The Wisconsin Forum is pleased to announce the following line-up of speakers for the 2025-26 season.
Governor Scott Walker, President of Young America’s Foundation and 45th Governor of Wisconsin
Dan O’Donnell, Radio Talk Show Host, Journalist, and Commentator at iHeartMedia
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Fireside Chat with Governor Scott Walker & Dan O’Donnell – Join us for a special evening as former Governor Scott Walker sits down with radio host and commentator Dan O’Donnell for an engaging fireside chat. Together, they will explore themes of leadership, civic responsibility, and the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin and the nation today. This unique conversation offers guests the opportunity to hear candid reflections from two influential voices in our state—one with decades of experience in public service and the other with a finger on the pulse of current events and public opinion. Their dialogue promises thoughtful insights, lively discussion, and perspectives that will both inform and inspire.
John Tillman, CEO of the American Culture Project and chair of the Illinois Policy Institute
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
How to Prevent Wisconsin from Becoming Illinois – With a career dedicated to advancing free-market reforms and reshaping state-level policy, Tillman brings a wealth of experience and insight into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Wisconsin. Drawing on lessons from Illinois—where out-migration, institutional decline, and burdensome regulations have taken a heavy toll—Tillman will highlight how Wisconsin can chart a different course. He will share actionable strategies to strengthen civic resilience, expand economic opportunity, and ensure long-term prosperity for future generations. This presentation will not only diagnose the risks but also inspire practical solutions rooted in freedom, innovation, and sound policy.
Abigail Hall, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Tampa
Thursday, February 19, 2026
How to Run Wars—A Confidential Playbook for the National Security Elite – Abigail Hall is a leading scholar in political economy with a focus on national defense and the intersection of government policy and society. In this timely presentation, Professor Hall will explore the true costs of maintaining a military-forward foreign policy. She will pose essential questions: What does such a policy demand of our nation—not only in monetary and human terms, but also in the currency of liberty? Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how decisions about national security reverberate through our economy, civil society, and democratic institutions.
Donald Luskin, Chief Investment Officer at TrendMacro
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
“I Am John Galt” – A Book, An Idea, and A Lesson on Looters & Legends (past and present)! – Luskin, author of I Am John Galt, which draws parallels between Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged characters and contemporary political and economic leaders, spotlighting the ongoing tension between government overreach and free markets. In this engaging, interview-style presentation—with opportunities for audience participation—Luskin will offer fresh reflections on Rand’s timeless ideas and their relevance to today’s dynamic geopolitical landscape.
Colin Grabow, Associate Director at the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Jones Act and the Fallacy of Protectionism – Colin Grabow is a leading voice on maritime policy and international trade. His work highlights the economic costs of protectionist laws and the barriers they create to growth and competitiveness in the United States. In this presentation, Grabow will take a deep dive into the Jones Act—a century-old shipping law with wide-ranging implications for the nation and for Wisconsin. He will unpack what the law requires, the burdens it imposes on consumers and industry, its failure to strengthen the U.S. maritime sector, and the political forces that make reform so difficult. Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of how this often-overlooked law affects every day Americans and the broader economy.