The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

In the third episode of this four-part series, Stephen discusses the confusion between race and culture.

In the second installment of a four-part series on racism, Stephen interviews historian and activist Dr. George Grant.

In the first of a four-part series, Stephen discusses the foolishness of racism in our information age.

Stephen marks our 16th president's 205th birthday with a close look at the man's personal struggles.

Stephen critiques the Superbowl Sunday interview between Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly and the president.

Stephen analyzes the dangers of "over disclosing" in a social media age.

Stephen responds to a recent article written by Rachel Burger titled "The American Economy, Not Feminism, Is What's 'Ruining' Masculinity."

Stephen takes a glimpse into what the new year may bring, and predicts which trends from 2013 will continue.

Stephen weighs in on the Phil Robertson controversy.

Stephen offers some tips on performance: whether corporate, athletic or relational, your outer performance is connected to your inner condition.

Stephen reviews the recent popular film, directed by Lee Daniels, starring Forest Whitaker as a butler who serves in the White House through multiple administrations.

From Washington D.C., Stephen talks about the current shutdown of the U.S. government and what it means for the country.

Stephen pays tribute to the victims of the September 16 Navy Yard Shooting in Washington, D.C.

Stephen explains the ancient religious tensions undergirding the civil war in Syria. Related Articles Five Surprising Cultural Facts About Syria: http://news.discovery.com/human/life/surprising-cultural-facts-about-syria-130831.htm The New Hama Rules: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/opinion/the-new-hama-rules.html?_r=0 Hawks, Doves, Fence Sitters: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/09/obama_congress_and_syria_arguments_for_and_against_the_bombing_resolution.html

Stephen describes the astonishing benefits of a popular news gathering app. Related Articles: Here's How Zite Plans to Replace Google Reader: http://venturebeat.com/2013/03/15/google-reader-zite-plans/

Stephen weighs in on the Reza Aslan/Lauren Green debacle. Related Articles: Sikhs Facing Increased Attacks since 9/11: http://www.npr.org/2012/08/06/158187828/since-sept-11-attacks-have-increased-against-sikhs Speed Read: "Zealot," by Reza Aslan: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/30/speed-read-the-six-most-controversial-reza-aslan-claims-about-jesus.html Odd Fox News Interview Boosts Book Sales: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/business/media/odd-fox-news-interview-lifts-reza-aslans-biography-on-jesus.html?_r=1&

Stephen addresses the statistics behind one of America's darkest crises. Correction: In describing the shooting of Amadou Diallo, Stephen mistakenly claims that Diallo was shot in his car: in fact he was shot in the vestibule of his apartment complex. Related Articles: Officer in Diallo Shooting Retains His Gun: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/03/nyregion/amadou-diallos-mother-asks-why-officer-who-shot-at-her-son-will-get-gun-back.html?_r=0 A Thoughtful Look at Black-on-Black Crime: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/15/the-trayvon-martin-killing-and-the-myth-of-black-on-black-crime.html

The tragedy behind the case of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin transcends the court verdict. Stephen reflects on the moral, legal and practical aspects of the terrible incident. Related Articles: Seven Points of Interest Regarding the Verdict: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/07/on-the-killing-of-trayvon-martin-by-george-zimmerman/277773/ Debate: Are "Stand Your Ground" Laws a Good Idea?: http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/are-stand-your-ground-laws-a-good-idea Florida Woman Fires Warning Shots and is Sentenced to Twenty Years: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2013/07/15/6030be5a-ed5c-11e2-9008-61e94a7ea20d_story.html Man Convicted for Shooting Teenager: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/nyregion/23trial.html?_r=1&

Stephen responds to questions submitted by listeners around the world in the latest edition of BackTalk.

In his new book, Killing Jesus, Stephen explored the sometimes contradictory descriptions of Jesus' life and death in the Bible. This has moved more than one reviewer to charge him with heretical views. Hear his response in this intriguing podcast. Related Articles Review: Killing Jesus by Stephen Mansfield: http://reformedreader.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-stephen-mansfield-killing.html Is The Bible The Word of God? by Rabbi Alan Lurie: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-alan-lurie/is-the-bible-the-word-of-god_b_3000664.html 4 Kinds of Biblical Literature: http://blog.faithlife.com/blog/2013/05/4-kinds-of-biblical-lit/

From his "observation post" in Alexandria, Virginia, Stephen describes the unceasing intrusion of American government into private lives. Related Articles: Pentagon Unilaterally Grants Itself Authority Over ‘Civil Disturbances:’ http://www.longislandpress.com/2013/05/14/u-s-military-power-grab-goes-into-effect/ Biometric Database of All Adult Americans Hidden in Immigration Reform: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/05/immigration-reform-dossiers/ Associated Press Says U.S. Government Seized Journalists' Phone Records: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/13/us-usa-justice-ap-idUSBRE94C0ZW20130513

April marks the two-year anniversary of The Stephen Mansfield Podcast, and we've got some exciting new upgrades to tell you about. Related Links Contact us at the new email address: [email protected] Listen to Isaac Darnall's original music: http://ikecatrett.bandcamp.com/track/headin-to-virginia-free-wheelin

The last few weeks have seen a number of developments regarding same-sex marriage. Stephen discusses both the legal and moral aspects of Hollingsworth v. Perry. Related Articles: Views From Around the Media: http://www.policymic.com/articles/31084/hollingsworth-v-perry-views-from-around-the-media Statistics Show Christians Divided on Same-Sex Marriage: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.divided.over.same.sex.marriage/32159.htm

Stephen lays out the historical validity of what his book, Lincoln's Battle With God, says about Lincoln's last words. Related Articles Photo Gallery: http://www.history.com/photos/abraham-lincoln/photo1# The Co-Conspirators: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/ biography/assassination-co-conspirators/ Lincoln's Battle With God by Stephen Mansfield http://www.lincolnsbattlewithgod.com

Stephen reads from a chapter of his book, Then Darkness Fled: The Liberating Wisdom of Booker T. Washington, to commemorate the week of Washington's birthday. The phrase "then darkness fled" comes from a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr—the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination is marked this week as well.

Stephen talks about the new Pope and what his intentions are for the Roman Catholic Church.

Stephen addresses a crucial topic: privacy and government intrusion in the age of information. Related Articles: It's Time for a National Conversation: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphbenko/2013/03/11/1-6-billion-rounds-of-ammo-for-homeland-security-its-time-for-a-national-conversation/ Google Glass: http://www.techradar.com/us/news/video/google-glass-what-you-need-to-know-1078114 Why Facebook Users Are Sharing More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/facebook-privacy-study-carnegie-mellon-university_n_2823535.html

Stephen talks about the psychology of thorough, in-depth reading in this age of instant information. Related Articles The Shallows—What the Internet is Doing To Our Brains: http://www.theshallowsbook.com/nicholascarr/Nicholas_Carrs_The_Shallows.html

Stephen analyzes the factors behind the recent rise of Nashville, Tennessee. Related Articles Nashville Takes Its Turn in the Spotlight: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/us/nashville-takes-its-turn-in-the-spotlight.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 The Black Keys Cement Nashville's Rock Star Status: http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/02/09/the-black-keys-help-cement-nashvilles-rock-star-status/

Stephen analyzes Pope Benedict's surprise resignation and lists some of the candidates likely to be considered in the upcoming papal election. Related Articles Vatileaks: A Guide http://theweek.com/article/index/230986/the-catholic-churchs-vatileaks-scandal-a-guide Numbers Point to Another European Pope: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/12/171787275/doing-the-cardinal-math-numbers-point-to-another-european-pope

Stephen reflects on the transitional papacy of Joseph Ratzinger. Related Articles Lightning Strikes the Vatican Hours After Benedict Resigns: http://www.weather.com/news/pope-resigns-20130211 Pope Benedict's Resignation and John Paul's Suffering: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/ 2013/02/benedict-in-resigning-is-no-john-paul.html The Bizarre Stories of the Four Other Popes Who Resigned: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/the-bizarre-stories-of-the-other-popes-who-resigned/article_2ef967ff-fb51-5828-beba-98f1d6562016.html What Was the "Media Frenzy" Like in 1415? http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/02/the-last-time-a-pope-resigned-mass-media-was-called-mass/273098/

Stephen discusses the rising power of Turkey in world affairs. Related Articles Turkey is reversing years of antagonism with its Arab neighbors: http://www.economist.com/node/14753776

Stephen responds to an email he received from a Son of the Confederacy about Abraham Lincoln's federalist legacy. Related Articles Stephen's Article on Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/12/30/sacred-legacy-150th-anniversary-emancipation-proclamation/ A List of Executive Orders Organized by Year: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/executive_orders.php?year=1862 Lincoln's Battle With God, by Stephen Mansfield: http://www.lincolnsbattlewithgod.com

Stephen offers some historical and literary context for the Bible, revealing the common dangers of using Scripture as an "E-Z-Reference."

As President Obama's second inauguration approaches, Stephen looks back at our country's most famous Second Inaugural Address. Related Articles A List of Inaugural Addresses: http://www.bartleby.com/124/ Taking a Closer Look at Presidential Inaugurations: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2013/01/taking-a-closer-look-at-presidential-inaugurations-lincolns-second-inaugural-address/

We're living in tough times, but despair is not an option. Stephen discusses the reasons this is true. Related Articles Read The Tennessean's recent piece on Stephen: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013301060095 Why this is not the worst Congress ever: http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2012/12/30/dysfunctional-congress-at-least-they-are-not-maiming-one-another/ More commentary on the idea of a Golden Age: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/01/actually-dont-write-like-youre-dead/266934/

Recording from the historic Washington D.C. Union Station, Stephen offers an optimistic reminder for our nation in light of a troubling year.

Stephen lists his favorite books of the year.

Stephen examines the problems behind the Universalism taught in Rob Bell's book "Love Wins." This episode was originally released on March 26, 2011. In light of the recent article by Kalefa Sanneh in New Yorker magazine, we thought we'd share it again. You can read Sanneh's "The Hell Raiser" at www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/11/26/121126fa_fact_sanneh

Stephen urges new approaches in conservative politics.

Stephen discusses the results of the 2012 presidential race and what it means for the Republican party.

Stephen discusses an important phrase Romney used in the final presidential debate.

Stephen discusses the two presidential candidates in light of their final debate performance.

Stephen describes his upcoming Kindle Single release.

Stephen discusses his book, Lincoln's Battle With God, and tells us why it's one of his favorites. Related Articles: Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" A Q & A with Daniel Day Lewis and Steven Spielberg The Time Abraham Lincoln and a Political Rival Almost Dueled on an Island

Stephen talks about his experience writing The Mormonizing of America. Related Articles (linked at http://mansfieldgroup.com/category/podcast): Benjamin Wallace-Wells on Romney's Mormonism Christopher Hitchens on Romney's Mormonism

Stephen answers listeners' questions about the fastest growing religion in the country.

Stephen talks ebooks: what they mean for writers, whether they're here to stay and what their impact is on the world.

Stephen tells a story that reveals the power of a band of brothers.

People fear public speaking more than sharks and cancer, surveys tell us. No need. Stephen explains principles of speaking he has taught to rock stars, high school students and leading politicians. Related Links: On Speaking Well by Peggy Noonan The Fear of Public Speaking: Hardwired