The Glenn Beck Program
Episode: The Scariest Thing Conservatives Could Do | Guest: Andrew Klavan | 10/31/25
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck (Blaze Podcast Network)
Episode Overview
On this Halloween episode, Glenn Beck addresses internal fractures within the conservative movement, the rise of antisemitism, freedom of speech, the importance of moral clarity, and the dangers of cancel culture. The show ponders whether today's conservative "family" is at risk of a public divorce and urges unity around core constitutional values. Later, acclaimed author Andrew Klavan joins to discuss storytelling, reading, and preserving Western culture—before Glenn closes out the show with dramatic Halloween-themed storytelling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The “Scariest Thing”: Internal Division in Conservative Ranks
[02:58]
- Glenn uses a Halloween analogy, likening the conservative movement to "mommy and daddy fighting in public," creating confusion, fear, and tribalism among followers.
- He critiques ongoing public disputes—especially using social media—regarding issues like antisemitism, Zionism, and the roles of figures like Tucker Carlson and the Heritage Foundation.
- Quote [04:30]:
"Mommy and daddy are fighting. And when mommy and daddy are fighting, as always, it should happen in private... But now we’re fighting on social media—the worst place to have a fight." — Glenn Beck
Key Takeaway:
- Public infighting serves progressive interests by weakening conservatives and fuels a destructive “cancel culture” within the movement.
2. Cancel Culture, Freedom of Speech & Moral Responsibility
[06:00–14:00]
- Glenn draws parallels between conservative cancel campaigns and the tactics of the political left.
- He demands consistency: if you oppose cancel culture, that principle must span all cases, regardless of whether you agree with the speech in question.
- Emphasizes open debate and sunlight (exposure), rather than suppression, as the best mechanism for combating dangerous ideas.
- Uses historical references (Star Wars “don’t cross the streams,” Founders’ intent for the First Amendment, Star Wars Sith analogies) to warn against absolutist thinking and silencing.
- Quote [12:32]:
“The best way to make bad ideas grow is to suppress them… An error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.” — Glenn Beck (paraphrasing Jefferson)
Moral Clarity:
- Freedom of speech requires moral restraint, responsibility, and a shared foundation (Judeo-Christian values) to function.
- Attacks against “Christian Zionists” and conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism muddy necessary distinctions and poison discourse.
3. The Real Threats: Rising Extremism & Vulnerable Institutions
[20:27–23:00]
- Glenn pivots to warn about radical Islam filling the “vacuum left by moral cowardice” in the West.
- References burning churches, the spread of mosques, and examples in U.S. cities.
- Warns about erosion of foundational ideas by globalist, socialist, and identity-driven ideology—undermining shared culture and sovereignty.
- Reiterates: exposure and debate are essential; driving people out (canceling) is the “left’s way.”
Historical Example:
- Defends Bill Maher’s right to speech after 9/11, despite totally disagreeing.
- Quote [22:50]:
“The principle of freedom of speech only counts when it hurts to defend it.” — Glenn Beck
4. Coalition-Building versus Line-Holding in the Movement
[28:20–30:30]
- Defines two kinds of conservatives:
- Lineholders—guard principles, keep the tent defined.
- Coalition-builders—seek unity to achieve larger goals.
- Both groups are essential; balance is key.
- Glenn warns against purity tests ("my way or the highway") and urges focus on what unites: belief in the Bill of Rights and equality under the law.
- Quote [30:38]:
“If we become everything we despise to win, we’ve already lost.” — Glenn Beck
5. “America First” and the Importance of Founding Principles
[31:44–34:50]
- Asserts the need to unite around constitutional values, not identity or political uniformity.
- Describes “unum” as unity of principle, not sameness, insisting:
- “Do you stand for freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, equal justice under the law? If you do, you are my ally, you are my friend and we are not going to agree on everything.”
- Recalls old principle:
- “I disagree with almost everything they just said. But I will fight to my death for his right to say it.”
6. Societal Decay and Loss of Virtue
[35:00–37:00]
- Glenn laments the decline of shared virtue, referencing George Washington’s warnings that “religion and morality are the twin pillars of political prosperity.”
- He warns of America’s unique moral law—Judeo-Christian values—being undermined, risking the loss of the Republic.
- Calls for refusal to silence or hate, even when uncomfortable.
7. Commentary on Current News, Hypocrisy, and Viral Outrage
[54:00–59:38]
- The team analyzes Kamala Harris’s “missing votes” comments, drawing a parallel with Trump’s “find votes” phrase and highlighting perceived leftist hypocrisy in media outrage.
- Co-hosts discuss the left’s “intentional misunderstanding” and shifting standards to further partisan narratives.
8. Analysis of Modern Young Americans’ Disillusionment
[73:56–78:09]
- Glenn discusses the root causes of young Americans' anger and alienation—economic collapse, corruption, and indoctrination against America.
- Laments loss of historical perspective and gratitude, replaced by heated calls to “burn it all down” without realizing the real-world consequences.
Guest Segment: Andrew Klavan
[88:19–103:09]
On Storytelling, Culture, and the Death of Reading
-
Book Sales Today:
- Andrew laments the decline in reading and the publishing industry's exclusion of male writers and conservative perspectives.
- “Writing books, men hardly read novels at all anymore… it’s tough to get that out there.” — Andrew Klavan [89:27]
-
Culture Wars & Cancel Culture:
- Discusses the impact of progressive orthodoxy in publishing, where even major editors are “canceled” for publishing “too many white men.”
- Glenn shares how even nonfiction is steered by New York liberal publishing houses out of touch with his audience.
-
Literacy Crisis:
- Glenn and Andrew decry statistics that indicate more than half of Americans read at a sixth grade level or lower.
- Andrew shares anecdotes about the perverse way public schools treat teachers and students; good values must be taught “behind closed doors.”
- “To take away reading from kids… it’s a crime.” — Andrew Klavan [93:21]
-
Importance of Arts and Storytelling:
- Both recall formative experiences with teachers who fed their imaginations (e.g., reading Poe and Shakespeare aloud).
- Andrew stresses the arts as essential to understanding human nature and culture:
- “Anything expands your soul… it’s reading.” — Andrew Klavan [94:24]
-
Orson Welles Anecdote:
- Glenn recounts Welles homeschooling his daughter, taking her to a castle to perform Shakespeare—a call for parents to actively create vivid cultural moments.
-
Western Culture’s Decline and Hope for Revival:
- Andrew credits Trump for caring about culture and fears the cultural monoculture imposed by the left.
- Hopes for a revival where conservatives and traditionalists re-engage in, and maybe recapture, cultural storytelling.
-
Simple Fix:
- Read more books!
- “Just start reading again.” — Glenn Beck [103:09]
- He recommends Andrew’s latest mystery, “After That, the Dark.”
- Read more books!
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On Cancel Culture:
"I do not like people trying to cancel people… No, no, you don’t do that." — Glenn Beck [05:34]
-
On Criticism of Israel vs Antisemitism:
“Being against Israel’s policies… that’s not antisemitism… Antisemitism means I have an unreasonable view that all the Jews are in some global plot.” — Glenn Beck [12:55]
-
On Speech and Silencing:
“Liberty doesn’t die with a bang, it dies with a hush.” — Glenn Beck [13:44]
“An error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.” — Glenn Beck (citing Jefferson) [14:30] -
On Unity:
“Do you stand for freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, equal justice under the law? If you do, you are my ally, you are my friend…” — Glenn Beck [32:06]
-
On the Arts and Reading:
"To take away reading from kids… it’s a crime." — Andrew Klavan [93:21]
“Anything expands your soul… it’s reading.” — Andrew Klavan [94:24]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening Analogy & Cancel Culture Discussion: [02:58–14:00]
- Antisemitism, Speech, and the Founders: [12:55–18:30]
- Islamic Radicalism, Societal Erosion: [20:27–23:00]
- On the Proper Role of Lineholders and Coalition-builders: [28:20–34:50]
- America First, Unity, and Oneness: [31:44–34:50]
- Commentary on Kamala Harris, Election Hypocrisy: [53:14–59:38]
- Youth Disillusionment, Loss of Gratitude: [73:56–78:09]
- Andrew Klavan Guest Interview: [88:19–103:09]
- Closing Storytelling (Poe reading): [108:00+]
Episode Tone and Style
Glenn Beck's tone throughout is urgent but conversational, with touches of humor, storytelling flair, and the dramatic—especially in literary discussions and his closing Poe reading. He calls frequently for debate, unity around founding principles, and cultural renewal. The interview with Andrew Klavan is a mix of nostalgia, literary appreciation, and anxiety about Western decline.
Listener Takeaways
- The most destructive thing conservatives could do is tear themselves apart over purity and differences on social media.
- Defending freedom of speech, even for objectionable voices, is foundational—even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic; clarity and nuance are needed.
- Cancel culture tactics are a threat regardless of which side employs them.
- Culture is shaped by storytelling; reading and the arts are crucial to maintaining a free, virtuous society.
- Unity around constitutional principles, not ideology or identity, is the necessary glue for American renewal.
- Engage with culture—read, support the arts, and refuse both silence and hatred.
Notable Final Quote:
"If we become everything we despise to win, we’ve already lost." — Glenn Beck [30:38]
[End of Summary]