
Dad Saves America
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
Latest episodes

May 29, 2025 • 1h 15min
WWE’s Kane on Liberty, Wrestling, and Life as a Mayor
Glenn Jacobs, famously known as Kane from WWE, now serves as the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. In this engaging conversation, he delves into the surprising parallels between wrestling and politics, discussing how backstage dynamics mirror public perception in political scenarios. Jacobs shares his evolution into a 'conservatarian,' discusses the concept of masculinity in today's society, critiques cultural Marxism, and emphasizes the vital role of local politics in fostering community. His journey from the ring to local governance reveals a unique perspective on liberty and character.

May 22, 2025 • 2h 7min
Mike Rowe Reveals the Truth About Reality TV, Masculinity, and Gratitude
In this engaging conversation, Mike Rowe, known for hosting 'Dirty Jobs' and advocating skilled trades, dives into the essence of authenticity in media and reality TV. He shares insights on masculinity and the cultural divide between urban and rural America, stressing the importance of gratitude and personal accountability. Mike highlights the ethical responsibilities of food production and how societal complacency can affect our progress. With a focus on honest storytelling, he explores the complexities of adulthood and the values that shape our lives.

15 snips
May 15, 2025 • 1h 53min
Why You Should Let Your Kids Take Risks - Lenore Skenazy
Lenore Skenazy, founder of the 'free-range kids' movement, challenges the pervasive culture of fear in American parenting. She discusses how safetyism and media sensationalism have led to overprotected children who lack confidence and independence. Lenore shares insights on the importance of risk-taking for resilience and critiques the absurdity of safety regulations. She advocates for empowering kids to explore freely, contrasting American tendencies with more lenient parenting practices in other cultures, and highlights the need for societal change in attitudes towards childhood freedom.

23 snips
May 8, 2025 • 2h 27min
Meritocracy Isn’t Racist. Lowering Standards Is. - Heather Mac Donald
Heather Mac Donald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of "The Diversity Delusion," tackles the controversial impacts of racial preferences and DEI policies on meritocracy in America. She argues that lowering standards under the guise of equity is counterproductive and undermines high achievement. The discussion dives into racial identity in areas like music auditions, critiques of technology's alleged racism, and the broader implications of identity politics on societal discourse. Mac Donald makes a compelling case for preserving cultural values that foster excellence.

May 1, 2025 • 1h 34min
The Next Pope, the Big Bang, and the Shroud of Turin - Fr. Robert Spitzer
Join Father Robert Spitzer, a Jesuit priest and author renowned for exploring faith and science, as he delves into the fascinating connections between cosmology and Catholic belief. He discusses how the Big Bang supports the concept of a creator, and explains the historical foundations of papal authority. Spitzer also examines the enigmatic Shroud of Turin, the scientific controversies surrounding it, and emphasizes the vital role of fathers in spiritual development and faith transmission. Prepare for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges science, history, and spirituality!

9 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 2h
Peter Boghossian on Trump's First 100 Days, Morality, and God
I sat down with philosopher and author Peter Boghossian to wrestle with one of the defining questions of modern American life: Can human rights, equality, and morality be justified without a belief in God? As a Catholic, I’ve come to see our 21st-century social breakdown as largely the result of secularization. Without a broadly Christian cultural foundation, the classical liberal approach to government might not work. Peter, who shares many of my classical liberal values, takes the opposite stance—that morality can be grounded in secular reason. We had a great conversation and took it as deep as we could in just two hours: atheist vs. Christian, but more importantly, friend to friend._____________________________________Follow Peter on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/peterboghossianPeter on Substack: https://boghossian.substack.com/Peter on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drpeterboghossian/featured_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] The world changed when Trump got shot[6:02] Is the woke reign of terror over yet?[11:35] Gen Z gets that mainstream media is all lies[20:56] Let’s get America back to functional sanity[31:27] Cognitive liberty and error correction[39:49] Is Christianity necessary for liberalism?[50:26] Is human dignity a human invention?[1:07:45] Why I actually believe in God[1:23:46] Science, faith, and utilitarianism[1:30:04] The atheist case for human dignity[1:39:38] Equality of opportunity is a myth[1:48:33] Giving the Islamic world it’s due[1:52:40] Agreeing to disagree is what friends do_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/95jWAOhS0dYMake 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

12 snips
Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 58min
How Reason & Logic Lead to Christianity - Matt Fradd (Pints With Aquinas)
Matt Fradd, host of "Pints With Aquinas," is a Catholic convert and advocate for exploring faith through reason. He discusses the significance of Holy Week and the complexities of Jesus' identity amid the problem of evil. Matt emphasizes the vital role of sacrifice in Christianity and critiques modern misconceptions about authority and original sin. He argues for the reconciliation of faith and reason, highlighting spiritual warfare and its implications for contemporary fatherhood, as well as the cultural challenges today.

Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 52min
“Cabrini” Producer on Filmmaking, Catholicism, and Immigration - Eustace Wolfington
I sat down with Eustace Wolfington, executive producer of “Cabrini,” to explore his journey from car leasing innovator to filmmaker behind a movie that Hollywood wouldn’t touch. Eustace shares how discovering Mother Cabrini at 23 had a lifelong impact, eventually driving him to bring her story to the screen. Cabrini, an Italian immigrant nun, overcame institutional corruption and fierce opposition to serve the poor and build an empire of charity. Her message of dignity, perseverance, and service resonates in today’s divided world, challenging us with a universal call to action that’s long overdue._____________________________________Watch “Cabrini”: https://www.angel.com/movies/cabrini_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AH6iS2GMc_sMake 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

15 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 54min
Scott Lincicome: Trump's Tariffs Are a Tax on American Families
Scott Lincicome, trade expert and VP at the Cato Institute, dives into the detrimental effects of tariffs and protectionism on American families. He argues that tariffs raise prices and hurt jobs, challenging the common fears about trade deficits. With insights on foreign investments and the myth of U.S. manufacturing decline, Scott asserts that open markets foster growth, not the other way around. His keen observations on the complexities of trade policies reveal the real drivers behind economic challenges, making this a critical discussion for understanding today's trade landscape.

26 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 39min
Oren Cass: Free Trade Can’t Rebuild America. Tariffs Can.
Oren Cass, founder of American Compass and former domestic policy advisor to Mitt Romney, argues that America's long pursuit of free trade has backfired. He discusses how tariffs could be a solution to revitalize U.S. industry and restore community values. The conversation highlights the divide between market forces and national interest, critiques the impacts of trade deficits, and examines the role of government in fostering innovation. Cass advocates for prioritizing family and community over mere economic metrics, emphasizing the importance of cultural values.