
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

Dec 10, 2021 • 1h 4min
Totem and Taboo | The Roundtable Ep. 98
California is making noise about becoming a “sanctuary state” for abortions. Everything that hurts Democrats is “voter suppression.” And Ron DeSantis wants 200 people to help him with vaccinations and natural disasters, which is insurrection or tyranny or something. Our editors spend some time in bizarro world parsing the woke lies.

Dec 3, 2021 • 59min
Vive le Based | The Roundtable Ep. 97
Populist and nationalist Éric Zemmour has announced his candidacy for president of France with a stirring anti-woke speech reminiscent of Charles de Gaulle’s speech from exile in WWII. Meanwhile, on the home front, Fauci has declared that he is the science. Plus: a murder in Beverly Hills shows the alarming deterioration of law and order in blue states. Our editors examine the battles over wokeness on two continents.

Nov 26, 2021 • 1h 9min
God the Father | The Roundtable Ep. 96
The editors open the show with a look at Thanksgiving proclamation excerpts by several presidents, from George Washington to Obama. This provokes meditations on fatherhood, God, and the meaning of gratitude. Then: Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges, but dozens are injured and several are dead in a terror attack in Waukesha. Our editors analyze the situation.

5 snips
Nov 19, 2021 • 53min
Will the State Survive? | The Roundtable Ep. 95
From exploiting the DOJ and FBI, to vaccine mandates, the federal government seeks to exert ever-tighter control over your life. Meanwhile, congressmen are either asleep at the wheel or cheering it on. But are the courts even a viable option to slow the spread? Our editors discuss three under-appreciated news stories and the state of our three branches of government.

Nov 12, 2021 • 58min
Rittenhouse Takes the Stand | The Roundtable Ep. 94
Kyle Rittenhouse has testified in his own defense at the trial which will determine his future after he stood up against rioters in Kenosha, WI. The editors discuss Kyle’s remarkable composure in the face of a ruling class mob that is howling for his imprisonment. Ryan and Matt also give a brief recap of NatCon2. Plus: is there any parallel between today’s events and Dune?

Nov 5, 2021 • 1h 1min
Red Wavelet | The Roundtable Ep. 93
Republicans Glenn Youngkin, Winsome Sears, and Jason Miyares have turned Virginia red, and everyone is closely scrutinizing what this might signal for other elections in 2022 and 2024. Or at least, sensible people are scrutinizing it, while the Left screeches absurdly about racism and refuses to even consider introspection. Our editors consider what conservatives could do to capitalize on this initial victory.

Oct 29, 2021 • 1h 7min
Boosterpalooza | The Roundtable Ep. 92
Since people don’t really believe left-wing “fact checking” sites in the age of petty tyranny, a few billionaires had a truly innovative idea: just make another one. But this time, it’ll be bigger and better. Meanwhile, the CDC continues to expand vaccine dose and booster recommendations, all while hinting that they will soon change what constitutes “fully vaccinated”. Our editors put everything into context.

Oct 22, 2021 • 55min
Transhumanist Takeover | The Roundtable Ep. 91
As the US adopts wokeness as its grand strategy and promotes its first trans four-star admiral, China is embracing masculinity and testing a hypersonic missile that the US, according to military brass, cannot stop. Will reality ever set in and put an end to our desperate fantasies? Plus: Facebook’s most recent whistleblower is being funded by Pierre Omidyar. Our editors discuss the shadowy web of organizations seeking to deconstruct humanity.

Oct 15, 2021 • 1h 5min
Supply Chained | The Roundtable Ep. 90
The US is currently facing unprecedented logistical shortcomings brought on by government restrictions. Meanwhile, inflation has been steadily skyrocketing as the feds continue to print obscene amounts money. In other words, the time is just right for the steady creep of a new social credit system into the limelight. Plus: Loudoun County has been covering up sexual assaults to keep its talking points in order.

Oct 8, 2021 • 59min
Fedbook | The Roundtable Ep. 89
Our predatory federal bureaucracy has its eye on Facebook. The ruling classes will settle for nothing less than full transhumanism and total control. Meanwhile, as if trying to prove the point, the FBI this week announced its plan to treat parents who are upset at critical race theory in schools as domestic terrorists. Plus: Matt has an idea for a darkly humorous music video.