American Thought Leaders

Join former U.S. senator and international human rights advocate Sam Brownback, who highlights how America's strongest weapon against the Chinese Communist Party isn't military, but the fight for human rights. He urges confronting the CCP on its human rights abuses, including the treatment of Uyghurs and Tibetans. Brownback also calls for symbolic actions to embarrass the regime and emphasizes the importance of religious groups as a form of civil society. He believes that leveraging moral ideals can significantly impact U.S.–China relations.

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Taper Clinic, challenges the myth that depression stems from a chemical imbalance. He discusses how antidepressants often mask symptoms rather than address underlying issues. The conversation explores the risks and realities of using these medications, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women. Witt-Doerring emphasizes the need for careful tapering off medications to avoid severe withdrawal and raises concerns about potential links between antidepressants and violent behavior, citing real-life cases.

Charles Murray, a prominent political scientist and author, dives into his unexpected journey exploring religion in his latest book. He candidly reveals how his wife's spiritual transformation sparked his curiosity, leading him to confront profound questions about existence and the consequences of secularization. Murray discusses the dangers of a society lacking moral foundations, critiques artistic nihilism, and reflects on the potential for a religious revival among intellectuals. Ultimately, he encourages skeptics to engage with faith, finding personal fulfillment in the process.

John Moolenaar, U.S. Congressman and chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, takes a deep dive into the economic threats posed by China. He advocates for a phased-in 100% tariff on strategic goods to bolster U.S. manufacturing and lessen reliance on rare earths. Moolenaar discusses China's coercive trade tactics, military instability, and the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative. The conversation also covers human rights abuses like forced organ harvesting, revealing the complexity of U.S.-China relations.

NBA player Jonathan Isaac is known not just for his talent on the court, but for his convictions and outspoken faith. He’s the author of the 2022 best-selling memoir “Why I Stand.”As a youth, he struggled with anxiety—but a chance encounter in an elevator with the man who would later become his pastor changed the course of his life.Faith helped him triumph over his battle with anxiety, but it also later put him at the center of a national debate. After George Floyd’s death, at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, most NBA players chose to kneel during the national anthem. But Isaac chose to stand. Later, his decision to decline the COVID-19 vaccines also drew intense media scrutiny.In this episode, he shares his story, his convictions, his choices and why he made them, and what it means to believe in something bigger than yourself.Now, through his UNITUS shoe line, Isaac shares Bible verses and a message of hope.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Lee Smith, an investigative journalist and author of "The Plot Against the President," delves into U.S.–China relations and trade dynamics. He explains how China gained supply-chain dominance through strategic subsidies and weak U.S. defenses. Smith discusses the implications of recent export controls on rare earths and how this escalates the trade war. He examines Trump's views on Xi Jinping, the influence of the China lobby, and the moral stakes involved in disengaging from CCP supply chains, advocating for reshoring and robust economic strategies.

Andy Ngo, an investigative journalist and author of the bestseller "Unmasked," shares his firsthand experience with Antifa, detailing the violence he faced while reporting undercover. He discusses the group's organization during the Portland riots and outlines legal strategies to dismantle their networks. Ngo reflects on the normalization of left-wing violence in mainstream culture and the ideological connections that fuel such movements. His chilling encounter with violence and subsequent relocation to London underscores the risks faced by journalists today.

Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, discusses the platform's shift from neutrality to bias, highlighting its systemic distortion and source blacklisting. He critiques the reliance on secondary over primary sources and proposes nine reform theses, including restoring neutrality and enabling competing articles. Sanger addresses the influence of leftist ideology and outlines potential paths for reform, including public pressure and congressional action. He raises concerns about Wikipedia’s anonymity and argues for legal remedies to combat defamation.

Join John Gardner, author and manufacturing entrepreneur, as he dives deep into the complexities of America’s trade policies. He argues that free trade has neglected national security and explores the moral dilemmas of offshoring jobs. Gardner advocates for tariffs as a means to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and introduces the idea of an 'external revenue service' to rethink trade policies. He also emphasizes the importance of niche innovation, skilled labor, and reconnecting engineers with shop floor realities to restore America’s industrial prowess.

Sally Fallon Morell, President of the Weston A. Price Foundation and author, passionately advocates for traditional, nutrient-dense foods. She critiques the health impacts of seed oils, emphasizing that animal fats support heart health. Morell discusses the benefits of raw milk and why it holds a misunderstood status. She highlights the detrimental effects of Western diets on traditional peoples and calls for a renewed focus on wholesome cooking. Finally, she highlights the need for grassroots efforts to shift the food system back to health-centered practices.