The American Idea podcast

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26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

The American Idea

The American Idea explores America's Founding principles and their effect on American history and government. Through thoughtful conversations with renowned academics and public figures from across the country, we examine the history and political thought behind our country’s greatest documents and debates, as well as contemporary issues, American popular culture, and political statesmanship. The podcast is a production of the Ashbrook Center and hosted by Jeff Sikkenga.

171 episodi

#Ashbrook Center #Political Science #Podcasting Education #History

The American Idea

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updated 5 giorni fa

Pagina principale della serie•Feed

171 episodi

#Ashbrook Center #Political Science #Podcasting Education #History

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The American Idea

1
Abigail Adams: John's Confidant, Partner, and Advisor 43:32

5 giorni fa43:32

43:32

Lindsay Chervinsky, Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, joins Cara Rogers Stevens this week to discuss Abigail Adams and her impact on John's public life. Learn more about Lindsay: https://www.lindsaychervinsky.com/ Get her book: https://a.co/d/6OOF1ny Learn about the George Washington Library: https://www.mountvernon.org/library Listen to Lindsay's podcast: https://www.georgewashingtonpodcast.com/show/conversations/ Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
Sleep Training the American People? 31:42

12 giorni fa31:42

31:42

Daylight Savings Time: nobody seems to enjoy switching their clocks twice a year, and recently there has been another push to eliminate it altogether. But as a policy issue it’s far more complicated than it might seem at first glance. Dr. Cara Rogers Stevens is joined by columnist Rachel Lu, Associate Editor at Law & Liberty, to discuss the many layers of what seems like a simple question. Read her article here: https://lawliberty.org/sleep-training-the-american-people/ #DST #daylightsavings #daylight #springforward Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
A Speech That Mattered - Lincoln's Second Inaugural 32:55

19 giorni fa32:55

32:55

Today e ask you to take a moment to look back at an inaugural address that was also given in a time of high political division and partisanship, in fact eclipsing our own. What can we learn from Abraham Lincoln, and from the words of his Second Inaugural Address? Jeff is joined by Dr. Jason Stevens to discuss this essential American document, exploring its meaning in 1865, as well as what we can learn from it now, almost 160 years later. #lincoln #secondinaugural #malicetowardnone Read the speech: https://tinyurl.com/mkp25fpp Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
Adding the Lone Star - The Annexation and Statehood of Texas 42:39

26 giorni fa42:39

42:39

How and why did the short-lived Republic of Texas seek admission into the United States and become the 28th state? Historical Jordan Cash joins Jeff for this episode, wherein they discuss how the state of Texas came about, why it factored so prominently in 19th Century American history, and why it still matters today. #texas #texashistory #alamo #annexation #samhouston #johntyler #american history Read Jordan’s recent book on this topic - https://a.co/d/hR87Yyq Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
The Conductor: America's Forgotten Father of the Abolition Movement 41:44

5 weeks fa41:44

41:44

Rev. John Rankin is, arguably, America's founding abolitionist, and yet he is virtually forgotten today. A conductor on the Underground Railroad, a writer and preacher, he laid the intellectual, moral, and organizational foundations of what would become the mainstream abolition movement in the mid-19th Century. Jeff is joined today by author Caleb Franz to cast some needed light on Rankin - his work, his ideas, and his accomplishments. Read Caleb's book, The Conductor, here: https://a.co/d/hsA2tLb Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
America's Foreign Policy Challenges as of Early 2025 33:33

6 weeks fa33:33

33:33

What foreign policy challenges does the Trump Administration face as of February 2025? Where are the potential flashpoints of global conflict and strife? What 'bad actors' are out there, and are they working together? Defense Policy expert Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses these serious issues with Jeff, and offers some ideas for how America can defend itself and work to promote and protect our national interest and citizens. Read Rebeccah's bio here: https://www.hudson.org/experts/1054-rebeccah-l-heinrichs Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea #foreignpolicy #ccp #ukrainewar #freetrade #irondome #nationaldefense…

The American Idea

1
Lincoln and the Presidential Pardon Power 48:34

7 weeks fa48:34

48:34

The presidential pardon is the most sweeping and unchallengeable of a president's powers, and it seems that each time someone leaves the White House, pardons generate at least some level of controversy. Why did the Founders include this power? How was its use originally envisioned, and how has it evolved over time? Historian Jonathan White joins Cara Rogers Stevens to discuss the issue, using Abraham Lincoln as a vehicle to better understand this significant, yet poorly-understood presidential power. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
Jimmy Carter - His Presidency, Politics, and Legacy 49:30

8 weeks fa49:30

49:30

Jimmy Carter, a one-term Democrat president from Georgia, recently passed away after a long and impactful and sometimes controversial post-presidential life. From governor of Georgia to president to self-appointed ambassador and highly successful proponent of global relief efforts, Carter broke with many presidential traditions, for better and worse, to his advantage and not. Jeff is joined by noted presidential scholar Dr. Stephen Knott, formerly of the U.S. Naval War College, to discuss Carter's rise to prominence in Democratic circles, his unlikely victory in 1976, his tumultuous single term as president, and his long - sometimes contentious - post-presidential public life. Get Steve's book, "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency": https://a.co/d/53ufwlD Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Reconciliation 29:30

9 weeks fa29:30

29:30

As we mark another peaceful transfer of presidential power in America - and after an ugly, rancorous political campaign season - it's worth looking back at perhaps the greatest story of political and personal reconciliation in our history. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: allies, then friends, then rivals, then political enemies, and then friends again in the closing days of their lives. Let's take a moment and look at how this lifelong connection grew, went sour, and was rekindled, demonstrating then and now that so long as the "American Mind" is alive, people of different opinions can come together for the common and personal good. #johnadams #thomasjefferson Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

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New Year, Same Problem: Our National Debt and Its Implications 45:03

10 weeks fa45:03

45:03

America's national debt stands at over $36 trillion dollars as of early 2025. What does that mean? How did we get here? What should and can be done about it? What are the consequences of inaction? AIER.org policy analyst Dave Hebert joins Jeff this week to discuss this problem, hiding in plain sight, its background, and possibilities for the incoming Trump administration and the future. #debt #nationaldebt #politics #congress #deficits #debtceiling Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

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America First - FDR vs Charles Lindbergh in the Shadow of War 42:46

11 weeks fa42:46

42:46

Jeff is joined by historian H.W. Brands to discuss the public and political battle between #FDR and Charles Lindbergh during the lead-in to #WW2. Were FDR's policies pushing America slowly toward war, as Lindbergh asserted, or would they keep us out, as was FDR's position? Of additional interest is how their disagreement fits into the long-running debate over America's role in the world - which was, in part, on the ballot in 2024. #foreignpolicy #intervention #isolation #americafirst Read Brands' book here: https://a.co/d/5MZ2KdG Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
Making the Presidency - John Adams and the Precedents that Forged the Republic 41:08

12 weeks fa41:08

41:08

John Adams was instrumental in America's efforts for independence, the formation of our early government, and the cementing of norms and systems during the republic's early years. And yet he seems most often remembered for the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and his complicated relationship with Thomas Jefferson? Historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky joins Jeff this week to discuss Adams as a thinker, leader, and man, shedding new light on how much of his work we still follow today, even if we don't realize it. #johnadams #potus #history Learn more about Lindsay: https://www.lindsaychervinsky.com/ Get her book: https://a.co/d/6OOF1ny Learn about the George Washington Library: https://www.mountvernon.org/library Listen to Lindsay's podcast: https://www.georgewashingtonpodcast.com/show/conversations/ Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

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Born American, But in the Wrong Place - A Special Episode of The American Idea 1:00:35

13 weeks fa1:00:35

1:00:35

Peter Schramm, former Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and Professor of Political Science, was a student of American thought, culture, institutions, and people. His interest in America began when he was a child, living in Hungary after World War 2, hearing his father talk about a faraway place where they all belonged, and would hopefully one day live. This is Peter's story, told by him, and through it we can learn not only of his story, but something about this country and its ideals, and why it has served as a beacon of liberty to the world for over 200 years. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea…

The American Idea

1
The Work of a Press Secretary: Politics and Perceptions | Contemporary Conversations 56:36

14 weeks fa56:36

56:36

Done every 10 years in response to the census, as required in the Constitution, congressional redistricting is always a politically-charged process, with each state dealing with it differently. Ohio recently completed the process, putting in place districts through 2030. Jeff is joined by Ohio Governor's press secretary Dan Tierney to discuss how Ohio does this vital work, and by extension how he handles the media as a representative of the governor. Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea #ohio #ohiogovernor #mikedewine #redistricting #congress #census #constitution #media…

The American Idea

1
The Nazis' Last Gasp: The Battle of the Bulge at 80 Years 35:54

15 weeks fa35:54