Real Clear Values

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 is often seen as the spark that ignited World War I – and it was pivotal in transforming the way that states use and protect against assassination. In his recently published book, Death to Order: A Modern History of Assassination, Simon Ball, Professor of International History and Politics at the University of Leeds, tells that story. In this episode, we discuss Simon’s work on assassination, as well as the implications for liberal democracy as state security expands to protect an ever-growing circle of elites.

General Electric was once America’s most admired company. Today, it stands as a cautionary tale. In this episode, I’m joined by William Cohan, bestselling author of Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of General Electric, which was praised as “monumental” by The Economist and “a tour de force” by the Financial Times. We explore GE’s dominance in its heyday, Jack Welch’s rise and legacy, the company’s decline under Jeff Immelt, and enduring lessons for today’s leaders.

Who was Plato?

Why are we still talking about him over two-thousand years after his death?

What warnings did he give us about the vulnerabilities of democracy?

What impact do individuals' values have on a democracy?

And, in short, why does Plato matter now?

In this episode, Angie Hobbs, Professor emerita of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield and author of the new book Why Plato Matters Now, answers these questions and more.

Nietzsche's declaration that "God is dead" in The Gay Science was more tragic than triumphal. The philosopher was acutely aware of the existential vacuum that would be created by the decline of religion in the west and sought to find a solution. His solution came in the form of what he called the superman (übermensch) who would create new values to replace the old law tables of Judeo-Christian religion.

In this episode, Dr Martin Ruehl of Cambridge University returns to discuss the meaning of Nietzsche's superman in both theory and practice, looking at Nietzsche's work through the prism of history, ideology, and religion.

*Correction & Clarification: At the end of the episode, I referred to Nietzsche’s “ultimate man” when I meant “monumental man,” as discussed in Untimely Meditations. It is my view that Christ fits Nietzsche’s criteria for the monumental man, though Nietzsche himself never explicitly made this connection.

In this episode, psycho-linguistic expert and UK Managing Director of Inspirational Group, Felicity Wingrove, talks through some of the fundamentals of how to be understood how you intend to be understood for better personal and business outcomes.

Do you want to improve your communication skills to be better understood?

If so, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Erica Benner, author of Be Like the Fox: Machiavelli’s Lifelong Quest for Freedom, discusses the ways in which Niccolò Machiavelli's magnum opus, The Prince, has been misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture, as well as Machiavelli's real thoughts on power.

What is the Bible?

Who decided which books would be included within it?

How can we make sense of it and its various paradoxes?

How is the Bible seen, and applied, in different parts of the world?

How did the Bible gain its cultural significance while being such a difficult book?

What have we lost in the west from the Bible’s loss of cultural prominence?

Which version of the Bible should you read?

How is the Bible adapting in the digital age?

In this episode, Professor Bruce Gordon of Yale's Divinity School addresses these questions and more.

(Episode recorded on 6th November 2024.)

Donald Trump’s election victory in 2024 raised significant questions about America’s role in the world, not least concerning the defence of Ukraine against belligerent Russia. Traditional European allies are alarmed at the prospect of America turning its back on them, while traditional enemies celebrate the end of globalism through Trump 2.0. Could the idea of a multipolar world appeal to both MAGA America and the enemies of the west? How might key players in and around the Trump administration influence America’s role in the world going forward? To discuss these questions and more, Dr Benjamin R. Teitelbaum returns to the Real Clear Values podcast to share his insights.

(Episode recorded: 12th March 2025.)

In Danny Mitchell's second appearance on the Real Clear Values podcast, we focus on role models in both fighting and family. And we get into all sorts besides that, including Michael Bisping's aristocratic family history, PED using MMA fighters, and cleaning gravestones in Doncaster.(Episode recorded: 4th November 2024.)

Simon Fagg, Founder of With Leadership, brings deep expertise in purposeful leadership and organisational values. In this episode, we dive into the core values of With Leadership, their real-world impact, and how to drive meaningful, lasting organisational change.