Short 494
Fantasies, a City on the Hill, and Baking Bread
“Failures of Leadership in a Populist Age.” In an essay that rings even more true after the events of Wednesday, Yuval Levin warns would-be populist leaders to shun the temptations…
Happiness, Regionalism, and Jefferson’s Bible
“If Mr. Kristof Is Taking Names, Apple Should Be Next.” Anthony Barr points out the profit-generated blind spot that permits Apple, Disney, and other American companies from profiting off of…
A Virtual Book Club for a Civil Economy
In this season for making resolutions, perhaps this opportunity might help those of you who want to read more books in 2021. I'm delighted to pass along this invitation from…
Abundance, Wilderness, and Algorithms
Merry Christmas, Porchers! Thanks for joining us in this virtual space throughout what has certainly been an interesting year. While we missed our yearly conference, we've hosted a lively set…
William Newton On Enjoying & Living With Art
Art critic William Newton joins me in this episode to discuss how to approach art. How to learn about it, appreciate it, and also acquire it. William is an attorney,…
Daniel Rattelle On Poetry, Place, and Berry & Merton
Poet Dan Rattelle joins the podcast to discuss his new collection Commonwealth from Little Gidding Press. We discuss the idea of place and how Scotland and New England have influenced…
On the Difficulty of Civic Friendship and Unity in an Angry Time
With the hope that the self-promotion involved doesn't obviate whatever potential value the words written may convey, here is something I wrote, which I'd like to believe will be of…
Coffins, Books, and Haunted Nations
I’ll be taking a break from compiling these weekly roundups during the Advent season. See you all after Christmas! “The Trappists’ Coffins.” In a moving essay, Leah Libresco Sargeant writes…
The Anti-Federalists Were Right About Trump (and Many Other Things as Well)
[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] Gillian Brockell, a talented writer and researcher for The Washington Post's history blog Retropolis, interviewed four esteemed historians and scholars of the Constitution, about what,…
Families, Hospitality, and Death
“What are Families For?” The new issue of Plough is out, and it looks excellent. I am trying to avoid reading these essays, though, until my print copy arrives in the mail.…
Avoiding Demagoguery, Quantification, and the Dire Hose
“How to Protect America From the Next Donald Trump.” While proposals to abolish the Electoral College are popular at the moment, Bryan Garsten recommends strengthening the constitutional culture and local…
A Charlie Brown Christmas with Blake Scott Ball
Since we all need as much Christmas as we can get in 2020, Dr. Blake Scott Ball of Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama joins the podcast for this episode. Dr.…
Driving without Destination
If you've ever wanted to see Jason Peters via a livestream video feed, this is your chance. On Wednesday, November 11, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm (ET), the G. K.…
Gentleness, Conviviality, and Poetry
“Magic in the Dirt.” Julia Turshen visits three small farms to talk with the farmers about their philosophy and the bounty of this strange year. Brian Dawson’s videos and photos…
Integration, the Reality of Limits, and Lost Opportunities
“On Integration.” Jesse McCarthy and Jon Baskin critique the kind of anti-racism made popular by Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility. Instead, they follow Harold Cruse in advocating for actions that would strengthen…
Jack Reading Group
Gracy Olmstead is organizing a reading group for people who want to read and discuss Marilynne Robinson’s new novel Jack. Tiffany Kriner, who wrote a review of the novel for…
Whither Brooks Brothers? with Samuel Goldman
When talking about classic men’s clothing particularly the American variety, one can’t talk long without bringing up Brooks Brothers. In 2018 Brooks Brothers celebrated its 200th anniversary. In 2020 Brooks…
Big Tech, History’s Arc, and Secession
“The Irony of the Google Antitrust Suit.” Franklin Foer writes that the government’s suit against Google is long overdue and marks the end of Big Tech’s unchallenged accumulation of power.…
Russell Kirk and More with Bradley Birzer
Welcome to the first episode of Cultural Debris, released on Russell Kirk's 102nd birthday! Dr. Bradley Birzer of Hillsdale College is my guest as we discuss Russell Kirk, Brad's other…
Meritocracy, the Wingfeather Saga, and Civility
“What if Local and Diverse Is Better Than Networked and Global?” Damien Cave profiles Helena Norberg-Hodge and her work with Local Futures for the New York Times. “Our Fractured Communities: Piecing…
Introduction to Cultural Debris
If you like Russell Kirk, Wendell Berry, the Inklings, the Agrarians, and the Distributists then you may like this podcast. I will interview guests and share books and poems and…
Humanity, Fraternity, and a Wisdom that is Woe
“Our Humanity Depends on the Things We Don’t Sell.” In a profound essay, Mary Harrington links such apparently disparate topics as strip-mining, prostitution, and enclosure to defend the ordinary work…
Liberal Arts, Institutions, and Truth
“The Forgotten Front Porch Is Making a Comeback.” Spike Carlsen notes a promising development: “Thanks to the pandemic, the front porch is enjoying a new golden age. Like their near…
Fly-Fishing, Patient Ambition, and Healing the Wounds
“The Market Made Me Do It: The Scandal of the Evangelical College.” Eric Miller draws on the example of the institution I’ve taught at—Spring Arbor University—to highlight the failure of…