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Education

The American Idea

by Ashbrook Center
EducationHistory

Today: #105 in Education on our combined chart.

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DateApple Podcasts
Oct 1#76

About the show

The American Idea explores America's history and principles and what they mean today. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Dr. Jeff Sikkenga.

Latest episodes

  • Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution

    September 30, 2026 · 32 min

    Jeff is joined by Jonathan Turley - Georgetown University law professor, author, and constitutional law expert - to discuss the revolutionary roots of America, and how a few key distinctions between our revolution and that of France kept…

  • Was the Supreme Court Supposed to Have This Much Power?

    September 23, 2026 · 45 min

    Typical civics and American Government courses teach that the Supreme Court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution - that is, determining its meaning and limits. Judicial Review, and other accepted powers of the court, are also…

  • The Last Adieu: Lafayette and Early America

    September 9, 2026 · 40 min

    The Marquis de Lafayette came to America at age 19, on his own dime, to earn glory on the battlefield. He quickly became one of the Revolution’s greatest believers, and spent the rest of his life admiring the spirit and goals of the…

  • Completing the Founding: The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

    August 26, 2026 · 48 min

    Written while the Constitutional Convention was taking place in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was adopted fully by the new government, despite being a production of the Articles of Confederation. It also laid the foundation for many of the…

  • Fact or Fiction? Historians Discuss Young Washington

    August 19, 2026 · 36 min

    Young Washington purports to tell the story of George Washington’s early life, and the choices, situations, and actions that defined him as a young man, and in the eyes of his countrymen. But how accurate is it, and considering how many…

  • America's First Citizen: Character Lessons from George Washington

    August 12, 2026 · 36 min

    First in war, first in peace, and traditionally first in the hearts of Americans - what can we learn from Washington, the man? What made him the person around whom history seemed to turn, and why is his character worth studying and, in…

  • Why Did the Founders Create a Republic?

    July 29, 2026 · 40 min

    America is often called a democracy, sometimes a democratic republic, and probably less-often a republic. But to be precise, the American system of constitutional government, first in the original 13 states, then in the general government…

  • A Sober View of Human Nature: Federalist 10 and Factions

    July 15, 2026 · 42 min

    In Federalist 10, James Madison identified what he saw as one of the greatest dangers to popular government: factions. How did he define and understand them? Does his definition and his argument still stand up today? How can, by…