Keen On America
Andrew Keen
Nobody asks sharper or more impertinent questions than Andrew Keen. In KEEN ON, Andrew cross-examines the world’s smartest people on politics, economics, history, the environment, and tech. If you want to make sense of our complex world, check out the daily questions and the answers on KEEN ON.
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America. keenon.substack.com
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America. keenon.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 5, 2025 • 42min
Why Reports on the Death of the American Dream are Greatly Exaggerated
Join Mark Matson, CEO of Matson Money and author of Experiencing the American Dream, as he shares his inspiring journey from poverty to leading an $11.7 billion firm. He argues that the American Dream is alive and requires hard work and a mindset shift. Matson rejects victim mentality, emphasizing the importance of service over self-interest and viewing hard work as a virtue, not just a means to wealth. He also critiques entitlement culture and champions personal responsibility, proving that perseverance can lead to prosperity.
Aug 4, 2025 • 44min
Why Podcasts Are Ruining Our Lives: On the Insidious Charm of Chat
Liel Leibovitz, editor-at-large at Tablet magazine and a former podcaster, critiques the podcasting landscape, arguing it has devolved into shallow journalism. He discusses how podcasts create dangerous parasocial relationships, fostering faux intimacy without substance. Leibovitz laments the missed opportunities for meaningful discourse and calls for a revival of authentic conversations. He explores the transformative impact of AI on storytelling and the state of intellectual freedom in academia, urging a return to vibrant exchanges of ideas.
Aug 3, 2025 • 50min
The Chinese Communist School of Hard Knocks: How Xi Jinping's Father Shaped China's Current Tough Guy Leader
Joseph Torigian, a political science professor and Xi Jinping's father's biographer, reveals the harsh realities that shaped China’s current leader. He discusses Xi’s genuine toughness forged through adversity, contrasting it with more performative leadership styles. Torigian also examines how Xi’s upbringing affects his governance, the evolution of China's ethnic policies under Xi, and the dangerous leader-dependence of the political system. The interplay of loyalty, suffering, and historical legacy provides a deeper understanding of modern Chinese power dynamics.
Aug 2, 2025 • 36min
Going Soft on China: Is Xi Jinping really a Competitor, not an Enemy, of the United States?
In this engaging discussion, guest Diane Francis, a Toronto-based foreign affairs writer and author of 'Merger of the Century', argues why the U.S. should view Xi Jinping’s China as a competitor rather than an enemy, contrasting it sharply with Putin’s Russia, which she perceives as a malevolent threat. Francis highlights the implications of American isolationism, mentioning how past interventions have shaped current foreign policy. She paints an intriguing picture of geopolitical dynamics, raising questions about national identity and the evolving nature of global competition.
Aug 1, 2025 • 44min
Tech Insider Claims OpenAI Will Be Worth $10 Trillion: Has Silicon Valley Finally Gone Totally Bonkers?
Join Keith Teare, publisher of That Was The Week, as he boldly predicts OpenAI could reach a staggering $10 trillion valuation, with Anthropic close behind at $5 trillion. The discussion delves into the absurdity of these numbers in today's market, reminiscent of the 90s dot-com bubble. They also highlight the shift from traditional Google search to AI-driven alternatives, intensifying competition. Plus, explore how San Francisco's booming AI scene is reshaping the tech landscape and driving real estate prices sky high.
Jul 31, 2025 • 42min
Can Democrats Really Pull a Reagan? How the GOP's 1980 Playbook Could Work for Progressives in 2028
Peter Wehner, a writer and former speechwriter for President Bush, and Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, discuss how Democrats can reclaim the presidency in 2028. They emphasize the importance of moving away from anti-Trump rhetoric towards a positive agenda focused on prosperity. With the GOP's shift towards scarcity politics, Democrats have a chance to take ownership of the American Dream. The conversation also highlights the influence of outsider candidates and the need for a messaging genius akin to Reagan's to drive their revival.
Jul 30, 2025 • 46min
From Six Days of the Condor to American Sky: James Grady on Nostalgia and the American Dream
In this engaging conversation, James Grady, renowned author of Six Days of the Condor and American Sky, shares his insights on writing about nostalgia while confronting America's complex realities. He discusses how fiction can bridge the past and present, reflecting on civil rights struggles and generational divides. Grady emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural icons like Bruce Springsteen in storytelling and critiques the elite liberal perspective that overlooks the silent majority's concerns. His goal is to encourage readers to connect historical events with today's challenges.
Jul 29, 2025 • 49min
The Revolting Elites: How Christopher Lasch Predicted Trump and the Crisis of American Democracy
Soli Ozel, an Istanbul-based political theorist and cultural critic, explores how Christopher Lasch's insights provide a roadmap for the left amidst rising populism. He argues that today's meritocratic elites, disconnected from ordinary Americans, have fueled the rise of figures like Trump. Ozel critiques Kamala Harris as a symbol of elite denial, revealing how progressives can better engage marginalized voters. He emphasizes the need for a new populist coalition that prioritizes material interests over cultural battles, echoing Lasch's warnings from decades past.
Jul 28, 2025 • 39min
Confessions of a Meme Queen: I Created an Instagram Following to Trick People Into Letting Me Write a Book
Aiden Arata, dubbed the Meme Queen of Depression, shares her journey from Instagram influencer to published author. She reveals how building a following wasn't just about fame but a strategic move to gain literary credibility. Arata discusses the 'AI'd' communication we’ve all adopted on social media, leading to an existential crisis she'd term 'plastic bag theory.' She also contrasts the richness of writing with the surface-level exchanges online, reflecting on the emotional tolls of digital culture and the true art of storytelling.
Jul 27, 2025 • 48min
The charming gay racist who invented modern American conservatism: Sam Tanenhaus on William F. Buckley's absurdly implausible contradictions
Sam Tanenhaus, author of "Buckley, The Life and Revolution That Changed America," dives into the complexities of William F. Buckley, the media-savvy founder of modern American conservatism. He reveals shocking truths about Buckley’s family's secret funding of segregationist newspapers, a revelation that even shocked his son. Tanenhaus explores the paradox of Buckley's charismatic personal life versus his toxic political beliefs, highlighting the contradictions that have shaped America’s conservative landscape, echoing into today’s political climate.
