The American Mind Podcast

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

Pope Leo XIV, in his first encyclical, dropped a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Gandalf. Inspired, Ryan Williams and Spencer Klavan examine why, as other franchises become cringe, the Lord of the Rings books remain moving and important. Even despite some rough streaming adaptations, the stories pair sacred story with timeless moral lessons and unmatched world building. Ryan and Spencer rank the best—and worst—of the fantasy universe Tolkien helped inaugurate.

We all know the story: officer Derek Chauvin was making an arrest in the summer of 2020 when he supposedly killed George Floyd—and became a national hate object. This week, former federal prosecutor TJ Harker joins the hosts to detail the research that led him to conclude Chauvin is not only innocent but an American Scapegoat. After years of post-Floyd lawfare, is America now on track to heal? Meanwhile, the senatorial election in Texas rages between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, the Left’s new “normal” guy: a football enjoyer, feminist Bible reader, and six gender believer.
Recommended:
The Scapegoating of Derek Chauvin, Pt. I
The Scapegoating of Derek Chauvin, Pt. II
American Scapegoat: How a Corrupt Justice System Sacrificed Derek Chauvin to the Mob


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

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

The landscape of battle in the last decade has drastically shifted in favor of drone warfare. In Iran and Ukraine, inexpensive drones hammer against expensive missile interceptors. If the U.S. wants to retain its advantage, this equation needs to change. This week, American Military Project director Will Thibeau discusses how U.S. policy and industry will have to adjust to prepare for the future of war. Plus: the implications of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, NATO deficiencies, and more.

In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV addressed the prospects of AI, warning against the enduring perils of Babel. Does he have a good alternative, or just an array of managerial, transnational solutions? This week, the guys consider the first American pontiff's doctrinal approach to AI and what it means for America. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio's star rises to Kissinger-esque heights as he takes on the dual position of national security advisor and secretary of state amid the Iran War. Who might succeed Trump on the 2028 ticket—Rubio or Vance?
Recommended:
Magnifica Humanitas, by Pope Leo XIV
Can Anyone Stop JD Vance in 2028?
The Rediscovery of America, edited by Edward J. Erler and Ken Masugi


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

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

A just-released Pew Research poll revealed that a majority of Americans are concerned about the exploits of Artificial Intelligence. Just 10 percent are excited about the technology’s increased use. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt discovered this when he was loudly booed during the University of Arizona’s commencement ceremony. Is this recent backlash a grassroots protest against tone deaf corporate messaging, the fruit of a Chinese psyop, or both? Spencer Klavan and Ryan Williams discuss.