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The American Compass Podcast

Latest episodes

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Sep 13, 2024 • 42min

Conservatism in a Secular Age with Matthew Mehan

In this episode, Oren Cass is joined by Dr. Matthew Mehan, associate dean of Hillsdale College’s Graduate School of Government, to discuss conservatism in our secular age, based on Oren’s First Things lecture earlier this year.The two go long on conservative morality, from the role of religion in conservatism to the wisdom of the Roman philosopher Cicero and the “most pernicious doctrine” of advancing an immoral argument for its political utility. And they unpack how it all intersects with America’s declining religiosity and modern politics, from economics, to tech, and more.For more, read in First Things, “Constructing Conservatism."
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Sep 4, 2024 • 43min

The U.K. Realignment with Nick Timothy, MP

On this episode, Nick Timothy, Conservative member of Parliament, takes a look at conservative populism from a British perspective. Timothy has had a front-row seat to the U.K.’s political realignment, and shares his observations and comparisons to the American experience. He and Oren talk through how he survived a Conservative wipeout in the recent parliamentary general elections, and the challenges and opportunities confronting conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic.For more on that path forward, read Timothy's recent piece in the Telegraph on the subject: "We don’t need to veer Left or Right – we just need to be Conservative."
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Aug 28, 2024 • 48min

Conservative Urbanism with Aaron Renn

On this episode, author and American Reformer senior fellow Aaron Renn joins Oren Cass to discuss urbanism and how conservatives should approach cities. In the wide-ranging conversation, they discuss the history of American urban governance, where conservatives should focus their policy efforts, and how urban policy can improve the lives of everyday Americans.For more, read Renn's latest on The Commons, which explores how to implement such an approach, "Conservatives Need a Positive Governing Vision."
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Aug 21, 2024 • 44min

Unionizing Minor League Baseball with Harry Marino

On this episode, Oren Cass is joined by Harry Marino, founder and president of Sports Solidarity, who led the successful effort last year to unionize Minor League Baseball. The two discuss how Marino's time in the minors made him realize a union was needed, his successful campaign to win recognition for that union from Major League Baseball, and how the lessons he learned can be applied beyond sports.To learn more about Marino's effort, read this profile of him from the University of Virginia Law School, his alma mater. 
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Aug 14, 2024 • 49min

Where Money Comes From with Richard Werner

On this episode, University of Winchester professor and economist Richard Werner joins Oren Cass for a discussion on monetary policy. The two discuss where money comes from, the ways that government policy can help and hurt markets, and how to differentiate between productive and non-productive finance.For more, read his latest book, Where Does Money Come From? A Guide to the UK Monetary and Banking System.
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Aug 7, 2024 • 33min

Revisiting the CHIPS Act with Senator Todd Young

On this episode, Senator Todd Young (R-IN) joins Oren Cass for a conversation about the CHIPS Act on the two-year anniversary of its passage. They discuss its ongoing implementation, where those efforts have fallen short or been supplanted by unrelated policy objectives, and what policymakers need to do to revitalize American manufacturing more broadly.For more, read our Compass Point essay revisiting the CHIPS Act, by policy director Chris Griswold, "Chipping Away." 
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Jul 31, 2024 • 50min

Tariffs and Market Power with Michael Lind

On this episode, author and academic Michael Lind joins Oren Cass for a wide-ranging conversation about the U.S. economy. The two discuss the merits of tariffs, the public purpose of markets and market power, and how best to provide social insurance.For more, read Lind's recent Compass Point essay, "So What If Tariffs Are Taxes?," and check out his latest book, Hell to Pay: How the Suppression of Wages is Destroying America.And click here for the "oddly specific Kamala Harris policy generator."
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Jul 24, 2024 • 45min

When Markets Fail with Ruchir Sharma

On this episode, author and founder of Breakout Capital Ruchir Sharma joins Oren Cass to discuss the consequences when markets fail. The two walk through the history of government intervention in the market, the problems with over-regulation, and how a more populist economics could provide a corrective.For more, check out Sharma's latest book, What Went Wrong with Capitalism.
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Jul 18, 2024 • 49min

Unpacking the Vance VP Pick with Henry Olsen

On this episode, Ethics and Public Policy Center senior fellow Henry Olsen joins Oren Cass to discuss the selection of JD Vance as Donald Trump's vice presidential candidate and what the move means for the future of conservatism. Henry and Oren talk through the history of conservative support for government intervention, how Reagan's legacy was co-opted by libertarians, and how Vance can help get American economics back on track.For more, read Batya Ungar-Sargon's response to the Vance pick on The Commons, "J.D. Vance: The Populist Choice."
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Jul 10, 2024 • 45min

Making Sense of Electric Vehicles with Oren Cass

On this episode, host Oren Cass takes the guest seat to discuss his recent Compass Point essay about electric vehicles, “The Electric Slide.” Cass and managing editor Drew Holden discuss America’s electric vehicle policy and its limitations, the threat of China dominating the global market, and why conservatives—long critical of the technology—should embrace an alternate approach that could help restore American manufacturing, regardless of EV adoption. For more, read Oren’s Compass Point essay,  “The Electric Slide.” 

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