Ep 435: Can Libertarians be Normal? with Katherine Mangu-Ward

Host Doug Stuart welcomes back Katherine Mangu-Ward, Editor-in-Chief at Reason and co-host of the Reason Roundtable, for a candid conversation about what it means to be “the normal person in the room”—especially as a libertarian. Together, they unpack the challenges and rewards of approaching political dialogue with humility, common ground, and empathy rather than combative debate tactics. Katherine Mangu-Ward shares her evolution from zealous young debater to a more seasoned, thoughtful advocate for liberty, reflecting on the importance of reading the room, resisting the urge to “win” arguments, and planting seeds for long-term change.

The conversation also dives into common libertarian stereotypes, the pitfalls of contrarianism, and the temptation of conspiracy thinking—especially in a post-COVID world. They discuss the importance of rhetorical strategy, the value of gradual versus radical reform, hypocrisy-detecting instincts, and why demonstrating real-life alternatives to state solutions is both necessary and inspiring. From personal anecdotes to reflections on political polarization, this episode offers practical wisdom for libertarians and anyone interested in effective, principled conversations about freedom.