The American Idea

Jeff is joined by Dr. John Moser of Ashland University to discuss the concept of turning points in history, particularly war, and some specific examples from the Second World War. Access the maps John used here . Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9n67a Spotify: https://ti...

Dr. Robert George of Princeton University joins Jeff to discuss the sad shape of the American university as a function of a lack of clarity by many in higher education as to the core purpose of a university education. George asserts that the core mission is, and should be, the pursuit of truth, even though imparting professional skills is an expectation of students, parents, and taxpayers. It is t...

Jeff sat down with Amity Shlaes to discuss her book, " The Great Society - A New History, " and the implications of the welfare state as envisioned by Lyndon Johnson. In addition to some of LBJ's various remarks and addresses while in office, his Great Society speech was highlighted, along with the policies that stemmed from it and their impact on American political economy and public life. Jeff a...

Jeff discusses our current political tensions with Dr. Lucas Morel, who proposes that an understanding of Lincoln - his ideas, his words, his actions - can help us navigate difficult political waters now, and in our future as Americans. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Jeff discusses the results, surprises, and immediate fallout of the 2022 Midterm Congressional and several state gubernatorial elections. Of special focus is how badly most pollsters were wrong; how the Democrats avoided the historical trend of a president losing seats during his first term; and the standing - or lack - of Donald Trump in the Republican party moving forward. Host; Jeff Sikkenga Ex...

In this episode, Jeff sits down to talk with Mike Pompeo, former member of the House of Representatives, CIA Director, and the 70th Secretary of State. The two touch on notions of service to country, the foundation of Sec. Pompeo’s political views, and his reflections on threats to America from abroad and at home, as well as his deep respect for the men and women who serve this country.

Dr. Jeff Sikkenga talks with Congressman Troy Balderson, of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, about public and elected service, as well as the changing demographic trends and political issues that could impact upcoming elections. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Jeff discusses the upcoming 2022 midterm elections with Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, offering thoughtful analysis and things to look out for as we get closer to these pivotal elections. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton

The 22-23 United States Supreme Court term has begun, and there are several cases to be heard that will make headlines - maybe even greater than those that closed out the 21-22 term. Join Jeff and Dr. Adam Carrington as they discuss some of these cases, the background to them, and how the current court might go about considering them. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer:...

Jeff and Rob Wyllie, Director of Ashbrook’s Political Economy program at Ashland University, discuss inflation in American and world history, how it comes to be, and why it can be so dangerous to economic, social, and political stability. In particular, they discuss inflation at the American Founding, during the Great Depression, and in the 1970s and 80s. They also discuss current inflationary cau...

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined by Dr. Gordon Lloyd, Dockson Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine University and Senior Fellow at Ashbrook, and Dr. Chris Burkett, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, for a lively conversation on the dramatic story and the legacy of the Constitutional Conventio...

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined by Peter Myers, Professor of Political Science at University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire and the 2016-17 B. Kenneth Simon Fellow in American Political Thought at the Heritage Foundation, for a conversation on Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy "character not color" comes into direct conflict with the ideas of Critical Race Theory. Host: Jeff Sikke...

Jeff welcomes Dr. Natalie Taylor of Skidmore College to discuss the place of feminism within the American sociopolitical reform tradition, and its connection to the contemporary #MeToo movement. Jeff and Natalie focus, in particular, on Susan B. Anthony, discussing her ideas and place in the arc of women's reform movements in American history and society. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Gr...

In this episode The American Idea Jeff is joined by Stephen Knott, Professor of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval War College and the Thomas and Mabel Guy Professor in American History and Government at Ashland University, for a conversation on John F. Kennedy and his leadership during the Cold War. Their conversation explores Kennedy's anti-Communist policies, his relationship...

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined once again by Cara Rogers, Professor of History at Ashland University and Co-Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, for a conversation on the friendship of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Jeff and Cara explore the development of their friendship during the American Revolution and the Second Continental Congress, the fracturing of the relatio...

Jeff and Dr. Chris Burkett of Ashland University discuss the ideas and ideals expressed in America's most fundamental document, the Declaration of Independence. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton

In this special episode, Jeff sits down with Dr. Joshua Dunn to discuss the overturning of Roe v. Wade and blockbuster decisions about religious liberty, free speech, and the 2nd Amendment. You can download a free PDF copy of Josh's Core Documents Collection on the Judiciary. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Jeff talks with Dr. Lucas Morel about Ralph Ellison, his novel Juneteenth, the role of literature in sociopolitical discourse and thought, and their connection to American history and politics. Mentioned in this episode are Lucas' book, Ralph Ellison and the Raft of Hope: A Political Companion to Invisible Man , Ellison's Juneteenth , and Ellison's essay, What America Would Be Like Without Blacks...

In this episode Jeff discusses two fascinating heroes of the American Civil War with Dr. Jason Stevens of Ashland University, and Pat Maloney of the Ashbrook Center . Learn more about Ashbrook's programs for students, teachers, and citizens at Ashbrook.org . Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes back Dr. Jason Stevens, Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and the Co-Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, to talk about the Great Triumvirate; the greatest American statesmen of the early nineteenth century. Over the course of nearly forty years, Henry Clay of Kentucky, Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and John C. Calhoun...

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined by David Davenport, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and Senior Fellow at Ashbrook, for a conversation exploring the crisis in civic education and what we can do about it. The former president of Pepperdine University from 1985-2000, David is a regular columnist for the Washington Examiner and his study, "Commonse...

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes back Dr. Greg McBrayer, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and Ashbrook's Director of Citizen Programs, for a conversation on Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Tyler MacQueen

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes back Dr. Chris Burkett, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, for a conversation on Benjamin Franklin's famous Autobiography, his dramatic rise from the ninth of twelve children in an impoverished household to the most famous American of his time, and why he is - rightly - rem...

In the second episode of The American Idea's Presidential Portraits series, we explore the life and controversial presidency of George W. Bush, the two-term Texas Governor who became the unexpected wartime president with the horrific attacks on September 11th, 2001. For this conversation, Jeff is joined by Stephen Knott, Professor of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval War College...

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined by Cara Rogers, Professor of History at Ashland University and Co-Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, for a conversation on Thomas Jefferson and his controversial book, Notes on the State of Virginia. Jeff and Cara discuss Jefferson's long history of anti-slavery sentiments and emancipation proposals, and his disturbing comments regarding...