples such as Rand Paulâs political positions, YouTubeâs role in public discourse, and the heated debates over masking requirements. This candid conversation blends psychology, politics, and libertarian principles, challenging listeners to quest...
Does the Bill of Rights overlap with organizational psychology? (ep 296)

We review the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and relate these to organizational psychology principles. We talk about freedom of expression, property rights, personal boundaries, and pushing the power down in the organization as far as it can go. While the Constitution structures the government to prohibit abuse of power, the Bill of Rights clarifies the individual liberty of the citizen.
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Natural Rights

John Locke came up with the idea of natural rights, which are much better than the instincts of our caveman ancestors! He called those natural rights life, liberty, and property. But of course as civilization has evolved It has gone a lot further than that. Dave Smith talks about some of the government abuses that force us into wars.
Clip Used:Â
Dave Smith | Is the Ukraine War Ending? | Part Of The Problem 1296
By:Â Dave Smith
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Group Unconscious (ep 294)

In this episode of Libertarians Talk Psychology, we dive into the concept of the group unconsciousâthe unseen psychological forces that drive collective behavior, ideology, and political movements. How do mass beliefs form? Why do groups act irrationally? And how can individuals break free from destructive collective thinking? We explore these questions from a libertarian perspective, examining how psychology and politics intersect in todayâs culture.
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Just Let Them Have Their Socialism! (ep 293)

Thank goodness the cancel culture world has begun to allow true free speech, with the use of the Internet! (Maybe we should be thanking Elon Musk and possibly Trump!) Governments have always attempted to control communication to the masses, and socialist systems have been the worst.
But in todayâs world, maybe we should just allow these socialist style cities and states to try out their idiotic ideas. With our evolving free speech, the population should eventually see the poor results. Finally!
Clip Used:Â
Why Socialism ALWAYS Fails: Charlie Kirk vs. Socialist Students đ„ | Debate...
Is the political left exploiting the homosexual community? (ep 292)

We talk about the very sensitive subject of politics and homosexuals. Julie gives her views on homosexuality from the evolutionary perspective and touches on the new research that hormone disruptors may be responsible for sexual differences and transgender characteristics. We look at the issues with shame versus pride, especially how sensitivity restricts scientific inquiry. The libertarian principle of live and let live, and pride in achievement rather than identity, are discussed.
Clip Used:Â
The #1 Reason Humans Are Suddenly being Born Genderless | Dr. Shanna Swan
By:Â Danny Jones
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Therapy for our Political System! (ep 291)

Will there ever be jail time for politicians who lie and distort elections and laws? Will our political parties ever agree to the obvious truth even when given proper evidence?
If we are honest with ourselves, the answer is no, the answer has always been no, and probably will be no well into the future.
Free speech and secure election integrity seem like the best path for our country.
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Open debate is what works (ep 290)

This is a reboardcast from Feb. 14, 2021
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how open debate fuels both psychological growth and a truly free society. We dive into the principles of civil discourse, cognitive bias, and how psychological defense mechanisms often shut down meaningful conversation. By examining real-world examplesâfrom political polarization to online cancel cultureâwe reveal why open dialogue isnât just a libertarian ideal, but a psychological necessity. Tune in to discover how freedom of speech and mental resilience go hand in hand, and why fostering debate is the only path toward clarity, growth, and libert...
Thereâs Nothing to See Here! (ep 289)

The swamp still exists! But at least it is a better swamp now than it was for the last few years. It is hard to ignore the Jeffrey Epstein lies, the Covid abuses, the ongoing Ukraine corruption, and the gutting of DOGE.
But at least Ron DeSantis has presented a possible escape. Just convince Elon Musk to lead an effort for a balanced budget amendment.
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Clips Used:Â
The Naked G...
The serious psychological problem in the US (ep 288)

We look at some of the news events in the last week or so in light of the herd mentality permeating the US. Victor Davis Hanson describes the situation as a problem with the Trump derangement syndrome. He warns not to follow the experts because their analysis is flawed by group bias. We discuss how herd mentality and groupthink threaten our rational thinking.
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Clip Used from:Â
Victor Davis Hanson: The Trump D...
What Justifies Force? (ep 287)

Is there any excuse for using force even if a country is expressing threatening language? What if that country is doing harm to their own citizens? Is it really a good idea to contribute money to that country even when it shows one of these bad behaviors?
It seems like a better idea would be to encourage a more prosperous population by showing good free market example.
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2 Clips Used from:<...
Downton Abbey and libertarian values (ep 286)

Spoiler alert. We discuss the ideas characterized in Downton Abbey as it relates to libertarian principles. Centralized power restricts personal freedoms and choices represented in the series by aristocracy and the middle class workers.
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Clip Used:Â
"He Was More a Philosopher Than a Thief"
By: @DowntonAbbey
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Elonâs Two Big Issues! (ep 285)

We comment on Dave Smithâs assessment that Elon Musk is dedicated to two big issues. One is free speech and the other is government spending.
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2 Clips Used from:Â
Dave Smith | Trump VS. Musk | Part Of The Problem 1272
By: @PartOfTheProblem
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Elon Musk, Trump, and family dynamics (ep 284)

We discuss the very interesting brouhaha between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. We look at clips from sky news and Dr. Drew to review the characteristics of the conflict from a libertarian standpoint but more importantly the issues of family dynamics that appear to be involved for Elon Musk.
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Clips Used:Â
âKetamine has worn offâ: Elon Musk deletes posts on X following Trump spat
By: @SkyNewsAustralia
...
Follow the Experts⊠Again! (ep 283)

It breaks my heart to see one of my heroes, Kash Patel, resort to the same deep state trick I have been hearing for decades: âbelieve me, I am an expert, and Jeffrey Epstein committed suicideâ.
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Clips Used:Â
Tucker Reacts to Kash Patel and Dan Bongino on Jeffrey Epstein
By: @TuckerCarlson
Dave Smith | HHS Finally Admits the Truth | Part Of The Problem 1269
By: Da...
Steve Bannon suggests we are in a Civil War (ep 282)

Steve Bannon presented a marvelous summary of the current situation when he spoke at Hillsdale College. He suggested that we are in a Civil War and that it will last a long time and be decided that whoever does not give up. Similar to 1860, the two sides are dug in. The deep state controls the institutions and commercial environment. We discuss this concept and how the average person can continue to clarify the conflict between the elite and the middle class. Bannon says the elite control most of the institutions and that the middle class is represented by MAGA.
<...
Trump Negotiation Style (ep 281)

Does Trump play four dimension chess when he negotiates, or does he just shoot from the hip? Does he even have a plan or is the plan to simply respond to the pressure as it evolves?
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Clip Used: Trump's negotiation style usually makes the other side want to get back, says Cambridge's Bordone
By: CNBC Television
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What does entropy have to do with libertarians (ep 280)

This is a rebroadcast of an earler episode from Jan. 13, 2022
We discuss the organizational element of entropy as it applies to social systemsâits relationship to information and censorship, our Constitution, and the Libertarian perspective.
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The Real Problem with Drugs (ep 279)

This is a rebroadcast of an earler episode from Jan. 13, 2022
Our government does a miserable job of handling our legal drug problems. But they are even worse with illegal drugs and the war on drugs. Some other countries do a much better job.
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More than 30% think that political murder is OK; a mental illness crisis (ep 278)

Sky news reported that 30+ percent of the total population think that political murder is justified at least partially. This rises to 55% in the case of Donald Trump for the left. This startling result translates to a mental illness crisis for the country. We discuss these ideas and possible reasons for the change from a more moral society and what remedies are available.
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LGBTQ and Sometimes Y! rebroadcast (ep 277)

This is a rebroadcast from Decebmer 24, 2021
Is it fair to women when they have to compete against transgender athletes? Have we improved our institutional rules to be fair to all homosexuals? Do we really have to agree with the new realities, or can we simply be satisfied with allowing consenting adultsâ behavior?
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Things we've learned (ep 276)

Julie and Mike take time out from politics to discuss a variety of things they think are important that they have learned over time. They include items from life, work, finances and relationships.
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Humanityâs Projection Often Turns Into Needless War! (ep 275)

We used to think that greed and male-male competition explained how almost every civilization turned to big government and unnecessary war. But these incentives just did not explain the resulting hatred and intensity. It turns out that Freud and Jung explained an additional powerful weakness in humans that snowballs from the personal to the group, race, country, and political levels.
This continues a discussion from our last episode, and we include a dialogue from Dave Smith as a reminder of how these problems never seem to go away!
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Projection and the Attacks on Elon Musk (ep 274)

YouTube video!
We review the origin of the Trump derangement syndrome and the Elon Musk derangement syndrome. Both have to do with the psychological mechanism of projection. A common tactic to avoid understanding one's inner motivations and in particular one's self interest cheating, projection, when gone off the rails can result in violence and war. We review a clip from Academy of Ideas to better understand this important phenomenon.
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Clip Used:<...
The Great Reveal and Jack Spirko (ep 273)

Jack Spirko passionately identifies 15 things that are the enemies of the people, and this ends up being a great reveal for our generation! He goes from the military industrial complex, to the medical complex, to education. Of course, the government is intimately involved in almost every one of these enemies!
The question becomes, do we really think we can elect politicians who will fix any of these things? Or should we just learn how to cope?
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Is America headed toward psychological growth? (ep 272)

Julie reviews Edgar Schein's thoughts on group growth and proposes a comparison to the left, the right, and the composite. Groups can be compared and contrasted to individuals in terms of their maturity, their ability to deal with reality, and their ability to solve problems and take in new information. We discuss the left and the right political groups in their current form.
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Clip Used: Democrats âmemedâ online for their âstupid signsâ during T...
271 are tariffs really so bad Thomas Sowell (261)

This is a rebroadcast from December 11, 2024
Apparently, tariffs are a bad idea for all countries involved, because they raise the prices for all consumers. But maybe there is more to consider, like the politics between countries. At least the talk about tariffs makes a pretty good threat.
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Clip Used: Thomas Sowell warns trade wars can spin out of control
By: Fox News
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Trump's Counter Revolution; What happened in the United States? (ep 270)

We piggyback on Victor Davis Hanson's characterization of the current change being a counter revolutionary move after the country was taken over by the left political ideology. Julie compares this to organizational theory of how groups move from their original work and original mission to become self interested living systems. As a living system, the group can defend itself and be unconscious of how it cheats. We are seeing examples of this defensiveness now as the counter revolution continues.
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Compared to What? As Thomas Sowell Would Ask (ep 269)

Todayâs various issues are exciting, however it is hard to remember the history and perspective that got us here. Dave Smith has some observations that can help us get started on the path to common sense reactions.
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Clips Used:Â
Dave Smith | People Need to be Prosecuted | Part Of The Problem 1232
By: Dave Smith
Three Questions that will destroy any argument with the Left | Thomas Sowell
The lack of political diversity in higher education (ep 268 rebroadcast of ep 152)

This is a rebroadcast of ep 152
Julie reviews an article on statistics showing extremely high ratios for Democrats to Republicans in university faculty. We talk about the impact of this lack of diversity in problem-solving and in principles such as freedom of information. We briefly discuss why this might've happened.
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VDH and Trump Strategy (ep 267)

Victor Davis Hanson talked about Trumpâs strategy for USAID, transgenders, $40 million to the Wuhan labs, and Anthony Fauci. He also talked about the left being off guard concerning Trumpâs speedy intentions for US geography, appointments, the swamp, and the 30% Democrat low approval.
Money laundering must be in the picture; either past present or future!
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Clip Used: Trump Clears House at Leftist âRogue Operation,â USAID | Victor Davis Hanson
By:
Information flow and System self correction (ep 266)

Watching the RFK Jr. hearing, we discuss how information flow works in self-correcting systems and how the Trump nominees are being attacked by the swamp. While Mike was pessimistic in the past, Julie was more hopeful that with the information channels open the country could self correct. Political emotions combined with the Internet is causing a renaissance in information flow and problem solving exemplified in Trump's problem-solving efforts.
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Clip Used: Sen. Johnson...
These Amazing Executive Orders! (ep 265)

No matter what eventually develops, a few of these latest executive orders are history in the making! It has taken decades for someone to make a positive move on the JFK files, pardons for nonviolent citizens, and common sense for health treatment issues.
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Clip Used: Released JFK files could be âembarrassingâ to CIA: Investigative journalist | Vargas Reports
By: NewsNation
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Mark Zuckerberg Zero to Hero? (ep 264)

I donât care if Mark Zuckerberg is simply kissing up to the new King. His explanation is very good. And the only conclusion is that free speech is much better than the doubtful research results from media or academia!
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Clip Used: MARK ZUCKERBERG drops bombshell: META makes MAJOR CHANGES after over-censorship of AMERICANS
By: Diario AS
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Hoax Consequences? Scott Adams (ep 263)

Our governmentâs representatives and their willing media accomplices are good at creating and taking advantage of hoaxes in order to manipulate the population. Scott Adams describes one way to convince people that they may believe in a hoax. Of course, the optimal goal is to have some sort of consequence for an exposed hoax that damaged people.
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Clip Used: Episode 2697 CWSA 12/22/24
By: Real Coffee with Scott Adams