The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Why John Adams Would Get Sydney Sweeney

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Why John Adams Would Get Sydney Sweeney

Author: Ricochet November 29, 2025 Duration: 1:07:57
Now we know what you're thinking: if we have on as a special guest historian Richard Samuelson, one of the pre-eminent experts on John Adams, you'd think we find out what Adams thought about the Clean Air Act, but no! Instead, the show reaches its zenith with Samuelson drawing our attention to some of Adams's handwritten marginalia that demonstrates why Adams would have completely understood the Sweeney Sensation. 

Richard joined us for our intermittent series between now and next July 4 about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and he helpfully arbitrated the debate we had last week about the probity of Gordon Wood's treatment of the American creed. (Readers should also not miss Samuelson's article "John Adams Versus Edmund Burke," which helps clarify the extent to which Adams should be thought of (as Russell Kirk did) as "America's first conservative."

We also went through a couple of current headlines about the latest frontiers in lawfare, and the aftermath of the shooting of two national guard troops in Washington.


For those who like to take in the video, you can find the YouTube right here (and consider subscribing).

Grab a glass and settle in for 3 Whisky Happy Hour, where the week's news and cultural shifts get a thorough-and spirited-examination. Hosts Steven Hayward, John Yoo, and the enigmatic "Lucretia" blend their expertise in law, philosophy, and political commentary, offering a perspective that’s as substantive as it is refreshingly unscripted. The conversation flows like a good pour, moving from the immediate headlines to deeper, often overlooked principles that shape current events. This isn't a dry recap; it's a lively, meandering discussion where complex ideas become accessible, and analysis is always accompanied by a sense of camaraderie. You'll find the tone is that of a sharp, informal debate among friends who aren't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. Produced by Ricochet, this podcast stands out in the crowded fields of news and politics by prioritizing genuine dialogue over partisan soundbites. Each episode feels like you’ve pulled up a chair at a table where wit and insight are always on the menu. Whether they're unpacking a Supreme Court decision or tracing a philosophical concept through modern politics, the hosts ensure the discourse is both enlightening and thoroughly engaging. For anyone looking to understand the 'why' behind the news with a dose of character, this is your regular invitation to a different kind of happy hour.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

3 Whisky Happy Hour
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 55:26
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The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Getting a Grip on Groypers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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While it was sorely tempting to devote the entire show to celebrating the return of Sydney Sweeney to the public eye last week, we decided to turn our attention to the serious matter of antisemitism on the right, and jus…
The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Gonzo Happy Hour-Squared Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Here's Lookin' at 'Lookism' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:41
The 3WHH is a man down this week as John was unavailable, so Steve and Lucretia soldiered on without his ritual abuse of their superior taste in political philosophy, prudence, and natural law. And in the best fashion of…
The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Woman Troubles? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:46
Helen Andrews' Compact article on "The Great Feminization" is causing a stir, provoking responses from left, right, and in-between. And I just know that everyone wants to hear David French's take on it, because how can w…
The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Return of the Neocons? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
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The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Trump—A New Columbus? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:31
The week ended with President Trump issuing a proclamation celebrating Columbus Day, rather than Indigenous People's Day as the identitarians and western-guilt mongers have crammed down on us for the last generation, and…
The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Rumble in the State of Nature Jungle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:13
We were finally able to schedule a taping with enough lead time to get a special guest we've been wanting to have on for a long time—the great Hadley Arkes, emertus professor of jurisprudence from Amherst College and fou…