The Glenn Beck Program: Best of the Program | Guest: Andrew Klavan | 10/31/25

Episode Overview

In this episode, Glenn Beck and his co-hosts deliver their trademark blend of humor and sharp cultural commentary, discussing everything from unusual pet laws to the state of American discourse and publishing. The centerpiece features bestselling author and commentator Andrew Klavan, who shares insights on storytelling, the feminization and politicization of publishing, the decline in reading habits, and the cultural malaise in America. The episode weaves together satire, personal anecdotes, and pressing issues in media, free speech, and national identity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Monkeys on the Loose and Texan Animal Laws (02:25–09:20)

• Glenn, Stu, and Jason open with light-hearted banter about a news story: a monkey in a diaper loose in a Texas Halloween store, expanding to discuss the abundance of private zoos in Texas and the oddities of state animal regulations.
• Highlights the unusual freedoms allowed in Texas related to exotic pets, with Jason explaining insurance and inspection requirements for larger primates.
• The conversation takes a darker turn with stories of pet monkeys causing harm, prompting debate on the sense (or lack thereof) behind these laws.

“Texas has more private zoos than any other place on Earth.” — Glenn Beck (05:19)

Satirizing Political Hypocrisy: Kamala Harris, Election Night, and ‘Found’ Votes (09:20–13:38)

• Shift to politics, dissecting Kamala Harris's comments about her election shock and the infamous “we need 200,000 more votes we can’t find” phone call.
• Glenn and Stu mock the double standards in media treatment, comparing Harris’s words with Trump’s controversial Georgia call.

"[Kamala] said it was shock, like losing her mother—get some perspective!" — Glenn Beck (11:01)

• Points out the performative outrage of the left and media’s willful misunderstandings, as with the usage of words like “targeting” districts.

The Modern Left and Selective Amnesia (13:38–16:57)

• Discussion of how left-wing discourse, as Beck and Stu see it, operates on pretending not to understand opponents’ statements, to create narrative controversies out of everyday political language.

“So much of left wing discourse is pretending they don’t understand what’s happening.” — Stu (14:38)

Purity Tests and Cancel Culture in Conservative Circles (16:57–35:28)

• Glenn addresses recent internecine fights among conservative voices, specifically referencing Tucker Carlson, the Heritage Foundation, and debates about antisemitism, Zionism, and the push to “cancel” figures over controversial guests or statements.
• He calls for clarity, civility, and debate rather than absolutist, “Sith-like” thinking that divides the movement.
• Stresses the need for free speech and moral restraint, condemns actual antisemitism, and insists on distinguishing between criticizing Israel and antisemitic tropes.

“Our founders were really, really clear on this. This is why the First Amendment. They knew that liberty doesn’t die with a bang. It dies with a hush.” — Glenn Beck (32:00)

The State of Reading, Publishing, and Storytelling in America

(Andrew Klavan Interview Segment Begins: 35:28)

The Decline of Fiction and Reading (35:28–40:23)

• Klavan observes a dramatic decline in both male readership and overall book sales, attributing it to the feminization of publishing and political blacklisting of white male authors.
• Glenn shares similar experiences with mainstream publishers pushing ideological angles on nonfiction.

“The business is so feminized… men hardly read novels at all anymore. I’m one of the last remaining guys who writes books for men and women.” — Andrew Klavan (36:36)

On Klavan's New Book and Writing for a Broader Audience (37:57–39:56)

• Klavan introduces his new novel After That, the Dark—a blend of mystery and love story, tackling themes like evil, redemption, and human nature.
• Glenn jokes about perceived real-world inspirations for Klavan’s villains.

Literacy, Education, and the Joys of Reading (40:23–44:10)

• Glenn laments statistics showing most Americans now read at a sixth-grade level or below.
• Klavan decries educational neglect in poor communities and the loss of values in mainstream schooling.
• Both agree the decline of reading is not just sad but destructive for culture and individual growth.

“The way they treat poor people… in education is a crime.” — Andrew Klavan (40:30)

The Lost Art of Reading Aloud and Storytelling (43:03–45:54)

• Reminiscing about teachers who read to students and family traditions of reading literature aloud.
• Glenn recalls a story about Orson Welles’s daughter learning Shakespeare via live performances from her father.

“Nobody is reading to their children out loud and really taking them for adventures.” — Glenn Beck (43:03)

Cultural Memory, Patriotism, and the Neglect of American Heritage (45:54–48:55)

• Discusses America’s disregard for its own heritage, as exemplified by a lack of bicentennial celebrations for the nation’s 250th birthday.
• Glenn recalls being told the American flag had never been onstage at the Kennedy Center before his show, underscoring cultural amnesia.

Reviving Traditional Storytelling and Art (49:15–50:18)

• Klavan contends the dominance of leftist gatekeepers in the arts has stifled dissent and vision in literature and media, calling for conservatives to reinvest in cultural creation.

“The culture has flatlined because of these woke ideas, which basically call evil good and good evil.” — Andrew Klavan (49:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Monkey Mayhem & Texas Law
  “It’s Texas. Who’s number two? Nobody. It’s just Texas.” — Glenn Beck (05:46)

• On Political Hypocrisy
  “They really do. Get some perspective.” — Glenn Beck, on politicians’ self-importance (11:01)

• On Cancel Culture
  “You know, if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. That is the solution.” — Glenn Beck (22:25)

• On Silencing Speech vs. Combating Bad Ideas
  “The best way to make bad ideas grow is to suppress them.” — Glenn Beck (24:00)

• On the Decline in Reading
  “No, of course not. We have no future with that at all.” — Andrew Klavan, on declining literacy rates (40:30)

• On Artistic Heritage
  “When I put the flag on the [Kennedy Center] stage, I was told… this is the first time the American flag has ever been on stage at the Kennedy Center. That’s crazy.” — Glenn Beck (48:55)

Key Timestamps for Sections

• Monkey News and Texas Laws — 02:25–09:20
• Kamala Harris & Election Night Reaction — 09:20–13:38
• Media Hypocrisy / Discourse Satire — 13:38–16:57
• Cancel Culture Within Conservatism — 16:57–35:28
• Andrew Klavan Interview (Fiction, Publishing, Culture) — 35:28–50:18

Tone & Style

The tone is classic Glenn Beck: irreverent, lively, and at times sardonic, blending humor with impassioned calls for clarity, freedom of speech, and cultural renewal. Klavan brings a wry, introspective perspective, highlighting cultural decline and the need to reignite the joy and value of storytelling.

Takeaways

• The show underscores the importance of clear, honest debate and letting ideas, however unpopular, be openly discussed.
• It highlights the decline of literacy, the perils of cancel culture, and the superficiality of current political discourse.
• Klavan and Beck advocate for a return to storytelling, tradition, and genuine engagement with the past to bolster the nation’s future.

For Further Listening

• Andrew Klavan’s After That, the Dark for a literary take on themes discussed.
• Past Glenn Beck episodes on American morality, free speech, and cultural heritage.

This summary delivers a comprehensive, engaging overview for listeners, capturing the episode’s themes, key discussions, and memorable moments, complete with clear attribution and timestamps.