The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

As one year comes to a close and a new one begins, anxieties often settle in about the new year and what the future might hold. While unpredictable political, economic, and social events rage on, be intentional to initiate practices in the lives of your family and community to ground yourselves. Take heart in these stories of those who persevered through uncertainty, and carry them with you into the new year. Have a very Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2023.

When used in a mechanical context, a lynchpin is a vital piece designed to keep the wheels from falling off a wagon or tool. Today, I use this word metaphorically in a global and political context on the Stephen Mansfield podcast to describe what I believe was a key event in the development of the Russian/European conflict. The Nord Stream pipeline explosion in September escalated tensions between Europe and Russia, and we will continue to see its effects in the coming months. Listen to today's episode for details.

Tides are turning in two very significant ways, both amidst elections here on U.S. soil and concerning war across the globe in Ukraine. Listen to the latest episode of the Stephen Mansfield Podcast to hear the details of these events, as well as something new in D.C. worth griping about!

Christian nationalism is a hot button topic in our society today. As a student of American history, Stephen weighs in on the topic with a balanced perspective. Together we’ll ask: Is America a Christian nation? Should Christianity be an official religion? Does Christian nationalism work? Is it justified? Tune in for an exciting discussion of a topic never before covered on the Stephen Mansfield Podcast!

Mahsa Amini and Tulsi Gabbard are two women who have moved to the forefront of world news and may perhaps signal world changes to come. On September 16, Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman without head covering, was taken into custody by the nation’s “morality police” where she died from blows to the head. Her death sparked massive protests in Iran. Meanwhile, former member of Congress Tulsi Gabbard recently left the Democratic Party, calling it an “elitist cabal of warmongers,” anti-white, a cult of wokeness, and so on. Stephen sees both of these women as harbingers of trends to come. Tune in to learn why. Tulsi Gabbard image via Gage Skidmore (source); Mahsa Amini image via Unknown (source)

There is a popular view that America has a covenant with God that is defined by the Constitution of the United States. Furthermore, proponents of this argument often believe that when elected officials violate the Constitution, they are violating that covenant and bringing our nation under God’s judgement. Stephen has been asked by several listeners to share his thoughts on this belief. Tune in for a trip through history that covers the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, as we seek to engage with these questions of covenants and governments.

On her 21st birthday, Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) spoke words to the Commonwealth that have echoed in Stephen’s mind and heart for years: “If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this ancient commonwealth, which we all love so dearly, an even grander thing - more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world - than it has been in the greatest days of our forefathers.” May we also have a great courage in facing the challenges of our own age. May we too have a quiet heart before God: a heart that is at peace and gives us strength. May this memory of Queen Elizabeth II be a blessing upon us. Image via Ministry of Information (source).

President Biden is a consummate politician, and his recent student loan debt forgiveness announcement is a prime example. While Stephen is fully in favor of freeing students and their parents from these mafia-like loans, the current forgiveness “plan,” if it can be considered as much, is an administrative failure. Some 35 million individuals will have to attest that they make less than $125,000 in order to even apply. The Department of Education has not released any information about how the process will work or what debtors can do to take action. At the same time, there is a student loan moratorium that will be suspended in January. The clock is ticking and millions are eager to take action, yet there is no clear path forward. Mr. Biden has failed in his attempt to address a serious problem, but not in a serious way. Mentioned in this podcast: “Borrowed Future: How Student Loans are Killing the American Dream”

This week on the podcast, Stephen weighs in on his top seven topics, a broad mix of subjects spanning from the Russia/Ukraine war and the state of our economy to Notre Dame football. Tune in for a special announcement at the beginning of this episode, and be sure to stick around to the end as Stephen asks a question that he would like for you to ponder with him in the days and weeks ahead.

Stephen wants you to fall in love with Winston Churchill… however it happens! In this episode, Stephen shares his top book and film recommendations, as well as why Churchill is rewarding at every level.Books:Stephen’s book: The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchill: Hero in a Time of Crisis by Stephen MansfieldStephen’s favorite: My Early Life: 1874-1904 by Winston ChurchillHighly recommended: Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life by Gretchen RubinNewer Churchill book: Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice MillardOlder Churchill book: Winston Churchill: An Informal Study of Greatness by Robert Lewis TaylorSubstantial one-volume tome: In Search of Churchill by Martin GilbertFilms:Young Winston (1972)Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)The Gathering Storm (2002)Into the Storm (2009)Dunkirk (2017)Darkest Hour (2017)