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

43:07

Do the Democrats Have an Ideology Problem?

The American Idea ·

2025/04/09

The 2024 elections left the Democrats in crisis, soul-searching over why they not only lost the White House, but also multiple down-ballot races, as well. Are we entering an era of party realignment? How is the leadership of the DNC grappling with these losses, and what do they see as the reasons behind them? What has their public response been, so far, to Trump’s return to the White House? And what might all this mean for upcoming elections?Jeff is joined this week by author and columnist JT Young

en

45:03

Lessons in Liberty: What We Can Learn From the Lives...

The American Idea ·

2025/04/02

What can we learn from those who came before us? What life lessons can be gleaned from the ideas and actions of noteworthy Americans? Dr. Cara Roger Stevens discusses the lives of 10 extraordinary Americans, whose lives offer us wisdom and guidance, with teacher and author Jeremy Adams. You can find Adams' book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2GeECFi #lessonsinliberty #americanhistory Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

en

37:44

The Statesmanship of Ronald Reagan

The American Idea ·

2025/03/26

What is statesmanship? What does it take to be a statesman? Is it possible to be such a leader during easy times, or only during the toughest moments in history?Jeff sits down with Dr. Greg McBrayer to discuss Ronald Reagan's political philosophy and how he applied in understanding and dealing with the Soviet Union - and why Reagan earned the title of 'statesman.'Learn more about Reagan, and two other 20th Century statesman, in our free online course "Tear Down This Wall..." - register at

en

43:32

Abigail Adams: John's Confidant, Partner, and Advisor

The American Idea ·

2025/03/19

Lindsay Chervinsky, Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, joins Cara Rogers Stevens this week to discuss Abigail Adams and her impact on John's public life. Learn more about Lindsay: https://www.lindsaychervinsky.com/ Get her book: https://a.co/d/6OOF1ny Learn about the George Washington Library: https://www.mountvernon.org/library Listen to Lindsay's podcast: https://www.georgewashingtonpodcast.com/show/conversations/ Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton

en

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

en

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:

en

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

en

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

en

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:

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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'

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

214 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