The American Mind Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Chimping Out Apr 15, 2026

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For the second time in recorded primatology, a civil war has been observed between chimpanzees. This week, the guys get a little philosophical about the unique status of mankind as a political animal and the unlikelihood that we have much to learn from the chimps—progressive optimism and cash grabs notwitstanding. Meanwhile, Viktor Orbán lost the Hungarian election to Péter Magyar, a result misinterpreted by the Left as a pro-immigration, anti-nationalist repudiation of conservatism globally. What's really going on in Hungary, and what does it mean for us at home?

Orbán Is Gone. His Style of Politics Isn’t.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

The Administrative State in the Slaughterhouse, Part I Apr 09, 2026

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Host Spencer Klavan and Claremont president Ryan Williams kick off a new series on Trump v. Slaughter, a Supreme Court case that calls into question the whole misbegotten history of the administrative state. The carefully calibrated design of the founders has been thrown out of whack by 100 years of precedent. Is it too late to undo the damage? This wee…

Genocide or Hyperbole? Apr 09, 2026

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Over Easter weekend, as the Iran War approached its sixth week, Trump reissued his ultimatum to Iran: open the Strait of Hormuz or face complete destruction. This week, the guys take some guesses at what Trump intends for our adversary, and what is to come long-term. Meanwhile, amid the conflict, heroes have emerged—most recently in the harrowing rescue of an American airman downed behind enemy lines. Plus: updates on the amazing, ongoing success of the Artemis II mission to the moon. NASA is back in the game.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Dispatch from Japan, Part III: Trumpism Apr 02, 2026

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Wrapping up a short series of talks focused on Japanese politics, host Spencer Klavan and Claremont Institute president Ryan Williams examine Japan’s reaction to the rise of Trump and the MAGA movement. Building on the modern US-Japan partnership, Trump and the recently elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have met to reaffirm the shared project of sta…

Congress Take the Wheel Apr 01, 2026

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Amid an ongoing congressional battle over Department of Homeland Security funding, the House Democrats eked out a bill in the early hours last Friday—excluding ICE and Border Patrol. After a century of Congressional abdication, submission to bureaucracy has become second nature. And in making war, most recently with Iran, the atrophy of the government's first branch calls into question the separation of powers. Plus: Oral arguments for Trump v. Barbara, on birthright citizenship, begin this week, challenging the liberal interpretation repudiated by the work of John Eastman, John Marini, and other Claremonsters.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Dispatch from Japan, Part II: From Antiquity to Modernity Mar 26, 2026

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Claremont Institute president Ryan Williams continues his conversation with host Spencer Klavan about his quasi-diplomatic mission to Japan. This week, the two launch into the role of religion in Japanese politics, the country’s deeper history before World War II, and remedies for the nation’s birth dearth. With this context, the outlook of modern Japan…

Boomers, Zoomers and Doomers Mar 25, 2026

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After another tense week of Iran-US operations, Trump is reportedly looking to broker a deal and snuff out the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, amid rumors that the Right is tearing at the seams, polling now reveals that young conservatives are the least divided on the recent intervention—overwhelmingly in its favor. Reports of a deep divide between old and young may, as so often, be more media hype than reality. Those running in 2028: take notes.

Recommended:

The Age of America

Poll: Young conservatives are the strongest supporters of the war in Iran

The Metaverse Was Never Inevitable

Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration, and the Future of White Majorities

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Dispatch from Japan, Part I Mar 19, 2026

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Joining host Spencer Klavan fresh off the plane from a Japan-hosted outreach mission, Claremont Institute president Ryan Williams gives an exclusive debrief with insight into Japanese political philosophy, business strategy, and defense. China, the nation’s longtime adversary across the sea, view it as an obstacle to regional dominance—making prudent a …

Does the Right Have a Woman Problem? Mar 18, 2026

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A buzzy new essay at New York Mag announces that some women have grown disgruntled at the MAGA movement and by their treatment from some on the New Right. Now their criticisms are being used to publicly discredit conservatism, wholesale. The concerns are real, but need to be addressed in-house—before they become oppo fodder. Meanwhile, Director of National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent has resigned, citing the war in Iran. Plus: returning from Japan, Ryan teases some of his quasi-diplomatic escapades, and shares a few quirks of the nation and its history: available in full on Claremont Digital Plus!

Recommended:

The Women Leaving the New Right

What the Hell Happened to DOGE?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Near-Peer Conflict in Iran ft. Will Thibeau Mar 12, 2026

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Will Thibeau joins host Spencer Klavan to take measure of our adversary's capabilities in the Iran War.