The American Idea

Latest Episodes:

Did Federal Officials Pressure Social Media Companies to Censor Americans? May 08, 2024

Show notes

Jeff is joined by John Vecchione, Senior Litigator for the New Civil Liberties Alliance (nclalegal.org) to discuss their work before the Supreme Court, arguing on behalf of individuals and groups that claim that federal officials abused their power and pressured social media companies to censor their speech. Similar to the “memory hole” of 1984, social media giants like Facebook, it is alleged, were pressured to downgrade or outright ban certain posts and even individuals whose opinions they didn’t like.

nclalegal.org

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

A Conversation with Vivek Ramaswamy May 01, 2024

Show notes

Jeff sits down with entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to discuss what motivated him to run, what he learned from the experience, and how he views the opportunities America has given him and his family.

#vivek #ramaswamy #president #elect ions #campaign #america

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

Bombing Hitler's Hometown - the Untold Story of the Last Mass Bombing Raid Over Europe in WW2 | Documents & Debates Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

On April 25th, 1945, the 15th Air Force launched the last mass bombing raid in the war in Europe, on Hitler's self-declared hometown of Linz, Austria. This strategically-important transportation hub was also the location where Hitler dreamed of creating a shrine to himself and Nazism, in the form of museums, monuments, (stolen) art collections, and eventually his grave.

Mike Croissant, author and retired CIA analyst, discusses the raid with John Moser, as the two discuss the closing days of the war, the dangers of American daylight bombing, and the tragic end to the life of Croissant's uncle, who fly in the raid and was the inspiration for the book.

If the courage and stories of the 'Greatest Generation' interest and inspire you, take the time to listen to this episode, and check out Mike's book, out now: https://a.co/d/0Pnycx3

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

World War 1's Far-Reaching Impact on America | Documents & Debates Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

World War 1 had a profound and far-reaching impact on American politics, government, law, international standing and, perhaps even more significant, on American culture and society. Many of the most important movements of the 20th Century - Civil Rights, Women's Suffrage, the growth of government power and size - have their roots in how America and Americans understood the war, took part in it, and what they took from the experience with it and the broader world. Dr. Jeff Sikkenga, Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center, discuses these topics with Dr. Jennifer Keene, Professor of History at Chapman University. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

The Importance of Good Local Government | American Core Ideas Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Jeff moderates a panel with mayors of four small towns in Ohio, discussing their work and the importance of good local government and how we can, with our neighbors, play an essential role in America’s civic life. This episode was recorded live at one of the Ashbrook Center’s recent “Major Issues Lecture Series,” held at Ashland University.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

Servant Leadership and Building a Winning Team | American Core Ideas Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Building a winning team - in business, education, sports, or the military - is hard, essential work; sustaining excellence over time is, perhaps, even harder. Kari Pickens, head coach of Ashland University’s Women’s Basketball Team, knows a lot about both, and shares her experiences and insights with Jeff in this episode.

Kari’s reflections are also firmly connected to the American tradition of servant leadership - of a leader who puts their people and mission ahead of themselves, working to get the best out of people while helping them develop as individuals.

For basketball fans there’s a lot to love in this episode. Those interested in organizational culture and personnel development will find equally as much.

Learn more about Coach Pickens and the program here: https://goashlandeagles.com/sports/womens-basketball

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

Perspectives on Leadership and Current Threats to America with Congressman Jim Jordan Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Jeff is joined by Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4, R) to discuss some of most essential elements of a leader, as well as some of the most pressing challenges facing American today. They discuss government-sponsored threats to the First Amendment,and the challenges presented internationally by Russia and China.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

China's Trojan Horse? Tik Tok and the Information Wars Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

With the Senate now having to consider a House bill that would force the sale of TikTok or ban the app in the United States, it's time to get the truth on why this social media platform is not like Facebook or Instagram or others. Jeff is joined by foreign policy expert Michael Sobolik of the American Foreign Policy Council to discuss what TikTok is, how the Chinese Communist Party is able to influence control over it, and by extension gather information about people and spread propaganda favorable to the CCP and its global strategy.

Find Michael's book here: https://a.co/d/c9MmPLx

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

The Harlem Renaissance - A Uniquely American Movement | Documents & Debates Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

John Moser discusses the origins, evolution, and impact of the Harlem Renaissance with historian David Krugler.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

Clear and Present Danger: The Use and Abuse of Presidential War Powers Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Jeff Sikkenga and Dr. Sarah Burns discuss the long, complicated history of how presidential war powers have been understood, implemented, and expanded, and how these changes have impacted American government and America's place in the world.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Jeremy Gypton

Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea

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