Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values
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About
The Saving Elephants Podcast features engaging conversations about conservative values with a mercifully modern twist. Tired of political shock-talk and rank punditry on your radio and TV? Curious about what conservative thinkers of yesteryear had to say but don't have time to read some terribly long, boring book they wrote? Want to learn why conservatism still holds value for Millennials today? Join us as we re-ignite conservatism for Millennials!
Episodes
- 201 – All Things China with Lu
In episode 201 of Saving Elephants, host Josh Lewis talks with Chinese dissident Lu about the Communist Chinese Party's goals, their stance on Taiwan, views of the Han population, and historical events like the Tiananmen Square massacre.
- 200 – Is the GOP Worth Saving?
Eight years into its mission to return the GOP to classical conservative roots, Saving Elephants convenes a panel including Shawn Whatley, Scott Howard, and Blake Fischer to discuss if the party is still worth saving.
- 199 – Getting Friendly with John von Heyking
John von Heyking and Josh Lewis discuss the classical and medieval views of friendship, contrasting them with modern perspectives. They emphasize the necessity of friendship for a functioning civic order and the importance of civic educati…
- Roundtable - POTUS War Powers
This episode of Saving Elephants discusses the implications of a recent US military operation in Iran, questioning if it constitutes an act of war, the necessity of a congressional declaration, and the limits of presidential war powers. Pa…
- 198 – Conservative Cagematch – Burke vs Strauss
This episode features a panel discussing the philosophical debate between Leo Strauss and Edmund Burke, specifically regarding Strauss's critique of Burke in "Natural Right and History" and its implications for conservative thought. Paneli…
- 197 – Defending Wonks with Nic Dunn
While Saving Elephants is dedicated to offering the conservative intellectual tradition in mercifully modern vernacular, fellow podcaster Nic Dunn has been on a similar mission: making the work of policy institutions more digestible. Nic j…
- 196 – Crossing the Danube with Calum Nicholson
For good or ill, the post World War II era built by the Baby Boomers seems to be rapidly coming to an end. But what will replace it? What might be done to prevent global conflicts and bloodshed as the old order begins to break down? And wh…
- 195 – Geeking Out with Lauren Hall
In a world of exhaustive binary thinking sometimes complexity offers relief. Lauren Hall joins the show to offer her alternative living in 4D she calls "radical moderation". In the latter half of the conversation Saving Elephants host Josh…
- 194 – Conversing Across the Pond with Daniel Pitt
Dr. Daniel Pitt and his imposing mustache joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to explore the similarities and differences between American and British conservatism, proto-Burkean "conservative" thinkers, Pitt's personal relationship wit…
- 193 – Dissenting the Dissident Right with Stephanie Slade
While Saving Elephants defends the classical conservative position, the loudest voices on the Right today coalesce around different policies, priorities, and goals. Those that form the dissident Right are comprised of multiple sub-groups w…
- Roundtable - What Lieth Ahead
Does the fractious stupidity of our politics, the rapid advancement of AI, and the release of the final season of Stranger Things portend making America great again or the coming apocalypse? Join our panelists for a (definitive, obviously)…
- 192 – Remnant Redux with Jonah Goldberg
Jonah Goldberg makes his triumphal return to Saving Elephants where host Josh Lewis peppers him with unyielding questions on what his fourth and forthcoming book will be about, the practicality of setting lottery winnings as a life-goal, w…
- 191 – Canceling Caylan with Caylan Ford
In 2019 Caylan Ford resigned her political candidacy in Canada after controversy over allegations of her echoing white nationalist rhetoric. In spite of her resignation—and continual insistence she held no such views—the mobs of cancel cul…
- Roundtable - Buckley Turns 100
William F Buckley was one of the most important figures in the conservative movement over the past century. His posthumous 100th birthday is Monday, November 24. Come celebrate the life and legacy of Buckley as our Saving Elephant panelist…
- Roundtable - Taking Federalism Seriously
Returning to the Founders' blueprint for dividing power across federal, state, and local governments may be the greatest weapon we have to reverse the appalling state of our politic divisiveness. What is federalism? And what would a recomm…
- 190 – Biographizing Buckley with Sam Tanenhaus
There are four faces on the Saving Elephants' Mount Rushmore of great conservatives: Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk, Thomas Sowell, and William F. Buckley. While the first three have each had fully episodes dedicated to their life and works, W…
- 189 – Rescuing the American Project with Nathan Brown and Robert Haglund
Those who identify as pro-immigration and pro-nationalist are often at odds with one another. But what if a healthy dose of nationalism is the very thing that could bolster our immigration? Nathan Brown and Robert Haglund argue in their ne…
- Roundtable - The Kids are all Alt-Right
Does the Right have a radical problem, particularly among young men? Saving Elephants assembles another insightful panel to offer their...insights. The panelists include: Eric Kohn - President of America's Future Jeffery Tyler Syck - Proff…
- 188 – The UnLeft with J.J. McCullough
Disillusioned with the rigidity of political tribalism, J.J. McCullough left his role as conservative journalist and commentator and became a content creator. His YouTube channel, J.J. McCullough offers his one million subscribers weekly d…
- Bonus Episode - My Conversation / Intervention with Justin Stapley
Justin Stapley and I have been on similar journeys these past many years seeking to better understand our worldviews and the ever-changing political moment and how best to restore sanity and integrity to our politics. But while I've been d…
- 187 – Audaciously Aspirational with John Wilsey
One cannot BE a conservative. One can only aspire to conservatism. So says John Wilsey in his new book Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer . Perhaps Roger Scruton's How to be a Conservative was a worthy endeavor but too audacious of a…
- Roundtable - Combating Political Violence
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's shocking assassination, Americans are bracing for further political attacks. But is further violence inevitable? And what can be done to prevent things from escalating? Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis assembl…
- 186 – Conservative Canucks with Shawn Whatley
Is Trump correct that Canada is destined to be America's 51st state? Or is there simply too much distinction between Canada and the United States to collapse us both into one homogenous mess? If conservatives in the U.S. are trying to cons…
- 185 – Inventing Conservatism with Daniel J. Flynn
Few forerunners of the modern conservative movement are as important, little known, and underappreciated as Frank Meyer. Meyer possessed the IT factor that made women want him and men want to be associated with him. He used that in his ear…
- Roundtable - Is Trump A Fascist?
Some Americans warn Trump's antics in this second term are flirting with fascism while others say that's totally whacked. So which is it? Is Trump a fascist or nothing of the kind? Join our livestream as our panelists engage over the topic…
- 184 – Paradigming Phenomenological Essences with Steven Hayward
Steven Hayward has been involved in so many conservative institutions and organizations it may be simpler to list where he hasn't left a mark. This conservative man-about-town joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis as they unravel what it…
- Roundtable - MAGA Mayhem
The MAGA coalition is comprised of a wide spectrum whose sole unifying idea is Trump himself. But what happens when that precarious foundation begins to fray? Have recent events shown cracks in the MAGA world that could quickly fracture, o…
- 183 – Conservative Conservationism with Stephen Perkins
Younger Americans—regardless of their political affiliations—are increasingly supportive focusing on environmental and conservation issues. But while there may be renewed unity on recognizing the importance of such issues, the policies adv…
- 182 – Partying Like It's 1776
On July 6 Saving Elephants assembled an august team of commentators to commemorate the advent of the United States turning the big 2-4-9! With only one year to go until the nation is 250 years old, the group reflects on the foundational id…
- 181 – Escaping the Housing Trap with Chuck Marohn
The housing market today is in an increasingly unsustainable paradox: younger Americans need houses to be more affordable so that they can become homeowners. Meanwhile, homeowners and the entire U.S. economy need houses to rise in price to…
- 180 – Uncap the House with Jeff Mayhugh
What if the surest way to reduce the harmful effects of self-serving politicians in Washington D.C. is to have more of them? Joining Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is Jeff Mayhugh to explain how the artificial "cap" the nation put on the…
- 179 – I, Tony with Tony Woodlief
What if the real division in America isn't between Republicans and Democrats, Red States vs Blue States, or liberals and conservatives but between the American people and a small group of the political elite whose function is to divide the…
- 178 – Revolt of the Independents with Lura Forcum
The 2024 presidential election witnessed a historic number of independent voters—more independents voted than Democrats and they came close to surpassing Republicans. It would seem that now is the time for those who are dissatisfied with b…
- 177 – Dear Mr. President with Destry Edwards
Former president Chester A. Arthur is probably best remembered for his mutton chops and as a trivia question. But he did play a surprising role as a reformer when the nation was in the grips of political corruption. And the story of how he…
- 176 – Consuming News Responsibly
In this era of information overload it's easy to join the ranks of the too online, filtering our every thought through the latest thing Trump tweeted or how the resistance is reacting. And it's just as easy to check out entirely and preten…
- 175 – The Two James Burnhams with David Byrne
James Burnham was one of the most significant intellectual influences on the conservative movement of the twentieth century. As an anti-Communist hardliner, his views on dealing with the Soviet menace head on ultimately shaped US foreign p…
- 174 – Triggering Straussians with Greg Collins
In his perpetual quest to mildly trigger his Straussian pals, Josh invites fellow Millennial and Burkean conservative Greg Collins on to discuss how Leo Strauss misconstrued Edmund Burke's political views and lasting impact. Also discussed…
- 173 – The Fertility Gap with Clara Piano
The Right has long had a thing or two to say about the importance of the family and its role in national stability and prosperity. But there are sharp divisions regarding what political implications can be drawn from this idea, and what po…
- Roundtable - Conversing Across the Political Divide
Is civil discourse even possible across the political divide when that divide seems so insurmountable? How do we maintain or even strengthen relationships when we don't see politics the same? The latest Saving Elephants roundtable brings t…
- 172 – The History of American Conservatism with George Nash
In 1976 historian George H. Nash wrote The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945 , a celebrated historical accounting that established much of the narrative for how we think about the development of modern conservatism e…
- 171 – Reality Therapy Redux
At the end of 2024, Ryan Rogers joined the show to share his experiences with fanatical wokism as a graduate student. He later had Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis on his new podcast, Reality Therapy , for a wide ranging discussion on cons…
- Roundtable - Trump's 1st Week on the Job
It's Trump's first week on the job and he's been quite busy making America great again or summoning the Fourth Reich, depending on your political perspective. Join Saving Elephants' livestream roundtable of cross-partisan pontificators to…
- 170 – Tribalism is Dumb with Andrew Heaton
Comedian, author, and political satirist Andrew Heaton joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to explore where our political tribalism comes from, why it's gotten out of hand, and what to do about it. About Andrew Heaton From mightyheaton.…
- 169 – Unsolicited Advice with Blake Fischer
With the 2024 elections in rearview both parties are trying to grapple with what lessons they should learn. Who better to offer unsolicited advice than Josh Lewis and Blake Fischer, the respective hosts of the Saving Elephants and The Home…
- Roundtable - 2024 - A Year in Review
As 2024 comes to a close podcasters everywhere will be doing one of those hackneyed and insufferable "a look back at the year's major events" shows. Not to be outdone, Saving Elephants will be getting in on the action as well with another…
- 168 – The Perennial Burke with Daniel Klein
As Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is wont to do, here is yet another episode exploring the political and philosophical brilliance of Edmund Burke. But this time he is aided by scholar and professor Daniel Klein to examine the late writin…
- 167 – The Woke Mind with Ryan Rogers
"I do not believe," wrote F. A. Hayek in his book The Fatal Conceit , "that the widely held conception of 'social justice' either describes a possible state of affairs or is even meaningful." Hayek would complain "social" was a sort of "we…
- Roundtable - Bullish or Bearish on Trump 2.0?
Should conservatives be bullish or bearish on the incoming Trump administration? Will Trump 2.0 deliver us to the sunlit uplands of a prosperous free market economy, sensible immigration reform, and reductions in wasteful deficit spending…
- 166 – Independent Idiosyncrasies with Brett Loyd
"The biggest takeaway from the 2024 election," writes Justin Longo of the Independence Center , is that "independents have officially broken the duopoly and now share the title of America's largest political group with Republicans." But wh…
- Roundtable - Election Night - Livestream
Sure, the major news networks had all the "experts", but how many of them opined on what Buckley, Burke, or Kirk would think of the election results? Listen to Saving Elephants' livestream on election night as results come in from another…