Madison's Notes

R.J. Snell, a Princeton instructor and editor of Public Discourse, discusses modern disenchantment and attempts at re-enchantment. He traces phenomenology, technology’s role in flattening meaning, false substitutes like tech boosterism and activist universalism, and the virtue of hope from heroic examples to daily sanctification. The conversation closes on play, paternal care, and hopeful perseverance.

Dr. Reece Edmends, a Princeton classics lecturer who recently finished a PhD on Augustan propaganda, explores the fall of the Roman Republic and Augustus's rise. He discusses Augustus's use of liberation rhetoric, propaganda through poets like Virgil, and how religion and omens shaped politics. They also consider liberty, slavery, ritual culture, and whether Augustus preserved or ended the Republic.

Madison’s Notes is back and with a new host, Ryan Shinkel. In this episode to start off Season 5, I interview Dr. Kevin DeYoung, a popular author, Presbyterian pastor, as well as noted theologian and historian. Drawing on DeYoung’ book, The Religious Formation of John Witherspoon (2020), we dive into Witherspoon’s fascinating life as a Scottish preacher and Reformed apologist who became the president of Princeton University, one of America’s Founding Fathers and signers of the Declaration of Independence, and a teacher and mentor to James Madison. We examine the place Witherspoon takes in the history of American and religious thought, as well as how he models a spirit of religious devotion with republican self-government in an example that is still relevant for us today. The transcript for this interview is available on our new Substack page. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

That’s a wrap on the 2024-2025 season of Madison’s Notes! Stay tuned until the end for a special announcement—you won’t want to miss it! A massive thank you to our incredible listeners and guests for making this season unforgettable. Your support means everything! The show will be back—so hit subscribe to be the first to know when we return. Until then, keep exploring, learning, and staying curious!

In this insightful discussion, Joel Alicea, a law professor with a focus on constitutional law, explores the Supreme Court's pivotal 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. He delves into the shift from interest balancing to historical analysis in evaluating Second Amendment rights. Alicea examines the critical distinctions between natural and positive rights, emphasizing civic engagement to protect individual freedoms. He also considers how the Bruin framework could apply to other constitutional rights, illuminating the evolving landscape of gun rights in America.

Michael McConnell, a renowned constitutional scholar and former federal judge, dives into the evolving dynamics of executive power. He discusses how the Founders’ vision of limited presidential authority contrasts sharply with today's landscape, characterized by significant administrative overreach. The conversation critiques Justice Jackson's framework for assessing presidential actions, delves into the 'imperial presidency' concept, and examines the implications of the Take Care Clause. McConnell provides insights on restoring balance between powers, a pivotal issue in contemporary political discourse.

In this engaging discussion, George Selgin, an expert in monetary policy and former director at the Cato Institute, reveals the complex truths behind FDR's New Deal and its impact on the Great Depression. He argues that many New Deal policies prolonged economic hardship rather than alleviating it. Selgin also examines the roles of fiscal vs. monetary policy in recovery, challenges conventional narratives about WWII's role in ending the Depression, and stresses the importance of learning from historical economic crises for future resilience.

Universities are under attack, but what exactly are the threats? How does free speech in the last 10 years compare to today? What do we stand to lose if higher education collapses? In this episode, Brandice Canes-Wrone dives into the major threats facing universities—from defunding to restrictions on free expression—and what we can do to solve them. We explore the history of universities, from their religious roots to the transformative impact of the GI Bill, examine how America’s global leadership is tied to the strength of its higher education system, and discuss why universities must remain vital spaces for intellectual experimentation, free inquiry, and personal growth. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

In this insightful discussion, William English, a political economist and associate professor at Georgetown University, delves into the declining trust in news media. He highlights historical perspectives from the Founding Fathers on press freedom and its essential role in democracy. English addresses the pervasive distrust among younger audiences and explores innovative solutions like open-source protocols to restore integrity in journalism. He also examines the implications of decentralized media and community-driven discourse for fostering a healthier information landscape.

What does a general education from an Ivy League mean? What structures produce the course catalogues that students can choose to customize their education from? Is a world-class degree a world-class education?In this episode, we sit down with the three authors of Slacking: A Guide A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation (Encounter Books, 2025). Adam Kissel, Madison Marino Doan, and Rachel Alexander Cambre guide us through their process of collaboration and their argument that Ivy League institutions are not providing students with a quality education. Through the saturation of DEI-coded or hyper-specialized courses, they argue, students lack access to classical education and Western civilization–based instruction that would better serve their intellectual development. The authors discuss their approach to building the argument, the origins of their idea, and what students should keep in mind when selecting their schools and course lists.Adam Kissel is a visiting fellow for higher education reform in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. He is a board member of the University of West Florida, Southern Wesleyan University, and the National Association of Scholars. Rachel Alexander Cambre teaches for Belmont Abbey College’s new Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education program. A visiting fellow in the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Politics and Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation from 2022 to 2024, she researches and writes on liberal arts education and American political thought. She held a research postdoctoral fellowship at the James Madison Program from 2019-2020. Madison Marina Doan is a senior research associate in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. Her work focuses on affordability and accountability reform in higher education and K-12 education choice initiatives. Her work may be found in Fox News, Washington Examiner, Washington Times, The Daily Signal, and the Educational Freedom Institute.Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.