The Optimistic Curmudgeon

Jason Jewell: Graduate Education, Russell Kirk, and Conservatism Today (1X5)

Dr. Jason Jewell discusses the unique graduate studies program in the humanities he runs at Faulkner University, his scholarship on Russell Kirk, and his views on where the conservative movement is today.

Sam Gregg: Morality, Economics, Realism, and the Gold Standard - 1x3

Dr. Sam Gregg comes on The Optimistic Curmudgeon to share about the many ways in which realism grounds human thought and action. He and Josh have a wide ranging conversation about different application of moral ideas, and the way reality grounds economics. 

Bob Luebke: Discrepancies in the Data for Teachers' Salaries

Josh interview Dr. Bob Luebke of the John Locke Foundation about the differences between the appearance and the reality of teacher salary changes in the state of North Carolina over 201-2019. Along the way, they also discuss the school choice movement, policy changes for improving public education, and the effect teachers' unions have on North Carolina education. 

Robert Pondiscio: Anti-Racism Harms Minority Students in Schools of Choice - 1x2

Josh Herring interview Robert Pondiscio about his experiences as an educator, educational policy expert, and the ways in which anti-racism harms the very students it attempts to help. 

Richard Vedder: Colleges Abandon the Basics - 1x1

Dr. Richard Vedder (Ohio University, Forbes, Independant Institute) discusses the economic, political, and social forces resulting in skyrocketing prices in college tuition.