The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

A meaningful reading life quiets the soul, tames the heart, inflames the imagination, and helps to make us authentic. In fact, the pages of history show us that most of the great leaders of the past were ravenous readers. Perhaps we really must “read to lead.” Stephen discusses all of these themes in this podcast and urges us to live exceptional lives, fueled in part by the power of the written word. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Sam Greenhalgh on Flickr[/custom_font]

The intellectual output of American college and university campuses has been troubling for decades. Now, though, there is growing concern about the culture of those campuses. Anti-Semitism is dropping everywhere in the world except on American campuses, where it is rising. Meanwhile, students are becoming so thin-skinned that they can’t even endure Seinfeld comedy performances without working themselves into fits of offense. What is happening and what is the answer? Stephen offers his explanation in this searing podcast. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Fibonacci Blue on Flickr[/custom_font]

More than 400,000 human beings have been killed in the Syrian civil war. The United States has only recently engaged in the conflict openly and directly. This happened on April 6 when President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of Syrian air bases from which chemical bombings had been launched. In this podcast, Stephen explains the good and the bad of Trump’s decision and describes how the U.S. should conduct itself as a global superpower. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of Wikimedia[/custom_font]

Neil Gorsuch is now a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, but the process of getting him there has poisoned American politics. Opponents of Gorsuch, already offended over Republican dismissal of Obama nominee Merrick Garland, had to endure a revision of a Senate tradition to see Gorsuch confirmed by a simple majority. In this podcast, Stephen explains these issues, takes a look at our ingenious Constitutional system, and explains what looms for the Supreme Court’s future. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of the U.S. Government[/custom_font]

In this special holiday episode, Stephen describes the pointed conspiracy and gruesome execution involved in the last days of Jesus Christ. Check out Killing Jesus by Stephen Mansfield on Amazon.com. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of midiman on Flickr[/custom_font]

While most Americans are distracted by the Trump administration’s first months, there is an historic moment approaching in the Middle East. With ISIS soon to be defeated, the opportunity for a free and independent nation of Kurdistan is upon us. It is long past due, though it could be prevented by the distraction of the West and divisions among the Kurds. Stephen explains all of this and calls for a global movement in favor of an independent Kurdistan. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of jan Sefti on Flickr[/custom_font]

On Monday, March 20, the House Select Intelligence Committee heard testimony from FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Admiral Rogers. Americans learned that Russia is intent upon undermining American democracy, that it sought to determine the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, and that there were “links” between Russia and the Trump campaign. What kind of links are still being investigated by the FBI and the NSA. In this podcast, Stephen responds to the information that surfaced during these hearings and gives a loud trumpet call to all Americans on the issue of Russia. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of Zerchoo News[/custom_font]

For years, the United States has maintained an incarceration facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. President Obama intended to close it but never did during his eight years in office. Now, Donald Trump has declared his intention to house even more suspected terrorists there. In this podcast, Stephen explains his belief that Guantánamo should be closed and also describes the story of one man who was kept there for fourteen years, only to be found innocent of any wrongdoing. You’ll be surprised by his story and by the startling facts of Guantánamo Bay. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Wikipedia[/custom_font]

Donald Trump says he wants to drain the swamp in Washington, DC and get things done. It is a good idea. Yet his approach to this involves ignoring expertise and experience and doing things the way he has always done them. It won’t work. In this podcast, Stephen explains why expertise and change aren’t enemies, and what kind of correction needs to happen in the Trump administration. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of DonkeyHotey on Flickr[/custom_font]

High-ranking military officers now lead the Department of Homeland Security and the Defense Department. Yet another is President Trump’s National Security Advisor. Some in Washington are concerned that this is too much, that a civilian government ought not have generals in cabinet positions. Stephen disagrees. In this podcast, he speaks movingly about his own experience as a military brat and also tells the stories of some of the American heroes who now help lead this nation.