Dad Saves America

John Papola

Proud papa, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and arm-chair philosopher John Papola explores the biggest issues facing our kids, our communities, and our country through the lens of fatherhood. We produce powerful stories, exclusive interviews, mini-documentaries, and deep dives on a weekly basis. Our goal is to build a movement of dads and could-be dads who embrace our heroic calling to raise a new generation ready to thrive in a free society and be champions of civilization. We’ve had all sorts of experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew, Michael Shellenberger, Bret Weinstein, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Adam Carolla. www.dadsavesamerica.com

  1. Matt Kibbe on the Deep State, Fauci, and the COVID Coverup

    5 DAYS AGO

    Matt Kibbe on the Deep State, Fauci, and the COVID Coverup

    I sat down with Matt Kibbe, libertarian activist and founder of Free the People, to talk about his documentary series “The Coverup,” which exposes COVID-era malfeasance, America’s corrupt bureaucratic machine, and the failure of the “expert class,” best embodied by Anthony Fauci himself. Matt’s activism dates back to the early days of the Tea Party movement, where he took the tactics that leftists had perfected over decades and successfully wielded them for the anti-big-government, pro-liberty cause. Reinvigorated by COVID lockdowns and vaccine mandates, he sees hope in the new, anti-authoritarian coalition that transcends left-versus-right politics—it’s We the People versus the Deep State. _____________________________________ Follow Matt on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/mkibbe Watch “The Coverup”: https://www.blazetv.com/series/71poNfD6H4OK-the-coverup Learn more about Free the People: https://freethepeople.org/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Organizing the Tea Party wave [14:34] The new coalition crosses left and right [19:23] Activism, fundraising, and corporate corruption [25:44] Speaking out against COVID lockdowns [34:03] How “public health” was militarized after 9/11 [46:29] COVID could’ve been so much worse [48:40] Bureaucracy isn’t just wasteful—it’s dangerous [50:57] Pandemics and authoritarianism go hand-in-hand [53:09] “The science” is just technocratic fascism [58:59] Every pandemic is exaggerated to create panic [1:02:17] Is the “private vs. public” distinction actually real? [1:11:14] “The experts” won’t save us, but the people can _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/icnMGAFC-Rs Make 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

    1h 16m
  2. The Sexual Revolution Ruined Millennials. Will Gen Z Get It Right? - Aleks Svetski

    2 OCT

    The Sexual Revolution Ruined Millennials. Will Gen Z Get It Right? - Aleks Svetski

    I sat down with Aleks Svetski, author of “The UnCommunist Manifesto” and “The Bushido of Bitcoin,” to discuss why socialism fails, the fallout of the sexual revolution, and Bitcoin’s potential for our future. The Millennial generation was the test case for absolute gender equality—even to the point of ignoring biology—and now Gen Z is searching for different solutions, from full-blown communism to hard-core traditionalism. We dig into why socialists misunderstand the world, the need for values beyond economics, and I ask Aleks some questions I have about Bitcoin. _____________________________________ Follow Aleks on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AleksSvetski Aleks on Substack: https://substack.com/@svetskiwrites ”The UnCommunist Manifesto”: https://a.co/d/icDKFRI “The Bushido of Bitcoin”: https://a.co/d/fjBEd8G _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] “The UnCommunist Manifesto” [4:39] Will the Mamdani trend last? [14:24] How to talk someone out of socialism [25:52] Deploying capital effectively and efficiently [32:51] Learning the messy reality of business [46:44] Leftists care more about animals than family [54:32] Why do we romanticize the noble savage? [1:01:11] Economics doesn’t describe all of life [1:10:53] Masculinity, femininity, and reality [1:32:31] How conservatives lost the sexual revolution [1:42:39] Love, respect, and authority [1:53:19] Is AI revolutionary or overhyped? [2:00:11] Can we trust that Bitcoin will survive? [2:28:58] The morality of monetary systems [2:41:16] Equality, fairness, and justice [2:48:56] Dependence is dehumanizing [2:54:58] Parenting is about modeling _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eiEsteZojb8 Make 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

    2h 60m
  3. Peter Boghossian: Can We Still Find Common Ground in the Wake of Charlie Kirk?

    25 SEPT

    Peter Boghossian: Can We Still Find Common Ground in the Wake of Charlie Kirk?

    I sat down with philosopher and author Peter Boghossian to wrestle with America’s deepening fracture. Why are so many people cheering political violence, and what—if anything—can pull us back? Ideological capture throughout the education system has broken our engines of knowledge production, turning them into “indoctrination mills” and teaching young Americans to see opponents as existential threats. Is reform even possible at this point? Peter makes the case for burning it all down—or, more accurately, for making these institutions pay the cost of their vices and watching them collapse under their own weight. _____________________________________ Follow Peter on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/peterboghossian Peter on Substack: https://boghossian.substack.com/ Peter on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drpeterboghossian/featured _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Charlie Kirk’s murder revealed a deep divide [5:11] Can we reform away political bias on campus? [15:01] Am I a hypocrite with my own son? [22:13] TikTok, disinformation, and echo chambers [32:09] Should government restrict vices? [39:41] What are do “left” and “right” mean in 2025? [49:24] Destroy the institutions but forgive the individuals [59:11] The left needs to come back to the table [1:06:22] Does the left offer anything to our society? [1:16:38] Can we agree on some neutral principles? [1:32:08] What if we just banned the crazies? [1:37:20] Money printing is the ultimate luxury belief [1:42:01] We will eventually pay the price for our vices _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L-cFuqD_G7c Make 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

    1h 53m
  4. Bret Weinstein on Genetic Tribalism and the Global Backlash Against Jews - Part 2

    18 SEPT

    Bret Weinstein on Genetic Tribalism and the Global Backlash Against Jews - Part 2

    I sat down with evolutionary biologist Bret Weinstein to explore how evolution can help make sense of tribalism, religion, and the ongoing war in Gaza. He shares his experience commenting on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the simultaneous resurgence and weaponization of antisemitism, speaking both as a scientist and as an American Jew who doesn’t see his views reflected by either major camp. Bret warns against embracing our genetic programming for "lineage-against-lineage" displacement, rather than the collaborative spirit that built Western civilization. _____________________________________ Follow Bret on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/BretWeinstein Watch the Darkhorse Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DarkHorsePod/featured Purchase a copy of “A Hunter-Gather’s Guide to the 21st Century”: https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Gatherers-Guide-21st-Century-Challenges/dp/0593086880 _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Evolution of culture and religion [12:32] Antisemitism and conspiracy thinking [20:38] How Israeli policy impacts Jews globally [26:42] Nazi Twitter went mainstream [33:17] John’s take on Israel-Palestine [42:30] Bret’s evolutionary take on the Gaza War [52:26] How genes get into the future [1:01:08] Is Christianity evolutionarily adaptive? [1:10:26] We aren’t fit for the world we’ve built _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3avvi_qwdxk Make 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

    1h 18m
  5. Bret Weinstein on Epstein, Globalization, and How Our Institutions Went Insane - Part 1

    4 SEPT

    Bret Weinstein on Epstein, Globalization, and How Our Institutions Went Insane - Part 1

    I sat down with evolutionary biologist Bret Weinstein to unpack how behind-the-scenes power and perverse incentives have hollowed out America’s institutions. Bret argues that issues like the Epstein saga, COVID propaganda, and transgender ideology have exposed a deeper problem: elites wield leverage out of sight while government, media, and universities rely on theatrical, so-called “expertise” to bolster public authority. Our institutions so consistently engage in the exact inverse of good governance and common sense that many Americans are left wondering what remains of our democratic republic—and whether the West can be pulled back from the brink. _____________________________________ Follow Bret on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/BretWeinstein Watch the Darkhorse Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DarkHorsePod/featured Purchase a copy of “A Hunter-Gather’s Guide to the 21st Century”: https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Gatherers-Guide-21st-Century-Challenges/dp/0593086880 _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What’s going on with the Epstein files? [17:30] The internet and dysfunctional governance [22:00] Why modern institutions agree on bad ideas [33:30] Corrupt the incentives, corrupt the elite [42:42] Can the Constitution survive globalization? [50:25] Are we evolving towards virtual community? [1:00:10] When governments turn on their own people [1:07:38] The battle between “us” and “them” _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DmcaH_Gkj9c Make 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

    1h 28m
  6. Paul Zak on Neuroscience, Trust, and Why Communism Sucks

    28 AUG

    Paul Zak on Neuroscience, Trust, and Why Communism Sucks

    I sat down with neuroeconomist, author, and entrepreneur Paul Zak to discuss the neuroscience of human behavior and society. Paul explains his work on oxytocin—the "moral molecule"—and how it affects everything from political beliefs and economic systems to our most intimate relationships. We discuss why a lack of "friction" is making Gen Z miserable, why strong relationships are essential for success, and how to build a resilient mind in an anxious world. _____________________________________ Purchase “The Little Book of Happiness”: https://a.co/d/fnWrfdX Learn more about Paul’s “Six” app: https://your6.com/ Follow Paul on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/pauljzak _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] The role of biology in economics [10:35 10:49] Are humans rational? [16:33 16:47] Oxytocin, trust, and cooperation [23:58 24:12] How do screens impact our interactions? [27:56] Homogeneity vs. polarization [34:33] Learning new skills with neuroscience [38:56] You need to encounter friction in life [50:08] Acclimate to fear and uncertainty [54:53] Good relationships allow you to take risks [58:25] The neuroscience of dating, politics, and masculinity [1:11:17] Testosterone turns Democrats into Republicans? [1:18:13] You always have to fight communism [1:26:20] Status-seeking is a zero-sum game [1:32:34] “The Little Book of Happiness” [1:37:06] The morality of free markets [1:43:53] The pros and cons of American dynamism [1:49:13] Is persuasion just manipulation? [2:02:29] Building an app to set emotional goals _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ldhH-yo0_zc Make 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

    2h 5m
  7. Education Is About Forming Souls, Not Filling Brains – Fr. Daniel O'Mullane

    21 AUG

    Education Is About Forming Souls, Not Filling Brains – Fr. Daniel O'Mullane

    I sat down with Father Daniel O’Mullane, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, to discuss how and why he’s built a Catholic school based on the classical education model. Rather than obsessing over college and career preparation, the typical goals of primary and secondary schooling, he approaches education from the ground up, prioritizing the intellectual, social, and spiritual development of children. Fr. O’Mullane believes that time-tested teaching methods—measured in centuries, not decades—and the great works of Western civilization are among the best tools for cultivating students’ sense of meaning and purpose in a culture adrift. _____________________________________ Learn more about Our Lady of Mount Carmel School: https://olmc.academy/ Follow Fr. O’Mullane on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/fatherdano _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Not your average Catholic school [5:38] Should “college and career” be the goal of school? [23:28] Purpose, narrative, and progress [36:50] Man is both spiritual and material [56:43] What does classical education look like? [1:07:17] Why the great works of Western civilization matter [1:13:38] Orderly behavior vs. true virtue [1:17:45] Building a school that’s better than prison [1:26:28] School should protect a child’s sense of wonder [1:32:09] Schools shouldn’t interfere with parenting [1:37:44] How to find teachers who aren’t ideologically captured [1:41:03] Entrepreneurship within the Church structure [1:55:56] How Fr. O’Mullane’s became a priest [2:15:28] What is the future of faith in our culture? [2:18:00] Rise to meet the demands of love _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xBW7NePlI0U Make 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

    2h 22m
  8. Why We Should Cut Legal Immigration In Half - Mark Krikorian

    14 AUG

    Why We Should Cut Legal Immigration In Half - Mark Krikorian

    I sat down with Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, to discuss why he believes we should significantly reduce immigration levels. Often, the immigration debate is so focused on illegal immigration that equally important questions about legal immigration are entirely ignored. As Mark points out, even President Trump—smeared as an anti-immigrant radical—has generally supported high levels of legal immigration. Mark, on the other hand, is an unapologetic restrictionist. Our conversation digs deep into the economics of immigration, the importance of assimilation, and practical solutions to our current immigration conundrum. _____________________________________ Learn more about the Center for Immigration Studies: https://cis.org/ Follow Mark on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/MarkSKrikorian _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Modern immigration isn’t like Ellis Island [8:51] What does assimilation mean? [20:48] Trump’s reelection and cultural alignment [29:39] Isn’t more workers better for the economy? [43:05] Consumer prices, farm labor, and automation [55:37] The problem with libertarian utopianism [59:11] How can we know the “right” amount of immigration? [1:03:44] What’s the problem with H-1B visas? [1:07:46] Trump isn’t an immigration restrictionist [1:13:11] What do we do about non-criminal illegal immigrants? [1:28:02] Should we “build the wall”? [1:33:38] Should we rethink birthright citizenship? [1:40:42] Was Mitt Romney right about self-deportation? [1:47:49] Population decline and the welfare state [1:55:55] We are communities, not just individuals _____________________________________ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DRRsKtoml3I Make 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

    2h 6m
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About

Proud papa, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and arm-chair philosopher John Papola explores the biggest issues facing our kids, our communities, and our country through the lens of fatherhood. We produce powerful stories, exclusive interviews, mini-documentaries, and deep dives on a weekly basis. Our goal is to build a movement of dads and could-be dads who embrace our heroic calling to raise a new generation ready to thrive in a free society and be champions of civilization. We’ve had all sorts of experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew, Michael Shellenberger, Bret Weinstein, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Adam Carolla. www.dadsavesamerica.com

Information

  • Creator
    John Papola
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John Papola
  • Show Website
    Dad Saves America

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