The Close Read Podcast

The Claremont Institute
  • 4.3 (4)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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

  1. 2D AGO

    "Palace Intrigues," by Barry Strauss

    Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Palace Intrigues,” Barry Strauss’s review of Kant: A Revolution in Thinking, featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    18 min

  2. MAR 2

    Christopher Flannery on the Extraordinary Life of John Quincy Adams

    John Quincy Adams, son of John, grew up amid the turmoil of the revolution. At just 14, he served as interpreter of French for America’s first minister in Russia. He grew into a diplomat, a secretary of state, a president, and a ferociously anti-slavery congressman—after leaving office. He saw deep into the heart of the Declaration’s logic and made it his guiding light. Browsing the diary of JQA, contributing editor Christopher Flannery and associate editor Spencer Klavan delight in the sixth president’s achievements, his towering ambitions, and his oddly relatable notes of self-reproach. Plus: a peek at CRBs to come! The Diaries of John Quincy Adams 1779–1848 In Revolution, Thucydides This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
  3. "Streaming Shakespeare," by Martha Bayles

    FEB 23

    "Streaming Shakespeare," by Martha Bayles

    Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Streaming Shakespeare,” Martha Bayles’s column featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min

  4. FEB 16

    "Claustrophobic Metaphysics," by Edward Feser

    Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Claustrophobic Metaphysics,” Edward Feser’s review of Kant: A Revolution in Thinking, featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    21 min
  5. Nathan Pinkoski on Watergate Myths

    FEB 2

    Nathan Pinkoski on Watergate Myths

    When Richard Nixon resigned as president in 1974, the Watergate scandal was officially logged in the public memory as a victory of the neutral press over an out-of-control “imperial presidency.” Now, after the Trump years have hightened mistrust of official sources and suspicion of the administrative state, the Nixon story is more and more open to revision. Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America Nathan Pinkoski joins Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to reassess the televised dethronement of Nixon, the failure of Trump’s antagonists to execute a similar crusade, and what it means for the future of the presidency. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    37 min

  6. JAN 19

    Fall 2025-Winter 2026 Review with Charles Kesler

    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 prescience in his editor note. Paul Rahe equips readers to understand ongoing conflicts by exploring the history of Iranian revolutions. Christopher Caldwell tracks the rise of Zohran Mamdani and what it portends for both New York and Left politics. William Voegeli offers the definitive assessment of Never Trump. And much, much more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 9m

  7. 2025-11-21

    Emmet Penney on the Global AI Race

    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 and politics. Associate editor Spencer Klavan is joined by Emmet Penney, senior fellow of the Foundation for American Innovation and contributing editor of Compact magazine, to explain this pivotal technology for the uninitiated and discuss growing concerns that a thin U.S. power grid could give China an opportunity to surge far ahead in the digital arms race. Plus: The Close Read is now on video! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min

  8. 2025-10-28

    "Goodbye to the Good War," by Sean McMeekin

    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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    The Claremont Institute
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Claremont Institute
  • Show Website
    The Close Read Podcast

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