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Liberty and the American Idea calls for a national dialogue rooted in truthfulness, trustworthiness, and forbearance. Will the United States survive as the republic envisioned by the Founders, or be torn apart by alienation, distrust, and enmity? Do we have the fortitude and grit to learn the lessons and embrace the principles that will lead to an authentic American renewal? This book brings together a brief history of ideas that have influenced the United States with a strategic proposal to help Americans engage in genuine dialogue about the future we want to see. Are we willing to rise above our differences to the extent necessary—to build a future we can respect and believe in? This is a severe proposition. Are we prepared to give America the respect, loyalty and commitment it deserves?Part One: Concerns and Considerations: This part proposes a range of ideas and influences from American history for citizens to consider and evaluate. It asks if the nation can survive as the republic envisioned by its founders, or if it will be torn apart by alienation, distrust, and enmity.Part Two: The Courage to Build Anew: This part presents a pragmatic, long-range strategy for making genuine dialogue possible and for overcoming the distrust, antipathy, and incivility that currently abound.It urges a return to the core virtues that underpinned the colonial commonwealth and the moral order enshrined in the Constitution.The book aims to provide constructive solutions and strategies for rebuilding a functioning community life, going beyond merely appraising the nation's ills.The author argues that an acceptable future can only be sustained by genuine dialogue among a broad plurality of Americans.The strategy offered is challenging, yet rational and pragmatic, providing practical means for securing order while ensuring freedom and protecting personal integrity.The book observes the decline of 21st-century civic life in the tradition of the American jeremiad.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
When we think of the American Revolution, we usually consider the ideas and animated the patriots and those leaders who organized and directed the war. Largely forgotten in all of this is a simple question: how was it all financed? And who did it? Thomas Willing, one of the most prominent merchants of the Middle […]
In celebration of Women's History month, we revisit a conversation that explores the life and legacy of women who have inspired Constitutional change throughout American history. Joining the conversation are Tomiko Brown-Nagin, author of Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality, and Elizabeth Cobbs, author of Fearless Women: Feminist Patriot. Jeffrey Rosen, CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC's America's Town Hall program series on April 25, 2023. Resources Tomiko Brown-Nagin, Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality (2023) Tomiko Brown-Nagin, “Identity Matters: The Case of Judge Constance Baker Motley,” Columbia Law Review (2017) Tomiko Brown-Nagin, Courage to Dissent: Atlanta and the Long History of the Civil Rights Movement (2012) Elizabeth Cobbs, Fearless Women: Feminist Patriots from Abagail Adams to Beyoncé (2023) Q&A, “Elizabeth Cobbs,” C-SPAN (March 14, 2023) Muller v. Oregon (1908) National Constitution Center, “The Legality of Abortion Pills,” We the People podcast (April 13, 2023) Brandon Burnette, "Comstock Act of 1873 (1873)," First Amendment Encyclopedia National Constitution Center, “Women and the American Idea,” America's Town Hall series (April 25, 2023) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work Donate
When Americans think about the Founding era, they tend to picture consensus: a roomful of exceptional men who agreed that a new constitutional order was necessary and set about building one. The reality was far messier and more instructive. The Constitution that emerged from Philadelphia in 1787 faced fierce, principled opposition from a group of […]
James Madison was one of the two primary authors of The Federalist. What ideas did he promote through his essays? Where did he disagree with the points he argued? As we consider the American Founding and try to understand how the Founders turned goals into ideas in systems, we examine Madison's contributions to The Federalist […]
The Federalist, or more broadly known as the Federalist Papers, is looked on as the definitive defense of the Constitution as written in 1787, and by that, a clear explanation of its contents and rationale. Whether it's those things or not, how should you study them? Should you at all? If so, what do you […]
George Washington has been referred to as the “indispensable man,” and was looked to during and after the Revolution as the one person who could be trusted to lead the country. Why? What made him such a trusted figure then and for generations after his death? What can we learn from him today? Read his […]
Thomas Jefferson: “Author of the Declaration of American Independence [and] of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia.” So says his tombstone, as he requested. Who was Jefferson, beyond the Declaration's author? What were his beliefs and hopes? What else did he write, and how can we better […]
Huey Long of Louisiana casts a long shadow over American populist politics. Often cast as a villain or troublemaker, author Thomas Patterson offers a nuanced look at the politics and impact of this important figure in 20th Century history. Find his book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0sS3baz Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea Homepage: […]
Who was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and why is she largely forgotten in popular history? How did she show that the Declaration of Independence promised women's rights, too? Dr. Natalie Taylor, Professor Political Science at Skidmore College, discusses this fascinating American, who formed much of the intellectual foundation of the Suffrage Movement in the 19th Century. […]
The Declaration of Independence is not, properly understood, a historical document. It is a statement of beliefs and principles describing the proper relationship between the individual and the state, and how the individual should view others in political matters. As such, it is not tied to a moment in time – 1776 – but should […]
The Declaration of Independence is not, properly understood, a historical document. It is a statement of beliefs and principles describing the proper relationship between the individual and the state, and how the individual should view others in political matters. As such, it is not tied to a moment in time - 1776 - but should serve as the foundation of the American Idea for all time.What does that mean, and what can it mean for you? Join Jeff and Dr. Adam Seagrave as they discuss our Declaration, and how “faith, hope, and love” informed the American founding, and can guide us today.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
Join Hopeton Hay on Diverse Voices Book Review as he talks with Nicholas Buccola, author of One Man's Freedom: Goldwater, King, and the Struggle Over an American Idea. Buccola explores how two iconic leaders—Barry Goldwater and Martin Luther King Jr.—shaped contrasting visions of freedom during a pivotal era in American history.Nicholas is a writer, lecturer, and teacher who specializes in the area of American political thought. His previous books include The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America (Princeton University Press, 2019) and The Political Thought of Frederick Douglass: In Pursuit of American Liberty (New York University Press, 2012). He is a Professor of Humanism and Ethics in the Department of Government at Claremont McKenna College.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com
Evan Feinberg contends that America's Judeo-Christian roots call for redemptive entrepreneurship—using faith, freedom, and creative action to renew culture and human flourishing.Follow The Believe! Journal:Instagram FacebookX LinkedInVisit thebelievejournal.com for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebelievejournal.com
Was the American Revolution just a regional rebellion on the eastern seaboard, or something far larger? Professor Richard Bell, author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, argues it was a geopolitical earthquake that reshaped the global order. In this episode, Bell explores how France, Spain, and the Netherlands entered the conflict […]
Jeff Sikkenga, Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center, shares a brief message about the reasons behind and goals of The American Idea, as well as Ashbrook's plans to celebrate 250 years of America's independence. Learn more at Ashbrook.org, or about our celebratory plans for 2026 at AshbrookFreedom250.org Host: Jeff Sikkenga […]
Jeff Sikkenga, Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center, shares a brief message about the reasons behind and goals of The American Idea, as well as Ashbrook's plans to celebrate 250 years of America's independence.Learn more at Ashbrook.org, or about our celebratory plans for 2026 at AshbrookFreedom250.orgHost: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanideaHomepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/
What does it mean to be American? How does one become an American? Join us for this special episode as Peter Schramm, past Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and Professor of Political Science, discusses his family's flight from Communist Hungary, move to California, and growing up in his adopted home, learning the answers to […]
The Declaration of Independence summarizes and defends the most fundamental ideas about America – about our government, the relationship between it and individuals, and how its proper place in public life. If the Constitution is a set of rules and processes, with a ‘mission statement' in the Preamble, the Declaration of Independence presents the ideas […]
Summer, 1776: the war for independence is over a year old and the leaders of the 13 colonies have finally decided that independence is their goal. How shall they explain America's aims and reasons to her own people and to the world? A committee of five was selected to draft the document; the Second Continental […]
The American Revolution, born in the hearts and minds of Americans in response to British tyranny, is one of the most pivotal moments in human political and national history. But what caused it? It's a lot deeper than taxes or tea, and as we prepare for America's 250th birthday, it's a good time to look […]
Jeff is joined by Justice Sharon Kennedy, Chief Justice of the Ohio State Supreme Court to discuss the Rule of Law – what is it? Why is it so essential to limited, fair government? How is it promoted, protected, and how can we understand it better so as to pass on its value to future […]
America is, at its core, a nation founded on ideas, and those ideas have faced criticism, revision, and review over the centuries. Abraham Lincoln, who once said that he didn't have a political idea that didn't spring from the Declaration of Independence, not only reframed the meaning of the Civil War, but also pointed back […]
What are entitlements? How did they come to be so entrenched in American politics and economics? Why is it that people say that Social Security is going to run out of money? What does this have to do with you? Jeff welcomes analyst Jim Capretta to discuss the origins of America's entitlement programs, how they […]
Jeff is joined this week by Rear Admiral Mike Giorgione (ret.), former commander of Camp David during the Clinton and Bush administrations, to discuss the creation, evolution, and role of the president's Maryland retreat. Get the book here: https://a.co/d/aHCzcuS Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
Alexander Hamilton didn't get his due until a Hip-Hip musical brought him to the public eye, over 200 years after his death. But what did he contribute to the American Founding? What did he contribute to the #1 cited source by the Supreme Court, The Federalist? Renowned historian and author Stephen Knott joins Jeff to […]
Think Herbert Hoover was just a failed Great Depression president? Think again. Historian George Nash reveals the shocking truth about one of America's most misunderstood leaders in this eye-opening episode of The American Idea. What You'll Discover: How Hoover saved more lives than perhaps any person in history through WWI humanitarian efforts Why both Democrats […]
Think Herbert Hoover was just a failed Great Depression president? Think again. Historian George Nash reveals the shocking truth about one of America's most misunderstood leaders in this eye-opening episode of The American Idea.What You'll Discover: How Hoover saved more lives than perhaps any person in history through WWI humanitarian efforts Why both Democrats AND Republicans wanted him as president in 1920 (FDR even supported him!) The real story behind his Great Depression response - and the external shocks that derailed recovery How a Quaker orphan from Iowa became a global mining engineer and international hero Why his "American Individualism" philosophy still matters in today's political debates The Full Story Behind the Myths: Most Americans only know Hoover's 4-year presidency, but George Nash - the world's leading Hoover expert - reveals his incredible 50-year career in public service. From organizing food relief that fed millions across war-torn Europe to pioneering the role of Commerce Secretary, Hoover's progressive Republican vision shaped American policy for decades. Learn how Hoover's post-presidency "crusade against collectivism" influenced the conservative movement, why he founded the Hoover Institution as his "most important contribution," and how his ideas about limited government and voluntary associations remain relevant today. Perfect for: American history enthusiasts, political science students, anyone curious about presidential leadership, and viewers interested in the roots of modern conservative thought.
Jeff sits down with narrative historian Russel Shorto to discuss his eighth book, Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America. Taking Manhattan, available on Amazon – https://a.co/d/eQTNGWV https://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/ Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton On Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/aTARALr9Gx On Spotify: https://tr.ee/09Ca21CCp- On iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-american-idea-119582945/
In August 1861, General John C. Fremont—once America's most famous explorer and the Republican Party's first presidential nominee—issued an unauthorized order freeing all slaves in Missouri. President Lincoln swiftly revoked it, fearing the decision would drive crucial border states into Confederate hands. The clash between these two men revealed a fundamental tension: Fremont operated on […]
What was the original purpose of Congress? What powers did the Founders give it to fulfill that purpose? How does that compare to the institution we see today, in which Americans profess very little trust. Explore the historical and constitutional roots of the “First Branch” and how time and some well-intentioned changes have distorted its […]
Discover how 55 delegates created the U.S. Constitution in just 88 days during the summer of 1787. Constitutional scholar Gordon Lloyd breaks down the Philadelphia Convention using his acclaimed “four-act drama” framework, revealing the behind-the-scenes negotiations, heated debates, and crucial compromises that shaped American government. What You'll Learn: ✓ How Madison's Virginia Plan clashed with […]
New Discourses Bullets, Ep. 125 Is America just an idea? No, it isn't, but America is based on an idea. That idea is simple: free men and women can govern themselves by taking personal responsibility, and organizing the political structure this way will produce both liberty and prosperity. No other nation in the history of the world has been explicitly based on an idea in this way, and the results have been tremendous. In this episode of New Discourses Bullets, host James Lindsay reminds every American of the idea his country was based on and calls them back to it. Join him to be inspired and have your faith in America restored! Latest from New Discourses Press! The Queering of the American Child: https://queeringbook.com/ Support New Discourses: https://newdiscourses.com/support Follow New Discourses on other platforms: https://newdiscourses.com/subscribe Follow James Lindsay: https://linktr.ee/conceptualjames © 2025 New Discourses. All rights reserved. #NewDiscourses #JamesLindsay #america
Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
This Week's Guests: AUTHOR - Jaon Voiovich Episode 363 "Rethink Production presents "Live From America Podcast" - a weekly show that combines political commentary with humor. Hosted by the comedy cellar owner Noam Dworman and producer Hatem Gabr, the show features expert guests discussing news, culture, and politics with a blend of knowledge and laughter. Follow Live From America YouTube @livefromamericapodcast twitter.com/AmericasPodcast www.LiveFromAmericaPodcast.com LiveFromAmericapodcast@gmail.com Follow Hatem Twitter.com/HatemNYC Instagram.com/hatemnyc/ Follow Noam Twitter.com/noam_dworman #demonstrations #Politicaldemonstrations #CrowdsonDemand
Jeff and BYU law professor Bradley Rebeiro discuss Frederick Douglass's understanding of the Constitution, and how he came to view it as an anti-slavery document, using it to promote abolition. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
14 August 1945: VJ Day, and with the end of fighting in the Pacific and Japan's surrender, World War II finally comes to an end. Dr. John Moser is joined today by author and historian Walter Borneman to discuss how and why the war ended when it did, and how that ending shaped the decades […]
What is the national debt? To whom or what does the U.S. government owe all this money? What does it mean to you today, your children and grandchildren tomorrow, and for the continued health of American political and economics institutions and norms? Jeff discusses all these issues and more with Dr. Rob Wyllie, Professor of […]
Historically Thinking: Conversations about historical knowledge and how we achieve it
In the past we've had entire conversations on Historically Thinking–indeed, many conversations, a whole series of conversations–on intellectual humility and historical thinking, often asking “how have you changed your mind?” Today's guest makes me confront the fact that there is probably no person in the historical past about whom I have had a greater change of mind than Thomas Jefferson.This somewhat uncomfortable reflection has been prompted by Cara Rogers Stevens book Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery. In it she builds a foundation of deep engagement with the entire textual history of Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia. Atop that she does what it says on the box, and traces the development not only of Jefferson's views on slavery, but on how he wished to influence the next generation of Virginians in whom he placed so much hope.Cara Rogers Stevens is an associate professor of history at Ashland University. Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery is her first book. It won the Herbert J. Storing Book Prize, was a finalist for the Center for Presidential History Book Prize, and runner-up for the Journal of American History Book of the Year Award. She is also co-host of the podcast The American Idea.
Mercy Otis Warren not only wrote one of the first comprehensive histories of the American Revolution, she was also a leading Antifederalist thinker – and yet she is overlooked in most conventional histories of the era today. What makes her important and memorable? What can we learn from her today? Join Dr. Cara Rogers Stevens […]
American press freedom has never followed a straight path. The Founding Fathers envisioned newspapers as partisan political weapons, not neutral truth-tellers. This “messy” approach let citizens decide truth for themselves rather than accepting government-approved narratives. Today's concerns about partisan media miss the point—embracing partisanship may produce healthier discourse than enforcing artificial neutrality. The real danger […]
Jeff discusses the inner workings of the Reagan White House with former AMB Frank Lavin, who had a front-row seat to many of Reagan's key decisions and actions while president. Get to know Reagan as both a person and a leader; and read Frank's book on the topic, linked below. Amazon link: https://a.co/d/fRQPTsh Host: Jeff […]
In celebration of the 249th anniversary of America's independence, we look back not so much on the history of the Declaration of Independence, but on its meaning. And not just its meaning then, but its enduring meaning and what we can and should take from it now. This special episode contains the content of the […]
In celebration of the 249th anniversary of America's independence, we look back not so much on the history of the Declaration of Independence, but on its meaning. And not just its meaning then, but its enduring meaning and what we can and should take from it now.This special episode contains the content of the first of three classes within our free, self-paced online course, "The American Idea." If you enroll, you can listen to thoughtful discussions of the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King jr's "I Have a Dream" speech. You'll also be able to download a free PDF course reader so you can read these documents, and others, and discover their meaning yourself.Register here: https://courses.ashbrook.org/register/Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
Presidents are people, too, and fallible, short-sighted, disciplined, daring – and all the other traits we humans share. How have our presidents handled, or mishandled, their own money? What can we learn from them now? Cara Rogers Stevens welcomes author and wealth management expert Megan Gorman to this show this week to discuss some of […]
Who was William Blackstone? What did he contribute to English law, and how did his contributions directly impact the ideas in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution? How is it that a British noble who opposed the American Revolution ended up serving as a major source of inspiration to the American Founders? Learn the […]
Who was William Blackstone? What did he contribute to English law, and how did his contributions directly impact the ideas in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution? How is it that a British noble who opposed the American Revolution ended up serving as a major source of inspiration to the American Founders? Learn the details from this episode of The American Idea.#blackstone #williamblackstone #commonlaw #americanfounding Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
Americans have faced, unfortunately, a number of movements and moments in our history where free speech – especially of a political nature – has been challenged and even quashed. Power-wielding opponents of free expression and debate have often sought to prevent debates and discussions from happening, in order to protect their interests. In this week's […]
Paul Nitze served under eight different U.S. presidents, from during World War 2 through the end of the Cold War, and it was his thinking, laid down in NSC-68, that provided some of the most foundational ideas for how America dealt with the Soviet Union, eventually bringing about its collapse. This week Jeff welcomes State […]
Technology, especially social media and the near ubiquity of mobile devices, has changed our world, our personal lives, and interpersonal relations. A great many people are waking up to the mountain of evidence suggesting that this change has not been all, or even mostly, for the better. American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow and author Christine […]
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