Dad Saves America

Kristi Kendall, an accomplished television producer and filmmaker, and Ben Klutsey, Director of the Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, joined the show to discuss their new documentary film, Undivide Us. The film brings together people from diverse backgrounds to discuss highly contentious topics like gun control, abortion, and immigration, and dives into the pressing concerns of America's current political culture, exploring the risks of national division and the specter of civil unrest.Kristi and Ben stress the significance of local community engagement, advocating for a decentralized approach to defusing toxic polarization. They challenge media narratives that present black-and-white stereotypes as representing average Americans across the political spectrum and highlight the importance of nuance and perspective. Classical liberal values of mutual respect and curiosity can pave the way for a more united America if we take them seriously._____________________________________Learn more about Undivide Us: https://undivideusmovie.comProgram on Pluralism and Civil Exchange: https://www.mercatus.org/tags/pluralism-and-civil-exchange_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Reasons to be optimistic about national unity[9:26] What’s going on inside newsrooms?[12:22] Making a movie about focus groups[18:38] The world of nuance in a simple question[22:56] Surprising perspectives on difficult issues[32:55] You can only have real conversations in person[37:42] The Pareto principle of online discourse[42:55] How do you deal with the instinct to radicalize?[51:51] Why have race relations broken down?[58:58] What is “liberalism” and why does it matter?[1:02:50] Changing opinions about people, not policy[1:08:32] Why are people rejecting an “American” identity?[1:18:44] Multi-ethnic democracy is a brand new experiment[1:23:13] People don’t want to bring conflict into their homes[1:31:43] Watch out for conversational terrorists[1:37:34] Keep the rules few, simple, and local[1:45:32] The need for marriage counseling in politics[1:48:42] How to watch “Undivide Us”_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xiDydADwz9kMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Osama Bin Laden’s letter to America goes viral on TikTok. Free speech loses even more friends. Harvard rallies around the race card.We’ve watched a series of truly outrageous events unfold. All of them are deeply connected and a warning for the trajectory of our society. Too many of our kids have embraced the enemies of civilization, too many of our educational and cultural institutions are to blame, and at the heart of all of it is an assault on our nation’s founding principles: freedom of expression and equality under the law. These enlightenment values are being replaced by a resurgence of pre-industrial tribal barbarism masquerading as postmodern social justice.As parents, we need to get engaged in this battle of ideas with our kids and help them navigate this crazy world so they don’t end up as useful idiots taking to the streets in defense of evil. We must accept our responsibility to help them understand right from wrong, and be a lighthouse they can turn to in dark times. They’re not going to find that light anywhere else._____________________________________Outline:[0:00] The search for moral clarity[2:26] How we react to atrocities[11:19] Free speech for me, but not for thee[23:31] Know what we’re fighting for_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f0Aap3DQsSAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Jaleel White, widely recognized for his iconic role as Steve Urkel in "Family Matters," has a career that spans far beyond this memorable character. Starting in the industry as a child actor, he featured in dozens of national commercials and various classic TV shows, including "Mr. Belvedere" and "The Jeffersons." Beyond the screen, Jaleel is deeply committed to his role as a single father. He embraces the challenges and rewards of parenting with a hands-on and thoughtful approach, focusing on being present and observant but knowing when not to intervene and let his daughter figure things out for herself._____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Jaleel’s start as a child actor[13:23] Growing up as Steve Urkel[19:43] Having a child changed everything[29:10] Why child actors struggle with growing up[35:12] Parent at the level your child is ready for[46:23] Always observe, but don’t always intervene[50:55] How boys and girls make friends[56:06] Dads need to persevere through custody battles[1:02:01] If your intentions are good, time is on your side[1:08:06] Lightning round Q&A_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7SZWKO1txkAMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Alan Graham has been on the frontlines tackling homelessness for 25 years. As the CEO and founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a social outreach ministry, Alan has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions, building genuine relationships with the homeless community, and providing sustainable, permanent support for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.Alan’s journey began in 1998 when he, along with four friends, started delivering meals to homeless men and women from the back of a green minivan. This initial effort has since expanded significantly, with 20 trucks operating in multiple cities and over 6 million meals served so far. In recent years, Alan has taken his ministry to the next level with the Community First Village in Austin, Texas. Rather than the traditional shelter model, this project is an enclave of tiny homes and RVs, designed to create a real community for its residents, or as Alan likes to say, his neighbors. Alan and his wife Tricia have since moved into the community themselves, alongside over 350 formerly homeless neighbors.This interview contains adult themes and may not be suitable for younger listeners._____________________________________Mobile Loves & Fishes: https://mlf.orgCommunity First Village: https://mlf.org/community-first/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] What is Community First?[11:55] Alan’s chaotic childhood[24:37] Helping intellectually disabled people changed his life[30:00] Surviving booms and busts in business[39:12] How Alan came back to faith and the Church[49:00] Founding Mobile Loaves & Fishes[59:55] Build relationships with the people you serve[1:07:54] Our culture breaks families in different ways[1:21:01] Community First builds homes, not houses[1:28:13] Navigating the civil liberties of homeless people[1:34:56] How does Community First work?[1:42:59] Who lives at Community First?[1:47:51] Changing the public perception of homeless people[1:53:26] Lightning round Q&A_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7eph5aXAmzoMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Our culture is suffering from a potentially fatal allergy. Identity politics has become a kind of autoimmune disease that threatens to kill the host. We've become hypersensitive to our superficial identities just as our kids have become hypersensitive to most of the components of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.We're going to need more than an emergency epipen if we want to stop this disease and get back on track to stability and health as a society. And no, we can't just “get along” in some utopian, post-identity abstract metaverse. Our challenge is much more complicated, and more human than that. If we don’t recognize and effectively treat what’s making us, and especially our kids, so dangerously hypersensitive about our own identities and downright allergic to every difference, our society might not recover from our next tribal anaphylactic shock._____________________________________Gordon Wood on Dad Saves America: https://youtu.be/1P7yMTNv31c?si=U2Q8kMIA0WmLYe_0_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Identity politics is an autoimmune disease[1:41] Rise of peanut allergies[3:29] Importance of identity[7:01] Identity gone wrong[9:54] Think big and small_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1g8pzcvR8aYMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

The barbarians are at the gates, and we created them. The kids who’ve terrorized speakers on college campuses and HR departments in Fortune 100 companies. The kids who scream and cry and throw temper tantrums on TikTok over trivial encounters with ideas they dislike. The kids who believe speech is violence AND silence is violence. The kids who took to the streets and burned our cities after the death of one man, yet now come out in explicit support of the barbaric murder of more than 1400 innocent civilians in Israel.Why call them “kids”? Because they are OUR kids. And it’s OUR fault.We’ve coddled and encouraged a generation of barbarians through both intentional activism, confusion, and neglect. We’ve allowed our education institutions from K-through-PhD to be captured by the enemies of civilization itself and transformed into barbarian incubators. Our media and politics have not only cheered this on, but profiteered from it at every turn.And now, they are the barbarians inside our gates. And if we don’t do something about this right now, they will tear civilization itself to the ground. As a father of a high school senior, our family is looking at all of this in shock and horror. The stakes for my son’s future are high. And the stakes for our civilization are even higher._____________________________________Harvard Students Zero-Day Response to the Hamas attack: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/20...Harvard Administrators’ Cold-Blooded Academic Murder of Roland Fryer: https://youtu.be/m8xWOlk3WIw?si=t00hs0ryfPOrotzT_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] The Barbarians Inside Our Gates[2:34] Barbarism, Civilization, and Tribalism[5:22] Welcome to Harvard, Young Barbarians![12:58] Claudine Gay, Cancel Culture Warrior[14:19] The Canceling of the American Mind[15:42] The Barbaric Hijacking of High School Debate[19:06] Seduced into Utopia, disappointed into Nihilism[20:24] Religion and Reality Under Pressure[24:11] Practical advice for raising a healthy, civilized adult_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6noX5AUuzwUMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Connor Boyack, best known as the creator of the "Tuttle Twins" books and streaming series, has mastered the art of blending libertarian principles with engaging storytelling to reach children effectively, while also teaching their parents a lesson or two. His most recent addition to the series, "The Tuttle Twins Guide To True Conspiracies," delves into 20 historical events initially considered to be unhinged conspiracy theories but later proven factual. Connor is also the President of the Libertas Institute, where he actively pursues real-world policy reform across party lines to promote limited government and individual rights. His multifaceted approach demonstrates a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of accessible education and purposeful action in shaping a freer, more informed society._____________________________________Learn more about Tuttle Twins: https://tuttletwins.com/?al_pg_id=9f1b2fb8-2dec-4f4d-b513-ce76b6d911a5Follow Connor on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/cboyack?lang=en_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Intro[1:18] Change the world one life at a time[6:15] Defending the civil rights of Mormon families[15:50] How the Tuttle Twins got started[27:44] Who should brainwash your kids?[34:21] Lay a foundation for your child’s moral agency[40:37] Loving education vs authoritarian schools[49:40] Arm your kids for intellectual battle[56:38] Humanize your enemies to make them allies[1:08:21] Utopian idealists are always hypocrites[1:15:49] Appeals to authority, healthy skepticism, and critical thinking[1:29:08] Some conspiracy theories are true[1:31:13] Gulf of Tonkin[1:34:06] Gulf War, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Hamas[1:38:23] Operation Northwoods and the Bay of Pigs invasion[1:44:16] Manufactured consent and the power of propaganda[1:46:52] Bank runs, populism, and the Federal Reserve[1:57:58] Operation Ajax and the Iran hostage crisis[2:06:09] Why teach kids about true conspiracies?[2:15:31] Kicked out of school for loving American history[2:22:16] How to speak to kids effectively[2:28:47] We can’t save America if we only play defense_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t0sVSUY0DM8Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Greg Lukianoff, a First Amendment lawyer and President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), dives headfirst into the pressing issues of free speech and the impact of cancel culture in academia. Lukianoff discusses the troubling trends at prestigious universities, where ideological bias butts up against claims of political neutrality, especially highlighted during recent intense protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict. He presents a compelling, data-backed narrative from his latest book, The Canceling of the American Mind, co-authored with Rikki Schlott, revealing how a culture of censorship is stifling discourse and academic freedom.Lukianoff is also known for co-authoring The Coddling of the American Mind with Jonathan Haidt._____________________________________The Canceling of the American Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Canceling-American-Mind-Undermines-Threatens-ebook/dp/B0BTZT9PLM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1698786491&sr=1-1The Coddling of the American Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Coddling-American-Mind-Intentions-Generation/dp/0735224919/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/134-7612673-5833036?pd_rd_w=2A4Gz&content-id=amzn1.sym.43d28dfc-aa4f-4ef6-b591-5ab7095e137f&pf_rd_p=43d28dfc-aa4f-4ef6-b591-5ab7095e137f&pf_rd_r=GCFQ4WXBKZPS65KY4CC9&pd_rd_wg=VQ3Bc&pd_rd_r=90ac8972-5648-4037-8a32-6679de23cbba&pd_rd_i=0735224919&psc=1Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression: https://www.thefire.org/_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Intro[1:11] Coddling of the American Mind[8:48] The history of ‘cancel culture’[16:56] What started happening in 2014?[27:28] The polarization spiral[33:13] Herbert Marcuse’s “Repressive Tolerance”[45:43] Free speech and Hamas apologetics at Harvard[57:29] Cancellation by the numbers[1:09:59] Different threats from the left and the right[1:20:07] Protecting free speech with law and culture[1:28:15] What about Title IX and federal funding?[1:35:42] Did Weimar Germany need more censorship?[1:41:26] How to prepare your kids for modern culture[1:50:26] The role of fatherlessness and secularism[1:55:19] Don’t be scared of having kids_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fYwgF7ryF6kMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Liberal arts education once cultivated well-rounded, critically thinking individuals who would become our future innovators and leaders. However, in recent years, intellectual diversity, curiosity, and discourse have departed the halls of our most elite universities. Pano Kanelos, the founding president of UATX, believes that ideological capture and the overall homogenization of higher education are to blame.UATX, the University of Austin, has emerged as a reason for hope amidst negative trends at mainstream universities. This radical new experiment in higher education is putting quintessential liberal values at the center of the conversation. A graduate of UATX won’t just be an adept thinker, but an engaged, innovative citizen._____________________________________UATX announcement letter: https://www.thefp.com/p/we-cant-wait-for-universities-toLearn more about UATX: https://www.uaustin.org/UATX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDjuyYcHYC37Yb7HZBMqd7gUATX on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/uaustinorg?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Intro[1:17] What is UATX?[5:17] Liberal arts vs. liberal education[11:28] Plato’s cave, heresy, and truth[17:53] What’s wrong with legacy universities?[25:37] Self-censorship destroys open inquiry[29:34] “My truth” is illiberal narcissism[34:51] Is UATX a right-wing grift?[40:28] How the university cartel protects its turf[46:41] Elite schools don’t create independent adults[51:43] Kids can see that the game is rigged[54:47] UATX is seeking out mavericks, not sheep[1:04:24] Grace, grit, and gratitude[1:07:46] How will UATX prepare young people for careers?[1:17:05] How to build an intellectual foundation[1:26:00] The age of the college major is over[1:33:25] Is a DIY, at-home education good enough?[1:41:42] Why is ‘free speech’ now seen as right-wing?[1:45:50] Most universities misunderstand truth[1:49:35] Is UATX a real university?[1:57:35] Challenge norms and reignite innovation_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PdsCcVL1zZc?si=_AI1BkM-twMkkos_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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, the iconic face of Houston’s Gallery Furniture, has crafted a business empire that’s as much about community as it is about comfy mattresses.Mack recounted his journey into the furniture business, from first discovering his sense of motivation to persuading his future wife to move to Houston and risk it all on a furniture store. More recently, he’s made waves by placing staggering sports bets, including a record-breaking $75 million on the Houston Astros for the World Series. Calling on his time-tested, over-the-top marketing style, Mack turned a gamble into a win-win for both him and his customers to the tune of $76 million in sales.Beyond business and bets, Mack opened up about his dedication to family and community. A staunch believer in the revitalizing and empowering essence of work, Mack is full of endearing stories and good old fashioned wisdom._____________________________________Mattress Mack on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattressmack/Mattress Mack on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattressmackofficial/?hl=enMattress Mack on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MattressMack?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author_____________________________________Outline:[0:00] Intro[0:59] Betting $75 million on the Houston Astros[4:02] The origins of “Mattress Mack”[12:59] Learning the importance of service[19:42] Turn your struggles into strengths[25:53] Community-building is Mack’s business strategy[29:05] You can’t help the poor without profit[35:40] We don’t respect hard work anymore[43:37] Mack is part capitalist, part social worker[52:30] Faith and work keeps him going[1:01:11] Rapid fire questions[1:07:17] Mattress Mack’s role in the American story_____________________________________Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rHspYGyvV-QMake a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________________________Dad Saves America is a channel dedicated to celebrating heroic fatherhood while teaching the next generation of fathers strategies they can utilize in parenting their children. We believe strong children come from a strong family. We’ve had many experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Troy Kotsur, John Mackey, Ben Askren, and Adam Carolla. Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe