Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

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Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

Intercollegiate Studies Institute

27 episodes

5 days ago

As America approaches its 250th anniversary (the Semiquincentennial), we return to the Declaration of Independence and its most debated phrase: “all men are created equal.” Why created equal? Why not merely born equal? In this episode, Dan McCarthy argues that the Declaration’s logic depends on a Creator: rights are not inventions of the state or products of social consensus, but endowments grounded in God and that foundation produces a radically different view of liberty, property, justice,...

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As America approaches its 250th anniversary (the Semiquincentennial), we return to the Declaration of Independence and its most debated phrase: “all men are created equal.” Why created equal? Why not merely born equal? In this episode, Dan McCarthy argues that the Declaration’s logic depends on a Creator: rights are not inventions of the state or products of social consensus, but endowments grounded in God and that foundation produces a radically different view of liberty, property, justice,...

Show more...

Episodes (20/27)

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 027 - Did America Reject Kings? ...or Just Bad Government?

How well do Americans really understand monarchy, constitutionalism, and the actual causes of the American Revolution? In this episode of Modern Age, editor Dan McCarthy peels back the mythology to explore the deep historical roots of the American system—going back to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the rise of the Whigs and Tories, and what those debates teach us about executive power, liberalism, and today’s populist backlash. With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence...

16 hours ago

1 hour

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP: 025 - The Right’s Generational Divide: Gen Z vs. Boomers

What explains the growing divide between older and younger conservatives? In this episode, Modern Age editor Dan McCarthy explores the ideological, cultural, and economic rifts between the Reagan-Buckley generation and Gen Z conservatives. Is this a generational clash or the start of a new conservative movement? 📱 Subscribe for more episodes and visit modernagejournal.com 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app

2 weeks ago

57 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 024 - Buckley at 100: The Legacy Conservatives Inherited

On the centennial of William F. Buckley Jr.’s birth, Dan McCarthy revisits the towering legacy of the man who shaped postwar American conservatism. From founding National Review and leading ISI, to defining the modern Right’s anti-communist and anti-statist battles, Buckley was instrumental in reshaping American political discourse. But what did he truly conserve—and how should today’s conservatives evaluate his legacy? In this episode of Modern Age, Dan explores: -Buckley's early America ...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 023 - 50-Year Mortgages and the New American Dream

This week on Modern Age, Dan McCarthy breaks down the economic and cultural consequences of President Trump’s proposed 50-year mortgage and the broader housing crisis facing America. From lifelong debt and falling birthrates to the decline of Jeffersonian ideals, Dan explores the deeper roots of the affordability crisis—and why today’s policy responses might do more harm than good. Can conservatives offer a real path toward ownership, stability, and the American dream? Or are we locking the n...

3 weeks ago

27 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 022 - Presidential Tariffs Go to Court

This week on Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores a pivotal legal and constitutional question: Can President Trump impose tariffs on his own authority? With the Supreme Court hearing a case that challenges his use of emergency powers under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), this episode dives deep into the legal history, economic rationale, and political stakes. What counts as a national emergency? Is a 50-year trade deficit reason enough? Dan examines both sides of the d...

1 month ago

23 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 021 - America First, But Not Alone

In this episode, Modern Age editor Dan McCarthy explores how Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy has evolved into something bigger—a coalition of nationalists reshaping international politics. Dan unpacks how this emerging coalition differs from the old liberal internationalism, why nationalism doesn’t have to mean isolationism, and how a shared strategic outlook could counter growing threats from China and other authoritarian powers. 📘 Subscribe to Modern Age: https://modernagejour...

1 month ago

32 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 020 - Will Free Markets Win in Latin America?

In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores President Trump’s evolving strategy toward Latin America—and what it tells us about the new Cold War with China. From supporting Argentina’s Javier Milei to tightening pressure on Venezuela, Trump’s policies challenge conventional left and right critiques. Dan discusses why Trump’s strategic approach may mark a return to Cold War realism and what’s at stake for the United States as China expands its influence in our own hemisphere. Share,...

1 month ago

21 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 019 - What Trump’s Gaza Peace Deal Means for Ukraine

Former critics are now calling Trump a serious contender for the Nobel Peace Prize — thanks to a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages. In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores how Trump’s bold diplomacy succeeded in one of the world’s most volatile conflicts — and whether his approach can do the same in Ukraine. Can you back a side in war and broker peace? Trump thinks so — and he might be right. 📖 Read thoughtful essays at https://modernagejournal.com https://...

1 month ago

33 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 018 - Why Columbus STILL Deserves a Holiday

Should Columbus Day still be celebrated in America? In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores the historical, philosophical, and cultural arguments for honoring Christopher Columbus—despite the controversy surrounding him. Drawing on Christian, classical, Enlightenment, and even realist perspectives, Dan lays out three universal reasons why Columbus remains a figure worth honoring. He also examines how federal holidays reflect America’s political and cultural history, why Columbus ...

2 months ago

42 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 017 - Can the West Stay Conservative Without Christianity?

As the West becomes less Christian and less culturally European, what happens to conservatism? In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores the demographic and religious transformations reshaping America, Britain, and Europe—and what they mean for the future of conservative identity and political thought. Drawing on thinkers like Alexis de Tocqueville and Leo Strauss, Dan raises difficult questions about whether conservatism’s past commitments—Christianity, Protestant roots, Western ...

2 months ago

40 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

Episode 016 - What the Media Gets Wrong About the Right

Why are conservatives being cast as the enemies of free speech—by the very institutions that once championed it? In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy examines the coordinated layers of left-wing power: the elite media and universities, the street-level Antifa activists, and the ideological narratives that connect them. Dan unpacks how elite institutions use inflammatory rhetoric to justify censorship and violence, while distancing themselves from the consequences. He also discusses the...

2 months ago

47 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

Ep 014 - What They Don’t Want to Admit About Crime

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee fled a war zone—only to be murdered on a public train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her killer? A man with 14 prior arrests, released again and again by a justice system that seems more committed to freeing criminals than protecting the innocent. 🔔 Subscribe for more thoughtful conservative analysis 📰 Read Modern Age: https://modernagejournal.com 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app 💬 Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it #cr...

3 months ago

22 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 013 - Keep Children Safe from Transgender Politics

In this episode, Dan McCarthy responds to the tragic Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis and explores the deeper societal implications. What does the rise of violent rhetoric surrounding gender identity say about the current state of liberal permissiveness? And why are parents increasingly sidelined when it comes to decisions about their children’s identities? Dan highlights the Florida teacher controversy and unpacks how modern ideologies are transforming not only classrooms but the very...

3 months ago

30 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 012 - Is Trump’s Intel Move Socialism—or Strategy?

Is Donald Trump turning his back on free market conservatism—or is he adapting to a new geopolitical reality? In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores the political and economic debate surrounding Trump’s recent Intel deal, industrial policy, and the idea of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund. Critics call it socialism. Supporters call it realism. Dan unpacks the deeper ideological tension between economic nationalism and libertarian orthodoxy. He also considers how America can compete ...

3 months ago

33 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

Episode 010 - Trump, Marijuana, and the Future of Public Drug Policy

Is the war on drugs really over? In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy examines President Trump’s potential decision to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug. While some see this move as a sign of progress, Dan questions what it means for public safety, social standards, and American cities. He explores the real-world consequences of marijuana legalization, challenges arguments from both libertarians and conservatives, and breaks down why public drug use is eroding basic civil nor...

3 months ago

24 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 009 - Can Public Broadcasting Survive Without Taxpayer Funding?

In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy explores what the recent defunding of NPR and PBS means for the future of public institutions in America. With taxpayer support for these Kennedy and Johnson-era programs rolled back by President Trump and the Republican Congress, the conversation has shifted. Will private donors step in to support what many view as vital cultural and humanitarian efforts? And can these institutions prove their value outside of government support? Dan traces the o...

4 months ago

24 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 008 - Why Tariffs Work: Trump’s Trade Strategy Explained

In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy breaks down President Trump’s recent trade victories and challenges the mainstream narrative about tariffs, prices, and their impact on American consumers. Dan explains why the popular claim that tariffs are just a tax on consumers is misleading, and why many economists who make this argument actually know better. Using real-world examples and market theory, he shows how tariffs can strengthen domestic industry, increase competition, and keep prices...

4 months ago

26 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 007 - Trump, Burke, and the Battle Over America's Real Constitution

In this bold episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy brings together two unexpected figures: Donald Trump and Edmund Burke. The goal is to uncover what is really at stake in today's constitutional and institutional debates. Ten years after Trump came down the escalator and now six months into his second term, Dan explores how Trump’s disruption of elite institutions mirrors Burke’s 18th-century critique of concentrated power in the British monarchy. Using Burke's analysis of formal and informal a...

4 months ago

26 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 006 - What Superman Tells Us About Liberalism, America, and Assimilation

In this special episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy shifts gears to examine the most talked-about film of the moment: the new Superman movie. But this isn't just pop culture commentary—it's a deep dive into the political and philosophical meaning behind America’s most iconic superhero. Dan explores the film’s liberal messaging, James Gunn’s take on Superman as an immigrant, and why the movie misses the mark when it comes to portraying authentic American identity. He traces Superman’s roots in...

4 months ago

12 minutes

Modern Age with Dan McCarthy

EP. 005 - Is the “Big Beautiful Bill” Actually Good? Tocqueville Might Have an Answer

In Episode 5 of Modern Age with Dan McCarthy, Dan looks beyond today’s headlines about the “big beautiful bill” and asks: what can history teach us about big, ambitious legislation? To answer that, he turns to Tocqueville’s The Old Regime and the French Revolution, exploring how the French monarchy’s misguided policies—long before the Revolution—set the stage for collapse. Along the way, he draws a sharp contrast between Louis XIV’s centralized control and King William III’s England, where a...

5 months ago

31 minutes