Finding Your Spine

In a time when courage feels increasingly rare, Finding Your Spine challenges the status quo. Hosted by Dr. Chase Spears, this weekly podcast explores how Christians—and even secular conservatives—can stand firm in their values amid the pressures of cancel culture. With insightful commentary and bold conversations, Dr. Spears examines the tradeoff many make between conscience and comfort, reminding listeners that true freedom requires the spine to defend it. Tune in each week for thought-provoking discussions that inspire moral courage in an age of compromise.

Finding Your Spine is a education podcast hosted by Herzog Foundation, with 65 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Herzog Foundation hosts Finding Your Spine, a education show with 65 episodes published.

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  Episode #65

  Bringing the Bull Moose Spirit to Your Local School District

  Aug 17, 202645 min

  Aiden Buzzetti, president of the Bull Moose Project and the 1776 Project, discusses the difference between traditional think tanks and “action tanks” that move principles into real-world results. He explains how the Bull Moose Project began in the early Biden years as a way to sustain America First energy and why the organization draws its name from Theodore Roosevelt’s famous resilience after being shot mid-speech. The conversation highlights the outsized power of local governance—especially school boards—where a single vote can shape curriculum, budgets, and daily life far more directly than one vote in Congress. Buzzetti details the practical work of preparing newly elected school board members, removing ideology from classrooms, and restoring focus on reading and math. He also walks through how congressional offices actually operate, the layers of staff gatekeeping, and why persistent physical presence remains the most effective way to influence policy. Additional themes include cultural messaging around family formation, the long-term demographic advantage of communities that prioritize children, and why conservatives should remain engaged in public schools even while expanding school choice. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:57 – Local vs. DC 00:08:11 – Starting in the Biden Years 00:09:19 – Origin of Bull Moose 00:14:20 – Roosevelt and Trump Parallels 00:18:06 – Supporting School Boards 00:19:26 – How Congressional Offices Work 00:21:22 – Staff Layers and Gatekeeping 00:28:17 – Why Launch an Action Tank 00:32:31 – Promoting Family and Children 00:38:00 – Local Pushback 00:41:28 – Strategic Value of School Boards You can find out more about Aiden's work at https://bullmooseproject.org/ You can follow Chase Spears on X @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 . Like and follow us on Facebook , X , and Instagram , or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

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  Episode #64

  The Erosion of Truth in Academic Research

  Aug 10, 202643 min

  Social psychologist Dr. Jose Duarte, PhD joins the conversation to examine the widespread problem of invalid and ideologically driven research in academia, particularly in social psychology. He describes how institutions that claim to seek truth often publish false claims about politics, climate, misinformation, and human nature, eroding public connection to reality and shaping policy on taxpayer dollars. Dr. Duarte recounts his early experiences, including being denied admission to a graduate program over a blog post criticizing Jimmy Carter, and his role as lead author on a major 2015 paper documenting the lack of political diversity in academic psychology and its damaging effects on research validity. The discussion covers the replication crisis, concrete examples of flawed studies (such as those claiming conservatives rationalize inequality), the distinction between scholarship and rigorous research, and the embedding of leftist constructs like “microaggressions” into National Institutes of Health grants. He details his recent efforts at NIH to develop a clean-science framework free of ideological bias, the limited progress made, ongoing funded projects that advance partisan narratives, and the broader consequences when media and policymakers treat such work as authoritative science. The episode closes with practical avenues for reform through Congress and the executive branch. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:47 – Junk Academic Research 00:01:15 – False Claims from Academia 00:04:44 – Duarte’s Professional Background 00:05:15 – Denied Graduate Admission 00:07:58 – 2015 Political Bias Paper 00:10:12 – Military Academia Disconnect 00:11:49 – Invalid Research Methods 00:13:10 – Conservatives Happiness Study 00:16:26 – Scholarship Versus Research 00:18:16 – Lack of Logic in the Field 00:20:21 – Examples of Ideological Titles 00:22:26 – Taxpayer Funded Ideology 00:24:41 – Defining Microaggressions 00:27:10 – NIH Microaggression Grants 00:28:58 – Clean Science Framework Work 00:32:53 – Impact of Junk Science 00:34:18 – COVID Mask Efficacy Claims 00:35:46 – False Claims on Conservatives 00:37:48 – Tyranny of the Experts 00:39:03 – Current Open NIH Grants 00:41:21 – Paths to Reform You can find more of Dr. Duarte's work at https://validscience.substack.com You can follow Chase Spears on X @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 . Like and follow us on Facebook , X , and Instagram , or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

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  Episode #63

  Reclaiming Christian Institutions from Progressive Drift

  Aug 3, 202642 min

  In this follow-up interview, Pastor Jake Dell continues the conversation by sharing how he is revitalizing First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut, growing the congregation through bold, historic Christian preaching. He explains Operation Reconquista, the movement to reclaim mainline Protestant churches that have drifted into progressive theology. Dell makes the case that Christians have a responsibility to engage these historic institutions rather than abandon them, drawing on America’s founding, the role of Protestant denominations, and lessons from J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. He outlines practical strategies, including starting with smaller under-resourced churches, using legal mechanisms for well-endowed ones, understanding denominational bylaws and state religious corporation laws, and the importance of stewardship from Genesis. The discussion also covers the myth of strict church-state separation in early America, the fallacy of the “red letter” argument, the role of social media in spreading uncompromised preaching, and the need for righteous boldness in the pulpit today. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:04:32 – Operation Reconquista Explained 00:08:52 – Machen and the Century-Old Fight 00:10:36 – Conservative Resistance in Episcopal Church 00:16:44 – Purpose Beyond Institutional Wins 00:18:51 – Following Bylaws and Legal Standards 00:21:54 – Separation of Church and State Myth 00:26:12 – Stewardship Mandate from Genesis 00:28:15 – Healing Sick Parts of the Church 00:32:32 – Red Letter Argument Fallacy 00:35:19 – Social Media for Bold Preaching 00:38:50 – Advice to Pastors in Captured Denominations You can follow Chase Spears on X @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 . Like and follow us on Facebook , X , and Instagram , or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

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  Episode #62

  Preaching Without Compromise After Leaving the Episcopal Church

  Jul 27, 202644 min

  Pastor Jake Dell shares his personal journey from the Episcopal Church to his current role at First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut. He explains the progressive theological drift he witnessed in mainline denominations, the pressure to signal conformity on cultural issues, and the events that led him to resign in 2024. Dell recounts his early call to ministry, experiences at Yale, the impact of Obergefell on the Episcopal Church, and how COVID-era policies and 2020 protests revealed inconsistencies that pushed him to speak more boldly from the pulpit. He discusses the difference between the form of religion and its true power, the proper role of pastors in addressing cultural and civic matters, and why he believes Christians must actively reclaim institutions rather than abandon them. The conversation highlights the growth he has seen in his current congregation by returning to historic Christian preaching and refusing to compromise on core truths. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:03:30 – Mainline Theological Drift 00:04:24 – Early Faith and Calling 00:09:33 – Divisive Cultural Issues 00:14:29 – Johnson Amendment as Excuse 00:21:23 – Post-Obergefell Shift 00:27:05 – 2020 as Turning Point 00:32:11 – Gospel Implications for Culture 00:34:17 – Public Witness Required 00:37:00 – School Board Stand 00:41:03 – Resignation and Fresh Start 00:42:19 – Growth Through Biblical Preaching You can find more of Jake Dell's work on Substack at https://jwdell.substack.com/ You can pre-order Jake's book, Exile and Return, here: https://payhip.com/b/Hc6up You can follow Chase Spears on X @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 . Like and follow us on Facebook , X , and Instagram , or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

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  Episode #61

  Questioning Islam Almost Cost Him His Life

  Jul 20, 202644 min

  Dr. Mark Christian shares his remarkable journey from a devout Muslim upbringing in Cairo, Egypt, to surviving a horrific assassination attempt. He describes the early seeds of doubt that took root during a period of intense personal study, the painful confrontation with his father after seeking answers to deep inconsistencies in the faith, and the decade of family estrangement that followed. The conversation centers on the events of March 29, 2003, when Dr. Christian walked into what he believed would be a reconciliation meeting, only to face a firebomb that nearly ended his life. He recounts the miracle of his survival after tripping on a rug at the entrance, an event he credits to divine protection, and the long physical and emotional recovery that followed. Beyond his personal story, Dr. Christian explains why he came to see Islam as both a religion and a political movement that cannot be separated. He discusses the strategy of civilization jihad, the challenges of assimilation in Western societies, and the urgent need for citizens to understand and defend the foundational principles of freedom and national identity. This episode explores the high personal cost of standing for truth and the broader implications for Western culture today. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:37 – Survived Assassination 00:02:48 – The 2003 Incident 00:03:10 – Childhood in Egypt 00:05:21 – Movie Theater Incident 00:06:49 – Questioning Islam 00:08:33 – Seeking Father's Help 00:12:27 – Firebomb Ambush 00:15:03 – Zeal to Spread Islam 00:18:42 – Muhammad's Missing Proof 00:36:12 – Melting Pot America You can find out more about Dr. Mark Christian's work at Global Faith Institute's website: https://globalfaith.org/ You can find Dr. Mark Christian's book, The Apostate here: https://www.amazon.com/Apostate-My-Search-Truth/dp/1737176300 You can follow Chase Spears on X @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 . Like and follow us on Facebook , X , and Instagram , or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Military #Discipline #Morality #Politics #BiblicalMasculinity #Masculinity #ChristianPodcast #American #America #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #CoastGuard #SpaceForce #NationalGuard #ChristianMen

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