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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.

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All Episodes

31:42

Sleep Training the American People?

The American Idea ·

2025/03/12

Daylight Savings Time: nobody seems to enjoy switching their clocks twice a year, and recently there has been another push to eliminate it altogether. But as a policy issue it’s far more complicated than it might seem at first glance. Dr. Cara Rogers Stevens is joined by columnist Rachel Lu, Associate Editor at Law & Liberty, to discuss the many layers of what seems like a simple question.Read her article here: https://lawliberty.org/sleep-training-the-american-people/#DST #daylightsavings

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32:55

A Speech That Mattered - Lincoln's Second Inaugural

The American Idea ·

2025/03/05

Today e ask you to take a moment to look back at an inaugural address that was also given in a time of high political division and partisanship, in fact eclipsing our own. What can we learn from Abraham Lincoln, and from the words of his Second Inaugural Address?Jeff is joined by Dr. Jason Stevens to discuss this essential American document, exploring its meaning in 1865, as well as what we can learn from it now, almost 160 years later.#lincoln #secondinaugural #malicetowardnoneRead the speech:

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42:39

Adding the Lone Star - The Annexation and Statehood...

The American Idea ·

2025/02/26

How and why did the short-lived Republic of Texas seek admission into the United States and become the 28th state? Historical Jordan Cash joins Jeff for this episode, wherein they discuss how the state of Texas came about, why it factored so prominently in 19th Century American history, and why it still matters today. #texas #texashistory #alamo #annexation #samhouston #johntyler #american history Read Jordan’s recent book on this topic - https://a.co/d/hR87Yyq Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive

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41:44

The Conductor: America's Forgotten Father of the...

The American Idea ·

2025/02/19

Rev. John Rankin is, arguably, America's founding abolitionist, and yet he is virtually forgotten today. A conductor on the Underground Railroad, a writer and preacher, he laid the intellectual, moral, and organizational foundations of what would become the mainstream abolition movement in the mid-19th Century. Jeff is joined today by author Caleb Franz to cast some needed light on Rankin - his work, his ideas, and his accomplishments. Read Caleb's book, The Conductor, here: https://a.co/d/hsA2tLb

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33:33

America's Foreign Policy Challenges as of Early 2025

The American Idea ·

2025/02/12

What foreign policy challenges does the Trump Administration face as of February 2025? Where are the potential flashpoints of global conflict and strife? What 'bad actors' are out there, and are they working together? Defense Policy expert Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses these serious issues with Jeff, and offers some ideas for how America can defend itself and work to promote and protect our national interest and citizens. Read Rebeccah's bio here:

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48:34

Lincoln and the Presidential Pardon Power

The American Idea ·

2025/02/05

The presidential pardon is the most sweeping and unchallengeable of a president's powers, and it seems that each time someone leaves the White House, pardons generate at least some level of controversy. Why did the Founders include this power? How was its use originally envisioned, and how has it evolved over time? Historian Jonathan White joins Cara Rogers Stevens to discuss the issue, using Abraham Lincoln as a vehicle to better understand this significant, yet poorly-understood presidential

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49:30

Jimmy Carter - His Presidency, Politics, and Legacy

The American Idea ·

2025/01/29

Jimmy Carter, a one-term Democrat president from Georgia, recently passed away after a long and impactful and sometimes controversial post-presidential life. From governor of Georgia to president to self-appointed ambassador and highly successful proponent of global relief efforts, Carter broke with many presidential traditions, for better and worse, to his advantage and not. Jeff is joined by noted presidential scholar Dr. Stephen Knott, formerly of the U.S. Naval War College, to discuss Carter's

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29:30

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Reconciliation

The American Idea ·

2025/01/22

As we mark another peaceful transfer of presidential power in America - and after an ugly, rancorous political campaign season - it's worth looking back at perhaps the greatest story of political and personal reconciliation in our history. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: allies, then friends, then rivals, then political enemies, and then friends again in the closing days of their lives. Let's take a moment and look at how this lifelong connection grew, went sour, and was rekindled, demonstrating

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45:03

New Year, Same Problem: Our National Debt and Its...

The American Idea ·

2025/01/15

America's national debt stands at over $36 trillion dollars as of early 2025. What does that mean? How did we get here? What should and can be done about it? What are the consequences of inaction? AIER.org policy analyst Dave Hebert joins Jeff this week to discuss this problem, hiding in plain sight, its background, and possibilities for the incoming Trump administration and the future. #debt #nationaldebt #politics #congress #deficits #debtceiling Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy

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42:46

America First - FDR vs Charles Lindbergh in the...

The American Idea ·

2025/01/08

Jeff is joined by historian H.W. Brands to discuss the public and political battle between #FDR and Charles Lindbergh during the lead-in to #WW2. Were FDR's policies pushing America slowly toward war, as Lindbergh asserted, or would they keep us out, as was FDR's position? Of additional interest is how their disagreement fits into the long-running debate over America's role in the world - which was, in part, on the ballot in 2024. #foreignpolicy #intervention #isolation #americafirst Read Brands'

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41:08

Making the Presidency - John Adams and the Precedents...

The American Idea ·

2025/01/01

John Adams was instrumental in America's efforts for independence, the formation of our early government, and the cementing of norms and systems during the republic's early years. And yet he seems most often remembered for the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and his complicated relationship with Thomas Jefferson?Historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky joins Jeff this week to discuss Adams as a thinker, leader, and man, shedding new

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60:35

Born American, But in the Wrong Place - A Special...

The American Idea ·

2024/12/25

Peter Schramm, former Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and Professor of Political Science, was a student of American thought, culture, institutions, and people. His interest in America began when he was a child, living in Hungary after World War 2, hearing his father talk about a faraway place where they all belonged, and would hopefully one day live.This is Peter's story, told by him, and through it we can learn not only of his story, but something about this country and its ideals, and

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56:36

The Work of a Press Secretary: Politics and...

The American Idea ·

2024/12/18

Done every 10 years in response to the census, as required in the Constitution, congressional redistricting is always a politically-charged process, with each state dealing with it differently. Ohio recently completed the process, putting in place districts through 2030. Jeff is joined by Ohio Governor's press secretary Dan Tierney to discuss how Ohio does this vital work, and by extension how he handles the media as a representative of the governor. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg

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35:54

The Nazis' Last Gasp: The Battle of the Bulge at 80...

The American Idea ·

2024/12/11

Jeff is joined by Dr. John Moser, Professor of History, to discuss the pivotal Battle of the Bulge - or Ardennes Offensive - that turned out to be Nazi Germany's last major offensive of World War 2 in northwest Europe. Catching the Allied armies by surprise, Hitler's army pushed deep behind friendly lines, only to be stopped by the weather, lack of supplies, and the stout defensive fighting of American and British forces.Learn about this great battle in recognition of its 80th anniversary, coming up

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28:29

The Power and the Money - When Presidents and...

The American Idea ·

2024/12/04

Jeff is joined by historian Tevi Troy to discuss an issue of both historical and current relevance: what happens when the interests of commercial and industrial giants clash with those of the president? Is there anything we can learn from past rifts between the likes of Rockefeller and Roosevelt, of Ford and Wilson, to help us understand the impact of Musk, Zuckerberg, and others on our current government? Why do the interests of government and industry diverge, or converge? #potus #industry #musk

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45:46

Presidential Scandals - Crimes and Moral Failings...

The American Idea ·

2024/11/27

Can we find an honest president, or an honest presidential administration? By what standards do we identify "corruption" when it comes to the White House? Dr. John Robert Greene, author of "Little Helpers: Harry Vaughan, His Cronies, and Corruption in the Truman Administration," joins Jeff to discuss the long and sordid history of presidential scandals and how Americans' views on presidential behavior have changed over time. Find Prof. Greene's book here: https://a.co/d/j7kG6ao #president

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35:16

America's Military Recruiting Crisis

The American Idea ·

2024/11/20

How bad is our military recruiting crisis? Why are our armed services having sustained problems bringing in and retaining members? And what does this say about our strategic readiness, and what that means for our national security? Jeff is joined by Will Thibeau, former Army Ranger and defense policy authority to discuss this troubling, important issue.Read "The Soldier and the State" - https://a.co/d/afvwsrYRead Will's article on the topic: https://tinyurl.com/yw6yk2cu#nationalsecurity #recruitment

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40:52

Elections of 2024 - Analysis, Commentary, and...

The American Idea ·

2024/11/13

Jeff is joined by presidential historian Dr. Vincent Cannato, of the University of Massachusetts-Boston to discuss the elections of 2024, with particular focus on the presidential election. What happened? Why? How? What might it all mean? #trump2024 #harris2024 #elections2024results #elections2024 Read Vincent's most recent book: https://a.co/d/dr12bXU Visit Vin's website: https://www.vincentcannato.com/ Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe:

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36:25

Angry American Politics - What We Can Learn From The...

The American Idea ·

2024/11/06

We often look at our divisive, shrill, and angry politics as somehow outside of some vague norm, or worse than at any time in our past. Go back to go forward as we look at the Election of 1800 and how two parties reduced themselves to name-calling and lies, and still agreed to the first peaceful exchange of power between opposing parties in history.Read Jefferson's First Inaugural: https://tinyurl.com/3ymdeh6dRead Hamilton's thoughts on Aaron Burr:

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28:26

Freedom of the Press and the Rise of the Citizen...

The American Idea ·

2024/10/30

Jeff and legal scholar Jonathan Turley discuss the importance of a free press in America, as well as the decline of legacy media and the simultaneous rise of the “citizen journalist.” What does all this portend for our republic and our efforts to be informed, rational citizens?Read Jonathan’s recent book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,”: https://a.co/d/2mnvYzdRead a review of Turley’s recent book: https://tinyurl.com/4w53v3dfVisit Jonathan's website:

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210 results

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