"Becoming a Dad Liberated Me" - John Papola | DSTLLD Podcast Episode 020

My guest today is John Papola, the founder of Emergent Order and host of Dad Saves America.

He's the only person besides Bo Burnham to make me laugh at a song about math.

He’s gone from showing us 1000 ways to die on Spike TV to showing us 1000 ways to save America. In 2010 he thought that there must be something better to do with his life than promote SpongeBob. 

Since then his production company Emergent Order has focused on creating media to ask hard questions and guide us towards the values that founded America.

He wants to inspire the next generation of men to embrace their role as dads and see it as heroic and essential, not just to their families but for their communities and the future of the country.

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:39) - Vito Corleone: Best Movie Dad?

(03:18) - Impact of 'Coddling of the American Mind'

(04:46) - Life Perspective Changes From Travel

(08:43) - Learnings from ARC: Alliance of Responsible Citizenship

(11:40) - Obama's Movie: Leave The World Behind

(17:30) - Overcoming Adversity and Victimhood

(22:36) - Unconventional Advice for New Dads

(26:29) - Why 'Dad Saves America'?

(30:44) - The Power of Being A Dad

(37:59) - Polaris Fellowship and Mentorship

(39:00) - John's Role In The Story of America

(41:35) - The Last Thing John Changed His Mind About

(43:07) - Where To Find John

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