Civitas Conversations

Civitas Institute

Hosted by Civitas Outlook editor Richard Reinsch, Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.

Episodes

  1. 1h ago

    Alberta Leaving?

    Alberta is Canada's Texas. Its voters are the country's most conservative. In the 2015 Canadian general election, 33 of the province's then 34 constituencies or districts elected a Conservative Member of Parliament. And while Canadian conservatism is notably less red in tooth and claw than the Texan variant, Alberta is at the far conservative end of Canada's political spectrum, along with its neighboring province of Saskatchewan. In this episode of 'Civitas Conversations,' James Allan joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss his recent essay 'Will Alberta Leave Canada?' and the future of the Alberta secession movement.  Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.    A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    24 min

  2. May 26

    Why We Can't Go Creedal to Grave

    In a recent research paper for the Civitas Institute, Richard Samuelson asks whether the United States is still a creedal nation today. Contending that the political, institutional, and legal elements that historically enabled us to create and build such a nation are under serious threat, Samuelson concludes that modern government is unconducive to America's particular creedalism. While we have not yet reached a post-American order, he says, we may soon be unfit to call ourselves "Americans." In this episode of 'Civitas Conversations,' Samuelson joins host Richard Reinsch to further discuss the state of creedal nationalism in the U.S. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    22 min

  3. May 15

    Colorado's Latest Secularist Gambit

    The Supreme Court has agreed to hear 'St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy,' a case addressing two questions: whether Colorado's universal preschool program unconstitutionally burdens religious schools by conditioning their participation on rules that conflict with their faith, and whether the Tenth Circuit erred in holding that the Free Exercise Clause is not implicated because Colorado's exclusion lacks an explicitly religious classification. In a new episode of 'Civitas Conversations,' host Richard Reinsch is joined by 'Civitas Outlook' contributing editor Tal Fortgang for a discussion about Colorado's apparent hostility toward religious groups. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    22 min

  4. Apr 27

    What Does Iran Mean to the U.S.?

    Eight weeks after Operation Epic Fury, the crisis in Iran has reached no definitive end. As the war progresses, it is increasingly unclear whether the outcome will favor the United States. At the same time, there is a growing sense among American citizens that order and stability in the Middle East do not always coincide with our best interests. In this episode of Civitas Conversations, Jakub Grygiel joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss his recent Civitas Outlook essay "The Iran War and the Coming Global Struggle." Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.   A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    22 min

  5. Apr 17

    Lina Khan's Continued Influence on the FTC with Jessica Melugin

    The Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 is not a topic of conversation at many American dinner tables, but its recent controversies illustrate the odd holdover of ideas previously understood as politically leftist at a now Republican-dominated FTC. Jessica Melugin joined host Richard Reinsch to discuss Biden appointee Lina Khan's continued influence on the agency. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    22 min

  6. Mar 31

    Return to the Filibuster?

    In this episode of Civitas Conversations, Richard Reinsch speaks with Joseph Postell, an expert in Congress and administrative law, about the future of the filibuster and the deeper institutional challenges facing the U.S. Senate. Drawing on Postell's Civitas Outlook essay, "Why Can't We Have a Filibuster?", the conversation explores how the Senate moved from dramatic, "talking" filibusters—where senators held the floor for hours—to today's low-cost, procedural obstruction that effectively imposes a 60-vote threshold on nearly all legislation.  Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    20 min

  7. Mar 12

    California Eats the Rich

    The 2026 Billionaire Tax Act is a California ballot initiative that would impose an emergency one-time five percent tax on billionaires to prevent what its supporters describe as the collapse of California's healthcare system. But history has a very clear answer to what "one-time" and "only the wealthy" mean in the long run: ongoing, and not only the wealthy. On episode 14 of Civitas Conversations, Civitas Outlook contributing editor Veronique de Rugy joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss the slippery slope of taxation. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    25 min

  8. Feb 26

    The Truth About Higher Education

    Which philosophical assumptions underlie the modern university? How should higher education play a role as a key pillar of society? What principles would define a genuinely truth-seeking institution, one oriented not merely toward knowledge production, but toward the pursuit of truth itself? On episode 13 of Civitas Conversations, Civitas Institute senior fellow Pano Kanelos joins host Richard Reinsch to discuss the truth about higher education. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    21 min

  9. Feb 17

    Alito's Way with Aaron Nielson

    On this episode of Civitas Conversations, Aaron Nielson examines the legacy of Justice Samuel Alito. A professor at the University of Texas School of Law, former Texas Solicitor General, and former clerk to Justice Alito, Nielson reflects on his experience at the Court and explores the contours of Alito's distinctive "practical originalism." Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them. A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    25 min

  10. Jan 28

    Green Energy Dreams, Fossil Fuel Realities

    After decades of talk about a "green energy transition," fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix. Mark Mills joins the show to unpack why political narratives on green energy don't match reality, how they endure, and why fossil fuels remain king.  Mark P. Mills is a contributing editor at City Journal, executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, a faculty fellow at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, and co-founding partner in Montrose Lane, an energy fund. Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.  Civitas Conversations is a production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    26 min

  11. Jan 14

    What MAGA Owes to Ronald Reagan with Steven Hayward

    On episode 10 of Civitas Conversations, Civitas Outlook editor Richard Reinsch sits down with contributing editor Steven Hayward to discuss his recent essay, "Reagan, The Original MAGA President?"  Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.  Civitas Conversations is a production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

    24 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Hosted by Civitas Outlook editor Richard Reinsch, Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.

Information

  • Creator
    Civitas Institute
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Civitas Conversations

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