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What if modern economics has overlooked what truly makes us human?

In this episode, Bart Wilson joins us to explore humanomics—an approach to economics that reintroduces meaning, culture, and moral judgment into how we understand economic behavior.

We talk about how economists miss the mark by assuming too much about how rational we really are—and too little about what it means to be human.

Wilson shares insights from his experimental work with non-human primates, showing how comparing monkey behavior to human decision-making can reveal deep truths about markets, cooperation, and fairness.

We explore big questions all economists should grapple with: What is humanomics, and how does it challenge traditional models? What makes human goals different from animal instincts? Can monkeys and other animals help us understand moral behavior in economics?

Bart Wilson is a professor of Economics and Law at Chapman University and the Director of the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy. He is the co-author (with Vernon Smith) of Humanomics and the author of Meaningful Economics. His research spans experimental economics, moral philosophy, and decision-making in both humans and non-human primates.

Join us for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about the future of economics, human nature, and what monkeys can teach us about meaning.

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What is it like to grow up under a dictatorship? The speakers of The Dissident Project don’t have to wonder — they’ve lived it. And they’ve escaped.

In this episode, Grace Bydalek joins us this week to discuss her work with The Dissident Project, which brings survivors of authoritarian regimes into American high schools to share their powerful, firsthand stories. From Cuba and Venezuela to Russia and beyond, these voices bring the reality of life without freedom into the classroom.

We talk about why these stories matter — especially for students who may never have questioned their own liberties. Why high schoolers? Why now? And does this kind of civic education actually make a difference?

Join us for a moving and timely conversation about freedom, resilience, and the importance of living for something larger than yourself.

Grace Bydalek is the Director of The Dissident Project, an initiative of the nonprofit Young Voices dedicated to educating American students about the dangers of authoritarianism. She is also a visiting fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum, a ministry apprentice at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, and is currently pursuing a master’s in theology. Oh — and she’s also an actor.

Want to explore more?

• Daniel DiMartino on Life in Venezuela and Immigration, a Great Antidote podcast.
• Arthur Brooks on Love Your Enemy, an EconTalk podcast.
• Bryan Caplan, Communism, in the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics.

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Ryan Streeter is the executive director of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. Today, he tells us about his time in the intersection of think tanks, government, and academic communities. We talk about cities, the importance of mobility and growth, how to foster those characteristics, skepticism of government, and living in and creating a community that fosters social cohesion and critical thinking.

Want to explore more?

• Alain Bertaud on Urban Planning and Cities, a Great Antidote podcast.
• Raj Chetty on Economic Mobility, an EconTalk podcast.
• Scott Winship on Poverty and Welfare, a Great Antidote podcast.
• Charles Murray on Dignity and the American Dream, a Future of Liberty podcast.
• Jeremy Horpedahl, Americans are Still Thriving, at Econlib.

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Never miss another AdamSmithWorks update.

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