x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The American Idea

Ashbrook Center

The American Idea explores America"s Founding principles and their effect on American history and government. Through thoughtful conversations with renowned academics and public figures from across the country, we examine the history and political thought behind our country’s greatest documents and debates, as well as contemporary issues, American popular culture, and political statesmanship. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Jeff Sikkenga.

education

All Episodes

43:10

Jefferson, Race, and Slavery: A New Perspective

The American Idea ·

2024/01/17

Jeff discusses the complicated ideas and legacy of Thomas Jefferson as they pertain to race and slavery, with Dr. Cara Rogers Stevens, author of a new book on the subject.Far more complex than presented in textbooks and conventional histories, Jefferson condemned slavery in some of the harshest language of his times, owned slaves, perhaps fathered children with them, and had a sensibility of race relations that evolved and changed significantly throughout his personal and public life.Relying on

en

36:58

Parental Rights in Education | Contemporary...

The American Idea ·

2024/01/10

Jeff is joined by Dr. Joseph Griffith, Professor of Political Science, to discuss the history, norms, laws, and current and possible future state of parental rights in education in America. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe via YouTube or another platform: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

45:34

Core American Ideas: The Electoral College

The American Idea ·

2024/01/03

Jeff discusses the Electoral College - its origins, the rationale behind it, and controversies surrounding it over the years, with Michael Maibach, a noted authority on the topic. They dig deeply into the origins of the system, as created at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, debunk contemporary claims of its connection to slavery, and analyze the current "National Popular Vote" movement, which seeks an end-run around the Constitution to subvert the republican system created at the Founding. If

en

27:34

American Portraits - Jazz: America's Classical Music

The American Idea ·

2023/12/27

Jeff is joined by David Parker - musician and music educator, philanthropist, and investor - to discuss the origins, meaning, and importance of a uniquely American genre of music: jazz.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe through your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

48:14

John Brown - American Extremist | American Portraits

The American Idea ·

2023/12/20

Jeff is joined by Dan Monroe of Millikin University to discuss John Brown, the man some claim 'lit the fuze' that caused the Civil War. Monroe explains and analyzes Brown's background, his influences, and his firm embrace of violence as a means-of-choice for addressing the scourge of slavery.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe through your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

43:41

Documents & Debates: Shipwrecked - A True Civil War...

The American Idea ·

2023/12/13

Jeff is joined by historian and author Dr. Jonathan White to discuss "Shipwrecked: A True Civil War Story of Mutinies, Jailbreaks. Blockade-Running, and the Slave Trade." This fascinating tale is of a little-known story of ship captain Appleton Oaksmith and his, to put it lightly, varied and adventurous life experiences, many of which intersected and overlapped one of the greatest events, the Civil War, and one of the greatest problems, slavery, in American history.Find Jon's book here:

en

34:43

All the Troubles in the World: An Update on Israel,...

The American Idea ·

2023/12/06

Jeff is joined by Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow and defense policy expert at the Hudson Institute, to discuss current developments in Israel, Ukraine, and China. How do these conflicts impact American politics and policy? Get a thoughtful strategic analysis in this week's episode. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

55:22

Documents & Debates: Nixon, China, and Ramifications...

The American Idea ·

2023/11/29

John Moser and Eric Pullin discuss rapprochement and detente with China during the Nixon administration - how it came about, what resulted from it in the short-term, and what longterm challenges it created for America and the world.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73mGoogle Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9n67aSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/ysw8xjtkAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/ytp6jwnzRSS Feed:

en

42:50

Documents & Debates: JFK's Assassination at 60 Years

The American Idea ·

2023/11/22

Jeff is joined by Steve Knott to discuss JFK"s assassination on the 60th anniversary of this key event in American history. The two cover the day itself, the investigation by the Warren Commissions, early and more recent conspiracy theories, and the evidence as best we know it, along with the enduring legacy of this event.Take a look at Steve's JFK book on AmazonHost: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe via popular podcast apps:

en

42:31

Documents & Debates: The Gettysburg Address at 160 Years

The American Idea ·

2023/11/15

Jeff is joined by Jason Stevens, professor of Political Science at Ashland University, to discuss the meaning and legacy of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered 160 years ago this month. Learn what made it so important then, and what we can draw from it now.Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe through your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

36:45

Documents & Debates: The Battle of Tarawa at 80 Years

The American Idea ·

2023/11/08

In this week's episode of The American Idea, we look back 80 years to the pivotal Battle of Tarawa, the first in America's 'Island Hopping' campaign during World War 2 in the Pacific. Dr. John Moser is joined by military historian Bruscinocino to discuss why the battle took place, why America suffered such a high casualty rate, and how the battle and its outcome shaped U.S. war policy, strategy, and tactics in the Pacific from late 1943 onward.Suggested Readings:Aleutians, Gilberts, and Marshalls,

en

36:20

Contemporary Conversations: CRT, Identitarianism, and...

The American Idea ·

2023/11/01

Jeff discusses the historical and intellectual roots of Critical Race Theory with Robert George of Princeton University. What is CRT? Where does it come from? What are its roots as an academic movement? What does it preach, in practice, and how do these things shape the mind of the individual and relations between people?George suggested a few readings, linked below.Plato's Dialogue with Gorgias: https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/gorgias.htmlJane Austin's Pride and Prejudice:

en

31:27

The Battle for the Speaker's Gavel | Contemporary...

The American Idea ·

2023/10/24

What is going on in the House of Representatives, and why did the Republicans fire their own Kevin McCarthy as Speaker? Where did this come from, what does it say about Congress, the House, political parties in general and in this point in our history, and in particular the Republican party? Jeff Sikkenga is joined by Joe Postell of Hillsdale College to discuss these issues and more, starting with the background to the GOP revolt against their own leader and what has been going on in the House for

en

48:34

Documents & Debates: Court Packing Then, and Now?

The American Idea ·

2023/10/18

Jeff Sikkenga and John Moser discuss the 'court packing' scandal of FDR's second term, how Democrats and Republicans in Congress revolted against what they saw as an attempt to consolidate power, even akin to how a dictator would behave. They also draw parallels with more recent calls to add Supreme Court justices, or force them to retire at a certain age, analyzing the potential legal and political fallout of such a move.You can download a free copy of John's "The Great Depression and New Deal - A

en

46:53

Documents & Debates: American Exceptionalism and the...

The American Idea ·

2023/10/11

Andy Lang and Jeff discuss the idea of American Exceptionalism - is America a special, distinct place because of its political culture and ideas? - and the Civil War. In particular, they discuss the question the Civil War presented: would America be exceptional because it sought to live up to its founding principles, or would exceptionalism result from the creation of a new country, based on the “science” of a racial hierarchy?Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy

en

43:57

Core American Ideas: Separation of Powers - Why it...

The American Idea ·

2023/10/04

Jeff is joined by David Alvis, of Wofford Colege, to discuss the reasons behind and important of the separation of powers in American government. Sure, we were all taught about the three branches, but why those? And how does the American system of government try to balance among them, even while admitting overlap between them?Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonDownload David’s book for free:

en

39:47

American Portraits: Last Summer Boys

The American Idea ·

2023/09/27

Jeff is joined by Bill Rivers, author and former speechwriter for James Mattis, for a discussion of Bill's coming of age novel, "Last Summer Boys." Set in the summer of 1968, the story follows the experiences and choices of three boys living through the tumult of the political and cultural issues of the late 1960s. Jeff and Bill discuss the writer's craft, and Bill's work as a speechwriter for James Mattis during his service as Secretary of Defense.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg

en

23:49

Contemporary Conversations: Ohio Attorney General...

The American Idea ·

2023/09/20

Jeff is joined by Ohio Attorney General to discuss the role of an attorney general, the rule of law, and the importance of a properly-balanced constitutional order. This podcast was recorded during the AG's visit to the Ashbrook Center on 12 SEP 23 for Ashbrook's "Major Issues Lecture Series" luncheon in recognition of Constitution Day 2023.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe via popular podcast apps: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

32:40

Contemporary Conversations: A "Post-America" American...

The American Idea ·

2023/09/13

John Moser and Johann Neem, of Western Washington University, discuss the movement by many toward a version of American history that seeks to get beyond what have been understood as America's fundamental meaning, identity, and role in the world. From the traditional view of America as a source of hope and good to a reformed vision of America as a force for evil and oppression, many in academia, journalism, and K-12 schools have moved to a "post-America" vision for understanding our country. In this

en

38:27

Core American Ideas: Natural Rights and Limited...

The American Idea ·

2023/09/06

Jeff discusses two of the most fundamental ideas at the foundation of the American experiment: natural rights and their outgrowth, limited government. Get a firm, documents-based understanding of these fundamental principles, and ideas of what to read to consider them in even greater depth.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe via popular podcast apps: https://linktr.ee/theamericanideaGet a free copy of the 50 Core American Documents volume:

en

210 results

Similar Podcasts

Science Talk

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

五分钟心理学

柠檬心理

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

The Royal Veterinary College