2025 sessions
See the sessions
Here’s a partial list of the sessions and speakers presenting at LibertyCon International 2025.
Socratic Seminar: Ayn Rand, What is Capitalism? [ROOM - 4]
Join Reliance College for a guided Socratic discussion on a selection from Rand’s Capitalism:
The Unknown Ideal. The seminar will explore the moral and practical foundations of capitalism,
the role of reason and individual rights in human progress, and Rand’s defense of free markets
as the system of voluntary exchange and production.
Marsha Familaro Enright
Reliance College
Welcome to LibertyCon!
Robby Soave kicks off LibertyCon, welcoming attendees to Washington, DC, and sharing what they can expect over the weekend. Wolf von Laer, CEO of Students For Liberty, delivers a personal 10-minute message, inspiring attendees to make the most of the event and embrace the mission of freedom and innovation.
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Robby Soave
Wolf von Laer
From Hate to Harmony: How Daryl Davis Defeated the Klan With Compassion
Renowned jazz musician Daryl Davis has spent decades engaging Ku Klux Klan members with compassion and dialogue, successfully inspiring over 200 members to leave the Klan. Through face-to-face conversations, Davis reveals how empathy and open communication can dismantle hate and bridge deep divides. His story is a powerful testament to the power of personal connection in fighting racism.
Daryl Davis
Radical Discourse: Reviving Civil Debate In A Polarized World w/ John Papola
Experience the power of civil discourse through storytelling and art as we screen Battle of the Borders: Open the Border or Build the Wall? which highlights both sides of the immigration argument pitting Harvard economist, George Borjas, against George Mason economist, Bryan Caplan, in a UFC style smackdown at the US/Mexico border. This is just the latest in Emergent Order’s groundbreaking “Radical Discourse” series. This initiative draws inspiration from their first viral rap battle, Fear the Boom and Bust, which brought academic debates to millions worldwide in a fresh, entertaining format on the topic of Keynesian economics. CEO and Founder, John Papola, will share the story behind “Radical Discourse,” detailing how high-quality production, fair treatment of opposing views, and culturally relevant formats can rekindle meaningful dialogue on today’s most divisive issues. “Radical Discourse” sets the stage for a conversation that demands nuance, respect, and an open mind. Learn how Emergent Order is making complex debates engaging for new audiences and bringing truth to the forefront—one music video at a time.
John Papola
Emergent Order Foundation
Immigration Debate: Who Exactly Should We Be Letting In?
Daniel DiMartino argues for prioritizing skilled, young, English-speaking immigrants while restricting low-skilled and illegal immigration. Bryan Caplan counters, highlighting the massive economic benefits of all immigration, from doctors to gardeners. The debate dives into policy, economics, and misconceptions about immigrant contributions. Moderated by John Papola.
Moderator: John Papola
Daniel DiMartino
Bryan Caplan
The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools
Corey DeAngelis highlights the growing school choice movement as parents take back control of education from teachers unions and public school monopolies. By promoting competition and parental rights, families are breaking free from misinformation and restoring quality education.
Corey DeAngelis
David Boaz: Champion of Liberty
Colleagues and friends reminisce about the tremendous intellectual and personal contributions that David Boaz tirelessly and unwaveringly provided in the establishment of the Cato Institute and the advancement of libertarian thought. This event will be a celebration of David’s exemplary life and career in all its facets.
Libertarianism.org
Ian Vasquez
Veronique de Rugy
Aaron Steelman
Equality Of Permission
Prof. Deirdre McCloskey explains how true liberalism champions “equality of permission,” allowing individuals the freedom to pursue their goals without unnecessary restrictions. This stands in contrast to the progressive ideals of “equality of outcome” and even “equality of opportunity.” McCloskey argues that true liberals are egalitarians but also realists, supporting a system where free people can live their lives in the way they see fit, fostering individual liberty and personal fulfillment.
Deirdre McCloskey
Thank you for Day 1
Robby will thank everyone for a great night and push all the great action we have coming up, including Liberty Jeopardy, the Saturday morning Breakout Sessions, and our featured speakers and Awards Dinner on Saturday evening.
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Robby Soave
Liberty Jeopardy
Imagine trivia night at your favorite bar, but much louder and with a heavy libertarian twist to it. Nine contestants representing different regions of SFL will compete through four rounds of Liberty Jeopardy on the big screen. The questions will be challenging, the categories will be ridiculous, and the energy will be unstoppable. Grab a drink at the bar and join us in the main hall to see how many of these answers YOU could get right!
Spike Cohen
Kat Murti
Stephen Kent
Jessi Bennett
Eric Brakey
Restore Freedom: Legally and Safely Stop Paying Incomes Taxes to the DC Swamp by Relying On the Government’s Own Official Legal Websites [SALON - E]
Proving our claim using the law and showing you the laws from the government’s own legal website, we will show you how you can live your life outside of the federal income tax system and manage your personal or business income taxes. The IRS is mostly bluff, and Americans have the right to due-process. Through our discussion, you will understand the limitations of the IRS’ authority and what they are lawfully able to do, and what they are not. You can learn to do it yourself or have Freedom Law School back by joining with the Restore Freedom Plan.
Freedom Law School
Peymon Mottahedeh
What is China Thinking?: Understanding Chinese Policymaking with Public Choice Theory [SALON - D]
Ryan Yonk and Ethan Yang are the authors of the book The China Dilemma: Rethinking US-China Relations Through Public Choice Theory. This session will explore how Chinese institutions and interest groups impact domestic and foreign policy to give attendees a more comprehensive framework to think about China. This session will also cover the book’s research and writing process for any aspiring young scholars interested in one day producing their own work.
AIER
Ryan Yonk
Ethan Yang
How You Can Customize 'The Quiz' For Your Country [SALON - D]
Become the inventor of The World’s Smallest Political Quiz for your language and country in this hands-on, interactive workshop. Use it to launch a movement and transform your nation.
Advocates For Self-Government
Mike Sertic
Careers for Liberty: “Radical Ideas, Professional Presentation” [SALON - E]
This session examines the values at the heart of the Cato Institute’s approach to advancing liberty: professionalism, credibility, and the art of presenting radical ideas in ways that resonate with mainstream audiences. Panelists will discuss how these principles shape Cato’s educational initiatives—like Cato University, Cato Briefings, the Internship Program, and Libertarianism.org—and share insights into how attendees can best stand out as they seek professional next-step opportunities to advance freedom in a professional capacity. Whether you’re new to Cato or deeply involved in libertarian circles, this discussion will highlight ways to get more involved and touch on tips for effectively championing liberty while maintaining legitimacy and professionalism.
Libertarianism.org
Pericles A. Niarchos
Conor Fogarty
Sophia Coyne-Kosnak
Cortez Bartolome
A Conversation with The Honorable Judy Shelton: Inflation, Fiat Money, and the Federal Reserve [SALON - F]
What is the future of the US Dollar? Why and how is everything in America more expensive than it was just four years ago? What potential do Bitcoin and commodities like gold have to influence our relationship with money? What will monetary policy look like in President Trump’s second term? Dr. Judy Shelton, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute and a former Trump nominee to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, will explore these questions and more during this discussion.
Ethan Yang
Judy Shelton
Global Censorship Under the Guise of Safety: Stories from Around the World [SALON - E]
This interactive session brings together voices from around the globe to uncover how internet regulations marketed as “safety measures” have led to political censorship and restricted free speech. Participants will hear firsthand stories of how these laws have been misused, from the EU’s sweeping Digital Services Act, used to fine various social media companies, and Brazil’s use of controversial anti-misinformation policies to ban X. Moderated by Stephen Kent, this panel will focus on how these policies impact freedom of speech, and how well-intentioned internet regulations give the government new and unprecedented powers.
Stephen Kent
Maxwell Marlow
Adam Bartha
NetChoice
Entrepreneurship for Liberty: How Self-Starters Build Movements and Missions [SALON - D]
Success as an entrepreneur begins with self-starters—those who act independently, take initiative, and inspire others to join their mission. This panel will explore how to identify untapped opportunities, take calculated risks, and lay a foundation for sustainable growth. Whether you are a new leader or a seasoned advocate looking to amplify your impact, gain practical tools, strategies, and inspiration to turn ideas into action and advance the values you hold dear.
Emergent Order Foundation
John Papola
Ivy Karns
Spike Cohen
Is It Time To Abolish Everything? [SALON - F]
The Trump administration is promising to radically downsize government, cutting waste and streamlining operations via recommendations from DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency. As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy take on government excess, four writers from Reason Magazine—Robby Soave, Peter Suderman, Christian Britschgi, and Jack Nicasto—will discuss the opportunity DOGE represents for libertarians, the challenges of cutting government, and what it will take for DOGE, Musk, and Trump to succeed.
Reason Roundtable
Peter Suderman
Christian Britschgi
SFL Shark Tank [SFL and Principled Business] [SALON - E]
LibertyCon International’s 2025 Shark Tank, hosted by Students For Liberty and Principled Business, is a global competition to identify and launch projects that advance liberty, individual freedom, and prosperity. Participants pitch innovative ideas to a panel of distinguished judges, competing for $10,000 in seed funding and expert mentorship. Aligning with the theme “From Impossible to Inevitable,” SFL’s Shark Tank is a launchpad for students whose bold ideas have the power to change the world.
Florian Windberger
Market Failure: An Argument Both For And Against Government [SALON - D]
Market failure occurs when individual rational decisions do not lead to rational group outcomes, a phenomenon seen in many systems, including free markets. While this can justify government intervention, David Friedman argues that market failures also exist within the political systems implementing these interventions. By comparing private market exceptions to political market rules, Friedman explores why government solutions may often exacerbate, rather than resolve, these failures.
David Friedman
Welcome to Day 2 of LibertyCon!
Robby Soave welcomes everyone to the second day of the convention, promotes what speakers we have coming up, and promotes the awards dinner at the end of the evening.
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Robby Soave
Hiding in Plain Sight: Good and Bad Monopolies
Prof. Antony Davies explores monopolies, explaining how they form either through government protection or by offering superior value. While consumers can escape corporate monopolies, political monopolies, like the two-party system, prevent competition and are far more harmful.
Antony Davies
How To Tell When You Are Being Bull*****ed By A Politician
Politicians use all sorts of tricks and tactics in order to lie to the public. From false dichotomies and half-truths, to cherry-picked data and Whataboutisms, it can be difficult to know exactly when you are being lied to and by whom. This discussion will help you learn how to better understand what someone is trying to communicate to you and see through the narrative that they want to set.
Moderator: Brandi Kruse
Chris Freiman
Jeremy Horpehdal
Spike Cohen
Liberty is Dangerous [Young Americans For Liberty]
Why are so many people frightened of freedom? Sean Themea, Chief Operations Officer at Young Americans for Liberty, will discuss why, and what we should do about it.
Young Americans For Liberty
Sean Themea
From Pipe Dream to the American Dream: Why America Is Still One Of the Best Places To Start A Business
The American entrepreneurial spirit thrives on innovation and risk-taking, even in the face of mounting regulations and bureaucracy. Compared to the rest of the world, America’s pro-business legal framework continues to fuel global competitiveness. This panel explores where the passion for starting a business begins, what drives America’s edge in entrepreneurship, and what challenges and obstacles future entrepreneurs must prepare to face.
Moderator: Mike ter Maat
Lars Mapstead
Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Spike Cohen
Stopping Government Digital Censorship—What Can Be Done?
What can be done to stop growing censorship of the internet? Robert Winterton will lead a discussion about what needs to be done to slow growing censorship of free speech online around the world, from laws that force social media sites to censor on the government’s behalf, to those that directly penalize individuals for political speech. Stephen Kent will bring insights from a closely-themed breakout session, tying those stories into a broader critique of global trends. Marcel Van Hattem will tell his own story of how laws allegedly aimed at making the internet safer have been used to censor people and silence political dissent.
NetChoice
Robert Winterton
Stephen Kent
Marcel van Hattem
Freedom Law School
Proving our claim using the law and showing you the laws from the government’s own legal website, we will show you how you can live your life outside of the federal income tax system and manage your personal or business income taxes. The IRS is mostly bluff, and Americans have the right to due-process. Through our discussion, you will understand the limitations of the IRS’ authority and what they are lawfully able to do, and what they are not. You can learn to do it yourself or have Freedom Law School back by joining with the Restore Freedom Plan.
Freedom Law School
Peymon Mottahedeh
The Whole Story: Adventures of Love, Life, and Capitalism
John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, shares his journey of building one of the most iconic companies in the world. From taking a $1 salary for decades to making tough decisions like removing his father from the board, Mackey has fought to protect the essence of Whole Foods. He recounts overcoming a 100-year flood, battling activist investors, and preserving his legacy. Discover these powerful stories and grab a signed copy of his new book, The Whole Story, at LibertyCon.
Wolf von Laer
John Mackey
Where is Galt's Gulch?
Twenty-two years ago, the Free State Project selected New Hampshire as the location for a new libertarian strategy — organizing thousands of liberty lovers to move and concentrate in the “Live Free or Die” state — to shift the politics and culture in the direction of freedom and establish “Liberty in Our Lifetime.” After one generation, strong and active libertarian communities are found across the state; networks for homeschooling, cryptocurrency, and homesteading are building parallel economies; and libertarians control a quarter of the state legislature. Ayn Rand’s fiction of Galt’s Gulch has become a reality for libertarians in New Hampshire — and the Free State Project continues welcoming new movers who wish to live free and thrive.
Free State Project
Eric Brakey
The Nolan Blueprint: Globalizing the Liberty Movement’s Top Recruiting Tool
Do family and friends understand your political values? Would you like to elevate your outreach? In 1971, a young activist invented a tool that did both things! Mike Sertic explains how his story and the tool he developed can become your story and a path forward to healing your nation.
Advocates For Self-Government
Mike Sertic
From Entertaining To Empowering: How Entertainment Professionals Found Their Path to Freedom
This panel brings together entertainment professionals who turned their passion and creativity into successful careers while navigating an industry often hostile to ideas like economic freedom and individual liberty. From touring globally to launching businesses, each panelist shares their unique journey of overcoming challenges, embracing liberty, and advocating for their values. Discover what inspired their path to freedom and what lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Moderator: David Fite
Mark Pellegrino
Brando Eaton
Nic Nemeth
Emily Austin
The Reason Podcasting Crew
Come meet podcasters from Reason Magazine as they talk through the big news of the day and their own experiences as internet talking heads. With a new presidential administration, cabinet appointments aplenty, and Congress trying to figure out how to run the budget process, again, there will be plenty to discuss, and Reason’s Katherine Mangu-Ward, Robby Soave, Billy Binion, and Peter Suderman will be there to guide you through it.
Reason Roundtable
Katherine Mangu-Ward
Peter Suderman
Robby Soave
Billy Binion
Defeating Dictators and Defending Freedom Always Starts at Home
Those who believe that their country is immune to the rise of authoritarianism become complacent. One might even say that they are complicit. Authoritarianism may announce itself in the form of martial law or a military coup. Or more subtly, as when a ruling party uses its total control of the state to lock in its power, as we have seen in Hungary. A constitutionally limited government may abandon democracy and become a dictatorship by electoral means, for example, when candidates vow to imprison their critics, whom they designate “the enemy within.” The institutions of limited government only work when those in office decide to follow the laws that limit their power. Those who say “it can’t happen here” should know that those words were earlier spoken in countries where “it” did happen. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Dr. Palmer will address how we can maintain our vigilance.
Tom Palmer
Thank You All For Another Successful LibertyCon!
Robby thanks everyone for two fantastic days of LibertyCon, and talks about the upcoming Awards Dinner that you won’t want to miss!
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Robby Soave
Socratic Seminar: Carl Menger, Principles of Economics [ROOM - 4]
Join Reliance College for a guided Socratic discussion on a selection from the founder of
Austrian economics. The seminar will explore the nature of goods, the role of knowledge and
causality in human welfare, and Menger’s insights into value and economic coordination.
Marsha Familaro Enright
Reliance College
Students For Liberty Awards Dinner [VIP ticket required]
The 2025 Students For Liberty Awards Dinner at LibertyCon International this year will feature some of the most incredible work you will see from our best students around the world. With active SFL chapters in 109 countries across the globe, there was a LONG process with lots of votes to help narrow down winners for these prestige awards, which include Event of the Year, Group of the Year, Alum of the Year, and Student of the Year. Our keynote speaker is Mayor Glenn Jacobs, a true fan of Austrian economics holding elected office as Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. We will also be treated to some live music after the awards by presenter and musician Daryl Davis. This is an event you won’t want to miss and VIP tickets are limited, so register now!
Dr. Wolf von Laer
