

Dad Saves America
John Papola
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
www.dadsavesamerica.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

11 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 28min
Bret Weinstein on Epstein, Globalization, and How Our Institutions Went Insane - Part 1
Bret Weinstein, an evolutionary biologist known for his insights into evolutionary theory and his controversial time at Evergreen State College, discusses the failures of modern institutions. He explores the hidden powers behind the Epstein scandal and critiques the misinformation prevalent in governance and media. The conversation also covers the disconnection between elites and everyday citizens, the implications of globalization on democracy, and the challenges posed by virtual communities that reshape social bonds in our society.

18 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 2h 5min
Paul Zak on Neuroscience, Trust, and Why Communism Sucks
In this engaging conversation, Paul Zak, a neuroeconomist and author, delves into the fascinating world of oxytocin, the 'moral molecule,' revealing its pivotal role in trust and social bonds. He addresses the emotional struggles of Gen Z and emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships for personal success. The discussion critiques modern technology's impact on connection and navigates the complexities of masculinity and political identity. Zak also explores the moral contrasts between capitalism and communism, urging critical thinking in evaluating economic systems.

13 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 2h 22min
Education Is About Forming Souls, Not Filling Brains – Fr. Daniel O'Mullane
Father Daniel O’Mullane, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, champions a classical education that prioritizes the intellectual, social, and spiritual growth of children. He challenges the conventional focus on college readiness, advocating for a curriculum rooted in the great works of Western civilization. Fr. O’Mullane emphasizes the importance of nurturing a child's sense of wonder and aligning education with deeper spiritual values. He also critiques the impact of standardized testing, calling for a more holistic approach to learning that fosters genuine human flourishing.

24 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 2h 6min
Why We Should Cut Legal Immigration In Half - Mark Krikorian
In this discussion, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, dives into the contentious topic of reducing legal immigration. He challenges common perceptions, arguing that high immigration levels aren't always beneficial for the economy or societal cohesion. Mark emphasizes the importance of assimilation and critiques the H-1B visa system. They explore the complexities of cultural identity, the impact of workers on job markets, and the often-overlooked issues surrounding illegal immigration—all while proposing practical solutions.

65 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 2h 48min
James Lindsay on Marx, Education, and the History of “Woke”
In this conversation, James Lindsay, an author and cultural critic focused on wokeness, dives deep into how Marxist ideology has permeated education and society. He discusses his eye-opening experience with the 'Grievance Studies' hoax and how it revealed the troubling state of academia. Lindsay also explores the transformation of Marxism into intersectionality, critiques progressive education, and emphasizes the implications of these ideologies on democracy and personal freedoms. Moreover, he reflects on the role of fatherhood in combating these challenges.

Jul 31, 2025 • 2h 13min
Only Elites Can Afford Luxury Beliefs. The Rest of Us Get Left Behind. - Rob Henderson
I sat down with Rob Henderson, author of "Troubled: A Memoir of Family, Foster Care, and Social Class,” to discuss why elite progressives promote radical ideas that they would never tolerate in their own lives. Coining the term “luxury beliefs,” he’s incisively diagnosed how their obsession with virtue signaling sacrifices the well-being of the poor. Rob shares how growing up in foster care, enlisting in the Air Force at 17, and later attending Yale and Cambridge shaped his worldview over the years. We also discuss Gen Z’s widening gender divide along political lines and what it could mean for the future of family formation._____________________________________Rob’s article on sex differences: https://www.city-journal.org/article/men-women-political-divideFollow Rob on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/robkhendersonRead Rob’s work on Substack: https://www.robkhenderson.com/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Why does over-schooling end in communism?[17:22] Elites talk progressive but live conservative[28:10] Family instability is much worse than poverty[43:10] The male-female political split[59:33] Did the country lose its mind in 2013?[1:08:11] Are relationships and marriages doomed?[1:27:40] America is suffering from wealth disease[1:40:48] When is therapy useful and when is it the problem?[1:47:55] Why more young men should consider the military[1:54:36] Podcasts are good, but books are better[1:58:48] Don’t stifle yourself, but don’t have pointless arguments[2:02:26] Masculinity, rites of passage, and adulthood_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/izcLJ6fIE1AMake 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

Jul 24, 2025 • 2h 13min
Globalists Say Educated Women Don’t Want Kids. Are They Wrong? - Catherine Pakaluk
I sat down with Catholic social scientist and author Catherine Pakaluk to explore why some highly educated women are still choosing to have large families. A mother of 14 children herself, Catherine made “#postcardsforMacron” go viral after the French president made dismissive remarks about educated women not wanting large families. She has since written the book Hannah’s Children, in which she profiles 55 college-educated women raising large families in spite of societal trends against motherhood and a looming depopulation crisis. Our conversation also digs into how her Catholic faith has shaped her philosophical and economic worldview—and why anti-human ideologies have become dominant in recent decades._____________________________________Follow Catherine on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/CRPakalukPurchase a copy of “Hannah’s Children”: https://www.amazon.com/Hannahs-Children-Quietly-Defying-Dearth/dp/1684514576_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Why have so many kids?[7:48] Kids are liberating, not burdensome[14:10] Birthrate collapse vs. overpopulation[20:53] Original sin and anti-natalism[26:42] Environmentalism became planet worship[34:46] Why do some women have lots of kids?[49:54] Writing “Hannah’s Children”[1:01:38] The Biblical story of Hannah[1:08:29] Is reproduction a moral obligation?[1:16:54] Suffering is a necessary evil[1:29:22] Catholic social teaching and private property[1:36:43] Is Christianity pro-socialist?[1:43:07] Utilitarianism, individualism, and collectivism[1:51:32] Transhumanism and techno-optimism[1:56:29] The problem of evil and the purpose of freedom[2:03:02] Having kids is scary but worth it[2:10:28] Parenting and patriotism_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gtTO2xlxES0Make 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

Jul 17, 2025 • 2h 28min
Trans Libertarian Sara Higdon: "I Have a Mental Illness.”
Sara Higdon, a transwoman and libertarian content creator, shares her powerful journey of transition and challenges surrounding modern gender ideology. The conversation touches on the alarming trend of transgender social contagion affecting children, raising ethical questions about medical interventions and the gender medicine industry. Higdon critiques the influence of activist narratives on youth and emphasizes the need for informed parental rights in discussions about gender identity and mental health.

Jul 10, 2025 • 2h 17min
Antony Davies on Cost of Living, University Corruption, and the AI Future
I sat down with economist Antony Davies to discuss what’s right and wrong about our economy. Most Americans live materially wealthier lives than most other humans alive today, never mind in centuries past. However, young people are experiencing very real distress, with rising rates of serious mental illness. Is housing affordability the main problem? Are universities to blame? Antony shares his perspective on income inequality, the perverse incentives of government intervention, and how AI will change our society._____________________________________Read Antony’s essay on having more kids: https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2021/02/74203/Follow Antony on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/antonydaviesCheck out Antony’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@antonydavies?si=PcKJwFabQPgAICPx_____________________________________Outline: [0:00] The case for global economic optimism[7:35] What’s holding back American prosperity?[17:38] Why can’t we balance the federal budget?[21:54] Why is the middle class suffering?[34:06] Lessons from raising 6 kids[39:09] What’s going on with housing markets?[46:03] Medians, averages, and income inequality[54:56] Are young people right to resent “the system”?[1:05:10] How government subsidies ruined higher education[1:13:37] University DEI is about money, not ideology[1:18:35] Excessive safety nets create toxic dependence[1:27:17] What’s the point of freedom?[1:34:34] Will AI prove Marx right in the end?[1:43:21] Trying to understand Trump as a libertarian[1:50:44] Don’t believe the civics mythology[1:57:55] Humanity, creativity, and faith[2:08:43] Why we should have more kids_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i73H047bID8Make 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

Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 30min
Why AI Should Challenge Us, Not Just Serve Us - Jeanne Lim
I sat down with Jeanne Lim, co-founder and CEO of beingAI, to explore the future of human-AI relationships. Jeanne traces her journey from launching Sophia the Robot at Hanson Robotics to creating AI beings designed to engage in deep, Socratic dialogue rather than simply serve as obedient productivity assistants. We discuss her beliefs about consciousness, free will, wisdom, and spirituality, and how these ideas will shape the development of AI._____________________________________Learn more about Sophia the Robot: https://www.hansonrobotics.com/sophia/Learn more about beingAI: https://beingai.com/about/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What is an “AI being”?[7:01] Creating “Sophia” at Hanson Robotics[15:47] Neural nets and large language models[20:17] Designing AI psychology[26:59] Who’s getting replaced by AI?[36:41] Critical thinking, wisdom, and consciousness[46:33] Free will vs determinism[52:02] Oneness, individuality, and diversity[55:20] Is AI just a consensus machine?[1:01:34] Can AI act as individuals?[1:06:49] Virtual worlds may be the key to AGI[1:14:13] Reasons for optimism about AI[1:21:48] Can we avoid centralization of AI?[1:25:40] Advice for young people facing an AI future_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zLvwLPe_dvsMake 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