Acton Line

Latest Episodes:

‘A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History’ May 18, 2022

Show notes

Kevin Schmiesing, director of research at the Freedom & Virtue Institute, takes you on a journey through American history to more than two dozen sites and events that symbolize and embody America’s rich Catholic past in his new book, “A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History: People and Places that Shaped the Church in the United States.”

Subscribe to our podcasts

Apply now for Acton University 2022

"A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History: People and Places that Shaped the Church in the United States"

Freedom & Virtue Institute

About Kevin Schmiesing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The Economics of the Parables” May 11, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Rev. Robert A. Sirico, Acton’s president emeritus, and Dan Hugger, Acton’s librarian and research associate, dismiss the many misinterpretations of Jesus' parables to reveal their timeless wisdom as explored in Rev. Sirico’s new book, “The Economics of the Parables.”

Subscribe to our podcasts

Apply now for Acton University 2022

"The Economics of the Parables" — Regnery Publishing

The Rev. Sirico Leadership Fund — Acton Institute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The Essential Works of Thomas More” May 04, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Gerard Wegemer, professor of English at the University of Dallas, sits down with Sam Gregg, Acton’s director of research, to discuss Wegemer’s new book, “The Essential Works of Thomas More.” For the first time, Thomas More’s most influential English and Latin works have been gathered into a single volume, creating a unique resource for anyone interested in More’s teaching on theology, statesmanship, and renaissance humanism.

Subscribe to our podcasts

Apply now for Acton University 2022

"The Essential Works of Thomas More"

About Gerard Wegemer, Ph.D.

St. Thomas More: Saint, Scholar, Statesman, Martyr — EWTN

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Trust in a Polarized Age” Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

Kevin Vallier, political philosopher and associate professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University, joins Dylan Pahman, Acton’s executive editor of the “Journal of Markets and Morality,” to discuss Vallier’s new book, “Trust in a Polarized Age.”

America seems to be falling into further hopelessness, divisiveness, and cultural decay. Yet Vallier sees things differently. He offers effective ways we can defend liberty, protect democracy, strengthen liberal economic institutions, and respect basic human rights.

Subscribe to our podcasts

"Trust in a Polarized Age"

About Kevin Vallier

"Are We a Nation?" with Samuel Goldman

How to talk about rights in our polarized age – Acton Line Podcast

Adam MacLeod on morality in public discourse – Acton Vault Podcast

Divided we fall: America after the 2020 election – Acton Lecture Series

We are a fractured nation, but there is still hope – PowerBlog

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hundred-year war for American conservatism Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

Matthew Continetti’s new book, The Right, gives readers a clear historical perspective of the conservative movement—from the Progressive era to the present. He tells the story of how conservatism began as networks of intellectuals, developing and institutionalizing a vision that grew over time. This book is essential for anyone looking to understand what it truly means to be an American conservative.

In this episode of Acton Line, Eric Kohn, Acton’s director of marketing and communications, sits down with Continetti to discuss The Right and especially where the conservative movement is headed.

Subscribe to our podcasts

About Matthew Continetti

The Right by Matthew Continetti

An Awkward Alliance: Neo-Integralism and National Conservatism | Acton Institute

Rise of the national conservatives with Matthew Continetti | Acton Institute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being American in an age of division Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of Acton Line, Eric Kohn, our director of marketing and communications, sits down with Samuel Goldman, associate professor of political science at George Washington University, to discuss the history of our American national identity as explored in his new book, “After Nationalism: Being American in an Age of Division.”

Goldman lays out the history of American national identity and offers new inspiration for how we can live together despite our current polarization and division.

Subscribe to our podcasts

After Nationalism: Being American in an Age of Division

God's Country: Christian Zionism in America

Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom

About Samuel Goldman

Politics & Values Program at George Washington University

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

College sports economics Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

Eric Kohn, Acton’s director of marketing and communications, sits down with Matt Brown, sports journalist and author of the “Extra Points” daily newsletter. They discuss the economic system behind college athletics and athletes’ compensation in general.

Subscribe to our podcasts

Extra Points with Matt Brown

Extra Points Podcast

What If?: A closer look at college football's great questions | By Matt Brown

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Henry and his influence on Christianity and politics Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Hugger, research associate and librarian here at Acton, sits down with Dr. Micah Watson, associate professor and executive director of the Paul Henry Institute at Calvin University, to discuss Congressman Paul Henry and his leadership in shaping the way Christian politicians live out their faith within their public service.

The Paul Henry Institute seeks “to understand the role of faith in public life across time, from the earliest efforts of ancient peoples to organize their laws and institutions to present-day tensions between religion and the modern state.”

Subscribe to our podcasts

About Dr. Micah Watson

Henry Institute for the study of Christianity and politics

5 Things that Christianity brings to our understanding of politics | Acton Institute

Controversial Christianity: Understanding faith and politics | Acton Institute

Our Mission & Core Principles | Acton Institute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Rowe on “Agency”: Empowering all children to achieve success Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

This is a special edition of Acton Line, featuring Ian Rowe, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, speaking on his new book, “Agency.“

On Wednesday, March 16, Rowe visited the Acton Institute for a discussion in front of a live audience with Eric Kohn, Acton’s director of marketing and communications. Rowe spoke on how we can inspire young people as they make the passage into adulthood. All children should be taught that a path to a successful life exists and that they have the power to follow it.

Subscribe to our podcasts

"Agency" by Ian Rowe | Book

About Ian Rowe

American Enterprise Institute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a mission to help the poor and homeless Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Dan Churchwell, director of program outreach here at Acton, sits down with James Whitford, executive director of Watered Gardens Ministries, to discuss the challenges of poverty we face here in our communities. Whitford supports the economic principle of subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is a social practice where neighbors help neighbors so the state doesn’t have to intervene. This discourages reliance on the welfare state and avoids government bureaucracy.

Subscribe to our podcasts

Watered Gardens Ministries

The Principle of Subsidiarity

Build Together: Why lived experience is essential for crafting poverty solutions

God doesn't need your good works (but your neighbor does)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.