The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

We often think of America as a force of good in the world. Our nation provides foreign aid and spreads democracy. Certainly, America does much good. Yet there is a dark side of American influence abroad. In this episode, Stephen examines the dual America: the noble, generous, value-driven America of Ellis Island, and the America that obtusely puts a fist in the face of those she aims to serve. (Take, for example, the US Embassy in Kabul flying the LGBTQ flag in the middle of a highly conservative Muslim society that is radically opposed to gay issues.) Tune in and ponder these two Americas.

Through Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization the Supreme Court will have to determine if it is going to overturn or uphold Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion throughout America. In this episode, Stephen discusses The Texas Heartbeat Act and the political genius of this legislation, which was crafted so that private citizens might bring a civil case to court. We are poised for a turning on the issue of abortion in America. What will happen next?

According to US Department of Labor, 11.5M workers quit their jobs in April, May and June. This has been confirmed by a recent survey of 30,000 workers. What’s happening? People are looking honestly at their job dissatisfaction. COVID-19 caused 74% of people to rethink their work life. Now, many are looking for better bosses. Employees seek employers they can trust, employers who will protect their interests. People are realizing that work doesn’t have to be toxic or terrifying. There are good companies who want business to be a place of social good and personal uplift. Let’s talk about what this may mean for you and our nation. Mentioned in this podcast: The Great Resignation Is Here, and It's Real (via Inc.)

Many in our current class of Congress are proponents of socialism. They point at our warped version of capitalism and say, “Capitalism doesn’t work! We must throw it out and do something different!” Of course, the system we have today is not a free market economy with a fair playing field. (Warren Buffett’s secretary pays a higher tax rate than he does.) Those of us who believe in a traditional, free market American system need to be prepared to debate and defend the position. This episode originally aired on February 27, 2019.

Our bungled retreat from Afghanistan will have a profound impact on the trajectory of our country and the configuration of the world. The way the Biden administration left Afghanistan has been unbelievably disastrous. This has been a sign of American weakness and we’re going to see our enemies emboldened in the years ahead. If we’re going to undo the damage done by this unwise President and his unwise military advisors, we’re going to have to act boldly and do it now because this move has imperiled America.

True private enterprise should create a just and strong society. In this episode, Stephen discusses the $15/hr minimum wage and how we are seeing this economic and social issue play out in legislation and the free market. If business leaders don’t make changes on their own, then the government often steps in to fix the problem. One way is often better than the other! Tune in to find out how this debate is being resolved through the free market.

No, the world’s not coming to an end. But economic turmoil is always a real possibility. Fortunately, it’s something we can prepare for and protect ourselves from. In this episode, Stephen shares practical tips to help get your family on firm footing. Learn about “The Grandmother Strategy,” the connection between generosity and prosperity, and a behavior Stephen calls the “key to wealth.” This episode originally aired on May 16, 2018.

Stephen is often asked how he gets the information that he needs. How does he learn? How does he stay on top of trends? One of the ways, of course, is by reading. Non-fiction certainly isn’t the only type of reading that can teach you about the world. In this episode, Stephen shares how “smart fiction” can teach you about current affairs, from how Russia corrupts and controls the West with dirty money to how nations battle for control of the Arctic shelf. Check out these three books that will help you digest important information about our current world. The Cellist by Daniel Silva Black Ice by Brad Thor China by Edward Rutherfurd

Sunday, July 11, 2021 could go down in history as the date in which a nation began to change. Something special is happening in Cuba. The 62-year-old Communist regime was rocked for the first time with popular uprising around the entire nation. In this episode, Stephen shares a brief political history of the nation, and asks: could we see Cuba become a democracy in our generation? Has the time come? Will this be the pivotal moment in Cuban history that shapes the island’s next chapter?

It’s very likely that water will be a significant crisis in the United States and around the world in the coming years. We’re seeing a decrease of potable water, especially in the Western United States, where many lakes and reservoirs are dropping down to as low as 10% of capacity. We have to get serious about technologies that will ensure the world has the water it needs. Let’s use our American common sense to save lives and build a great land.