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Artwork for The American Idea

The American Idea

Ashbrook Center
First Amendment
Harlem Renaissance
Free Speech
Social Media Censorship
Racial Violence
African American Culture
Supreme Court Cases
Covid-19
New Civil Liberties Alliance
1920s
Great Migration
Local Government
Hunter Biden Laptop
Antitrust Law
Misinformation
World War II
Leadership
W.E.B. Du Bois
Langston Hughes
Cultural Nationalism

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 ... more

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Artwork for The American Idea

Latest Episodes

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 ideal... more

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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. Yo... more

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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

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When we think of the American Revolution, we usually consider the ideas and animated the patriots and those leaders who organized and directed the war. Largely forgotten in all of this is a simple question: how was it all financed? And who did it?

T... more

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Recent Guests

Aman Verjee
Founder and General Partner at Practical Venture Capital
Practical Venture Capital
Episode: The Causes and Politics of Financial Bubbles
David Beito
Professor Emeritus in History, University of Alabama; author
University of Alabama; Independence Institute
Episode: Did FDR Threaten the Fundamental Freedoms in the Bill of Rights?
Richard Vague
Author of The Banker Who Made America and historian
The Banker Who Made America (author) / President of a company referenced in discussion
Episode: Thomas Willing: The Revolution’s Forgotten Financier
Adam Carrington
Professor of History and Political Science at Ashland University
Ashland University
Episode: What Can We Learn from the Antifederalists?
Professor Jeremy Bailey
A leading scholar of American political thought and author.
Episode: James Madison and The Federalist
Christopher Burkett
Professor of Political Science at Ashland University
Ashland University
Episode: How to Read The Federalist
Todd Estes
Professor of History at Oakland University, expert on the early American Republic and its political culture
Oakland University
Episode: Thomas Jefferson: Essential American Founder
Thomas Patterson
Independent historian with a focus on Huey Long
Patterson Law Firm
Episode: Huey Long - American Populist
Natalie Taylor
Author of a book on A Political Philosophy of Mary Wollstonecraft and expert on women's rights history
Episode: Women’s Suffrage, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the Declaration of Independence

Host

Jeff Sikkenga
Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and host of discussions exploring America's founding principles, their historical context, and contemporary implications.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Thank you from Indonesia

    The show is very helpful for social studies teachers who want to dive beneath the surface. It also helps me be able to articulate some important political and cultural concepts to my international students in Indonesia.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beavers School Laptop
    United States3 months ago
  • First listen failed to earn my respect because…

    Peter Grossman may be an economics expert but he isn’t one on energy or climate change. His views fail to understand the reality unfolding, and instead express his own form of utopian views not grounded in science. He is harmful if influential in that arena.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bGuiles
    United States2 years ago
  • Worth the investment of your time

    An intentional interview style. The host allows the guest to really paint the pictures of history by not letting and agents nor political sway hinder the guest’s story.

    Thanks, so much for the production.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beau ma Beau
    United States3 years ago
  • So good

    I attended Ashland University to get my MA in US history and government through the Ashbrook Center. It was the finest educational experience I have ever received. I even had Dr. Sikkenga for a class on the 4th Amendment-it was phenomenal. This podcast is a continuation of that experience. HIGHLY recommended if you are a history teacher or just want to understand more about what it means to be an American.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cornerstone1976
    United States3 years ago
  • Great!

    This should be required for HS students! Hoping they will get Gordon Lloyd on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Efrazee54
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some reviews indicate a preference for a balanced, thoughtful approach to political discourse, avoiding extreme views.
The engagement with renowned academics enhances the quality of discussion and depth of insight.
Listeners find the content enlightening, especially for those interested in American history and governance.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Causes and Politics of Financial Bubbles
Q: What can policymakers learn from past bubbles?
Let markets correct themselves and avoid heavy-handed intervention; missteps with easy money and policy manipulation often exacerbate distortions and destroy value.
The Causes and Politics of Financial Bubbles
Q: How do productive bubbles differ from destructive ones, and what should investors do?
Productive bubbles create lasting value by spurring technologies and companies that endure (e.g., some tech companies from the 1990s), whereas destructive bubbles largely inflate prices without sustainable fundamentals; investors should be patient, buy-and-hold in productive cases, and resist chasing every surge.
The Causes and Politics of Financial Bubbles
Q: Is the tulip mania a unique case, or does it reveal a general pattern?
Tulip mania is used to illustrate a reproducible pattern: a rapid, speculative surge in asset prices driven by wealth concentration and financial innovations, followed by a sharp downturn, with Amsterdam serving as a quintessential case for the classic bubble dynamics.
The Causes and Politics of Financial Bubbles
Q: What do you mean by a bubble in your framework?
A bubble is an unsustainable run up in prices of a financial asset, typically involving a substantial rise over a short period followed by a rapid collapse, and it can be cultural or technological in nature; the definition emphasizes price dynamics over fundamental valuations.
George Washington - The Indispensable Founding Father
Q: What was Washington's thinking about serving two terms as president?
Washington believed in the importance of turnover for a healthy Republican government and was aware that he was setting a precedent, although he did want to return to Mount Vernon.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The American Idea

What is The American Idea about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Discussions focus on America's founding principles and their influence on the nation's history, politics, and governance. Topics frequently include critical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, alongside explorations of significant historical events and figures, such as Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The conversations are enriched by insights from academics and experts, creating a platform for understanding contemporary American issues through the lens of historical context. The accessible yet scholarly approach makes it suitable for educators, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a deeper understanding of American identity and values.

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Which podcasts are similar to The American Idea?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The American Idea:

1. Advisory Opinions
2. Conversations with Tyler
3. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
4. The Gist
5. EconTalk

How many episodes of The American Idea are there?

The American Idea launched 5 years ago and published 225 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The American Idea?

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What guests have appeared on The American Idea?

Recent guests on The American Idea include:

1. Aman Verjee
2. David Beito
3. Richard Vague
4. Adam Carrington
5. Professor Jeremy Bailey
6. Christopher Burkett
7. Todd Estes
8. Thomas Patterson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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