Matthew Sitman

Matthew Sitman, host of Know Your Enemy and a Catholic socialist, dives into the complexities of the Catholic Church's evolution under Pope Francis. He discusses the challenges of reconciling personal identity as a gay convert within a traditionally conservative institution. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of the Church amidst its crises, the balancing act of faith and political ideologies, and the implications of recent scandals. Sitman also reflects on the Church's historical journey towards compassion and inclusivity.

Expert guides on US conservatism, Sam Adler-Bell and Matthew Sitman from Know Your Enemy, discuss the differences between US and UK conservatism, the impact of Trump's presidency, the evolution of conservative factions post-World War II, the intersection of wealth and isolationism in conservative politics, and reassessing the UK-US special relationship post-Brexit. They also analyze the rise of a right-wing special relationship and provide insights on UK and US election predictions.

Former young conservative, Matthew Sitman, joins the podcast to discuss the intellectual right's fascination with Straussian philosophy and its connection to American right's current political projects. They explore Leo Strauss' influence on American conservatism, the seductiveness of Straussianism, and the challenges faced by intellectuals in getting funding for their work. They also delve into the extent to which the right wing will push their agenda, the frustrations with purity politics on the left, and the erosion of public goods and the common good.