The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

Latest Episodes:

All Things Churchill Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

Stephen wants you to fall in love with Winston Churchill… however it happens! In this episode, Stephen shares his top book and film recommendations, as well as why Churchill is rewarding at every level.

Books:

Stephen’s book: The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchill: Hero in a Time of Crisis by Stephen Mansfield

Stephen’s favorite: My Early Life: 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill

Highly recommended: Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life by Gretchen Rubin

Newer Churchill book: Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard

Older Churchill book: Winston Churchill: An Informal Study of Greatness by Robert Lewis Taylor

Substantial one-volume tome: In Search of Churchill by Martin Gilbert

Films:

Young Winston (1972)

Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)

The Gathering Storm (2002)

Into the Storm (2009)

Dunkirk (2017)

Darkest Hour (2017)

Protecting Americans Abroad Feb 14, 2018

Show notes

Did you know that an American citizen who works for NASA has been held in solitary confinement in Turkey for 18 months? And that he just received a 7.5 year prison sentence for a crime he could not possibly have committed? The United States has essentially done nothing but express concern. Stephen believes the nation of Israel offers a better model. We must respond with direct and fierce action.

Why Afrin Matters Feb 07, 2018

Show notes

I like Turkey very much. But I do not like Erdoğan, the current leader of Turkey, or the thuggish government and military he has produced. Now, he’s accusing the YPG (a U.S. ally) of being in league with the PKK, and therefore an enemy of Turkey. Why does the U.S. call Turkey an ally? Why do we allow Erdoğan to do the things he does, violating a slew of NATO principles along the way? We are betraying the Kurds. Afrin will be a symbol of American weakness for which we will pay dearly in the future if we do not change course.

From The Archive: The Sexual Abuse Epidemic Jan 31, 2018

Show notes

In November, Stephen responded to the watershed of sexual abuse allegations coming to light. Today – 10 weeks after that episode originally aired – the "Weinstein effect" continues its spread. As the sexual abuse epidemic unfolds, it's more important now than ever before to understand what's happening in our culture. This week on the Stephen Mansfield Podcast, we're reposting Stephen's original episode addressing this issue. First and foremost, Stephen firmly believes sexual abuse of any kind is both sin and criminal. Yet he’s also concerned about how some of these cases are developing – precisely because he is so opposed to any kind of sexual abuse. If light and frivolous allegations are used as a basis for destroying someone’s life, there will be backlash, which will ultimately result in legitimate claims being unheard as society becomes exhausted with unsubstantiated allegations. It’s beyond time for our society to have moral conversations. Stephen hopes this episode will help.

Surviving the Shutdown Jan 24, 2018

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.

The Statue Version of History Jan 17, 2018

Show notes

The statue version of history omits flaws. This view perpetuates a false belief that the great men and women of history had relatively little existence outside of the great acts for which they are known. The recent story of the university that wanted to remove a Lincoln statue because the Great Emancipator once said he would allow slavery to continue if it would preserve the Union tells us as much. Our society is waking up to the idea that great figures of history can be mixed. Not all aspects of their lives are “statue-worthy.”

Movie Review: Darkest Hour Jan 10, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Stephen shares his candid review of Darkest Hour, the latest Hollywood blockbuster that delves into the life of Winston Churchill. Consider the leadership themes. Don’t be dissuaded by the ahistorical bits, which Stephen discusses here (spoiler-free). Also, check out a few of Stephen’s other Churchill recommendations, including his favorite Churchill film, Young Winston, which is based on the Prime Minister’s single-volume autobiography, My Early Life. Get your copy: The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchill by Stephen Mansfield

Is “Evangelical” a Bad Word? Jan 03, 2018

Show notes

How did “evangelical,” which has its roots in the Greek word for “good news,” come to have a largely negative association with right-wing politics? In this episode, Stephen briefly traces the history and usage of the word, discussing along the way: the ancient church, John Wesley and the Methodist movement, Billy Graham and Richard Nixon’s friendship, and our own age – an era that saw 81% of white evangelicals vote for Donald Trump.

Some Christmas Recommendations Dec 20, 2017

Show notes

Whether you’re a Christian or not, the Christmas season is an excellent time to allow the humanity, warmth, love, and graciousness of the Christmas season wash over you. In this podcast, Stephen recommends some books and movies through which you might allow yourself to be transformed… Joyeux Noel (watch the trailer) It’s a Wonderful Life (watch the trailer) A Christmas Carol (watch the trailer) The Gospel of Luke (read) The Man Who Invented Christmas (watch the trailer) The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits by Les Standiford In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story by David McCullough

Healing Our Patriotic Souls Dec 13, 2017

Show notes

We are constantly being bombarded with negative news. It’s easy to become disillusioned, our beliefs about ourselves, our people, and our country suffering along the way. In this podcast, Stephen offers a solution through recommending a few books and videos. May these restore your peace, hone your vision, and ennoble your soul. Patriotic Grace: What It Is and Why We Need It Now by Peggy Noonan What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner Listen to David McCullough on YouTube (you pick the video!)