1819 News: The Podcast

Why would Jesus choose Simon Peter—a flawed, impulsive, ordinary fisherman—to become the foundation of the Church? In this episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson sits down with bestselling author and historian Jerry Lathan to unpack the true, chronological story of Simon Peter, the most relatable and misunderstood figure in the Gospels. Drawing from Lathan’s book, You Will Be Peter, this conversation explores why Peter’s failures were not a liability—but the point. From walking on water to denying Christ, Peter’s journey mirrors the struggles of everyday believers and reveals how faith is forged through doubt, growth, and perseverance. The discussion also examines why modern culture—and Hollywood—often misunderstands Christianity, why authentic faith-based storytelling still resonates with audiences, and how Peter’s leadership compares to foundational figures like George Washington. If you’ve ever felt unqualified, uncertain, or unfinished in your faith, this episode will challenge and encourage you. Learn more about the book: https://youwillbepeter.com Subscribe to 1819 News for more conversations on faith, culture, and leadership.

Explore the provocative concept of the 'Dutton Principle' as it applies to immigration and why it’s seen as America’s most pressing issue. Bryan Dawson argues for the necessity of defending cultural inheritance, likening it to a garden needing stewardship. He warns that immigration without assimilation poses a threat to national unity. Personal anecdotes reveal society's challenges, including the burdens on healthcare and education systems, and the backlash against dissenting voices highlights the tension in discussions around empathy and responsibility.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of 1819 News: The Podcast , host Bryan Dawson takes listeners on a gripping journey through the cultural battles shaping Alabama, America, and the future of Western civilization itself. Drawing on vivid metaphors—from Y ellowstone to the biblical creation mandate—Dawson introduces the compelling “Dutton Principle”: Anything worth having will inevitably be targeted, and unless we defend it with courage, it will be lost. This episode zeroes in on one of Alabama’s most influential institutions: Auburn University. Dawson makes a passionate case for why Auburn is not only worth protecting but uniquely positioned to become the nation’s model for what a bold, unapologetically traditional university can be. With stories uncovered by 1819 News—ranging from DEI rebranding tactics and radical curriculum choices to controversial hiring decisions and alleged race-based admissions practices—Dawson paints a candid picture of a university at a crossroads. But this conversation goes far beyond campus politics. Dawson zooms out to connect today’s cultural tensions to a sweeping historical narrative of Christendom, Western civilization, and the ideological forces that have sought to dismantle them for over a century. From the Bolshevik Revolution to the “long march through the institutions,” he traces how modern progressive ideology took root and explains why its rise represents not just a political struggle, but a spiritual one. At the heart of the episode is a clear, energizing call to action: leaders must lead. Whether trustees, administrators, alumni, or everyday citizens, Dawson argues that those entrusted with influence have a responsibility to protect what is good, true, and beautiful—and to remove what threatens the hearts, minds, and souls of future generations. Bold, unfiltered, and deeply motivating, this episode challenges listeners to see the cultural landscape with fresh clarity and to engage with renewed purpose. If you care about Alabama, education, or the future of America, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Join Andrew Isker, author and cultural commentator, as he dives deep into what it truly means to be an American. Isker argues nations are built on culture and people, not just propositions. He critiques modern immigration policies, highlighting the challenges of assimilation and cultural decay. With provocative insights on birthright citizenship and the impact of H-1B visa programs, Isker emphasizes the need to prioritize citizens' well-being over economic growth. This conversation tackles uncomfortable truths about national identity and the future of America.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson sits down with Col. John Eidsmoe—author, historian, and chairman of the Plymouth Rock Foundation—to explore the true, awe-inspiring story behind Plymouth Plantation, the Mayflower, and the first Thanksgiving. More than a history lesson, this conversation uncovers the spiritual DNA of America: courage, sacrifice, self-government, and unshakeable faith in God’s providence. Dawson opens the episode by connecting the Pilgrims’ story to his own family lineage, tracing his ancestry back to the Wampanoag chief who stood alongside the Pilgrims at that first Thanksgiving. Eidsmoe, joining the show dressed in full Pilgrim attire, begins unpacking the Pilgrims’ rich written history—one of the most well-documented origins of any nation besides ancient Israel. He walks listeners through their persecution in England, their turbulent stay in the Netherlands, and the bold decision to cross the Atlantic for the sake of religious freedom and the advancement of the Christian faith. Together, Dawson and Eidsmoe trace the harrowing voyage of the Mayflower, the drafting of the Mayflower Compact, and the brutal first winter in which half the colony perished. Eidsmoe explains how God’s providence appeared repeatedly—from Squanto’s arrival, to the peaceful treaty with Massasoit, to the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest and their now-legendary feast of thanksgiving to God. The episode also delves into the Pilgrims’ early flirtation with socialism—forced upon them by investors—and how Gov. William Bradford recorded its utter failure and the colony’s explosive success once private property and individual incentive were restored. Eidsmoe even shares the remarkable story of how Bradford’s long-lost manuscript, History of Plymouth Plantation, was miraculously recovered centuries later. This Thanksgiving, Dawson invites listeners to look beyond food, family, and football and remember the faith, fortitude, and God-honoring vision of the men and women who risked everything to establish a Christian foothold in the New World. This powerful episode is a call to gratitude, to remembrance, and to reclaiming America’s true heritage.

In this special edition of 1819 News: The Podcast, you’ll get a front row seat to 1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson's speech at the 2nd Annual Albert Patterson Gala: An Evening of Courage featuring Tucker Carlson. Dawson gave a brief but incredible speech calling Christians to speak the truth and confront wickedness when and where they see it, no matter the cost. God brought everything into existence by speaking and humans are the only creatures in creation who share that ability to speak. Because of this, Dawson highlights the importance of speaking the truth and refusing to be silenced. We hope you’ll enjoy this brief speech and allow it to inspire you to go forth with courage, refusing to be silenced as you speak and live the truth. Please also consider 1819 News in your year-end giving. We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, so all contributions toward our work are anonymous and tax deductible. Reach out to Ashley Carter, our VP of Finance and Events (Ashley.Carter@1819news.com), to make a year-end contribution, or give at 1819news.com/give.

In this powerhouse episode, 1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson sits down with Tucker Carlson for the most explosive and candid conversation ever featured on the podcast. Sparked by a seven-year-old viral clip of Carlson debating Ben Shapiro over driverless trucks, Dawson lays out how that single moment shattered the spell of neoliberal economics and exposed the human cost of deindustrialization, mass immigration, and endless foreign wars. What began as a discussion about jobs and GDP quickly became a full-scale autopsy of the conservative movement’s decades-long betrayal of the American working class. Carlson pulls no punches: he traces his own journey from a Weekly Standard neoconservative to the leading voice of America First nationalism, recounting the exact moment in Baghdad in 2003 when he realized he’d been “used” to sell a disastrous war. With unflinching honesty, he admits his past mistakes, explains why he now rejects both libertarian economics and neoconservative foreign policy as “false religions,” and declares that any government not putting its own citizens first has no legitimacy. The conversation then dives into the ongoing civil war inside conservatism—paleocons vs. neocons, Buchanan vs. Buckley 2.0—and why the old gatekeepers are finally losing control thanks to Elon Musk’s X. Carlson defends “America First” against decades of deliberate slander, dismantles the weaponized charge of antisemitism used to silence dissent, and warns that unchecked demographic replacement and anti-white discrimination are destroying the country his children will inherit. From the collapse of Kevin Roberts at Heritage to the rise of Nick Fuentes among a generation of angry young men, Carlson and Dawson confront the uncomfortable truths the establishment refuses to face: the American people have been lied to, sold out, and humiliated—and they’ve finally had enough. A raw, unfiltered, and deeply Christian case for putting America—and Americans—first. If you care about the future of this nation, this is the one episode you cannot miss.

In this compelling conversation on 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson, CEO of 1819 News, investigates a growing movement to bring classical education—and timeless values—back to Alabama’s classrooms. Dawson opens by challenging listeners to imagine a future where the destiny of Alabama’s children depends on returning to the classics—where education once again forms virtue, wisdom, and freedom of thought. Together, he and Ron Packard, founder and CEO of ACCEL Schools, discuss the philosophical and practical renewal of education through the Alabama Virtual Classical Academy, a new tuition-free online school launching in partnership with Sylacauga City Schools. Enabled by Alabama’s recent school choice reforms, this initiative gives families statewide access to a rigorous, virtue-centered education rooted in the timeless ideas of Aristotle, Socrates, and America’s founding fathers. Packard draws on nearly three decades in education to explain why teaching children how to think, not what to think, is more crucial than ever in the age of technology and moral confusion. The pair trace the history of classical learning—from the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric to the liberal arts tradition that formed leaders like the architects of the American Republic. They contrast this approach with today’s industrial-age schooling system, which too often prioritizes bureaucracy over character and test scores over truth. The conversation also highlights the cultural and spiritual dimensions of education, exploring how beauty, virtue, and objective truth were once considered essential to forming free citizens. With insights from figures like Dr. William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education and now provost of ACCEL Classical Academies, Dawson and Packard make a compelling case for reclaiming the lost art of education as the foundation of liberty itself. This episode isn’t just about curriculum reform—it’s a call to arms in the generational battle for the hearts and minds of Alabama’s children, urging parents and educators alike to rebuild a free and flourishing Alabama grounded in truth, virtue, and classical wisdom.

In this thought-provoking episode, host Bryan Dawson welcomes Father Calvin Robinson—a British Anglican priest, commentator, and outspoken cultural critic—for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, politics, and the challenges facing Western civilization. The discussion opens with Dawson recounting how he met Father Calvin at a Turning Point USA event in Huntsville, Ala., where the two connected over shared convictions and a passion for defending truth in turbulent times. Father Calvin shares his personal journey from the United Kingdom to the United States, explaining how his willingness to speak out on issues of national identity, faith, and culture has come at great personal and professional cost. Together, he and Brian explore the state of modern Britain, the rise of multiculturalism, and the tension between religious freedom, national values, and political correctness. Father Calvin describes what he views as the moral and spiritual decline of Western Europe, citing the erosion of Christian foundations and the emergence of parallel social and legal systems. The conversation turns to broader cultural questions, including the role of men and women in society, the decline of family life and faith, and the moral consequences of abortion and secularism. Both Dawson and Father Calvin frame these trends as symptoms of a deeper spiritual crisis—one that transcends politics and calls for a renewal of moral courage and conviction. Though controversial and at times unsettling, this episode offers a candid and unfiltered look at how two Christian thinkers interpret the West’s current crossroads. Listeners will hear strong opinions, passionate arguments, and sobering reflections on faith, culture, and the future of civilization. Whether you agree or disagree with their views, this conversation invites reflection on what it means to preserve truth, tradition, and belief in an increasingly divided world. Tune in for an unflinching dialogue on faith, culture, and the courage to stand firm in conviction—no matter the cost.

In this hard-hitting monologue episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson, CEO of 1819 News, breaks down the "flea flicker" political plays being run on Alabama values. Using football as a metaphor, Dawson exposes how opponents manipulate public opinion to advance agendas that erode traditional values—warning listeners to spot the setup at the line of scrimmage before the snap. Using previous major political failures as game film, he traces the path liberals have used to attain power. Talking points repeated ad nauseum, paying off people of influence, and employing the power of media is the flea flicker that our foes continue to use and we can't seem to stop them. Dawson explains how this same strategy normalized LGBTQ ideology, starting with "love is love" talking points, turning into media saturation via shows like Will & Grace, which led to the Obergefell decision, which forced same sex marriage onto all 50 states. The downward spiral has turned into gay pride parades, the trans agenda, and now homosexual men adopting young boys. What could go wrong? This downward spiral started with a few talking points being repeated ad nauseum and ended with gay couples renting women's wombs to create designer babies. In a democracy, the only thing you need to move your political objectives forward is to win the battle for public opinion and the left has mastered this play. Next, Dawson reveals the Alabama Education Association's (AEA) rebrand from a liberal powerhouse—once dictating votes from the gallery under Paul Hubbert—to a "conservative Christian" entity cozying up to Republican supermajority legislators with big checks and conservative rhetoric. Despite being an affiliate of the radical Marxist NEA, the AEA infiltrated the GOP, stalled school choice, and is now pushing homeschool regulation after losing public school enrollment. Their conservative mask slipped with their communicated intent to regulate homeschoolers, and when they recently made a $100,000 donation to Marxist Mobile mayoral candidate, Barbara Drummond. Finally, Dawson sounds the alarm on creeping Islamic influence, dubbing the Islamic activists in Hoover the emerging "Hoover Caliphate." Drawing parallels to Dearborn and Minneapolis, he cites grooming scandals in the UK, H-1B visa labor displacement, and a personal encounter with a young Muslim woman offering partnership and funds to 1819 News—rejecting it as a conquest play masked in shared "Republican values." This Islamic play is the play that is about to be run, and Dawson encourages everyone to see it for what it is so it can be stopped before putting any points on the board. Dawson urges vigilance: don’t allow our kindness to be weaponized against us. Reject pay-for-play media, refuse tainted money, and call out infiltration before cultural subversion becomes demographic dominance. You won't want to miss this powerful episode. Overtime Segment: Crossing the Rubicon and Burning the Boats!