The Megyn Kelly Show Speaking Your Mind, Markle's "Diva" Moment, and the Importance of Dads, with Spencer Klavan | Ep. 382
Aug 30, 2022
Spencer Klavan, a conservative commentator and author known for his podcast 'Young Heretics,' joins the conversation to discuss the importance of speaking your mind and the dangers of victimhood culture. He critiques identity politics and highlights how a solid father-son bond can shape values. Klavan also delves into Meghan Markle's 'diva' moment and challenges notions of womanhood in modern society. Additionally, he reflects on how disillusionment among young men can lead to societal chaos, emphasizing the need for purpose and authenticity.
01:34:58
Klavan's Upbringing
- Spencer Klavan grew up in a book-filled home, fostering a love for reading from a young age.
- His father, Andrew Klavan, engaged with literature in an unpretentious way, appreciating both classic and pulp fiction.
Why Classics Endure
- Classics endure because they offer a face-to-face encounter with great minds of the past.
- They explore universal human questions like "What does it mean to be good?" in relatable ways.
Father-Son Bond
- Spencer and Andrew Klavan share a close friendship rooted in a love of learning.
- Their relationship evolved from bedtime stories and quizzes to intellectual arguments and conversations.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Power of Literary Upbringing
01:31 • 11min
Navigating Pop Culture and Identity Politics
12:45 • 24min
Biden's Crime Strategy and Press Secretary Commentary
37:14 • 2min
Political Climate and Strategic Missteps
39:21 • 7min
Understanding Trump's Appeal Through Historical Parallels
45:59 • 2min
Memory, Politics, and Social Discontent
48:05 • 19min
Redefining Womanhood
01:06:56 • 28min
Aristotle
Roger Crisp
Aristotle
Plato
Plato
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan
Published in 1963, 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan critiques the societal expectations that confined women to roles as housewives and mothers, arguing that these roles denied women their basic human need to grow and achieve personal fulfillment.
Friedan coined the term 'feminine mystique' to describe the belief that women could find complete fulfillment in domestic duties alone.
Through extensive research, including interviews with housewives, college students, and experts in psychology and education, Friedan exposed the widespread unhappiness among women and the detrimental effects of these societal norms on their mental and physical health.
The book played a pivotal role in sparking the second-wave feminist movement, encouraging women to seek careers and personal achievements outside the home.
Homer
Homer
Homer's works, including the Iliad and the Odyssey, are foundational texts of ancient Greek literature, shaping Western culture and storytelling.
Machiavelli
Matt Crahan
Herodotus
Herodotus
G. C. Macaulay
Herodotus's Histories is considered a foundational work of history, offering a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars.
It blends historical narrative with ethnographic observations, providing insights into the cultures and customs of various ancient societies.
Herodotus's approach, often described as 'inquiry,' involved gathering information from diverse sources and presenting multiple perspectives.
His work is celebrated for its vivid storytelling and enduring influence on historical writing.
The Histories remains a valuable source for understanding the ancient world and the development of historical methodology.
The Four Loves
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Four Loves', C.S.
Lewis examines the nature of love from a Christian and philosophical perspective.
He categorizes love into four types based on ancient Greek words: *storge* (affection), *philia* (friendship), *eros* (romantic love), and *agape* (the love of God).
Lewis discusses the characteristics, strengths, and potential pitfalls of each type of love, emphasizing the importance of understanding and balancing these loves to avoid corruption and to draw closer to God. He also explores the distinction between 'need-love' and 'gift-love' and how these concepts relate to human experiences and divine love.
Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare
The play, written in 1599, explores themes of political power, honor, and fate versus free will.
It centers around the conspiracy led by Brutus and Cassius to assassinate Julius Caesar, fearing his rise to power could lead to tyranny.
The play delves into the moral dilemmas faced by its characters and the consequences of their actions, culminating in a civil war.
The characters, including Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony, represent different facets of political ideology and personal conviction.
The play is known for its iconic lines and its enduring relevance in examining the dynamics of power and political decisions.
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
How to Save the West
Spencer Clavin
Rudyard Kipling's Kim
Harold Bloom
Set in the late 19th century, 'Kim' follows the adventures of Kimball O'Hara, a 13-year-old boy of Irish heritage who was orphaned in India.
Kim, known for his ability to blend into various cultures, meets a Tibetan lama on a pilgrimage to find the Holy River.
As Kim travels with the lama, he becomes involved in the 'Great Game' of espionage between Britain and Russia.
The novel explores themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of colonial India, showcasing Kipling's extensive knowledge of Indian culture and his masterful storytelling.
Parallel Lives
Plutarch
John Dryden
Plutarch's 'Parallel Lives' is a collection of 48 biographies of renowned men, divided into 23 pairs of one Greek and one Roman, along with four unpaired biographies.
Written at the beginning of the second century AD, the work aims to explore the influence of character on the lives and destinies of these historical figures.
Plutarch's focus is ethical, intending to illustrate which actions are noble and how character shapes the lives of individuals.
The biographies are structured to facilitate comparisons between the Greek and Roman subjects, highlighting their common moral virtues and failings.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
null
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, a Russian novelist and short story writer, is renowned for his unflinching depictions of life under Stalinist totalitarianism.
His magnum opus, "The Gulag Archipelago," is a harrowing account of the Soviet prison camp system, exposing its brutality and the resilience of the human spirit.
Solzhenitsyn's works explore themes of suffering, faith, and the struggle for freedom.
His experiences as a political prisoner profoundly shaped his writing, giving his works a unique authenticity and power.
His literary contributions earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Aristophanes
Aristophanes
Aristophanes was a prolific playwright of Old Comedy, known for his biting satire and political commentary.
His plays, such as *Lysistrata* and *The Clouds*, are considered some of the greatest works of ancient Greek literature, providing a unique glimpse into the social and political life of Athens during the Peloponnesian War.
Andrea Long Chu
Andrea Long Chu
null
Andrea Long Chu
Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry is renowned for his novels and short stories set in the fictional town of Port William, Kentucky, which explore themes of community, farming, and the human relationship with the land.
His essays, such as those in 'The Unsettling of America,' critique modern industrial agriculture and advocate for local economies and environmental stewardship.
One Damn Thing After Another
William Barr
In this memoir, Barr provides a detailed account of his historic tenures as Attorney General.
The book covers his first tenure under President George H.W.
Bush, including events such as the LA riots, Pan Am 103, and Iran Contra.
It also delves into his second tenure under President Donald Trump, addressing issues like Russiagate, the COVID outbreak, civil unrest, the impeachments, and the 2020 election fallout.
Barr offers insights into the Bush and Trump legacies and how both men viewed power and justice during critical moments of their presidencies.
Ernest Hemingway
A New Life
James M. Hutchisson
This biography examines Hemingway's life through the contexts of his relationships, places he loved, and his struggles with mental illness.
It provides a detailed look at his complex medical history and his fight against clinical depression.
The book draws on newly available letters and other sources to offer a fresh perspective on Hemingway's life and work.
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
In 'My Life on the Road,' Gloria Steinem shares stories of her life as a feminist organizer, highlighting her travels and the people she met along the way.
The book offers insights into her growth and the growth of the feminist movement, providing a personal and historical perspective on her activism.
Megyn Kelly is joined by Spencer Klavan, host of "Young Heretics," to talk about the need to speak up and speak your mind, our cultural trend of wallowing in victimhood and glamorizing suffering, the misery hierarchy, the inherent smallness and sorrow of identity politics, Trump remaining at the center of the political universe for both parties, manipulating the establishment systems, the dangerous politicization of the military, the DOJ, and the FBI, what happens when young men don't have faith in their society, the role of women in today's culture, Meghan Markle's "diva" moment, Lizzo "clapping back" at her critics, the focus on credentials and the reality of higher education, the importance of fathers, his relationship with his dad Andrew Klavan, what drew him to his husband Josh, the real definition of "freedom," and more.
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