The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

Commenting on the Kavanaugh/Ford controversy, Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, said on Fox News, “This is not a battle between Republicans and Democrats. It’s a battle between good and evil — between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.” Sadly, many Americans think in these types of dichotomies. In this episode, Stephen argues that we need moderation n...

The Kavanaugh hearings highlight a trend in our nation toward the politics of personal destruction. What we see often now is that when a group can’t win by virtue of a vote, they will use other tactics to get their way. Of course we want the truth to be known, but Stephen argues in this episode that Kavanaugh’s opposition chose to handle the accusations against him in a way that would cause a nati...

A Russian plane was shot down in the Middle East by Syrian aircraft missiles, and the Russians spun out by accusing Israel. What could these rising tensions mean for the future? In this episode, Stephen urges listeners: keep your eye on significant world events and don’t be distracted by window dressing and short-term political issues in the United States.

The first time Stephen met Pastor Joel Hunter, it wasn’t pleasant! However, this man is a hero. His story and his example both have a great deal to offer to our generation, particularly to religious people in America. The former spiritual advisor to President Barack Obama, Dr. Hunter has now retired from his Senior Pastor role at Northland Church and is giving himself to the cause of homelessness....

Many of the problems in our government today come from the fact that the House and the Senate are not fulfilling their obligations. As Sen. Ben Sasse says, “We’ve accepted a new theory about how our three branches of government should work – and, in particular, how the judiciary should work.” Today on the Stephen Mansfield Podcast, we’re airing Sen. Sasse’s brilliant opening remarks from a recent...

We need serious leadership in science and technology. For example, why is Donald Trump championing the coal industry? We can applaud coal’s past contributions, but it’s clearly not our future. Why can’t we embrace a transition? From energy to transportation, we need change in a wide range of industries. We need trademarking and licensing to happen quickly. We need to remove unnecessary government...

There’s a story not often told about John McCain’s life. We all know he spent years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. But the hidden side of that story, which touches and inspires Stephen the most, reveals how McCain’s boyhood training as an Episcopal acolyte came into play. The POW’s ability to recall prayers, creeds, hymns, and Scriptures throughout those five-and-a-half harrowing years has...

In order for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, there will have to be a test case brought before the Supreme Court. Then, the court will have to agree to hear it. Then, many judges will rule on the case’s unique features and eccentricities. Then, if overturned, the issue of abortion will be rolled back to the states. As you can see, abortion will not suddenly become “illegal” in the U.S. As the abortio...

Following President Trump’s appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Americans on both sides of the aisle are curious and concerned about what may happen to abortion’s legal status. In this episode (part one of a two-part series), Stephen argues that Roe v. Wade was bad law. Find out why…

In this episode, Stephen explains why he finds it concerning that people might think Donald Trump represents conservatism. “Trumpism” and “conservatism" are two separate things, and Donald Trump’s approach to championing those values can make many conservatives nervous… and for good reason! Take President Trump’s approach to tariffs, duties, and trade negotiations, as examples.

What’s it like to be free from the Messianic nature of American politics? Find out in this episode! No candidate or party will ever be the universal one-size-fits-all solution to the world’s problems. We’ve got to do the best we can with what we’ve got. Also in this episode – discover why Stephen’s approach to Donald Trump is exactly the same as his approach to Barack Obama.

We’ve entered a new age of our generation: an age of crass, malicious, and vile politics. It’s not one-sided. Both Trump and the left have contributed to this. In this episode, Stephen urges listeners to be on guard. Don’t allow the coarseness in public debate to make you coarse, too. Think rationally. Find common ground. Support good, judicious leaders.

If you’re a regular listener, you know that Stephen's hammered the Trump administration for its lack of support of the Kurds. But something wonderful happened earlier this month. The Trump administration broke ground on a brand new consulate in Erbil. This $600 million facility, situated on a 200,000 square meter piece of land, could potentially become the future site of an actual embassy when the...

As you know, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy will retire at the end of the month. In his place we should hope for a justice who understands and acts according to a judge’s true role: the role of interpreting the law – not creating it. In this week’s episode, Stephen discusses politics, justice appointments, and the Supreme Court’s place in our society.

Midsummer is here, and reading is on many listeners’ minds. In this episode, Stephen shares some of the top reading habits he’s developed over the years. Listen in to discover tactics that will make you a better and more accomplished reader. This episode is a must-listen for veteran readers and would-be readers alike!

Melania has many admirable qualities, but she does not seem to rely on advisers. The recent “I really don’t care, do u?” jacket faux pas is one of the most recent examples. As a leader, you’ve got to know what kind of advisers you need. And then you’ve got to trust them. We all need people in our lives who will help us be better.

One of Stephen's greatest criticisms of Donald Trump is that he is not doing “the art of the deal.” We allow our allies to take advantage of us. We allow them to issue high tariffs against us. If we’re going to have a President from the private sector, he should bring his powerful negotiating skills to the table! Trump is right about moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He’s right abo...

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem – and suicide rates around the world are skyrocketing. In the U.S., for example, the annual suicide rate has increased 24% between 1999 and 2014. So, what can we do? In this episode, Stephen reflects on suicide in our culture, as well as the recent loss of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade.

On May 12, there were elections in Iraq, and the main winner was the Shiite party. Since then, the government in Baghdad has announced anyone caught not fasting during Ramadan can be turned over to the judiciary. This is tragic for many reasons, including that many Americans and other nationalities fought and died for democracy in Iraq. We are losing our influence in Iraq, along with the benefits...

Politicians aren’t usually known for their courage. Yet recently, the Trump administration has done some things that – whether you like them are not – are essentially extensions of prior commitments previously unfulfilled. While certainly not right on all issues, the Trump administration deserves credit for some recent decisions. Learn more in this episode.

The majority of African Americans tend to be left-leaning, Democratic voters. But Stephen’s recently noticed a trend – a shift toward right-leaning politics that's led by young freethinkers like Candace Owens, an African American woman who is breaking from the standard left-leaning consensus in the African American community. "Candace Owens speaking at the 2018 Conservative Political Action Confer...

No, the world’s not coming to an end. But economic turmoil is always a real possibility. Fortunately, it’s something we can prepare for and protect ourselves from. In this episode, Stephen shares practical tips to help get your family on firm footing. Learn about “The Grandmother Strategy,” the connection between generosity and prosperity, and a behavior Stephen calls the “key to wealth."

There’s been a trend of recent decades toward trying to personally destroy the people that we cannot defeat politically. In this episode, Stephen discusses why this trend is toxic to democracy. He also shares a story about the first time he saw it happen in 1987, as well as how the politics of personal destruction affected one of his friends.

In 2015, Stephen recorded a podcast about why men engage in extramarital affairs. It was widely discussed and helped a great many men and marriages. Because of the huge impact this episode has had, we're re-airing it this week. Men, even if you can't imagine yourself becoming involved in an affair, you need to listen to this episode. Women, this episode may shed some light on the flawed male psych...

History is not led by by the majority, but by the dedicated minority. And that minority is often led by one man of character - one man who inspires the people while embodying their hopes and values. In this episode, Stephen honors one such man, United States Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis, “The Warrior Monk.”