An Interview with Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Associate Professor of Social Research and Economic Thought, Catholic University of America

What makes a society truly prosperous? Is it GDP growth and stock market returns, or is there something more — something rooted in strong families, vibrant communities, and institutions that help people flourish?

Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom has spent her career exploring these deeper questions about economic freedom and human flourishing. Catherine Pakaluk is an economist whose research challenges us to think beyond conventional metrics and consider how families, faith communities, and schools work together to create meaningful prosperity.

As both a Harvard-trained scholar and a mother of eight, Catherine brings a unique perspective to debates about family, economic opportunity, and the future of American society. She is an Associate Professor of Social Research and Economic Thought at the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America, where her research focuses on the economics of education and religion, family studies and demography, and Catholic social thought. Catherine's work examines the institutions and relationships that enable people to thrive, from faith communities to schools to families themselves. Her most recent book, Hannah's Children, examines women defying demographic trends by choosing large families, offering surprising insights about how people weigh what truly matters.

Topics Discussed on this Episode:

• Catherine's path to economics and her focus on education, religion, family studies, and Catholic social thought
• The relationship between religious institutions and economic liberty
• How families function as economic and social institutions that create opportunity
• Research on school choice, educational outcomes, and teaching the next generation
• Catherine's most recent book, Hannah's Children, and insights about women who defy demographic trends
• What gives Catherine hope for American families and civil society