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The Close Read Podcast

The Claremont Institute
Covid-19
Donald Trump
Russian Politics
Democratic Party
Conservatism
Liberalism In Russia
Vladimir Putin
Conservatism In Russia
Russian History
Public Health Measures
Constitutional Rights
Republican Party
Wokeness
Media Bias
Thatcherism
Dostoevsky
Solzhenitsyn
Politics
Kamala Harris
Election 2024

Associate editor Spencer Klavan phones up authors whose CRB essays have prompted deeper reflection and discussion. Over a drink, he'll chat with the leading minds on the Right about what's going on in politics and literary culture. claremontinstitute.substack.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes70Founded6 years ago
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PhilosophySociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for The Close Read Podcast

Latest Episodes

Editor Charles Kesler is joined by Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to crack open the much-anticipated CRB double issue, released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CRB. Charles reflects on the Institute's principles, accomplishments, and presci... more

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A pioneer of computing technology, Nvidia produces the chief component powering the AI revolution: the microchip. Having scaled the once-niche gaming hardware firm into an industry titan, founder and CEO Jensen Huang must now navigate global trade an... more

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Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Goodbye to the Good War,” Sean McMeekin’s essay on reality, myth, and World War II, featured in the summer 2025 issue.

Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Until quite recently, the “New Atheism” held sway over the minds of many elites. But the secular, scientistic worldview that was once so in vogue proved radically insufficient to meet the challenges of the post-9/11 world. Now, a New Theism is gainin... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Emmet Penney
Senior Fellow of the Foundation for American Innovation, contributing editor of Compact Magazine
Foundation for American Innovation
Episode: Emmet Penney on the Global AI Race
Matthew Schmitz
Editor of Compact magazine
Compact magazine
Episode: Matthew Schmitz on the New Theism
Helen Andrews
Author of 'Boomers', a critique of the baby boomer generation's influence on society
Episode: "Stardust" by Helen Andrews
Christopher Caldwell
A contributing editor and author focusing on immigration and politics
Claremont Review of Books
Episode: Christopher Caldwell on UK Immigration
John Rosenthal
Former Professor of Political Philosophy and journalist covering European affairs.
Episode: John Rosenthal on Free Speech Online
Simon Morrison
Princeton University music professor and author of 'Tchaikovsky's Empire'
Princeton University
Episode: “Empire of Music,” by Vladimir Golstein
Aaron Kheriaty
MD and scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center
Ethics and Public Policy Center
Episode: Aaron Kheriaty on the Biomedial Security State
Anthony Esolen
Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Thales College
Thales College
Episode: “They Forgot to Sing,” by Anthony Esolen
Barry Strauss
Hoover Institution senior fellow and author of 'Jews vs. Rome, Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire'
Hoover Institution
Episode: Barry Strauss on Ancient Alexandria

Host

Spencer Klavan
Associate Editor focusing on the intersection of literature and politics, often engaging in thoughtful discussions with influential figures on contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 181 ratings
  • Paper & Podcast

    I use the podcast to supplement and spice up my read of the physical Claremont Review of Books magazine. In a world where disintegration seems the primary force, the thinkers at Claremont give me inspiration and the intellectual fiber to put much of the current chaos into perspective.

    I especially enjoyed this recent podcast taking a look at the Spanish revolution. Thank you, I am one of the many who was said the simplistic version and never thought to question it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    old lady geologist
    United States4 years ago
  • The Best

    Privileged to have thought leaders of this caliber.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Calsal2020
    United States4 years ago
  • Need a new host

    The utter pretentiousness of the host, with fake laughter and all, is so bad it’s beyond parody. At first I could tolerate it by imagining Thurston Howell III, but even that shield ablated away quickly and I had to simply turn it off. Also the production values are amateurish. It’s too bad because, I agree, the content tends to be very enlightening.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    idolog
    United States5 years ago
  • Very insightful

    I really enjoy this podcast. I find it informative and engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rainydayNH
    United States5 years ago
  • Trump propaganda trash

    Pathetic attempts to rationalize a far right viewpoint despite all evidence. Smacks of desperation and fear. If you’re in the Trump cult bubble, I assume you’ll be nodding your head to everything they say. If not, you’ll see right through it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    The Offive Podcast
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the depth and intellectual rigor of the discussions, expressing that the dialogues provoke thoughtful reflection on various societal issues.
Some find the conversational style engaging and enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience of consuming content that combines literature with political commentary.
Critics occasionally mention inconsistencies in production quality and express a desire for more diverse perspectives within the conversations.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Matthew Schmitz on the New Theism
Q: Can you just say what you mean by it, just talk about what the New Theism is for our listeners?
The New Theism is a movement marked by a change in intellectual atmosphere where more thinkers are gravitating toward religious belief, reflecting a reckoning with what post-religious societies look like.
John Rosenthal on Free Speech Online
Q: Do you see any sign that major tech players understand the dangers of international law?
It's different for tech players; some understand the threat of DSA, but they need US government support to effectively counter its implications.
John Rosenthal on Free Speech Online
Q: Could you explain what the Digital Services Act (DSA) is and why we should care?
The DSA is a European law that requires online platforms to suppress illegal speech and mitigate disinformation, which affects free speech rights internationally.
Christopher Flannery on Mark Twain
Q: Do you think he's right about this, and I and the general public are wrong?
The conversation suggests Twain saw 'Joan of Arc' as his best work, prompting Flannery to present evidence supporting its literary significance.
Christopher Flannery on Mark Twain
Q: Does Twain in some way, is he our Shakespeare?
Flannery compares Twain to Lincoln, arguing that both represent distinctively American language and ideals, positioning Twain as a key figure in American literature.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Close Read Podcast

What is The Close Read Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Discussions frequently touch upon the intersection of literature, politics, and culture, offering deep insights into contemporary issues. Through engaging conversations with prominent thinkers, the content is framed around critical reflections on essays published in a literary magazine, allowing listeners to gain a nuanced understanding of various ideological perspectives. Unique to the episodes is the informal, conversational style which aims to enrich the listener's perspective on pressing societal matters, cultivating a space for sophisticated dialogue among conservative voices in modern media.

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How many listeners does The Close Read Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Close Read Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Close Read Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Close Read Podcast:

1. The American Mind Podcast
2. Hillsdale Dialogues
3. Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words
4. What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead
5. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

How many episodes of The Close Read Podcast are there?

The Close Read Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 70 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Close Read Podcast?

Recent guests on The Close Read Podcast include:

1. Emmet Penney
2. Matthew Schmitz
3. Helen Andrews
4. Christopher Caldwell
5. John Rosenthal
6. Simon Morrison
7. Aaron Kheriaty
8. Anthony Esolen

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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