Today, I recite my weekly Substack essay, released every Friday morning. On it I argue that the strongest form of patriotism starts at home and expands to neighbors and town, not national shouting matches. I map practical “bands of influence” and share concrete steps to build places where our kids want to live, work, and return.

• choosing a home and daily family rhythms that shape character
• building real ties with neighbors through service and presence
• investing in parish, school, library, and local business health
• why social media outrage rarely creates local change
• subsidiarity as a blueprint for effective civic action
• practical actions: meetings, cleanups, apprenticeships, small shops
• measuring a town by those who return to raise families

Start today. Attend that town meeting, accept that role on the zoning committee, bring your kids to the next food drive at your church. Start the downtown bakery you've always dreamt of. Be the patriot your hometown deserves.