Project Cosmos: Conversations on the Future of Civilization

Intercollegiate Studies Institute
  • 4.4 (7)
  • POLITICS

Project Cosmos is a new series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings together leading thinkers for candid, in-depth conversations about politics, culture, history, and the fate of the American regime. Hosted in an informal, living-room setting, each episode feels less like a panel discussion and more like stepping inside a private exchange among some of today’s most influential intellectuals. Together, they explore urgent questions: What is the common good in 21st-century America?Has liberalism failed, and what comes after it?Can the administrative state be reformed—or must it be dismantled?Should Americans embrace a stronger executive power?What lessons can we learn from Rome, the Founders, and modern history? From executive authority and Caesarism to community, culture, and the role of elites, Project Cosmos offers unfiltered discussions at the highest level.

Episodes

  1. DEC 9

    Technology & The American Family | Klavan, Bovard, Toscano, Pappin, Libresco Sargeant & Burtka | Project Cosmos EP:04

    In this episode of Project Cosmos, Spencer Klavan, Rachel Bovard, Michael Toscano, Gladden Pappin, Leah Libresco Sargent, and Johnny Burtka gather for a thought-provoking roundtable on one of the most pressing questions of our era: 👉 How are technology, transhumanism, and AI reshaping the American family and our society’s future? This wide-ranging conversation explores: The promise and peril of AI and emerging technologies Whether technology can strengthen or undermine families and communities The intersection of faith, ethics, and the digital age How education and human skills are changing in the face of automation The global race for technological supremacy and its impact on policy Family policy, fertility, and the economic challenges of modern life Building real community and human connection in a tech-driven world 📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political and cultural challenges facing America. Guests: Spencer Klavan – author, classicist, and commentator Rachel Bovard – policy director and writer Michael Toscano – executive director, The Institute for Family Studies Gladden Pappin – political scientist and editor Leah Libresco Sargent – author and speaker Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) ⏰ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Framing the Technology Debate 04:35 Technology, AI, and the American Family 14:45 Faith, Ethics, and the Role of Technology 26:40 Education, Human Skills, and AI 44:40 Policy, Innovation, and Global Competition 57:00 Family Policy, Fertility, and Economic Challenges 1:15:00 Building Community & Human Connection 1:54:43 Final Thoughts & Outro 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and political strategy meet. ProjectCosmos #Technology #AI #Transhumanism #AmericanFamily #JohnnyBurtka #SpencerKlavan #RachelBovard #MichaelToscano #GladdenPappin #LeahLibrescoSargent #Faith #Ethics #Policy #Family

    1h 55m

  2. NOV 5

    The Case for Techno-Optimism? | Project Cosmos EP:03

    In this episode of Project Cosmos, host Johnny Burtka is joined by Ross Douthat, Aaron M. Renn, Michael Miller, Matthew Walther, and Frank Hanna for a profound roundtable on one of the most urgent questions of our time: 👉 What does it mean to be a techno-optimist? Can technology serve the common good, or is it leading us toward dystopia? This wide-ranging conversation explores: The promise and peril of AI, biotech, and digital innovation The tension between faith, tradition, and technological progress How technology shapes culture, politics, and the future of America The moral and spiritual challenges of the digital age Decentralization, blockchain, and the search for community The role of leadership, witness, and spiritual renewal in a technological society Global competition, China, and the future of Western civilization The importance of subsidiarity, education, and local solutions ⏰ CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction: Technology and Conservative Perspectives 40:46 - The Virtues and Pitfalls of Modern Technology 55:02 - Hyper-Politics and the Failure of Political Solutions 1:06:28 - Global Competition and China's Technological Rise 1:19:59 - Ameliorating the Worst: Limited Reforms and Class Divides 1:26:34 - Christian Anthropology and Decentralized Solutions 1:32:44 - Personal Witness and Spiritual Awakening 📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political, philosophical, and cultural challenges facing America. Guests: Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) Aaron M. Renn – writer, urban analyst Michael Matheson Miller – social philosopher, Acton Institute Matthew Walther – editor, The Lamp Ross Douthat – columnist, The New York Times Frank Hanna – entrepreneur, philanthropist 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, technology, and society meet. ProjectCosmos #JohnnyBurtka #AaronMRenn #MichaelMiller #MatthewWalther #RossDouthat #FrankHanna #TechnoOptimism #Technology #Society #AI #Faith #Decentralization #Podcast #FutureOfCivilization #Leadership #Philosophy #Culture #America Learn more about ISI’s educational programs: https://isi.org

    1h 37m

  3. OCT 21

    Golden Age Mindset: Restoring Western Civilization | Project Cosmos LIVE

    Project Cosmos returns with a special LIVE episode, filmed at ISI’s annual Homecoming Weekend in Wilmington, DE. This in-depth roundtable brings together leading voices in the conservative intellectual movement—including Phillip Blond, Rod Dreher, Mary Harrington, Michael Gibson, Dan McCarthy, Nathan Pinkoski, Kevin Roberts, Justin Shubow, and Johnny Burtka—for an unfiltered, wide-ranging dialogue on one of the most pressing questions of our time: 👉 How can we recover the Golden Age Mindset and restore Western civilization? Join us as our panel explores: The moral and intellectual foundations needed for civilizational renewal Lessons from the Western tradition and how to apply them today The challenges and opportunities facing young leaders in America The role of art, education, and culture in shaping the future Strategies for building resilient communities and institutions What it means to pursue a “Golden Age” in the 21st century Set against the backdrop of ISI’s beautiful Brandywine Valley campus, this episode captures the spirit of fellowship, learning, and bold conversation that defines Homecoming Weekend. Featured Guests: Phillip Blond – Political thinker, founder of ResPublica Rod Dreher – Author, The Benedict Option Mary Harrington – Author, Feminism Against Progress Michael Gibson – Venture capitalist, author Dan McCarthy – Editor-in-Chief, Modern Age Nathan Pinkoski – Senior Fellow, Center for Renewing America Kevin Roberts – President, The Heritage Foundation Justin Shubow – President, National Civic Art Society Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) 📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political and cultural challenges facing America. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and strategy meet. ProjectCosmos #GoldenAgeMindset #WesternCivilization #ISIHomecoming #PhillipBlond #RodDreher #MaryHarrington #MichaelGibson #DanMcCarthy #NathanPinkoski #KevinRoberts #JustinShubow #JohnnyBurtka #Conservatism #CivilizationalRenewal

    2h 29m

  4. SEP 16

    Greatness & Goodness: A Guide for Young Men in Dark Times | Project Cosmos EP:02

    In the second episode of Project Cosmos, James Orr, Alex Petkas, Nathan Pinkoski, Dan McCarthy, Johnny Burtka and Bill Rivers. gather for a profound roundtable on one of the most enduring questions in history: 👉 Can you be a great man and a good father? What does true greatness mean in the modern world? This wide-ranging conversation explores: The tension between ambition, leadership, and family life Historical and philosophical perspectives on greatness and virtue Lessons from Aristotle, Plutarch, and the “mirror for princes” tradition The impact of technology and AI on legacy and authenticity The role of education, faith, and tradition in shaping leaders How heritage, family, and culture influence the pursuit of greatness The challenges of work-life balance for leaders and public figures The meaning of providence, spontaneity, and timing in a successful life ⏰ CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction 1:13 Can Great Men Be Good Husbands & Fathers? 5:00 Historical Examples of Leadership and Fatherhood 8:07 The Challenge of Work-Life Balance for Leaders 10:04 The Importance of Timing and Providence in Leadership 14:01 Spontaneity vs Structure in Leadership 16:51 The Role of Family Heritage & Legacy 21:01 Technology, Innovation and Leadership 32:11 The Challenge of AI and Human Authenticity 1:12:52 The Left's Relationship with Heroism and Greatness 1:28:20 Education, Leadership and the Great Books? 1:40:49 The Role of Faith in Leadership 📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political, philosophical, and cultural challenges facing America. Guests: James Orr – philosopher, Cambridge University Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) Dan McCarthy – editor, Modern Age Nathan Pinkoski – political theorist, St. Michael’s College Bill Rivers – novelist, speechwriter Alex Petkas – classicist, host of The Cost of Glory podcast 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and leadership meet. ProjectCosmos #JamesOrr #JohnnyBurtka #DanMcCarthy #NathanPinkoski #BillRivers #AlexPetkas #GreatMen #Fatherhood #Leadership #Philosophy #History #AI #Education #Faith #LiberalArts #WorkLifeBalance #Legacy #Conservatism #Politics Learn more about ISI’s educational programs: https://isi.org

    1h 45m

  5. AUG 19

    Executive Power & The Common Good | Rufo, Deneen, Caldwell, Yarvin & Burtka | Project Cosmos EP:01

    In the debut episode of Project Cosmos, Christopher Rufo, Patrick Deneen, Christopher Caldwell, Curtis Yarvin, and Johnny Burtka (President of ISI) gather for a provocative roundtable on one of the most urgent questions of our time: 👉 What is the future of executive power and can it serve the common good? This wide-ranging discussion covers: -The meaning of the common good in a pluralistic 21st-century America -Whether liberalism has failed, and what comes next -The origins and growth of the administrative state -Should bureaucracy be dismantled, reformed, or used for populist ends? -The role of DOGE reforms, tech, and MAGA in shaping political power -How the Civil Rights revolution reshaped executive authority -Is America an oligarchy—and what can be done about it? -Historical lessons from Hamilton, Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln -And the bold question: Should Americans embrace Caesarism? 📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s new flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political and cultural challenges facing America. Guests: Christopher Rufo – writer, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute Patrick Deneen – political theorist, author of Why Liberalism Failed Christopher Caldwell – journalist, author of The Age of Entitlement Curtis Yarvin – political theorist and blogger Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and political strategy meet. #ProjectCosmos #ChristopherRufo #PatrickDeneen #ChristopherCaldwell #CurtisYarvin #JohnnyBurtka #AdministrativeState #ExecutivePower #Conservatism #Politics #CommonGood

    2h 9m
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Project Cosmos is a new series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings together leading thinkers for candid, in-depth conversations about politics, culture, history, and the fate of the American regime. Hosted in an informal, living-room setting, each episode feels less like a panel discussion and more like stepping inside a private exchange among some of today’s most influential intellectuals. Together, they explore urgent questions: What is the common good in 21st-century America?Has liberalism failed, and what comes after it?Can the administrative state be reformed—or must it be dismantled?Should Americans embrace a stronger executive power?What lessons can we learn from Rome, the Founders, and modern history? From executive authority and Caesarism to community, culture, and the role of elites, Project Cosmos offers unfiltered discussions at the highest level.

Information

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