Project Liberal

Political analyst and messaging strategist Rachel Bitecofer joins hosts Max Marty and Josh Eakle for a provocative discussion about why Democrats keep losing the messaging war—and what it will take to fight back against authoritarian threats. Rachel is the Author of "Hit Them Where It Hurts," arguing that Democrats' preference for positive campaigning and policy wonkery is a luxury the country can no longer afford. The conversation explores the psychology of voter behavior, the asymmetry in campaign tactics between parties, and whether Democrats must embrace fear-based messaging to save democracy itself. Max pushes back on the "race to the bottom" concern while Bitecofer insists the house is already on fire—and worrying about furniture arrangements can wait. Topics Discussed: * Why party identification explains 90% of vote choice—and how Rachel believes Republicans weaponize this through negative branding * Loss aversion psychology: Why fear motivates voters more than hope or policy promises * The 2024 postmortem: How $1 billion in positive Democratic ads failed while Trump's "she's for they/them" attacks succeeded * Is appealing to voter's virtue a trap * Historical parallels to 1930s Europe and why humans are psychologically wired to deny threats until it's too late Links & Resources: * Rachel Bitecofer's on Substack "The Cycle" –https://substack.com/@thecycle? * "Hit Them Where It Hurts" by Rachel Bitecofer – https://a.co/d/0ri9Pni * Project Liberal – https://www.projectliberal.org * Become a Project Liberal member and help us make more content like this – https://projectliberal.org/member Get full access to Project Liberal at projectliberal.substack.com/subscribe

Former Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver joins hosts Max Marty and Tyler Harris for a candid look at where the liberty movement goes after the bruising 2024 cycle. Oliver reflects on running as a third-party contender in the most chaotic U.S. election in living memory, the internal battles that nearly broke the Libertarian Party, and why he refuses to run again unless the party rediscovers its classical-liberal roots. The conversation ranges from foreign-policy realism to the practicalities of resisting an increasingly illiberal political climate—and why long-term institutional reform matters as much as winning the next news cycle. Topics Discussed * Lessons from 2024: ballot-access hurdles, the RFK Jr. fundraising fiasco, and how MAGA populism crashed the Libertarian gate * “Principles before polls”: why Oliver argues that character and core values beat 100-point policy checklists * Reclaiming liberalism inside a two-party duopoly—and the limits of “vote-harder” activism * Ukraine, Gaza, and strategic restraint: when does aid deter aggression and when does it prolong war? * Free speech, due process, and mass-deportation plans: diagnosing the new authoritarian threat at home * Practical resistance: local organizing, legal defense funds, and funding institutions that defend immigrants and civil liberties * Long-game reforms—proportional representation, party primaries, and why the next constitutional settlement will shape liberty for decades Links & Resources * Chase Oliver website – https://votechaseoliver.com * Chase on X (Twitter) – @ChaseForLiberty * Project Liberal – https://www.projectliberal.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

In this episode of the Project Liberal podcast, Max Marty and Tyler Harris engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Virginia Postrel. Virginia introduces her framework of dynamism versus stasis—a perspective that transcends traditional left-right political divides—and explores how this lens remains relevant for understanding today's political landscape. As the "OG of the Progress and Abundance movement," Virginia offers unique insights into how innovation, decentralized knowledge, and bottom-up experimentation drive human flourishing. Topics Discussed: * The core thesis of "The Future and Its Enemies" and how it anticipated today's political realignments * How the YIMBY housing movement represents successful dynamism in action * The connections between progress studies, abundance agendas, and different political coalitions * Why progress was glamorous in the early 20th century and how it might regain that appeal * The importance of making progress tangible in everyday life rather than just elite discourse * How to build dynamic coalitions across political divides despite rising populism and reactionary politics * The role of decentralized knowledge in fields from textiles to housing policy You can find more from Virginia at: * Virginia's Substack: * Virginia's Website: https://vpostrel.com * Virginia's Book "The Future and Its Enemies": https://a.co/d/6ZtKqZC * Virginia's Book "The Fabric of Civilization": https://a.co/d/9ANJ3zr And learn more about Project Liberal at: https://projectliberal.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

In this episode of the Project Liberal podcast, hosts Max Marty and Tyler Harris engage in an illuminating conversation with Andy Craig, Fellow at the Institute for Humane Studies. Following his recent piece in The Unpopulist, Andy makes a compelling case for a more strident, unapologetic liberalism in response to America's current illiberal trajectory. The discussion explores how liberalism has historically been a radical force for change—from early democracy movements to civil rights—and how it must reclaim this bold reformist tradition to counter rising authoritarianism. Topics Discussed: The conversation delves into how liberalism finds itself in an oppositional space against an increasingly illiberal administration, and why Democrats need to emphasize the constitutional crisis at hand rather than engaging in politics as usual. Andy argues that a radical liberal alternative—distinct from both centrism and democratic socialism—offers the most viable path forward for those committed to defending constitutional democracy and individual liberty. https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/a-liberalism-without-apology-or-fearhttps://theunpopulist.net/author/andy-craighttps://theihs.org/https://projectliberal.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

Brad Polumbo recently debated Tim Pool on free trade—since Tim acted emotionally unhinged and unable to cope with reality, we thought it would be wise to invite Brad on the show to have the conversation he deserved. We discussed the topic "is free trade good for Americans?" with Max Marty playing the role of an emotionally stable, good-faith Tim Pool. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

With so many on the far left acquiescing to Trumpism, Micah Erfan and Joshua Eakle invited Kyle Kulinski of Secular Talk on the show to discuss the new anti-Trump coalition, how to keep various factions working alongside each other, and what some on the far left are getting wrong in their approach. https://x.com/KyleKulinskihttps://www.youtube.com/@MicahErfanhttp://www.projectliberal.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

In this episode of Project Liberal, co-hosts Joshua Eakle and Shawn Huckabay sit down with Armin Navabi, founder of Atheist Republic and an outspoken advocate for secularism, religious freedom, and liberalism. Together, they explore Armin’s fascinating personal journey from his upbringing in Iran to becoming one of the world’s most prominent atheist activists. Along the way, the conversation unpacks the intersection of secularism and liberalism, the evolution of the New Atheist movement, and the challenges of defending liberal values in a polarized world. Topics Discussed: Armin Navabi shares powerful insights on the resilience of liberalism, the necessity of skepticism, and the universal desire for freedom. This episode offers a thought-provoking discussion on the forces shaping modern society and why liberalism remains a vital framework for progress. Links: https://www.atheistrepublic.com/Arminhttps://www.youtube.com/@AtheistRepublicJoin Here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

In this episode, Project Liberal’s Max Marty and Joshua Eakle engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Andrew Heaton, political satirist, podcaster, and author of the new book “Tribalism is Dumb.” They delve into the evolutionary roots of tribalism, its impact on modern politics, and how our innate groupishness shapes societal dynamics. Andrew shares insights from his book, exploring why tribalism has intensified and what we can do to mitigate its negative effects. Topics Discussed: Andrew Heaton brings a unique blend of humor and insight to the complex topic of tribalism, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our political landscape. Don’t miss this engaging discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and provides practical solutions for a more open and free society. Links: https://a.co/d/1XRoo8Hhttps://mightyheaton.com/the-political-orphanageAnd as always, you can find more of Josh and Max at https://projectliberal.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

In this episode, Project Liberal’s Joshua Eakle and Max Marty discuss the rise of the “New Right” and Silicon Valley’s growing influence with Mike Brock, former CEO of TBD and member of Block's leadership team. Mike sheds light on the ideological shifts happening in tech and politics, from Curtis Yarvin’s “Dark Enlightenment” to the role of property rights and his theory on how it leads libertarians to slip into authoritarian ideologies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

In this episode, Project Liberal’s Joshua Eakle and Max Marty sit down with Dr. Pekka Kallioniemi, founder of Vatnik Soup and an expert on Russian disinformation. Dr. Kallioniemi, known for his work in social media and online information operations, explores the intricacies of disinformation and its impact on America's political system. Topics Discussed: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

On this episode we're joined by Shoshana Weissman. Shoshana is the Digital Director of the R Street Institute. She also works on occupational licensing reform, social media regulatory policy, Section 230 and other issues, and has written for various publications, including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Topics include: - The Importance of Section 230: why it’s crucial for free speech online. - The State of Social Media: the changes at X/Twitter since Elon Musk’s takeover. - AI Regulation and Ethical Concerns: the rapid advancements in AI, the call for development pauses, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI-generated content and intellectual property. - Occupational Licensing Reform: how excessive licensing requirements hinder innovation and entrepreneurship, and discusses liberal alternatives to traditional licensing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

Join us for a discussion with Steven Bonnell, also known as Destiny, streamer and commentator, as we explore the challenges of battling the rise of MAGA extremism. Topics covered include: Join Project Liberal founder Joshua Eakle and steering committee member Micah Erfan of Project Liberal for a deep dive into the ideological and political battles shaping America’s future. Follow Destiny at https://www.destiny.gg/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We’re exploring how zoning, regulations, and NIMBYism have impacted America’s cities in this episode featuring M. Nolan Gray, Senior Director at California YIMBY and author of Arbitrary Lines. Topics covered include: Join Project Liberal founder Joshua Eakle and steering committee member Shawn Huckabay as they engage in a timely conversation with Nolan Gray on the future of housing policy. Follow Nolan at https://x.com/mnolangray This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We sat down with Dylan Burns, a Journalist focused on covering the war in Ukraine, to debunk a series of myths and false narratives that are circulating around the war in Ukraine. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We sat down with Shikha Dalmia, the Founder of the Unpopulist Magazine and the President of the Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism, to explore what's causing the rise of authoritarianism across the globe and discuss the best strategy to fight back against it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We sat down with Alex Nowrasteh, an American analyst of immigration policy currently working at the Cato Institute to get to the truth around many of the questions Americans have about immigration. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We sit down with Daniel Di Martino to discuss his experience as a Venezuelan immigrant, what the right gets wrong about immigration, and Christian Nationalism. We’re a nonpartisan PAC dedicated to restoring, promoting, and advancing liberal values in American politics. Learn more: https://projectliberal.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

Austin Peterson Joins the show This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We sit down with Mr. Beat to discuss what's going on in American politics. Project Liberal is on a mission to resurrect true liberalism. Learn more: https://projectliberal.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com

We sat down with Jacob Rich, a PhD student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a policy analyst at Reason Foundation, to discuss the causes and solutions to America's Fentanyl Crisis. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit projectliberal.substack.com