Conservative Conversations with ISI

Updated: 27 May 2025 • 196 episodes
isi.org/podcasts

Conservative ideas are no longer welcome on most college campuses—or anywhere else. If you are a conservative student or professor, or just interested in the conservative intellectual tradition, this podcast is for you! Join Johnny Burtka, Marlo Slayback, and Tom Sarrouf for in-depth conversations with leading thinkers on the most important issues facing conservatism.

Show episodes

What happens when two of the 20th century’s most formidable thinkers exchange letters about literature, culture, religion, and politics? In this episode of Conservative Conversations, classicist and scholar Eric Adler joins host Tom Sarrouf to discuss his newly released book, Humanistic Letters: The Irving Babbitt–Paul

46 min
00:00
46:48
No file found

In this fascinating episode of Conservative Conversations, Tom Sarrouf sits down with Dr. Sam Pappas, CEO and co-founder of Pappas Health, to discuss the intersection of health, nutrition, and American lifestyle. As one of the leaders of MAHA, Dr. Pappas offers valuable insights into modern health practices and the imp

61 min
00:00
01:01:27
No file found

In our conversation with historian and constitutional scholar Kevin Gutzman, host Tom Sarrouf dives deep into the formative years of John C. Calhoun—one of the most complex and controversial figures in American political history. Gutzman unpacks how Calhoun’s early experiences shaped his views on states’ rights, federa

71 min
00:00
01:11:35
No file found

In this compelling episode of Conservative Conversations, ISI sits down with philosopher and author Jason D. Hill to explore the powerful themes behind his latest book, Letters to God From a Former Atheist. Hill shares his personal journey from staunch atheism to a profound rediscovery of God, diving into questions of

47 min
00:00
47:55
No file found

In this insightful discussion, Marlo Slayback, Tom Sarrouf, and Jeff Bilbro delve into the life and work of Wendell Berry, exploring how his writings and philosophy laid the groundwork for the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They examine Berry’s focus on sustainable agriculture, community-centered living, and th

50 min
00:00
50:13
No file found

In this engaging conversation, Tom Sarrouf sits down with Rachel Fulton Brown, professor of Medieval History at the University of Chicago, to explore the rich intellectual world of the Middle Ages and the medieval mind. They dive into how medieval thinkers understood faith, reason, and the cosmos, shedding light on the

58 min
00:00
58:08
No file found