The Close Read Podcast

The Claremont Institute
  • 4.9 (151)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Associate editor Spencer Klavan phones up authors whose CRB essays have prompted deeper reflection and discussion. Over a drink, he'll chat with the leading minds on the Right about what's going on in politics and literary culture. claremontinstitute.substack.com

  1. Nathan Pinkoski on Watergate Myths

    FEB 2

    Nathan Pinkoski on Watergate Myths

    When Richard Nixon resigned as president in 1974, the Watergate scandal was officially logged in the public memory as a victory of the neutral press over an out-of-control “imperial presidency.” Now, after the Trump years have hightened mistrust of official sources and suspicion of the administrative state, the Nixon story is more and more open to revision. Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America Nathan Pinkoski joins Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to reassess the televised dethronement of Nixon, the failure of Trump’s antagonists to execute a similar crusade, and what it means for the future of the presidency. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    37 min

  2. JAN 19

    Fall 2025-Winter 2026 Review with Charles Kesler

    Editor Charles Kesler is joined by Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to crack open the much-anticipated CRB double issue, released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CRB. Charles reflects on the Institute's principles, accomplishments, and prescience in his editor note. Paul Rahe equips readers to understand ongoing conflicts by exploring the history of Iranian revolutions. Christopher Caldwell tracks the rise of Zohran Mamdani and what it portends for both New York and Left politics. William Voegeli offers the definitive assessment of Never Trump. And much, much more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 9m

  3. 11/21/2025

    Emmet Penney on the Global AI Race

    A pioneer of computing technology, Nvidia produces the chief component powering the AI revolution: the microchip. Having scaled the once-niche gaming hardware firm into an industry titan, founder and CEO Jensen Huang must now navigate global trade and politics. Associate editor Spencer Klavan is joined by Emmet Penney, senior fellow of the Foundation for American Innovation and contributing editor of Compact magazine, to explain this pivotal technology for the uninitiated and discuss growing concerns that a thin U.S. power grid could give China an opportunity to surge far ahead in the digital arms race. Plus: The Close Read is now on video! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min

  4. 10/28/2025

    "Goodbye to the Good War" by Sean McMeekin

    Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Goodbye to the Good War,” Sean McMeekin’s essay on reality, myth, and World War II, featured in the summer 2025 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    42 min

  5. 10/27/2025

    Matthew Schmitz on the New Theism

    Until quite recently, the “New Atheism” held sway over the minds of many elites. But the secular, scientistic worldview that was once so in vogue proved radically insufficient to meet the challenges of the post-9/11 world. Now, a New Theism is gaining traction among many of the thinkers who once professed a confident unbelief. Associate Editor Spencer Klavan sits down with Matthew Schmitz, editor of Compact magazine, to discuss the profound ethical and political implications of this new theological outlook. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min

  6. 10/06/2025

    "Stardust" by Helen Andrews

    Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Stardust,” Helen Andrews’s review of We Tell Ourselves Stories, featured in the summer 2025 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min

  7. 09/29/2025

    Summer 2025 Review with Charles Kesler

    Editor Charles Kesler sits down with Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to discuss the recent summer issue. Highlighted are Christopher Caldwell’s cover essay on UK immigration and Charles’ own piece on the Joe Rogan of the UK, Jeremy Clarkson. His show, Clarkson’s Farm, is a love letter to the English everyman in a moment when Britain is labouring (pun intended) under the burdens of bad government. Also in the issue, Sean McMeekin questions the merits of World War II as an analogue for the present moment, Matthew Schmitz tracks the revitalization of Christianity after the era of New Atheism, and Emmett Penney charts the meteoric rise of microchip maker Nvidia. Plus much more. Claremont Review of Books 25th Anniversary Gala Invite This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min

  8. 09/15/2025

    "A Complete Unknown," by Spencer Klavan

    Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads his latest piece in the CRB, “A Complete Unknown,” on Horace. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    25 min
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4.9
out of 5
151 Ratings

About

Associate editor Spencer Klavan phones up authors whose CRB essays have prompted deeper reflection and discussion. Over a drink, he'll chat with the leading minds on the Right about what's going on in politics and literary culture. claremontinstitute.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Claremont Institute
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Claremont Institute
  • Show Website
    The Close Read Podcast

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