Ep.18 - Parenting with Purpose and Principles with John Papola

In this episode, Dr. Johann D'Souza interviews John Papola, the founder of Emergent Order Foundation and creator of the "Dad Saves America" initiative. John shares his journey as a classical liberal, TV producer, and passionate advocate for inspiring virtue and truth in media. He discusses the importance of early parenthood, free-range parenting, and instilling values of individual agency and responsibility in children. John also reflects on the challenges he faced during the pandemic and how he pivoted to create his non-profit organization focused on telling "heroic stories that embody classical virtues." Key Takeaways: John emphasizes the benefits of having children at a younger age, as it allows for a longer relationship with grandparents and a more relaxed, less-obsessed approach to parenting. He advocates for "free-range parenting," allowing children to take reasonable risks and build resilience, rather than over-scheduling and overprotecting them. John stresses the importance of presenting a united front with one's spouse, being consistent with discipline, and avoiding threats that won't be followed through. He cautions against schools and institutions that promote a "victimhood mentality" and undermine a child's sense of individual agency and responsibility. John's identity is grounded in his faith, family, and heritage, rather than in external factors like his career or political views, which he is open to questioning and adapting. He is excited about upcoming projects, including a documentary on the history of public education and an exposé on the state of high school debate. Links: Listen to this Episode on Apple Podcast Watch this video on YouTube Emergent Order Foundation