The Aaron Renn Show

Mar 03 2025 220 ep. 34 mins 459
The Aaron Renn Show Podcast artwork

Aaron Renn's commentary and insights on our 21st century world, along with his conversations with some of the world's leading thinkers on the issues of today. Covering culture, media, economics, politics, Christianity and men's issues. 

  Society & Culture
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New York: America's First Post-Secular City | Tony Carnes

Mar 03 2025 69 mins  
Tony Carnes, sociologist, journalist, and founder of "A Journey Through NYC Religions," joins us to explore how New York City has transformed from a secular metropolis into what he calls "America's first post-secular city." Tony shares fascinating stories from his project documenting every religious site in New York City, revealing the vibrant religious communities that thrive in n

Christian Liberty vs. Modern License: True Freedom in a Digital Age | Brad Littlejohn

Feb 24 2025 34 mins  
Join Aaron as he welcomes back Brad Littlejohn, author of "Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License" and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. In this thought-provoking conversation, they explore the true meaning of freedom from a Christian perspective and how it contrasts with modern society's understanding of liberty as unlimited choice. Brad

Media Evolution and American Character | Titus Techera

Feb 17 2025 53 mins  
In this wide-ranging conversation, writer and editor Titus Techera explores how media has evolved from America's founding to today's social media landscape. We discuss how different forms of media - from Revolutionary War pamphlets to modern podcasts - have shaped American democracy and character. Techera breaks down how technological changes have repeatedly disrupted elite institu

Making the Case for Religion in a Secular Age | Ross Douthat

Feb 10 2025 58 mins  
NYT columnist Ross Douthat joins me to discuss his new book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. We explore why skeptics and non-believers should consider religious faith, examining evidence from science, philosophy, and human experience. Douthat makes the case that religious belief is not only reasonable but arguably obligatory for thinking people in our age. Buy the book: h

Classical Education's Civil War: Great Books vs Ancient Languages | Alex Petkas

Feb 03 2025 41 mins  
Princeton Classics PhD Alex Petkas argues against the "Great Books" model of classical education and makes the case for returning to traditional classical training focused on Greek and Latin languages. He explains why Plutarch's Lives was one of early America's most influential books and why it deserves renewed attention today. Alex Petkas is host of the Cost of Glory podcast, expl

How Democrats Lost the Working Class | Ruy Teixeira

Jan 27 2025 46 mins  
In this episode, Ruy Teixeira, one of America's leading political analysts, discusses the dramatic realignment of American political coalitions and what it means for the future. A longtime Democratic insider and co-author of The Emerging Democratic Majority, Teixeira explains his journey from progressive think tanks to the American Enterprise Institute, unpacks the Democrats' strug

The Ultimate Christian College Guide | Jesse Rine

Jan 20 2025 49 mins  
P. Jesse Rine, director of the Center for Academic Faithfulness and Flourishing (CAFF), joins us to talk about the state of Christian higher education. He will also showcase CAFF's new online Christian college guide, which is the most comprehensive collection of information about Christian colleges available. Note: This podcast may be best on Youtube because it involves a demonstra

Populism, Elite Power, and the American Right | Matthew Continetti

Jan 13 2025 51 mins  
In this episode, a deep dive with Matthew Continetti on his book The Right: The Hundred Year War for American Conservatism. We explore how American conservatism developed, from its birth in in the 1920s and opposition to FDR's New Deal through today's populist resurgence. Continetti explains why conservative populism keeps returning, how elites lost their grip on the right, and wha

Traditional Conservatism in a Populist Age | Tim Chapman

Jan 06 2025 25 mins  
In this episode, Tim Chapman discusses how traditional conservatives are engaging with the Trump administration. He's the president of Advancing American Freedom, an advocacy group set up by former Vice President Mike Pence. We discuss: What traditional conservatism is and what it's future is in the age of populism and TrumpismWhat Advancing American Freedom doesEngaging with the T

Is America Actually Woke? | Musa al-Gharbi

Dec 23 2024 48 mins  
In this episode, sociologist Musa al-Gharbi discusses his book We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite. How should we understand the "woke" phenomenon? Where did it come from? Why do elite whites claim to be marginalized, while showing little care for genuinely marginalized people around them like the service workers they rely on? Article referred to in