The American Idea

Ashbrook Center

The American Idea explores America's Founding principles and their effect on American history and government. Through thoughtful conversations with renowned academics and public figures from across the country, we examine the history and political thought behind our country’s greatest documents and debates, as well as contemporary issues, American popular culture, and political statesmanship. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Jeff Sikkenga.

  1. 2025 End of Year Message: Looking Back and Forward

    4D AGO

    2025 End of Year Message: Looking Back and Forward

    Jeff Sikkenga, Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center, shares a brief message about the reasons behind and goals of The American Idea, as well as Ashbrook’s plans to celebrate 250 years of America’s independence. Learn more at Ashbrook.org, or about our celebratory plans for 2026 at AshbrookFreedom250.org Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea Homepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/

    7 min
  2. Special Episode: Born American, But in the Wrong Place

    12/24/2025

    Special Episode: Born American, But in the Wrong Place

    What does it mean to be American? How does one become an American? Join us for this special episode as Peter Schramm, past Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and Professor of Political Science, discusses his family's flight from Communist Hungary, move to California, and growing up in his adopted home, learning the answers to those questions and, in his career, teaching native-born Americans about their homeland and the legacy they had been gifted by past generations. In this season of reflection and the impending start of a new year, take some time to consider what being American means for you, and how you fit into our great story as we approach our 250th birthday. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea Homepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/

    1h 1m
  3. How Does the Declaration of Independence Influence the Constitution?

    12/17/2025

    How Does the Declaration of Independence Influence the Constitution?

    The Declaration of Independence summarizes and defends the most fundamental ideas about America - about our government, the relationship between it and individuals, and how its proper place in public life. If the Constitution is a set of rules and processes, with a 'mission statement' in the Preamble, the Declaration of Independence presents the ideas that call for those rules and processes, and make sense of that mission statement. As we prepare for America's 250th birthday, let's understand the connection between these two fundamental documents and how the relate to our ongoing experiment in self-government. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton

    34 min
  4. When in the Course of Human Events: Creating the Declaration of Independence

    12/10/2025

    When in the Course of Human Events: Creating the Declaration of Independence

    Summer, 1776: the war for independence is over a year old and the leaders of the 13 colonies have finally decided that independence is their goal. How shall they explain America’s aims and reasons to her own people and to the world? A committee of five was selected to draft the document; the Second Continental Congress debated, revised, and voted on the document; and the world was never the same again. Read the document: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/declaration-of-independence/ Read the original draft: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/draft-of-the-declaration-of-independence/ Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    37 min
  5. “If they mean to have a war...”: The Causes of the American Revolution

    12/03/2025

    “If they mean to have a war...”: The Causes of the American Revolution

    The American Revolution, born in the hearts and minds of Americans in response to British tyranny, is one of the most pivotal moments in human political and national history. But what caused it? It’s a lot deeper than taxes or tea, and as we prepare for America’s 250th birthday, it’s a good time to look back, and look deeply at the roots of the revolution, and what our Founders thought about the relationship between individuals and the state, and the appropriate limits of government - enduring ideas for all times. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    53 min
  6. What Did Frederick Douglass Think of Abraham Lincoln?

    11/26/2025

    What Did Frederick Douglass Think of Abraham Lincoln?

    What Did Frederick Douglass Really Think of Abraham Lincoln? Discover the complex relationship between two of America's most influential figures in this revealing conversation about a groundbreaking new book. Historians John White and Lucas Morel unveil previously unknown letters and documents that transform our understanding of how Frederick Douglass viewed Abraham Lincoln—from harsh critic to reluctant admirer. Featured Guests: Dr. John White, Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University and co-winner of the 2023 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln PrizeDr. Lucas Morel, Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University and trustee of the Supreme Court Historical SocietyWhat You'll Learn: Why Douglass initially called Lincoln "the South's greatest slave hound" and "abolitionism's worst enemy"The surprising letters revealing Douglass believed Andrew Johnson would be a better Reconstruction president than LincolnHow three private meetings between Douglass and Lincoln changed the abolitionist's perspectiveDouglass's "rail-splitting" philosophy explaining Lincoln's strategic approach to black voting rightsWhy Douglass spent the rest of his life honoring Lincoln's legacy despite early criticismsThe newly discovered correspondence with British abolitionists that historians hadn't seen in over 150 yearsWhite and Morel's book "Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln" compiles every known statement Douglass made about Lincoln, including a dozen previously unknown documents uncovered through digital archives and London newspaper microfilm. This episode explores themes of emancipation, political strategy, black suffrage, Civil War leadership, and the tension between radical abolitionism and practical statesmanship during America's most defining era. Get the book: https://a.co/d/1axh4FL Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    47 min
  7. The Constitution and the Rule of Law

    11/19/2025

    The Constitution and the Rule of Law

    Jeff is joined by Justice Sharon Kennedy, Chief Justice of the Ohio State Supreme Court to discuss the Rule of Law - what is it? Why is it so essential to limited, fair government? How is it promoted, protected, and how can we understand it better so as to pass on its value to future generations? Join us as we look at some of the most foundational, essential ideas, moments, and events in our history as we look forward to America's 250th birthday. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    32 min
  8. Want to Understand America? Study the Gettysburg Address

    11/12/2025

    Want to Understand America? Study the Gettysburg Address

    America is, at its core, a nation founded on ideas, and those ideas have faced criticism, revision, and review over the centuries. Abraham Lincoln, who once said that he didn’t have a political idea that didn’t spring from the Declaration of Independence, not only reframed the meaning of the Civil War, but also pointed back to America’s Founding to assert what America should and could be in the future. The Gettysburg Address is far more than commentary on the Civil War; it was a critique of how America had, by 1863, let down the promise of the Founding, and how she could rediscover herself for a more glorious future. What can we learn from Lincoln today? Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    43 min
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About

The American Idea explores America's Founding principles and their effect on American history and government. Through thoughtful conversations with renowned academics and public figures from across the country, we examine the history and political thought behind our country’s greatest documents and debates, as well as contemporary issues, American popular culture, and political statesmanship. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Jeff Sikkenga.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashbrook Center
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    212
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ashbrook 2021
  • Show Website
    The American Idea

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