Podcast
The Close Read Podcast
Hosted by The Claremont Institute · EN
Associate editor Spencer Klavan phones up authors whose CRB essays have prompted deeper reflection and discussion. Over a drink, he'll chat with the leading minds on the Right about what's going on in politics and literary culture.
claremontinstitute.substack.com
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29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"Goodbye to the Good War," by Sean McMeekin
Oct 2800:41:32Tap to summarizeAssociate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Goodbye to the Good War,” Sean McMeekin’s essay on reality, myth, and World War II, featured in the summer 2025 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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Matthew Schmitz on the New Theism
Oct 2700:29:41Tap to summarizeUntil quite recently, the “New Atheism” held sway over the minds of many elites. But the secular, scientistic worldview that was once so in vogue proved radically insufficient to meet the challenges of the post-9/11 world. Now, a New Theism is gaining traction among many of the thinkers who once professed a confident unbelief. Associate Editor Spencer Klavan sits down with Matthew Schmitz, editor of Compact magazine, to discuss the profound ethical and political implications of this new theological outlook. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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"Stardust," by Helen Andrews
Oct 600:16:01Tap to summarizeAssociate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Stardust,” Helen Andrews’s review of We Tell Ourselves Stories, featured in the summer 2025 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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Summer 2025 Review with Charles Kesler
Sep 2900:39:55Tap to summarizeEditor Charles Kesler sits down with Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to discuss the recent summer issue. Highlighted are Christopher Caldwell’s cover essay on UK immigration and Charles’ own piece on the Joe Rogan of the UK, Jeremy Clarkson. His show, Clarkson’s Farm, is a love letter to the English everyman in a moment when Britain is labouring (pun intended) under the burdens of bad government. Also in the issue, Sean McMeekin questions the merits of World War II as an analogue for the present moment, Matthew Schmitz tracks the revitalization of Christianity after the era of New Atheism, and Emmett Penney charts the meteoric rise of microchip maker Nvidia. Plus much more.Claremont Review of Books 25th Anniversary Gala Invite This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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"A Complete Unknown," by Spencer Klavan
Sep 1500:24:43Tap to summarizeAssociate Editor Spencer Klavan reads his latest piece in the CRB, “A Complete Unknown,” on Horace. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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Christopher Caldwell on UK Immigration
Sep 1500:29:56Tap to summarizeThe UK government of Boris Johnson, reckoning immigration as a pure economic gain, swung the door open to newcomers. Now 7 percent of the British population has been almost unilaterally imported en masse. Anger is swelling in response to “rape gangs” and other assaults on locals, and a new, populist right is materializing, with Nigel Farage leading the “fightback” against closed minds and open borders. Associate editor Spencer Klavan sits down with contributing editor Christopher Caldwell to discuss the UK immigration crisis and the future of the British Right.Discussion of “Land’s End.” Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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"Land's End," by Christopher Caldwell
Aug 2600:30:09Tap to summarizeAssociate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Land’s End,” Christopher Caldwell’s cover essay on how mass migration has radicalized the United Kingdom, featured in the spring 2025 issue. Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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John Rosenthal on Free Speech Online
Aug 2200:30:24Tap to summarizeThe European Union’s crusade to eliminate so-called “harmful speech” has breached America’s digital boundaries. The Digital Services Act effectively gives EU bureaucrats the ability to curb Americans’ constitutional rights, doing away with free speech in today’s online public square. In this Close Read bonus episode, associate editor Spencer Klavan is joined by former professor of political philosophy and journalist of European affairs John Rosenthal to discuss how the US might counter-regulate and incentivize tech firms to stand against overseas censorship. Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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“Empire of Music,” by Vladimir Golstein
Aug 4, 202500:22:42Tap to summarizeAssociate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Empire of Music,” Vladimir Golstein’s review of Tchaikovsky's Empire: A New Life of Russia's Greatest Composer, featured in the spring 2025 issue. Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe
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