2025 sessions
See the sessions
Here’s a partial list of the sessions and speakers presenting at LibertyCon International 2025.
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
John Papola shares how Emergent Order Foundation’s Radical Discourse series revives civil dialogue through creative storytelling and entertainment. By blending art, fairness, and academic rigor, this initiative tackles divisive issues like immigration and economics in accessible formats, showing how debates can engage new audiences while respecting opposing views.
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
Sponsorship Spot #2
To be announced
Libertarianism.org
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, pitch some of the great things to look forward to tomorrow morning, let everyone know the bar is now open, and invite everyone to stick around for Liberty Jeopardy.
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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!
Brian Lambrecht
Jenifer Floyd
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: Wolf von Laer
Lars Mapstead
Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Stopping Government Digital Censorship—What Can Be Done? [Netchoice]
Robert Winterton leads a discussion on combating global censorship of free speech, from laws that force social media platforms to censor on behalf of governments to direct penalties on individuals for political speech. Stephen Kent adds insights on global trends and the unintended consequences of restrictive policies, while Marcel Van Hattem shares his experience with laws that claim to promote internet safety but are used to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices.
NetChoice
Freedom Law School
To be announced
Freedom Law School
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
Erik Brakey
To be announced
Free State Project
Advocates for Self Government
To be announced
Advocates For Self Government
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
[Reason Magazine] Reason Roundtable
To be announced
Reason Roundtable
Defeating Dictators and Defending Freedom Always Starts at Home
To be announced
Tom Palmer
Thank everyone for attending LibertyCon
Robby can thank everyone for attending the convention this weekend, recap some of the things that have happened throughout the weekend, and give some information for the upcoming dinner.
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Robby Soave
What is China Thinking?: Understanding Chinese Policymaking with Public Choice Theory
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
Entrepreneurship for Liberty: How Self-Starters Build Movements and Missions
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
Market Failure: An Argument Both For And Against Government
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
SFL Shark Tank [SFL and Principled Business]
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
Socratic Seminar: Carl Menger, Principles of Economics
Explore Carl Menger’s groundbreaking ideas on the nature of goods, value, and economic coordination in a guided, discussion-based session.
Marsha Familaro Enright
Socratic Seminar: Ayn Rand, What is Capitalism?
A deep dive into Ayn Rand’s Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, exploring her moral and practical arguments for free markets and voluntary exchange.