About Project Cosmos: Conversations on the Future of Civilization
Project Cosmos is a new series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings together leading thinkers for candid, in-depth conversations about politics, culture, history, and the fate of the American regime.
Hosted in an informal, living-room setting, each episode feels less like a panel discussion and more like stepping inside a private exchange among some of today’s most influential intellectuals. Together, they explore urgent questions:
What is the common good in 21st-century America?
Has liberalism failed, and what comes after it?
Can the administrative state be reformed—or must it be dismantled?
Should Americans embrace a stronger executive power?
What lessons can we learn from Rome, the Founders, and modern history?
From executive authority and Caesarism to community, culture, and the role of elites, Project Cosmos offers unfiltered discussions at the highest level.
Have American elites and everyday Americans drifted apart — and can that be fixed? In this episode of Project Cosmos, a production of ISI, we bring together leading thinkers to explore how the U.S. economy shifted from mid-century industrial giants (Ford, GM, IBM) to an intellectual-property-driven, capital-light model, and what that's meant for immigration, the industrial base, and national security. Featuring: Oren Cass, Brent Parton, Michael Lind, Helen Andrews, Julius Krein and Johnny Bur...
27 May 2026
Economic Freedom, AI, and the Future of America
What does economic freedom actually look like in an age of artificial intelligence, automation, and geopolitical competition? ISI's flagship long form podcast brings together leading thinkers for a candid roundtable on free markets, innovation, national security, and what it all means for American workers and communities. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: AI, deregulation & tech growth 6:11 – AI and job displacement 8:56 – The GOP's working class vs. economic dynamism tension 16:34 – Are we losi...
28 Apr 2026
Strong Gods: The End of the Long 20th Century
Are the "strong gods" returning to American life — and what does that mean for politics, Christianity, and civilization? In this episode of Project Cosmos, host Johnny Burtka is joined by a distinguished panel of scholars to discuss NS Lyons' essay on the long 20th century and the Return of the Strong Gods — building on Rusty Reno's influential work. Guests: Tom West — Paul Ermine Potter and Dawn Tibbetts Potter Endowed Professor of Politics Khalil Habib — Allison and Dorothy Rouse Pr...
24 Mar 2026
Democracy in America Today: Tocqueville, Congress, and Decentralized Power
Join host Johnny Burtka with Yuval Levin, Sarah Gustafson, Vincent Munoz, and Sohrab Ahmari for an in-depth conversation about Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America and its relevance to contemporary American politics. This roundtable explores Congress and democratic governance, the administrative state, religion in democracy, and the formation of democratic citizens in our modern age. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Why Congress must predominate in a republic 7:22 - Andrew Jackson and the paradox ...
27 Feb 2026
Enchanting the Machine: Liturgy, Technology, & Wonder
Join host Johnny Burtka with Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Peter Leithart, Hans Boersma, and Zachary Porcu for a deep conversation about re-enchantment in our technological age. This roundtable explores the revival of liturgical Christianity, the spiritual dimensions of technology, and what it means to live in an enchanted world. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - What is enchantment? 7:22 - Tolkien, WWI, and "death and the machine" 23:33 - How did materialism become dominant? 36:14 - Constantine and convertin...
22 Jan 2026
The Future of American Education | Arnn, Brooks, Imam, Tate, Mitchell & Burtka
In this episode of Project Cosmos, Johnny Burtka brings together Dr. Larry Arnn, Pastor Corey Brooks, Jacob Imam, Jeremy Tate, and Dr. Joshua Mitchell for a powerful roundtable discussion on the future of American education as we approach the nation's 250th birthday. 📌 Project Cosmos is ISI's flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today's leading thinkers tackle the deepest political and cultural challenges facing America. Guests: Dr. Larry Arnn – President, Hillsda...
9 Dec 2025
Technology & The American Family | Klavan, Bovard, Toscano, Pappin, Libresco Sargeant & Burtka | Project Cosmos EP:04
In this episode of Project Cosmos, Spencer Klavan, Rachel Bovard, Michael Toscano, Gladden Pappin, Leah Libresco Sargent, and Johnny Burtka gather for a thought-provoking roundtable on one of the most pressing questions of our era: 👉 How are technology, transhumanism, and AI reshaping the American family and our society’s future? This wide-ranging conversation explores: The promise and peril of AI and emerging technologies Whether technology can strengthen or undermine families and communi...
5 Nov 2025
The Case for Techno-Optimism? | Project Cosmos EP:03
In this episode of Project Cosmos, host Johnny Burtka is joined by Ross Douthat, Aaron M. Renn, Michael Miller, Matthew Walther, and Frank Hanna for a profound roundtable on one of the most urgent questions of our time: 👉 What does it mean to be a techno-optimist? Can technology serve the common good, or is it leading us toward dystopia? This wide-ranging conversation explores: The promise and peril of AI, biotech, and digital innovation The tension between faith, tradition, and technologi...
21 Oct 2025
Golden Age Mindset: Restoring Western Civilization | Project Cosmos LIVE
Project Cosmos returns with a special LIVE episode, filmed at ISI’s annual Homecoming Weekend in Wilmington, DE. This in-depth roundtable brings together leading voices in the conservative intellectual movement—including Phillip Blond, Rod Dreher, Mary Harrington, Michael Gibson, Dan McCarthy, Nathan Pinkoski, Kevin Roberts, Justin Shubow, and Johnny Burtka—for an unfiltered, wide-ranging dialogue on one of the most pressing questions of our time: 👉 How can we recover the Golden Age Mindset ...
16 Sept 2025
Greatness & Goodness: A Guide for Young Men in Dark Times | Project Cosmos EP:02
In the second episode of Project Cosmos, James Orr, Alex Petkas, Nathan Pinkoski, Dan McCarthy, Johnny Burtka and Bill Rivers. gather for a profound roundtable on one of the most enduring questions in history: 👉 Can you be a great man and a good father? What does true greatness mean in the modern world? This wide-ranging conversation explores: The tension between ambition, leadership, and family life Historical and philosophical perspectives on greatness and virtue Lessons from Aristotle, ...
19 Aug 2025
Executive Power & The Common Good | Rufo, Deneen, Caldwell, Yarvin & Burtka | Project Cosmos EP:01
In the debut episode of Project Cosmos, Christopher Rufo, Patrick Deneen, Christopher Caldwell, Curtis Yarvin, and Johnny Burtka (President of ISI) gather for a provocative roundtable on one of the most urgent questions of our time: 👉 What is the future of executive power and can it serve the common good? This wide-ranging discussion covers: -The meaning of the common good in a pluralistic 21st-century America -Whether liberalism has failed, and what comes next -The origins and growth of th...
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.1 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
4.2 / 5
5 ratings
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