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The Stephen Mansfield Podcast
by The Stephen Mansfield Podcast
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Mansfield (The Faith of George W. Bush, The Search for God and Guinness, Lincoln's Battle With God, Mansfield's Book of Manly Men, The Miracle of the Kurds) talks about today's cultural upheavals, trends and ironies, all while providing a fascinating look behind the scenes of his writing and travels.
Episodes
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A Leadership Revolution
It's been somewhat of an embarrassing year living in Nashville, Tennessee. From poor prep for winter storms, to a defunded symphony, to medical disasters altering patients for life, there is no shortage of failures to ruminate on in 2026. But at the core of all these happenings lies one simple...
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Make Babies Great Again
Our nation is in trouble. Our birthrate is dropping. Our immigration policy is too restrictive. And as dramatic as it sounds, our population headed toward collapse if things don't change. On top of various societal factors (some of them incredibly vain), there exist huge financial barriers that…
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Reflecting: Dolly
Dolly Parton's passing has taken the world by storm. Why are tears being shed by people who never met her? Why are Stephen's friends in the middle east calling to wish him their condolences? As Stephen illustrates in this episode, it was her self-deprecation, her moderation, her generosity, and…
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American Cold War
Much like the Cold War of the 20th century, America today is in a battle for its ideals, and the stakes are only growing higher. We are living in a country who has forgotten its own history, leaving young and old Americans alike vulnerable to the influences of Marxism, socialism, and communism....
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Dead Pool World
For the first time in history, the federal government is stepping in to ration water in areas of the western United States. The reality of "dead pools" — when reservoirs drop too low to flow past a dam — is no longer a distant threat: 45 U.S. states are in drought, and 75% of humanity already…
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Diplomacy Matters!
Eighteen months into Donald Trump's second term, more than half of all U.S. ambassadorships sit vacant — including 80% of Africa — leaving America without meaningful representation across most of the world as midterm elections approach. This isn't just bureaucratic neglect; it's a pattern of…
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Our Crisis of Reading
People in today's age are consuming more words than ever; the problem is, they're empty words. Doomscrolling and short-form content have crowded out great literature, and fewer than half of all American adults read a single book in 2022. While the downward trajectory of long form reading may not…
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Fun Learning in the 250th
Most Americans do not have the time nor the interest to open 1,000-page academic tomes on American history. Thus, it's crucial that we find meaningful, enjoyable, and reliable ways to take in our history. For this 250th year of our great nation, Stephen has 3 recommendations of high-quality,...
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Principles for Life
Carl von Clausewitz argued that the object of war is always the predetermined end state — not the battle itself. In the midst of peace negotiations with Iran, America has won militarily while fumbling the endgame: no regime change, no Strait of Hormuz renegotiation, no nuclear agreement, and a…
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Saving American History
Every nation's history contains both beauty and atrocity — America is no exception. Yet increasingly, the American story is being told through only one lens. Recent data suggests that young Americans are being shaped to view their country with contempt rather than complexity. But the root of our...
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In Defense of the Kurds
The Kurds have been loyal American allies for decades — so why are we getting them so wrong? In this episode, Stephen draws on his book "The Miracle of the Kurds" to set the record straight about one of the most misunderstood people in the world: a moderate, resilient ethnicity spread across the...
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Hear Ben Sasse!
Ben Sasse — Nebraskan, senator, university president, Harvard and Yale scholar — is dying of stage IV pancreatic cancer, and he is using his remaining time to speak truth to America. Staring death in the face, he's declared that Congress is asleep at the wheel, that our neighborhoods matter more...
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Whitefield and America
Names like Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, and Adams have become synonymous with the founding of America. But one name, often forgotten, holds just as much influence if we only read the pages of history. The name? Whitefield. George Whitefield, credited with unifying the colonies in the first...
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Religion is the Issue
To understand the tensions occurring today in Iran, we must first understand the religious background of the nation's Shiite Muslim leadership. While the U.S. State Department may view the Iranian conflict in political, geographic, and military terms, the nation's leaders interpret it through a...
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Read the Declaration
As the 250th anniversary of America's founding approaches, it's prudent for us to turn back to the wisdom contained in our founding document. Even in the midst of the hellacious upheavals of our time, the eternal words of the Declaration of Independence serve as a foundation for freedom, faith…
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The Tyranny of Utopia
Utopian dreams, though often clothed in the language of hope and progress, have brought profound suffering by denying the broken reality of the human condition. Rooted in the realism of the Judeo-Christian tradition, Stephen insists that we must see the world as it is—not as we wish it to...
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Thoughts on Iran
Since 1979, Iran has been under the control of a Shiite extremist Muslim government. As of February 28th, that regime is under direct attack due to targeted efforts by the United States and surrounding regions. What began as uprisings from Iran's young people is now a historical tipping point for...
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Preserving Fire
Why do I call myself a conservative? The answer, despite what our current political landscape may tell you, is not that controversial. Fundamentally, I believe in a limited government, free markets, strong national defense, and an emphasis on individual responsibility. As a historian, I have...
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The Coming Crisis: Water [From the Archives]
Following the latest episode about the macro threats shaping our world, Stephen is re-airing an episode from 2021 that speaks directly to one of the most critical: the growing fresh water crisis. Five years after originally publishing this episode, the danger of declining fresh water remains just...
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Seeing Behind the Scenes
Water. Birthrates. Global warming. Melting ice. Droughts. Religious shifts. These are the real factors shaping our world, not the hypothesized political incentives argued over on cable news stations. We are living through a time of global restructuring, and we must look beyond headlines to fully...
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A New Day for Iran
A Kurdish-led, youth-oriented, Western-friendly, Shah-restoring movement of protests has been taking place in Iran for the past 2 weeks, leaving the rest of the world to wonder if Iran's breaking point is near. Since 1979, the nation has been ruled by a religious clerical government who has been...
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The 600th! Q&A
In this milestone 600th episode of the Stephen Mansfield Podcast, Stephen fields your listener-submitted questions to hear exactly what's going through the minds of concerned individuals living in our world today. From third party possibilities and population plummets, to budding world leaders…
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Three Great Evils
America's future is gripped by 3 primary crises: a deep spiritual unrest, a Congress unable to lead, and the growing influence of Marxist ideology. In this episode, Stephen examines how inner emptiness, legislative dysfunction, and a worldview of revolt are shaping the nation’s challenges. We, as…
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Deadly Ideas Rising
In the United States, socialist sympathy seems to be at an all-time high. With approximately 250 Democratic socialists holding state and local elected offices around the country, it's becoming clear that America has forgotten the lessons learned about one of the deadliest ideologies in world...
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Newton's 3rd Law
Newton's 3rd Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Outside of physics, this notion holds especially true in human behavior, namely, politics. Governance should be done in a manner to prevent the possibility of an inflamed reaction, not to incite it. Together,...
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Fixing Birthright Citizenship
Hard-fought U.S. citizenship is not something we should give away so easily. From the foolish policies of Biden to the heavy-handed crackdown of Trump, our nation has recently seen both ends of the spectrum regarding its treatment toward non-citizens. But what does history have to say about it?...
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The Battle for Guinness
Think the Netflix series House of Guinness tells the full story? Think again—Steven Knight's recent Netflix dramatization, "House of Guinness," takes creative liberties that distort the real legacy of the Guinness family and brewery. Listen in to learn what the series gets wrong, and why we…
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The Evil of Political Violence
We live in politically tumultuous times. Our country's politically active are being targeted, threatened, and killed, which not only grieves the souls of those around them, but reverses the cause of democracy. But how do we convince our family, our friends, and our society of our perspectives,...
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Remembering Charlie Kirk
In this episode of The Stephen Mansfield Podcast, Stephen offers a measured reflection on the life and death of Charlie Kirk. He recalls Kirk’s rise as a young conservative voice, his courage in engaging university audiences, and his commitment to faith and self-education, while also noting the...
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D.C. and Home Rule
Donald Trump's involvement in the nation's capital has highlighted some unfinished business in the U.S. federal government: home rule. Washington, D.C. was established by the Founding Fathers as a federal district free from state attachment. Yet, there exists long debate over home rule, including...
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AI and the Human
In our industrialized technocrat society, people are often losing a sense of what it means to be human. And as we continue to increase our time interacting with the digital realm, we must confront the ethical dilemmas that threaten our way of being: Why do humans resist evil? What does a just...
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Still Here: The Johnson Amendment
We're all familiar with the U.S. tradition of the separation of church and state. But what about the political matters that happen behind closed church doors? Despite recent headlines, the Johnson Amendment (prohibiting non-profits from endorsing political candidates) still remains in the IRS Tax...
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Not THE Culture!
What kind of culture are you building? In this episode, Stephen challenges the notion of “THE Culture” and urges listeners to recognize the clash of cultures shaping our time. "Culture" is not monolithic—in reality, we live among a multitude of cultures that are grown, cultivated, and lived out…
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Are Abortions Increasing?
In 2024 alone, 1.14 million abortions—3,100 per day—were performed in America. But since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, has that number increased like the speculations claim? In this episode, Stephen explains how the overturning of Roe v. Wade didn’t reduce abortions but shifted them to new...
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A New Day for Iran
In this episode of The Stephen Mansfield Podcast, Stephen reflects on the recent U.S. airstrikes against Iran and the deeper spiritual and political dynamics within the country. With Christianity quietly flourishing among a young, oppressed population, he calls attention to the stark contrast...
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Immigration— Work the Problem!
Every nation needs immigrants. At the same time, every nation needs a wise immigration policy. The incendiary rhetoric of our news cycle our population trapped in black-and-white thinking, unable to realize the danger of our declining birth rate, the value of our immigrant workers, or the...
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The Putin Delusion
America’s conservative movement is being seduced by the strongman myth. As Vladimir Putin escalates his war on Ukraine, U.S. leaders like Donald Trump echo his rhetoric, turning their backs on democratic allies and just war principles. Is the right losing its moral compass in pursuit of power and...
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Fixing College Football
College football is in a downward spiral. Wealthy universities are buying their way to dominance, while teenage athletes sign multi-million-dollar deals, fueling a culture of greed and imbalance. Now, President Trump and legendary coach Nick Saban are stepping in, aiming to bring sanity and...
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The Creativity Crisis
According to a well-known analytical tool, creativity has been declining since the 1990s. This is likely because we are over-scheduled and over-stimulated. In this episode, Stephen recommends what you you can do to increase and improve your own creativity. It will probably surprise you! LEARN…
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9 Billion for Harvard?
Where federal money goes, federal control follows. Listen in as Stephen talks about what the Trump administration is requiring of Harvard in order to restore $9B in funding. Is it reasonable? Is this normal? LEARN MORE: Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/ Instagram:...
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Slaying Worry
Money. Politics. Our loved ones’ money and politics. If we believe the news, the world is falling apart, and we worry about it all. So how do we cope? How do we confront and overcome worry? Stephen talks in this episode about some surveys regarding worry, but more importantly, how we can tame...
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Extreme Damage
We are losing the ability as human beings to hold two competing thoughts at the same time. Instead we choose one of two sides – black or white, good or evil – without nuance. Then we sacrifice ourselves on the sharp points of those extremes. What happens when we bring this kind of extreme…
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The White House Fight and the Kurds
In this episode, Stephen gives his take on two controversial news events. One is the weirdest White House meeting he can remember in American foreign policy. The other is an encouraging breakthrough in the Middle East. As always, he reminds listeners to be aware of what’s happening. LEARN MORE:...
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Ukraine and Valor
Trump has called Zelensky a dictator and accused him of misusing American funds. What is really going on in the Ukrainian/Russian war? Who is the aggressor? Do we know how to have enemies? Listen in as Stephen breaks all of this down. LEARN MORE: Website: https://stephenmansfield.tv/ Instagram:...
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Losing Hollywood
In yet another example of how institutions as we know them are being remade, keep your eye on Hollywood. Even before the LA Fires, many observed Hollywood in a freefall. Listen in as Stephen talks about the factors that have led to this and what we might see next. LEARN MORE: Website:...
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A Modest Proposal About Religion
Why are we holding big national events in a church run by one of the smallest denominations? At the National Prayer service, the nation and international media were subject to hearing a small narrow political agenda from the presiding bishop of one of the most liberal Christian denominations.…
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Leadership and Jimmy Carter
In President Jimmy Carter’s own words, he was a good man, but a mediocre president. His impact after his presidency was stellar. How did he go from mediocre to stellar? Listen in as Stephen breaks down some leadership aspects and the shadows they cast. LEARN MORE: Website:...
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The News: Your Expertise and Knowing the Story
The sheer pace of change means you’re going to have to be intentional in order to keep up. In this episode, Stephen recommends you identify your areas of expertise, master the story, and analyze what it means. Then you’ll know the times and be ready for what’s coming in 2025. LEARN MORE: Website:...
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Rituals of Peace
People have a tendency to think things will be calmer, more peaceful after we get past _________ (fill in the blank). But it never turns out that way. Rather than looking at a future time to bring peace, let’s talk about how to find peace in the midst of the storm. The Story of Christmas:...
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The March of Folly
There are times in history a government pursues policies contrary to their own interests, making foolish decisions, and then stumbling into war. With Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow the use of long-range missiles in Ukraine, he is setting the US up for an escalation of that war and handing...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Mansfield (The Faith of George W. Bush, The Search for God and Guinness, Lincoln's Battle With God, Mansfield's Book of Manly Men, The Miracle of the Kurds) talks about today's cultural upheavals, trends and ironies, all while providing a fascinating look behind the scenes of his writing and travels.
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The Stephen Mansfield Podcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Stephen Mansfield Podcast have?
The Stephen Mansfield Podcast currently has 621 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Stephen Mansfield Podcast about?
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Mansfield (The Faith of George W. Bush, The Search for God and Guinness, Lincoln's Battle With God, Mansfield's Book of Manly Men, The Miracle of the Kurds) talks about today's cultural upheavals, trends and ironies, all while providing a fascinating look...
How often does The Stephen Mansfield Podcast release new episodes?
The Stephen Mansfield Podcast releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 621 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to The Stephen Mansfield Podcast?
You can listen to The Stephen Mansfield Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Stephen Mansfield Podcast?
The Stephen Mansfield Podcast is created and hosted by The Stephen Mansfield Podcast.
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