Episode 79: Does Fed Inflation Threaten IBC?

May 16, 2020

In the wake of the coronavirus, the Federal Reserve has engaged in unprecedented actions, pumping $2.5 trillion into the financial system in just two months. Many readers ask: Does this make IBC a bad idea? After all, it relies on a dollar-denominated asset (life insurance). Bob and Carlos discuss the economic outlook and this particular issue.

Mentioned in this episode and other links of interest:

• Carlos and Bob’s September 2016 presentation, “How to Weather the Coming Financial Storms.“
• The documentary This Is Nelson Nash.
• The book co-authored by Nelson Nash, Carlos, and Bob, The Case for IBC.
• Bob’s new series for the Mises Institute, Understanding Money Mechanics.
• Carlos and Bob’s book, How Privatized Banking Really Works.
• Bob’s analysis of the Fed’s latest emergency repo operations.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Episode 78: On the Fed’s Emergency Actions to Stem Coronavirus Panic

March 17, 2020

Carlos and Bob critically assess the Fed’s $1.5 trillion repo operations, allegedly designed to stem market panic over the coronavirus. Bob observes that even Walter Bagehot’s famous dictum said central banks should lend freely *at a high rate of discount*.

Mentioned in this episode and other links of interest:

• Carlos and Bob’s September 2016 presentation, “How to Weather the Coming Financial Storms.“
• The documentary This Is Nelson Nash.
• Bob’s new series for the Mises Institute, Understanding Money Mechanics.
• Carlos and Bob’s book, How Privatized Banking Really Works.
• Bob’s analysis of the Fed’s latest emergency repo operations.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Episode 77: The 2020 IBC Think Tank and Outlook for the Future

February 29, 2020

Carlos and Bob end their hiatus and return to the airwaves, fresh from the 2020 IBC Think Tank in Birmingham. They summarize the talks they gave at the event, including some exciting news about the Nelson Nash Institute’s forthcoming project.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The CBO’s 2019 Long Term Budget Outlook.
• The documentary This Is Nelson Nash.
• Bob’s new series for the Mises Institute, Understanding Money Mechanics.
• Carlos and Bob’s book, How Privatized Banking Really Works.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Episode 76: The Trump Tax Reform’s Impact on Charitable Giving, And Beto’s Threat to Churches

November 4, 2019

Bob and Carlos discuss the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act’s impact–especially because of the boost in the standard deduction–on incentives to make charitable contributions. Then they discuss Beto O’Rourke’s pledge to remove the tax exempt status of churches and other organizations that don’t endorse gay marriage.

Mentioned in this episode:

• AEI’s Alex Brill’s report on how the 2017 tax reform will reduce the incentives for charitable giving.
• GivingUSA’s report on charitable giving in 2018.
• Scott Sumner very upset that the 2017 tax reform retained the deductibility of employer-provided health insurance.
• The YouTube video of Beto O’Rourke.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Episode 75: The Psychology and Economics of Recurring Financial Crashes

September 21, 2019

As the U.S. authorities once again pivot to begin another round of cheap credit, Carlos and Bob reflect on the deception–both deliberate and unwitting–involved. Part of the problem is that younger investors haven’t lived through a crash, but even the old timers are caught flat-footed if they think past crashes were an “act of God.” This is why it’s so important to learn Austrian economics.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Carlos and Bob’s video, “How to Weather the Coming Financial Storms.”

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.