The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

No novelist has influenced Stephen as did Pat Conroy, author of moving, mystical tales like The Great Santini, Prince of Tides, The Water is Wide and Lords of Discipline. In this tribute, Stephen describes how Conroy’s life, themes and literary voice have shaped him. [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' icon='' icon_color='' link='https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stephen-man...

In wake of the brutal terror attacks in Belgium, Turkey and Pakistan, we offer you a rebroadcast of an episode Stephen recorded in November 2015. [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' icon='' icon_color='' link='https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stephen-mansfield-podcast/id433416409?mt=2?mt=2' target='_blank' color='' hover_color='' border_color='' hover_border_color='' backgr...

In this special holiday episode, Stephen describes the pointed conspiracy and gruesome execution involved in the last days of Jesus Christ. Check out Killing Jesus by Stephen Mansfield on Amazon.com.   [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' icon='' icon_color='' link='https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stephen-mansfield-podcast/id433416409?mt=2?mt=2' target='_blank' color='' hov...

There is such a thing as "righteous anger." We should fight against injustice every step of the way—and with zeal! Yet what permeates today's politics is "easy" anger, that is, simply looking for a scapegoat and inciting anger for anger’s sake. Whether on the right or left, most popular talking points are more like finger-pointing. In today's episode, Stephen asks us to do away with this kind of u...

On February 19 2016, Stephen was a guest on Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership podcast, hosted by Ken Coleman. The EntreLeadership Podcast features lively discussions and tips on leadership and business by some of the top minds in the business, and Stephen was honored to be a part of it. Check out this special, hour-long episode about the story of the Guinness family and the beer that changed the world...

While the news cycle is consumed with Donald Trump and the latest happenings in the presidential race, there is another story surfacing in headlines.  Men, prominent and accomplished men, are having extra-marital affairs in increasing numbers. They are destroying their families, their careers, and, often, the noble causes they have devoted themselves to through the years. Last year, Stephen record...

Karl Marx once said something to the extent that we largely understand the world, but the challenge now is to change it. Though Stephen could not disagree more with Marx on most matters, he agrees with the mandate to change the world. The Stephen Mansfield Podcast has been changing minds and hearts for years, with almost 250 episodes. Now, Stephen is eager for those who listen to this podcast to h...

Whether we like it or not, politics is about more than policies and laws. It is also about appearance. In a video age, there is no escaping the fact that a political candidate’s manner often communicates more loudly than his or her words. In this unique podcast, Stephen draws from his years as a communications consultant to explain how the dynamic of “tele” is hurting some presidential candidates...

The New Hampshire Primary on February 9th, 2016 was historic. Though its results are not likely to be repeated as the campaigns move south and west, they still indicate permanent shifts in the American political landscape. After describing the numbers and the firsts of New Hampshire, Stephen also explains the leveling process that is happening in American culture and politics. He then urges cautio...

In Part 2 of The Simple Math of the 2016 Election, Stephen continues to argue that the electoral math has changed in recent years and not in the favor of Republicans. The Democratic Party is 5% larger than the Republican party now. This means that a Republican presidential candidate must win a significant portion of independents in order to take the White House. Stephen argues that if Republicans...

Politics is about many things and math is one of them. Sometimes, the numbers tell the tale. Though Stephen admits he isn’t good at math, some of the numbers that tell the story of the 2016 election are remarkably stark and simple. The bottom line is that Republicans can’t win in 2016 without winning a significant number of independents. This means their candidate cannot appeal only to the extreme...

Only 62% of Americans have life insurance and 40% of all Americans suspect they don’t have enough life insurance. These statistics confirm Stephen’s experience in recent years. He’s witnessed dozens of situations in which death nearly impoverished entire families, in which little preparation was made for the most certain of all eventualities—the end of life. In this podcast, Stephen argues forcefu...

Time and again in American history, a misunderstanding of the world’s religions has led to disastrous policies. The lesson is that what our national leaders know about religion does impact our nation’s role in the world. What light does this shine upon our current slate of presidential candidates? Do they know what they need to know? Are any of them ready for the roiling religious conflicts that d...

A new year is upon us. In this last podcast of 2015, Stephen offers a guide for storming the new year prepared for all it might bring. Though it is sure to be a year of challenges, 2016 is also going to offer stunning opportunities for those who are ready and eager to lead. Stephen explains how we can get ready to "own" 2016.   [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' icon='' icon_...

T’is (almost) the night before Christmas: Stephen finishes up a two-part historical series on the lore and traditions behind our nation’s most beloved holiday. Who is “Santa Claus,” and where did he come from? Listen to part 1 here: http://stephenmansfield.tv/the-story-of-christmas [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' icon='' icon_color='' link='https://itunes.apple.com/us/podc...

In our era of religious confusion and error, it’s easy to become confused about Christmas. Is it a religious fabrication? Did the early church celebrate it? Is it an invention of corporate America? In this calm, reasoned podcast, Stephen tells the history of Christmas and makes some recommendations for your own celebration.   [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' icon='' icon_co...

Recently, politicians including President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush have mentioned their religious beliefs as a basis for legislation they either passed or supported. Yet none of these have offered details about their personal faith. Do we as voters deserve to know what these and other politicians believe before they take office? In Ask The Question: Why We Must Demand Religious Clarity...

December 2, 2015: It is the 336th day of the year, and as this episode is published, news is coming in of another mass-shooting, this time in San Bernardino, CA. It is (at least) the 352nd of the year, meaning that in 2015, more of these incidents have occurred than days of the year. Last week in Colorado Springs, CO, Robert Dear killed three people outside of a Planned Parenthood facility, in an...

In this special Thanksgiving podcast, Stephen simply tells the thrilling story of the First Thanksgiving. He recounts the tale of that dissenter congregation in England almost four centuries ago, the congregation that lived in exile in Holland for twelve years before sailing to the New World aboard the Mayflower. Do you think you know this story well? You’ll be surprised at some of the hidden deta...

Given the recent terror in Paris, Stephen answers the question the Pope raised in a recent speech: Are we now in World War III? How do our present crises compare to the start of World War II? Of World War I? Stephen gives answers to these questions and offers wisdom for how we ought to live in light of what is likely coming in our world.   [button size='large' style='' text='SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES' i...

In the first of a three-part series, Stephen urges us to look a little more deeply into the history and traditions of Thanksgiving— and to recapture some of those traditions for our own holiday celebration. Of course, he urges us to enjoy all the food and football we like! [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' col...

November 8th, 2016 is Election Day, which means there is almost one year to go. While the media has shed more than enough light on the myriad presidential candidates, one thing, for whatever reason, is lacking: religious clarity. Ben Carson is a 7th-Day Adventist. Hillary Clinton is a Social Gospel Methodist. Marco Rubio converted from Mormonism. But what do the American people know about the nuan...

The phrase “Band of Brothers” now has special meaning in our language. It comes, of course, from the Agincourt Speech in Shakespeare’s Henry V. Its words and its sentiments have echoed through the great battles of history and galvanized the hopes of both men and women for comrades who share life and struggles together. In this podcast, Stephen tells the story of the words “Band of Brothers” throug...

In the midst of a dispute over a site in Jerusalem referred to as "The Noble Sanctuary" by Muslims, or the "Temple Mount" by Jews, Israeli-Palestinian violence has surged out of control over the last few weeks. Stephen breaks down the details of the conflict in terms of how the West plays a part, how some aspects of the conflict have proven difficult for the media to explain, and how a misguided s...

Stephen offers a review of Randall Wallace's new book, Living the Braveheart Life: Finding the Courage to Follow Your Heart. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishing[/custom_font]...