Rephonic
Artwork for The American Idea

The American Idea

Ashbrook Center
First Amendment
Harlem Renaissance
Social Media Censorship
Free Speech
African American Culture
Racial Violence
Supreme Court Cases
Covid-19
New Civil Liberties Alliance
Great Migration
1920s
Local Government
Hunter Biden Laptop
Misinformation
Antitrust Law
World War II
Leadership
Cultural Nationalism
Langston Hughes
W.E.B. Du Bois

The American Idea explores America's Founding principles and their effect on American history and government. Through thoughtful conversations with renowned academics and public figures from across the country, we examine the history and political thought behind our country’s greatest documents and debates, as well as contemporary issues, American popular culture, and political statesmanship. The ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes217Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHistory

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The American Idea

Latest Episodes

Thomas Jefferson: “Author of the Declaration of American Independence [and] of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia.”

So says his tombstone, as he requested. Who was Jefferson, beyond the Declaration’s... more

Huey Long of Louisiana casts a long shadow over American populist politics. Often cast as a villain or troublemaker, author Thomas Patterson offers a nuanced look at the politics and impact of this important figure in 20th Century history.

Find his ... more

YouTube

Who was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and why is she largely forgotten in popular history? How did she show that the Declaration of Independence promised women’s rights, too? Dr. Natalie Taylor, Professor Political Science at Skidmore College, discusses th... more

YouTube

The Declaration of Independence is not, properly understood, a historical document. It is a statement of beliefs and principles describing the proper relationship between the individual and the state, and how the individual should view others in poli... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Thomas Patterson
Independent historian with a focus on Huey Long
Patterson Law Firm
Episode: Huey Long - American Populist
Natalie Taylor
Author of a book on A Political Philosophy of Mary Wollstonecraft and expert on women's rights history
Episode: Women’s Suffrage, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the Declaration of Independence
Adam Seagrave
Director of Teacher Programs for the Ashbrook Center, widely published author on American political thought.
Ashbrook Center
Episode: What Makes Americans a "Declarational" People?
Richard Bell
Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
University of Maryland
Episode: The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
Peter Schramm
A Hungarian immigrant who became a prominent American educator and advocate for American principles.
Ashbrook Center
Episode: Special Episode: Born American, But in the Wrong Place
Jason Stevens
Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and expert in American politics and the US Constitution
Ashland University
Episode: How Does the Declaration of Independence Influence the Constitution?
Kara Rogers-Stevens
Scholar of the American Revolutionary Period and Thomas Jefferson
Ashton University
Episode: When in the Course of Human Events: Creating the Declaration of Independence
John White
Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University
Episode: What Did Frederick Douglass Think of Abraham Lincoln?
Sharon Kennedy
Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
Ohio Supreme Court
Episode: The Constitution and the Rule of Law

Host

Jeff Sikkenga
Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and host of discussions exploring America's founding principles, their historical context, and contemporary implications.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Thank you from Indonesia

    The show is very helpful for social studies teachers who want to dive beneath the surface. It also helps me be able to articulate some important political and cultural concepts to my international students in Indonesia.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beavers School Laptop
    United States2 months ago
  • First listen failed to earn my respect because…

    Peter Grossman may be an economics expert but he isn’t one on energy or climate change. His views fail to understand the reality unfolding, and instead express his own form of utopian views not grounded in science. He is harmful if influential in that arena.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bGuiles
    United States2 years ago
  • Worth the investment of your time

    An intentional interview style. The host allows the guest to really paint the pictures of history by not letting and agents nor political sway hinder the guest’s story.

    Thanks, so much for the production.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beau ma Beau
    United States3 years ago
  • So good

    I attended Ashland University to get my MA in US history and government through the Ashbrook Center. It was the finest educational experience I have ever received. I even had Dr. Sikkenga for a class on the 4th Amendment-it was phenomenal. This podcast is a continuation of that experience. HIGHLY recommended if you are a history teacher or just want to understand more about what it means to be an American.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cornerstone1976
    United States3 years ago
  • Great!

    This should be required for HS students! Hoping they will get Gordon Lloyd on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Efrazee54
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some reviews indicate a preference for a balanced, thoughtful approach to political discourse, avoiding extreme views.
The engagement with renowned academics enhances the quality of discussion and depth of insight.
Listeners find the content enlightening, especially for those interested in American history and governance.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Does the Declaration of Independence Influence the Constitution?
Q: Do we see any of the influence of the Declaration's principles on the state constitutions?
Yes, many state constitutions adopted similar language to the Declaration, asserting inalienable rights and emphasizing the purpose of government to uphold such rights.
How Does the Declaration of Independence Influence the Constitution?
Q: What does the Constitution say, if anything, about its relationship to the Declaration of Independence?
The Constitution acknowledges the Declaration through references to principles such as liberty and equality, suggesting it must be read in light of the Declaration's principles.
What Did Frederick Douglass Think of Abraham Lincoln?
Q: What did Douglass think about Lincoln? Does his view change over time?
Douglass's view of Lincoln changed over time, initially being critical but later appreciating Lincoln's approach as a statesman.
What Did Frederick Douglass Think of Abraham Lincoln?
Q: What did Douglass think that Lincoln was going to do if he had lived?
Douglass believed Lincoln's personal qualities would help during Reconstruction, but he also thought Johnson might be better qualified for the job due to his experiences.
The Constitution and the Rule of Law
Q: What advice would you give to young people thinking about a career in law?
If they have compassion and a desire to serve, they should go to law school and consider becoming a lawyer.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The American Idea

What is The American Idea about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Discussions focus on America's founding principles and their influence on the nation's history, politics, and governance. Topics frequently include critical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, alongside explorations of significant historical events and figures, such as Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The conversations are enriched by insights from academics and experts, creating a platform for understanding contemporary American issues through the lens of historical context. The accessible yet scholarly approach makes it suitable for educators, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a deeper understanding of American identity and values.

Where can I find podcast stats for The American Idea?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The American Idea. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The American Idea and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The American Idea get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The American Idea, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The American Idea?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The American Idea, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The American Idea have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The American Idea has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The American Idea?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The American Idea:

1. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
2. The Ben Shapiro Show
3. Hillsdale Dialogues
4. School of War
5. The Editors

How many episodes of The American Idea are there?

The American Idea launched 5 years ago and published 217 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The American Idea?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The American Idea?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The American Idea from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The American Idea?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The American Idea. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The American Idea?

Recent guests on The American Idea include:

1. Thomas Patterson
2. Natalie Taylor
3. Adam Seagrave
4. Richard Bell
5. Peter Schramm
6. Jason Stevens
7. Kara Rogers-Stevens
8. John White

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days