Dad Saves America

John Papola
  • 4.6 (82)
  • 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. We Feminized Psychology, Parenting, and Society - Dr. Camilo Ortiz

    2D AGO

    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
  2. Build America Up—Don’t Burn It To the Ground - Doug DeVos

    DEC 18

    Build America Up—Don’t Burn It To the Ground - Doug DeVos

    I sat down with former Amway CEO Doug DeVos to talk about what it means to believe in the American way in an era defined by cynicism. Prosperity doesn’t come from slogans or politics—it comes from families, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who take responsibility and create real value. We unpack why pessimism has become a cultural default, how that mindset quietly erodes ambition and gratitude, and why faith in America must be rooted in action, not nostalgia. _____________________________________ Follow Doug on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Doug_DeVos?s=20 Read “Believe! Journal” on Substack: https://www.thebelievejournal.com/ Purchase a copy of “Believe!”: https://a.co/d/8SfMYUV _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Elite influence or philanthropic leadership? [7:48] The Midwest’s community culture [11:19] Does online polarization represent real life? [21:53] American idealism vs. “burn it all down” [28:43] How did family formation become political? [36:37] Trust fund kids and generational wealth [42:38] The history of Amway [49:18] Criticisms of multi-level marketing [51:11] Sales is the most underrated career path [1:03:17] Free enterprise as a moral system [1:08:54] How do successful large organizations work? [1:14:43] Is the optimistic American spirit fading? [1:19:17] Life, liberty, and the pursuit of virtue [1:23:41] Building trust in a post-truth world [1:26:51] The Founding Fathers’ skepticism of power [1:34:40] The internet, social media, and AI [1:38:18] Does anything shake Doug’s optimism? [1:43:17] America is the comeback nation [1:46:27] How becoming a parent frees you from ego [1:50:01] Take on the responsibility of citizenship _____________________________________ 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/R2wk_QgvBwA 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 54m
  3. Bridget Phetasy on Hookup Culture, Divorce, and Healing Our Culture

    DEC 11

    Bridget Phetasy on Hookup Culture, Divorce, and Healing Our Culture

    I sat down with comedian, writer, and host of “Walk-Ins Welcome,” Bridget Phetasy to talk about how she recovered from divorce, hookup culture, and addiction—and how those experiences shaped her views on our current cultural crisis. Writing for Playboy in the 2010s gave her a front-row seat to a society going mad. Bridget’s previously mainstream liberal beliefs were shattered one by one, eventually leading to the realization that marriage and parenthood were right for her all along. _____________________________________ Follow Bridget on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/BridgetPhetasy?s=20 Watch Bridget on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@phetasy?si=vocDzLaTe0_885Nz Watch “Walk-Ins Welcome”: https://youtube.com/@morebridgetphetasy?si=xkIAzwIDvtMP3rKQ Follow Bridget on Substack: https://www.phetasy.com/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What parenting teaches you [14:01] Start your family early [18:10] Where feminism goes too far [23:02] Hookup culture isn’t empowerment [34:53] Divorce triggers a dark spiral for kids [45:43] How pop culture shapes your beliefs [50:21] “Staying together for the kids” and real love [1:02:51] Having kids resets your ambitions [1:08:49] How broken people get lost in darkness [1:20:25] Identity is way more than your superficial traits [1:25:16] Trans surgeries and the power of sex [1:41:49] Is Islam incompatible with the West? [1:53:42] Group differences vs individual treatment [1:59:18] Can the 12 Steps heal America? [2:08:28] Institutional trust and the AI revolution [2:14:09] Psychological, ideological, and technological crises [2:28:19] Focus on creation, not destruction _____________________________________ 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/TwdnGWyjmUc 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 39m
  4. Dr. Drew on Narcissism, Childhood Trauma, and the Sexual Revolution

    DEC 4

    Dr. Drew on Narcissism, Childhood Trauma, and the Sexual Revolution

    I sat down with Dr. Drew Pinsky to unpack how a culture of narcissism is warping our relationships, our politics, and the way we raise our kids. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Drew explains how collapsing family structures create adults who are fragile on the inside but obsessed with curating a perfect image on the outside. We talk about how social media rewards performative outrage and mob “justice,” why so many young people now filter everything through a lens of victimhood, and how the sexual revolution reshaped intimacy in ways most people still don’t fully understand. _____________________________________ Follow Dr. Drew on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/drdrew Subscribe to Dr. Drew’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@DrDrew?si=ep1LT1yWvqUKxrYW _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Intro [0:53] What is narcissism? [15:17] Activist mobs, false empathy, and free speech [22:42] Narcissism vs sociopathy vs psychopathy [29:18] The impacts of social media [30:59] What is adulthood? [39:05] Family breakdown and the psychological crisis [51:38] “It Doesn’t Have To Be Awkward” [56:38] Grappling with gender identity confusion [1:05:53] The lasting effects of trauma [1:12:51] Marriage, divorce, and relationships [1:20:40] Why are gay and transgender issues lumped together? [1:23:18] Do Americans just need to toughen up? [1:25:18] Mental health impacts of COVID lockdowns [1:27:16] Social media hits girls and boys are differently [1:30:53] Homelessness, fatherlessness, and foster care _____________________________________ 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/RV0dnLFbu-k 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 37m
  5. The Neuroscience Behind the Culture War – Delia McCabe

    NOV 27

    The Neuroscience Behind the Culture War – Delia McCabe

    I sat down with neuroscience PhD Delia McCabe to explore why our brains are struggling in the modern world and what that means for our kids, our politics, and how we handle the AI revolution. Delia has spent her career digging into the effects of nutrition on mental health—either optimizing cognitive function or sending our brains into disastrous feedback loops. We also discuss biological sex differences, the rise of gender confusion, and the cognitive biases that have deranged our public discourse. _____________________________________ Read Delia’s Substack: https://deliamccabe.substack.com/ Learn more about Delia’s work: https://www.lighterbrighteryou.life/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What’s wrong with clinical psychology? [7:13] The link between food, behavior, and mental health [19:36] How neuroplasticity actually works [28:24] Thinking burns more energy than physical labor [33:15] Does neuroscience disprove free will? [39:43] Emotions can literally change what we know [45:30] You can’t separate the mind from the body [55:49] Confirmation bias vs “the feeling of knowing” [1:03:20] When is it safe to “trust your gut”? [1:12:27] Why smart people believe dumb ideas [1:18:40] What happens to your brain in your mid-20s? [1:30:14] “Social-emotional learning” and the trauma obsession [1:45:26] The black mirror, the uncanny valley, and narcissism [1:55:33] Male and female brains are objectively different [2:08:05] What’s causing the explosion of gender confusion? [2:21:38] Is feminization destroying our society? [2:38:32] Confronting your ignorance is painful but necessary [2:43:14] How can we heal the gender divide? [2:49:47] How can you change someone’s mind? [3:01:35] Why our psychology leads to big government [3:12:54] The jobs that attract smart psychopaths [3:25:56] Stress, focus, and creativity [3:36:43] Understand the brain, save America _____________________________________ 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/caiubV_hqCg 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

    3h 39m
  6. Persuasion VS Manipulation: Why We Don’t Trust Slick-Talkers - Jay Heinrichs

    NOV 21

    Persuasion VS Manipulation: Why We Don’t Trust Slick-Talkers - Jay Heinrichs

    I sat down with Jay Heinrichs, best-selling author of Thank You for Arguing, to explore the lost art of rhetoric and why Americans should relearn these skills. Most of us have forgotten how to persuade one another, and in an algorithmically optimized social media era, we’re increasingly vulnerable to constant manipulation. We dig into how, from Gavin Newsom to Donald Trump, our politicians use rhetorical tactics to greater and lesser effect. The ancient Greeks treated argument as a civic virtue—a tool for building relationships and solving problems. In the modern era, where political tribes talk past each other and rely on logical fallacies, elevating our public discourse is long overdue. _____________________________________ Learn more about Jay’s work: https://www.jayheinrichs.com/ Read Jay’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@jayheinrichs?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Purchase a copy of Jay’s latest book: https://a.co/d/5BV8IEF _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What is “rhetoric” and why did we forget it? [8:17] The collapse and rebirth of public debate [17:28] Inoculate your kids against manipulation [24:59] Disinterest vs “lived experience” in debate [34:51] Arguing about the past, present, and future [42:51] How to apply these tactics in a job interview [50:01] Why we’re skeptical of slick-talkers [59:52] Can rhetoric help rebuild institutional trust? [1:07:02] Physical closeness, emotion, and human connection [1:17:58] Empathy, sympathy, and manipulative rhetoric [1:22:54] Greta Thunberg’s vs Al Gore’s climate change rhetoric [1:32:01] How to avoid logical fallacies [1:51:59] Why bipartisanship is so elusive today [2:01:31] Empower your kids to speak better _____________________________________ 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/LH6kG42n-T8 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. My Soviet Parents Saw Cancel Culture Coming Before Anyone Else - Katherine Brodsky

    NOV 14

    My Soviet Parents Saw Cancel Culture Coming Before Anyone Else - Katherine Brodsky

    I sat down with writer and free speech advocate Katherine Brodsky to explore how fear and conformity have paralyzed honest dialogue in the West. Drawing on her own experience as the target of a cancellation mob for what should have been an uncontroversial statement, she’s been grappling with how our culture can return to sanity and re-embrace free speech as a core value. We reflect on how social media algorithms have distorted public discourse, whether the right is now engaging in the same bad behavior that defined the left over the past decade, and why having hard conversations is a skill we need to practice more as a society. _____________________________________ Follow Katherine on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/mysteriouskat?s=20 Read Katherine’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@mysteriouskat _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Why Katherine called me out [6:33] How Katherine got cancelled [22:18] Her Soviet parents saw cancel culture coming [28:23] Why can’t we have reasonable conversations anymore? [36:03] Instinct, rationality, and algorithmic manipulation [43:20] Why some people stand up to the mob and others don’t [48:09] Where are the conservatives in academia and the arts? [1:00:06] Searching for truth in the Israel debate [1:09:22] Did the anti-woke backlash go to far? [1:19:07] Does Twitter represent the public’s actual opinions? [1:27:14] We’re still haunted by the atrocities of 2020 [1:37:57] How hands-off should the government be? [1:48:54] Bodily autonomy and freedom of speech are non-negotiable [1:56:45] Is Muslim immigration compatible with the West? [2:13:51] Why has the left embraced anti-Americanism? [2:28:42] Free speech is a muscle _____________________________________ 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/bbncXIGIJao 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 42m
  8. Jonathan Haidt: Why Did Our Kids Starts To Go Crazy in 2012?

    NOV 6

    Jonathan Haidt: Why Did Our Kids Starts To Go Crazy in 2012?

    I sat down with social psychologist and bestselling author Jonathan Haidt to examine how overprotective parenting and unfettered access to social media have stunted the development of Gen Z. A decades-long obsession with safety has replaced unsupervised outdoor play with online binging—and now we’re faced with a younger generation that’s more anxious, less confident, and robbed of the independence and resilience needed to grow into capable adults. What will it take for America to raise free, competent, and happy children again? _____________________________________ Follow Jonathan on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/JonHaidt _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Introduction [0:49] The origin of “The Coddling of the American Mind” [2:13] What does it mean to be an adult? [10:22] Why parents should avoid over-scheduling [12:24] Is Gen Z actually that unique? [16:30] Social media’s impact on kids’ mental health [20:09] Looking beyond depression and anxiety [22:15] Do fragile kids become failed adults? [24:12] How can people achieve happiness? [28:38] The bad ideas running our society [29:39] Why is anti-fragility so important? [33:29] Stick-and-stones vs mean words [37:51] What is “locus of control”? [41:00] Should we trust our feelings? [45:20] Measuring childhood success [47:18] Kids’ problems become society’s problems [49:13] Where is America headed if we don’t change course? _____________________________________ 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/dU-TA0O0lc0 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

    52 min
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4.6
out of 5
82 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Papola
  • Show Website
    Dad Saves America

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