
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

Jul 30, 2021 • 59min
The Quantum Pill | The Roundtable Ep. 80
As one looks around America today, it's easy to fall into a state of deep despair. But there's also much to be hopeful for. Today, The American Mind editors are holding both states of mind at once: they have taken the quantum pill. Our editors apply this attitude to the January 6 Commission, Big Tech surveillance, lockdown part 2, and another amusing hit piece against Claremont.

Jul 23, 2021 • 60min
Seceding from Earth | The Roundtable Ep. 79
Who runs America? Is it the surveillance state that aims to strangle the life out of regular citizens? The billionaires racing to space? Or the people? As the Borg gathers power, the editors gather to discuss what may come. Plus: in Michigan, the feds are caught out in a sting operation.

Jul 19, 2021 • 53min
The Interview: Dr. Scott Yenor on The Recovery of Family Life
In this ongoing series, Ryan Williams, President of The Claremont Institute, interviews prominent scholars in the Claremont Institute’s orbit. Dr. Scott Yenor, Professor of Political Science at Boise State University and Washington Fellow at The Claremont Institute’s Center for the American Way of Life, joins Ryan to discuss his recent book, The Recovery of Family Life. The book traces the intellectual and political roots of our current family crisis and presents a series of practical approaches to revitalizing and restoring the American family. Ryan and Dr. Yenor discuss existing family policy (or lack thereof), and what can be done to improve it.

Jul 16, 2021 • 1h 2min
The Sinking Ship | The Roundtable Ep. 78
In this "combative, juvenile, and grotesque" episode of The Roundtable, our editors take great joy in laughing off the Bulwark's newest hit piece on the Claremont Institute. Save yourself from reading all 12,000+ words by listening to an extremely short and accurate synopsis. Then the editors turn to more serious questions, such as: with wokeism creeping over the land—toward your kids and your SMS messages—what can patriots do to win?

Jul 8, 2021 • 1h 6min
The Woke Praetorian Guard | The Roundtable Ep. 77
The American regime is currently undergoing a fundamental takeover by the woke elite. To protect themselves from people wearing hats with horns, the Capitol Police are expanding their reach from the Capitol to include new offices in California and Florida. Meanwhile, weapons technology company Raytheon is admonishing white staff (which is most of them) to feel as guilty as possible. Plus: the NSA is spying on Tucker Carlson, and now they're leaking his email data to hostile journalists.

Jul 1, 2021 • 55min
Senility on Parade | The Roundtable Ep. 76
The Left loves to project their worst traits onto the Right--and their latest obsession with “White Rage” is a prime example. Meanwhile, the NSA is making cryptic statements about whether or not they’re spying on Tucker Carlson, and good ol’ Sleepy Joe is flailing around making absurd statements everywhere he goes. The editors break it all down.

Jun 24, 2021 • 60min
Retaking the Institutions | The Roundtable Ep. 75
Our summer interns join the editors this week to provide their fresh takes (with a side of black pills) about the state of Conservatism and the GOP. Matt provides an update from Montana about courageous efforts in the fight to defeat Critical Race Theory—but the question is, can we really win? Our editors discuss how Conservatives can get out ahead of the Left’s rhetoric to retake our institutions. Plus: Our interns give their best advice for students considering college.

Jun 18, 2021 • 1h 6min
Lockdown of the Soul | The Roundtable Ep. 74
Governor Newsom finally decided to lift his boot off of Californians’ necks—or did he? Meanwhile, Joe Biden made a fool of himself at the recent G7 Summit, and Putin rubbed salt in America’s many gaping wounds. Plus: critical race theory is quickly going off the rails. Our editors discuss.

Jun 14, 2021 • 1h 43min
The Stakes: Critical Race Theory
In this special edition of The American Mind Podcast, Michael Anton, former Trump official and senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, is joined by Charles Haywood, a distinguished book reviewer who runs The Worthy House. Anton and Haywood examine the modern Left’s obsession with the racist and destructive creed known as Critical Race Theory. Drawing on ancient political history and philosophy, they contemplate where our radical Left might go from here.

Jun 10, 2021 • 1h 7min
Big Finance | The Roundtable Ep. 73
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm, is buying up whole neighborhoods of single-family homes. Why? To make sure you’ll be paying them rent for life instead of owning your own home. Meanwhile, other financial institutions are desperately trying to strangle cryptocurrencies in the cradle and protect the current balance of power. Plus: Kamala Harris visited Guatemala—and bombed. Our editors analyze the situation.