
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

Aug 13, 2020 • 25min
Veepstakes are Finally Over | The Roundtable Ep. 30 Segment 1
With less than two months until election day, Joe Biden has finally announced his vice presidential pick: Kamala Harris. This pick caused mixed reactions on Twitter, but some who vowed never to vote for Biden or Harris completely flipped and immediately got on the bandwagon. Our editors discuss what the Harris pick means for America.

Aug 13, 2020 • 28min
Mask Hysteria | The Roundtable Ep. 30 Segment 2
As riots in the name of George Floyd continue around America’s urban hubs, a viral video has emerged of an Australian police officer chokeslamming a woman who had not donned a mask. Never mind that she had an exemption due to a medical condition: wokesters applauded the abusive officer, revealing the hypocrisy in their thinking. Our editors break down why it is that masks have become a political sticking point.

Aug 13, 2020 • 21min
Black Lives MAGA | The Roundtable Ep. 30 Segment 3
All across America, “Back the Blue” and “Black Lives MAGA” rallies have been cropping up. But mainstream media outlets won’t give them a megaphone. What gives? Our editors discuss these rallies and contemplate what practicing virtue looks like in your daily life. Plus: Spencer engaged in a little civil disobedience over the weekend.

Aug 7, 2020 • 1h 14min
Impending Electionmageddon | The Roundtable Ep. 29
In a week that seems straight from the fever dream, everything seems to trend toward American upheaval and even crackup. New election-war-games run by the most virtuous and good predict violence come Election Day no matter what the outcome. Joe Biden’s mental prowess continues its slow creep towards senility, which might explain why the media has been trying to run cover for him to drop out of debating Trump in September. “Ethnomathematics” are even trending to try and make you think 2+2≠4. At least Trader Joe’s hasn’t bent the knee.

Aug 7, 2020 • 28min
War Gaming November | The Roundtable Ep. 29 Segment 1
Lefty all-stars, including John Podesta and some remnants of the NeverTrump cohort, gathered to run war games to try and predict what will likely happen in November. Spoiler alert: it’s ugly. Potentially civil war ugly. Our editors tackle the tough questions posed by the results of the game. Plus: good ol’ Joe Biden can barely put together a coherent sentence and we’ve got the receipts.

Aug 7, 2020 • 22min
Person, Woman, Man, Camera, TV | The Roundtable Ep. 29 Segment 2
The media has been running cover for Joe Biden in an attempt to prevent him from being fed (barely) alive to President Trump on the debate stage. On the flip side, President Trump is amusingly quite proud of himself for acing a memory question on a mental acuity test he took. What does that stark difference reveal? Our editors have the answers.

Aug 7, 2020 • 22min
Ethnomathematics and Based Trader Joe’s | The Roundtable Ep. 29 Segment 3
The woke mob has already come for your jobs, your education, your media, your very way of life. Now, they’re coming for basic truths of the world like 2+2=4. Seriously. Our editors weigh in on the downward spiral in which we find ourselves. Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s provides a glimmer of hope by refusing to bend the knee to wokesters.

Jul 30, 2020 • 1h 11min
Identity, Nationalism, and Road Trips | The Roundtable Ep. 28
Join the editors for a frank discussion about black American nationalism, and nationalism more generally. Then: Matt reports on his road trip through several red states, highlighting some important phenomena going on in rural America that conservatives can capitalize on.

Jul 30, 2020 • 28min
Race and the Founding | The Roundtable Ep. 28 Segment 1
Under the relentless assault on American values from the 1619 project and other racially divisive leftist tactics, some conservatives are flailing as they try to find a way to reconcile a troubled past with lofty ideals. Fortunately, our editors have a full-throated defense of America for citizens of every race.

Jul 30, 2020 • 41min
Road Trip Report: California to Montana | The Roundtable Ep. 28 Segment 2
Matt reports on the dramatic differences he’s seen in his family as they have escaped the clutches of SoCal on a red-state road trip. Plus: how should conservatives react to Americans fleeing to the red states?