The Economist Next Door

How Your Neighbors Are Using AI

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant technology of the future—it is already reshaping how people work, learn, create, and solve problems. In this episode of The Economist Next Door, Paul Mueller explores the practical and philosophical questions surrounding AI with three guests — Jacob Mueller, co-founder of short-term rental management company Renjoy; Nicholas Roseveare, software engineer and developer at Revenue Solutions; and Tanner Thetford, pastor at First Baptist Church of Leadville — who are actively using these tools in their work and daily lives. The conversation goes beyond productivity gains to examine deeper questions about how humans should use AI. Like every powerful tool, the question is not simply whether we use it, but how we use it.

Is AI a Threat to Human Flourishing?

Artificial intelligence is often discussed in terms of productivity, jobs, and economic growth. But the deeper question is a human one: Will AI help us become more fully human? In this episode of The Economist Next Door, Dr. Paul Mueller brings together three guests to examine AI from different angles. They discuss how entrepreneurs, programmers, and educators are using AI today—and wrestle with the harder questions surrounding technology, work, creativity, and human purpose. Will AI free people to pursue more meaningful work, or will it weaken the habits and relationships that make us human? Can artificial intelligence serve as a tool for human flourishing, or will it encourage dependence and disengagement? Listen to this thought-provoking conversation on the economic and moral questions surrounding one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

The Declaration's Most Radical—and Consequential—Idea

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, host Paul Mueller sits down with historian Brad Birzer to explore the ideas that gave birth to the American experiment. Together, they examine what made the Declaration such a revolutionary document, why its principles remain relevant nearly two and a half centuries later, and the radical claim at its heart: that all people are created equal and possess rights that no government can rightfully take away. Mueller and Birzer discuss the intellectual influences behind the Declaration, the courage required to sign it, and the enduring importance of natural rights, self-government, and human dignity. They also reflect on how the Declaration transformed political thought around the world and why its message continues to shape debates about liberty today. Join us for a timely conversation about the most radical—and important—idea in the Declaration of Independence.

Could Trump Accounts Actually Work?

Host Paul Mueller is joined by AIER scholars Tom Savidge and Dave Hebert to discuss one of the most intriguing and controversial provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill: Trump Accounts. The program would provide government-seeded investment accounts for children, with supporters arguing that it could expand ownership, encourage long-term wealth building, and foster a stronger culture of saving and investing. Are Trump Accounts a meaningful step toward an ownership society, or are they simply another government program destined to fall short of its promises? Paul, Tom, and David debate the merits and drawbacks of the proposal, examining everything from financial literacy and intergenerational wealth to government incentives, philanthropy, and the future of retirement security. Along the way, they spar over whether giving every child a stake in the market could strengthen capitalism, encourage broader participation in wealth creation, and reshape the relationship between citizens and the economy.

Economics Is for Everyone

In this episode of The Economist Next Door, host Paul Mueller is joined by Tom Savidge and Julia Cartwright of the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), along with Richard Morrison of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), to explore how basic economic thinking shows up in everyday life. Using accessible, real-world examples—from wedding dresses and tuxedos to sneakers, thrifted fashion, housing regulations, and consumer choice—the conversation highlights how trade-offs, discounting, incentives, and social norms shape ordinary decisions. It moves from household economics to broader policy debates, including regulation, market variety, and the unintended consequences of quality standards in housing and consumer goods. The episode makes clear that economics, at its core, is not merely a technical discipline for experts, but a practical framework for understanding how people make choices under scarcity, constraints, and competing values in daily life.