Dad Saves America

John Papola
  • 4.6 (88)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. The Socialist Resurgence in Our Era of Broken Minds - Dr. Stephen Hicks

    4D AGO

    The Socialist Resurgence in Our Era of Broken Minds - Dr. Stephen Hicks

    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=20 Check 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/hCjuUIlJ0uU 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 59m
  2. “I Was Wrong”: Why the Civil War Is Running Late - Rudyard Lynch (WhatIfAltHist) 2026 Update

    FEB 5

    “I Was Wrong”: Why the Civil War Is Running Late - Rudyard Lynch (WhatIfAltHist) 2026 Update

    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/whatifalthist Check out WhatIfAltHist: https://www.youtube.com/Whatifalthist Check 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/RDmkKZ7vAkI 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 21m
  3. Mao Conquered China—Now He’s Taking America - Xi Van Fleet

    JAN 30

    Mao Conquered China—Now He’s Taking America - Xi Van Fleet

    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=20 Order a copy of Xi’s new book “Made in America”: https://a.co/d/bVwCieI Order 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/IiAVqhO6quA 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 21m
  4. Why We Hate the Healthcare System: Obamacare, Lobbyists, and Fraud - Michael Cannon

    JAN 22

    Why We Hate the Healthcare System: Obamacare, Lobbyists, and Fraud - Michael Cannon

    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=20 Read 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/nPnUI0OhMeA 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 44m
  5. Michael Shellenberger on ICE Protests, Censorship Threats, and His Radical Past in Venezuela

    JAN 16

    Michael Shellenberger on ICE Protests, Censorship Threats, and His Radical Past in Venezuela

    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=20 Read Michael’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@shellenberger Preorder 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_KzE0OXaE 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 33m
  6. AI Data Centers, Nuclear Power, and the Limits of Capitalism - Robert Bryce

    JAN 8

    AI Data Centers, Nuclear Power, and the Limits of Capitalism - Robert Bryce

    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=20 Watch Robert Bryce on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robertbryce?si=FKjtFk1G3WMudQw1 Read 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/jAfGUUAvGBA 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 14m
  7. We Broke Childhood. Here’s How to Fix It - Peter Gray

    JAN 1

    We Broke Childhood. Here’s How to Fix It - Peter Gray

    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/8iRrZHUnB4E 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 57m
  8. We Feminized Psychology, Parenting, and Society - Dr. Camilo Ortiz

    12/25/2025

    We Feminized Psychology, Parenting, and Society - Dr. Camilo Ortiz

    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/DrCamiloOrtiz Visit 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_wcB Dr. 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/cLouj8Hgvbg 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 15m
See All (176)

4.6
out of 5
88 Ratings

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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Papola
  • Show Website
    Dad Saves America

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