The American Idea

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes friend and colleague Dr. Jason Stevens, Professor of History and Political Science at Ashland University and the Director of Teacher Programs at the Ashbrook Center, to talk about the most famous speech in American history: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Their conversation covers the importance of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War, Lincoln's devotion to our Founding principles, and a fascinating reading of the speech line-by-line (it's only 272 words, after all!)

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Tyler MacQueen

On this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes Dr. Lucas Morel, Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University and a Visiting Graduate Faculty Member in Ashland University's Masters of American History and Government program, to talk about Frederick Douglass's most well-known and controversial speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" A long-time friend of Ashbrook, Lucas is a renowned scholar on political philosophy and black American politics, having published five books and many articles. Their conversation will examine the life and political thought of Douglass, his escape from slavery in the Antebellum South, and how - as Lucas puts it - Douglass came to love "a country that did not love him back."

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Tyler MacQueen

On this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes Dr. Cara Rogers, Assistant Professor of History at Ashland University and published scholar of Thomas Jefferson, to talk about Jefferson's important (but understudied) Letters to Roger Weightman and Henry Lee. Their conversation will examine the surprising legacy of the Declaration of Independence in the days of the Early Republic, Jefferson's hopes for his country and what we would become as a nation - hope that is needed more than ever today.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Tyler MacQueen

On this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes back Dr. Chris Burkett, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, to talk about George Washington's famous 1796 Farewell Address. Their conversation will examine the historical context of the speech and how George Washington's republicanism is on full display in this enduring piece of political history.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Tyler MacQueen

On this episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined by Dr. Greg McBrayer, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland University, Assistant Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, and Director of Citizen Programs at Ashbrook, to talk about James Madison's contributions to the Federalist Papers. Their conversation will examine the theory and arguments of Federalist No. 10, 39, and 51, their historical context, and how Madison's contributions changed political science forever.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Tyler MacQueen

On the inaugural episode of The American Idea, Jeff is joined by Dr. Chris Burkett, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland University and Director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, to talk about the most important American document: the Declaration of Independence. Their wide-ranging conversation will examine the document's historical context, political theory, and the impact of its Founding principles on the entirety of American history and government.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer

Producer: Tyler MacQueen

Coming to you from the Schramm Library, it's The American Idea! Hosted by Jeff Sikkenga, The American Idea is an exciting new podcast presented by the Ashbrook Center. In this trailer for season one, Jeff talks about the new show, its focus, the power of conversation, and the historical documents that will serve as the topics of conversation this season.