The Brion McClanahan Show
The Brion McClanahan Show discusses history, politics, and society with the slogan, "Think Locally, Act Locally."
Episodes
Ep. 1293: 250 Years of Self-Determination
July 2: The day John Adams would represent independence. That is the key to the Declaration and almost everyone today misses it.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1292: 1868 Strikes Again...and Again
We live in a Lincolnian nightmare. Or better yet the Rump Congress of 1868.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1291: SCOTUS Strikes Again
Conservatives and liberals agree, SCOTUS got it wrong, but not for the right reasons.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1290: The 14th Amendment Strikes Again
If you need more proof that the 14th Amendment screwed up America, here it is.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1289: The Reflecting Pool Psychosis
Democrats have lost their mind over a pool, literally.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1288: Two Sides of the Lincoln Coin
Virginia has gone full Lincolnian, except Lincolnian "conservatives" don't want to hear that.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1287: The Supreme Court Doesn't Own the Constitution
Jamelle Bouie gets some things right sometimes. The Supreme Court doesn't own the Constitution and conventions are the voice of the people.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1286: Is the FED Making Americans Unhappy?
It's certainly part of the problem, but also a symptom of the disease.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1285: The New York Times Talks Secession
Secession is back in the news. Good.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1284: A Strict Construction Handbook
An excellent new book needs to be at the top of your reading list.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1283: The Civil Rights Regime Marches On
What was the real purpose of the Civil Rights movement? Paul Gottfried has some answers.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1282: FDR, Trump, and Massie
What do Trump and FDR have in common? The Massie situation.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1281: Did Decentralization Build the American Economy?
Did federalism contribute to the free American economy? Yes.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1280: The False Ghosts of the Confederacy?
The left has invoked Confederate imagery to disparage recent decisions by the Supreme Court. Does this work?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshow.comhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1279: Mike Pence's Bad History Lesson
Mike Pence wants to tell you the meaning of "conservatism." Bad idea.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1278: Is Thomas Massie Bad for the GOP?
Some think so. He lost a chance for re-election, but the Massie hate may be misguided.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1277: Why Aren't Americans Excited About 250?
Americans are far less enthusiastic about 250 in 2026 than 200 in 1976. Why?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1276: Do We Still Have a Constitution?
No, and haven't for a long time.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.comhttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1275: Lincoln Isn't Conservative
You can't spell American Conservative with Lincoln, but people try.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1274: Professional History is Bad
Professional historians come up with new theories all the time. Many are just awful.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1273: Florida's New History
Florida's new history curriculum is irritating the left. https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1272: Memphis Secession?
A Tennessee lawmaker has called for Memphis to secede from the State. Could this legally happen?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1271: Stuck in the 1700s?
The left thinks we are stuck in the 1700s and need to "progress."https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1270: A Creedal Nation?
Is the United States a "creedal nation"? No, but for various reasons.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1269 Legislating from the Bench?
The left has whined that SCOTUS is now "legislating from the bench" by destroying "decades old" precedents. Is this true?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1268: The 2028 Nightmare!
Has the Supreme Court created a 2028 election nightmare? The left thinks so, of course.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1267: Shermanizing the World
Should the United States "Shermanize" the world? That would be stupid.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1266: Mobocracy in America
A new book by Jonathan Turley warns against the rise of mobocracy. https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1265: Corruption is the Key
The ongoing compliant about corruption in the United States government is pure gaslighting. It has always been the key to American government.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1264: Neo-Nationalists?
The neo-nationalists need their foil and their lies.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1263: Has the Playbook Been Revealed?
It seems the Dems have exposed their playbook. What does it mean?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1262: St. Abraham the Wise
Heather Cox-Richardson thinks every problem traces back to the CSA. Of course.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1261: The Virginia Revolution
It isn't good.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1260: How Should America Celebrate 250?
Not like Mississippi. https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1259: A Messy Divorce?
British media historian Lucy Worsley called the American War for Independence a "messy divorce." Could the war have been avoided?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1258: Woke and American Universities
What effect has woke had on American universities? It isn't good.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1257: Is a Draft Constitutional?
This is an important question in the 21st century. The answer is complicated.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1256: Is NATO Useful in 2026?
NATO is under attack. Is it useful in 2026? Nope.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1255: Does a State Have a Right to Exist?
This is a hot political topic, but the semantics are important. What is a State? What is a nation?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1254: Are Conservatives Changing History?
According to Heather Cox Richardson, yes. And if they tear down a marker or historic site that she supports, this is erasing history. That sounds familiar.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1253: Why is This Influencer Charming the Left?
The left can't seem to understand that they created him, and that's why he resonates with their own people.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1252: The United States Is Broke
Even the government knows it. But no one is talking about it.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthtttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1251: The Dumbest Article Ever Written on Secession
And that's saying something, but it's true.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1250: What Is the Left's Theory of Power?
Jamelle Bouie has an answer, and it should make you laugh.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1249: Grover Cleveland Was the Man
If John Tyler was the best President in American history, Cleveland was a close second. I explain why.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1248: Listen to Calhoun on Foreign Policy
I know many conservatives will have intellectual spasms, but maybe we should listen to Calhoun instead of Harry Truman or FDR on foreign policy.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/support
Ep. 1247: Why Does Congress Punt Its Powers?
Leftists think it mostly started with Trump, but Congress punting its powers to the executive branch is a longstanding problem.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1246: Is Paleoconservatism Isolationist?
A recent social media dust up encouraged Paul Gottfried to write about paleoconservative foreign policy. Is it isolationist?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1245: Is Virginia the New Confederacy?
Or is it the new old Confederacy? Conservatives at Fox News can't make up their mind.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1244: Is the War Powers Resolution Constitutional?
No, but not for the reasons the Trump administration might suggest.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1243: Trump's "Unconventional" Messaging
Trump has not conducted the conventional Republican war, except for the fact that it began like all other post-WWII wars, without congressional authorization.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1242: Thomas Jefferson v. Donald Trump
A lot of midwits are comparing Jefferson's actions against the Barbary states to Trump's action's against Iran. This is really bad history.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep: 1241: The State of the Union that Transformed America
Trump's 2026 State of the Union Address was transformational. I'll explain why.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1240: Presidential Tariff Powers?
Can the President unilaterally impose tariffs? SCTOUS seems to think so. That illustrates the problem with SCOTUS.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1239: Presidential War Powers?
Can the President unilaterally wage, make, or declare war? No.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1238: Is America Anti-Western Civilization?
The left likes to insist that the American tradition is anti-Western Civilization. Wrong.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1237: Free Speech For Me But Not For Thee
Governments don't like free speech. Neither does the left and unfortunately some on the right. That's a problem.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1236: How Should We Rank the Presidents?
It's actually very easy, though not in the way most historians would suggest. And we should listen to presidential critics.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1235: Presidential Common Ground?
Jamelle Bouie thinks almost every president has sought "common ground," that is until now. Is this true?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1234: The Real Meaning of the Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution is the most misunderstood language in the document. I'll explain why.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1233: The Death of America First?
Has "America First" died? Or has it become the "Age of Trump"?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1232: Should We "Federalize" Elections?
Republicans are pushing to "federalize" elections. Is this Constitutional? Does it matter?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1231: Slouching Toward Sumter?
Victor Davis Hanson is back and pushing the same bad "neo-Confederate" narrative. Are we "Slouching Toward Ft. Sumter"?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1230: The New Confederacy?
Are the Democrats trying to create a "new Confederacy" based on the old Confederacy? This is just a stupid establishment conservative talking point.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreo.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1229: Should Trump Emulate Jackson?
Some conservatives think Trump should emulate Jackson and send in the troops to Minnesota. This is bad history.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1228: Relive the Civil Rights. Send in the Troops?
Ann Coulter wants Trump to send in the troops and relive the Civil Rights Era. How would that work?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1227: Bleeding Minnesota
Are there parallels between Kansas in the 1850s and Minnesota today? Maybe. But historical ignorance is a real problem in this instance.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1226: A Principled View of States' Rights
States' Rights is considered a taboo phrase in the United States. It shouldn't be. In fact, this principle is the core of American political life and the "pursuit of happiness."https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1225: Jefferson v. Hamilton
Are there limits to the Jefferson v. Hamilton "paradigm"? Maybe.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1224: "Big Stick Diplomacy" is Back!
Donald Trump has embraced progressive diplomacy, though progressives don't want to call it that.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1223: When Did American Democracy Become "Post Truth"?
Was it 2020 or 2024? Nope. And it has nothing to do with the current President.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1222: A Sickness Eating Away at American Democracy?
Jamelle Bouie is rightly worried about a sickness eating away at American democracy, but as usual he cannot find patient zero.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1221: Is America a "Creedal Nation"?
The short answer, no. But that doesn't stop many "conservatives" from insisting it's true.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1220: Claremont and Modern Conservatism
The Claremont Institute gained substantial influence in the Trump administration. What does this mean for American conservatism?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1219: The New York Times on the "Donroe Doctrine"
David French is upset with the "Donroe Doctrine." I would find his arguments a bit more interesting if he was a more principled non-interventionist without TDS.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1218: Donald Trump and the "Donroe Doctrine"
We have a new sheriff in the Western Hemisphere, Donald Trump and the "Donroe Doctrine."https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1217: Abolitionists Against the Civil War?
If dedicated abolitionists opposed the "Civil War", was it really about slavery? https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1216: When Did the Constiution Lose Its Guardrails?
A leftist might say 2025. That would be wrong. Conservatives might argue the 1960s. Wrong again. https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1215: Removing the Sword of the Federal Judiciary
Today is "Bill of Rights Day" in the United States, but what does that mean? Most Americans don't understand that the BOR was only a check on federal power, not the States.https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
Ep. 1214: Interpreting the "New Right"'s Furious Minds!
The left has always had this belief in the "angry" right, and they pat themselves on the back for figuring it out. Or do they?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshowhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com
