Dr. Matthew Mehan, associate dean and associate professor of government at Hillsdale College’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government in Washington, D.C., discusses The American Book of Fables and why stories still form citizens. A scholar of literature, rhetoric, and civic education, Mehan argues that arguments alone are not enough. People also need images that teach them to love courage, self-government, and the land. He explains how the book weaves fables, nursery rhymes, founding letters, and frontier accounts across 13 American regions, each tied to a phrase from the Declaration of Independence. 

The conversation ranges from the New England Primer and the Columbian Orator to Daniel Boone, wagon trains at Council Grove, and the difference between liberty and law on the Great Plains. Mehan warns that cozy, softened children’s literature has drained grit from the American imagination, while rival narratives rush in to replace our history. He calls for gratitude to forebears, discernment about the images we give children, and a frontier spirit aimed not only west, but east—toward recultivating American towns, checking foreign threats, and forming tough citizens for the next three centuries.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:00:28 – Why Fables Matter

00:02:03 – Literature and Civic Education

00:03:29 – Teaching Mind and Heart

00:04:00 – Stories That Shape Children

00:05:13 – Settlement and Revolution

00:06:02 – Courage at the Backbone

00:07:37 – Primer and Columbian Orator

00:08:50 – Recapturing American Grit

00:10:48 – Declaration as Framework

00:12:08 – Toughness of the Pioneers

00:14:12 – Recapturing Frontier Spirit

00:16:56 – Americanizing the Fable

00:19:35 – Imagination Against Softness

00:21:46 – Daniel Boone’s Sacrifice

00:24:26 – True Stories Versus False Ones

00:25:43 – History Contains a Story

00:28:43 – Hidden Nursery Rhyme Meanings

00:31:26 – Losing Touch With Origins

00:31:33 – Face East and Stay Tough

00:33:58 – Conquer or Be Conquered

00:36:19 – Unchanging Principles of Justice

00:37:26 – War for the Sake of Peace

00:39:33 – Raising the Literary Standard

00:40:25 – Discerning Books and Images

00:42:07 – Wit Married to Wisdom

You can find out more about Dr. Mehan here: https://dc.hillsdale.edu/Profiles/Matthew-Mehan/

You can order The American Book of Fables here: https://www.amazon.com/American-Book-Fables-Matthew-Mehan/dp/B0G1XYVC54

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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Paul Brown, founder of Wasson Watch Co., shares the story of building a business that openly embodies Christian, conservative, and patriotic values. He explains how the company began in 2018 out of a desire to create high-quality automatic mechanical watches while refusing to remain silent on the cultural issues of the day. The conversation covers the long product-development process, the slow early sales years, and the breakthrough that came after posting more freely on X. 

Brown discusses the Dominion dive watch, inscribed with Genesis 1:28 and featuring a Jerusalem cross, as a wearable statement of the call to take dominion and live with moral courage. 

The discussion expands to demographic changes in Texas, the nature of Islam as a system of power, the responsibility of Christians to oppose evil while loving individuals, and the urgent need for national repentance, reformation, and revival. Brown emphasizes daily Bible reading and prayer as the foundation for boldness, the importance of moral courage, and the truth that Christ reigns as King now. The episode closes with a clear call to faithfulness over outcomes and to act in the time and place God has placed us.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:02:22 – Founding Wasson Watch

00:07:56 – Product Development Timeline

00:09:09 – Growth on X Platform

00:10:57 – Why Watches Matter

00:14:59 – Jerusalem Cross Story

00:17:15 – Demographic Shifts in Texas

00:18:32 – Islam as Power System

00:21:53 – Mandate to Stand Firm

00:26:11 – National Day of Prayer

00:32:51 – Moral Courage Required

00:34:28 – Faithful in Little Things

00:37:08 – Christ Is King Now

00:42:09 – Faithfulness Over Outcomes

You can find Paul Brown on X @WassonWatch of purchase a watch at https://wassonwatch.com/

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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Aiden Buzzetti, president of the Bull Moose Project and the 1776 Project, discusses the difference between traditional think tanks and “action tanks” that move principles into real-world results. He explains how the Bull Moose Project began in the early Biden years as a way to sustain America First energy and why the organization draws its name from Theodore Roosevelt’s famous resilience after being shot mid-speech.

The conversation highlights the outsized power of local governance—especially school boards—where a single vote can shape curriculum, budgets, and daily life far more directly than one vote in Congress. Buzzetti details the practical work of preparing newly elected school board members, removing ideology from classrooms, and restoring focus on reading and math. He also walks through how congressional offices actually operate, the layers of staff gatekeeping, and why persistent physical presence remains the most effective way to influence policy.

Additional themes include cultural messaging around family formation, the long-term demographic advantage of communities that prioritize children, and why conservatives should remain engaged in public schools even while expanding school choice.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:57 – Local vs. DC

00:08:11 – Starting in the Biden Years

00:09:19 – Origin of Bull Moose

00:14:20 – Roosevelt and Trump Parallels

00:18:06 – Supporting School Boards

00:19:26 – How Congressional Offices Work

00:21:22 – Staff Layers and Gatekeeping

00:28:17 – Why Launch an Action Tank

00:32:31 – Promoting Family and Children

00:38:00 – Local Pushback

00:41:28 – Strategic Value of School Boards

You can find out more about Aiden's work at https://bullmooseproject.org/

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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Social psychologist Dr. Jose Duarte, PhD joins the conversation to examine the widespread problem of invalid and ideologically driven research in academia, particularly in social psychology. He describes how institutions that claim to seek truth often publish false claims about politics, climate, misinformation, and human nature, eroding public connection to reality and shaping policy on taxpayer dollars.

Dr. Duarte recounts his early experiences, including being denied admission to a graduate program over a blog post criticizing Jimmy Carter, and his role as lead author on a major 2015 paper documenting the lack of political diversity in academic psychology and its damaging effects on research validity. The discussion covers the replication crisis, concrete examples of flawed studies (such as those claiming conservatives rationalize inequality), the distinction between scholarship and rigorous research, and the embedding of leftist constructs like “microaggressions” into National Institutes of Health grants.

He details his recent efforts at NIH to develop a clean-science framework free of ideological bias, the limited progress made, ongoing funded projects that advance partisan narratives, and the broader consequences when media and policymakers treat such work as authoritative science. The episode closes with practical avenues for reform through Congress and the executive branch.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:00:47 – Junk Academic Research

00:01:15 – False Claims from Academia

00:04:44 – Duarte’s Professional Background

00:05:15 – Denied Graduate Admission

00:07:58 – 2015 Political Bias Paper

00:10:12 – Military Academia Disconnect

00:11:49 – Invalid Research Methods

00:13:10 – Conservatives Happiness Study

00:16:26 – Scholarship Versus Research

00:18:16 – Lack of Logic in the Field

00:20:21 – Examples of Ideological Titles

00:22:26 – Taxpayer Funded Ideology

00:24:41 – Defining Microaggressions

00:27:10 – NIH Microaggression Grants

00:28:58 – Clean Science Framework Work

00:32:53 – Impact of Junk Science

00:34:18 – COVID Mask Efficacy Claims

00:35:46 – False Claims on Conservatives

00:37:48 – Tyranny of the Experts

00:39:03 – Current Open NIH Grants

00:41:21 – Paths to Reform

You can find more of Dr. Duarte's work at https://validscience.substack.com

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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In this follow-up interview, Pastor Jake Dell continues the conversation by sharing how he is revitalizing First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut, growing the congregation through bold, historic Christian preaching. He explains Operation Reconquista, the movement to reclaim mainline Protestant churches that have drifted into progressive theology. Dell makes the case that Christians have a responsibility to engage these historic institutions rather than abandon them, drawing on America’s founding, the role of Protestant denominations, and lessons from J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. He outlines practical strategies, including starting with smaller under-resourced churches, using legal mechanisms for well-endowed ones, understanding denominational bylaws and state religious corporation laws, and the importance of stewardship from Genesis. The discussion also covers the myth of strict church-state separation in early America, the fallacy of the “red letter” argument, the role of social media in spreading uncompromised preaching, and the need for righteous boldness in the pulpit today.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:04:32 – Operation Reconquista Explained

00:08:52 – Machen and the Century-Old Fight

00:10:36 – Conservative Resistance in Episcopal Church

00:16:44 – Purpose Beyond Institutional Wins

00:18:51 – Following Bylaws and Legal Standards

00:21:54 – Separation of Church and State Myth

00:26:12 – Stewardship Mandate from Genesis

00:28:15 – Healing Sick Parts of the Church

00:32:32 – Red Letter Argument Fallacy

00:35:19 – Social Media for Bold Preaching

00:38:50 – Advice to Pastors in Captured Denominations

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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Pastor Jake Dell shares his personal journey from the Episcopal Church to his current role at First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut. He explains the progressive theological drift he witnessed in mainline denominations, the pressure to signal conformity on cultural issues, and the events that led him to resign in 2024. 

Dell recounts his early call to ministry, experiences at Yale, the impact of Obergefell on the Episcopal Church, and how COVID-era policies and 2020 protests revealed inconsistencies that pushed him to speak more boldly from the pulpit. He discusses the difference between the form of religion and its true power, the proper role of pastors in addressing cultural and civic matters, and why he believes Christians must actively reclaim institutions rather than abandon them. The conversation highlights the growth he has seen in his current congregation by returning to historic Christian preaching and refusing to compromise on core truths.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:03:30 – Mainline Theological Drift

00:04:24 – Early Faith and Calling

00:09:33 – Divisive Cultural Issues

00:14:29 – Johnson Amendment as Excuse

00:21:23 – Post-Obergefell Shift

00:27:05 – 2020 as Turning Point

00:32:11 – Gospel Implications for Culture

00:34:17 – Public Witness Required

00:37:00 – School Board Stand

00:41:03 – Resignation and Fresh Start

00:42:19 – Growth Through Biblical Preaching

You can find more of Jake Dell's work on Substack at https://jwdell.substack.com/

You can pre-order Jake's book, Exile and Return, here: https://payhip.com/b/Hc6up

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

#Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

Dr. Mark Christian shares his remarkable journey from a devout Muslim upbringing in Cairo, Egypt, to surviving a horrific assassination attempt. He describes the early seeds of doubt that took root during a period of intense personal study, the painful confrontation with his father after seeking answers to deep inconsistencies in the faith, and the decade of family estrangement that followed.

The conversation centers on the events of March 29, 2003, when Dr. Christian walked into what he believed would be a reconciliation meeting, only to face a firebomb that nearly ended his life. He recounts the miracle of his survival after tripping on a rug at the entrance, an event he credits to divine protection, and the long physical and emotional recovery that followed.

Beyond his personal story, Dr. Christian explains why he came to see Islam as both a religion and a political movement that cannot be separated. He discusses the strategy of civilization jihad, the challenges of assimilation in Western societies, and the urgent need for citizens to understand and defend the foundational principles of freedom and national identity. This episode explores the high personal cost of standing for truth and the broader implications for Western culture today.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:37 – Survived Assassination

00:02:48 – The 2003 Incident

00:03:10 – Childhood in Egypt

00:05:21 – Movie Theater Incident

00:06:49 – Questioning Islam

00:08:33 – Seeking Father's Help

00:12:27 – Firebomb Ambush

00:15:03 – Zeal to Spread Islam

00:18:42 – Muhammad's Missing Proof

00:36:12 – Melting Pot America

You can find out more about Dr. Mark Christian's work at Global Faith Institute's website: https://globalfaith.org/

You can find Dr. Mark Christian's book, The Apostate here: https://www.amazon.com/Apostate-My-Search-Truth/dp/1737176300

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

#Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Dr. Herbert Riedel, former community college president and author of Silenced, to discuss the pressures of maintaining moral and intellectual integrity in today’s higher education environment. Riedel shares his experience leading institutions, confronting institutional conformity, and the personal and professional costs of resisting woke ideology. They explore how cultural Marxism influences campuses, accreditors, regulators, and professional associations, and why even red states are not immune. The conversation covers critical race theory compliance failures, gender ideology enforcement, and the challenges of reforming entrenched bureaucracies. Riedel also outlines his vision for Clymer College, a new institution grounded in classical education, true academic freedom, and whole-person development rooted in American founding principles. A candid look at institutional rot in education and paths toward renewal.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:15 – Career Path and Challenges

00:03:08 – Silenced Book Overview

00:05:59 – Vision for Clymer College

00:10:15 – Location and Timeline

00:14:11 – Classical Liberal Arts

00:18:21 – Community Colleges Role

00:22:49 – Northeast Iowa Experience

00:28:55 – Administrative Pushback

00:34:18 – Doing the Right Thing

00:41:22 – Advice for Educators

You can find out more about Clymer College at https://www.clymercollege.org/

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Ron Freeman — former NFL player for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, All-American at Pittsburg State University, Chaplain for the Royals and Chiefs, and current football coach at Maranatha Christian Academy. Ron shares his powerful journey from a non-church background to a transforming encounter with Christ at age 25, including the moment God spoke to him about being adopted as a son. The conversation explores Ron’s book Rethinking Race, the spiritual roots of racial division, and why secular solutions fail where the gospel succeeds. They discuss fatherlessness in the black community, the impact of the Great Society programs, victimhood narratives, law enforcement encounters, and the call to unity in Christ that transcends ethnicity. Ron emphasizes loving God and neighbor as the true path to healing. This episode challenges listeners to view identity, justice, and culture through a biblical lens rather than worldly categories. A bold, hopeful discussion on faith, manhood, and national unity.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:12 – Faith Journey

00:05:00 – Rethinking Race Book

00:06:51 – Spiritual Problem

00:08:22 – Early Experiences

00:11:01 – Gospel Over Politics

00:15:12 – Law Enforcement Stories

00:24:41 – The Story of Crispus Attucks

00:30:57 – Black Leadership Critique

00:40:20 – Next Book Vision

You can find Ron’s book "Rethinking Race" on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Race-Better-Than-Believe/dp/B0DN88MKFT

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

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Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Josiah Lippincott back to Finding Your Spine for a candid follow-up discussion on how the two first connected. Lippincott recounts his viral 2021 Twitter exchange with a general over COVID policies and rising military suicides, which thrust him into the national spotlight. The conversation dives deep into institutional decay within the military — from “Mil Twitter” activism and ideological capture to senior leaders disconnected from the public they serve. They examine the founders’ skepticism of large standing armies, the bloat of endless briefings, and whether today’s institutions can be reformed or must be reset from core principles. Topics include accountability, the consent of the governed, parallel institutions, and what real national defense should look like in a republic. This episode offers sharp analysis on reclaiming military purpose, restoring constitutional focus, and why speaking truth remains essential even when facing institutional pushback.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:05 – The Viral Twitter Clash

00:03:37 – Going Viral and Fox News

00:06:50 – Mil Twitter and Institutional Rot

00:11:06 – Regime as a Choir

00:12:23 – What Happened to the Critics

00:15:20 – Burn It Down or Reform

00:19:06 – Founders and Standing Armies

00:23:46 – Resetting Institutions

00:26:11 – Pentagon as a Sovereign City

00:30:33 – Consent of the Governed

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

#Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen