Keeping It Civil

In this episode, Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix and U.S. State Department delegate to Saudi Arabia and Poland, discusses the ideas in his new book What’s Right With America… And How We Can Keep It That Way!, co-authored with Larry Aldrich. Also, the host of the podcasts The Optimistic American and New Frontiers, Johnson explores enduring American values such as freedom, justice, and liberty, and shares why he remains hopeful about the nation’s future and its capacity for renewal.

In this episode, Andre Archie, associate professor of ancient Greek philosophy at Colorado State University, discusses the ideas presented in his 2024 book The Virtue of Color-Blindness. A specialist in Plato, Aristotle, and ancient political philosophy, Archie’s work engages both classical methodology and contemporary debates. The conversation explores why he views colorblindness as an important American ideal, why he disagrees with critical race theorists, and how the United States might move forward in addressing racial inequality while upholding this principle.

In this episode, Michael Mazarr, senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation and adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies, examines the sources of American national dynamism. A former associate dean at the U.S. National War College and president of the Stimson Center, Mazarr has written extensively on information technology, foreign policy, and national competitiveness. The conversation explores whether the United States can overcome disinformation and polarization to meet China’s great power challenge in the 21st century.

In this episode, Mary Elise Sarotte, the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies and research associate at Harvard University’s Center for European Studies, discusses America’s role in shaping the post–Cold War world. Drawing on her book Not One Inch: America, Russia, and the Making of Post–Cold War Stalemate, she examines the legacy of NATO expansion, Western relations with Russia, and what the Russia-Ukraine war reveals about a new global order.

In this episode, Patrick Griffin, professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, examines the unique place of America in the revolutionary Atlantic world. His research focuses on the intersection of colonial American and early modern Irish and British history, exploring themes of revolution, migration, and colonization. The conversation centers on his 2023 book The Age of Atlantic Revolution: The Fall and Rise of a Connected World, which considers why America was an exception, not only in becoming a nation-state, but also a democracy, amid the turbulence of the 18th- and 19th-century Atlantic world.

In this episode, Aurelian Craiutu, professor of political science at Indiana University, explores the role of moderation in contemporary politics. His research focuses on French political and social thought and comparative political theory, and he has written and edited more than a dozen books. His work has appeared in leading academic journals including American Political Science Review, Perspectives on Politics, and Political Theory. The conversation centers on his 2023 book Why Not Moderation?: Letters to Young Radicals, which makes the case that moderation is not a passive stance but a powerful and, at times, radical force in turbulent political moments.

In this episode, Brooke Barbier, a public historian with a PhD from Boston College, shares her expertise on Boston’s political and social life during the Revolutionary period. She is the founder of Ye Olde Tavern Tours, which offers tours of Boston’s historic sites and taverns. The conversation focuses on her 2024 book King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father and how political moderation played a key role in the American Revolution. Recorded the morning after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the discussion explores how moderation in the past can help us better understand politics today.

In this episode, Henry Thomson speaks with Gerard Baker, a prominent British columnist at the Wall Street Journal and host of its podcast i. Baker’s distinguished career has included work with the BBC, The Financial Times, and The Times, as well as five years as Editor-in-Chief of the Wall Street Journal. He is also the author of American Breakdown: Why We No Longer Trust Our Leaders and Institutions and How We Can Rebuild Confidence, which examines the erosion of Americans' trust in their political, business and cultural leaders, and offers solutions for a better future. Together, Henry and Gerard examine why American journalism has lost credibility, how the media approached the 2024 presidential election, and what changes could restore confidence and ease today’s deep political polarization.

In this episode, Henry Thompson and Dr. Jennifer Frey, Dean of the Honors College at the University of Tulsa, discuss the challenges and opportunities facing liberal education. She addresses the prevailing utilitarian mindset in universities, where education is often reduced to job training rather than a pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. Dr. Frey argues that this trend undermines the traditional notion of higher education as a pathway to intellectual freedom and flourishing. Drawing on her experiences at the University of Tulsa, Dr. Frey shares insights into the university's journey toward revitalizing liberal learning. Under her leadership, the Honors College at Tulsa has embarked on a curriculum reform focused on interdisciplinary learning, virtue formation, and deep engagement with foundational texts.

Featuring Lucas Morel, professor of politics at Washington and Lee University. Morel delves into the complex relationship between patriotism and the experiences of Black Americans, as exemplified by the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass. Despite facing profound injustices and obstacles, both leaders ultimately embraced America and its potential for progress. MLK's vision of the Beloved Community, rooted in the American Dream, challenged the nation to confront systemic inequalities and enact radical changes. We explore MLK's proposed solutions, including a "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged," and his critiques of capitalism's role in perpetuating poverty. Additionally, we examine Frederick Douglass's journey from an enslaved person to an outspoken advocate for American principles, highlighting his belief in the transformative power of living up to the nation's founding ideals. Through their insights, we ponder the ongoing quest for a more inclusive and just society, grappling with questions of individual responsibility versus governmental intervention in realizing the promise of America.