An Interview with Todd Gaziano, President, Center for Individual Rights At a time when constitutional rights face continuing pressures---from campus censorship to race-based government policies---one organization has spent the last 35 years winning legal battles that set lasting precedents for individual liberty. The Center for Individual Rights was founded in 1989 to defend constitutional principles through strategic litigation. Its first major Supreme Court victory, Rosenberger v. University of Virginia in 1995, established that public universities cannot discriminate based on religious viewpoint---a principle that continues to influence cases to this day. CIR also secured landmark victories challenging race-based admissions policies in the University of Michigan cases. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Todd Gaziano, who became CIR's president in 2023. Before joining CIR, he led legal centers at both the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Heritage Foundation, served as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and worked in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel and as chief counsel to a House subcommittee. He discusses CIR's strategic approach to defending equal protection, religious liberty, free speech, and competitive federalism---and explains why these constitutional battles matter for every American. Topics Discussed on this Episode: Todd's path to the Center for Individual Rights and the most urgent threats to constitutional rights today The 30-year legacy of Rosenberger v. University of Virginia and its impact on campus free speech CIR's current cases challenging race-based policies in Portland schools and within federal programs Religious liberty and competitive federalism: why these areas matter Concerns and hopes for the future of constitutional rights in America
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Interview with Mark Niehaus
An Interview with Mark Niehaus, President and Executive Director, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra proves that art isn't just entertainment—it can be a key part of building community. Through concerts that bring diverse audiences together and revitalization efforts that have transformed its downtown home, the MSO stands as one of Milwaukee's most dynamic civic institutions. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Mark Niehaus, President and Executive Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Mark spent 14 years as the MSO's principal trumpet before the board tapped him in 2012 to lead the organization. Under his leadership, the MSO completed an extraordinary restoration of the 1930s Warner Grand Theatre, expanding it into the Bradley Symphony Center. It opened in 2021, sparking renewal along West Wisconsin Avenue. As Wisconsin's largest performing arts institution, the MSO employs 70 full-time professional musicians who perform over 130 concerts annually and generate an estimated $55 million in economic activity. Topics Discussed on this Episode: Mark's atypical career path from musician to organizational leader Why the Bradley Symphony Center restoration was critical for the orchestra's future The MSO's role in revitalizing downtown Milwaukee Growing institutionally at a time in which some orchestras are struggling Cultivating audiences for traditional art forms in a digital world The economic impact of arts organizations beyond cultural experience Hope for the future of orchestras and performing arts in America
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Interview with Gonzalo Schwarz and Clay Routledge
An Interview with Gonzalo Schwarz and Clay Routledge, Archbridge Institute Despite prevailing messages to the contrary, recent research reveals a surprising finding: nearly seven in ten Americans say they either believe they'll achieve the American Dream or already have. Yet a deeper question remains: What does it actually take for people to flourish? Our guests on this episode of Voices of Freedom have dedicated their careers to answering this question by building a bridge between the truths revealed by research and the narratives that drive people and society. Gonzalo Schwarz and Clay Routledge of the Archbridge Institute share insights from their work building a "human flourishing movement" that goes beyond traditional economic measures to understand what truly enables people to live better, fuller lives. Together, they explain why most Americans remain optimistic about their futures—despite pessimistic narratives we often hear. Topics Discussed on this Episode: How growing up in multiple countries shaped Gonzalo's understanding of institutions and opportunity Why Clay transitioned from academia to policy work and the connection between psychology and public policy Why Archbridge regards "human flourishing" as a better framework than traditional economic measures The "crisis of meaning" affecting young people and its impact on well-being and success Why young Americans are more pessimistic about the American Dream and how to encourage optimism Why most Americans remain optimistic about achieving the American Dream Breakthrough insights and policy solutions that could make a difference in people's lives
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Interview with Nathan McGrath
An Interview with Nathan McGrath, President and General Counsel of the Fairness Center When public employees face retaliation for exercising their constitutional rights or encounter union corruption, where can they turn for help? Often, they're confronting powerful forces that possess unlimited resources – an uphill battle for any worker. That's where organizations like the Fairness Center step in to level the playing field. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Nathan McGrath, President and General Counsel of the Fairness Center, a nonprofit law firm providing free legal services to public-sector employees hurt by union officials. Since the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME, Nathan and his team have been on the front lines helping workers understand and exercise their rights. From challenging illegal contract provisions to exposing embezzled union dues, Nathan's work touches on fundamental questions about individual liberty, the constitution, and the role of public-sector unions in America Topics Discussed on this Episode: Nathan's transition from private practice to constitutional and labor law The Fairness Center's mission to help public employees How the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision changed the landscape for public-sector workers Why small financial disputes can raise crucial constitutional principles How different state laws affect public employees' rights across the country The broader impact of the Fairness Center's work on worker liberty The biggest challenges facing public-sector employees today
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Interview wth Mark L. Clifford
An Interview with Mark L. Clifford, Author and Editor For more than four years, one of the greatest entrepreneurs in Hong Kong's history has been in solitary confinement on sham charges that could lead to imprisonment for life. Despite being held in a small cell, 77-year-old Jimmy Lai has become one of Beijing's greatest threats and one of the world's most courageous leaders in the fight for freedom. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Mark L. Clifford, Lai's close friend and an advocate for freedom in Hong Kong. He shares Lai's remarkable story, from his childhood in poverty, to his rise as a successful business owner and newspaper publisher, to his stand against tyranny. This year, The Bradley Foundation has awarded Lai with an Honorary Bradley Prize for his unwavering commitment to the ideals of freedom. Topics Discussed on this Episode: Lai's childhood on mainland China and why he fled to Hong Kong How Lai was able to quickly rise above his circumstances The influence of free market ideas on Lai's career and life The impact of Tiananmen Square and the massacre of 1989 Lai's introduction to Catholicism and how religion shaped his belief system Lai's decision to stay in Hong Kong and take a stand for freedom Lai's state of mind after more than four years in prison Why the Chinese Communist Party fears Lai Whether there's hope for Hong Kong's democratic movement About Mark L. Clifford: Clifford is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, the former executive director of the Asia Business Council, and a former board member at Next Digital. He is editorial chair of the Asian Review of Books and served as editor in chief of both English-language papers in Hong Kong, The Standard and the South China Morning Post.
Every three weeks, join us on Voices of Freedom for thought-provoking conversations on issues impacting our freedom and America's founding principles, with particular emphasis on free speech, educational freedom, and free enterprise.
Voices of Freedom features Rick Graber, President of The Bradley Foundation, talking to remarkable individuals within the Bradley community, including grantees, Bradley Prize winners, and more. Our focus on these areas reflects the intent of the foundation's namesakes, Lynde and Harry Bradley, who wanted to preserve the freedoms that were essential to their success for future generations.
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