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.

This week, Clay Jenkinson’s conversation with Listening to America’s Enlightenment correspondent David Nicandri after viewing the blockbuster film Oppenheimer. How close did the film stay to the historical record? Was the characterization of Oppenheimer both accurate and compelling? Why does Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey, Jr.) play so large a role in the film? Will the film be remembered in Hollywood history? Why is the film rated R? Is Christopher Nolan’s depiction of Edward Teller an allusion to Stanley Kubrik’s Dr. Strangelove? Do the four narrative strands of the film hold together? What is the significance of the argument of the film that, once you create nuclear devices, they are sure to be used in the next existential world crisis?

This week, Clay Jenkinson's interview with the Thoreau of Great Salt Lake, Scott Baxter, about the possibility that the lake will die well before it dries up entirely. Baxter has spent decades monitoring the lake as its levels diminish thanks to over-allocation and more recently the prolonged drought in the American West. With his future son-in-law, Baxter circumnavigated the lake several years ago. The toxic dust that is exposed by declining lake levels represents a respiratory problem for the citizens of the Wasatch Front in Utah. That dust finds its way to the snowfields in the mountains east of Salt Lake City, damaging the ski industry and causing the snowpack to melt sooner than ever before. This interview is part of Listening to America's Water in the West initiative.

Delve into the lesser-known aspects of John Quincy Adams' life, including his humor, caution in discussing slavery, legal accomplishments, and influential role as Secretary of State. Explore his battle between duty and desire, his naming pattern for his children and the tragic lives of some of them, his linguistic abilities and time in Russia, and his evolving stance on slavery. Reflect on his legacy and contributions, as well as the implications of the Louisiana Purchase. Book recommendations about John Quincy Adams are also provided.

This week, the first of a two part conversation between Clay Jenkinson and Lindsay Chervinsky on the life and achievement of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. Adams was perhaps the greatest Secretary of State in American history. He had a rough one-term presidency, but then he won a seat in the House of Representatives that he retained until his death in 1848. He was one of America's greatest opponents of slavery.

This week, Clay Jenkinson talks with David Horton of Radford University in Virginia about the artificial intelligence revolution. Where are we with AI and where are we headed? What is the future of privacy? Is it possible to regulate AI? Will the machines terminate us as a slovenly, irrational, and wasteful species? Will we live forever or at least another hundred years? What will universities do now that ChatGPT is rocking education? Meanwhile, Clay asks ChatGPT to write an essay condemning Jefferson for slavery and another defending him.