Conservative Conversations with ISI
Conservative ideas are no longer welcome on most college campuses—or anywhere else. If you are a conservative student or professor, or just interested in the conservative intellectual tradition, this podcast is for you! Join Johnny Burtka, Marlo Slayback, and Tom Sarrouf for in-depth conversations with leading thinkers on the most important issues facing conservatism.
Episodes
192 episodes
A Vision for a Healthier America
In this insightful discussion, Marlo Slayback, Tom Sarrouf, and Jeff Bilbro delve into the life and work of Wendell Berry, exploring how his writings and philosophy laid the groundwork for the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They examine...
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50:13
The Medieval Mind: Insights with Rachel Fulton Brown
In this engaging conversation, Tom Sarrouf sits down with Rachel Fulton Brown, professor of Medieval History at the University of Chicago, to explore the rich intellectual world of the Middle Ages and the medieval mind. They dive into how medie...
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58:08
What Does It Mean to Order Our Loves Rightly?
What does it mean to order our loves rightly? In this insightful conversation, Tom Sarrouf is joined by Dr. Chad Pecknold, a theologian and professor at The Catholic University of America, to explore ordo amoris—the proper ordering of love—and ...
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47:40
Secularism, Religion, and Violence: Rethinking the Narrative with Tal Howard
Is religion inherently violent, and is secularism truly a force for peace? In this episode of Conservative Conversations, Tom Sarrouf sits down with historian and author Thomas Albert Howard to discuss the themes of his latest bo...
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36:49
Why Conservatives Should Care About Art with Brian Brown
In this insightful episode of Conservative Conversations, Tom Sarrouf sits down with Brian Brown, founder of the Anselm Society, to discuss the crucial role of art in shaping culture and society. They explore why conservatives should care about...
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45:09
The Gilded Age & Westward Expansion with Miles Smith
In this engaging episode of Conservative Conversations, Tom Sarrouf sits down with historian and scholar Miles Smith to explore the transformative era of the Gilded Age and Westward Expansion. They discuss the economic growth that characterized...
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57:11
Liberalism, Post-Liberalism, and Self-Governance with Michael Hanby
In this thought-provoking episode of Conservative Conversations, Tom Sarrouf sits down with philosopher and scholar Michael Hanby to explore the evolving landscape of political thought. Together, they delve into the roots of liberalism, unpack ...
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1:57:18
The Postmodern Predicament: Bobby Angel on Truth, Faith, and Culture
In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Angel, Catholic author, speaker, and mentor, to discuss his latest book, The Postmodern Predicament. This conversation unpacks the challenges of faith, truth, and identity in a world shaped by postmoderni...
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46:11
Why Literature Still Matters: Jason Baxter on the Power of Great Books
Why does literature still matter in our modern world? In this episode, ISI’s Conservative Conversations welcomes scholar Jason Baxter to discuss his latest book, Why Literature Still Matters. Baxter explores how great literature shapes our mora...
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55:41
Paul DeHart on Natural Law, Consent, and the Fate of the Social Contract
Is the social contract broken? In this episode, Paul DeHart joins ISI to discuss his latest book, The Social Contract in the Ruins: Natural Law and Government by Consent. He challenges the idea that consent alone legitimizes government, explori...
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1:56:40
The Legacy of President McKinley with Robert Merry
What can we learn from President William McKinley’s leadership, and how does his legacy compare to the modern political landscape? In this fascinating conversation, historian and journalist Robert W. Merry joins ISI to discuss his latest book, ...
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55:32
Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World with Eduard Habsburg
In a world increasingly marked by isolation, instability, and cultural decay, how can families remain strong, joyful, and rooted in tradition? In this episode, we sit down with Edward Habsburg—Catholic thinker, writer, and Hungary’s ambassador ...
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44:13
Restoring Balance in Government with Charles Keckler
In this episode, Charles Keckler joins us to discuss regulatory reform and the growing power of the executive branch. Drawing on his experience in law and public policy, he examines how the administrative state has reshaped the balance of power...
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45:31
The Church Against the State with Andrew Willard Jones
Join host Tom Sarrouf as he sits down with historian and theologian Andrew Willard Jones to discuss his latest book, The Church Against the State: The Birth of Liberty in the Late Middle Ages. In this thought-provoking episode, Jones explores t...
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1:17:39
The Rise of Satanism in the Public Square and How to Fight It with Frank DeVito
In this thought-provoking episode, Frank DeVito, counsel at Napa Legal, explores the complexities of defining religion in a pluralistic society and shares his fight against the rise of Satanism and attacks on traditional values. With his unique...
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51:50
Christian Liberty and Modern Challenges with Brad Littlejohn
In this episode, host Tom Sarrouf sits down with Brad Littlejohn to discuss his latest book, Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License. They explore the concept of Christian liberty, its roots in the Reformat...
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1:00:19
Rebuilding America: A Bold Vision for Industrial Policy with Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher
In this special episode of Conservative Conversations with ISI, we sit down with authors Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher to discuss their groundbreaking new book, Industrial Policy for the United States: Winning the Competition for Good Jobs and ...
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1:05:23
Rediscovering Christmas with Joseph Bottum
In this special holiday episode, Joseph Bottum joins Tom Sarrouf to discuss his latest book, Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh: A Christmas Chrestomathy. This collection of essays, short stories, and reflections on Christmas captures Bottum's uniqu...
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45:07
Living Like It Matters: A Conversation with Anna Moreland and Tom Smith
In this thought-provoking episode, host Tom Sarrouf sits down with scholars and educators Dr. Anna Moreland and Dr. Tom Smith to discuss their inspiring new book, The Young Adult Playbook: Living Like It Matters. Aimed at guiding young...
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46:47
How to Live an Impactful Life with Randy Barnett
Join us for an engaging conversation with renowned legal scholar Randy Barnett and host Tom Sarrouf as they dive into Randy's latest book, A Life for Liberty: The Making of an American Originalist.In this episode, Randy reflects on his ...
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1:10:38
The West and Ukraine with Brandon Weichert
In this compelling episode, host Tom Sarrouf welcomes geopolitical analyst and author Brandon Weichert to discuss his latest book, "A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine." Together, they examine the West’s critical missteps in...
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54:03
Behind the 2008 Financial Crisis with Todd Sheets
In this episode, podcast host Tom Sarrouf sits down with Todd Sheets, former investment banker and author of "2008: What Really Happened". Together, they dive into Todd’s latest book, unraveling the real story behind the 2008 financial crisis. ...
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1:32:16
Retrieving the Forgotten Legacy of Francisco Garcés with Jeremy Beer
In this thought-provoking episode, Marlo and Tom sit down with Jeremy Beer, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of AmPhil, to explore the life and legacy of Francisco Garcés—a missionary often overlooked in the grand narrative of history. Togethe...
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42:20
Reviving the American Dream with Tim Goeglein
In this engaging episode, we sit down with Tim Goeglein, Vice President of External and Government Relations at Focus on the Family and a longtime advocate for faith and family in public life. With his latest book, Stumbling Upward Toward Utopi...
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28:07
Discussing the Upcoming Election with Charles McElwee
In this insightful episode with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), Charles McElwee, editor and commentator on Pennsylvania politics, joins the discussion to unpack the intricacies of election dynamics in one of the country’s most uniq...
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50:01