To understand the tensions occurring today in Iran, we must first understand the religious background of the nation’s Shiite Muslim leadership. While the U.S. State Department may view the Iranian conflict in political, geographic, and military terms, the nation’s leaders interpret it through a profoundly religious and even apocalyptic lens. As a result, any U.S. administration—including that of Donald Trump—must recognize that negotiations with Iran are not grounded in Western values, but in an ideological and religious worldview that[read more]

As the 250th anniversary of America’s founding approaches, it’s prudent for us to turn back to the wisdom contained in our founding document. Even in the midst of the hellacious upheavals of our time, the eternal words of the Declaration of Independence serve as a foundation for freedom, faith, and revolution, not just in America, but around the world. Listen as Stephen sheds light on pivotal passages of the Declaration of Independence and issues a stirring personal challenge.

Connect with[read more]

Utopian dreams, though often clothed in the language of hope and progress, have brought profound suffering by denying the broken reality of the human condition. Rooted in the realism of the Judeo-Christian tradition, Stephen insists that we must see the world as it is—not as we wish it to be—recognizing that no perfect state exists on this side of eternity. By distinguishing between “utopia” (“nowhere”) and “eutopia” (“good place”), we can expose how the pursuit of perfection so often[read more]

Since 1979, Iran has been under the control of a Shiite extremist Muslim government. As of February 28th, that regime is under direct attack due to targeted efforts by the United States and surrounding regions. What began as uprisings from Iran’s young people is now a historical tipping point for both Iran and our own nation. Listen in to hear Stephen’s thoughts about the disconnect between the president and Congress, the aftereffects of the initial attack, and what we[read more]

Why do I call myself a conservative? The answer, despite what our current political landscape may tell you, is not that controversial. Fundamentally, I believe in a limited government, free markets, strong national defense, and an emphasis on individual responsibility. As a historian, I have studied the atrocities brought upon humanity by tyrannical and unrestrained governments. Our Founding Fathers gave us a framework to prevent this, and we should follow their lead in order to preserve our liberty.

“Tradition is[read more]

Following the latest episode about the macro threats shaping our world, Stephen is re-airing an episode from 2021 that speaks directly to one of the most critical: the growing fresh water crisis. Five years after originally publishing this episode, the danger of declining fresh water remains just as urgent.

Note: The Lake Mead capacity figure cited in this episode has continued to decline since the episode was recorded, falling from 35% to 33%.

Water. Birthrates. Global warming. Melting ice. Droughts. Religious shifts. These are the real factors shaping our world, not the hypothesized political incentives argued over on cable news stations. We are living through a time of global restructuring, and we must look beyond headlines to fully understand what kind of future we are walking into. Go with Stephen “behind the scenes” to explore the macro forces that could change everything.

In this milestone 600th episode of the Stephen Mansfield Podcast, Stephen fields your listener-submitted questions to hear exactly what’s going through the minds of concerned individuals living in our world today. From third party possibilities and population plummets, to budding world leaders and general information overwhelm, what can we expect from world history in the years ahead? All of this, and more, is addressed in today’s anniversary episode.

America’s future is gripped by 3 primary crises: a deep spiritual unrest, a Congress unable to lead, and the growing influence of Marxist ideology. In this episode, Stephen examines how inner emptiness, legislative dysfunction, and a worldview of revolt are shaping the nation’s challenges. We, as a united people, must confront these realities head-on, because we can’t build a better future if we ignore what’s breaking us now.

In the United States, socialist sympathy seems to be at an all-time high. With approximately 250 Democratic socialists holding state and local elected offices around the country, it’s becoming clear that America has forgotten the lessons learned about one of the deadliest ideologies in world history. Today, it is our duty to equip ourselves and our younger generations intellectually against the failed systems of the past.