The American Idea

May 15 2024 13
The American Idea Podcast artwork

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.

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Energy and the Environment - Are Things as Bad as We're Told?

May 15 2024 39 mins  
We receive a drumbeat of apocalyptic warnings about climate change, pollution, and dwindling energy supplies - but how much are these claims, and the policy demands that come with them, based on evidence? Jeff is joined by Steven Hayward, resident scholar at the University of California at Berkeley's School of Intergovernmental Studies to discuss the history of these arguments and

Did Federal Officials Pressure Social Media Companies to Censor Americans?

May 08 2024 32 mins  
Jeff is joined by John Vecchione, Senior Litigator for the New Civil Liberties Alliance (nclalegal.org) to discuss their work before the Supreme Court, arguing on behalf of individuals and groups that claim that federal officials abused their power and pressured social media companies to censor their speech. Similar to the “memory hole” of 1984, social media giants like Faceboo

A Conversation with Vivek Ramaswamy

May 01 2024 11 mins  
Jeff sits down with entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to discuss what motivated him to run, what he learned from the experience, and how he views the opportunities America has given him and his family. #vivek #ramaswamy #president #elect ions #campaign #america Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subs

Bombing Hitler's Hometown - the Untold Story of the Last Mass Bombing Raid Over Europe in WW2 | Documents & Debates

Apr 24 2024 34 mins  
On April 25th, 1945, the 15th Air Force launched the last mass bombing raid in the war in Europe, on Hitler's self-declared hometown of Linz, Austria. This strategically-important transportation hub was also the location where Hitler dreamed of creating a shrine to himself and Nazism, in the form of museums, monuments, (stolen) art collections, and eventually his grave.Mike Croissa

World War 1's Far-Reaching Impact on America | Documents & Debates

Apr 17 2024 46 mins  
World War 1 had a profound and far-reaching impact on American politics, government, law, international standing and, perhaps even more significant, on American culture and society. Many of the most important movements of the 20th Century - Civil Rights, Women's Suffrage, the growth of government power and size - have their roots in how America and Americans understood the war, too

The Importance of Good Local Government | American Core Ideas

Apr 10 2024 61 mins  
Jeff moderates a panel with mayors of four small towns in Ohio, discussing their work and the importance of good local government and how we can, with our neighbors, play an essential role in America’s civic life. This episode was recorded live at one of the Ashbrook Center’s recent “Major Issues Lecture Series,” held at Ashland University.Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Produ

Servant Leadership and Building a Winning Team | American Core Ideas

Apr 03 2024 35 mins  
Building a winning team - in business, education, sports, or the military - is hard, essential work; sustaining excellence over time is, perhaps, even harder. Kari Pickens, head coach of Ashland University’s Women’s Basketball Team, knows a lot about both, and shares her experiences and insights with Jeff in this episode.Kari’s reflections are also firmly connected to the Ame

Perspectives on Leadership and Current Threats to America with Congressman Jim Jordan

Mar 27 2024 16 mins  
Jeff is joined by Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4, R) to discuss some of most essential elements of a leader, as well as some of the most pressing challenges facing American today. They discuss government-sponsored threats to the First Amendment,and the challenges presented internationally by Russia and China. Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Greg McBrayerProducer: Jeremy Gypton

China's Trojan Horse? Tik Tok and the Information Wars

Mar 20 2024 32 mins  
With the Senate now having to consider a House bill that would force the sale of TikTok or ban the app in the United States, it's time to get the truth on why this social media platform is not like Facebook or Instagram or others. Jeff is joined by foreign policy expert Michael Sobolik of the American Foreign Policy Council to discuss what TikTok is, how the Chinese Communist Party

The Harlem Renaissance - A Uniquely American Movement | Documents & Debates

Mar 13 2024 36 mins  
John Moser discusses the origins, evolution, and impact of the Harlem Renaissance with historian David Krugler. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea