Socrates in the City

Epizode

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  Michael Solana and Mary Harrington: Is Silicon Valley Becoming Conservative? 24.07.2026 1h 3min

  What happens when Silicon Valley begins to rethink some of its deepest assumptions? In this episode of Socrates Dialogues, Mary Harrington is joined by Michael Solana—CMO of Founders Fund, founder of Pirate Wires, and once dubbed “the most opinionated man in America”—for a wide-ranging conversation on the ideological shifts reshaping technology, politics, and culture. Together they explore the changing political landscape within the tech industry, where a new wave of wealth and executive leadership has sparked a growing openness to conservative ideas, even as much of the broader workforce has remained more politically balanced. Solana examines what California’s political evolution reveals about the future of American politics and economic thought, while unpacking his provocative concept of the “Luigi Left,” the surprising folk hero status of Luigi Mangione, and what it says about rising economic populism and an increasing acceptance of political violence. As their conversation turns toward innovation, ambition, and America’s future, they explore whether our changing relationship with technology demands a renewed spirit of exploration—and perhaps the biggest question of all, whether the United States should set its sights on owning the moon.The post Michael Solana and Mary Harrington: Is Silicon Valley Becoming Conservative? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Mary Harrington: The Lost Art of Conversation 20.07.2026 53min

  What makes a good interview, good? In this episode of Socrates in the Studio, Eric Metaxas sits down with writer, cultural commentator, and Socrates in the City contributor, Mary Harrington to explore the mission and heart behind Socrates in the City and the enduring value of meaningful conversation. Harrington reflects on her journey—from a mother writing a political blog to becoming one of the most compelling intellectual voices of our time—and discusses the surprising path that led her there. Together, they delve into the craft of interviewing, the mutual discovery that unfolds through genuine dialogue, and the fascinating science behind Mary’s “mind palace” as a tool for memory and learning. The conversation explores the wisdom of the medieval worldview, what modern society has forgotten about scholarship, intellectual formation, the pursuit of truth, and why the oldest forms of wisdom may be more timely than ever.The post Eric Metaxas and Mary Harrington: The Lost Art of Conversation first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Paul Anleitner: What is the Meaning of Life? 15.07.2026 1h 2min

  For decades, Western culture has asked, “What is my purpose?” Many have been told that meaning is subjective, truth is relative, and every grand narrative should be questioned. Yet in the midst of rising skepticism, anxiety, and the rapid growth of the religious “nones,” a surprising shift seems to be taking place: people are searching for meaning once again. In this thought-provoking Socrates in the City conversation, Eric Metaxas is joined by Paul Anleitner, who discusses the ideas behind his new book “Based on a True Story: Vibe Shifts, the End of Deconstruction, and the Reboot of Meaning,” exploring why our deepest human longing is not merely for comfort or success, but for purpose. From the cultural revolutions of Woodstock to the enduring appeal of Rocky Balboa and the music of the Eagles, and from the moral worlds of The Cosby Show to the ironic detachment of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Anleitner traces how popular culture has reflected—and shaped—our changing understanding of truth, identity, and fulfillment. Why has deconstruction become such a defining feature of modern life, and why does it seem to be losing its grip? Are we finally moving beyond nihilism toward a renewed search for transcendent meaning? Together, they examine why Christianity continues to offer a compelling answer to humanity’s oldest and most important question: What is the meaning of life?The post Eric Metaxas and Paul Anleitner: What is the Meaning of Life? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Peter Frankopan: Why Was Columbus Sailing West? 10.07.2026 56min

  What if the story of the world has been told from the wrong starting point? In this episode of Socrates in the Studio, Eric Metaxas sits down with historian Peter Frankopan to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, and the compelling case for rethinking the story of world history. Rather than viewing history through a predominantly Western lens, throughout this conversation Frankopan invites us to look eastward, where the great trade routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe shaped civilizations, economies, and empires for centuries.  From the luxurious goods that inspired Columbus to sail in search of India and China—not America—to the surprising connections between Eastern commerce and events like the Boston Tea Party, this conversation uncovers the hidden networks that transformed the world. As global power continues to shift in the twenty-first century, the conversation explores how understanding the Silk Roads is essential to making sense of today’s geopolitical landscape, while also confronting the often-overlooked costs of empire, slavery, economics, and the countless unseen people whose labor built the modern world.The post Eric Metaxas and Peter Frankopan: Why Was Columbus Sailing West? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Kathleen Stock and Mary Harrington: When Gender Ideology Became Law 09.07.2026 1h

  How do changing definitions of gender impact medical care? In this episode of Socrates Dialogues, philosopher and bestselling author Kathleen Stock joins Mary Harrington to examine one of the defining moral questions of our time: should society legalize assisted dying, and how do changing perceptions of gender impact this? Stock, best known for her fearless work on gender identity and women’s rights, brings that same lens to the end-of-life debate — asking whether men and women experience pressure toward assisted death differently, how caregiving and vulnerability are gendered in ways policy rarely acknowledges, and whether the language of autonomy obscures the particular risks facing women as this option becomes normalized. Drawing from her book Do Not Go Gentle, Stock and Harrington explore what dignity requires, what underfunded palliative care reveals about who society expects to bear suffering quietly, and what happens when death becomes another service medicine can provide. The conversation weaves together Stock’s long-standing concerns about gender and sexuality with the deeper questions of suffering, compassion, and identity at the heart of the assisted dying debate.The post Kathleen Stock and Mary Harrington: When Gender Ideology Became Law first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Andrew Roberts: Did the Founders Lie About King George III? 08.07.2026 55min

  What if history’s most influential figures have been misunderstood? In this special Fourth of July episode of The Revolution, Lord Andrew Roberts, Baron of Belgravia—renowned historian, professor, and bestselling biographer—joins Socrates in the City host Eric Metaxas to explore the complex humanity behind some of history’s greatest leaders. Known for bringing iconic figures to life beyond the myths and caricatures that often define them, Roberts offers fresh insight into personalities ranging from King George III and Napoleon to Winston Churchill. Together, they examine the pivotal decisions, relationships, and moments that shaped the course of history, asking provocative questions along the way: If King George III had been surrounded by better advisors, could the American Revolution have been avoided? Looking beyond the familiar narrative of the Founding, this conversation uncovers the lesser-known side of Britain’s most famous monarch, his role in the Revolutionary War, and the lasting legacy of the choices made by those who stood closest to power.The post Eric Metaxas and Andrew Roberts: Did the Founders Lie About King George III? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Os Guinness: Can Freedom Survive without Faith? 29.06.2026 1h 2min

  Are we the heirs of Athens, Rome, and Jerusalem—or more precisely, Athens, Rome, and the Burning Bush of the desert? In this episode of The Revolution, Socrates in the City host Eric Metaxas is joined by the prolific author and theologian Os Guinness to discuss his book “The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom” as America approaches its 250th anniversary and the world marks the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale’s English Bible. This conversation examines the spiritual and intellectual foundations of the American experiment and the ongoing legacy. Tracing a path from the covenant at Mount Sinai through the Reformation and into the founding of the United States, the discussion explores how biblical ideas of liberty, moral responsibility, and human dignity shaped a revolution unlike those driven by utopian visions. Drawing on the insights of Alexis de Tocqueville and Os Guinness’ “golden triangle of freedom,” the conversation contrasts America’s faith-infused origins with the rise of modern secular ideologies such as Marxism and fascism, while confronting the competing narratives and cultural pressures facing young Americans today. At its heart is a question as urgent as ever: what beliefs must a people hold in order to remain both free and human?The post Eric Metaxas and Os Guinness: Can Freedom Survive without Faith? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Mark Skousen: What Turned Benjamin Franklin Into a Revolutionary? 25.06.2026 1h 8min

  In this episode of The Revolution, Socrates in the City host Eric Metaxas is joined by author and descendant of Benjamin Franklin, Mark Skousen, to discuss the fascinating history of one of the first Americans. Throughout the conversation, the two explore Franklin’s remarkable evolution from loyal British subject to passionate advocate for independence, including the little-known edit he made to the Declaration of Independence and why it mattered. Skousen shares the dramatic events that shaped his political transformation, from his efforts at reconciliation to the infamous Cockpit Incident, a public humiliation that changed the course of his life—and perhaps the course of history. In this conversation, we discover the surprising story of the man often called “the First American” and the pivotal role he played in the birth of a nation.The post Eric Metaxas and Mark Skousen: What Turned Benjamin Franklin Into a Revolutionary? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas: What is the Meaning of America? 24.06.2026 51min

  What does America mean, and what ideas gave rise to the greatest experiment in self-government the world has ever known? At the official release party for “REVOLUTION: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in History,” Eric Metaxas shares the inspiration behind his sweeping and definitive account of the American Revolution, uncovering surprising stories and overlooked figures that helped shape the nation’s founding. From the moral courage and deep convictions of the American patriots to the extraordinary sacrifices required to secure liberty, this conversation explores the character, ideals, and faith that animated the Revolution. As America celebrates the Supercentennial year of its birth, Metaxas invites us to rediscover the beauty, complexity, and enduring promise of the American story.The post Eric Metaxas: What is the Meaning of America? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Ira Stoll: This Founding Father Defies Leftist Narratives 22.06.2026 1h 13min

  In this episode of The Revolution, host Eric Metaxas is joined by Ira Stoll, author of Samuel Adams: A Life, as they explore the enduring legacy of Samuel Adams, the often-overlooked visionary who helped lay the intellectual and moral groundwork for the American Revolution long before the first shots were fired. Through his passionate defense of liberty, relentless organizing, and ability to rally ordinary citizens to an extraordinary cause, Adams became one of the driving forces behind America’s fight for independence. Recorded in Lexington—just steps from the historic grounds where the Revolution began—this conversation brings history vividly to life while examining how Adams’ ideas and courage continue to shape the American spirit today.The post Eric Metaxas and Ira Stoll: This Founding Father Defies Leftist Narratives first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Nathaniel Philbrick: Washington and Arnold, Honor and Betrayal in the Revolutionary War 18.06.2026 1h 15min

  How did George Washington become the indispensable leader of the American Revolution? In this episode of The Revolution, bestselling historian Nathaniel Philbrick joins Socrates in the City host Eric Metaxas to trace Washington’s extraordinary journey through the triumphs, failures, and hard-earned lessons that transformed him from an inexperienced commander into the indispensable leader of the American cause. Set against the backdrop of a war that was as chaotic as it was creative, Philbrick reveals how Washington’s character, resilience, and unwavering sense of duty grew alongside the Revolution itself. Throughout the conversation, Philbrick explores the partnership with French General Rochambeau and the brilliant campaign that culminated at Yorktown as well as the deeply personal side of Benedict Arnold’s shocking betrayal and the profound challenges Washington faced behind the scenes. Set against the chaos and creativity of a nation being born, this conversation offers a compelling portrait of the man who grew alongside the Revolution and emerged as the founder the moment required.The post Eric Metaxas and Nathaniel Philbrick: Washington and Arnold, Honor and Betrayal in the Revolutionary War first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Spencer Klavan and Mary Harrington: The West is Having a Crisis (Actually, Five) 18.06.2026 1h 42min

  In this episode of Socrates Dialogues with Mary Harrington, Harrington is joined by author and professor Spencer Klavan to explore the enduring conversation between Athens and Jerusalem, asking what Plato might have to do with Tertullian, and why it still matters. Drawing on the great books and the tension between the life of the mind and the life of the world, they unpack the five central crises of modernity: reality, the body, meaning, religion, and regimes. Offering an exclusive preview of Klavan’s forthcoming book, the discussion turns to the power of language as the meeting point between mind and matter, and revisits the story of the Tower of Babel as both a historical touchstone and a striking lens for understanding today’s fractured cultural landscape.The post Spencer Klavan and Mary Harrington: The West is Having a Crisis (Actually, Five) first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Jonathan Turley: Rage and the Republic 17.06.2026 54min

  Why do most revolutions collapse into chaos, tyranny, or bloodshed, while the American Revolution produced one of the most enduring republics in history? In this episode of The Revolution, Socrates in the City’s newest program, host Eric Metaxas is joined by American author and legal scholar, Jonathan Turley to discuss his book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution. They use Thomas Paine’s journey as the lens through which to explore that question. A man who stood at the center of both the American and French Revolutions, Paine embodied the brilliance and danger of revolutionary fervor itself: visionary yet reckless, prophetic yet deeply flawed. Alongside his unlikely friendship with Benjamin Franklin, this conversation examines why America succeeded where so many revolutions failed, the tension between liberty and rage, and the enduring invitation of the American experiment today.The post Eric Metaxas and Jonathan Turley: Rage and the Republic first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Jan Jekielek: Killed to Order: China’s Organ Harvesting Industry 16.06.2026 1h 1min

  In this Socrates in the Studio conversation, host Eric Metaxas is joined by author and editor of The Epoch Times, Jan Jekielek, to discuss his new book, Killed to Order: China’s Organ Harvesting Industry and the True Nature of America’s Biggest Adversary, which explores the disturbing realities behind one of the world’s most controversial transplant systems. This conversation discusses the hidden costs of life-saving organ replacement surgeries, exploring the dark truth of forced organ harvesting tied to political repression, corruption, and state power in modern China. Moving through the intersections of history, ideology, and authoritarian control, Jekilek unpacks how vulnerable populations — including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, and other marginalized groups — have allegedly become targets within a vast and deeply opaque transplant industry. The conversation also explores the rise of transplant tourism, the ethics surrounding global medical demand, and the broader moral questions raised when medicine, profit, and political power converge.The post Eric Metaxas and Jan Jekielek: Killed to Order: China’s Organ Harvesting Industry first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Peter Kreeft: Atheism’s Greatest Argument Against God 15.06.2026 47min

  In this profound and deeply personal episode of Socrates in the Studio, Eric Metaxas sits down with renowned philosopher, professor, and bestselling author Peter Kreeft to wrestle with one of humanity’s oldest and most difficult questions: How can a good God allow suffering? Blending philosophical depth with wisdom born from lived experience, Dr. Kreeft offers a thoughtful and compassionate exploration of pain, loss, love, and the mystery of human suffering through the lens of faith. Drawing from sources as varied as The Chronicles of Narnia, the biblical story of Book of Job, and the life and suffering of Jesus himself, the conversation moves beyond abstract theology into the deeply personal realities that shape every human life. Together, they examine whether suffering is merely something to endure—or whether it can become a path toward wisdom, transformation, compassion, and ultimately a deeper understanding of the love of God.The post Eric Metaxas and Peter Kreeft: Atheism’s Greatest Argument Against God first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Freya India and Mary Harrington: Are Women Becoming Objects? 12.06.2026 1h 9min

  In this episode of Socrates Dialogues, Mary Harrington is joined by author Freya India for a candid and culturally incisive conversation on the growing commodification of women in the digital age. They trace how social media, pop culture, and influencer platforms, from Call Her Daddy to Cardi B, have reshaped the expectations placed on young women. At the center is the rise of the “Instagram face,” a curated, hyper-perfected ideal that blurs individuality and encourages constant self-surveillance. This conversation explores what it means to internalize an ever-present gaze and questions the modern mental health industry’s role, suggesting future generations may look back with alarm at how deeply it reinforced these pressures on young girls.The post Freya India and Mary Harrington: Are Women Becoming Objects? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Carl Trueman: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity 11.06.2026 1h 6min

  In this Socrates in the Studio conversation, host Eric Metaxas is joined by author and professor Carl Trueman to discuss his newest book “The Desecration of Man” exploring the modern crisis of meaning through the lenses of philosophy, theology, art, and culture—tracing humanity’s journey from enchantment to disenchantment, from sacred order to nihilism. Drawing on figures like Thomas Aquinas and the great philosophers of the Western tradition, they examine how religious symbolism, artistic expression, and moral imagination once shaped a vision of what it meant to be human—and how that vision has eroded in the wake of Darwinian materialism, technological obsession, and the decline of transcendent belief. From the haunting symbolism of the Belfast Cathedral’s stained glass to the ideological architecture of the European Parliament, the conversation probes the rise of herd mentality, the loss of spiritual sight, and the phenomenon of “Promethean shame”: the growing suspicion that humanity sees itself as flawed, obsolete, or inferior to its own machines. As transhumanism promises a redesigned future beyond the limits of the human person, the discussion asks a deeper question: what happens when man attempts to replace God—and in doing so, forgets himself?The post Eric Metaxas and Carl Trueman: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Margarita Mooney Clayton: Surprising Encounters with the Mother of God 10.06.2026 1h 1min

  In this Socrates in the City conversation, Eric Metaxas is joined by Margarita Mooney Clayton, author and founder of the Scala Foundation, to discuss her new book “When Mary Calls: Surprising Encounters with the Mother of God.” In our current day, more and more people are looking to Mary as a spiritual mother and guide. Throughout this conversation, Mooney Clayton shares the enduring and often miraculous influence of Mary in times of danger, loss, and spiritual renewal. Bridging theological differences across Christian traditions, their conversation considers Mary’s mysterious yet deeply personal role, not only as the second Eve in the story of redemption, but as a living spiritual mother who continues to call, guide, and draw souls closer to God.The post Eric Metaxas and Margarita Mooney Clayton: Surprising Encounters with the Mother of God first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Lionel Shriver and Mary Harrington: Is the “Better Life” Dream Collapsing? 08.06.2026 1h 14min

  In this episode of Socrates Dialogues with Mary Harrington, novelist Lionel Shriver joins Harrington for a wide-ranging and incisive conversation on her novel A Better Life and the deeper cultural longings it exposes. Together, they probe the enduring myth of “a better life” and how it shapes modern views on immigration in both the United States and the United Kingdom. They also dive into the fertility crisis, shifting expectations around modern masculinity, and broader social currents redefining family, identity, and belonging in the West. Thought-provoking and unflinching, this dialogue explores what we mean when we seek a better life, and whether the promise still holds.The post Lionel Shriver and Mary Harrington: Is the “Better Life” Dream Collapsing? first appeared on Socrates in the City.
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  Eric Metaxas and Peter Giersch: Are Heaven and Hell Real? 08.06.2026 1h 2min

  In this episode of Socrates in the Studio, Eric Metaxas sits down with author and longtime friend Peter Giersch to explore his striking new book “Talking of Michelangelo: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell in the Burgundy Region.” What begins as a journey through the quiet beauty of Burgundy unfolds into something far more profound: a meditation on mortality, meaning, and the soul’s ultimate destination. Part memoir and part travelogue, Giersch recounts a pivotal week spent on an Ignatian retreat—a week that became a turning point in his life of faith. Together, he and Metaxas wrestle with enduring questions: What does it mean to truly confront judgment? How should we understand sin—not merely as doctrine, but as lived reality? The post Eric Metaxas and Peter Giersch: Are Heaven and Hell Real? first appeared on Socrates in the City.