The American Idea

John Moser discusses "Oppenheimer," the movie, with David Krugler, analyzing what's accurate, what's not, and - spoiler alert - why this is a good movie about history. Host: John Moser Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe via popular podcast apps: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

Dr. John Moser discusses the use of the atomic bombs in World War 2 with noted author and historian, Richard Frank. Of special interest is the deep body of declassified documents from within the Japanese military and government, only recently brought to light and use in English-language histories of the war. Host: John Moser Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton https://linktr....

Jeff and David Krugler discuss LBJ's policies, actions, and attitudes and how they led to an increased American involvement in Vietnam. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9n67a Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ysw8xjtk Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/ytp6jwnz RSS Feed: https...

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy visited the Ashbrook Center and spoke with students, staff, and faculty about the meaning and importance of the Rule of Law - a fundamental principle in American politics, law, and public life.

Jeff discusses the fascinating and encouraging relationship between African-Americans - some well-known today and many forgotten - and Lincoln, through letters written to the president, providing compelling insight into the views people had of and for Lincoln during the Civil War. Find Jon's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Address-You-My-Friend-Americans-ebook/dp/B0915C56Z7?ref_=ast_author_dp Re...

Jeff discusses the lengthy and consequential public life of James Garfield, ending with his tragic death after being shot shortly after taking office. There's a lot more to this man than a short presidency, however, and we're thankful to have been joined by Todd Arrington of the National Park Service. Todd serves as the director of the Garfield historical site outside of Cleveland, OH - you can fi...

Jeff and Rita Koganzon of the University of Houston discuss the background to the current school "censorship" debate, and where supposed "book bans" came from, and why we're seeing such friction over school readings and library books now. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe via popular podcast apps: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

Jeff discusses the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg with Chris Burkett, marking its 160th anniversary. This video version of the podcast includes maps and images of some of the key individuals from the battle, and puts the battle in the context of Lincoln's war aims. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe via popular podcast apps: https://linktr.ee/thea...

Jeff is joined by Josh Dunn for a discussion and analysis of the major decisions handed down by the Supreme Court in the last week of June, 2023, including those related to affirmative action, religious liberty, free expression, and executive power. Don't miss this thoughtful analysis of these major cases. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe via pop...

Jeff is joined by Bob Elder, Professor of History at Baylor University, to discuss John C. Calhoun, an "American Heretic" as Elder explains, given his views on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the relationship between the Constitution, national government, and the states. A polarizing figure then as now, Calhoun's legacy is still influential today. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Pro...

Join John Moser as he and Sean McMeekin discuss the complex and little-understood relationship between FDR and Stalin, and how United States assistance to the USSR during World War 2 inadvertently helped contribute to making Russia a world power. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl....

John Moser discusses the history of 20th Century bank failures in America with Dr. George Selgin. They look deeply at Federal Reserve regulatory policy and deposit insurance and the unintended consequences - good and bad - of federal government entanglement with the banking sector. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp7...

Jeff discusses religious liberty, the First Amendment, and the role of the courts in working through this essential element of American political culture, in our history, today, and with forecasts for the future. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9n67a Spotify: https://tinyu...

Jeff talks with Ad Achorn, author and journalist, about the nearly miraculous nomination of Abraham Lincoln by the then-new Republican Party. Far from a foregone conclusion, the choice of Lincoln almost didn’t happen. Learn about how Lincoln quickly rose to national prominence in the few years before 1860, and how Republican leaders decided on him over more well-known and seemingly ‘sure thing’ ca...

John Moser discusses the life, letters, person, and legacy of Ernest Hemingway. A man of his era, and an icon as both an author and personality, Hemingway casts a long shadow in American letters, and both reflected and influenced the culture and events of his time. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podc...

Jeff discusses the important and often overlooked Battle of Vicksburg, which came an end on 4 July 1863. Overshadowed by Gettysburg, this battle was arguably of far greater strategic importance than its more famous cousin, which took place at the same time. Learn about the military and political history and details of this event as we mark the 160th anniversary of the commencement of Grant's campa...

Jeff discusses the life, ideas, and legacy of Alexander Hamilton with Stephen Knott, formerly of the United States Naval War College and a recognized Hamilton scholar. Although Americans have been reminded of Hamilton as a result of the popular musical, what's the truth behind the songs? How did he rise to prominence, living a classically American story of humble beginnings and lofty achievements?...

Jeff and Gordon Lloyd discuss the importance of the Articles of Confederation - not as a failure, or a preface to the Constitution, but as an important set of ideas and, up through 1787, actual, substantive accomplishments. Don't overlook the Articles. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https:/...

Jeff is joined by Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow and director of the Keystone Defense Initiative to discuss the war in Ukraine, its strategic importance, how American and NATO policy has played out since the invasion in early 2022, and how it fits into questions of global security. This live episode of The American Idea had questions from attendees, and provides both background and analysis of...

Peter Schramm, whose family escaped Communist Hungary during the 1950s, moved to America, were his family worked out their version of the American Dream like so many immigrants before and after them, Peter, without realizing it in his early years, learned not only what it was to be an American, but became fully American in the process. He went on to great academic and professional accolades, settl...

Jeff and Rob McDonald discuss several interesting - and little-known - stories of individuals from the American Revolution, men and women, patriots and loyalists, in this episode marking the anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl....

Jeff and Dan Monroe discuss Texas history, independence and annexation, and the Mexican-American War while meeting for Ashbrook's Director's Club Weekend in San Antonio, Texas, in March 2023. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy GyptonApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9n67a Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ysw8xjtk Amazo...

Jeff Sikkenga and Jason Jividen discuss the animating ideas and issus of the original Progressives, and their views on - and in many ways rejection of - the principles of the American Founding. Tracing the history of the Progressives, they also discuss contemporary examples of this movement, and what they mean to America today. Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3jcrp73m Google Podcasts: https://...

Jeff discusses Ronald Reagan’s efforts to peacefully end the Cold War with Will Inboden, Director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin. Containment and detente were frameworks that Reagan inherited; however, they both aimed to preserve the status quo with the USSR instead of rolling back Communist gains. Reagan’s view was that the Soviets were taking advan...

Jeff and Flagg Taylor, of Skidmore College, discuss the thorny topic of censorship and its two main forms, that from the government, and that coming from individuals. Starting with a deep discussion of Soviet Russia’s totalitarian approach to what is acceptable literature and speech, they move through a history of limitations on speech, and what the last century of this can mean for us today, and...