
The American Mind
The American Mind Podcast uncovers the ideas and principles that drive American political life. In each episode, we engage Claremont Institute scholars, co-conspirators, and critics in thought-provoking discussions about the real causes of our current political and cultural reality. We explore these ideas with an eye towards restoring American civic health.
The Roundtable is a weekly show, hosted by our editors and publisher with a unique blend of joviality and intellectually stimulating conversation, boosted by an occasional glass of whisky. Each episode focuses on a handful of topics that carry significant weight in the debate of ideas for the best path of American life, both privately and civically. Of course, we do reserve some time for fun in each show.
Occasionally, we produce special podcast features on individual topics with commentary from the top thinkers in America today. Think of American Mind Podcast specials as succinct audio-documentaries.
Tell us what you think! Subscribe to our channel, rate us, leave a review, and help spread the word to your friends and colleagues! Interested in hearing from us on a particular topic? Email your suggestions to americanmind@claremont.org. And visit our website, americanmind.org, for essays, editorials, debates, and more.
The American Mind, The Roundtable, and our specials are productions of the Claremont Institute. The mission of the Claremont Institute is the recovery of the American idea—the timeless principles that have made America great since its founding.
Latest episodes

Jun 8, 2023 • 45min
The New Theology in 2024
Armenians take to the streets to brawl with Antifa over provocative pride activities at schools in Glendale, CA, the Freedom Caucus is causing Kevin McCarthy headaches as they obstruct the debt “deal” before the House, and the editors remind you to read the damn site by providing reading recommendations! All this and more from the editors in this episode of The Roundtable.

Jun 1, 2023 • 1h 2min
"Off-White Supremacy"
It's time once again for debt crisis theater as House republicans agree with Democrats on a proposed deal, acquiescing to massive debt in exchange for minor concessions. Meanwhile, in an effort to drive a wedge between white and nonwhite people, the Left indulges in truly comedic arguments about race in America. Behind the absurdism there are important trends that deserve a closer look. And the Ron vs. Don showdown is official now that DeSantis has announced a run for the presidency. The editors discuss it all before commanding you to read the damn site (by issuing their recommendations to guide your reading).

May 25, 2023 • 1h 8min
Sponsored by Satan
Conservatives are finally building up a head of steam when it comes to boycotts, making an example of Anheuser-Busch after their unholy union with Dylan Mulvaney. Now Target and the Dodgers have attracted this same newly quickened ire by pushing overtly Satanic and trans-forward messaging onto shoppers—and their children. Meanwhile the trajectory of Christian nationalism is up for hot debate, as is that of wokeness. Plus: the editors, joined by Helen Roy, name their favorite TAM articles of the week as a reminder to read the damn site!

May 18, 2023 • 1h 2min
First Principles
Dr. Hadley Arkes joins the editors this week to offer advice to the pro-life movement and discuss the precepts of common sense that must underlie sound legal reasoning. The editors then turn to an analysis of the Durham Report and how it plays for 2024, as well as a brief discussion of Article 42 and Trump's CNN town hall. And of course: read the damn site!

May 11, 2023 • 1h 3min
A Very Pro-Natalist Mother's Day
As Mother's Day rolls around, the editors take a moment to analyze an increasingly troubling movement: anti-natalism. To help with the analysis, Helen Roy joins the cast. Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson has announced that his show will be coming back natively to Twitter, drawing millions of views and prompting speculations about the future of the news industry. Trump was found liable for sexual assault to the tune of $5 million, in a perplexing jury decision that raises troubling questions about justice and crime. In closing, the editors recount their favorite articles of the week before reminding you to read the damn site!

May 4, 2023 • 58min
Blue State Blues
The full cast is back this week to analyze the continuing deterioration of blue cities and states as middle-class Republicans flee coastal areas at accelerating rates. Is immiseration the goal? Then the editors then turn to discussion of 2024 as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. throws his name in the ring to challenge Biden in the primaries. Is RFK tapping into Boomer energy? And of course, the editors remind you to read the damn site!

Apr 27, 2023 • 59min
Deplatformed
Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News following a defamation case between Fox and Dominion, coinciding with other ousters in like Don Lemon's at CNN. In New York, Trump is being sued civilly over rape accusations, but is also being sued by the accuser for denying the claims. Meanwhile, mortgage changes are coming to take from the responsible and give to the irresponsible. Seth and Spencer analyze defamation by design and woke mortgages before recounting their favorite TAM articles of the week and reminding you to read the damn site.

Apr 20, 2023 • 58min
Queer Beer
When Anheuser-Busch inked a deal with Dylan Mulvaney to wokeify their subpar beer, Americans turned on the brand. The company’s stock price has sunk sunk by over $7 billion so far, as executives mouth empty platitudes and shift the blame. Will this controversy serve as a cautionary tale to businesses looking to alienate their core consumer base? Meanwhile, media apparatchiks rush to spin a preposterous narrative out of a tragic shooting. Plus: Elon Musk provides occasion to discuss AI and the end times. Seth and Spencer analyze the news before, of course, reminding you to read the damn site.

Apr 13, 2023 • 1h 5min
Civil Rights LARPing
In record time, Democrats have managed to turn the massacre of Christian children by a transgender woman into a Civil Rights LARP. Two state representatives were expelled from the TN legislature for participating in a riot, allowing them to pose absurdly as victims and freedom fighters. Meanwhile the Wisconsin Supreme Court flips to the left, raising questions about Republicans’ rhetorical strategy on abortion. Plus: the editors recount their favorite articles this week before reminding you to read the damn site.

Apr 6, 2023 • 1h
Anecdictments
Whatever your personal opinion of Trump, his indictment is a somber moment for the trajectory of democracy in America. Ryan and Spencer discuss the dogged pursuit of Trump at any cost, including some hilarious speculation about how the headlines on this topic are getting written. The two then expand the discussion to the selective weaponization of the legal system using the case of Ricky Vaughn as a starting point. Plus: Peachy Keenan set the internet alight when she committed the crime of noticing that college admissions are tilting in a very noticeably woke direction—but of course she was right. Spencer closes by asking Ryan for his favorite TAM article before reminding you to read the damn site.