Modern Age with Dan McCarthy
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Join Dan McCarthy, editor of Modern Age, as he cuts through the noise of today’s politics and draws timeless insights from the great books and enduring traditions that have shaped the West. Each episode offers a principled perspective that links the headlines of today with the permanent things that matter most.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 26, 2025 • 26min
EP. 003 - Conservatives Don’t Always Agree
In Episode 3 of Modern Age with Dan McCarthy, we explore a long-running debate within the conservative movement: how involved should America be in reshaping other nations?From Cold War fault lines to the Iraq War and now the growing tensions between Israel and Iran, conservatives have often pushed back against interventionist policies—though not always for the same reasons, and not always in agreement.Dan McCarthy walks through the intellectual history behind this tension, offering context for understanding today's disagreements on the right.
Jun 23, 2025 • 14min
EP. 002 - History and the Israel–Iran Conflict
In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy takes a historical lens to one of today’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoints: the conflict between Israel and Iran. Drawing from a range of historical moments—including post-WWII Japan and Germany—he explores patterns of war, peace, and national transformation that may offer insight into the present.
Jun 12, 2025 • 20min
Ep. 001 - Can Elite Conservatism Speak to the Working Class?
Drawing on the legacy of Modern Age and the great books tradition, Dan McCarthy introduces a framework for understanding three core kinds of intellectuals. More than an academic sketch, this episode lays the groundwork for how a principled elite can speak to—and for—the American working class.
