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Spencer Klavan

Spencer Klavan is the host of The Young Heretics podcast on Ricochet and the assistant editor of the Claremont Review of Books and The American Mind.

Series

Federalist Radio Hour2 episodesMadison’s Notes2 episodesThe Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor2 episodesThe Ricochet Podcast2 episodes

Recent Episodes

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

The Renegade Academy

Have we hit the "another week, another act of homegrown terror" phase of American history? Spencer Klavan joins Steve and Charles for a roundup of the (relatively) young academic's recent works on subjects ranging from Francis Fukayama's oft-misunderstood thesis to the ascent of figures like Hasan Piker, who hope to microloot our stores of social capital (and Whole Foods, too). The trio then set their sights on the possibilities before the classical education rebellion that's breaking out on campuses. Plus, Cooke and Hayward dive into this week's SCOTUS decision on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and they see an achievement worth celebrating in the United Arab Emirates' decision to leave OPEC.
Hosts:
Charles C. W. CookeSteve Hayward
Organization
Ricochet

May 2025

The Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor
The Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor

The Realignment Is Here—And It’s Glorious | Andrew Klavan, John Rich, Nick Freitas, Peter Robinson

We’re living in a new moment—one where truth is winning, normalcy is making a comeback, and the Left has finally overplayed its hand.In this best of episode of The Kevin Roberts Show, we revisit some of the most powerful conversations about the cultural realignment happening right now—from the role of artists and new media to the collapse of elite institutions and the spiritual hunger rising in America. Hear Andrew Klavan reflect on building conservative cultural infrastructure, John Rich on how pain awakened the American people, and Spencer Klavan on why the end of materialism may spark a revival. This episode is a roadmap for conservatives ready to press the advantage—and rebuild a culture rooted in truth, beauty, and freedom.📚 Featuring: Andrew Klavan | Novelist & Filmmaker Spencer Klavan | Author, How to Save the West John Rich | Country Music Star & Entrepreneur Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution Nick Freitas | Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
Host:
Kevin Roberts

March 2025

The Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor
The Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor

The Trump Era: A Turning Point for Self-Governance and America’s Cultural Future | Spencer Klavan

Spencer Klavan, associate editor of the Claremont Review of Books, dives deep into the unraveling of Western civilization and the end of modernity. With a sharp analysis of culture, faith, and politics, Klavan argues that America is at a pivotal crossroads—one that transcends mere elections. He explores the rise of materialism, the challenges of modern science, and the urgent need for a spiritual revival. As Klavan puts it, the Trump era marks the manifestation of a deeper cultural shift, and the very future of self-governance is on the line. He also breaks down why the trans debate encapsulates the worst excesses of late-stage modernity, and why millions of Americans are instinctively rejecting it. Spencer takes us through his new book Light of the Mind, Light of the World—which contends that science and faith are not opposites but, in fact, two sides of the same coin. With the rise of the “trust the science” mantra, Spencer argues that we’ve reached a dangerous inflection point in the way we view the world, and it's time for a reset back to timeless truths. If you’re concerned about the direction of our culture and looking for real solutions rooted in history, philosophy, and faith, this conversation is a must-listen. Don't miss it.
Host:
Kevin Roberts

March 2023

Madison’s Notes
Madison’s Notes

Modern Crises, Ancient Wisdom: A Conversation with Spencer Klavan

"The narrative that old books are worthless is designed to keep you from discovering that they are not." Spencer Klavan, author of How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for Five Modern Crises discusses the West: why it's so important to preserve it, how its greatest ideas can still help us today, and the limits of science in addressing modern problems. Spencer Klavan received his PhD in Classics from Oxford and is Associate Editor of the Claremont Review of Books and Features Editor at the American Mind. His book, How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for Five Modern Crises, https://www.regnery.com/9781684513451/how-to-save-the-west/ Dr. Klavan's podcast, "Young Heretics," https://youngheretics.com/ "Hey hey ho ho Western Civ has got to go," https://intellectualtakeout.org/2019/06/hey-hey-ho-ho-western-civ-has-got-to-go/ Spencer on C.S. Lewis's science fiction novel That Hideous Strength, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdutZEHonLc More on Plato's Timaeus, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-timaeus/#:~:text=In%20the%20Timaeus%20Plato%20presents,%2C%20purposive%2C%20and%20beneficent%20agency. More on Lucretius, a prominent Epicurean philosopher: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/lucretius/ More on Stoicism, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stoicism/ C.S. Lewis's The Discarded Image, https://portalconservador.com/livros/C-S-Lewis-The-Discarded-Image.pdf Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood," https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45536/ode-intimations-of-immortality-from-recollections-of-early-childhood
Host:
Annika Nordquist
Madison’s Notes
Madison’s Notes

Modern Crises, Ancient Wisdom: A Conversation with Spencer Klavan

"The narrative that old books are worthless is designed to keep you from discovering that they are not." Spencer Klavan, author of "How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for Five Modern Crises" discusses the West: why it's so important to preserve it, how its greatest ideas can still help us today, and the limits of science and technology in addressing our modern dilemmas. Spencer Klavan received his PhD in Classics from Oxford and is Associate Editor of the Claremont Review of Books and Features Editor at the American Mind. Dr. Klavan's book, How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for Five Modern Crises, https://www.regnery.com/9781684513451/how-to-save-the-west/ His podcast, Young Heretics, https://youngheretics.com/ "Hey hey ho ho Western Civ has got to go," https://intellectualtakeout.org/2019/06/hey-hey-ho-ho-western-civ-has-got-to-go/ Spencer on C.S. Lewis's science fiction novel "That Hideous Strength," More on Plato's Timaeus, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-timaeus/#:~:text=In%20the%20Timaeus%20Plato%20presents,%2C%20purposive%2C%20and%20beneficent%20agency. More on Lucretius, a prominent Epicurean philosopher and author of De Rerum Natura: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/lucretius/ More on Stoicism, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stoicism/ C.S. Lewis's The Discarded Image, https://portalconservador.com/livros/C-S-Lewis-The-Discarded-Image.pdf Wordsworth's Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45536/ode-intimations-of-immortality-from-recollections-of-early-childhood
Host:
Annika Nordquist

November 2020

Federalist Radio Hour
Federalist Radio Hour

Does The Postmodern Left Lack A Coherent Intellectual Foundation?

On this episode of The Federalist Radio, Spencer Klavan, host of the “Young Heretics” podcast and Associate Editor at The Claremont Institute, joins Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to discuss how the postmodern left will continue to engage in the culture war under a Biden administration and in the future.
Host:
Emily Jashinsky
Organization
The Federalist

August 2020

Federalist Radio Hour
Federalist Radio Hour

The Philosophy Of Wokeness: Tracing The Intellectual Heritage Of The Modern Left

Spencer Klavan, host of "The Young Heretics" podcast, joins Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky for a conversation focused on the philosophy of the modern left, from Nietzsche to Foucault to Darwin. Klavan also contextualizes this moment of cultural anxiety from a historical perspective and discusses how unprecedented technology is influencing our politics and culture.
Host:
Emily Jashinsky
Organization
The Federalist

May 2020

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

It Matters

What matters? Well, New York City for one. We get to that topic towards the end of this show, but prior to that we visit first with economist Kevin Warsh of the Hoover Institution. He has a lot to say about humongous stimulus packages, Congress, the role of China in this thing, and what the Fed should and shouldn't be doing. Then, newly minted Ricochet podcaster and chip the old block Spencer Klavan stops by to explain why he's a heretic and we're not (at least not yet). Needless to say (but we'll say it anyway), Young Heretics, his new podcast is a must listen. Finally, as promised -- a meditation on New York City, the lockdown, why it needs to end, and why what happens there matters for the rest of the country and yes, even the world. Yes, it really is up to you, New York, New York. Music from this week's show: New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down by LCD Soundsystem
Hosts:
James LileksPeter RobinsonRob Long
Organization
Ricochet