The purpose of dialogue is to let ideas die instead of us.
Escaping Mediocrity
Claim This Podcastby Alex Buxeda
4.9(14 reviews)
48 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
Podcast Overview
The purpose of dialogue is to let ideas die instead of us.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/18/2021
2 verified contact emails on file for Escaping Mediocrity
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Recent Episodes
March 18, 2026
What is Trust? w/ Karl Friston
<p>I am joined by neuroscientist Karl Friston to discuss, from first principles, what trust is.<br>The trust we put in others, and in our institutions, is a sociological feature emergent from biology. It is here that predictions first appear. <br>This conversation inspired an article we co-wrote:<br><a href="https://schweizermonat.ch/trust-is-a-law-of-nature/" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://schweizermonat.ch/trust-is-a-law-of-nature/</a></p>
January 26, 2026
In Defense of Liberalism w/ Cass Sunstein
<p><strong>Lukas Leuzinger </strong>and <strong>Alex Buxeda </strong>interview <strong>Cass Sunstein </strong>for <a href="https://schweizermonat.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Schweizer Monat</strong></a>. They dissect the mechanics of liberalism. Sunstein defines a tradition that encompasses <strong>Hayek</strong> and <strong>Burke</strong>. He counters the claims of Patrick Deneen. He argues that choice does not destroy faith or family. The dialogue shifts to <strong>nudges</strong>. Sunstein explains how <strong>choice architecture</strong> assists humans without it being manipulation. They analyze speech standards. They contrast the <strong>First Amendment</strong> with the laws of <strong>Switzerland</strong> and <strong>Germany</strong>. Sunstein outlines the divisions of power. He warns against the expansion of the <strong>executive</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p>Buy Sunstein's latest book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Liberalism-Defense-Cass-R-Sunstein/dp/026205731X?_encoding=UTF8" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">On Liberalism: In Defense of Freedom</a></p><p>Check Sunstein's books <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001ILMC6A" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here</a></p>
December 11, 2025
Sound Money or Soft Despotism: Barbara Kolm on Inflation, Trust, and the Future of Europe
<p>Barbara Kolm, President of the Austrian School of Economics, joins Alex Buxeda to dismantle the myths of monetary nationalism, expose the political incentives behind inflation, and explain why trust collapses when money becomes a political tool.<br></p><p>They explore Carl Menger’s legacy, why money is a discovery not an invention, how time and information shape economic order, and why Europe is quietly drifting toward central planning through the “law of rules”.<br>From Bitcoin’s “don’t trust, verify,” to demographic decline, taxation traps, bureaucratic overreach, CBDCs, nudging theory, and the collapse of competitiveness in Europe, this episode is a deep dive into the institutions that shape freedom, responsibility, and prosperity. </p>
48 total episodes available
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- What is Escaping Mediocrity?
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This podcast updates weekly.
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