America seems to be deeply divided, along multiple fault lines. Emotions are running very high — over racial issues, economic differences, sexual mores, partisan politics, religious beliefs, and generational gaps. It feels chaotic – it feels dangerous. Is there some way to make sense of it all? We’re going to talk about all of it, here on the American Culture Podcast.

Who we are as a country? What does it means to be an American? Where have we been? and Where are we going? To ask these important questions is to ask about our culture. What is our culture now? how is it changing? and how should it change? Who are we as a people? Who do we aspire to be as a nation? If we can honestly grapple with these questions, and maybe, hopefully, reach some sort of consensus, we stand a much better chance of putting all those other divisive issues into proper perspective, and context, and possibly achieving a better level of mutual understanding over them.

Culture, at its core, means the shared beliefs, assumptions, norms and values that are inherited, transmitted, and reinforced as a community. It is our shared system of beliefs that help us decide how to behave, as an individual, or as a group.

To bring it closer to home: It is what we teach our children. What do we teach our children about what it means to be an American, what it means to be a good citizen, a good person?

I hope you’ll join us!