January 6, 2026 - Hour 1

Segment 1: FDR’s Four FreedomsOn this day in 1941, President Roosevelt delivered a speech in which he outlined four fundamental freedoms to which all people of the world were entitled. He was speaking at a time of existential crisis, when the future of ordered liberty was very much in doubt. Marcus takes a look at his speech.Segment 2: Collectivism isn’t so warmAt his inauguration, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared he wants to “replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” But a look at history shows the problems with this dream. Catherine Pakaluk has more.Segment 3: Tolkien and Lewis at War (2 segments)In a world devastated by the cataclysm of war, two extraordinary authors and friends, J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, delivered a bracing vision of the human story: a path back to goodness, beauty, and faith. How did they do it? Joseph Loconte joins us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com