Show overview
The American Idea has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 242 episodes, alongside 4 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 170 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 6th season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 37 min and 48 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 6 days ago, with 30 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Ashbrook Center.
From the publisher
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.
Latest Episodes
View all 242 episodesFact or Fiction? Historians Discuss Young Washington
America's First Citizen: Character Lessons from George Washington
Why Did the Founders Create a Republic?
A Sober View of Human Nature: Federalist 10 and Factions
More than a Document: Living the Declaration of Independence
Our Right to Privacy and the 4th Amendment
Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations at 250 Years
Returning to First Principles: America's Machiavellian Moment?
Religious Liberty at the Founding and Today
The Voting Rights Act and the Callais Supreme Court Decision - Context and Analysis
School Choice: The Past, Present, and Future of a Movement
"Mischievous Cousins' - A British Perspective on the American Revolution
From 1776 to Civil Rights: How the Declaration Shaped the Struggle for Equality
Ronald Reagan and the Declaration of Independence
From Madison to Modern Politics: The Separation of Powers Debate
Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Prevent World War III
Missouri v. Biden: Free Speech, Coercion, and Government Power
S6 Ep 13Natural Rights: The Declaration's Central Claim
What are natural rights, and why, without them, are the ideas in the Declaration of Independence empty without them?Americans talk a lot about rights, but natural rights are the foundation of them all, and all the Declaration’s assertions and ideals flow from them. Jeff discusses what they are, how they relate to government, and why the are at the core of what Jefferson called ‘the American mind.”Download the 50 Core Documents book mentioned in the episode for free: https://tinyurl.com/yckez9c3Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanideaHomepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/
S6 Ep 12The Causes and Politics of Financial Bubbles
What is a financial bubble, and what are its causes? What are the political, as well as economic, impacts of these events? Jeff welcomes investment capital expert Aman Verjee to discuss these events, and the role they’ve played throughout history. You’ll learn not only a great deal more about what really caused the stock market crash of 1929, but how it compares to a tulip sales bubble (yes, tulips) in the Netherlands in the 1600s.Read Aman’s new book about the topic: https://www.amanverjee.com/the-bookHost: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanideaHomepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/
S6 Ep 11Did FDR Threaten the Fundamental Freedoms in the Bill of Rights?
Historian David Beito joins Jeff this week to discuss the dark side of FDR: a seeming disregard for constitutional process and a lack of respect for the fundamental freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights. Long lauded as a great president, is there more to his story and impact on America?Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonSubscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanideaHomepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/