The American Idea cover art

The American Idea

The American Idea

By: Ashbrook Center
Listen for free

About this listen

The American Idea explores America's Founding principles and their effect on American history and government. Through thoughtful conversations with renowned academics and public figures from across the country, we examine the history and political thought behind our country’s greatest documents and debates, as well as contemporary issues, American popular culture, and political statesmanship. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Jeff Sikkenga.

Ashbrook 2021
World
Episodes
  • Frederick Douglass's Constitutional Abolitionism
    Aug 20 2025

    Jeff and BYU law professor Bradley Rebeiro discuss Frederick Douglass’s understanding of the Constitution, and how he came to view it as an anti-slavery document, using it to promote abolition.

    Host: Jeff Sikkenga

    Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton

    Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • The End of World War 2 in the Pacific: VJ Day at 80 Years
    Aug 13 2025

    14 August 1945: VJ Day, and with the end of fighting in the Pacific and Japan's surrender, World War 2 finally comes to an end. Dr. John Moser is joined today by author and historian Walter Borneman to discuss how and why the war ended when it did, and how that ending shaped the decades to come, and, indeed, our world today in political and strategic terms.

    Read Walt's book, The Admirals, and learn more about WW2 in the Pacific - you can find his books on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/393nme37

    #ww2 #pacificwar #halsey #nimitz #macarthur

    Host: Jeff Sikkenga

    Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton

    Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • "A Most Fearful Evil" - What is the National Debt and Why Should You Care About It?
    Aug 6 2025

    What is the national debt? To whom or what does the U.S. government owe all this money? What does it mean to you today, your children and grandchildren tomorrow, and for the continued health of American political and economics institutions and norms?

    Jeff discusses all these issues and more with Dr. Rob Wyllie, Professor of Political Economy.

    Host: Jeff Sikkenga

    Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton

    Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.