by InTrieste
In a move to reinvigorate liberal thought among younger generations, the Luigi Einaudi Foundation and Trieste Campus have launched a new podcast, Libsophia, designed to educate and inspire through accessible discussions on key liberal ideas and philosophers. The announcement was made at the Trieste Campus.
The project, led by professor and content creator Ermanno Ferretti, will unfold over 24 biweekly episodes. It aims to demystify the core principles of liberalism while also spotlighting the thinkers who championed liberty as the foundation of their philosophies.
“Our initiative is about bringing younger generations closer to liberal thought,” said Giuseppe Benedetto, president of the Einaudi Foundation, at the event. “But Libsophia won’t just be an educational project. Thanks to the support of Trieste Campus, we want to encourage debate and reflection among young Italians.”
The podcast, which is poised to become a key cultural project in Italy, is divided into two thematic halves. The first twelve episodes will examine the works of towering figures such as John Locke, Adam Smith, Friedrich von Hayek, and Milton Friedman. Meanwhile, the remaining episodes will delve into key liberal concepts like Liberty, Merit, the Role of the State, and Justice.
“With Libsophia, we want to ignite curiosity in young people about the grand themes of liberal thought,” explained Ferretti. “It’s not just about knowing the authors, but understanding how their ideas resonate in the world today.”
Ferretti, a charismatic educator and popular online personality, emphasized that the podcast is intended to make these concepts accessible without diluting their significance. “Liberal thought offers valuable insights that can still inspire us today,” he said. “My goal is to keep these ideas engaging, relevant, and profound.”
A Cultural Investment in Trieste’s Future
The launch of Libsophia comes as part of a broader initiative by Trieste Campus to solidify its position as an educational and cultural hub for the region. Enrico Samer, president of Trieste Campus, emphasized that the center’s mission extends beyond its sporting facilities, aiming to provide holistic education to its nearly 2,000 students.
“This is a meaningful day for us,” Samer noted. “We’re realizing the vision we set out with when we established Trieste Campus: to be a center for both physical and intellectual growth. After focusing on sports, we are now prioritizing the promotion of knowledge. We want to provide young people with tools that help them navigate the world while instilling the values and ideas that define our time.”
Samer expressed excitement that the podcast, produced in collaboration with the Einaudi Foundation, would serve as a central piece in Trieste Campus’s cultural programming. “We’re starting a journey that will improve the future of our young people. This is a proud moment for all of us.”
A Platform for Engagement
The podcast will be available on the Einaudi Foundation’s and Trieste Campus’s websites, as well as their social media channels. Samer and Benedetto both hope that Libsophia will generate meaningful conversations about liberalism’s role in modern Italy, particularly among a generation growing up in an increasingly complex and polarized world.
For Ferretti, the success of Libsophia will hinge on its ability to bridge the gap between high philosophy and everyday life. “These ideas can have a direct impact on our present,” he said. “By engaging with them, young people can gain insights that help them navigate their own lives and the challenges of contemporary society.”
As Italy grapples with questions of freedom, merit, and market competition in the 21st century, Libsophia aims to equip its listeners with the intellectual tools to not only understand these issues but to contribute meaningfully to the national conversation.
A New Horizon for Liberal Thought
The timing of this project is noteworthy, as political movements worldwide continue to challenge the principles of classical liberalism. For many, this podcast represents a timely and essential reminder that the ideas of thinkers like Einaudi, Locke, and Mill remain as relevant as ever.
With each episode, Libsophia seeks to foster a new generation of thoughtful, engaged citizens equipped to reflect on—and perhaps reshape—the world they live in.
