JWI Presents: Anchoring Truths Podcast

James Wilson Institute
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The James Wilson Institute flagship recording: Anchoring Truths Podcast

  1. 2D AGO

    Passing Down America's Goodness with Dr. Matthew Mehan

    As we continue our commemoration of America 250, we’re inspired to present a variety of different celebrations of our country. In that spirit, we are honored to welcome on theshow Dr. Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale College, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Government at the Van Andel Graduate School in Washington, D.C. A literary scholar with a Ph.D. from the University of Dallas, Dr. Mehan has spent more than twenty-five years teaching and designing humanities curricula that shape the next generation of citizens. He’s also a beloved author of best-selling illustrated family books, including Mr. Mehan’s Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals and The Handsome Little Cygnet. In his brand-new release, TheAmerican Book of Fables, Dr. Mehan reimagines the timeless wisdom of Aesop for the next generation of Americans. His new book is a stunning 395-page heirloom volume that honors America’s 250th anniversary with original and adaptedfables, poetry, witty sayings, and reflections drawn from our history, geography, wildlife—and even the Declaration of Independence itself. Crafted for readers of all ages—sections for Littles, Middles, and Bigs—the book brims with joyful rhymes, moral tales, and deep reflections on liberty, friendship, and the American spirit. And what makes it truly unforgettable? The breathtaking, luminous illustrations by acclaimed realist-impressionist artist John Folley—gorgeous watercolor, ink, and oil paintings that celebrate our nation’s natural wonders from the Everglades to the sequoias. Dr. Mehan joins us to share the stories behind the book, the timeless lessons inside, and why these fables matter now more than ever. Purchase The American Book of Fables Follow Dr. Mehan's work at Hillsdale in DC

    33 min

  2. MAY 7

    Seductive AI with Prof. Glenn Reynolds

    We’ve devoted past Anchoring Truths Podcast episodes to the promise of AI in the legal profession and beyond. Today, we’ll be discussing more of the perils of that technology with Professor Glenn Harlan Reynolds. He's the Beauchamp BroganDistinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee and the mind behind the legendary Instapundit blog. In his brand-new Encounter Books Broadside, Seductive AI, Professor Reynolds delivers a provocative warning.While the rest of us worry about rogue superintelligent machines rising up to take over, he argues the real danger is far more subtle—and far more tempting. AI doesn't need to conquer us with force. It can seduce us instead—flatteringour egos, anticipating our every desire, offering perfect companions, endless convenience, and the illusion of control—until we've quietly handed over our agency, our relationships, and our ability to think for ourselves. It's a timely, eye-opening look at the soft power of artificial intelligence and whatit means for human freedom. Prof. Reynolds is a graduate of the University of Tennesseeand Yale Law School, he’s one of America’s most influential legal thinkers on technology, constitutional law, and the intersection of law and society. He’s the author of several acclaimed books, including An Army of Davids and The HigherEducation Bubble. Buy the book Follow Prof. Reynolds on Substack https://instapundit.substack.com/

    44 min

  3. APR 23

    Ground-Level View of Law School Campus Interest in Natural Law

    This week's Anchoring Truths Podcast is a roundtable discussion of the James Wilson Institute's travels around the country to law school campuses from February-April. JWI Founder & Co-Director Hadley Arkes and Programs Director Daniel Osborne join host Garrett Snedeker to describe what they saw from law students at four different campuses during JWI's law school seminars as well as on visits to conferences held at other schools. Listen to hear about the deepening interest in this Natural Law Moment from the ground up.

    28 min

  4. APR 9

    Etiquette 101 in the White House & Beyond with Alison Cheperdak

    Our latest episode is a little bit of a something differentthan what we’re used to featuring on the Anchoring Truths Podcast. Our guest this week is an expert on etiquette, Alison Cheperdak. Whether from the hallowed halls of the West Wing to the bustling chaos of a newsroom, Cheperdak captures stories of her experiences rendered with vivid detail, emotional resonance, and the intimacy of a confidante sharing her most vulnerable truths in her new book Was itSomething I Said? Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work, and Life from Harper Collins. We discuss several of the lessons and tips she features in the book along with how her multiple careers provided training ground for good etiquette.   Alison is the founder of Elevate Etiquette, a distinguished consultancy that offers social, business, and dining etiquette courses, as well as international protocol. She has spoken at Harvard Law School and the US Congress, and her insights have been featured in Vogue.com among other publications. Alison also educates and inspires millions each month across social media with her daily etiquette posts.After graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Villanova University, she worked as a TV news reporter and anchor for an NBC station in New York. She then moved toWashington, D.C., where she earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School. Throughout her legal career, Alison worked in a large corporate law firm as well as in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the federal government, including the West Wing of the White House. She also served in a senior leadership position at the March for Life. Purchase Was it Something I Said? Follow Alison Cheperdak and Elevate Etiquette on Instagram. Read Alison Cheperdak's latest on Substack.

    38 min

  5. MAR 26

    Pandemic of Lunacy with Prof. J. Budziszewski

    Our latest episode features a living legend and one of our oldest, closest friends at the James Wilson Institute: Prof. J. Budziszewski on the occasion of the release of his new book “Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy” from Creed and Culture. In ourconversation we will discuss his new book as well as his work at the intersection of Natural Law, constitutional law, and moral philosophy.Budziszewski is a professor of government, philosophy, and civic leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. Internationally recognized for his work on natural law,self-deception, happiness, and ultimate purpose, he is widely read on the unraveling and possible restoration of our common culture. He is the author of twenty books. He has taught for more than four decades during which he has advised such fine graduate students as our own Senior Fellow Justin Dyer and Affiliated Scholar Paul DeHart. A former atheist who once denied not only the reality of God but also the reality of good and evil, he is a convert to Catholic Christianity. Purchase: Pandemic of Lunacy: How to ThinkClearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy  J.'s website: www.UndergroundThomist.org Creed and Culture's website: www.CreedandCulture.com

    46 min

  6. MAR 12

    Religious Liberty Solution to Big Tech Censorship ftr. Hiram Sasser

    As part of our ongoing series of joint programs with our friends at First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, we’re delighted to bring you a provocative lecture from Hiram Sasser on “The Religious Liberty Solution to Big Tech Censorship: How The Religious Freedom Restoration ActLimits Section 230”. Sasser is the Executive General Counsel for First Liberty Institute, a leading nonprofit defending religious liberty, where he directs litigation and media strategies focused on First Amendment and constitutional rights. A powerhouse in the courtroom, Hiram has served as co-counsel in eightmajor victories before the U.S. Supreme Court, including landmark cases like Groff v. DeJoy (overturning nearly 50 years of employment discrimination standards), Kennedy v. Bremerton (reversing decades of Establishment Clauseprecedent), Carson v. Makin, American Legion v. American Humanist Association, and others protecting faith in public life. Beyond the law, he's a seasoned media voice, appearing on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CNN, BBC, and radio stationsworldwide. In 2016, he served as Chief of Staff to the Texas Attorney General. Hiram also shares his expertise as an Adjunct Professor of Law, teaching Religious Liberty at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law and Civil Rights Procedure at Oklahoma City University School of Law. Learn more about First Liberty Institute Learn more about the CRCD

    56 min

  7. FEB 26

    George Washington's Hometown of Alexandria with Historian Tim Rose

    In 2026, we celebrate 250 years since our Declaration of Independence. In honor of this milestone in our country’s history, we’ll be placing an extra emphasis on the American Founding in episodes and with guests this year. And there’s no better place to start on this theme than in the James Wilson Institute’s backyard, historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia the home of the Institute since 2021, and with the father of our country George Washington for whom Alexandria was his adopted hometown.Our guest has written a new book weaving the story of Washington’s life with the growth of Alexandria from the mid 18th century onward. That guest is local historian Tim Rose, author of George Washington and Alexandia, A Founding Friendship. Tim is the founder and owner of Alexandria History Tours. In addition to being a published author, he is a proud Marine Corps veteran who lives in Old Town Alexandria. Learn more about Tim and Alexandria History Tours Buy the book from Amazon

    1h 10m

  8. FEB 12

    JD Vance & Intellectual Trends on the Right with Frank DeVito

    Vice President JD Vance is one of the most influential Republicans in America. But unlike many politicians, he is a public intellectual. Long before holding office, he was a prolific writer and speaker, wrestling with the core issues facing conservatism in America. Vance has emerged to be in many ways the intellectual synthesizer of various emerging threads of the GOP in law, politics, and culture. To discuss the Vice President in light of these themes, we are delighted to have legal and political analyst Frank DeVito on the Podcast. In his new book, which is also his first book, JD Vance and the Future of the Republican Party, DeVitoexamines Vance’s body of intellectual and political work with an eye toward what that portends for the future of GOP politics and conservatism writ large. DeVito serves as Senior Counsel and Director of Content at Napa Legal. Prior to his position at Napa Legal, he served as the full-time solicitor for the Carbon County, PA Children & Youth Services Agency, and before that was an associate at the law firm of Lesavoy Butz & Seitz LLC. His written work hasbeen published in the Claremont Review of Books, National Affairs, The American Conservative, The Federalist, First Things, The Public Discourse, and several other publications. Buy the book on Amazon here.

    43 min
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