I’m Aaron Ross Powell, a writer, editor, and podcast host based in Denver. My work asks how we learn to live well with people who differ from us, and what kinds of habits, communities, institutions, and technologies make that possible.

I approach liberalism as a political philosophy and an everyday practice. A free society depends partly on how we see and treat one another: whether we approach unfamiliar lives with curiosity, respond to disagreement with care, and find joy in other people’s flourishing. Drawing on philosophy, Buddhist thought, and cultural criticism, I explore how we cultivate those dispositions and what gets in their way.

These questions also shape my writing about digital life. I’m interested in how online environments influence our relationships, attention, and sense of possibility. What makes a community worth belonging to? How can we encounter difference while retaining privacy and control over our participation? What would an internet built around our particular interests and relationships look like?

Writing and conversation

My essays explore liberalism, ethical life, culture, and technology. In Field Notes, I share ideas from my reading, connections I’m developing, and questions that may become essays or conversations. I’m also writing a book on the character and practices of liberalism, drawing on Buddhist moral psychology.

I co-host The Inner Life of Liberalism with Jason S. Canon, exploring how practices of attention, care, and openness connect a better life with a freer world. Previously, I hosted 100 episodes of ReImagining Liberty and co-hosted Free Thoughts with Trevor Burrus. Across these shows, conversation has been a way to examine difficult ideas with people who bring different experiences and perspectives. You can explore my current and past shows on the Podcasts page.

I also write horror and crime fiction.

Editorial and educational work

Alongside my own writing, I build publications and educational projects that bring serious ideas to broader audiences.

At the Institute for Humane Studies, I lead Liberalism.org and the public scholarship department. My work includes developing Liberalism.org’s intellectual direction and editorial standards, working with contributors, and helping colleagues make thoughtful editorial decisions. I’ve also led academic programs and developed gatherings designed to support substantive conversation and collaboration.

Previously, at the Cato Institute, I conceived and launched Libertarianism.org and led its development across essays, books, podcasts, documentaries, and courses. My role combined building a team and shaping its direction with hands-on creative work: selecting topics and collaborators, developing educational material, and working closely with producers.

Helping other people develop their work has been among the most rewarding parts of my career. I enjoy working with writers, editors, scholars, and creative colleagues to clarify an idea, examine its assumptions, and find the form that communicates it well.

I studied English literature and philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder and earned my law degree at the University of Denver.

Get in touch

For speaking invitations, interviews, or collaborations around liberalism and humane digital life, email aaronpowell@gmail.com. You can also find me on Bluesky and LinkedIn.