Saving Elephants | Millennials Defending & Expressing Conservative Values

This month marks eight years of Saving Elephants tirelessly calling the GOP back to its classical conservative roots instead of the cult-of-personality nationalist populism to which the party has succumbed. And over these past eight years...things have only gotten worse. Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis assembles an all-star panel to answer the question: is the GOP worth saving?   Meet the Panelists:   Shawn Whatley Shawn Whatley hosts Concepts with Shawn Whatley, a weekly podcast focusing on political ideas, culture, and news.   Shawn, MD, is a seasoned physician leader with experience in emergency medicine and primary care and extensive experience in health care administration and medical politics.  Dr. Whatley contributes articles regularly to The Medical Post and serves on the Post's Physician Advisory Committee. Dr. Whatley has served on the board of the Ontario Medical Association and more recently on the board of the Canadian Medical Association, as well as on numerous hospital and provincial planning

Friendship is one of the last words you might associate with politics these days.  Yet John von Heyking believes recovering a proper, classical understanding of friendship is precisely what our civic order needs to function.  Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis and John discuss the differences in how the ancients and medievals viewed friendship and how it's been undervalued by us moderns.  They also discuss the important need for civic education and why America has to import Canadians like John to teach American civics.   About John von Heyking Bio from Arizona State University   John von Heyking is Associate Director and Professor at the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, where he teaches courses in political philosophy.  He is author of Comprehensive Judgment and Absolute Selflessness: Winston Churchill on Politics as Friendship (2018), The Form of Politics: Aristotle and Plato on Friendship (2016), and Augustine and Politics as Longing in the World (2001). He has

It's been nearly a month since Supreme Leader Khamenei and his gathered Legion of Doom were killed in the Trump administration's "special military operation" in Iran. So, are we at war with Iran now? If so, what's the objective? Isn't Congress supposed to declare a war before a president takes things this far? What are the necessary and practical limits on a president's wartime powers? We covered all of this and more in the latest Saving Elephants livestream.  The panelists include: ·         JB Shreve – Host of The End of History ·         Eric Kohn – CEO of America's Future ·         John Giokaris – Tax attorney with an undisclosed firm somewhere in Chicago

Ever since Leo Strauss published his magnum opus Natural Right and History, which ends by heavily implying Edmund Burke opened the door for the evils of historicism in the modern world, a great fissure in conservative nerddom erupted between those who align with either titan. Were Strauss' criticism of Burke warranted? Did Burke disavow natural rights and pave the way for the evils of authoritarianism, fascism, Marxism, and progressivism to come? Does a careful, esoteric reading of Natural Right and History reveal the Strauss secret family chili recipe? Saving Elephants has assembled an all-star panel to answer these questions and more.   Representing Edmund Burke: Dr. Gregory Collins is one of the most celebrated Burke scholars of the rising generation. He is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Program on Ethics, Politics, and Economics at Yale University. He recently received the Buckley Institute's 2024 Lux and Veritas Faculty Prize. His first book, Commerce and Manners in Edmund Burke's

While Saving Elephants is dedicated to offering the conservative intellectual tradition in mercifully modern vernacular, fellow podcaster Nic Dunn has been on a similar mission: making the work of policy institutions more digestible.  Nic joins Josh for a conversation around the important role policy can play in defusing political tension, alleviating poverty, and expanding the freedom and opportunities all Americans seek.   About Nic Dunn Bio from Sutherland Institute   Nic Dunn serves as Vice President of Strategy and Senior Fellow at Sutherland Institute. As VP of Strategy, Nic oversees the execution and strategic external impact of Sutherland's written and multimedia policy content. In his capacity as Senior Fellow, he leads the policy research, coalition building, and public advocacy for policies that strengthen opportunity and upward mobility. This policy focus includes social safety net reform, workforce issues, and support for the well-being of men and boys. His expert commentary and analysis can be f

For good or ill, the post World War II era built by the Baby Boomers seems to be rapidly coming to an end.  But what will replace it?  What might be done to prevent global conflicts and bloodshed as the old order begins to break down?  And what should younger conservatives seek to conserve in this era of chaotic change?  Joining Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is Director of Research at the Danube Institute, Calum Nicholson to share how the Anglosphere often misunderstands the way the rest of the world thinks and how that might help us better prepare for what's ahead. About Calum Nicholson From the University of Cambridge bio With a background in social anthropology and human geography, Dr Calum T. M. Nicholson has conducted original research that reconsiders how we understand the societal implications of climate change, notably in the context of its relationship to human migration and international development. A former development consultant and Parliamentary researcher, at PACE Dr Nicholson teaches course

In a world of exhaustive binary thinking sometimes complexity offers relief.  Lauren Hall joins the show to offer her alternative living in 4D she calls "radical moderation".  In the latter half of the conversation Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis happily takes Lauren up on her offer to geek out on Edmund Burke.   About Lauren Hall Excerpts from laurenkhall.com   Lauren Hall is an author and professor helping people combat overwhelm in an age of extremes. Her writing rejects binary and black-and-white thinking to help people lead more balanced lives, build stronger relationships, and restore individual and civic well-being.   Hall is a 2024 Pluralism Fellow with the Mercatus Center's Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Prohuman Foundation. Her Substack and speaking spread the message of radical moderation to new audiences via public writing, speaking, and podcast interviews.   Hall has presented her work on radical moderation at conferences including the Heterod

Dr. Daniel Pitt and his imposing mustache joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to explore the similarities and differences between American and British conservatism, proto-Burkean "conservative" thinkers, Pitt's personal relationship with Sir Roger Scruton, and the importance of unchosen obligations in a free society, all offered up in a wonderfully meandering conversation that nonetheless stays within the broader parameters of some conceivable structure analogous to the conservative vision of ordered liberty.  Undoubtedly, Michael Oakeshott would have been proud.   About Daniel Pitt Dr. Daniel Pitt is an honorary research fellow at the University of Buckingham and is also a member of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull.  He was a former graduate student of Sir Roger Scruton and the co-editor of Intellectual Conservatism: From Burke to Scruton.  You can follow Daniel on Twitter @DanJTPitt  

While Saving Elephants defends the classical conservative position, the loudest voices on the Right today coalesce around different policies, priorities, and goals.  Those that form the dissident Right are comprised of multiple sub-groups with overlapping and, at times, incompatible views.  So who is this disparate group of dissidents?  What holds them together, and how do they differ from conservatives?  Joining Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is Stephanie Slade to explore the contours of the dissident Right.   About Stephanie Slade From reason.com Stephanie Slade is a senior editor at Reason, the magazine of "free minds and free markets," and a fellow in liberal studies at the Acton Institute. Her writing has appeared in America magazine, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, the Online Library of Liberty, and elsewhere. She covers the intersection of religion and politics.   Slade is best known for her piece "Why I Am a Pro-Life Libertarian," her magazine feature on booze-producing monks, and he

Does the fractious stupidity of our politics, the rapid advancement of AI, and the release of the final season of Stranger Things portend making America great again or the coming apocalypse? Join our panelists for a (definitive, obviously) glimpse into what's in store for us all in 2026. Panelists include: Brooke Medina - VP of Comms with the State Policy Network Avi Woolf - Host of Avi's Conversational Corner Ryan Rogers - Host of Reality Therapy Shawn Whatley - Host of Concepts with Shawn Whatley

Jonah Goldberg makes his triumphal return to Saving Elephants where host Josh Lewis peppers him with unyielding questions on what his fourth and forthcoming book will be about, the practicality of setting lottery winnings as a life-goal, what a post-Trump GOP might look like, whether it makes sense to even "save" the elephants, and whether we should welcome human enslavement to our future AI overlords.   Remnant fans, have your bingo cards at the ready!   About Jonah Goldberg From The Dispatch   Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Dispatch, based in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, enormous lizards roamed the Earth. More immediately prior to that, Jonah spent two decades at National Review, where he was a senior editor, among other things. He is also a bestselling author, longtime columnist for the Los Angeles Times, commentator for CNN, and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. When he is not writing the G-File or hosting The Remnant podcast, he finds real joy in family ti

In 2019 Caylan Ford resigned her political candidacy in Canada after controversy over allegations of her echoing white nationalist rhetoric.  In spite of her resignation—and continual insistence she held no such views—the mobs of cancel culture demanded "justice".  She was blacklisted from employers, unable to continue work with organizations that seek to liberate people living under the yoke of totalitarianism, ostracized by friends and colleagues, attacked and trolled online, and shunned by her community.   Caylan joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to share her firsthand experience with cancel culture, including her insights on how to keep one's soul intact even as you are grievously wronged and competing notions of "justice".  Be forewarned, this conversation gets DEEP!   About Caylan Ford From caylanford.com I am a documentary filmmaker, writer, researcher, charter school founder, and a former political candidate. I'm interested in the problem of political and philosophical evil, and most of my work i

William F Buckley was one of the most important figures in the conservative movement over the past century. His posthumous 100th birthday is Monday, November 24. Come celebrate the life and legacy of Buckley as our Saving Elephant panelists pay tribute to a conservative life well lived. Panelists include: Eric Kohn - CEO of America's Future Michael Lucchese - Founder and CEO of Pipe Creek Consulting Cal Davenport - Podcaster, professor, ect.

Returning to the Founders' blueprint for dividing power across federal, state, and local governments may be the greatest weapon we have to reverse the appalling state of our politic divisiveness. What is federalism? And what would a recommitment to federalism look like? Saving Elephants welcomes panelists from the State Policy Network and the Acton Institute to discuss what it means to take federalism seriously again.  The panelists include: Brooke Medina - VP of Comms with the State Policy Network Jenn Butler - Sr Policy Advisor with the State Policy Network Dan Hugger - Librarian and Research Associate with the Acton Institute

There are four faces on the Saving Elephants' Mount Rushmore of great conservatives: Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk, Thomas Sowell, and William F. Buckley.  While the first three have each had fully episodes dedicated to their life and works, William F. Buckley has yet to be explored at length.  And with Buckley's posthumous 100th birthday happening later this month, now is the perfect time to reflect on his long and remarkable life.   Sam Tanehaus' decades-in-the-making biography of Buckley was published earlier this year and he joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to cover a multitude of ground in sketching out a life well lived.  Sam discusses who Buckley was as a personal friend, his impact on the conservative movement, his flirtation with radicalism and maturing into his role as conservative gatekeeper, and many of the colorful characters Buckley interacted with throughout his life.  Sam also addresses some of the criticisms of his book, Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America.   About S

Those who identify as pro-immigration and pro-nationalist are often at odds with one another.  But what if a healthy dose of nationalism is the very thing that could bolster our immigration?  Nathan Brown and Robert Haglund argue in their new book Rescuing the American Project that "much of the dysfunction in contemporary American politics is a consequence of the failure by our elites to understand the crucial relationship between immigration and nationalism."   Nathan and Robert join Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to explore the history and controversy of immigration in America, what the Left and the Right get wrong about immigration, what's meant by "nationalism", and to what degree America's lack of faith in our institutions makes immigration reform challenging.   About Nathan Brown From the book Nathan Brown is an immigration lawyer in Fresno, California and a former Republican candidate for Congress.  He has a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University with majors in history and economics and a

Does the Right have a radical problem, particularly among young men? Saving Elephants assembles another insightful panel to offer their...insights. The panelists include: Eric Kohn - President of America's Future Jeffery Tyler Syck - Proffessor at the University of Pikeville Jeff Mayhugh - VP of NoCapFund Lura Forcum - President of the Independent Center

Disillusioned with the rigidity of political tribalism, J.J. McCullough left his role as conservative journalist and commentator and became a content creator.  His YouTube channel, J.J. McCullough offers his one million subscribers weekly deep dives about countries, cultures, and Canada.  But while politics is not the focus of his channel, some of his content is still tinged with the overtures of his past life.   J.J. joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to discuss how his political philosophy can inform his work without his work being subsumed to a set of ideological commitments, how this might point towards a healthier way we can think politically, and what he—as a Canadian—thinks about Jordan Peterson.   About J.J. McCullough From youtube.fandom.com   John James "J. J." McCullough is a Canadian journalist, author, and political and social commentary YouTuber who makes educational and commentary videos about various topics relating to Canada, facts about history, the cultures of different countries, and s

Justin Stapley and I have been on similar journeys these past many years seeking to better understand our worldviews and the ever-changing political moment and how best to restore sanity and integrity to our politics. But while I've been diligently producing podcast episodes for these past seven years, Justin has launched a dizzying array of projects. In his own words: There's an ongoing joke between myself and @svngelephants that every time I'm on his podcast, I've rebranded. And he's not necessarily wrong, lol. Here's the various blogs and efforts I've done since 2016... Never Tyranny was my first anonymous blog in 2016. I started writing while I was briefly working in the Global Services Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as I was transitioning from one police agency to another. Very much a 2016-esque #NeverTrump blog, with the moniker "Never Hillary, Never Trump, Never Tyranny." I was inspired to start writing after reading the "Against Trump" issue of National Review, an issue

One cannot BE a conservative.  One can only aspire to conservatism.  So says John Wilsey in his new book Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer.  Perhaps Roger Scruton’s How to be a Conservative was a worthy endeavor but too audacious of a title.   John Wilsey joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to flesh out the aspirational nature of conservatism and how it grounds the individual.  They explore the religious roots of American conservatism and the challenges of bringing up a new generation of conservatives without the giants of the past conservatives had to look to for inspiration and encouragement.   About John Wilsey John D. Wilsey is Professor of Church History and Philosophy and Chair of the Church History Department at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Senior Fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, an initiative of the First Liberty Institute. He is also a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and a resear