Classical Education and the Battle for Paideia

Christian Witness in Politics and Rebuilding America

In this episode of Finding Your Spine, Dr. Chase Spears is joined by Eric Teetsel, Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and Chronicles magazine. They discuss the vital role of Christians in public life and how faith should inform policy without becoming partisan idolatry.  Eric shares his journey from a military family background to nearly two decades at the intersection of faith, policy, and politics — including work on life, marriage, religious liberty, and his willingness to take unpopular stands. The conversation explores the church’s calling to proactively advance the Kingdom, the dangers of cultural Marxism and disordered loves, and why public policy must reflect God’s created order to help people flourish.  They address courage under pressure, the long-term impact of seemingly small acts of obedience, parenting and formation of the next generation, and the hope of stewarding institutions during turbulent times. A compelling call to bold, faithful engagement in culture and politics. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:37 – Rebuilding from Ruins 00:01:25 – Teetsel's Background 00:04:05 – Faith and Public Policy 00:12:19 – Church as Proactive Force 00:19:04 – Public Policy and Created Order 00:26:13 – Forming the Next Generation 00:32:29 – Long-Term Impact 00:36:14 – Military Upbringing You can follow Eric's work at https://americarenewing.com/ [https://americarenewing.com/] or on X at @EricTeetsel [https://x.com/EricTeetsel]. You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears [https://x.com/DrChaseSpears]. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com [https://herzogfoundation.com/]. Like and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/HerzogFoundation], X [https://twitter.com/HerzogEducation], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herzog_foundation/], or sign up [https://herzogfoundation.com/resources/] to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

Classical Education and the Battle for Paideia

In this episode of Finding Your Spine, Dr. Chase Spears sits down with David Goodwin, co-author of Battle for the American Mind and a leader in the classical Christian education movement.  They explore how education shapes the soul and why the West has shifted from a Christian paideia to a modern servile one. David shares his journey from homeschooling and military service to embracing classical Christian education, while Chase unpacks the concept of paideia as deep soul formation rather than mere academics. The conversation covers the historical roots of liberal arts, the progressive replacement of Christian formation with an “American paideia,” and the long-term cultural consequences visible today.  They discuss how stories, cosmologies, and early formation influence what people love and value, and why rebuilding a liberated paideia rooted in wisdom and virtue is essential for raising courageous generations. A thoughtful discussion on education, culture, faith, and moral courage. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:05 – Goodwin's Background 00:02:55 – Classical Christian Education 00:04:44 – Defining Paideia 00:07:36 – Western Christian Roots 00:11:56 – Progressive Shift 00:16:55 – American Paideia 00:22:03 – Military and Worldview 00:35:18 – Colonization and Courage 00:42:54 – Hope for the Future You can find "Battle for the American Mind" here on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0abRX2Ge [https://a.co/d/0abRX2Ge] Read more of David’s work here: https://davidgoodwin.substack.com/ [https://davidgoodwin.substack.com/] You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears [https://x.com/DrChaseSpears]. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com [https://herzogfoundation.com/]. Like and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/HerzogFoundation], X [https://twitter.com/HerzogEducation], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herzog_foundation/], or sign up [https://herzogfoundation.com/resources/] to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

From Marine to Media Maverick: Defying Corporate Censorship

Dr. Chase Spears chats with Kristian Garic, a Marine veteran, ex-sheriff's deputy, and New Orleans radio veteran, about standing firm amid cultural pressures. Kristian recounts his Army brat upbringing, Marine service, law enforcement stint, and radio rise—from sports coverage and Saints Super Bowl sideline reporting to facing pandemic-era censorship in corporate media. He details pushback on COVID warnings, mask hypocrisy, social media demands, and a suspension over a July 4th post criticizing colleagues' social justice focus. Choosing independence in 2022, he reflects on building his own show for uncensored truth. The discussion explores strong parental influences, the assault on fatherhood and masculinity, biblical family roles, absent fathers' societal costs, and Charlie Kirk's legacy of courage—emphasizing his impact on youth, Gen Z conservatism, and rejecting political violence. Amid threats and rhetoric-fueled chaos, they call for ordered liberty, generational resolve, and returning to Judeo-Christian values for a virtuous future. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:02 - Corporate Radio Frictions in 2020 00:06:27 - Experiences in Radio Media 00:13:06 - Buildup to Leaving Corporate Radio 00:13:53 - Working in Radio During COVID-19 00:20:03 - July 4th Post and Suspension 00:33:06 - Charlie Kirk's Courage as Choice 00:39:52 - Left Wing Violent Rhetoric 00:46:18 - Christ or Chaos in Society 00:50:14 - Encouragement from Memorial Service Turnout You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears [https://x.com/DrChaseSpears]. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com [https://herzogfoundation.com/]. Like and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/HerzogFoundation], X [https://twitter.com/HerzogEducation], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herzog_foundation/], or sign up [https://herzogfoundation.com/resources/] to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

JAG Corps Exodus: Fighting Back Against Bureaucratic Drift

Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Caleb Byrd, partner at Younts Law and fellow veteran, for a wide-ranging discussion on integrity, faith, and resistance in institutions. They reflect on their friendship origins in Fort Knox, shared military experiences, and Caleb's transition from Army JAG to civilian advocacy. They explore international law myths, self-defense rights against drug smuggling, Monroe Doctrine revival, foreign policy betrayals, and the entrenched Pentagon bureaucracy resisting reform. Emphasizing Romans 13 duties, moral courage over physical bravery, and refusing to tolerate evil, they call for ruthless stewardship, generational resolve, and reclaiming ordered liberty under Christ. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:21 - Guest Welcome and Friendship Origins 00:01:22 - Back Porch Beginnings in Fort Knox 00:02:15 - Military Career Parallels and Connections 00:04:04 - JAG Corps Experience and Fast Track 00:05:21 - Vaccine Accommodations and Early Red Flags 00:07:18 - Promotion Issues and Talent Exodus 00:08:42 - Transition to Younts Law and God Connection 00:11:53 - JAG Advice Failures and DEI Impact 00:14:22 - Stewardship Abandonment in Profession 00:18:28 - Noble JAG History and Truth to Power 00:20:28 - Moral Courage Deficit in Leaders 00:20:59 - International Law Myths and Norms 00:23:35 - Self-Defense Against Drug Smugglers 00:26:39 - Government Purpose and Romans 13 00:28:00 - Foreign Policy Failures and Betrayals 00:30:56 - Monroe Doctrine Revival and Influence 00:34:48 - Surrender Theology Critique 00:37:17 - Christ's Kingdom as Conquest 00:40:29 - Magistrate Duty to Honor God 00:44:57 - Military Bureaucracy Resistance 00:48:24 - Need for Ruthless Reformers 00:53:24 - Inspect What You Expect 00:55:25 - Stop Tolerating Evil You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears [https://x.com/DrChaseSpears]. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com [https://herzogfoundation.com/]. Like and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/HerzogFoundation], X [https://twitter.com/HerzogEducation], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herzog_foundation/], or sign up [https://herzogfoundation.com/resources/] to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

From Battlefield to Ballot Box: A Veteran's Fight Against Marxism

Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Chandler Langevin, a Navy veteran and Palm Bay City Councilman, to explore a journey shaped by real-world experiences. Chandler shares his eye-opening deployment to Afghanistan, where restrictive rules and political priorities cost American lives, sparking his disillusionment with government institutions. From there, he recounts travels studying the devastating impacts of Marxist revolutions in places like Cambodia's Killing Fields, witnessing firsthand the horrors of ideologies that claim millions.  Back home, COVID lockdowns, election concerns, and vaccine mandates pushed him into activism—fighting for medical freedom, parental rights, Second Amendment protections, and ultimately winning a city council seat to flip a poorly run local government. The conversation dives deep into the need for virtuous Christian leadership at the local level, the dangers of bureaucratic capture, the merchant-class influence in modern politics, and why men must reclaim masculinity, involvement, and purpose to restore America.  A powerful call to bold, principled action. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:58 - Navy Enlistment and Afghanistan Path 00:02:44 - 2016 Deployment ROE Disillusionment 00:04:19 - Base Security and Suicide Bombing Impact 00:05:37 - Travel to Study Marxist Revolutions 00:07:20 - Cambodia Killing Fields Horrors 00:10:33 - Marxist Formula in Today's West 00:11:40 - COVID-Era Deployment and Lockdowns 00:13:29 - Vaccine Fight, Discharge, and Activism 00:32:52 - Luciferian Left and Demonic Influences 00:34:06 - Merchant Class Takeover of the Right 00:37:20 - Civil War Destruction of Southern Nobility 00:39:01 - Post-WWII Shift to Profit-Driven GOP 00:48:44 - Reclaiming Masculinity and Call to Action You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears [https://x.com/DrChaseSpears]. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com [https://herzogfoundation.com/]. Like and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/HerzogFoundation], X [https://twitter.com/HerzogEducation], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herzog_foundation/], or sign up [https://herzogfoundation.com/resources/] to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen