Leading Liberty

We don't know what will happen on Election Day -- but one thing we do know for certain is that people are tired of the toxicity in politics.   Parties vs. the people. Republicans vs. Democrats. Libertarians vs... themselves. Matt refused to run as an independent to stand by the party that shared his principles -- but now he's under fire for not being libertarian enough.   In this episode:   >> Why there's so much infighting in the party of peace   >> How we can solve homelessness with less government   >> Whether top-two primaries help or hurt third-party candidates   >> Why Matt didn't run as an independent... and why Jenn hopes he'll change his mind in 2020   >> Plus what he *actually* said that got the party all up in arms (pun totally intended)   Resources in today’s episode:   >> To watch Matt's interview on running Libertarian with Nick Veser (on Facebook), click here.    >> To check out Matt's website, click here.   >> To listen to episode 44 with Nick Troiano, "Can Independents Unite America?

42 percent of American voters don’t identify with a political party, yet hesitate to vote for independent or third-party candidates. Why? Nick Troiano was the youngest and most successful independent candidate of the cycle in 2014 -- and now he leads Unite America, where he’s built from scratch a rapidly growing movement to disrupt the duopoly. Unite America is the only organization in the country building the grassroots community, donor network, and electoral infrastructure to help independent candidates run winning campaigns -- and it’s working. In this episode: >> Why the absence of a one-size-fits-all independent platform isn’t a problem >> How the “Fulcrum Strategy” can break through partisan gridlock >> Independent races to watch in the 2018 midterm elections >> Why voter turnout is so low -- and what we can do about it >> What independent activists can do to keep moving the needle in 2019 >> And lots more, so let’s dive in! Resources in today’s episode: >> To learn more about Unite America, click here.

Nobody wants to be sold something, but everybody wants to buy something. Just like nobody likes asking for money, but everybody likes getting it. And there’s the Libertarian Catch 22. We can’t win if we don’t get it; but we can’t get it if we don’t win. In the past 11 years, Jenn has raised millions for pro-liberty causes and campaigns — and in the next 40 minutes, you’ll learn how.   In this episode: >> The (very small) number of yeses it takes to raise $10,000 >> Two easy ways the candidate and campaign manager can divide and conquer to get the most out of events and phone calls >> Jenn’s go-to ice breaker to start a conversation with a complete stranger >> The quick text that keeps you from wasting time with people who don’t want to talk to you >> How to try Jenn’s step-by-step fundraising course for $1 >> And lots more, so let’s dive in!   Resources in today’s episode: >> To learn more about Raise the Standard -- and try it for a $1, click here. >> To book a 1-on-1 strategy session with Jenn for your camp

On the literal grounds of the American Revolution, police told Navy veteran Jeff Lyons he couldn’t pass out pocket Constitutions on his college campus — and now he’s leading a fight for free speech that’s restored the rights of hundreds of thousands of students in Massachusetts. In this episode: >> What colleges do when they’re afraid of free speech — and how Young Americans for Liberty is fighting back >> Why we should lean in to resistance from the state (spoiler alert: the obstacle is the way) >> How Jeff’s recruiting experience in the Navy helped him quadruple the size of his Libertarian Party affiliate >> Plus, the real reason why Jenn left the Libertarian Party — and why she (kind of) came back   UP NEXT: The 3 key fundraising habits that turn a little into a lot   Mentioned in this episode: Article: ADF, FIRE to Bunker Hill Community College: Remember the First Amendment? Learn more about Dan Fishman for Auditor  Learn more about Young Americans for Liberty  Connect with the Leading Liberty Podcast on

Jenn’s pick for chairman of the Libertarian National Committee —- and why she won’t be voting for him. In this episode: >> We don’t have to choose between Nick Sarwark and Josh Smith. >> What inspires activists to want to pay to work >> The problem with the 2,000-candidate goal — and how we can start winning instead >> How Josh came out of nowhere and turned Jenn from an enemy to a friend #LetsGetToWork UP NEXT: The REAL reason Jenn left the Libertarian Party…   Mentioned in this episode: Joshua Smith: Taking It to the Next Level: My 4-Point Plan for a Successful Libertarian Party Video: Larry Sharpe Endorses Joshua Smith Follow Joshua Smith for LNC Chair on Facebook (DELEGATES — Contact Josh on this page if you’d like to speak to him 1-on-1) Connect with the Leading Liberty Podcast on Facebook  P.S. Did you like this episode? 1. Subscribe to get a heads up when we drop our next episode. 2. Leave us a quick review for good karma. TAXATION IS THEFT TIP JAR: Click here to kick in 5 bucks and get a shout out on

Liberty is supposed to make us happy. Why aren’t we happy? Jeffrey Tucker is. In this episode: >> How getting out of bed in the morning is “pure anarchy” >> What to do about LP drama and negativity >> Jeffrey’s take on Trump: the good, bad, and catastrophically ugly >> A few libertarian answers to school shootings >> Why “the system” can’t last — and how it’ll fall apart And lots more. Hit it.   Mentioned in this episode: Jeffrey Tucker: Against Libertarian Brutalism Jeffrey Tucker: Why the Libertarian Party Needs to Remove and Replace the Pledge Join Jenn at an upcoming event:   P.S. Did you like this episode? Subscribe! You can also help get the word out by leaving Leading Liberty a quick review. (Awesome people only - click here to kick in 5 bucks and get a shout out on the next show. 100% of the proceeds support the Leading Liberty production team.)

Cappies and commies don’t exactly see eye-to-eye. But at the end of the day, they can (operative word, CAN) both reject the use of force or fraud to achieve their political and social goals. And when it comes to growing the Libertarian Party, that’s all that matters. In today’s very candid, (very long), and intentionally unedited conversation, Bo tries to defend the statement “rent is theft” with a thought experiment.. Jenn gets initiated into the Peace Pipe Caucus.. and we all learn how to rescue future Democrats in 15 seconds or less from one of the top signature gatherers in the LP. Don’t mind the lighters sparking, and don’t listen with kids in the car. Mentioned in this episode: Article: A Guaranteed Income for Every American  Go have a “charitable conversation” with the LibSoc Caucus on Facebook  Want to help elect the first state-level Libertarian? Click here to support Larry Sharpe’s record-breaking run for governor of New York. Join Jenn with the Peace Pipe Caucus in Nashville — or at another event c

Who are you, what do you stand for, and why should anybody care? We get asked a lot on Leading Liberty about how to get more Facebook followers and media hits and donors, and all those things are great —- but at the end of the day, they’re a reflection of how relatable you are as an actual human being and how well you take the problems you’re passionate about and turn them into messages that matter to others. Your narrative is the foundation of your campaign, so before you spend another dime on outreach, check out today’s episode with Larry Sharpe’s senior adviser Phil Ricci on what questions you need to ask yourself about why you’re running — and what you need to do to get them answered in an actionable way. Mentioned in this episode: Join Team Sharpe as a Director of External Affairs — click here to apply. Episode 34: Tackling Tough Questions with NY Gubernatorial Candidate Larry Sharpe Episode 36: Maximizing Earned Media with Larry Sharpe for NY’s Lauren McKinnon Episode 32: How to Make Money by Raising It

Johnson Weld was the most successful Libertarian presidential campaign in history.. but where do we go from here? What will take it to get people to question their long-held political beliefs, and how can we dismantle the duopoly along the way? In this special behind-the-scenes glimpse of the first-look screening of “I Am Gary Johnson” during the Sundance Film Festival, Jenn charts a course forward with three of the Johnson Weld campaign’s most effective strategists — Field Director Carlos Sierra, Communications Director Joe Hunter, and Northeastern Regional Director Dan Fishman —- and sets the record straight on her controversial decision to attend the event. Mentioned in this episode: To learn more about the “I Am Gary Johnson” documentary, click here. To help elect the first Libertarian governor by supporting Larry Sharpe for New York, click here. And to join Jenn at an upcoming event in a city near you, click here. P.S. Did you like this episode? Check out our show sponsor Robin Koerner’s book “If You Can

Traditional media isn’t exactly known for paying attention to pro-liberty causes and political campaigns.. but is that about to change? Larry Sharpe’s race for governor of New York is catching media attention from local TV to national news, thanks in large part to today’s guest, Lauren McKinnon. Lauren is Larry’s Director of Communications, and she’s managed to build one of the most successful media presences for a state-level Libertarian candidate ever — with an entirely volunteer army (and a killer sense of humor). Resources in this episode: POLITICO: A New York Rarity: A Serious Libertarian Candidate Matt Welch Interviews Larry Sharpe in Reason Magazine Larry Sharpe on NY Governor Run on CBS Larry Sharpe on Growth and Eliminating State Income Tax on Capital Tonight Click here to help Larry keep smashing records in his run for governor (and support Leading Liberty at the same time)! Want to hang out with Jenn in person? Click here to join her at an upcoming event! P.S. Did you like this episode? Check out o

Time-sensitive PSA, fam — open up!! A new behind-the-scenes documentary about the Johnson Weld campaign just got a first-look screening during the Sundance Film Festival.. it is going to be the VIP liberty event of the year — and you’re invited! All the juicy details in today’s episode, plus the low-down on Larry Sharpe’s next stop in Arizona for a joint event with Nick Sarwark’s campaign for mayor of Phoenix. Just listened to the episode and/or already know you want to come? Got you covered right here. Click here to check out the trailer for “I Am Gary Johnson” and reserve your seats to the first-look screening (plus VIP before-and-after parties!) during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT on January 23. (Only 30 spots left at the time of this recording, so be sure to RSVP by January 20, 2018 if you’re in!) Click here to grab a ticket to a special evening with Larry Sharpe and Nicholas Sarwark in Scottsdale, AZ on January 27. I’ll be at both events too and can’t wait to see you there! Can’t make it?

Is New York a lost cause? Why is the rent so damn high? Why won't Larry Sharpe run as an independent? (Or would he??) Are there any circumstances where gun control might actually be a good idea? How can libertarians fix healthcare? Resources: Apply to join Team Sharpe as a Director of External Affairs. Join Larry's Legion to support Larry Sharpe's 2018 run for governor of New York. Check out our show sponsor Robin Koerner’s book If You Can Keep It. ... What do you think are the hardest questions to answer about liberty? Let us know in the Leading Liberty Mastermind Facebook group! Help other freedom fighters find the show by leaving Leading Liberty a quick review. OR Get a shout out on the next show by pledging a dollar or two (or more!) per episode. 100% of the proceeds support the Leading Liberty production team. If you want to win big for the cause of liberty today and grab a copy of the Tuttle Twins series, use our affiliate link here or click the banner below so a portion of the purchase can come back to

If the principles of liberty are so good, shouldn’t it speak for itself? Do they really depend on a party? Communication and online marketing guru from the Leading Liberty podcast, Jenn Gray, joins the program to tie all this together. Resources: Join Larry’s Legion at $25/mo to be listed in the credits for forthcoming Lost Party documentary. Listen to our show with the host of Being Libertarian Daily Headline, Nick Veser, here. Check out our show sponsor Robin Koerner’s book If You Can Keep It. ... What do you think about this week’s episode? Let us know what you learned in the Leading Liberty Mastermind Facebook group! Help other freedom fighters find the show by leaving Leading Liberty a quick review. OR Get a shout out on the next show by pledging a dollar or two (or more!) per episode. 100% of the proceeds support the Leading Liberty production team. If you want to win big for the cause of liberty today and grab a copy of the Tuttle Twins series, use our affiliate link here or click the banner below so a

So you’ve created your podcast. The content is engaging, your audience loves it, and the show is steadily gaining popularity… But you’re still not making money. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The good news is that making your content profitable, whether it’s a podcast, video series, or blog, has never been easier. More importantly, if you stay tuned, you’ll get expert advice in under one hour and be on your way to making money from what you’re already creating. On today’s episode, Jenn interviews Remso Martinez, an accomplished political commentator, consultant, and multimedia producer. His podcast, the Remso Republic, reaches thousands of listeners every episode. He’ll share his insights, answer questions you may have about marketing your show, and help you successfully monetize your content. But that’s not all! In less than one hour, you will learn: Small changes you can make to increase engagement. How to build relationships with your audience. Affiliates vs. sponsorships - Which one is right for

Let’s face it: you love volunteering for pro-Liberty projects and campaigns, but you also want to get paid. Want to learn how you can do both? Stay tuned, and in just one episode, you’ll have the knowledge you need to start advancing Liberty full-time. Jenn understands how frustrating it can be to dedicate hours to campaigns without reciprocal pay. In fact, she used to be there. Now, she’s making six figures through her work in the movement. Most importantly, she wants to help you get there, too. Using her experience on Larry Sharpe’s current gubernatorial campaign as an example, Jenn will show you what skills you should develop to make yourself a more valuable asset in activism and beyond. But that’s not all. In under 30 minutes, you will also learn: Who gets paid first on libertarian political campaigns and why Where the money from fundraising actually goes How to find the right people for your development team Why monthly recurring gifts are so important — and 3 ways to get them without advertising

What do effective marketers know that you don’t? Simply: how to get to know their audience. Sound scary? Don’t worry. In 12 questions, you’ll be on the way to marketing success. In order to sell your product well, whether it be an idea, a campaign, or a podcast, you have to know who is already buying it and why. In this episode, Jenn will teach you what she’s learned from working for Larry Sharpe’s gubernatorial campaign and Reason Magazine. She’ll walk you through a typical conversation with a member of her audience, identifying opportunities for success and potential pitfalls for beginners. In just a half hour, you will not only have 12 different questions to ask your audience, you will also understand: The value in getting to know your audience. Finding individuals in your audience to talk to. Asking questions that produce meaningful answers. How transform your feedback into action. ... but the learning doesn’t end there! Listen to the entire show, and you’ll have the tools you need to up your mark

What can libertarians learn from history's most hated dictators? Simply put: the power of propaganda. Hold on, you say. Isn't propaganda a thing of the past? And isn't it obvious when something or someone is trying to manipulate me? These are all good questions. Stay tuned, and we'll give you some answers. The fact is, even today, propaganda in some form is everywhere. It lurks in news, music, media, political speeches, and even history textbooks. More importantly, it still changes the way we think about the world and the decisions we make as a result. Is that scary? Well, it doesn't have to be. It turns out the more you know about the history of propaganda, the more you'll be able to recognize and resist it. Moreover, with the right tools, you can use elements of propaganda to better advocate for the ideas of liberty. In this episode, guest hosts Chris Spangle and Greg Lenz are back to dissect how Hitler and the Nazis to take over Germany and how the influence of propaganda is still relevant today. Give us o

In less than one hour, you could be on your way to podcasting success. Intrigued? Excited? Scared? All of the above? Do not panic, just keep reading. You are already on the right path. Every week, Leading Liberty reaches hundreds of listeners, spreading our love of free markets and free people nationwide. But that’s not all. We know you can too! Podcasting done right is a game changer, and creating your own show has never been easier. Whether you want to grow your business, advocate for your organization, or promote your personal brand, podcasting is one of the most cost-effective ways to take your ideas to the global stage. And we’re here to help you do just that. In just under 60 minutes, guest hosts Chris Spangle and Greg Lenz will teach you the ins and outs of podcasting. As hosts of We Are Libertarians, a show with 9,000 listeaners per episode and nearly $1,000 in Patreon donations per month, Chris and Greg offer expert insight for beginners and experienced podcasters alike. In just one episode, you’ll l

Chris Spangle and Greg Lenz from “We Are Libertarians” guest host for Jenn as she is out on special assignment. Some of you remember Chris from earlier this season in the episode titled “Does the Liberty Movement Need To Lighten Up?” As the hosts of a show which boasts an average of 9k downloads per episode and a hefty $1k monthly in pledges through Patreon, Chris and Greg walk you through the process of understanding: The power of a podcast for a brand, candidate or organization. The quickest way to build a growing and engaging online community. How to monetize your audience so it’s a win-win for everyone. Why podcasts are becoming the fastest growing and most engaging form of multi-media. How the Libertarian Party of Indiana podcast helped their candidates and leaders spread the message of liberty. Resources in this episode: Listen to the top episodes of the We Are Libertarians podcast on the human cost of government regulations. Automatically publish your podcasts to your website with Simple Podc

Alternative media is amazing because we finally have an escape from the humdrum of headline chasers and can focus on simply having good content and enjoyable conversations. I was so excited to get a chance to appear on The Resistance Podcast with Josh Carter earlier this month to discuss how I went from being a development director and vice president of pro-liberty non-profits, Reason’s youngest major donor, and why I am so committed to elevating our standards of political messaging. We cover so much more in the episode, including: How to run Facebook ads The creative process for messaging a compelling campaign How I almost ended up at the NSA What podcasts I listened to Case studies from previous campaigns I worked on Why do I love underground rap (not a joke folks) So what are you waiting for? Check out the episode today! As promised, here's the live video recording of the interview! Any questions, comments, or special requests? Tell us what’s on your mind in the Leading Liberty Mastermind Faceb