Listening to America

Ken Burns, a documentary filmmaker, discusses his latest documentary on the American Buffalo. Topics include William Hornaday's role in buffalo conservation, Theodore Roosevelt's involvement, and the significance of the buffalo to America's heritage. The speaker also shares personal encounters with buffalos and their longstanding collaboration with Ken Burns.

Dr. Yuval Levin, author of 'A Time to Build', discusses how to rebuild trust in American institutions. He emphasizes the need to focus on fixing structural issues rather than blaming individuals. The podcast also explores the role of politicians, the importance of holding government accountable, and the potential for a spiritual transformation in American politics. They discuss the challenges young individuals face in engaging in meaningful discussions and recommend reading books on the founding generation for a thoughtful approach to America's 250th anniversary.

Actor Steven Duchrow discusses his experience as a Chautauquan and the challenges of portraying historical characters. They explore the importance of understanding the character's worldview, the process of turning research into a performance, and provide superb recitations of poems by Vachel Lindsay and Carl Sandburg, including Sandburg's famous poem 'Chicago, Hog Butcher of the World'.

Dr. Lindsey Travinsky discusses challenges of writing a book, including structure, research, style, and pace. The chapter highlights the value of starting to write instead of waiting for all research to be done. They discuss the dedication required, importance of belief in the subject, seeking feedback, and staying motivated. They explore advantages of writing in the digital age and challenges and benefits of researching historical records. They share their experience of writing a second book, admiration for John Adams, and satisfaction of writing a good sentence. They provide advice on writing a book, including the importance of planning ahead and embracing the editing process.

Guest host David Horton and Clay Jenkinson discuss the plans and purposes of 'Listening to America', exploring the changing perception of Thomas Jefferson's legacy and the hunger for a more authentic, idealistic America. They reflect on the upcoming 250th birthday of the nation and emphasize the importance of understanding different perspectives. The chapter also highlights the responsibility of individuals to participate in government and make positive changes, along with amusing anecdotes and experiences portraying historical figures.

David Horton of Radford University questions Mr. Jefferson about his formation, highlighting the influence of his father and mother. It explores why Jefferson's life veered from agrarian simplicities to becoming the President. It also reflects on the impact of mentorship on personal development and higher education. The chapter discusses the formation of Thomas Jefferson, changing views on education, and the importance of lifelong learning. It also delves into the establishment of the University of Virginia by President Jefferson and the challenges faced in creating a different concept for the university.

This podcast explores ten fascinating counterfactual scenarios in history, such as what if the British had won the Revolutionary War, if Alexander Hamilton had become President, if the South had won the Civil War, and if Hitler had gotten an atomic bomb. It also delves into the potential outcomes of these scenarios and their impact on democracy, isolationism, and the printing press's influence on the Reformation.

David Nicandri, an explorer, reflects on the risks taken by those who go where no man has gone before. The podcast discusses the disasters of the submersible Titan and the continuing allure of the Titanic. It explores the parallels between exploration and thrill-seeking, selective outrage towards wealthy individuals, and lessons from underwater vs. space programs. The speakers also reflect on our society's attitude towards risk and death and the quest for meaning and the human spirit in exploration.

The podcast discusses the summer blockbuster film Oppenheimer, analyzing its cinematography, editing, direction, acting, and score. They praise Robert Downey Jr.'s performance and highlight the film's historical accuracy. The speakers delve into the complexities of J. Robert Oppenheimer's character, analyze Casey Affleck and Matt Damon's performances, and discuss the film's impact on culture. They also explore different categories of movies, film, and cinema and mention their retirement during the pandemic.

This week, Clay Jenkinson interviews Bruce Ledewitz, the author of The Universe is On Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life. Since Nietzsche's famous pronouncement that "God is dead," Euro-American culture has become profoundly secular--and it shows, according to Ledewitz. Without the great tradition of Christian culture, America has descended into radical individualism without any moral anchor for public or private behavior. Ledewitz rejects the Enlightenment's belief that secular culture is a sufficient restraining mechanism for humans who are, in the Enlightenment's formulation, capable of considerable perfectibility. Jefferson's belief in a "moral sense" is not enough to give American culture meaning or restraint. Ledewitz sees little hope for a restoration of a morally grounded American society.