FSF Ep. 33: Celebrating the Declaration: Free Speech & the Importance of Independent Thinking | Marsha Familaro Enright

Today we’re delighted to begin a new series of episodes under the Free Speech Forward banner, an exploration of free speech and its connection to the Declaration of Independence. This series is a celebration of the Declaration in honor of its upcoming anniversary, a project conducted in partnership by 1776 Forward, the Institute for Liberal Values, and the Free Society Coalition.

Today's guest is Marsha Familaro Enright, an educational entrepreneur and thought leader in independent thinking and self-reliance. As the founder of Reliance College and the creator of The Great Connections Seminars, she’s spent decades revolutionizing education to help young minds become leaders of their own lives, learning how to live in and advocate for a free society. Her programs aim to provide what Alexis de Tocqueville called "an apprenticeship of freedom."

As we come up on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding, understanding its history, ideas, and impact is more crucial than ever and education plays a deep role.

Aiming to open in the fall of 2026, Reliance College is a uniquely designed college program combining a rigorous liberal arts and sciences course of study with practical work in the student's area of professional interest. It is an expansion of the 16-year-old week-long The Great Connections Summer Seminar. Year after year since 2009, 75% of participants have testified that their lives have been transformed by this program. It is designed for young adults (ages 16-24) who want to develop independent thinking, leadership skills, and intellectual confidence. Hosted in Chicago, this immersive experience helps participants engage deeply with great ideas, sharpen critical thinking skills, and connect with like-minded peers—all in an exciting, discussion-driven learning environment.