PragerU: Five-Minute Videos

Is climate change an existential crisis? Judith Curry, former Chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has spent her career studying this question. Her answer might surprise you. Take the pledge to stop climate misinformation and get the facts with a free PDF e-book of scripts from our climate videos.

In his first term as president, Woodrow Wilson sought to transform America. In his second term, he sought to transform the world. RJ Pestritto, professor of politics at Hillsdale College, describes how this once-obscure academic became one of America’s most influential presidents.

As America’s 28th president, Woodrow Wilson greatly expanded the size and scope of the federal government. How did he do it, and why? RJ Pestritto, professor of politics at Hillsdale College, answers this important question.

Science journalist and nutrition author Max Lugavere knows how to fix our badly broken healthcare system. His plan is simple and practical. He elaborates in this eye-opening video.

Growing up in Bahrain, Fatema Al Harbi was taught that Jews hated her because she’s Muslim, and in turn, she should hate them because they’re Jews. What changed her mind?

If China were to invade Taiwan—an island democracy in the South China Sea—would it be in America’s national interest to defend it? China scholar Helen Raleigh weighs in on this critically important question.

What is the only economic system that values freedom, lifts people out of poverty, disdains distinctions of race and creed, and draws us into productive networks of mutual dependency? Hint: it’s not a system of ever-increasing government control.

No one has a monopoly on truth. That’s why we need open, uncensored discussion and debate. Why, then, are the government and Big Tech platforms suppressing what we can read, see, and hear? Philip Hamburger, Professor of Law at Columbia University, sheds light on this alarming trend.

As much as anyone, William McKinley laid the foundation for US dominance in the 20th century. Why, then, is America’s 25th president given such little credit for his accomplishments? Jason R. Edwards, professor of history at Grove City College, sets the record straight.

Was there ever a more bold and brash character to occupy the White House than Theodore Roosevelt? Wilfred McClay, professor of history at Hillsdale College, tells the story of how this politician, cowboy, and war hero came to capture the American imagination.

The time had come for America to take its place among the great nations of the world. There was no better man to lead this charge than Theodore Roosevelt. Wilfred McClay, professor of history at Hillsdale College, chronicles the complex career of America’s 26th president.

William Howard Taft served as both the President of the United States and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court — the only man to ever do so. Richard Lim, host of the This American President podcast, recounts the unique career of America’s 27th president.

You need wisdom to navigate the challenges and complexities of life. But how do you get it? Owen Anderson, professor of philosophy at Arizona State University, suggests the perfect place to start.

After being valedictorian of his high school class and the winner of merit scholarships, Xaviaer DuRousseau was accepted to a top university. But all it took was one comment from a fellow student about affirmative action to make him doubt his real worth.

How could one president accomplish so much in such a short amount of time and not be reelected to a second term? Louis Picone, author of The President Is Dead!, explains the brief yet impactful presidency of Benjamin Harrison.

Can a president who lost reelection return to the White House for a nonconsecutive term? One man did just that. Wilfred McClay, professor of history at Hillsdale College, shares the remarkable life and career of Grover Cleveland.

Chester Alan Arthur loved being vice president: parties galore, and no responsibilities. But after the death of James Garfield, Arthur had to face the music. How did he react? Daily Wire Host Michael Knowles tells Arthur’s unique story.

James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, had all the makings of a great president. So why didn’t he become one? Louis Picone, author of The President Is Dead!, answers this tragic question.

During WWII, the Nazi regime, headed by Adolf Hitler, set out to exterminate every living Jew. They murdered 6 million. Why did they do it? How did they do it? And why do so many young people know so little about it?

The years 1880 to 1900—coined the Gilded Age—was a period of tremendous growth for American industry and technology. Many also criticize it as a time of greed, corruption, and exploitation of the lower and middle classes by the wealthy. Are we living in a second Gilded Age? Renowned historian Amity Shlaes answers this important question. This video was made possible through a generous donation from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation.

Peachy Keenan, formerly a writer at a major entertainment company, now calls herself a domestic extremist. What does she mean by that? She makes the case that you should consider becoming one too.

Environmentalists advocate for a world without fossil fuels. But what would the real-life consequences be? Would it even be a world you would want to live in?

We are on the brink of the biggest merger in history. If we don’t stop it, our constitutional rights could become a relic of the past. Philip Hamburger, Professor of Law at Columbia University and CEO of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, explains.

Millions of Americans believe marijuana relieves pain, reduces anxiety, improves your mood, and has no side effects. Are they right? Dr. Drew Pinsky, physician, addiction medicine specialist, and media personality, answers this question.

The election of Rutherford B. Hayes remains the single most disputed presidential outcome in American history—even more than the elections of the 21st century. What happened, and what were the consequences?

It is undeniable that Native Americans suffered terribly after the arrival of European settlers, but was this the result of malice or tragic inevitability? Jeff Fynn-Paul, professor of economic and social history at Leiden University and author of Not Stolen: The Truth About European Colonialism in the New World, explores what happened when the Old World met the New.

The Bible never commands us to love our parents, but it does command us to honor them. So, why have so many adult children decided to hurt their parents in one of the worst ways possible? This video was made possible through a generous donation from Dale and Nicole Judkins.

No American led a more eventful life than Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and the Union Army's most celebrated general. Civil War historian Garry Adelman tells Grant’s amazing story.

Have you heard of NewsGuard? Its mission is to “counter misinformation on behalf of readers, brands, and democracies.” In other words, it “guards” the news by telling you what you can and cannot trust. Of course, this begs the question: can you trust NewGuard?

What is Zionism? And why does it generate so much controversy, even hatred? CJ Pearson explains the history and philosophy of this ancient promise.

Title IX was put in place in the early 1970s to promote opportunities for women. Is this still the case? Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos answers this question.

As Columbus Day dies a slow, woke death, it might be a good idea to consider how this national holiday came about in the first place. The answer will surprise you.

Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. To take the reins of power at this tumultuous moment required a man of compassion, discernment, and discipline. Was Lincoln’s vice president, Andrew Johnson, that man? Allen Guelzo of Princeton University has the answer.

Are sex categories—male and female—real, immutable, and binary? Or are they “social constructs”? Colin Wright, Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and fellow at the Manhattan Institute, has the answer. This video was made possible by a generous donation from Joseph U. Oswald.

When Abraham Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States, he did not believe the country would soon be embroiled in a costly and bloody civil war. Allen Guelzo, author of Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President, explains why Lincoln’s steely resolve and moral leadership were exactly what the country needed during its darkest days.

Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. He had almost no formal schooling but rose to become the 16th President of the United States. Allen Guelzo, author of Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President, shares the remarkable journey of this remarkable man.

If the government gave people enough money to take care of their basic needs, could we eliminate poverty? Proponents of Universal Basic Income think so. Are they right? Would it really be that simple? Aldo Buttazzoni lays out the pros and cons of UBI.

Are you worried about your future? Turn on the TV or scroll through social media and it’s hard not to be. But is there a brighter side to the story? Marian Tupy, senior fellow at the Cato Institute and co-author of Superabundance, explains why it’s a great time to be alive.

Upon the passing of his beloved bulldog Otto, Dennis Prager reflects on the special bond between people and their dogs. What role should dogs play in our lives? And more importantly, what can we learn from this relationship?

Reason, logic, and thinking through problems can get you out of almost any sticky situation. Gad Saad, Professor of Marketing at Concordia University, popular podcaster, and author of The Saad Truth About Happiness, demonstrates how to hold on to hope and never give up, even when things look bleak.

When James Buchanan—America’s 15th president—took office, the country was ready to explode over the issue of slavery. Buchanan thought he could avert civil war. Instead, his every action (and inaction) made it inevitable.

Even environmentalists concede that nuclear power is a clean source of abundant, reliable energy. But they stop short of supporting it. Why? Because of the “waste problem.” But how real are their concerns? James Meigs, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, answers this question.

Are Americans living on stolen land acquired by nefarious means? Jeff Fynn-Paul, professor of economic and social history at Leiden University and author of Not Stolen: The Truth About European Colonialism in the New World, dispels this misleading and destructive myth.

The Land of Israel has changed hands many times over the centuries. But it has always been the homeland of one particular people. Noa Tishby, author of Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, explains.

Franklin Pierce, America’s 14th President, had two simple goals: keep his party together and keep his country calm through the storm of the slavery debate. Simple, but not easy. Joseph Fornieri, Professor of Political Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, explains how Pierce’s leadership (or lack thereof) pushed America toward civil war.

We used to trust the mainstream media. They reported the facts and let us make our own decisions about the issues of the day. But that’s no longer the case. What changed and why? Investigative Journalist Ashley Rindsberg has the disturbing answers.

Happiness is more than a feeling or a state of mind. There are real, practical steps you can take to get on the path to a happier life—one with lasting contentment and fewer regrets.  Gad Saad, a professor of marketing at Concordia Univ., popular podcaster, and author of The Saad Truth About Happiness, shares seven ways to maximize your happiness.

Is social activism the only way to improve the situation for minorities in America? Alfredo Ortiz, the son of Mexican immigrants and the CEO of Job Creators Network, has a different take.

Is Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States, the least significant of all the commanders in chief? Or the most underestimated? Jared Cohen, author of Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America, has the answer.

Jews and Christians are the only two religions that share a sacred text and a fundamental set of values. These values created and sustained Western Civilization. But now many want to discard them. If we do, at what cost?

In PragerU’s 2023 commencement address, popular podcaster Tim Pool shares the secret of his success (hint: it’s not a degree from a prestigious university). Tim’s life path goes against everything we’re told we need to do to be “successful.” So, how did he do it? And how can you do it, too?

Unlike any governing document in history, the U.S. Constitution inscribed liberty and individual rights into law. But how could America espouse freedom at its founding and also permit slavery? Robert George, Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, examines this moral conundrum.

Is police brutality a major problem in America? Many activists, politicians, and the media would have you believe that it is. But what does the actual data say? Rafael Mangual, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of Criminal (In)Justice, presents the facts.

He was a slave owner who opposed the expansion of slavery; a president who despised politics and politicians. That was Zachary Taylor—“Old Rough and Ready.” Joseph Fornieri, Professor of Political Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, tells the story of this walking contradiction.

Should the world stop using fossil fuels—oil, coal, and natural gas? Or should we embrace them as an essential part of modern life? Alex Epstein explores these questions.

Everyone has heard the expression, “Let your conscience be your guide.” But is that really true? Is your conscience trustworthy? Dennis Prager shares some insights that might surprise you.

One of the few public policies that unites people from across the political spectrum is school choice—the ability of parents to choose the school that best fits their children’s needs. So, why isn’t it the norm? Mandy Drogin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation explains what the obstacles are and how we might overcome them.

James K. Polk believed that America was destined to expand west. Did this make him an imperialist or an agent for freedom and opportunity? Wilfred McClay, professor of history at Hillsdale College, sets the record straight about the 11th President of the United States.

Crime has become a major issue in America again. People don’t feel safe, and for good reason. Homicides are at levels not seen for decades. How do we reverse this dangerous trend? Former prosecutor Tom Hogan has some street-tested solutions that can be implemented immediately.

We’re supposed to be in a climate crisis. And we are. But not in the way you think. Alex Epstein, author of Fossil Future, explains the real crisis and what we can do to get out of it.

How many times can someone lie to you before you stop believing him? Popular podcaster Tim Pool applies this question to a source you might be trusting a little too much.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times. The most famous amendments are the first ten: the Bill of Rights. But what do you know about the others? John Yoo, Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks them down.

The year was 1841. No president had ever before died in office. And then one did. Who would take over as chief executive? The Constitution was surprisingly vague on this question — until Vice President John Tyler took a firm stance. His actions changed the direction of American history. Jared Cohen, author of Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America, tells Tyler’s little-known story.

William Henry Harrison, the first Whig president, died shortly after taking office. Though he didn’t live long enough to enact his ambitious agenda, it would be a serious mistake to underestimate his contribution to the American story. Richard Lim, host of the This American President podcast, explains why Harrison matters. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

The first person to fully realize the value of organizing around a political party was the eighth President of the United States, Martin Van Buren. The party he helped to create is still thriving today. Wilfred McClay, professor of history at Hillsdale College and author of Land of Hope, explains how Van Buren shaped America’s political destiny. Watch PragerU's American Presidents series: https://www.prageru.com/video/martin-van-buren-political-magician

Both revered and reviled in his own time, the seventh President of the United States Andrew Jackson never backed down from a fight. His “my way or the highway” approach made “Old Hickory” as ruthless with his veto pen as with his dueling pistol. Allen Guelzo, Distinguished Research Scholar in the James Madison Program at Princeton University, tells Jackson’s story. Watch PragerU's American presidents series: Prageru.com/series/american-presidents

John Quincy Adams, the son of the second President of the United States, became the sixth President of the United States. But the road to that prize was anything but smooth. Jane Hampton Cook, author of American Phoenix, tells how this formidable and intimidating man overcame every obstacle in his path. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Bad ideas are everywhere, spreading like viruses. Ironically, the antidote is readily available. We just have to have the courage to use it. Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, provides the prescription. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

There are now eight billion people living on the planet. Is there enough room for all of us? Are we going to run out of food and other resources? Marian Tupy, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and co-author of Superabundance, examines whether or not these fears are valid. His answer may surprise you. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Plenty of people can tell you what America’s problems are. But who’s talking about what America’s future could be? Kendall Qualls, president of TakeCharge, presents a vision that’s closer than you think. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

How did thirteen separate colonies become the United States of America? The answer is found in the second half of the American Constitution—Articles IV through VII. Kurt Lash, Professor of Law at the University of Richmond, explains. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Imagine you dedicated your life to environmentalism and all of its assumptions. Then imagine you realize those assumptions are all wrong. What would you do? Entrepreneur Brian Gitt tells his personal story and where it led him. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free.

What makes great art great? Is it simply a matter of personal taste, with little or no regard for skill or execution? Or are there standards by which an artistic work can be objectively judged? Renowned artist Robert Florczak confronts these challenging questions. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

What most prevents people from living a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life? And, what causes people to act irrationally? Both questions have the same answer. Dennis Prager explains. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

If someone told you that they advocate for the chemical castration, sterilization, and physical mutilation of children and young adults, you’d probably think they were a monster. So why do progressives who push for “gender-affirming care” get a free pass? Kaylee McGhee White shares the truth about this alarming new trend. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Did you know that freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms were not in the original Constitution, drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787? So where did they come from? Sherif Girgis, associate professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, has the answer. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

In 1940, Nazi Germany overran France. Britain looked to be the next target. President Franklin Roosevelt knew he had to prepare America for war. But how? Arthur Herman, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of Freedom's Forge, tells the amazing story. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

To rescue America from the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt attempted to steer the country on a new economic course. He called his plan the New Deal. Did it succeed, or did it make matters worse? Amity Shlaes, author of The Forgotten Man, explores this critical question. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Anyone who wants to protect and preserve America should also want to protect and preserve Israel. Ambassador Robert C. O'Brien, former National Security Advisor in the Trump administration, explains why.

In a culture where diet and exercise fads come and go, what do you need to do to be healthy? Renowned fitness expert Vinnie Tortorich offers three key behaviors that must be repeated to get and stay in shape. Anyone can do it.

The Supreme Court seems to have the final say over every controversial issue from abortion to gun control to same-sex marriage. But is that what the Framers of the Constitution intended? Sherif Girgis, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame, has the answer.

They’ve saved the free world more than once. And they’re on the job preserving the peace right now. When it comes to making the world a more secure place for good and decent people everywhere, this one group deserves the bulk of the credit. Who is this group, and how can we ever thank them? Pete Hegseth, U.S. Army Major, has the answer.

Twenty years ago, if you asked someone which of the world’s countries was the most diverse, most equitable and most inclusive, they would have answered “the United States.” Not anymore. What changed? Christian Watson, host of Pensive Politics, has the surprising answer. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

What do you think of conservatives? Do you think their views are rooted in racism, ignorance, and intolerance? Or is it just possible that they have valid reasons for thinking the way they do? Former leftist activist and now PragerU personality Amala Ekpunobi breaks it down in PragerU’s 500th 5-Minute Video. If you've enjoyed our 500 5-Minute Videos, please consider joining PragerU's Club5 with a donation of $5/month and help save America by contributing to our next wave of mind-changing videos: https://l.prageru.com/3eZxpeJ

Americans fought a long and bloody war to get rid of one tyrant, the English King, George III. They didn’t want to install a new one of their own making. So how did the Framers ensure that the President would have enough power to be an effective chief executive, without making him a dictator? John Yoo, Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, has the answer. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free!

Entertainment journalist Christian Toto explores why almost everyone in Tinsel Town—from the top star to the lowest crew member—seems to fall on one side of the political spectrum. There is no shortage of reasons. But that doesn’t mean those reasons are commendable. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Did you know that the Founding Fathers referred to Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, more than any other source? What is it about this book that is so special? Dennis Prager has answers. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free!

Sarah Idan was the first woman to represent Iraq in the Miss Universe contest in almost half a century. She went to the competition hoping to make friends. She made one in Miss Israel, and then everything changed—but not in the way she expected. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

The Framers of the United States Constitution wanted to give more power to the people and less power to the government. This was a radical new idea, and it started with the legislative branch: the House of Representatives and the Senate. John Yoo, Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, explains. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

It’s understandable why people from all over the world want to come to the United States. It’s still the land of opportunity. So, should we open our borders to everyone, no matter their legal status? Is that the compassionate thing to do? Is that the prudent thing to do? Will Witt has a lot of questions to ask about this difficult issue. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

In the aftermath of every mass shooting, we hear calls for “commonsense gun control.” But how do you determine which gun laws are common sense? Jason Riley, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, explores this loaded question. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

America’s fifth president James Monroe, the last of America’s Founding Fathers, is also the least well known. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a giant among giants. He was. Author Chris DeRose tells his story. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

From the day he joined the Continental Congress in 1780 through his second term as the fourth President of the United States, James Madison was in the middle of everything. Many patriots contributed to the country’s success, but few, if any, did as much as James Madison. Historian Jay Cost explains. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

Abraham Lincoln admired him. So did Franklin Roosevelt. So did John F. Kennedy. Dozens of other presidents expressed similar sentiments. They were talking about Thomas Jefferson, America’s third president. Carol Swain explores why their praise was so well deserved. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

“The man to whom the country is most indebted for the great measure of independence is Mr. John Adams.” That was from a delegate to the Continental Congress. But how much do you know about this influential thinker and second president of the United States? Brad Thompson, Professor of Political Science at Clemson University, tells Adams’ remarkable story. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

There would have never been a United States of America without George Washington. John Rhodehamel, author of "George Washington: The Wonder of the Age," details how Washington successfully guided the budding nation through war and nurtured her in peace. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

If George Washington helped to shape America, what shaped George Washington? Historian Edward Lengel explores Washington’s early history: the events that defined him and ultimately made him America’s “indispensable man.” Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

There are few things worse than being called “intolerant” or “closed-minded.” Who wants to be that? Isn’t it far better to be open to everything, dismissive of nothing? Well, not necessarily. Michael Knowles explains. Donate today to help keep PragerU podcasts and videos free! PragerU.com/donate

The PragerU team is more committed and working harder than ever to educate young people about our nation’s founding principles and values. Those values have sustained America through hard times. They will do so again. Together we can succeed. We know that your heart is committed to our work. Can we count on your tax-deductible support today to help us continue being your voice and fighting for everything you care about? Donate today: PragerU.com/donate