Why Every Generation Has to Relearn Economic Freedom

What does growing up amid 1,000% inflation teach a nine-year-old
about economics?

Host Dennis McCuistion is joined by Diogo Costa,
president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), to discuss
why the lessons of economic freedom must be learned by every new generation.

Costa recounts his childhood during Brazil’s hyperinflation era and explains how a
chance encounter with the writings of Ludwig von Mises led him to the
Cato Institute, Columbia University, and ultimately the leadership of FEE.

The conversation explores Milton Friedman’s belief that no economic
battle is ever permanently won—and why every generation must rediscover the consequences
of inflation, price controls, government overspending, and unsustainable fiscal policy.

Costa also describes how FEE is reaching young people through AI-powered learning tools,
educational programs, and student hackathons that challenge participants to build
applications grounded in sound economic principles.

The episode concludes with a candid comparison of how Brazil and
Argentina are responding—in very different ways—to the economic
consequences of fiscal excess.