Finding Your Spine

Herzog Foundation
  • 4.3 (11)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

In a time when courage feels increasingly rare, Finding Your Spine challenges the status quo. Hosted by Dr. Chase Spears, this weekly podcast explores how Christians—and even secular conservatives—can stand firm in their values amid the pressures of cancel culture. With insightful commentary and bold conversations, Dr. Spears examines the tradeoff many make between conscience and comfort, reminding listeners that true freedom requires the spine to defend it. Tune in each week for thought-provoking discussions that inspire moral courage in an age of compromise.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Thirty Year Fight Against Anthrax Mandates and Illegal Orders

    Dr. Chase Spears welcomes retired Air Force Colonel Tom Rempfer, whose nearly 30-year battle against the unlawful anthrax vaccine mandate mirrors the recent fight against COVID shot coercion in the military. Tom shares how the program—declared illegal by federal courts in 2004 for using an unapproved, investigational product—led to punishments, discharges, and career setbacks for thousands of service members. He details historical parallels: the vaccine's regulatory failures (no finalized FDA license since 1985), post-Gulf War concerns linking it to undiagnosed illnesses, the 2001 anthrax letter attacks (later tied to a Fort Detrick insider saving the failing program), and the creation of emergency use authorization as a lowered standard to bypass injunctions. The conversation explores gaslighting, inverted accountability (whistleblowers punished, enablers promoted), and the urgent need for record corrections, back pay, and proactive reviews—patterns repeated in the COVID era. Tom urges the current administration to extend equitable remedies to anthrax veterans, emphasizing constitutional duty over blind compliance. A powerful call to learn from history and never give in. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:23 - Tom's Career and Advocacy 00:02:08 - What Keeps the Fight Going 00:03:13 - Gulf War Illness Connections 00:04:59 - Investigational Vaccine Status 00:06:16 - Regulatory Failures Pre-2003 00:07:15 - Emergency Use Authorization History 00:09:31 - Anthrax Letters and Cover-Up 00:11:22 - Parallels to COVID Mandates 00:13:21 - Inversion of Accountability 00:15:19 - Gulf War Exposures Revisited 00:17:16 - Nixon's 1969 Biodefense Memo 00:19:50 - White House Interventions 00:22:44 - Fort Detrick Insider Role 00:25:06 - Command Gaslighting Experiences 00:28:23 - Duty to Disobey Illegal Orders 00:32:14 - Current Remedies and Hope 00:34:15 - Equitable Treatment Needed 00:36:05 - 2018 Trump Directive Undermined 00:38:52 - Call for Anthrax Record Fixes 00:42:29 - Task Force Accountability 00:46:09 - Whistleblower Treatment Patterns 00:48:31 - Senate Report 197 Lessons 00:50:35 - Biodefense Strategy Failures 00:53:15 - Naval Postgraduate Recognition 00:55:04 - COVID Cover-Up Parallels 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

    1 hr

  2. FEB 23

    Saving Babies at the Sidewalk

    Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Brian Westbrook, founder and president of Coalition Life in St. Louis, Missouri. Brian shares the remarkable journey of building a ministry dedicated to professional sidewalk counseling and high-risk pregnancy support, starting from a small group in 2011 and expanding across Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and beyond.Hear how Coalition Life has helped facilitate over 4,800 turnarounds outside abortion facilities and serves around 1,000 clients annually through their pregnancy center, with many high-risk women choosing life. Brian opens up about his own life-changing turning point — a near-tragic health crisis with his infant son that led him to rededicate his life and eventually leave a successful engineering career to answer a calling to protect the unborn.The conversation covers the realities of sidewalk ministry, facing hostility and legal challenges, the impact of the Dobbs decision, the dangers of chemical abortion pills, the importance of men stepping up, and the ongoing need for prayer, support, and involvement in local pro-life efforts. It's an inspiring call to live and lead boldly in defense of life. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:31 - Welcoming Brian Westbrook 00:01:04 - What Coalition Life Does 00:01:57 - Creating a Pregnancy Center 00:02:37 - Professionalizing Sidewalk Counseling 00:04:47 - Over 4800 Lives Saved 00:07:00 - Brian's Unexpected Path 00:09:34 - A Life-Changing Crisis 00:12:10 - Family and Blessings 00:15:17 - First Steps at the Clinic 00:19:32 - Launching in 2011 00:22:46 - Post-Dobbs Challenges 00:26:32 - Facing Hostility 00:33:13 - Dobbs and Chemical Abortion 00:38:40 - Men Stepping Up 00:44:35 - Sustaining the Mission 00:49:54 - How to Get Involved 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

    52 min

  3. FEB 16

    Where are These Unaccompanied Minors Being Sent to?

    Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Dr. Clarissa Rippee, a former GSA contract specialist turned whistleblower, for a powerful conversation on one of the darkest chapters of recent border policy. Clarissa shares how a routine training session revealed massive government contracts—hundreds of millions of dollars—awarded to transport unaccompanied minors crossing the border illegally to unknown destinations across the U.S. and beyond. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:48 - Discovery in Training 00:02:09 - Contract Details 00:05:40 - Minnesota Fraud Parallel 00:08:15 - Initial Reaction 00:09:20 - Decision to Speak Out 00:15:19 - Reaching James O'Keefe 00:19:38 - Where Children Ended Up 00:24:15 - Scale of the Crisis 00:30:39 - Drafting Evil Plans 00:35:26 - Ongoing Search Efforts 00:39:35 - Media Blackout 00:44:35 - Lack of GSA Retaliation 00:50:10 - Still Employed During Interview 00:57:01 - Closing Prayer 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

    1 hr

  4. FEB 9

    Defending Religious Liberty for Those in Uniform

    Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Mike Berry, senior counsel and executive director of external affairs at First Liberty Institute, for a powerful conversation on living out faith boldly—especially in the military. A fellow Marine Corps veteran, Mike shares how a book on America's founding fathers ignited his passion for religious liberty, leading him to sue his own law school as a student and later represent high-profile cases like Coach Joe Kennedy's Supreme Court victory and Navy SEALs during the COVID mandate battles. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:17 - Path to Religious Liberty 00:05:49 - Suing Law School 00:12:25 - Law School Lawsuit Resolution 00:18:20 - Coach Kennedy Case 00:20:07 - Army Chaplain Case 00:23:57 - Commanders' Fear of Offense 00:33:16 - Military Recruiting Crisis 00:39:34 - Personal COVID Impact 00:42:39 - JAG Training Shortfalls 00:49:08 - Restoring Military Culture 00:55:34 - Advice to Law Students 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

    1h 1m

  5. FEB 2

    Courage in the Ranks

    Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Army veteran Sam Shoemate—creator of Terminal CWO, whistleblower who exposed military misconduct, and Chief of Staff for Pete Chambers' Texas Governor campaign. Sam shares how his page started as humor but became a platform for truth during Covid, the 8-month reprisal investigation, refusing unlawful orders, the culture of shadow policy, and why fathers must model courage for their kids. A raw look at accountability in the ranks and refusing to back down. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:47 - Terminal CWO Origins 00:05:05 - Breaking Military News 00:07:11 - Building Trusted Sources 00:09:27 - Shadow Policy Explained 00:12:09 - Protecting the Institution 00:17:03 - General Officer Hypocrisy 00:20:41 - Why Reform Stalls 00:24:14 - COVID Reinstatement Failures 00:30:17 - Apathy as National Threat 00:34:40 - Defending the Constitution 00:36:46 - Starting Terminal CWO 00:42:49 - Exposing COVID Violations 00:46:18 - Doxed and Investigated 00:58:51 - Service Member Abuse Stories 01:03:13 - 2025 Manifesto Incident 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

    1h 13m

  6. JAN 26

    Standing in Honor Against Tyranny

    Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Air Force Reserve Major Kim Bitter, a 20-year veteran flight nurse, mother, and midwife, to share her ongoing battle with the military over vaccine policies. Kim details her distinguished service, including a 2016 deployment to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as officer in charge of an aeromedical evacuation crew, where her team evacuated critically injured personnel from battlefields to advanced care facilities. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:29 - Board of Inquiry Explained 00:03:16 - Ongoing Discharge Push 00:04:50 - Contradictory Honorable Finding 00:06:41 - Cognitive Dissonance in Commanders 00:12:47 - Entry into Military Service 00:15:04 - Becoming a Flight Nurse 00:19:29 - Deployment Experiences 00:27:36 - COVID Mandate Onset 00:30:39 - Unlawful Order Recognition 00:37:58 - Rights in Uniform 00:45:01 - No Pay/No Points Status 00:50:06 - Flu Shot Refusal 00:54:12 - Board Findings on Other Allegations The views expressed by the guest are her own, and do not reflect the position of the Herzog Foundation, the U.S. Air Force or the Department of War. 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

    1h 4m

  7. JAN 19

    Fired Professor Exposes DEI Fraud in Florida

    Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Dr. Rick Addante—former NASA scientist, astronaut finalist, tenured professor, and whistleblower fired from Florida Tech after exposing the university president’s plan to secretly continue DEI programs despite state bans. Rick shares his journey from rough Chicago roots to groundbreaking neuroscience, starting a classical Christian farm school, refusing the Covid vaccine, and now fighting back in court. A raw conversation on moral courage, the cost of truth, and why fathers must model integrity for the next generation. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:47 - Rough Childhood & Moral Compass 00:04:18 - Wrestling & Tenacity 00:07:05 - Classical Christian Farm School 00:09:58 - Parental Involvement Model 00:12:36 - Outdoor Farm Curriculum 00:15:47 - Florida Tech DEI Fraud Exposure 00:20:10 - Whistleblower Reprisal & Lawsuit 00:24:54 - Vaccine Refusal Stand 00:28:29 - Courage for Children 00:33:18 - Scripture & Early Martyrs 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

    1h 27m

  8. JAN 12

    What's a Classical Farm School?

    Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Air Force reserve officer Jace Yarbrough—combat vet, founder of Saint Francis Academy (a classical Christian farm school), and plaintiff suing the Air Force for free speech rights after a reprimand for his retirement speech. Jace shares the vision behind his school’s unique model (parent-led, outdoor-focused, accessible to all incomes), why tactile farm life forms virtue in kids, his refusal of the Covid vaccine, the reprisals that followed, and how Scripture and stories like Wilberforce inspire bold leadership today. A powerful conversation on education, courage, and raising the next generation. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:46 - Welcoming Jace Yarbrough 00:01:47 - Air Force Service & Law 00:03:07 - Saint Francis Academy Origin 00:07:44 - Classical Christian Farm Model 00:11:01 - Parental Involvement & Accessibility 00:14:11 - Outdoor & Farm Curriculum 00:18:18 - Forming Virtue Through Nature 00:21:39 - Air Force Reprisal Story 00:25:02 - Free Speech Lawsuit 00:29:06 - Vaccine Refusal & Stand 00:35:58 - Theology of Vocation 00:43:18 - Scripture & Wilberforce Inspiration 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

    1h 21m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

In a time when courage feels increasingly rare, Finding Your Spine challenges the status quo. Hosted by Dr. Chase Spears, this weekly podcast explores how Christians—and even secular conservatives—can stand firm in their values amid the pressures of cancel culture. With insightful commentary and bold conversations, Dr. Spears examines the tradeoff many make between conscience and comfort, reminding listeners that true freedom requires the spine to defend it. Tune in each week for thought-provoking discussions that inspire moral courage in an age of compromise.

Information

  • Creator
    Herzog Foundation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Herzog Foundation
  • Show Website
    Finding Your Spine

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