Episodes
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In this episode of Aaron Renn's series on religious minorities in America, he speaks with Josh Hammer, senior editor-at-large at Newsweek Magazine and author of the book Israel and Civilization. Josh shares his personal journey from an assimilated Jewish upbringing to becoming fully observant, discusses the challenges of practicing Judaism in modern America, and offers insights on Jewish-Christian relations, contemporary anti-Semitism, and Israel's role in American foreign policy.
Note: My audio level was poorly adjusted in this recording.
GUEST LINKS:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/josh_hammer
📖 Buy Israel and Civilization: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1635769736/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
🌐 The Josh Hammer Show: https://www.newsweek.com/podcasts/the-josh-hammer-show
CONNECT & FOLLOW:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
In this first episode in a new series exploring the religious minority experience in America, I sit down with author, educator, and entrepreneur Haroon Mogul to discuss his experiences as a Muslim in the United States. Born to Pakistani immigrant parents in Connecticut and raised in New England, Haroon offers unique insights into navigating dual identities, building community across ethnic lines, and finding his place in a country where Muslims remain a small but diverse minority. From childhood memories of Christmas trees to raising his own children in Cincinnati, Haroon's story illuminates the challenges and opportunities of maintaining faith in a society that isn't built around you.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to the series
2:17 - Meeting Haroon Mogul
3:33 - Growing up Muslim in New England
7:56 - Navigating dual identities
13:15 - Diversity of American Muslims
20:45 - Ethnic diversity in American mosques
27:23 - Moving from NYC to the Midwest
28:23 - Facing opposition to mosque construction
33:33 - American law and Muslim practices
40:58 - Living in a "neutral world" as a religious minority
47:13 - Conclusion
Haroon Mogul was named as one of the 50 most influential Muslims in the Americas by EqualityX in 2023 and 2024.🌐 Haroon Moghul's Substack: https://sundayschooled.substack.com/
🌐 Subscribe to my newsletter for in-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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Missing episodes?
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Join host Aaron as he interviews Christopher Schlect, Senior Fellow of History and Director of the Classical and Christian Studies Program at New St. Andrews College. They discuss Schlect's fascinating doctoral dissertation "Onward Christian Administrators," which explores how business management practices transformed American Protestant churches in the early 20th century. Discover how this administrative revolution influenced church architecture, theological controversies, and even women's ordination in unexpected ways.
Read "Onward Christian Administrators" - https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Onward-Christian-Administrators/99900581729701842
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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In this thought-provoking conversation, wealth manager and author David Bahnsen challenges conventional wisdom about work, retirement, and purpose. Managing $7.1 billion in assets hasn't stopped Bahnsen from questioning our culture's assumptions about work as something to escape from. His book "Full-Time: Work in the Meaning of Life" presents a radical rethinking of vocation as central to human flourishing. Bahnsen argues that our focus on consumption over production and our eagerness to retire represent fundamental misunderstandings of what gives life meaning. Whether you're planning for retirement, questioning your work-life balance, or searching for greater purpose, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on finding fulfillment through productive contribution.
Buy Bahnsen's book Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCMMFGJY/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
Subscribe to my newsletter - https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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Tony Carnes, sociologist, journalist, and founder of "A Journey Through NYC Religions," joins us to explore how New York City has transformed from a secular metropolis into what he calls "America's first post-secular city."
Tony shares fascinating stories from his project documenting every religious site in New York City, revealing the vibrant religious communities that thrive in neighborhoods across all five boroughs. From Hasidic synagogues in Brooklyn to storefront churches in the Bronx, discover how faith communities have shaped the city's culture and politics.Visit A Journey Through NYC Religions: https://nycreligion.info/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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Join Aaron as he welcomes back Brad Littlejohn, author of "Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License" and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. In this thought-provoking conversation, they explore the true meaning of freedom from a Christian perspective and how it contrasts with modern society's understanding of liberty as unlimited choice. Brad unpacks how technology, despite promising greater freedom, often leads to new forms of enslavement, and explains why the Christian concept of freedom through service to Christ offers a more fulfilling path to genuine liberty.
Note: The audio levels on this podcast are unequal. I am migrating to a new podcasting system and still getting the hang of it. Bear with me as I learn the new software
Buy Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License: https://www.amazon.com/Called-Freedom-Retrieving-Christian-Everything/dp/1087779502?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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In this wide-ranging conversation, writer and editor Titus Techera explores how media has evolved from America's founding to today's social media landscape. We discuss how different forms of media - from Revolutionary War pamphlets to modern podcasts - have shaped American democracy and character.
Techera breaks down how technological changes have repeatedly disrupted elite institutional control, and why legacy media's attempts to maintain power in the digital age keep backfiring. We explore the roles of figures like Joe Rogan, Christopher Rufo, and Elon Musk in transforming modern media dynamics.The Third Wave of Journalism: https://lawliberty.org/the-third-wave-of-journalism/
The Postmodern Conservative: https://pomocon.substack.com/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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NYT columnist Ross Douthat joins me to discuss his new book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. We explore why skeptics and non-believers should consider religious faith, examining evidence from science, philosophy, and human experience. Douthat makes the case that religious belief is not only reasonable but arguably obligatory for thinking people in our age.
Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Why-Everyone-Should-Religious-ebook/dp/B0D8VNGWKL/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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Princeton Classics PhD Alex Petkas argues against the "Great Books" model of classical education and makes the case for returning to traditional classical training focused on Greek and Latin languages. He explains why Plutarch's Lives was one of early America's most influential books and why it deserves renewed attention today.
Alex Petkas is host of the Cost of Glory podcast, exploring great thinkers and events in classical civilization.
Alex Petka's article in the American Mind: “Great Books” Is for Losers: https://americanmind.org/salvo/great-books-is-for-losers/
The Cost of Glory Podcast: https://www.costofglory.com/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
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In this episode, Ruy Teixeira, one of America's leading political analysts, discusses the dramatic realignment of American political coalitions and what it means for the future. A longtime Democratic insider and co-author of The Emerging Democratic Majority, Teixeira explains his journey from progressive think tanks to the American Enterprise Institute, unpacks the Democrats' struggles with working-class voters, and offers a three-point plan for rebuilding the Democratic coalition.
The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/
Buy The Emerging Democratic Majority: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Democratic-Majority-John-Judis-ebook/dp/B0036QVPEU/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
P. Jesse Rine, director of the Center for Academic Faithfulness and Flourishing (CAFF), joins us to talk about the state of Christian higher education. He will also showcase CAFF's new online Christian college guide, which is the most comprehensive collection of information about Christian colleges available.
Note: This podcast may be best on Youtube because it involves a demonstration of a web site with beta data: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoVYk06TwI
Christian College Guide: https://www.christiancollegeguide.com/
Center for Academic Faithfulness and Flourishing: https://www.faithfulcolleges.org/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
In this episode, a deep dive with Matthew Continetti on his book The Right: The Hundred Year War for American Conservatism. We explore how American conservatism developed, from its birth in in the 1920s and opposition to FDR's New Deal through today's populist resurgence. Continetti explains why conservative populism keeps returning, how elites lost their grip on the right, and what the future might hold for American conservatism.
Matthew Continetti is the Director of Domestic Policy Studies and the Patrick and Charlene Neal Chair in American Prosperity at the American Enterprise Institute.
Buy: The Right: The Hundred Year War for American Conservatism - https://www.amazon.com/Right-Hundred-Year-War-American-Conservatism/dp/1541600517/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
In this episode, Tim Chapman discusses how traditional conservatives are engaging with the Trump administration. He's the president of Advancing American Freedom, an advocacy group set up by former Vice President Mike Pence.
What traditional conservatism is and what it's future is in the age of populism and TrumpismWhat Advancing American Freedom doesEngaging with the Trump administration: supporting China tariffs and a Tik Tok ban, tax cuts, deregulationWhy AAF opposes RFK, Jr.'s nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services over abortion.
We discuss:Advancing American Freedom: https://advancingamericanfreedom.com/
Follow Tim Chapman on Twitter/X: https://x.com/TimChapman
Get my analysis of Christianity, family, cities, politics, society and economics: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
In this episode, sociologist Musa al-Gharbi discusses his book We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite.
How should we understand the "woke" phenomenon? Where did it come from? Why do elite whites claim to be marginalized, while showing little care for genuinely marginalized people around them like the service workers they rely on?
Article referred to in the podcast about China interfering to elect Bill Clinton president in the 1990s: https://musaalgharbi.com/2018/03/01/democrats-unlearned-lessons-2020/4/
GUEST LINKS:
📖 We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Never-Been-Woke-Contradictions-ebook/dp/B0D6QDVW24/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
🌐 Website: https://musaalgharbi.substack.com/
🐦 Twitter/X: @Musa_alGharbi
CONNECT & FOLLOW:
🌐 Website: https://www.aaronrenn.com/
🐦 Twitter/X: @aaron_renn -
Jon Askonas is a professor of politics at Catholic University. He wrote an interesting piece for Comment magazine on how Americans went from seeing technology as a source of progress to viewing it as leading us to an apocalypse. He joins us to discuss: How and why did this shift take place? Why are we so anxious? How should we live in this age of anxiety?
Read "Building a Future in the Face of the Apocalypse": https://comment.org/building-a-future-in-the-face-of-the-apocalypse/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
Academia is almost entirely dominated by the left. Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton, has thrived in it as a strong Catholic. But is it possible for conservatives and Christians to follow the same path today? What are the signs of optimism both for conservatives in academia, but also for a healthier climate for academia itself? George joins me to discuss these topics and what's he's personally been doing to push academia in a healthier direction.
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Ryan Williams is the president of the Claremont Institute. Claremont is the institutional base of West Coast Straussianism, and has long been known for its fellowship programs and quarterly journal The Claremont Review of Books. It has attracted controversy in the Trump era for its willingness to engage with dissident ideas. It published the mega-viral "The Flight 93 Election Essay" and also the first mainstream review of the book Bronze Age Mindset. Williams joins me to talk about Claremont and how they've navigated our new political world.
Claremont Institute: https://www.claremont.org/
The Flight 93 Election: https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/digital/the-flight-93-election/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
Despite major progress in civil rights, black economic uplift, and even electing a black President, the question of race continues to be an ongoing major issue in the United States. There are continuing significant racial disparities between races. A black underclass still remains in America. And political and cultural debates around race continue to be major flashpoints. This includes within the evangelical church, where debates over race have become very intense.
Joining me to discuss the ongoing question of race is Robert "Bob" Woodson, Sr. He is one of American's foremost civil rights leaders and experts on alleviating poverty. He's been an advisor to Presidents, a MacArthur Genius Grant Award winner, and recipient of numerous other awards. He's the founder of the Woodson Center and editor of the new book A Pathway to American Renewal.
What actually is the state of racial inclusion in America? Where has progress been made, and where does it still remain? How many of the problems around race today are actually class related? How should American evangelicals think about the question of race and how should they seek to engage on it? What are some of the most encouraging initiatives and leaders that he sees in the country today?
Buy A Pathway to American Renewal: https://www.amazon.com/Pathway-American-Renewal-White-Black-ebook/dp/B0D4HDLSN2/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
The Woodson Center: https://woodsoncenter.org/
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Justin Shubow is the president of the National Civic Art Society, a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that promotes the classical and humanistic tradition in public art and architecture. He was also formerly the chairman of the US Commission of Fine Arts. He joins me to talk about our public buildings and how to make them beautiful.
Note that this podcast includes a discussion of specific buildings. Pictures of these buildings are shown in the video version of the podcast, which you can watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6MwHNiEgcQ
National Civic Art Society: https://www.civicart.org/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ -
Bestselling author Rod Dreher has a knack for putting his finger on what people are going to be talking about next. He's done it again with his new book on re-enchantment, Living in Wonder. He joins us today to talk about embracing what historian Tom Holland calls the "weird stuff" in Christianity.
What does it mean for the world to be enchanted? Isn't enchantment just superstition? What does the trend towards psychedelics and the occult tell us about the public's longings? Are demons real?
Note: There are some quality issues on Dreher's audio feed.
Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wonder-Finding-Mystery-Meaning/dp/0310369126/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ - Show more
