The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

With very few exceptions, I believe only the US flag should be flown over US Embassies abroad. I believe this so strongly that I propose a Constitutional Amendment. Too often our administrations use our embassies to further their own pet causes to the detriment of our country’s reputation. I’d like to return to respecting our embassies for what they are—official headquarters for US diplomatic relations with foreign countries.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Some say culture is the codification of a value system and the arts are reflective of our hopes. So what does it mean that Sherlock Holmes, Lord of the Rings, and Superman are such big movie franchises right now? What does this say about the times we’re living in and what we’re looking for? Listen in as I explain some historical parallels for today.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

In the areas of economics, faith, patriotism, and family, there’s a generational disconnect between baby boomers and Gen Z. In this episode I quote some interesting survey results, talk about why there is such a huge gap between these generations, and suggest what we need to do to preserve our culture.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

The press of world events and the 24-hour news cycle lead us to focus on the immediate, and we miss important trends. Every so often we need to take the 30,000-foot view to know what’s working and what’s not. Listen in for ten statistics showing positive trends in the areas of poverty, child welfare, life expectancy and more. Be encouraged and do the good that you can do.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

To most Americans, the violent protests that have taken place on our American college campuses have come as a surprise. What caused these to erupt? Listen in as I describe three factors that have led to this moment.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

There seems always to be a war occurring in some part of the world, but what moral framing should nations apply that keeps them from doing the kind of damage that will taint generations? Augustine proposed the conditions for a Just War, including the criteria that justifies going to war and if those are met, how to conduct that war. Listen in to this 15-minute primer of the Just War Theory.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Just before Easter, Joe Biden issued a presidential statement supporting March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility and called on all Americans to observe it. How is it that President Biden, a Catholic, goes out of his way to announce support for Transgender Americans on Easter–the highest holy day for Christians—when previous presidents ignored it? It seems my government is going out of its way to say the traditional faith shared by the majority of Americans is increasingly in the way of an agenda.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

In the wake of the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, two things become apparent: ISIS is not dead, and Vladimir Putin is looking incompetent. Listen in for more about ISIS-K, the US intelligence chatter, Putin’s laugh, and deflection of blame.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

A two-state solution? It sounds fair and is the default proposal by most Western leaders. But did you know a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians has been proposed many times, and each time, it is rejected by Arab leaders? Listen in to learn more about the history of Israel and Gaza and my radical proposal.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Good men and women like US Congressman Mark Green (TN 7th congressional district) are leaving Congress because “You can’t get anything done in this place.” We have had an eroding of both the effectiveness and the checks and balances within Congress and it has become dysfunctional. But you can affect change. Listen in for some things you can do as an American citizen to break this cycle.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Shia Muslims are behind Hamas, the Houthi movement, and Hezbollah and many other independent militias around the world doing great damage. What is their end game? Many people in Washington, DC, and elsewhere fail to see things at 20,000 feet, but there’s a larger chess game being played and it’s important we understand what that chess game is. Iran is taking advantage of US weakness. They see America as a declining power, and not to be feared. Make no mistake, Iran is on the move, and they are trying to drive the US out of the Middle East so they can exert their power.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Most Americans are focused on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, but we have war threatening on many fronts, including Korea, Taiwan, and Pakistan. NATO is globalizing 90,000 troops, the largest force since the Cold War. Listen in to understand why this is abnormal and to be aware of these unusual times.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

If one of the good things that comes out of October 7th and the Hamas incursion and the Israeli response in Gaza and the protests around the world is that people start waking up to what’s happening at the universities they favor and start looking for other universities to support that are closer to their values and what they believe in, that’s a good thing. Listen in to hear some of the things that are taking place on the campus. It’s essential that you know what a university teaches before you send your child there or before you support it.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

The lies spreading about Ukraine and Vladimir Zelensky include accusations about declaring martial law, canceling elections, shutting down opposition parties, hiding private offshore accounts, and gaining financially from international aid. In this episode, I address each of these rumors directly and make the case for a noble Ukrainian cause. If the United States goes weak in the face of Russia, we will pay for it internationally.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Listen in as I go back in history and describe how we got our current Christmas celebrations. How did we land on Dec 25th? How did Santa Claus get mixed in? What about the myths about coming down the chimney and a sleigh pulled by reindeer? Why do we decorate a tree? Some of these have an inspiring backstory while some are a bit silly. I encourage you to take Christmas in hand, make it meaningful, and build memorable rituals in the Christmas season.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

This episode is primarily a call to my Christian brothers and sisters to consider their theology carefully as it pertains to Israel. Whichever eschatology (end times) interpretation you lean toward, let’s remember first that God loves and died for all of us, including Arabs; and second, many who live in Gaza (some 3,000) are in fact Christians. Don’t allow your support for Israel to lead to a disregard of other people and ethnicities.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Do you know the true, historically accurate story of the first Thanksgiving? There is some controversy about the actions of the generations following the original Pilgrims, but in this podcast, I sidestep those controversies to tell the story of the first Pilgrims. Gather your family and friends and listen in to hear their brave story, from a brutal voyage across the Atlantic to a joyous celebration with the native people. Happy Thanksgiving to you, and may you, too, live for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Where is your money going? If you give to a school or university, I encourage you to do your research and ensure that it is not being used to fund teachings and beliefs antithetical to your values. Amidst the bloodshed occurring in Israel and Palestine, vile and dehumanizing protests are bringing some rather shocking university ideals into the light. Don't continue to donate to places that support morals that oppose yours.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

The October 7th attack on Israel by the Hamas terrorist group was unprecedented in its strategy, execution, and violence. Now, we must ask: What string of events led to this? And what will happen next? Join me as I explain some of the historical tensions surrounding Israel and the challenges it is facing today.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

As the 2024 presidential election draws nearer, some alarming survey results are catching my attention. The public perception of political figures is often a distorted reality, whether it be to a candidate's detriment or advantage. And in the case of Donald Trump, the impression he has made upon Republicans is stunning. What do you think of his faith? Listen in as I divulge what the majority of the GOP perceives about him and some of the other candidates.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

We are living in a society that continually marginalizes, medicates, and mandates its young boys. It is an unfortunate truth that our boys and young men are in great need today. Tune in as I give statistical evidence as to why this is.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

Today, I take a look at some rather astonishing statistics that reflect a growing economic world. With global wealth inequality at its lowest level in nearly 150 years, we have much to appreciate and even more to hope for.2023 Global Wealth Report: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/family-office-uhnw/reports/global-wealth-report-2023.htmlJeff Stein article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/09/03/us-debt-deficit-rises-interest-rate/LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

The island of Maui has suffered greatly from the devastating fires it experienced this month, and so have its people and leaders. Emergency systems broke down as the crisis arose, which will undoubtedly lead to years of investigation and prosecution. Join me as I discuss the lessons learned and how we can better prepare for the unexpected.Support Convoy of Hope: https://convoyofhope.org/LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

A dangerous trend has taken hold of the American political system. We've seen it happening with Republicans and Democrats alike, and it's attempting to undermine the way our country was set up to run. Let's talk about criminally charging our politicians.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

This summer, an important piece of art is shaking our culture. The movie "Sound of Freedom" starring Jim Caviezel has turned the national spotlight on the issue of human trafficking. The film itself is a great piece of cinematography, and does an amazing job educating and exposing us to the evils of sex slavery, especially among children. But while this film helps the anti-trafficking cause, we mustn't let our egos get the best of us. Tune in to hear my opinion on the matter.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

When it comes to court rulings (or anything for that matter), we mustn't be quick to believe the picture the media paints. Over the past year, the Supreme Court has handed down some lawful and rational decisions, but news outlets and even our own president have made misleading and dangerous statements about these rulings. Let's remember the role of the Supreme Court is to interpret laws, not write them.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

As summer activities are in full swing, I want to bring 5 short (but not unimportant) news stories to your attention. Enjoy your vacations and time out in the sun, but don't overlook what's happening in our world!LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

The GOP is in danger of becoming a Trump cult. While the former president did some good for our country and its foreign relations, his current actions and behavior should drive us to consider other presidential candidates. Today, I list 5 very qualified candidates who would make excellent nominees for the Republican Party. It's time to let the past be the past and look toward a future of new politicians.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

I've spoken previously about the dangers of sports betting, but it's time to take a look at this issue from a macro level. Did you know that the state governments have a big part to play in the billions of dollars that are generated each year from sports betting? This should make you concerned about the future of athletics. Let's address this.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

There exists a stigma in our society that looks down upon those in skilled labor positions. Plumbers, mechanics, carpenters, construction workers...we can't function without them! It's time to shift our perspective on the skilled trades. Let's end the war on work.Dave Ramsey: America's Labor Crisis Live Stream: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/business/americas-labor-crisisLEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a looming problem with global consequences. Russia and China are in the beginning phases of what could be a very dangerous and powerful axis partnership. This, I believe, is happening largely due to perceived weakness from the United States. It's time we address it.LEARN MORE:Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mansfieldwrites/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MansfieldWrites

On March 27th, a heavily-armed 28-year-old woman claimed the lives of 3 children and 3 faculty members in a Nashville elementary school. In the wake of unthinkable tragedy, it is wise to ponder preventative solutions. Yet, our country's political divide often creates more argument than discussion. Join me today as we talk details and ask difficult questions to ensure the safety of our country's youth.

Russia's attack on Ukraine has been the highlight of the world stage for the past year. With tensions only rising, and an intensified battle on the horizon, we have to determine where we stand as a nation. Why should the United States back Ukraine at all? What are the consequences if we don't? Listen in to hear a global perspective on this critical issue.

Of the three branches of our federal government, Congress is by far the most dysfunctional and stagnated. Yet, it is also the most variable. Let's vote good and knowledgeable people into our House and Senate! Together, we can tackle the issues of excessive spending, inside corruption, and laziness.

It was recently made known that the 39th U.S. president, Jimmy Carter, has entered hospice care and may be near the end of his life. Thus, I'd like to take a moment to discuss some key details of his legacy and presidency. You may or may not agree with him politically, but there are some noteworthy characteristics and accomplishments of this man who once led our nation.

A recent Grammy performance has sparked an uproar about the darkening of pop culture. Though it's the extreme that turns heads these days, there exists beneath it all an underlying objectification of women. We are told to ignore it in art, yet are simultaneously called to action in society. This hypocrisy must end. Listen in as Stephen challenges us to a cultural cleaning of house.

Today, I'd like to cover two very different, but crucial topics. Firstly, there are some misconceptions about renewable energy that we must come to terms with if we hope to change our global energy industries. And secondly, in the U.S., the unjust death of Tyre Nichols by the hands of Memphis police officers has tragic implications for our society. When it comes to both environmental and social change, we must initiate the change we wish to see.

I'm taking the first two podcast episodes of 2023 to discuss and honor the legacies of three prominent people who passed away in 2022. In this episode, I'm diving into the impacts left on society by journalist Barbara Walters and Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, otherwise known as Pope Benedict XVI. If you missed part 1, be sure to go back and hear about the influence of the Brazilian soccer player, Pelé.

I want to take these first two podcast episodes of 2023 to discuss and honor the legacies of three prominent people who passed away in 2022. In this episode, you'll hear about the Brazilian soccer player, Pelé, and how he changed the perceptions of his nation. Stay tuned for the part 2, in which I discuss two more people who left a lasting impact on my life.

As one year comes to a close and a new one begins, anxieties often settle in about the new year and what the future might hold. While unpredictable political, economic, and social events rage on, be intentional to initiate practices in the lives of your family and community to ground yourselves. Take heart in these stories of those who persevered through uncertainty, and carry them with you into the new year. Have a very Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2023.

When used in a mechanical context, a lynchpin is a vital piece designed to keep the wheels from falling off a wagon or tool. Today, I use this word metaphorically in a global and political context on the Stephen Mansfield podcast to describe what I believe was a key event in the development of the Russian/European conflict. The Nord Stream pipeline explosion in September escalated tensions between Europe and Russia, and we will continue to see its effects in the coming months. Listen to today's episode for details.

Tides are turning in two very significant ways, both amidst elections here on U.S. soil and concerning war across the globe in Ukraine. Listen to the latest episode of the Stephen Mansfield Podcast to hear the details of these events, as well as something new in D.C. worth griping about!

Christian nationalism is a hot button topic in our society today. As a student of American history, Stephen weighs in on the topic with a balanced perspective. Together we’ll ask: Is America a Christian nation? Should Christianity be an official religion? Does Christian nationalism work? Is it justified? Tune in for an exciting discussion of a topic never before covered on the Stephen Mansfield Podcast!

Mahsa Amini and Tulsi Gabbard are two women who have moved to the forefront of world news and may perhaps signal world changes to come. On September 16, Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman without head covering, was taken into custody by the nation’s “morality police” where she died from blows to the head. Her death sparked massive protests in Iran. Meanwhile, former member of Congress Tulsi Gabbard recently left the Democratic Party, calling it an “elitist cabal of warmongers,” anti-white, a cult of wokeness, and so on. Stephen sees both of these women as harbingers of trends to come. Tune in to learn why. Tulsi Gabbard image via Gage Skidmore (source); Mahsa Amini image via Unknown (source)

There is a popular view that America has a covenant with God that is defined by the Constitution of the United States. Furthermore, proponents of this argument often believe that when elected officials violate the Constitution, they are violating that covenant and bringing our nation under God’s judgement. Stephen has been asked by several listeners to share his thoughts on this belief. Tune in for a trip through history that covers the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, as we seek to engage with these questions of covenants and governments.

On her 21st birthday, Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) spoke words to the Commonwealth that have echoed in Stephen’s mind and heart for years: “If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this ancient commonwealth, which we all love so dearly, an even grander thing - more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world - than it has been in the greatest days of our forefathers.” May we also have a great courage in facing the challenges of our own age. May we too have a quiet heart before God: a heart that is at peace and gives us strength. May this memory of Queen Elizabeth II be a blessing upon us. Image via Ministry of Information (source).

President Biden is a consummate politician, and his recent student loan debt forgiveness announcement is a prime example. While Stephen is fully in favor of freeing students and their parents from these mafia-like loans, the current forgiveness “plan,” if it can be considered as much, is an administrative failure. Some 35 million individuals will have to attest that they make less than $125,000 in order to even apply. The Department of Education has not released any information about how the process will work or what debtors can do to take action. At the same time, there is a student loan moratorium that will be suspended in January. The clock is ticking and millions are eager to take action, yet there is no clear path forward. Mr. Biden has failed in his attempt to address a serious problem, but not in a serious way. Mentioned in this podcast: “Borrowed Future: How Student Loans are Killing the American Dream”

This week on the podcast, Stephen weighs in on his top seven topics, a broad mix of subjects spanning from the Russia/Ukraine war and the state of our economy to Notre Dame football. Tune in for a special announcement at the beginning of this episode, and be sure to stick around to the end as Stephen asks a question that he would like for you to ponder with him in the days and weeks ahead.

Stephen wants you to fall in love with Winston Churchill… however it happens! In this episode, Stephen shares his top book and film recommendations, as well as why Churchill is rewarding at every level.Books:Stephen’s book: The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchill: Hero in a Time of Crisis by Stephen MansfieldStephen’s favorite: My Early Life: 1874-1904 by Winston ChurchillHighly recommended: Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life by Gretchen RubinNewer Churchill book: Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice MillardOlder Churchill book: Winston Churchill: An Informal Study of Greatness by Robert Lewis TaylorSubstantial one-volume tome: In Search of Churchill by Martin GilbertFilms:Young Winston (1972)Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)The Gathering Storm (2002)Into the Storm (2009)Dunkirk (2017)Darkest Hour (2017)

Those of us in the West spend little time and money on food. Only one in 50 people work in food production, and less than 10% of personal income is spent on food. For comparison, 82% of Ethiopia’s population works in food production… and 60% of a person’s income in the Philippines is spent on food. The good news is, from 1990 to 2015, one billion people were lifted out of extreme poverty. In the last 36 months of that period (2012-2015), 200 million people were lifted out of extreme poverty. The pace is quickening. The catalyst? Food. In this episode, Stephen discusses how access to food can revolutionize an entire nation. Want to be a part of the change? Check out Convoy of Hope (https://www.convoyofhope.org/) and donate food, water, and relief supplies to refugees affected by the war in Ukraine. This episode originally aired on March 6, 2019.