The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Silence of the Right Feb 13, 2019

Show notes

Most conservatives lack appeal because they lack the ability to make their case. The right cannot survive simply by vilifying the left. Those of us right-of-center must be ready to give an answer in defense of our beliefs. It’s not enough to cling to traditional values. We must possess informed and compelling language. Do you know your history? Are you able to show why socialism doesn’t work? In this episode, Stephen challenges listeners to examine the foundations of their beliefs and fill in the gaps in their education, as needed.

Abortion Battles to Come Feb 06, 2019

Show notes

If you’ve been watching the news, you know there have been two state initiatives regarding abortion: one in New York and one in Virginia. What’s happening today is a reaction to steps taken by President Trump, who has appointed two Supreme Court Justices with pro-life leanings. Pro-choice state legislators are wary that the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade. In response, they are expanding abortion rights, codifying them into state law in the event of an overturn. This week, Stephen takes on the abortion debate with history, facts, and fresh perspective.

The Shutdown, Part 2 Jan 30, 2019

Show notes

We don’t want a government comprised of politicians who are too chummy beyond a certain level of civility. We don’t want politicians swept into Potomac Fever, as Truman called it. We need tension. Though we’re currently experiencing a brief reprieve, the government shutdown is slated to return. How can it be avoided? The solution is going to come from those who roll up their sleeves and stay up late at the negotiating table. Real governing doesn’t come from the wingnuts, who try to shift the center lines to the right and left. Real governing is produced through compromise by those who hammer out solutions in the middle of the political spectrum.

The Example of Bill Lee Jan 23, 2019

Show notes

Bill Lee, the newly inaugurated Governor of Tennessee, is a model for both the GOP and broader politics in America. Just 30 days before election day he was polling behind by double digits. His opponents slung mud and tried to smear him. “This campaign’s starting to feel like a race to the bottom,” he stated in one ad. But Lee didn’t give in. Bucking the Trump-led trends of bickering and pettiness, Lee strove for nobility, honesty, and character. May we see more campaigns of the same integrity in the elections ahead. Image via https://transition.billlee.com/about-bill/

A Revealing Proposal Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

You know that Stephen tends to pay attention to macro-trends and verified stories, but he’s intrigued by something he’s heard from people in the administration and on the Hill. Some are saying that there is at least the hope of the tiniest possibility (how’s that for a disclaimer?) that President Trump may not run for re-election. In this episode, Stephen discusses the implications of such an event, as well as what that hope says about our nation and our politics – regardless of whether anything of this rumor materializes.

From The Archive: Surviving the Shutdown Jan 09, 2019

Show notes

The Founding Fathers distrusted human nature. They were mostly Christians who believed in the Fall of Man. Though the phrase hadn’t been uttered yet, they believed that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That’s why they designed a tripartite government that forces conflict to serve us. They wanted tension, differing opinions, and checks and balances. While temporarily painful, the pressure felt during a government shutdown is ultimately a good thing. As constituents, we are better served by this kind of discussion and pressure. Note: This episode originally aired on January 24, 2018. While the circumstances of this shutdown are different, the sentiments presented in this episode are as relevant today as they were in 2018.

What’s Coming in 2019 Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

Stephen doesn’t typically make end-of-year predictions, but in this episode he analyzes current trends in the world and the United States, focusing on three specific shifts we might expect in 2019. Listen to the warning signs, and then stay tuned for some solutions and hope! Stephen shares tactics and strategies he uses for grounding himself in turbulent times.

The Coming Trump Crisis Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

If you’re a regular listener, you know that Stephen has concerns about the degree to which religious conservatives have blindly supported Donald Trump. Though right of center and glad for much of what the Trump administration has accomplished, Stephen is grieved by Donald Trump’s manner: his language, racist attitudes, and the adolescence exhibited on Twitter. These behaviors are causing a great deal of damage in our country. However, there’s something in particular that will soon put the Trump administration and our nation in even greater crisis. Tune in to find out what lies ahead.

Nations Rising Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

Brexit, the Yellow Vest Movement in France, and recent elections around the globe have all resounded as strong reactions to the post-World War II trend toward globalization. Globalism has many benefits, but so does nationalism. In this episode, Stephen proposes that we shouldn’t have to choose between one and the other. We want strong nations that are free to pursue their interests, and we want those nations to be part of global networks that are helping all nations to thrive. Beware of the hyper-globalist. Beware of the hyper-nationalist. They are both extremes, and the way forward may be in the middle.

Tribute: George H.W. Bush Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

George H.W. Bush was a man of moderation, a virtue sorely lacking in our current political climate. Perhaps you’ve heard it said that moderation is the ability to simultaneously ponder two different views and consider their virtues. Number 41 was excellent in this regard. This week, as you watch the funeral and read the tributes, consider the skill of moderation, which the former President exemplified well, and consider how you might apply it to your own thinking. "President George Bush on the Texans sideline. Houston Texans Vs. New York Giants Reliant Stadium. Houston, Tx. Oct. 10, 2010." by “AJ Guel“ Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY2.0). Accessed 04 December 2018. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:President_George_H._W._Bush.jpg

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