The American Mind Podcast

The Claremont Institute
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The American Mind Podcast uncovers the ideas and principles that drive American political life. The hosts engage Claremont scholars and critics in thought-provoking discussions about the real causes of our current political and cultural reality. claremontinstitute.substack.com

  1. 12/24/2025

    We Wish You A Merry Christmas

    This week, hosts Ryan and Spencer sit down as the year closes out to share their Christmas plans and recommendations: music, theater, food, drink, and more! Stay tuned in the new year! Recommendations: Adventures in Old English: The History and Meaning of Advent “Christmas Traditions,” by the CRB editors Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking: 30th Anniversary Edition The PDT Cocktail Book Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min

  2. 12/18/2025

    Now It Can Be Told

    Australia has suffered its deadliest mass shooting in decades, allegedly perpetrated by father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, on the first night of Hannukah. Meanwhile in Germany, (yet another) planned attack at a Christmas market was foiled. This week, Spencer and Mike discuss problems that have finally gotten too overwhelming for even the BBC and the New York Times to ignore, from mass migration to the DEI crusade against young white men. Plus: Christmas recommendations! Recommendations: The Lost Generation, by Jacob Savage Why “The Lost Generation” is a Lost Opportunity, by Jeremy Carl The Christmas of the Quarter-Century Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 7m

  3. 12/11/2025

    Somalia et Alia

    Under the nose of the Tim Walz regime, hundreds of millions of Minnesotan tax dollars have been defrauded by an array of shell organizations sending money overseas, in some cases to terrorist groups. That the ringleaders are primarily of Somali descent makes progressives uncomfortable and help’s Trump’s case against mass migration. This week, the guys discuss COVID-era abuses of welfare, consider immigration’s rolling effect on national security, and consider Trump’s handling of the economy amidst a potential affordability crisis. Plus: more cultural recommendations! Recommended: The Real Clash of Civilizations, by Nathan Pinkoski Leo Strauss and American Foreign Policy, by Thomas G. West Democracy and the Bush Doctrine, by Charles R. Kesler House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 8m

  4. 12/04/2025

    Double Tap Dance

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is being accused of war crimes after allegedly making a so-called “double-tap” strike against Venezuelan drug traffickers. But it may just be a double distraction, allowing critics of Trump both to avoid more serious questions about immigration policy and to pull attention from the tragic shooting of two National Guards in DC by an Afghani national. This week, the guys are joined again by Matthew Peterson to discuss US operations in South America and the Left’s unsubtle hints that soldiers might need to disobey orders. Plus: Kash Patel as FBI Director: the right man for the wrong job? Recommended: “What Brought the Trump Administration to the Brink with the Venezuelan Regime,” by Joshua Treviño & Melissa Ford Never Enough: America’s Limitless Welfare State, by William Voegeli Our American Queen: The Rise and Ruin of Kate Chase, by Thomas Klingenstein Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 6m

  5. 11/27/2025

    Friends and Frenemies

    A recent White House meeting between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani gave the president a chance to flip the script while publicly debasing the rhetorical currency of the “anti-fascist” Left. In this special holiday episode, the guys are joined by Matthew Peterson to discuss the president’s latest strategy, and answer listener questions. On the docket are emerging factions within the conservative movement, federal leniency on Antifa post-domestic-terrorist designation, and more. Plus: The crew gives thanks and share holiday plans, antics, eats—and cultural recommendations! Recommended reading: A House for the Word, by Richard Hooker Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 14m

  6. 11/20/2025

    I Will Be Your Tootsie-Nuzzi

    In the wake of a bad election for Republicans, the Trump Administration seems to be reeling a bit as it looks for a new direction heading into Trump’s second year of this term. Yet time remains to step away from the ledge, button up and course correct before midterms. This week, Matthew Peterson joins the guys as they unravel dissatisfactions on the right and note potential MAGA comebacks. Meanwhile, Vanity Fair West Coast editor Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir generates a seedy sort of buzz as alleged details emerge about her sexts to RFK Jr., in case you were worried there might be depths to which journalists would not sink. Plus: Another round of cultural recommendations! Reading recommendations: "Part 1: How I Found Out," by Ryan Lizza “Ulysses,” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson King of Dogs, by Andrew Edwards Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir Treatise on Justification, by John Davenant Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 5m

  7. 11/13/2025

    Kondo for Congress

    A bill to reopen the government has at last passed the Senate. It includes major concessions from Democrats on health care subsidies, earning moderate Democrats the ire of progressives. As the shutdown reaches its forty-second day, hosts Spencer and Mike sit down with guest Matthew Peterson to discuss the government’s perennial inability to form a budget. Elsewhere, election tallies are in: Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral race, the election for Virginia AG went to Jay Jones, and California voters approved Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan. The tide of political battle remains yet uncertain as midterms loom. Plus: who planted the January 6 pipe bombs? And more cultural recommendations! Recommended Reading: Former Capitol Police Officer a Forensic Match for Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber, Sources Say 2025’s Message to the GOP: Get Back to Basics A Brief History of the Samurai, by Jonathan Clements Status and Culture, by W. David Marx Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 13m

  8. 11/06/2025

    Groy Polloi

    Tucker Carlson hosted Nick Fuentes, an antisemitic broadcaster, for a friendly interview, causing divisions to erupt on the Right. This week, as socialist Zohran Mamdani is forecast to take New York City’s mayorship, the guys appraise the influence of Fuentes on the mainstream and discuss the Right’s alternatives to curry favor with the middle. Plus: details have emerged about an FBI operation, “Arctic Frost,” aimed at targeting GOP officials’ comms to delegitimize Trump and his supporters post-2020 election. And more cultural recommendations! Recommended media: True Detective Slow Horses What We Can Know Brothers Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 5m
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About

The American Mind Podcast uncovers the ideas and principles that drive American political life. The hosts engage Claremont scholars and critics in thought-provoking discussions about the real causes of our current political and cultural reality. claremontinstitute.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Claremont Institute
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    406
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Claremont Institute
  • Show Website
    The American Mind Podcast

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