Dad Saves America

Marc Andreessen’s claim that “introspection is overrated” sparked a predictable media backlash, but the real debate isn’t about therapy culture or woke narcissism. In a world shaped by AI, social media algorithms, and increasingly rigid ideologies, we’re losing the ability to question ourselves. That’s where things get dangerous.This Good Friday, I’m reflecting on Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “Live Not by Lies,” the sin of pride, and why Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The symbol of the Cross is a reminder that suffering is unavoidable and that humility is the path to truth.Resisting pride means admitting when you’re wrong, something our social media-driven culture rarely rewards. Committing yourself to truth, even when it’s inconvenient, means accepting that cost._____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zzp8ekos36oMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with investor and economist David Bahnsen to unpack what really happened in the 2008 financial crisis. Socialists blame capitalism and Wall Street, while libertarians blame the government, especially the Federal Reserve, but David argues that all of the popular narratives are missing a key piece. He places a significant amount of the blame on what he calls the “Crisis of Responsibility,” also the title of his book on the subject.Bankruptcy and foreclosure were once seen as shameful events, not standard parts of the American dream of homeownership. By the time of the financial crisis, signing up for a mortgage you obviously couldn’t afford had been normalized on all sides: lenders, investors, and even “average Americans” themselves.We dig into how easy money, government backstops, and cultural decay fueled a nationwide housing bubble and, in the end, turned both the left and right against free markets and toward populism._____________________________________Follow David Bahnsen on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/DavidBahnsen?s=20Preorder a copy of “Crisis of Responsibility”: https://a.co/d/04GlVHsW_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] The financial crisis broke the American economy[10:12] What is “neoliberalism”?[15:20] Was Ron Paul right about the financial crisis?[20:21] The moral failing of the financial crisis[29:07] Low interest rates and government-backed mortgages[37:40] Wall Street really believed their own lies[41:20] The crisis of responsibility and the cult of housing[47:25] How can we make housing more affordable?[55:42] The generational shift in home ownership[1:06:09] Populism, elitism, and luxury beliefs[1:18:15] Is government too big to fix?[1:27:18] The death of policy debate in America[1:33:15] Can liberalism survive without Christianity?[1:45:08] Freedom and virtue have to go together_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/esf-68sJZlsMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

The TSA is running out of staff, airport security lines are spiraling out of control, and Congress still can’t resolve its fight over DHS funding. This isn’t just a temporary breakdown. We’re seeing what happens when a $12 billion government “solution” finally gets stress-tested. Despite collecting billions in additional fees from travelers every year, the TSA still can’t maintain basic service and even fails its core security mission at an alarming rate when fully funded.Before 9/11, airport security was largely operated by private entities. Today, a handful of U.S. airports still use private contractors under TSA rules and regulations. They follow the same general procedures, but consistently deliver faster lines and better service. The rest of the country is stuck in the middle of Washington turf wars that treat air travel as a bargaining chip, tying essential operations to unrelated legislation while workers go unpaid and travelers miss flights.If private airport security is a proven model, why are most of us stuck with substandard government service? What would a system built on real incentives and accountability actually look like?_____________________________________Check my sources over on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/dadsavesamerica/p/the-tsa-wastes-12-billion-and-still?r=24ayxm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/14JDhwuONM4Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Harvard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks to unpack why so many people, especially young men, feel lost in modern life. Drawing on his new book, “The Meaning of Your Life,” Arthur explains how the digital simulation most of us live in keeps us distracted, while failing to satisfy our desire for meaning. Love, happiness, and faith are side effects of pursuing truth and purpose, not goals you can eventually reach. We discuss whether culture or politics is the true source of our society’s troubles, how religion is successfully transmitted across generations, and which habits make for strong marriages in the long run.Join Arthur’s free “The Meaning of Your Life Virtual Experience” on March 27, a live, immersive journey designed around the groundbreaking findings in his new book, “The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness.” Learn more at http://themeaningofyourlife.com/_____________________________________Follow Arthur Brooks on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/arthurbrooks?s=20Preorder a copy of Arthur’s new book: http://themeaningofyourlife.com/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Reflecting on making “The Pursuit” together[2:13] What does it mean to be an adult?[7:40] What are your emotions telling you?[11:37] Left vs right in 2026[19:48] Are we more in need of policy reform or cultural repair?[27:48] The psychogenic epidemic and the cycles of history[37:47] No period of history is all good or all bad[40:58] How to be masculine in a feminine era[44:58] We’re living in a gnostic simulation[47:03] What does “meaning” actually mean?[52:02] How to raise your kids in your values[55:04] Contempt destroys marriages[1:00:39] Getting back into religion in middle age[1:06:53] Choosing persuasion over coercion makes us human[1:13:37] Exit the Matrix, find your mate, and find meaning[1:20:41] 4 strategies that will save most marriages[1:24:46] Finding your career calling in the AI era[1:33:17] Is Bryan Johnson is right about mortality?[1:36:34] The fight between fear and love[1:41:20] Why men struggle to “feel” their faith[1:48:15] Science and faith aren’t in conflict[1:53:30] Has the Enlightenment gone too far?_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H0jgDwtGNqMMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, and gas prices are on the rise. Fossil fuels power every aspect of modern life, from transportation to manufacturing to food. If something doesn’t change fast, we could be facing an inflation crisis once again. I’m breaking down how climate extremism, price controls, and the Middle East’s “resource curse” have created the perfect storm for worldwide economic mayhem.As gas surpasses $8 per gallon in some parts of California, you’d think Gavin Newsom might rethink his climate and energy policies, but with only eight oil refineries left in the state, the damage is done. Texas, on the other hand, has a much stronger local infrastructure to weather the storm. In the end, our choices are gambling on a utopian fantasy or embracing the reality of physics._____________________________________Check my sources over on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/dadsavesamerica/p/8-gas-oil-cut-off-has-trumps-iran?r=24ayxm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zgc3w-0u3V0Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Ian Rowe, an education entrepreneur and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to unpack why raising kids with a sense of agency is the key to lifelong success. Ian defines agency as free will guided by moral discernment, closely related to the concept of “ordered liberty.” Today, low expectations and racial victimhood narratives are trapping kids in cycles they could otherwise escape. We dig into why the “success sequence” of education, work, marriage, and then children is so effective at preventing poverty. In a culture where good advice is smeared as “victim blaming,” Ian offers a more productive and hopeful vision for the most disadvantaged Americans._____________________________________Follow Ian Rowe on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/IanVRowe?s=20Purchase a copy of Ian’s book, “Agency”: https://a.co/d/0cWhn8dy_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Ian and I have a lot in common[2:58] What is agency and why does it matter?[6:04] How religion breaks the cycle of disfunction[14:52] Entrepreneurship is a problem-solving mindset[18:07] Is the mental health crisis a self-fulfilling prophecy?[25:08] How do kids transition into adulthood?[35:37] Why is the “success sequence” controversial?[39:21] We need to bring back shame[43:48] The problems facing black Americans[59:22] Are black voters shifting politically?[1:05:59] How racial guilt gets in the way of teaching[1:11:45] Teachers have forgotten how to teach[1:17:04] Identity obsession vs universal virtues[1:25:58] Truth, nihilism, and the black market of ideas_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store:https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TKXE5FBwy50Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

A series of terrorist attacks in Virginia, Michigan, NYC, and even my own city of Austin has brought the radical Islamic threat back to American soil. Rather than confronting the ideological nature of these acts, the public conversation is quickly redirected toward gun control, mental health, or non-specific “extremism.” The perpetrators, on the other hand, are usually quite happy to tell you what they believe.From the Reconquista to the War on Terror, the Christian West has been locked in a struggle with the Muslim world. In modern America and Europe, we suffer from a “crisis of confidence,” as Jimmy Carter put it, which undermines are ability to confront the real civilizational fight in front of us. Some young people have succumbed to nihilism, while others have embraced a strange alliance between leftist politics and radical Islam. Will we be able to reverse the demoralization of America in the face of real threats?_____________________________________Check my sources over on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/dadsavesamerica/p/islamic-terror-rising-does-america?r=24ayxm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TymfmuuwLokMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Mia Hughes, author of “The WPATH Files,” to discuss her work exposing the junk science and corruption behind “gender-affirming care,” youth transition, and transgender activism. As she describes it, this is one of the worst crimes in medical history, made worse by the fact that the only people who’ve been punished are those who’ve spoken out against it. Mia’s exposé revealed the idea laundering and circular references between WPATH and medical institutions, using weak data to justify irreversible hormonal and surgical interventions for adults suffering from severe mental illness and for children, who by definition cannot consent. European countries have begun to back off, and the post-2024 election “vibe shift” in the U.S. has brought about some improvements, but in countries like Canada, this is far from over._____________________________________Follow Mia Hughes on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/_CryMiaRiver?s=20Read “The WPATH Files”: https://environmentalprogress.org/big-news/wpath-files_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] The JK Rowling backlash woke Mia up[11:05] The trans issue isn’t just a fringe culture war issue[21:19] Does trans identity have any historical basis?[28:46] Why trans activists deny “autogynophilia”[39:08] The “vibe shift” doesn’t mean trans madness is over[42:24] John Money and the origins of gender ideology[50:44] How gender identify became a civil rights category[1:01:57] Why did gay people support trans activism?[1:10:02] Normal puberty distress is twisted into “gender dysphoria”[1:20:01] “Gender-affirming care” is full of ethical contradictions[1:30:54] Doctors are emotionally blackmailing parents[1:38:36] What is WPATH?[1:46:10] Are randomized controlled trials possible in gender medicine?[1:57:14] How WPATH captured the whole medical establishment[2:09:35] We need a new Nuremberg trial[2:15:27] The role of severe mental illness in gender transition[2:26:25] Doctors know that kids can’t consent to transition[2:38:21] Why it’s impossible to hold anyone accountable[2:43:06] Is the whole field of psychology basically a scam?[2:48:26] Canada hasn’t backed down from trans madness[2:57:07] Why can’t the left let go of transgender politics?_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lsV0dDyTMBAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

President Trump’s strikes on Iran have reignited the American foreign policy debate. For decades, libertarians like myself have hammered the mistakes of the War on Terror, especially in Iraq. Ron Paul’s 2007 presidential debate performance laid out the blowback risks of interventionism, highlighting a specific story of American meddling in Iran—one I believed until very recently. President Trump is resetting long-held assumptions about regime change and endless war, forcing me to rethink the complexity of geopolitics. Caught between conspiracy theories of Israeli control and premature declarations of “mission accomplished,” Americans must decide for themselves what to think in these tumultuous times._____________________________________Check my sources over on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/dadsavesamerica/p/trumps-iran-strike-israeli-influence?r=24ayxm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MP3qHVYVdJ0Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Pastor Doug Wilson to unpack his views on “Christian nationalism” and American identity. Every legal system rests on moral assumptions—Doug argues that those assumptions should be Christian. We discuss whether America was historically a Christian nation, how immigration and assimilation shape a country’s cultural cohesion, the dangers of theocracy, and what would happen to Catholics in his ideal vision of America._____________________________________Follow Doug on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/douglaswils?s=20Learn more about Doug’s work: https://dougwils.com/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What is “Christian Nationalism”?[5:19 5:30] Were things better in the “good old days”?[11:23 11:34] Immigration disrupts the national order[19:29 19:40] What does it mean to be American?[32:30] Pastor Doug’s political philosophy[41:29] Religious liberty and the First Amendment[49:31] Does universal liberalism grow out of Christianity?[57:13] How America integrated Catholics[1:05:02] Who gets to live in a Christian nation?[1:12:27] Free will, predestination, and Calvinism[1:17:10] What about when people break the Christian laws?[1:26:10] Liberty, gay marriage, and drug laws[1:42:37] Summing up Pastor Doug’s worldview[1:45:04] Grappling with Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes[1:51:59] Is Christianity in crisis or revival?_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qiyUCxw92a8Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Lionel Shriver, author of “A Better Life,” to unpack why the American immigration debate has become so unreasonable. She argues that the “nation of immigrants” mythology is a kind of progressive moral blackmail, preventing Americans from asking basic questions about assimilation, national self-interest, and cultural cohesion. We also discuss whether Islamic immigration is compatible with liberal democracy and why immigration can’t fix collapsing birthrates. Lionel makes the case that the West has lost its sense of self-confidence—and now, its instinct for self-preservation._____________________________________Order a copy of “A Better Life”: https://a.co/d/0g6H0sGW_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Writing a novel on immigration[12:03] Why Americans struggle to discuss immigration[19:51] White leftists don’t actually hate themselves[26:53] Assimilation in the U.S. vs Europe[42:20] Should we allow Islamic immigration?[53:24] Uncontrolled migration and welfare can’t work[1:01:45] The fertility crisis argument for immigration[1:13:56] Western values must be actively defended[1:21:01] Spoiled leftists just won’t wake up to reality[1:30:56] Female virtue signaling and luxury beliefs[1:38:21] Is our politics bound to keep getting crazier?[1:43:06] Trump vs globalist totalitarianism[1:51:16] The internet is supercharging social contagion[1:57:06] “Toxic masculinity” and the feminization of society[2:15:14] Individual sovereignty vs the survival of humanity[2:26:45] We encourage bad and ignore good behavior[2:37:15] “No pain, no gain” is the truest cliché[2:42:48] Self-contemplation is bad for your mental health_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T7q_71x3u_0Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Rob Henderson, author of “Troubled” and known for coining the term “luxury beliefs,” to explore how status, envy, and social mobility shape society. Rob shares how growing up in foster care, enlisting in the Air Force at 17, and eventually attending Yale and Cambridge forced him to confront what material success can—and can’t—deliver. Hunter-gatherer societies suppressed status through rigid egalitarianism, but as civilizations grew, status competition became an increasingly powerful force. Today, elite strivers hijack class politics to engage in their own battle between the “haves” and the “have-mores,” while serious discussions about class have begun to shift from left to right._____________________________________Learn more about the “Troubled” movie: https://troubledthemovie.com/Follow Rob on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/robkhendersonRead Rob’s work on Substack: https://www.robkhenderson.com/Purchase a copy of “Troubled”: https://www.amazon.com/Troubled-Memoir-Foster-Family-Social/dp/1982168536_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] The sociology of status[7:36] Class analysis flipped from left to right[15:57] The haves, the have-nots, and the have-mores[21:41] The traits that build wealth[26:59] Narcissism comes in 2 flavors[38:31] How do you keep the loudmouths under control?[43:38] Why do we care about status?[51:36] How gratitude advances civilizations[55:22] Finding a stable identity keeps envy in check[1:04:08] The state of sex relations in 2026[1:15:46] We aren’t built for comfort[1:25:27] Can the military fix TikTok-fried kids?[1:37:25] Healthy cultural norms aren’t self-enforcing[1:49:46] Elite hypocrisy on marriage and family[1:58:09] Is it just “kids these days” or something else?[2:03:10] Is religion a necessary anchor for moral culture?[2:12:14] Adapting “Troubled” into a movie_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j149A5_9AWAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with philosopher and author Dr. Stephen Hicks to unpack the West’s trajectory from medieval Christianity to modern progressivism. We explore the psychological fallout of online information overload and a failing education system that is fueling a socialist resurgence. Dr. Hicks breaks down how the rediscovery of Greco-Roman writings by figures like St. Thomas Aquinas—and, a few centuries later, the Protestant Reformation—set the stage for the Enlightenment, gradually developing the ideas that would eventually become “classical liberalism.” We also track the parallel development of leftist thought, from Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the French Revolution to Marx and today’s woke reign of terror._____________________________________Follow Dr. Hicks on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/SRCHicks?s=20Check out Dr. Hicks’ Peterson Academy courses: https://petersonacademy.com/instructors/stephen-hicks_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What is “the truth”?[6:06] “Expert consensus” and misinformation[18:27] Filtering through information overload[30:31] The evolution of adulthood and education[39:53] Religion, literacy, and the Protestant Reformation[45:12] Did Christianity invent individualism?[59:44] Collectivism is the problem, not religion[1:08:40] Was the abolition of slavery a Christian movement?[1:20:16] Did Christianity lay the foundation for the Enlightenment?[1:31:51] How Christendom revived Greco-Roman thought[1:41:18] Rousseau and the French Revolution[2:04:50] The blank-slate view of moral agency[2:11:02] Rousseauean socialism vs Marxism[2:19:09] How Marxism survived each of its failures[2:28:11] What unifies the wide range of leftist ideas?[2:43:13] The link between mental health and education[2:54:22] Why philosophy matters_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hCjuUIlJ0uUMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Rudyard Lynch, creator of WhatIfAltHist and History102, to revisit his civil war prediction. He argues that the current psychological crisis is delaying an inevitable political crisis, drawing on the Mouse Utopia experiment, screen addiction, and the decay of internet discourse. Rudyard reflects on what he got right, what he got wrong, and why embracing honor culture might be our path back to sanity. We also get into the relationship between Christianity and socialism, the role of masculinity in leadership, and why “reasonable liberals” fail to confront the Marxist threat._____________________________________Follow Rudyard on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/whatifalthistCheck out WhatIfAltHist: https://www.youtube.com/WhatifalthistCheck out History102: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Updated civil war predictions[4:19] Antisemitism and Israel discourse[13:49] Psychological and political crises[25:05] Socialism, Nietzsche, and nihilism[33:14] The Age of the Last Men[38:48] Woodrow Wilson and the rise of progressivism[46:17] “The system,” society, and bureaucracy[56:47] Why decency dies on the internet[1:02:32] Is good leadership fundamentally “masculine”?[1:06:15] Sex differences vs. sexism[1:12:22] Why faith in honor culture matters[1:20:28] Did Christianity give birth to socialism?[1:30:20] Stephen Pinker and the “reasonable liberal” problem[1:39:08] “Progress” is just spiritual sterilization[1:43:36] “Rationalists” are just conformists[1:49:39] Classical liberals overplayed the equality card[1:53:33] Are libertarian values still valid in our culture?[2:01:00] Victim culture on the right[2:05:16] The neo-middle ages[2:10:42] Is broad social trust still feasible?[2:17:29] Why you should unplug from the internet_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RDmkKZ7vAkIMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with anti-communist author Xi Van Fleet to learn about her upbringing under Mao’s Cultural Revolution and her concerns for the trajectory of America. Immigrating from China 40 years ago, she is a blunt critic of modern progressivism and sheds light on the pervasive Marxist influences in our politics, culture, and language—even among conservatives. Xi got involved in public advocacy following the explosion of leftist chaos during the 2020 BLM protests, recognizing echoes of the Red Guard reign of terror that dominated her childhood. An enthusiastic proponent of American values, she offers a stark warning against the communist ideology animating politicians like Zohran Mamdani._____________________________________Follow Xi Van Fleet on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/XVanFleet?s=20Order a copy of Xi’s new book “Made in America”: https://a.co/d/bVwCieIOrder a copy of “Mao’s America”: https://a.co/d/2Oes5xY_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Why 2020 drove Xi to activism[12:22] Growing up during the Cultural Revolution[21:56] How did Mao maintain control over China?[33:08] Recruiting and radicalizing the Red Guard[41:36] The Cultural Revolution was pure insanity[56:02] Why Mao dismantled the Red Guard[1:00:54] How can anyone call themselves a Maoist today?[1:14:47] “But that’s not REAL communism”[1:21:42] Communism is a religion of mind control[1:27:17] Beauty cuts through the brainwashing[1:35:11] American culture is poisoned by Marxism[1:43:37] Assimilation vs multiculturalism[1:53:15] Communism is a real threat to America in 2026[2:03:55] Even conservatives are tainted by Marxism[2:08:28] Why do we encourage immigrants to hate America?[2:18:26] Americans need to know the history of communism_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IiAVqhO6quAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with healthcare policy expert Michael Cannon to unpack why the U.S. healthcare system drives everyone crazy. From exploding costs and rampant fraud to government shutdowns over Obamacare subsidies, healthcare issues continue to monopolize our politics and our everyday lives. Contrary to what Bernie Sanders might think, government intervention—not capitalism—has rigged the healthcare system to benefit insurers, hospitals, and politicians at the expense of patients. We dig into how moral hazard fuels waste and overconsumption, why lobbyists undermine smart reforms in favor of policies that make the problem worse, and the coming fiscal reckoning for Medicaid and Medicare._____________________________________Follow Michael on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/mfcannon?s=20Read Michael’s work on Substack: https://mfcannon.substack.com/Learn more about Michael’s work at the Cato Institute: https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What’s behind the Somali fraud scandal?[8:31] Why is Medicare fraud so rampant?[12:42] How laws and lobbyists obstructed DOGE[18:33] The Obamacare subsidy government shutdown[25:58] The argument for Obamacare vs its actual results[32:31] The Oregon study debunks the health insurance myth[42:19] Does cheap health insurance make people less healthy?[58:22] How do you know that a medical treatment is worth it?[1:03:19] The tax code disincentivizes price transparency[1:15:12] Why does health insurance stop at state lines?[1:21:34] Do Americans really spend more on healthcare?[1:28:28] The U.S. subsidizes the global pharmaceutical market[1:36:32] The problem with pharmaceutical patents[1:42:53] Why do so many Americans idolize Luigi Mangione?[1:53:02] Death panels are an inevitable part of health insurance[2:00:35] Overconsumption and monopoly pricing in healthcare[2:06:33] Will the demographic cliff destroy Medicaid and Medicare?[2:17:59] Will Medicare-For-All end up winning the political fight?[2:23:39] The ideal solution vs realistic improvements to healthcare[2:32:18] Which country has the best healthcare system?_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nPnUI0OhMeAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with journalist and author Michael Shellenberger to unpack the psychology of modern radicalism and why anti-ICE activists seem more interested in perpetual agitation than problem-solving. Michael reflects on his own radical past, including his experiences in Nicaragua, Brazil, and Venezuela, where socialist idealism gave way to corruption, gangsterism, and societal collapse. We also discuss his ongoing fight for free speech and the potential global impacts of recent European regulatory attacks on Elon Musk and X (Twitter)._____________________________________Follow Michael on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/shellenberger?s=20Read Michael’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@shellenbergerPreorder a copy of “The Left’s War on Reality”: https://a.co/d/cnMuOGy_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] ICE protest chaos[13:06] Female psychology and left-wing activism[30:19] Why Michael got involved in radical politics[39:54] Interviewing the future President of Brazil[42:44] Is Marxism a colonial project?[47:46] What is “radicalism”?[55:53] Working for Hugo Chávez in Venezuela[1:01:41] Communism always devolves into gangsterism[1:10:58] Liberalism, globalism, and nationalism[1:18:02] Is “international law” a myth?[1:22:08] Why Michael is skeptical of the Venezuela intervention[1:31:48] The counterintuitive danger of natural resources[1:37:13] Zohran Mamdani’s inaugural speech should scare you[1:52:34] How elites keep mass democracy under control[1:58:30] The Twitter Files and the next social media crackdown[2:05:21] Free speech is a cause worth dying for[2:13:58] Antisemitism, cancellation, and the conservative civil war[2:24:19] Trump 2.0 proved that censorship can be overcome[2:29:36] What Michael has learned from teaching_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0z_KzE0OXaEMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with author and energy journalist Robert Bryce to unpack our society’s dependence on the electric grid and what that means for American security and prosperity in the future. The electric grid is far more fragile than most people realize—even more so given the so-called “clean energy transition” pushed throughout the 21st century. As we saw in Spain last spring, excessive reliance on renewable energy sources significantly raises the possibility of systemic collapse during electricity demand peaks. Now, with AI data centers driving up electricity demand, and therefore prices, a reckoning is overdue. Robert lays out the tradeoffs of renewable energy, the potential for a nuclear renaissance, and how energy policy challenges the assumptions of the free market and decentralized government in a world of geopolitical adversaries._____________________________________Follow Robert Bryce on X (Twitter): https://x.com/pwrhungry?s=20Watch Robert Bryce on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robertbryce?si=FKjtFk1G3WMudQw1Read Robert Bryce’s work on Substack: https://robertbryce.substack.com/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Will AI data centers break the power grid?[10:46 11:00] The electric grid is the most important system in our society[21:10 21:24] Why is the electric grid so fragile?[34:18 34:32] The forgotten innovations that reshaped society[42:54] What is “base load” and why does it matter?[52:58] The “clean energy transition” has always been fake[1:03:17] Will solar power ever be viable for a whole country?[1:12:28] Why would Germany kneecap its own energy capacity?[1:21:22] A society run by engineers vs lawyers[1:26:24] The Trump administration’s energy policies[1:31:00] What are the real safety risks of nuclear energy?[1:38:52] What are “small modular reactors” (SMRs)?[1:45:43] Nuclear waste is a political, not technical, problem[1:55:06] Does the US have access to enough uranium for nuclear power?[2:00:13] What are the limits to capitalism and small government?_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jAfGUUAvGBAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with psychologist and author Peter Gray to unpack why anxiety, depression, and immaturity are rising at the exact moment kids have more “support” than ever. Peter explains how we stripped childhood of the one ingredient that actually builds competence: real freedom. We talk about the collapse of free, self-directed play, the fear-driven culture that keeps kids under constant adult management, and how modern schooling turns learning into compliance and metrics—resulting in bad habits and chronic stress. Play isn’t a “bonus” part of childhood; it’s how children learn judgment, resilience, social intelligence, and self-control. The path back to healthier kids starts with letting them take risks, solve problems, and grow up the way humans evolved to._____________________________________Check out Peter’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@petergray_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Intro[1:06] Essential skills for a successful adult life[6:52] Education vs. schooling[19:40] Anxiety, depression, and immaturity[33:12] Is high school stress anything new?[36:48] Why parents to over-manage their kids[47:26] Are we training kids to accept authority and control?[55:58] The history of the school system[1:11:13] The policies shaping modern classrooms[1:19:01] The seven sins of the education system[1:38:58] What Peter learned from Ruby Lou[1:43:37] Play literally is education[1:51:04] Why trustful parenting works best_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8iRrZHUnB4EMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with clinical psychologist Dr. Camilo Ortiz to unpack why modern parenting has become so exhausting—and why it’s also making kids more anxious, not less. Dr. Ortiz explains why kids need daily exposure to the four D’s—discomfort, distress, disappointment, and danger—and how natural consequences teach better than nagging or punishment ever will. We explore the limits and potential harms of today’s feminized therapy culture and how we can rebuild real-world independence through risky play, mixed-age freedom, and even early work._____________________________________Follow Dr. Ortiz on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrCamiloOrtizVisit Dr. Ortiz’s website: http://drcamiloortiz.com/Learn more about “independence therapy”: https://letgrow.org/program/independence-therapy/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12566881823&gbraid=0AAAAACiZd3IWu23qJsSxpn65U7GX9fkVZ&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0p7KBhCkARIsAE6Xlam-UlbNorBHFogiD9_yToVLHOcEIJaxqI86ql2tEa_EKyKbQkbimREaAomwEALw_wcBDr. Ortiz’s article in “The Free Press”: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-secret-to-parenting-do-less-of-it_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] How parenting went wrong[5:45] The feminization of parenting and psychology[15:25] Abigail Shrier’s “Bad Therapy”[15:56] Therapy isn’t the solution to every problem[24:02] What are “mindfulness practices”?[31:25] Are mental health issues really that common?[36:13] Moms vs dads on childhood independence[43:19] Why is evolutionary psychology ignored?[54:19] Is academia biased by ideology or personality?[1:01:17] Nagging your kids doesn’t work[1:09:29] The collective action problem of childhood[1:12:42] Parents shouldn’t try to win every battle[1:23:15] What is “independence therapy”?[1:27:40] Are kids lacking freedom or authority, or both?[1:33:49] Focus on productive behavior, not identity[1:50:47] “Gentle parenting” is the worst of both worlds[1:54:06] How can you address real trauma?[2:02:58] The case for child labor[2:08:16] A lighthouse for sanity in psychology_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cLouj8HgvbgMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with former Amway CEO Doug DeVos to talk about what it means to believe in the American way in an era defined by cynicism. Prosperity doesn’t come from slogans or politics—it comes from families, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who take responsibility and create real value. We unpack why pessimism has become a cultural default, how that mindset quietly erodes ambition and gratitude, and why faith in America must be rooted in action, not nostalgia._____________________________________Follow Doug on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Doug_DeVos?s=20Read “Believe! Journal” on Substack: https://www.thebelievejournal.com/Purchase a copy of “Believe!”: https://a.co/d/8SfMYUV_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Elite influence or philanthropic leadership?[7:48] The Midwest’s community culture[11:19] Does online polarization represent real life?[21:53] American idealism vs. “burn it all down”[28:43] How did family formation become political?[36:37] Trust fund kids and generational wealth[42:38] The history of Amway[49:18] Criticisms of multi-level marketing[51:11] Sales is the most underrated career path[1:03:17] Free enterprise as a moral system[1:08:54] How do successful large organizations work?[1:14:43] Is the optimistic American spirit fading?[1:19:17] Life, liberty, and the pursuit of virtue[1:23:41] Building trust in a post-truth world[1:26:51] The Founding Fathers’ skepticism of power[1:34:40] The internet, social media, and AI[1:38:18] Does anything shake Doug’s optimism?[1:43:17] America is the comeback nation[1:46:27] How becoming a parent frees you from ego[1:50:01] Take on the responsibility of citizenship_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R2wk_QgvBwAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with comedian, writer, and host of “Walk-Ins Welcome,” Bridget Phetasy to talk about how she recovered from divorce, hookup culture, and addiction—and how those experiences shaped her views on our current cultural crisis. Writing for Playboy in the 2010s gave her a front-row seat to a society going mad. Bridget’s previously mainstream liberal beliefs were shattered one by one, eventually leading to the realization that marriage and parenthood were right for her all along._____________________________________Follow Bridget on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/BridgetPhetasy?s=20Watch Bridget on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@phetasy?si=vocDzLaTe0_885NzWatch “Walk-Ins Welcome”: https://youtube.com/@morebridgetphetasy?si=xkIAzwIDvtMP3rKQFollow Bridget on Substack: https://www.phetasy.com/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What parenting teaches you[14:01] Start your family early[18:10] Where feminism goes too far[23:02] Hookup culture isn’t empowerment[34:53] Divorce triggers a dark spiral for kids[45:43] How pop culture shapes your beliefs[50:21] “Staying together for the kids” and real love[1:02:51] Having kids resets your ambitions[1:08:49] How broken people get lost in darkness[1:20:25] Identity is way more than your superficial traits[1:25:16] Trans surgeries and the power of sex[1:41:49] Is Islam incompatible with the West?[1:53:42] Group differences vs individual treatment[1:59:18] Can the 12 Steps heal America?[2:08:28] Institutional trust and the AI revolution[2:14:09] Psychological, ideological, and technological crises[2:28:19] Focus on creation, not destruction_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TwdnGWyjmUcMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Dr. Drew Pinsky to unpack how a culture of narcissism is warping our relationships, our politics, and the way we raise our kids. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Drew explains how collapsing family structures create adults who are fragile on the inside but obsessed with curating a perfect image on the outside. We talk about how social media rewards performative outrage and mob “justice,” why so many young people now filter everything through a lens of victimhood, and how the sexual revolution reshaped intimacy in ways most people still don’t fully understand._____________________________________Follow Dr. Drew on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/drdrewSubscribe to Dr. Drew’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@DrDrew?si=ep1LT1yWvqUKxrYW_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Intro[0:53] What is narcissism?[15:17] Activist mobs, false empathy, and free speech[22:42] Narcissism vs sociopathy vs psychopathy[29:18] The impacts of social media[30:59] What is adulthood?[39:05] Family breakdown and the psychological crisis[51:38] “It Doesn’t Have To Be Awkward”[56:38] Grappling with gender identity confusion[1:05:53] The lasting effects of trauma[1:12:51] Marriage, divorce, and relationships[1:20:40] Why are gay and transgender issues lumped together?[1:23:18] Do Americans just need to toughen up?[1:25:18] Mental health impacts of COVID lockdowns[1:27:16] Social media hits girls and boys are differently[1:30:53] Homelessness, fatherlessness, and foster care_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RV0dnLFbu-kMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with neuroscience PhD Delia McCabe to explore why our brains are struggling in the modern world and what that means for our kids, our politics, and how we handle the AI revolution. Delia has spent her career digging into the effects of nutrition on mental health—either optimizing cognitive function or sending our brains into disastrous feedback loops. We also discuss biological sex differences, the rise of gender confusion, and the cognitive biases that have deranged our public discourse._____________________________________Read Delia’s Substack: https://deliamccabe.substack.com/Learn more about Delia’s work: https://www.lighterbrighteryou.life/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What’s wrong with clinical psychology?[7:13] The link between food, behavior, and mental health[19:36] How neuroplasticity actually works[28:24] Thinking burns more energy than physical labor[33:15] Does neuroscience disprove free will?[39:43] Emotions can literally change what we know[45:30] You can’t separate the mind from the body[55:49] Confirmation bias vs “the feeling of knowing”[1:03:20] When is it safe to “trust your gut”?[1:12:27] Why smart people believe dumb ideas[1:18:40] What happens to your brain in your mid-20s?[1:30:14] “Social-emotional learning” and the trauma obsession[1:45:26] The black mirror, the uncanny valley, and narcissism[1:55:33] Male and female brains are objectively different[2:08:05] What’s causing the explosion of gender confusion?[2:21:38] Is feminization destroying our society?[2:38:32] Confronting your ignorance is painful but necessary[2:43:14] How can we heal the gender divide?[2:49:47] How can you change someone’s mind?[3:01:35] Why our psychology leads to big government[3:12:54] The jobs that attract smart psychopaths[3:25:56] Stress, focus, and creativity[3:36:43] Understand the brain, save America_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/caiubV_hqCgMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Jay Heinrichs, best-selling author of Thank You for Arguing, to explore the lost art of rhetoric and why Americans should relearn these skills. Most of us have forgotten how to persuade one another, and in an algorithmically optimized social media era, we’re increasingly vulnerable to constant manipulation. We dig into how, from Gavin Newsom to Donald Trump, our politicians use rhetorical tactics to greater and lesser effect. The ancient Greeks treated argument as a civic virtue—a tool for building relationships and solving problems. In the modern era, where political tribes talk past each other and rely on logical fallacies, elevating our public discourse is long overdue._____________________________________Learn more about Jay’s work: https://www.jayheinrichs.com/Read Jay’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@jayheinrichs?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pagePurchase a copy of Jay’s latest book: https://a.co/d/5BV8IEF_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What is “rhetoric” and why did we forget it?[8:17] The collapse and rebirth of public debate[17:28] Inoculate your kids against manipulation[24:59] Disinterest vs “lived experience” in debate[34:51] Arguing about the past, present, and future[42:51] How to apply these tactics in a job interview[50:01] Why we’re skeptical of slick-talkers[59:52] Can rhetoric help rebuild institutional trust?[1:07:02] Physical closeness, emotion, and human connection[1:17:58] Empathy, sympathy, and manipulative rhetoric[1:22:54] Greta Thunberg’s vs Al Gore’s climate change rhetoric[1:32:01] How to avoid logical fallacies[1:51:59] Why bipartisanship is so elusive today[2:01:31] Empower your kids to speak better_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store:https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LH6kG42n-T8Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with writer and free speech advocate Katherine Brodsky to explore how fear and conformity have paralyzed honest dialogue in the West. Drawing on her own experience as the target of a cancellation mob for what should have been an uncontroversial statement, she’s been grappling with how our culture can return to sanity and re-embrace free speech as a core value. We reflect on how social media algorithms have distorted public discourse, whether the right is now engaging in the same bad behavior that defined the left over the past decade, and why having hard conversations is a skill we need to practice more as a society._____________________________________Follow Katherine on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/mysteriouskat?s=20Read Katherine’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@mysteriouskat_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Why Katherine called me out[6:33] How Katherine got cancelled[22:18] Her Soviet parents saw cancel culture coming[28:23] Why can’t we have reasonable conversations anymore?[36:03] Instinct, rationality, and algorithmic manipulation[43:20] Why some people stand up to the mob and others don’t[48:09] Where are the conservatives in academia and the arts?[1:00:06] Searching for truth in the Israel debate[1:09:22] Did the anti-woke backlash go to far?[1:19:07] Does Twitter represent the public’s actual opinions?[1:27:14] We’re still haunted by the atrocities of 2020[1:37:57] How hands-off should the government be?[1:48:54] Bodily autonomy and freedom of speech are non-negotiable[1:56:45] Is Muslim immigration compatible with the West?[2:13:51] Why has the left embraced anti-Americanism?[2:28:42] Free speech is a muscle_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bbncXIGIJaoMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe