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Capital Record
by National Review
American prosperity was built on a foundation of free markets and free people. But, with inflation on the rise and a struggling market, many in America’s political class are attempting to recycle failed socialist ideas and calling for government intervention in nearly every aspect of American life. In this National Review Capital Matters podcast, presented by the National Review Institute, financier David Bahnsen hosts interviews with the nation’s top business leaders, entrepreneurs, and financial commentators. Tune in to hear guests such as Larry Kudlow, Steve Forbes, and Art Laffer present a practical and moral vindication of America’s capitalist way of life.
Episodes
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Episode 329: Hopelessness and Social Unrest
The images that came out of France over the weekend created a real test of how one views the world—whether the violent riots and looting are the by-product of economic desperation and hopelessness, or the by-product of a crisis of responsibility run amok. In the rather revelatory moment of chaos...
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Episode 328: The Crisis of Responsibility on the Right
Whether it is woke-right groypers or “conservative” media pundits like Steve Deace who are supposed to know better, a movement is afoot to say that Gen-Z white men have been dealt a bad hand—and a spirit of victimhood is the way to reckon with it. But a free and virtuous society is not built by...
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Episode 327: You Have to Earn It, Baby!
Today’s short Capital Record is a simple refresher on the difference between capital formation and capital allocation, and why entrepreneurs bemoaning the challenges of having capital allocated to them get it all wrong. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...
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Episode 326: The American Dream, Human Flourishing, and The Bahnsen Group
Those who hate the financial sector and demonize the activity of capital markets will never understand that beneath it all is the story of the human spirit. Dealing with the aspirations embedded in financial markets has to be avoided, because it gets in the way of their narrative of grievance and...
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Episode 325: Being Trained to Be an Entrepreneur... by the Government??
The United States federal government currently has an aggressive agenda, and it has now added to its portfolio… training workers in technology, energy, and defense. Several universities are creating the materials, and the government is organizing the national training program known as the Foundry...
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Episode 324: A Choice, Not a Socialist Echo
We are living in a period when the greatest political opportunity I have ever seen for either party is being squandered. For the Democrats, it is understandable. For the Republicans, it is unforgivable. In today’s Capital Record, David looks at this current moment, where true conservatives have a...
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Episode 323: No One is a Libertarian Now
One of the craziest things that has worked its way into the folklore of our age is that the new-found appreciation for a heavy role of government in our personal and economic lives is replacing what was previously this broad moment of “libertarianism,” wherein society ran off of a very limited…
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Episode 322: AI Is Slowing Down to Find Itself
The internet and social media were aghast over the weekend as Anthropic founder and CEO Dario Amodei penned a “Jerry Maguire” screed about the AI labs “slowing down” due to the risks of “losing control” and giving way to “bioterrorism” and “serious economic disruption” … Other AI lab heads from…
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Episode 321: Subsidies for Child Care?
Vice President JD Vance and a few other folks on the right beat the drum this weekend for a new bill to pay married families with one stay-at-home spouse based on the number of kids they have. Some people on the right defend the bill as “pro-family.” Others on the right lambaste it for being...
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Episode 320: Gratitude for Higher Football Costs
A “consultant” was on TV last week in a panic over the cost of watching NFL games now, not to mention the utter horror of finding out which streaming network your game might be on. The greed and debauchery of “big football” are on full display as far as many are concerned, but one group stands…
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Episode 319: Uncle Sam, The Oil Tycoon
It was announced over the weekend that the United States is taking a 35 percent stake in a private energy company connected to Venezuelan oil rights. Is this “U.S. government in private business” thing getting out of control, or is the United States government a natural business partner in the...
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Episode 318: Fusionism
David is joined by Stephanie Slade, author of the brand new book, Fusionism, and a prolific writer and public thinker around the fusion of liberty and virtue. The discussion is historical and philosophical, and represents the topic most foundational to the founder’s vision of this great republic....
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Episode 317: Discovered, Not Imposed: Bond Yields and Government Intervention
Secretary Bessent announced that the Treasury Department was going to intervene in the bond market last week because “market fundamentals were not working.” In today’s Capital Record, David explains what was done, why it was done, what to expect, and most of all, why it is so, so sad to see this...
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Episode 316: What Is Wrong with JD Vance?
Social media was ablaze over the weekend as Vice President Vance continued his streak of outrageous economic statements that quickly allowed defenders of markets to pounce (yours truly included), and allowed his sycophantic defenders to rush to his defense (generally by claiming he didn’t mean…
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Episode 315: The Common Good, Pornography, Gambling, and You
David is joined today by Christian theologian, Dr. Andrew Walker, to discuss the recent flare-up of interest in the “common good.” They will evaluate what first principles underlie the current debate, where there is common ground, and how we can advance the conversation to a place that honors…
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Episode 314: The Real Story of Rent Stabilization
We’ll take on the economic illiteracy of Mamdani grocery stores in a future podcast, but first let’s take on his first policy case of incomprehensible duncery: His public posture on rent control and rent stabilization. This is an easy topic to address even in a 2026 Mamdani context, because…
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Episode 313: When Economic Convenience Enhances Loneliness
Markets exist to accommodate commercial transactions, and these commercial transactions represent a major sphere of human existence. We work, produce, and exchange as a vital part of our human endeavor, and when these commercial transactions are not distorted, perverted, and suffocated by…
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Episode 312: Michaels and the Gift of Private Equity
Critics of private equity love to cite obscure or outlier stories of companies that failed and had private equity investment as some sort of proof for the evil of private equity. The arguments are as financially cogent as they are honest, which is to say, they are idiotic and riddled with lies.…
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Episode 311: That Big, Bad, Evil GDP Thing
Economic measurements are a tricky thing. There are multiple ways to do things. People are entitled to varying opinions about which measurements of economic aggregates are better than others in terms of methodology and substance. However, are those of us who value economic growth really guilty of...
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Episode 310: Alan Greenspan’s Legacy
David is joined by Dr. Alexander Salter for a refreshing, nuanced, honest, and candid assessment of the good, the bad, and the mysterious in Alan Greenspan’s legacy as the chairman of the Federal Reserve. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...
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Episode 309: Setting the Record Straight on Alexander Hamilton
Vice President JD Vance stated last week in a now infamous interview that the right needs less Milton Friedman and an economic approach more like Alexander Hamilton's. One can hope the VP simply doesn’t understand Milton Friedman, but more than likely this “new right” mentality is trying to draw…
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Episode 308: When People Refuse to Be Happy
A recent article in The Atlantic thoughtfully asked what makes Americans so unhappy. It looked at conflicting economic data (the delta between sentiment and actual economic conditions) and pondered what may be going on to make Americans feel so lousy about the economy. In this episode of Capital...
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Episode 307: Is Growth Doomed?
When a who’s who of progressive economists, some Nobel laureates, all academics, take to the pages of the, ummm, Guardian, to say that “growth is doomed” and that “poverty is manufactured,” is it time for policymakers to reverse course and embrace the policy solutions these “experts” present to...
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Episode 306: Remote Work’s Growing Damage
The Covid-19 era claims that working in an office was over -- an unnecessary relic rendered obsolete by the realities of Zoom and the cloud -- have spent the last five years being decimated by rediscovery of the facts of human nature. Company after company has backtracked, admitted failure in...
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Episode 305: The Different Motives to Cure Cancer
David is joined today by special guest Peter Travers, investor, financier, and long-time trustee at National Review. Their conversation goes from a proper definition of Wall Street to a proper defense of Wall Street to, ultimately, the profound benefits of a market system that coordinates all…
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Episode 304: Concentration of Power and Elon Musk’s Trillion-Dollar Net Worth
With the SpaceX IPO and a paper mark-up of value in Elon Musk’s net worth to $1 trillion, many have bemoaned the “concentration of power” that this kind of wealth represents. In today’s episode, David suggests that some may not seem to understand what “concentration of power” really means, and…
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Episode 303: Don’t Blame Bernie for AI State Cronyism
Yes, Bernie Sanders, who has always admitted to being a socialist, has called for the government to take equity stakes in American AI companies. And yes, it is a terrible idea. But today on the Capital Record, David does what too few on the right appear willing to do: say why it is a bad idea…
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Episode 302: The Power of Permanence
Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, gave a memorable speech at the Reagan Foundation Economic Forum last week. In it, he reiterated the completely true economic principle of permanence – that when policies are properly codified they assure economic actors of the rules of the road, enabling more...
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Episode 301: Elizabeth Warren’s Private Equity Folly
Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent tirade against private equity is a libelous set of dishonest manure that should be treated as seriously as any attempt to broadly demonize private equity these days, which is not at all. Whether the Senator’s problem is intellectual or just in telling the truth, she...
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Episode 300: 300 Episodes to Defend a Free & Virtuous Society
We started this podcast over five years ago, committed to a free and virtuous society, and now with 300 episodes under our belt, the commitment is deeper and more robust than ever. In this very special episode, David revisits the genesis of Capital Record, reaffirms the themes that matter,...
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Episode 299: Ben Sasse Writes About Kids and Technology
Ben Sasse may not know exactly how much more time God has for him here on earth, but he sure is using whatever time he does have to spread truth and wisdom. On today’s Capital Record we look at Sasse’s recent op-ed in the WSJ and his contrarian approach to the AI tech revolution. In this...
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Episode 298: Asymmetric Advantages for Human Flourishing
David is joined this week by U.S. energy industry legend and pioneer, Charif Souki. Hear not only his incredible story as a leading force in the shale revolution but also get the lay of the land in one of the great stories of our time: U.S. energy dominance. All at once this episode will remind…
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Episode 297: Two Bankruptcies for the Price of One?
American capital markets are celebrated on this podcast -- as they should be by anyone who values a free and virtuous society. Rule of law is a vital component to upholding the effect strong capital markets have on our economy. The DOJ blocking of a Jet Blue acquisition of Spirit Airlines did not...
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Episode 296: Spirit Airlines and Spirited Government Ineptness
If only there was a way to avoid taxpayers now bailing out a failed private enterprise whose pricing model cannot work in this economy? Well, there was -- it was a merger with a more capitalized and established brand name airline, only the same government about to spend your tax dollars on a…
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Episode 295: Legal Reform as the Supply-Side Issue of Our Day
David concluded an 18-month research project and interviews with a dozen attorneys and judges with a lengthy piece on the the disaster of our current legal system. In today’s Capital Record he offers a dozen reform ideas that are desperately needed, and concludes with one that is more important...
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Episode 294: Viktor Orbán’s Loss Is a Gain for the Cause of Free Enterprise
The political world was abuzz Sunday night at the devastating defeat pro-Putin post-liberal, Viktor Orbán, suffered in Hungary’s national election. Some on the American right have mistakenly cozied up to Orbán, finding some compatibility with his occasional messages about social values. But alas,...
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Episode 293: Middle Class Resentment, David French, and a Free Market Economy
David French wrote a provocative piece in the New York Times recently asking the very legitimate question, “If people are doing better, why are they more resentful?” In today’s Capital Record, David Bahnsen looks at the macroeconomic picture, reviews the thesis of our crisis of responsibility,...
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Episode 292: It Has to Be Real
What does it say about a con man and con woman that they got away using fake names and doing fake events to rip off people, charities, and investors for years? It says that they are con artists! Perhaps the bigger question, though, is what it says about their marks. In today’s Capital Record…
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Episode 291: Social Media and the Crisis of Responsibility
A jury ruled last week that social media companies are financially liable for a young woman's becoming “addicted” to social media use. In today’s Capital Record, David opines on the utterly ridiculous verdict and the horrific things it says about society, but also offers a social commentary on...
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Episode 290: What About That Giving Pledge?
Is it a good thing for wealthy people to give money away? Is it a good thing for them to give half of it away? All of it? Is a pledge a gift? How should one who values a virtuous society think about this very idea? In this Capital Record, David looks at the results of a high-profile 2010 effort...
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Episode 289: Industrial Policy for Me but Not for Thee
The World Bank has spent three decades saying industrial policy is a bad way to go -- stunting growth, creating bad signals, and facilitating suboptimal outcomes. But now, lo and behold, they claim that government management of an economy can be a very good idea, as long as it is done the way…
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Episode 288: The Crazy Things People Say
Do financial transactions all add up to zero? Should we be more concerned with piety than technique? Is a business going out of business a good thing if the founder treats his people well? Does money serve a greater purpose if we apply nice-sounding adjectives to our marketing pitch? Are all…
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Episode 287: What the Right Is Getting Wrong About AI
David is joined this week by a very special guest, Tim Estes, for a thorough discussion on artificial intelligence. But this is not one of those exhausting conversations about whether or not AI would take our jobs, or is a good investment, or one of the other numerous things that dominates AI...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
American prosperity was built on a foundation of free markets and free people. But, with inflation on the rise and a struggling market, many in America’s political class are attempting to recycle failed socialist ideas and calling for government intervention in nearly every aspect of American life. In this National Review Capital Matters podcast, presented by the National Review Institute, financier David Bahnsen hosts interviews with the nation’s top business leaders, entrepreneurs, and financial commentators. Tune in to hear guests such as Larry Kudlow, Steve Forbes, and Art Laffer present a practical and moral vindication of America’s capitalist way of life.
HOSTED BY
National Review
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Capital Record have?
Capital Record currently has 43 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Capital Record about?
American prosperity was built on a foundation of free markets and free people. But, with inflation on the rise and a struggling market, many in America’s political class are attempting to recycle failed socialist ideas and calling for government intervention in nearly every aspect of American life....
How often does Capital Record release new episodes?
Capital Record has 43 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Capital Record?
You can listen to Capital Record on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Capital Record?
Capital Record is created and hosted by National Review.
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