Talks

Dan Smith has a wide range of public speaking experience giving dynamic and informative lectures to audiences across the United States and the world. 

To book Dan Smith for a talk, please contact him at daniel.smith@mtsu.edu   

Full List of Talks:

​Are Markets Moral? 

Lawlessness at the Fed During COVID-19 

The Financial Crisis 

Common Misperceptions of Inequality

Comrades Bowling Alone: The Impact of State Ownership of the Economy on Civil Society 

Economic and Inflation Outlook

Examining the Origins of Progressive Era Public-Interest Regulation

Hayek's Road to Serfdom in the 21st Century

Capitalism: The Fundamental Cause of Economic Growth and Human Well-Being

Public Choice Economics

​Straight Whiskey and Dirty Politics

Speaking Experience: 

• “Comrades Bowling Alone: The Impact of State Ownership of the Economy on Civil Society,” Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Midland, MI. ​May 20th, 2024.

• “Lawless at the Fed During COVID-19,” Loyola University New Orleans. March 7th, 2024.

• “Lawless at the Fed During COVID-19,” University of Central Arkansas. February 29th, 2024.

• “Re-examining the Origins of Progressive Era Regulation,” Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Midland, Michigan. May 25th, 2023.

• “The Principia College Conference,” Principia College. Elsah, Illinois. April 28th, 2023.

• “Re-examining the Origins of Progressive Era Regulation,” Frederic Bastiat Fellowship Program, Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Fairfax, VA. March 10th, 2023.

• “Fiscal Responsibility in Alabama,” Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy and American Institute for Economic Research. Birmingham, AL. February 23rd, 2023.

• “Are Markets Moral?” Brentwood Rotary Club. Brentwood, TN. February 17th, 2023.

• “Lawlessness at the Fed During COVID-19” Mercer University. Macon, GA. October 12th, 2022.

• “Are Markets Moral?” Mercer University. Macon, GA. October 12th, 2022.

• “Inflation and the Fed,” Union City Rotary. Union City, TN. July 7th, 2022.

• “Inflation and the Fed,” Rotary Club of Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro, TN. June 30th, 2022.

• “Are Markets Moral?” Bastiat Society of Nashville. Nashville, TN. May 17th, 2022.

• “Consumer Safety Regulation in Healthcare,” Healthcare Regulation Virtual Panel. Fayetteville State University. April 26th, 2022.

• “Originalism and Monetary Policy: What the Founders Thought of Money,” Nashville Lawyers Chapter, The Federalist Society, Nashville, TN. April 21st, 2022.

• “The Inveterate Problems of Political Economy: From Plato to Gen Z,” Northwood University Freedom Seminar, Midland, MI. April 8th, 2022.

• “Money and the Rule of Law,” Invited Classroom Discussion. Ball State University. December 8th, 2021.

• “Money and the Rule of Law,” The Curious Task. Institute for Liberal Studies. October 21st, 2021.

• “Lawless at the Fed During COVID-19,” Republican Women of Rutherford County. October 19th, 2021.

• “Lawless at the Fed During COVID-19,” Republican Women of Maury County. October 19th, 2021.

• “Good Distiller, Bad Distiller: Dishonesty and Honesty in Markets and Politics in Early American Whiskey Markets,” Aquinas College. October 13th, 2021.

• “Lawless at the Fed During COVID-19,” Nashville Sentinels. July 22nd, 2021.

• “The Future of Central Banking,” Center for Market Education (Malaysia), Students for Liberty, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Cawangan Sabah, and the Adam Smith Institute (Singapore) June 29th, 2021.

• “Lawless at the Fed During COVID-19,” Williamson County GOP. June 17th, 2021.

• “Deficits, Debt, and Debasement,” Rotary Club of Brentwood, Brentwood, TN. Friday, May 14, 2021.

• “Lawlessness at the Fed During COVID-19,” Bastiat Society of Nashville, Nashville, TN. November 18th, 2020.

• “Do Financial Crises (or Pandemics) Weaken the Case for Monetary Rules?” NorthwoodUniversity Freedom Seminar, Midland, MI. May 16th, 2020.

• “An Introduction to the Political Economy Research Institute,” Kiwanis Club, Murfreesboro, TN. September 18th, 2019.

• “Common Myths of Inequality,” Northwood University Freedom Seminar, Midland, MI.Friday, May 17th, 2019.

• “Money and the Rule of Law,” Rotary Club of Brentwood, Brentwood, TN. Friday, May 10th, 2019.

• “An Introduction to the Political Economy Research Institute,” Republican Women of Williamson County. Wednesday, March 27th, 2019.

• “An Introduction to the Political Economy Research Institute,” Heritage Sentinels. Murfreesboro, TN, March 18th, 2019.

• “James M. Buchanan,” Honors College Buchanan Fellowship Program Induction Ceremony,” Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, September 7th, 2018.

• “The Political Economy and Economic Impact of Tariffs on Ginseng Growers,” Tennessee Ginseng Growers Fall Meeting,” Middle Tennessee State University. Murfreesboro, TN, August 24th, 2018.

• “Historic and Modern Case Studies in Institutional Innovation,” Freedom Seminar, Northwood University. Midland, MI, April 7th, 2018.

• “The Costs of Occupational Licensing in Alabama,” (coauthored with CourtneyMichaluk, David Hall, and Alex Kanode). Alabama Policy Institute and the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy. Montgomery, AL, March 6th, 2018.

• “How Legislatures Can Use Researchers to Produce Research and Testify,” Panel, Economic Liberty Forum, Institute for Justice. Little Rock, AR, December 13th, 2016.

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Houston County Republican Women. Dothan, AL, June 23rd, 2016. 

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Madison County Republican Women’s Club. Madison, AL, June 16th, 2016. 

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Republican Women of Coffee County. Enterprise, AL, May 18th, 2016.

• “Inequality,” Freedom Seminar, Northwood University. Midland, MI, April 16th, 2016.

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Presentation for Alabama Policymakers. Montgomery, AL, March 22nd, 2016.

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Presentation for Alabama Executive Branch Policy Staff. Montgomery, AL, March 22nd, 2016.

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Presentation for State Legislators, Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy, Troy University. Montgomery, AL, March 3rd, 2016.

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Legislative Days, Alabama Federation of Republican Women. Montgomery, AL, February 24th, 2016.

• “Alabama at the Crossroads: An Economic Guide to a Fiscally Sustainable Future,” Kiwanis Club of Dothan. Dothan, AL, February 23rd, 2016.

• “What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Knowledge Problems in Monetary Policy,” Samford University. Birmingham, AL, February 19th, 2016. 

• “Economics and Moral Philosophy: In Conflict?,” Are Markets Just? Foundation for Economic Education, Faulkner University. Montgomery, AL, December 5th, 2015.  

• “Economic Freedom and Inequality,” Ozark Rotary Club. Ozark, AL, October 13th, 2015.  

• “The Dark Side of Capitalism? Inequality,” Freedom Week, Northwood University. Midland, MI, September 16th, 2015.

• “Restrictions on Payday Lending are Unfair and Harmful to Borrowers,” nonPrime101 Conference. St. Petersburg, FL, August 5th, 2015.

• Economics of Sports, Foundation for Economic Education, Chapman University. Orange, CA, June 24th-26th, 2015.

  • 1. Lecture 1: “How Economic Thinking Can Help You Understand Sports”

    2. Lecture 2: “Informal Norms in Sports”

    3. Lecture 3: “Soviet Sports and Central Planning”

• “School Service Privatization in Alabama,” Troy University 14th Annual Alumni Delegation Legislative Breakfast. Montgomery, AL, April 16th, 2015.

• “Lessons in Disaster Recovery,” Northwood University Freedom Seminar. Midland, MI, April 11th, 2015.  

• “Taxes, Economic Freedom, and Growth,” Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce. Luverne, AL, February 26th, 2015.

• “Economic Freedom and Natural Disasters” Lecture Series at Stillman College. Tuscaloosa, AL, January 14th, 2015.

• “Economics and Moral Philosophy: Contending or Reinforcing Frameworks for a Better World?,” Guest Speaker, Law 6610, Troy University. Dothan, AL. November 18th, 2014.

• “Economic Forecast,” Alabama Associated General Contractors. Dothan, AL, October 6th, 2014.

• “Inequality,” Kiwanis Club of Troy. Troy, AL, May 6th, 2014.

• “What Can You Do Now While You’re Still in School – Career in Academia,” Career in Liberty Webinar Series, Institute for Humane Studies. September 24th, 2013.  

• “Economic Freedom,” Greenville Lion’s Club. Greenville, AL, September 23rd, 2013.  

• Conversations for Freedom Panel, Alabama Policy Institute at Samford University. Birmingham, AL, July 31st, 2013.

• “Friedrich Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom,” American Freedom Institute, Intercollegiate Studies Institute at Samford University. Birmingham, AL, July 22nd-24th, 2013.  

• Liberty & Society, Institute for Humane Studies at Chapman University. Orange County,CA, July 13th-18th, 2013:

  • 1. Lecture 1: “Property, Prices, and Community”

    2. Lecture 2: “The Contending Explanations for Economic Growth”

    3. Lecture 3: “Great Methodological Battles in Economics”

• “Occupational Licensing and Business Freedom,” Delta Sigma Pi Lecture Series at Troy University. Troy, AL, April 1st, 2013.

• “Lessons in Disaster Recovery Planning: Tuscaloosa, AL & Joplin, MO,” Koch Lecture Series at Stillman College. Tuscaloosa, AL, February 22nd, 2013.

• “Economics, Business, and Economic Freedom,” Delta Sigma Pi Lecture Series at Troy University. Troy, AL, January 28th, 2013.

• “Lessons in Disaster Recovery Planning: Tuscaloosa, AL & Joplin, MO,” Economic Liberty Lecture Series, George Mason University Economics Society & The Future of Freedom Foundation at George Mason University. Fairfax, VA, November 5th, 2012.

• “Lessons in Disaster Recovery Planning: Tuscaloosa, AL & Joplin, MO,” Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. Joplin, MO, June 28th, 2012.

• “Heterogeneity and Exchange in Medieval Spain,” Economic Lecture Series at Loyola University. New Orleans, LA, March 8th, 2012.

• “Is Profit a Dirty Word?,” Debate with Professor Benjamin Balak of Rollins College at Webber International University. Babson Park, FL, February 15th, 2012.

• “Monetary Policy and the Quest for Robust Political Economy,” The Sound Money Message: Preventing the Next Crisis with Fundamental Reform Panel at Atlas Liberty Café. Washington D.C., March 1st, 2011.

• “Polycentrism,” Northwood Economics Association Speaker Series at Northwood University. Midland, MI, January 12th, 2011

• Introduction to Austrian Economics, Foundation for Economic Education. Atlanta, GA, June 7th-12th, 2010: 

  • 1. ​Lecture 1: “F. A. Hayek,

    2. Lecture 2: “Israel Kirzner”

    3. Lecture 3: “Value, Prize, and Utility”