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I sat down with Rudyard Lynch, creator of WhatIfAltHist and History102, to revisit his civil war prediction. He argues that the current psychological crisis is delaying an inevitable political crisis, drawing on the Mouse Utopia experiment, screen addiction, and the decay of internet discourse. Rudyard reflects on what he got right, what he got wrong, and why embracing honor culture might be our path back to sanity. We also get into the relationship between Christianity and socialism, the role of masculinity in leadership, and why “reasonable liberals” fail to confront the Marxist threat. _____________________________________ Follow Rudyard on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/whatifalthist Check out WhatIfAltHist: https://www.youtube.com/Whatifalthist Check out History102: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Updated civil war predictions [4:19] Antisemitism and Israel discourse [13:49] Psychological and political crises [25:05] Socialism, Nietzsche, and nihilism [33:14] The Age of the Last Men [38:48] Woodrow Wilson and the rise of progressivism [46:17] “The system,” society, and bureaucracy [56:47] Why decency dies on the internet [1:02:32] Is good leadership fundamentally “masculine”? [1:06:15] Sex differences vs. sexism [1:12:22] Why faith in honor culture matters [1:20:28] Did Christianity give birth to socialism? [1:30:20] Stephen Pinker and the “reasonable liberal” problem [1:39:08] “Progress” is just spiritual sterilization [1:43:36] “Rationalists” are just conformists [1:49:39] Classical liberals overplayed the equality card [1:53:33] Are libertarian values still valid in our culture? [2:01:00] Victim culture on the right [2:05:16] The neo-middle ages [2:10:42] Is broad social trust still feasible? [2:17:29] Why you should unplug from the internet _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RDmkKZ7vAkI 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with anti-communist author Xi Van Fleet to learn about her upbringing under Mao’s Cultural Revolution and her concerns for the trajectory of America. Immigrating from China 40 years ago, she is a blunt critic of modern progressivism and sheds light on the pervasive Marxist influences in our politics, culture, and language—even among conservatives. Xi got involved in public advocacy following the explosion of leftist chaos during the 2020 BLM protests, recognizing echoes of the Red Guard reign of terror that dominated her childhood. An enthusiastic proponent of American values, she offers a stark warning against the communist ideology animating politicians like Zohran Mamdani. _____________________________________ Follow Xi Van Fleet on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/XVanFleet?s=20 Order a copy of Xi’s new book “Made in America”: https://a.co/d/bVwCieI Order a copy of “Mao’s America”: https://a.co/d/2Oes5xY _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Why 2020 drove Xi to activism [12:22] Growing up during the Cultural Revolution [21:56] How did Mao maintain control over China? [33:08] Recruiting and radicalizing the Red Guard [41:36] The Cultural Revolution was pure insanity [56:02] Why Mao dismantled the Red Guard [1:00:54] How can anyone call themselves a Maoist today? [1:14:47] “But that’s not REAL communism” [1:21:42] Communism is a religion of mind control [1:27:17] Beauty cuts through the brainwashing [1:35:11] American culture is poisoned by Marxism [1:43:37] Assimilation vs multiculturalism [1:53:15] Communism is a real threat to America in 2026 [2:03:55] Even conservatives are tainted by Marxism [2:08:28] Why do we encourage immigrants to hate America? [2:18:26] Americans need to know the history of communism _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IiAVqhO6quA 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with healthcare policy expert Michael Cannon to unpack why the U.S. healthcare system drives everyone crazy. From exploding costs and rampant fraud to government shutdowns over Obamacare subsidies, healthcare issues continue to monopolize our politics and our everyday lives. Contrary to what Bernie Sanders might think, government intervention—not capitalism—has rigged the healthcare system to benefit insurers, hospitals, and politicians at the expense of patients. We dig into how moral hazard fuels waste and overconsumption, why lobbyists undermine smart reforms in favor of policies that make the problem worse, and the coming fiscal reckoning for Medicaid and Medicare. _____________________________________ Follow Michael on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/mfcannon?s=20 Read Michael’s work on Substack: https://mfcannon.substack.com/ Learn more about Michael’s work at the Cato Institute: https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What’s behind the Somali fraud scandal? [8:31] Why is Medicare fraud so rampant? [12:42] How laws and lobbyists obstructed DOGE [18:33] The Obamacare subsidy government shutdown [25:58] The argument for Obamacare vs its actual results [32:31] The Oregon study debunks the health insurance myth [42:19] Does cheap health insurance make people less healthy? [58:22] How do you know that a medical treatment is worth it? [1:03:19] The tax code disincentivizes price transparency [1:15:12] Why does health insurance stop at state lines? [1:21:34] Do Americans really spend more on healthcare? [1:28:28] The U.S. subsidizes the global pharmaceutical market [1:36:32] The problem with pharmaceutical patents [1:42:53] Why do so many Americans idolize Luigi Mangione? [1:53:02] Death panels are an inevitable part of health insurance [2:00:35] Overconsumption and monopoly pricing in healthcare [2:06:33] Will the demographic cliff destroy Medicaid and Medicare? [2:17:59] Will Medicare-For-All end up winning the political fight? [2:23:39] The ideal solution vs realistic improvements to healthcare [2:32:18] Which country has the best healthcare system? _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nPnUI0OhMeA 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with journalist and author Michael Shellenberger to unpack the psychology of modern radicalism and why anti-ICE activists seem more interested in perpetual agitation than problem-solving. Michael reflects on his own radical past, including his experiences in Nicaragua, Brazil, and Venezuela, where socialist idealism gave way to corruption, gangsterism, and societal collapse. We also discuss his ongoing fight for free speech and the potential global impacts of recent European regulatory attacks on Elon Musk and X (Twitter). _____________________________________ Follow Michael on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/shellenberger?s=20 Read Michael’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@shellenberger Preorder a copy of “The Left’s War on Reality”: https://a.co/d/cnMuOGy _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] ICE protest chaos [13:06] Female psychology and left-wing activism [30:19] Why Michael got involved in radical politics [39:54] Interviewing the future President of Brazil [42:44] Is Marxism a colonial project? [47:46] What is “radicalism”? [55:53] Working for Hugo Chávez in Venezuela [1:01:41] Communism always devolves into gangsterism [1:10:58] Liberalism, globalism, and nationalism [1:18:02] Is “international law” a myth? [1:22:08] Why Michael is skeptical of the Venezuela intervention [1:31:48] The counterintuitive danger of natural resources [1:37:13] Zohran Mamdani’s inaugural speech should scare you [1:52:34] How elites keep mass democracy under control [1:58:30] The Twitter Files and the next social media crackdown [2:05:21] Free speech is a cause worth dying for [2:13:58] Antisemitism, cancellation, and the conservative civil war [2:24:19] Trump 2.0 proved that censorship can be overcome [2:29:36] What Michael has learned from teaching _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0z_KzE0OXaE 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with author and energy journalist Robert Bryce to unpack our society’s dependence on the electric grid and what that means for American security and prosperity in the future. The electric grid is far more fragile than most people realize—even more so given the so-called “clean energy transition” pushed throughout the 21st century. As we saw in Spain last spring, excessive reliance on renewable energy sources significantly raises the possibility of systemic collapse during electricity demand peaks. Now, with AI data centers driving up electricity demand, and therefore prices, a reckoning is overdue. Robert lays out the tradeoffs of renewable energy, the potential for a nuclear renaissance, and how energy policy challenges the assumptions of the free market and decentralized government in a world of geopolitical adversaries. _____________________________________ Follow Robert Bryce on X (Twitter): https://x.com/pwrhungry?s=20 Watch Robert Bryce on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robertbryce?si=FKjtFk1G3WMudQw1 Read Robert Bryce’s work on Substack: https://robertbryce.substack.com/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Will AI data centers break the power grid? [10:46 11:00] The electric grid is the most important system in our society [21:10 21:24] Why is the electric grid so fragile? [34:18 34:32] The forgotten innovations that reshaped society [42:54] What is “base load” and why does it matter? [52:58] The “clean energy transition” has always been fake [1:03:17] Will solar power ever be viable for a whole country? [1:12:28] Why would Germany kneecap its own energy capacity? [1:21:22] A society run by engineers vs lawyers [1:26:24] The Trump administration’s energy policies [1:31:00] What are the real safety risks of nuclear energy? [1:38:52] What are “small modular reactors” (SMRs)? [1:45:43] Nuclear waste is a political, not technical, problem [1:55:06] Does the US have access to enough uranium for nuclear power? [2:00:13] What are the limits to capitalism and small government? _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jAfGUUAvGBA 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with psychologist and author Peter Gray to unpack why anxiety, depression, and immaturity are rising at the exact moment kids have more “support” than ever. Peter explains how we stripped childhood of the one ingredient that actually builds competence: real freedom. We talk about the collapse of free, self-directed play, the fear-driven culture that keeps kids under constant adult management, and how modern schooling turns learning into compliance and metrics—resulting in bad habits and chronic stress. Play isn’t a “bonus” part of childhood; it’s how children learn judgment, resilience, social intelligence, and self-control. The path back to healthier kids starts with letting them take risks, solve problems, and grow up the way humans evolved to. _____________________________________ Check out Peter’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@petergray _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Intro [1:06] Essential skills for a successful adult life [6:52] Education vs. schooling [19:40] Anxiety, depression, and immaturity [33:12] Is high school stress anything new? [36:48] Why parents to over-manage their kids [47:26] Are we training kids to accept authority and control? [55:58] The history of the school system [1:11:13] The policies shaping modern classrooms [1:19:01] The seven sins of the education system [1:38:58] What Peter learned from Ruby Lou [1:43:37] Play literally is education [1:51:04] Why trustful parenting works best _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8iRrZHUnB4E 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with clinical psychologist Dr. Camilo Ortiz to unpack why modern parenting has become so exhausting—and why it’s also making kids more anxious, not less. Dr. Ortiz explains why kids need daily exposure to the four D’s—discomfort, distress, disappointment, and danger—and how natural consequences teach better than nagging or punishment ever will. We explore the limits and potential harms of today’s feminized therapy culture and how we can rebuild real-world independence through risky play, mixed-age freedom, and even early work. _____________________________________ Follow Dr. Ortiz on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrCamiloOrtiz Visit Dr. Ortiz’s website: http://drcamiloortiz.com/ Learn more about “independence therapy”: https://letgrow.org/program/independence-therapy/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12566881823&gbraid=0AAAAACiZd3IWu23qJsSxpn65U7GX9fkVZ&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0p7KBhCkARIsAE6Xlam-UlbNorBHFogiD9_yToVLHOcEIJaxqI86ql2tEa_EKyKbQkbimREaAomwEALw_wcB Dr. Ortiz’s article in “The Free Press”: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-secret-to-parenting-do-less-of-it _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] How parenting went wrong [5:45] The feminization of parenting and psychology [15:25] Abigail Shrier’s “Bad Therapy” [15:56] Therapy isn’t the solution to every problem [24:02] What are “mindfulness practices”? [31:25] Are mental health issues really that common? [36:13] Moms vs dads on childhood independence [43:19] Why is evolutionary psychology ignored? [54:19] Is academia biased by ideology or personality? [1:01:17] Nagging your kids doesn’t work [1:09:29] The collective action problem of childhood [1:12:42] Parents shouldn’t try to win every battle [1:23:15] What is “independence therapy”? [1:27:40] Are kids lacking freedom or authority, or both? [1:33:49] Focus on productive behavior, not identity [1:50:47] “Gentle parenting” is the worst of both worlds [1:54:06] How can you address real trauma? [2:02:58] The case for child labor [2:08:16] A lighthouse for sanity in psychology _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cLouj8Hgvbg 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with former Amway CEO Doug DeVos to talk about what it means to believe in the American way in an era defined by cynicism. Prosperity doesn’t come from slogans or politics—it comes from families, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who take responsibility and create real value. We unpack why pessimism has become a cultural default, how that mindset quietly erodes ambition and gratitude, and why faith in America must be rooted in action, not nostalgia. _____________________________________ Follow Doug on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Doug_DeVos?s=20 Read “Believe! Journal” on Substack: https://www.thebelievejournal.com/ Purchase a copy of “Believe!”: https://a.co/d/8SfMYUV _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Elite influence or philanthropic leadership? [7:48] The Midwest’s community culture [11:19] Does online polarization represent real life? [21:53] American idealism vs. “burn it all down” [28:43] How did family formation become political? [36:37] Trust fund kids and generational wealth [42:38] The history of Amway [49:18] Criticisms of multi-level marketing [51:11] Sales is the most underrated career path [1:03:17] Free enterprise as a moral system [1:08:54] How do successful large organizations work? [1:14:43] Is the optimistic American spirit fading? [1:19:17] Life, liberty, and the pursuit of virtue [1:23:41] Building trust in a post-truth world [1:26:51] The Founding Fathers’ skepticism of power [1:34:40] The internet, social media, and AI [1:38:18] Does anything shake Doug’s optimism? [1:43:17] America is the comeback nation [1:46:27] How becoming a parent frees you from ego [1:50:01] Take on the responsibility of citizenship _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R2wk_QgvBwA 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with comedian, writer, and host of “Walk-Ins Welcome,” Bridget Phetasy to talk about how she recovered from divorce, hookup culture, and addiction—and how those experiences shaped her views on our current cultural crisis. Writing for Playboy in the 2010s gave her a front-row seat to a society going mad. Bridget’s previously mainstream liberal beliefs were shattered one by one, eventually leading to the realization that marriage and parenthood were right for her all along. _____________________________________ Follow Bridget on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/BridgetPhetasy?s=20 Watch Bridget on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@phetasy?si=vocDzLaTe0_885Nz Watch “Walk-Ins Welcome”: https://youtube.com/@morebridgetphetasy?si=xkIAzwIDvtMP3rKQ Follow Bridget on Substack: https://www.phetasy.com/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What parenting teaches you [14:01] Start your family early [18:10] Where feminism goes too far [23:02] Hookup culture isn’t empowerment [34:53] Divorce triggers a dark spiral for kids [45:43] How pop culture shapes your beliefs [50:21] “Staying together for the kids” and real love [1:02:51] Having kids resets your ambitions [1:08:49] How broken people get lost in darkness [1:20:25] Identity is way more than your superficial traits [1:25:16] Trans surgeries and the power of sex [1:41:49] Is Islam incompatible with the West? [1:53:42] Group differences vs individual treatment [1:59:18] Can the 12 Steps heal America? [2:08:28] Institutional trust and the AI revolution [2:14:09] Psychological, ideological, and technological crises [2:28:19] Focus on creation, not destruction _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TwdnGWyjmUc 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Dr. Drew Pinsky to unpack how a culture of narcissism is warping our relationships, our politics, and the way we raise our kids. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Drew explains how collapsing family structures create adults who are fragile on the inside but obsessed with curating a perfect image on the outside. We talk about how social media rewards performative outrage and mob “justice,” why so many young people now filter everything through a lens of victimhood, and how the sexual revolution reshaped intimacy in ways most people still don’t fully understand. _____________________________________ Follow Dr. Drew on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/drdrew Subscribe to Dr. Drew’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@DrDrew?si=ep1LT1yWvqUKxrYW _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Intro [0:53] What is narcissism? [15:17] Activist mobs, false empathy, and free speech [22:42] Narcissism vs sociopathy vs psychopathy [29:18] The impacts of social media [30:59] What is adulthood? [39:05] Family breakdown and the psychological crisis [51:38] “It Doesn’t Have To Be Awkward” [56:38] Grappling with gender identity confusion [1:05:53] The lasting effects of trauma [1:12:51] Marriage, divorce, and relationships [1:20:40] Why are gay and transgender issues lumped together? [1:23:18] Do Americans just need to toughen up? [1:25:18] Mental health impacts of COVID lockdowns [1:27:16] Social media hits girls and boys are differently [1:30:53] Homelessness, fatherlessness, and foster care _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RV0dnLFbu-k 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with neuroscience PhD Delia McCabe to explore why our brains are struggling in the modern world and what that means for our kids, our politics, and how we handle the AI revolution. Delia has spent her career digging into the effects of nutrition on mental health—either optimizing cognitive function or sending our brains into disastrous feedback loops. We also discuss biological sex differences, the rise of gender confusion, and the cognitive biases that have deranged our public discourse. _____________________________________ Read Delia’s Substack: https://deliamccabe.substack.com/ Learn more about Delia’s work: https://www.lighterbrighteryou.life/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What’s wrong with clinical psychology? [7:13] The link between food, behavior, and mental health [19:36] How neuroplasticity actually works [28:24] Thinking burns more energy than physical labor [33:15] Does neuroscience disprove free will? [39:43] Emotions can literally change what we know [45:30] You can’t separate the mind from the body [55:49] Confirmation bias vs “the feeling of knowing” [1:03:20] When is it safe to “trust your gut”? [1:12:27] Why smart people believe dumb ideas [1:18:40] What happens to your brain in your mid-20s? [1:30:14] “Social-emotional learning” and the trauma obsession [1:45:26] The black mirror, the uncanny valley, and narcissism [1:55:33] Male and female brains are objectively different [2:08:05] What’s causing the explosion of gender confusion? [2:21:38] Is feminization destroying our society? [2:38:32] Confronting your ignorance is painful but necessary [2:43:14] How can we heal the gender divide? [2:49:47] How can you change someone’s mind? [3:01:35] Why our psychology leads to big government [3:12:54] The jobs that attract smart psychopaths [3:25:56] Stress, focus, and creativity [3:36:43] Understand the brain, save America _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/caiubV_hqCg 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Jay Heinrichs, best-selling author of Thank You for Arguing, to explore the lost art of rhetoric and why Americans should relearn these skills. Most of us have forgotten how to persuade one another, and in an algorithmically optimized social media era, we’re increasingly vulnerable to constant manipulation. We dig into how, from Gavin Newsom to Donald Trump, our politicians use rhetorical tactics to greater and lesser effect. The ancient Greeks treated argument as a civic virtue—a tool for building relationships and solving problems. In the modern era, where political tribes talk past each other and rely on logical fallacies, elevating our public discourse is long overdue. _____________________________________ Learn more about Jay’s work: https://www.jayheinrichs.com/ Read Jay’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@jayheinrichs?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Purchase a copy of Jay’s latest book: https://a.co/d/5BV8IEF _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] What is “rhetoric” and why did we forget it? [8:17] The collapse and rebirth of public debate [17:28] Inoculate your kids against manipulation [24:59] Disinterest vs “lived experience” in debate [34:51] Arguing about the past, present, and future [42:51] How to apply these tactics in a job interview [50:01] Why we’re skeptical of slick-talkers [59:52] Can rhetoric help rebuild institutional trust? [1:07:02] Physical closeness, emotion, and human connection [1:17:58] Empathy, sympathy, and manipulative rhetoric [1:22:54] Greta Thunberg’s vs Al Gore’s climate change rhetoric [1:32:01] How to avoid logical fallacies [1:51:59] Why bipartisanship is so elusive today [2:01:31] Empower your kids to speak better _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LH6kG42n-T8 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with writer and free speech advocate Katherine Brodsky to explore how fear and conformity have paralyzed honest dialogue in the West. Drawing on her own experience as the target of a cancellation mob for what should have been an uncontroversial statement, she’s been grappling with how our culture can return to sanity and re-embrace free speech as a core value. We reflect on how social media algorithms have distorted public discourse, whether the right is now engaging in the same bad behavior that defined the left over the past decade, and why having hard conversations is a skill we need to practice more as a society. _____________________________________ Follow Katherine on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/mysteriouskat?s=20 Read Katherine’s work on Substack: https://substack.com/@mysteriouskat _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Why Katherine called me out [6:33] How Katherine got cancelled [22:18] Her Soviet parents saw cancel culture coming [28:23] Why can’t we have reasonable conversations anymore? [36:03] Instinct, rationality, and algorithmic manipulation [43:20] Why some people stand up to the mob and others don’t [48:09] Where are the conservatives in academia and the arts? [1:00:06] Searching for truth in the Israel debate [1:09:22] Did the anti-woke backlash go to far? [1:19:07] Does Twitter represent the public’s actual opinions? [1:27:14] We’re still haunted by the atrocities of 2020 [1:37:57] How hands-off should the government be? [1:48:54] Bodily autonomy and freedom of speech are non-negotiable [1:56:45] Is Muslim immigration compatible with the West? [2:13:51] Why has the left embraced anti-Americanism? [2:28:42] Free speech is a muscle _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bbncXIGIJao 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with social psychologist and bestselling author Jonathan Haidt to examine how overprotective parenting and unfettered access to social media have stunted the development of Gen Z. A decades-long obsession with safety has replaced unsupervised outdoor play with online binging—and now we’re faced with a younger generation that’s more anxious, less confident, and robbed of the independence and resilience needed to grow into capable adults. What will it take for America to raise free, competent, and happy children again? _____________________________________ Follow Jonathan on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/JonHaidt _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Introduction [0:49] The origin of “The Coddling of the American Mind” [2:13] What does it mean to be an adult? [10:22] Why parents should avoid over-scheduling [12:24] Is Gen Z actually that unique? [16:30] Social media’s impact on kids’ mental health [20:09] Looking beyond depression and anxiety [22:15] Do fragile kids become failed adults? [24:12] How can people achieve happiness? [28:38] The bad ideas running our society [29:39] Why is anti-fragility so important? [33:29] Stick-and-stones vs mean words [37:51] What is “locus of control”? [41:00] Should we trust our feelings? [45:20] Measuring childhood success [47:18] Kids’ problems become society’s problems [49:13] Where is America headed if we don’t change course? _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dU-TA0O0lc0 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

I sat down with Mike Benz, former State Department official and founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, to uncover how government agencies, intelligence contractors, and Big Tech built the surveillance, propaganda, and censorship machine now reshaping the internet. Mike explains how child protection measures have evolved into weapons against free speech and online privacy, how the CIA influences the tech industry, and why you should still work to protect your personal data—even with so much already online. _____________________________________ Follow Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/joelkotkin Watch Mike on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mikebenzcyberofficial?si=x44aaPbJ4wGMExbE Learn more about Mike’s organization: https://foundationforfreedomonline.com/ _____________________________________ Outline: [0:00] Texas app store age verification law [23:05] How the CIA gathers mass biometric data [29:02] What is a “limited hangout”? [34:06] The CIA doesn’t just target the villains [44:54] How surveillance is turned on Americans [55:45] Isn’t your personal data already online? [1:11:36] Larry Ellison’s surveillance “utopia” [1:19:02] The presumption of innocence is gone [1:26:14] Oracle is tied to all sorts of shady stuff [1:42:27] Does technology dehumanize us? [2:01:20] How elite stakeholders shape government [2:15:42] The public needs to know what’s going on _____________________________________ Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g1B0YmNHxwQ 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe