Dad Saves America - podcast cover

Dad Saves America

Proud papa, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and arm-chair philosopher John Papola explores the biggest issues facing our country through the lens of fatherhood, releasing exclusive interviews and deep dives every week. We need to make sure the next generation of Americans is raised to thrive in a free society and be champions of civilization. Dad Saves America has hosted all sorts of experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew, Michael Shellenberger, Bret Weinstein, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Adam Carolla.

www.dadsavesamerica.com
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Episodes

Kennedy on Gen X, Embracing Religion, and the MTV Glory Days

I sat down with Kennedy, former MTV VJ and libertarian commentator, to explore the Gen X mindset, parenting, politics, and faith. She argues that the latchkey-kid upbringing, combined with the Cold War backdrop, instilled in our generation a deep skepticism toward authority—especially the government. Kennedy shares her journey from high school dropout to MTV and what that taught her about education, career, and adulthood. We also dive into the failures of modern government, the philosophical fou...

Jan 30, 20251 hr 16 min

Katharine Birbalsingh Is Leading the Charge Against Woke Schooling

I sat down with Katharine Birbalsingh, the controversial headmistress of Michaela Community School in London, to discuss why discipline, structure, and teaching “what to think” are essential for raising children into successful, independent adults. Clearly defined expectations empower students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to thrive both academically and personally. As someone who fondly recalls my more free-range, Gen X upbringing, her views present a welcome challenge to ...

Jan 24, 20251 hr 59 min

Michael Shellenberger Exposes Who’s to Blame for the LA Fire Disaster

I sat down with Michael Shellenberger, journalist and author of “Apocalypse Never,” “San Fransicko,” and the upcoming “Pathocracy,” to unpack the true story of the LA fire disaster and what it reveals about California’s leadership crisis. Ever since the fires broke out, Michael has been on the case exposing the numerous failures of Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass. California’s entrenched political elite have neglected the basic functions of government, creating the perfect conditio...

Jan 17, 20251 hr 41 min

I Hosted a Leadership Roundtable at Mar-a-Lago. President Trump Crashed Our Conversation.

Last month, I traveled to Mar-a-Lago and sat down with a group of business leaders to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping our economy and society at large. Technological disruption presents both challenges and opportunities, and the growing student debt crisis has rightfully called into question the value of higher education. It’s time to renegotiate our relationship with traditional institutions and focus on cultivating grit, curiosity, and first-principles thinking. These tools ca...

Jan 10, 20251 hr 43 min

Economist George Selgin on Money, Inflation, and the Federal Reserve

I sat down with George Selgin, economist and Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, to explore the complex world of money, banking, and monetary policy. George explains how money evolved from primitive barter systems to the sophisticated financial networks we rely on today. He breaks down the historical role of gold, central banking, and the Federal Reserve’s influence on inflation and interest rates. George also highlights competing economic theories of money creation, laying out his case for why...

Jan 02, 20252 hr 19 min

Emma Johnson: Equal Custody Works, Child Support Doesn’t

I sat down with Emma Johnson, author of "The 50/50 Solution," to discuss her advocacy for equal custody as the default in divorce. In most states, family courts try to determine the “best interest of the child,” incentivizing parents to portray one another as threatening or neglectful. Emma argues that the child support system perpetuates gender inequality and undermines parental rights, particularly disadvantaging dads. Although legal reform has only begun in a few states, she is optimistic tha...

Dec 19, 20241 hr 51 min

Nick Gillespie on Conspiracy Thinking, Human Progress, and the Search for Meaning

I sat down with Nick Gillespie, editor-at-large at “Reason” and a leading voice in libertarian thought, to explore how we find meaning and purpose in a world defined by freedom and complexity. We examine the rise of conspiracy thinking, the role of religion in liberal societies, and the challenges to social and psychological stability amid rapid economic and technological progress. Nick reflects on the styles of RFK Jr., Trump, and Ron Paul and highlights the impacts of personality-driven politi...

Dec 13, 20241 hr 44 min

Michael Munger on the Battle Between Liberalism and Populism

I sat down with Michael Munger, professor of political science and economics at Duke University, to explore the challenges facing classical liberalism, the collapse of trust in institutions, and how we can preserve the principles of tolerance and free inquiry in a rapidly changing world. He offers a nuanced perspective on the cultural crisis affecting younger generations on both the left and right, as well as the dangers of single-mindedly dismantling the elites authority structure. We also disc...

Dec 05, 20242 hr 21 min

What Modern Socialists Don’t Want You To Know About Hitler

I sat down with historian, sociologist, and author Dr. Rainer Zitelmann to learn about the misunderstood economic philosophy of Adolf Hitler and the true meaning of national socialism. Drawing from his book “Hitler’s National Socialism,” Rainer explains how Hitler’s economic policies blended the planned economy of Stalin’s Soviet Union with social Darwinist beliefs, attempting to harness the benefits of competition toward the single-minded objectives of the state. We explore the key differences ...

Nov 21, 20241 hr 17 min

Randy Barnett on Originalism, the Supreme Court, and Constitutional Law

I sat down with Randy Barnett, Professor of Constitutional Law at Georgetown University, to discuss the current state of America’s constitutional system and his mission to restore its original meaning. Despite the gradual erosion of constitutional limitations on federal government power, Randy believes that the document’s multiple fail-safes—especially federalism—have kept the flame of liberty alive, even through the trials of COVID lockdowns. Supreme Court justices appointed over the past 40 ye...

Nov 15, 20241 hr 53 min

Immigration Policy Researcher on Border Chaos, Failed Leadership, and the Migrant Surge

I sat down with Simon Hankinson, an immigration expert and Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, to tackle the pressing issues shaping America’s immigration landscape. We explored the impacts of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, how they compare to the Trump administration’s approach, and why the border crisis is an “unmitigated, man-made disaster.” The political and moral dilemmas involved in enforcing immigration law present serious challenges, but Simon lays out policy solu...

Nov 07, 20241 hr 35 min

Rudyard Lynch on Dating Apps, Moral Decline, and the Risk of Civil War

I sat down with Rudyard Lynch, host of “WhatIfAltHist ” on YouTube, to discuss his provocative predictions about a brewing “incel revolution” among Gen Z men and how that could precipitate a second American civil war. Rudyard argues that American society is breaking down under pressures that prevent young men from achieving key milestones in life—economic mobility, family formation, and community connection. From dating apps to skyrocketing rent, young men are feeling increasingly alienated and ...

Oct 31, 20242 hr 10 min

Spike Cohen: Your Government Is Sponsoring Human Trafficking

I sat down with Spike Cohen, Libertarian activist and 2020 vice presidential nominee, to discuss why he rejects the Republican-Democrat duopoly and embraces alternative paths to make an impact. As a staunch advocate for individual freedom and former political candidate, Spike has been deeply involved in the Libertarian Party, but electoral politics isn’t the only way he’s working to put his beliefs into action. His organization, “You Are the Power”, informs and organizes individual Americans to ...

Oct 25, 20241 hr 26 min

The Impossible Choice: When a Crime Leads to Pregnancy

I sat down with former U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Barnette, whose personal story challenges the mainstream narrative of American society and politics. Born under circumstances often cited as the textbook argument for pro-choice advocates, she shares how her upbringing shaped her unwavering belief in the sanctity of life. Kathy reflects on the unraveling of America's moral foundation, turning once-common truths into political battlegrounds, and how the ongoing failures of Democratic leadership a...

Oct 18, 20241 hr 59 min

Robert Kiyosaki on Financial Literacy, Wealth Building, and the Failure of Education

I sat down with Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad , to discuss his perspective on financial literacy, the future of the economy, and why most people have been misled about what it takes to build wealth. He explains how the traditional higher education path misleads average Americans about where to find real opportunity and leaves them unprepared for economic realities. Robert has found success leveraging debt to build assets that generate cash flow and highlights how the rich use thes...

Oct 10, 202446 min

Katherine Mangu-Ward: Virtue Requires Freedom and Freedom Requires Virtue

I sat down with Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor-in-chief of Reason , to discuss why we’ve both come to embrace libertarianism, even while we have entirely different ways of understanding the world. As a Catholic, my belief in universal morality and equal human dignity has led me to the conclusion that we should aim to maximize individual freedom. Katherine, on the other hand, doesn’t come at this from a religious perspective but instead embraces an optimistic utilitarian view of individual human po...

Oct 03, 20241 hr 45 min

Sharyl Attkisson Followed the Science and the Government Followed Her

I sat down with investigative journalist and author Sharyl Attkisson to discuss the alarming intersection of Big Pharma, government regulators, and scientific journals. Sharyl shared insights from her new book “ Follow the Science ,” which delves into the propaganda, censorship, and conflicts of interest that have become endemic to our public health system. We also talked about Sharyl’s background in journalism and what she thinks about today’s media landscape. __________________________________...

Sep 26, 20241 hr 13 min

Christina Hoff Sommers: Schools Are Hostile to Boys' Instincts

I sat down with Christina Hoff Sommers, feminist philosopher and author of “The War Against Boys ,” to discuss the growing struggles of boys in a culture increasingly dictated by a toxic strain of Marxist feminism. Christina explains how, now that institutional barriers to female opportunity have all but disappeared, the feminist movement has become dominated by a faction that sees the world as a zero-sum game and therefore is fundamentally opposed to the flourishing of boys and men. Schools, in...

Sep 19, 20241 hr 31 min

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya on COVID Lies, Vaccine Truth, and the Breakdown of Science

I sat down with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, professor of medicine at Stanford University and a leading voice in public health policy, to explore the catastrophic failures of the COVID response and what they reveal about the scientific establishment and government institutions. Dr. Bhattacharya argues that the heavy-handed approach taken during the pandemic, from lockdowns to vaccine mandates and everything in between, reflects deeper issues in the cultural norms of the scientific community. He became ...

Sep 12, 20242 hr 9 min

Maj Toure Explains the Racist History of Gun Control

I sat down with Maj Toure, founder of Black Guns Matter, to discuss his perspectives on systemic racism, the history of gun control, and why all Americans should value the Second Amendment. He explains how early gun control policies were purposely designed to disarm black Americans and argues that modern gun laws continue this legacy. Although the voters who support gun control don’t generally harbor racist intent, the fact remains that the burden of legal punishment falls most heavily on the bl...

Sep 05, 20241 hr 36 min

Michael Shellenberger: How Our Leaders Lost All Credibility

I sat down with Michael Shellenberger, journalist and author of “Apocalypse Never,” “San Fransicko,” and the upcoming “Pathocracy,” to discuss the collapse of trust in elite institutions and its implications for civilization. Michael explains how the erosion of common sense has left the greatest American cities in chaos, especially in his home state of California. Democratic elites, both within the party and among its media proxies, have become fully insulated from the consequences of their poli...

Aug 29, 20241 hr 58 min

Corey DeAngelis on How Corrupt Teachers Unions Have Broken Our Public Schools

The school choice revolution has begun, providing parents with the power and resources to choose the best educational path for their children. Corey DeAngelis, a leading advocate for school choice and author of “The Parent Revolution,” explains why this movement is gaining unstoppable momentum. The disastrous school closures of 2020 changed the minds of millions of parents from default supporters of public education to vehement opponents, and now, twelve states have implemented universal school ...

Aug 22, 20241 hr 58 min

Socialism Is Gaining Popularity. What Would Jesus Do?

Was Jesus a socialist? Lawrence Reed, President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education, tackles this question in his 2020 book titled just that. Some socialists like to claim Jesus among their ranks, but the Bible says otherwise. In Lawrence’s view, the teachings of Christ emphasized personal responsibility, voluntary charity, and the ethical foundations of freedom. We explore key biblical passages that both directly and indirectly comment on the structure of society and the proper re...

Aug 15, 20241 hr 42 min

Rob Schneider: Free Speech Is Dangerous, But Shutting Up Isn’t an Option

Comedian and actor Rob Schneider shares his perspective on the cultural and political shifts that have shaped his journey from a traditional liberal to a vocal critic of the progressive mainstream. Starting with his growing skepticism of vaccine safety around 2012, Rob noticed a stubbornness, and often outright hostility, in the public conversation toward questioning the “expert” managerial class. As a father, his commitment to his children drives his passion for defending the future of America ...

Aug 08, 20241 hr 21 min

Andrew Doyle: The Gay Rights Movement Has Been Hijacked

Playwright, journalist, and comedian Andrew Doyle sheds light on the growing pressures of today’s culture wars and their impact on free speech and public discourse. As the creator of Titania McGrath, his Twitter parody persona, Andrew is an expert at satirizing the worst and most absurd excesses of woke activism. He highlights the intolerance toward internal disagreements within the LGBTQ community and how this has created a false impression of the average gay person’s worldview. Andrew is an im...

Aug 02, 20242 hr 6 min

Robby Soave on the Biden Media Coverup and Why Corporate Media Is Broken

I sat down with senior editor at Reason and host of The Hill’s “Rising” Robby Soave to explore the shifting landscape of media and politics in America. Robby provides a sharp critique of how the media has changed its tune on President Biden’s cognitive state, rapidly pivoting from denial to feigned shock and distress following the debate. He discusses how, although audience capture can corrupt both corporate legacy media and independent social media, the latter is far more resistant to the top-d...

Jul 25, 20241 hr 16 min

Tom Woods on the Trump Attack, American History, and Our Constitutional Crisis

I sat down with author, historian, and libertarian commentator Tom Woods about 90 minutes after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Reeling from the shock of this historic moment, we attempt to wade through its profound implications for the American Republic. Drawing on his wealth of historical knowledge, Tom analyzes how political tribalism, media echo chambers, and “state of emergency” governance are eroding our constitutional framework. He presents chapters from American history that...

Jul 18, 20241 hr 27 min

How Public Schools Crush Creativity and Critical Thinking

I sat down with Hannah Frankman, founder of Renegade Educator and an advocate for alternative education models, to explore her insights on the flaws in traditional public schooling and the innovative approaches that could shape the future of learning. Hannah shares her personal experience growing up as a homeschool kid, which she believes is a more natural and effective approach that reflects how humans have learned for almost all of history. We delve into various educational models, from Montes...

Jul 12, 20242 hr 13 min

Warren Smith Went Viral for Teaching Critical Thinking, So His School Fired Him

I sat down with Warren Smith, the high school teacher whose video of an incredible classroom interaction went viral earlier this year. After a student asked a loaded question about JK Rowling, Warren responded with a refreshingly calm and thought-provoking Socratic discourse on the topic. His interaction with this student was a masterclass in teaching how to think, not what to think. In our conversation, Warren shared his insights on effective teaching, emphasizing the importance of critical thi...

Jul 04, 20241 hr 35 min

Psychologist Tracy Dennis-Tiwary: I Want to Disrupt the Medicalization of Mental Health

I sat down with psychologist Tracy Dennis-Tiwary to explore her perspective on anxiety, resilience, and mental health. Tracy argues that anxiety has played a crucial role in driving human innovation and should be embraced rather than avoided. She delves into the challenges faced by Gen Z, emphasizing that their struggles often stem from avoidance and a lack of coping skills rather than anxiety itself. Tracy points out that while social media exacerbates mental health struggles, it isn’t the all-...

Jun 21, 20241 hr 11 min
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