The Chris Spangle Show

Hosts Adam Binkerd and Erika Crabtree open season three of Leading Adam with a deeply personal conversation with Chris Spangle—director of digital content at IBJ, former Bob & Tom digital lead, and longtime host of The Chris Spangle Show. Spangle shares his journey from early success in radio and podcasting to a season of loss, depression, and faith that reshaped his life. He talks candidly about therapy, breaking unhealthy cycles, and choosing family over workaholism. A podcast editor, co-host of The Patdown and featured juror on BET’s Ms. Pat Settles It, he shares where he thinks media is heading. This episode sets the tone for a season focused on “leading inward,” exploring grit, resilience, and the quiet work of building an “ordered life” brick by brick. Follow him on YouTube here: @ChrisSpangleShow https://youtu.be/S0LA9jqS7v0 Please support our work now on Patreon or Substack at ⁠Chris-Spangle.com⁠. 00:00 Intro & New Season Kickoff 01:07 New Set, New Energy 02:04 Introducing Chris Spangle 05:56 Why Chris? Production & Connection 08:30 Season 3: Leading Inward 13:01 Chris's Journey: Podcasting & Growth 20:53 The Granular Skills That Built a Career 24:53 Getting Personal: Lessons from Childhood 31:31 Finding Grit in Insecurity 38:56 Faith, Recovery, and Second Chances 44:52 Formulas for Values & the Ordered Life 50:59 Balance, Vocational Choices & Family 01:00:10 Building Community & The Future of Relationships 01:13:02 Parenting, Role Models & Generational Growth 01:18:10 Authenticity, Judgment, and Social Barriers 01:21:31 Lessons Learned & Season Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are natural rights, and how do they differ from legal rights? In this episode of Foundations of Liberty on The Chris Spangle Show, Chris breaks down core Libertarian principles on rights, freedom, and government power. Learn about natural rights, legal rights, negative vs. positive rights, property rights, and why Libertarians argue that rights come from our nature—not the state. This deep dive explores thinkers like John Locke, Cicero, and Thomas Aquinas, plus key moments in history that shaped America’s founding ideas of liberty and self-government. https://youtu.be/ZaxSF5tooL8 00:00 Penn and Meade: The Trial for Religious Freedom 01:12 Bushel's Case and Jury Independence 01:47 Do Rights Come From Government? 02:52 Foundations of Liberty: Introducing Rights 03:43 Natural Rights vs. Legal Rights Explained 04:45 Brief History of Natural Rights 06:48 Examples of Natural Rights in Daily Life 07:03 What Are Legal Rights? 09:41 How Rights Philosophies Evolved 11:12 Natural Rights in Ancient and Medieval Times 13:24 Magna Carta, the Crown, and Pre-Existing Rights 14:53 Enlightenment Thinkers and the Spread of Natural Rights 15:54 Property, Assembly, and Libertarian Principles 17:12 Natural Rights Aren't Handed Out—They're Inherent 18:03 Positive vs. Negative Rights 19:31 Negative Rights: The Libertarian Standard 21:10 Trade-offs and the Limits of Government Intervention 22:28 Why Libertarians Prioritize Natural & Negative Rights 25:36 Limiting Power: Sphere Sovereignty and Social Checks 27:02 Government, Morality, and Personal Autonomy 28:34 Government Dependency vs. Private Solutions 29:52 Why Rights Matter in a Free Society 31:02 Rights as Fundamentals of U.S. Society 32:22 Learning from History: Rights, Stories, and Systems 32:56 Modern Challenges and Demanding Your Rights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Agustina Vergara Cid, a former immigrant from Argentina and now a U.S. citizen, joins host Chris Spangle to share her powerful story of becoming American. She describes her July 3 naturalization ceremony, the emotional oath of allegiance, and why she has dreamed of America since childhood. Agustina explains how growing up in Argentina shaped her views on freedom, individualism, and government, and why she believes America’s founding values are still worth defending. This conversation offers a unique immigrant perspective on citizenship, immigration policy, and what makes the United States different. https://youtu.be/9aaLDBkw6B0 Despite anti-immigrant narratives, Americans still embrace immigrants - ⁠https://www.ocregister.com/2025/07/28/despite-anti-immigrant-narratives-americans-still-embrace-immigrants/?share=niagim2rshrngirsieop⁠ The Immorality of the U.S. Immigration System - ⁠https://youtu.be/1VOzKYDDkow⁠ Immigration Enforcement and the Betrayal of Due Process - ⁠https://youtu.be/mkOadbwUP5s⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Spangle launches a new series exploring the foundational ideas behind libertarianism. In this episode, he outlines eight core principles—individualism, individual rights, spontaneous order, limited government, free markets, the virtue of production, the natural harmony of interests, and peace. Chris reflects on how these ideas shape a free society and wrestles with the tensions between liberty, the common good, and his Christian worldview. ⁠https://youtu.be/K8VX7BW4UvY⁠ 00:00 Welcome & Series Overview 01:00 Chris Spangle's Background & Purpose 03:00 Why Libertarian Philosophy Matters 07:00 Rediscovering the Basics of Libertarianism 09:00 Core Ideas: Individualism Explained 13:00 Individual Rights & Natural Rights 17:00 Spontaneous Order & Hayek's Insight 19:00 Limited Government & Checks on Power 22:00 Free Markets: Voluntary Exchange & Prosperity 23:30 The Virtue of Production & Property Rights 24:30 Harmony of Interests: Cooperation over Conflict 25:30 The Importance of Peace 27:30 The Power and Impact of These Principles 29:00 No Perfect Ideology: Wrestling with Libertarianism 31:00 Conclusion & Call to Engagement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Spangle returns to share why he’s been away and what’s next for the show. He opens up about fatherhood, intellectual shifts since the pandemic, and his desire to rethink libertarianism and faith in public. Chris also introduces two upcoming themes: the Foundations of Liberty series and reflections on personal formation. ⁠https://youtu.be/9OIPaHHnrjU⁠ 00:00 Show Returns & Life Update 02:00 Coping with Change & New Beginnings 04:00 Reflecting on Growth & Regrets 06:30 Speaking Up vs. Staying Quiet 09:00 Political Disillusionment and Evolving Beliefs 11:30 A New Direction for the Show 14:00 Exploring Foundations of Liberty 17:00 Faith, Family, and Personal Growth 19:30 Balancing Ambition and Family 21:00 Two Core Themes: Society & The Individual 22:30 Plans for Future Episodes & Listener Involvement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I was honored to (and surprised) to be asked as a guest on Jacob Winograd's show The LCI Green Room over at the Libertarian Christian Institute to talk about the “Grill Pill”—a mindset that’s all about stepping back from the chaos of national politics to focus on what really matters: faith, family, community, and yes, sometimes literally grilling. He and I unpack the emotional toll of constant political engagement, why many of us are disillusioned with activism, and how to reorder our lives around what God has actually called us to. We talk about libertarianism, Christian cultural engagement, and the dangers of making politics an idol. This one’s honest, raw, and full of hard-won wisdom. Hope it helps you recalibrate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior policy analyst James Czerniawski of Americans for Prosperity joins The Chris Spangle Show to break down the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025 and why it’s crucial for America’s digital future. From unlicensed spectrum access for startups to restoring FCC auction authority, Czerniawski explains how wireless innovation impacts everyday life—and why keeping pace with China matters. ⁠https://youtu.be/Kujolbpm9W4⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Chris Spangle and Alejandro Ramos as they discuss why civics education is crucial for America's future. Alejandro outlines his Citizenship Empowerment Framework, emphasizing foundational documents, media literacy, courageous dialogue, and community engagement to combat polarization and misinformation. Ramos, a second-generation immigrant, shares personal insights on immigration, birthright citizenship, and the importance of civics in creating informed, engaged citizens. Why Civic Education Must Be at the Forefront of Reform - https://dcjournal.com/why-civic-education-must-be-at-the-forefront-of-reform/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Spangle is joined by Alex Rosado, professional programs assistant at the Alexander Hamilton Society, to unpack the complexities of U.S.-China trade relations. They break down the legacy of Trump’s “Phase One” deal, why China fulfilled only 57% of its commitments, and how tactics like invoice manipulation and transshipment undermine global trade norms. The conversation also explores reshoring U.S. manufacturing, the AI and semiconductor arms race, and China’s internal demographic and economic challenges. Together, they examine how America can balance skepticism with strategy in navigating future trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I was honored to give the commencement address at a homeschool high school graduation. In this speech, I encouraged graduates to resist the pull of shallow success and instead pursue lives rooted in faith, service, and meaningful relationships. Drawing inspiration from Jane Addams and Abraham Kuyper, I highlighted how small, faithful choices—made consistently—can transform communities and leave a lasting legacy. ⁠https://youtu.be/o7rT4hY4s7k⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Chris Spangle Show, Chris welcomes William Dunstan, a Canadian political commentator and Young Voices contributor, for a wide-ranging discussion about U.S.-Canada relations, Canadian politics, and the impact of Donald Trump’s policies on Canada’s upcoming elections. Chris explains the long-running joke about Canadians on the show and reflects on the serious consequences of anti-American sentiment in Canada today. William outlines how tariffs, the "51st state" comments, and Trump’s rhetoric are reshaping Canadian nationalism and boosting the Liberal Party’s chances. They also explore the challenges young Canadians face, including housing affordability, economic stagnation, and why free tuition and rent control policies are missing the mark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris welcomes back Augustina Vergara Cid to discuss the moral and philosophical costs of dehumanization, particularly in the context of immigration. Drawing on her personal experience immigrating to the U.S. and her deep appreciation for American ideals, Augustina offers a compelling defense of dignity, liberty, and due process for all people. "When rhetoric reduces immigrants to invaders, criminals, or cultural threats, it paves the way for policies that strip them of their basic rights and humanity and erode freedom for everyone in America." - Agustina Vergara Cid The hateful rhetoric against immigrants is nothing new - https://www.dailynews.com/2025/03/30/the-hateful-rhetoric-against-immigrants-is-nothing-new/ https://youtu.be/V9i9A7sR8A0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Silverstein, JD candidate at Villanova University, joins Chris Spangle to explain the unitary executive theory through the case of Gwen Wilcox, former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, who sued after being fired by President Trump. Ryan discusses the legal history, constitutional questions, and implications for executive power in American government. A Gift To The Conservative Legal Movement - https://archive.ph/wCaU0#selection-491.0-627.381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Independent policy consultant Cruz Garcia joins Chris Spangle to discuss why many Latino voters support former President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Cruz, whose own family experienced the challenges of undocumented immigration, shares personal stories and insights into why public safety and conservative values are increasingly resonating within Latino communities. He explains policies like the Lake and Riley Act and addresses concerns about potential abuses in Trump's immigration approach. While Trump Deports Undocumented Immigrants, Latino Voters Are Optimistic - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/02/14/while_trump_deports_undocumented_immigrants_latino_voters_optimistic__152354.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michigan expanded its state-funded pre-K program by 20,000 seats—but only 6,000 children enrolled. Why are parents opting out of free preschool programs like Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program? In this episode, Chris Spangle talks with Susanna Barnes Pettit, a social mobility fellow with Young Voices, about parental choice, preschool funding, and why families still prefer community-based options like parochial or nature-based schools. Chris and Susanna also explore how universal pre-K fits into broader education debates, discuss their own childhood experiences, and reflect on what parents truly want in early childhood education. Petitt: Michigan’s Pre-K promise can do more to reach families - https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2025/02/23/petitt-michigans-pre-k-promise-can-do-more-to-reach-families/79433009007/ https://youtu.be/tXSKMSgR0ks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 2, 2025—dubbed “Liberation Day” by Donald Trump—new sweeping tariffs were announced, including a 10% baseline on all imports and steep country-specific increases. But is this protectionist move really the start of an American economic revival, or just a massive tax hike on American families? Chris Spangle is joined by Aiden Grogan, a writer and Ph.D. student at Liberty University, to examine the economic consequences of tariffs, the myths of protectionism, and the real reasons manufacturing is returning to the U.S. Tariffs Won't Bring On the "Golden Age of America" - https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2025/02/25/tariffs_wont_create_the_golden_age_of_america_1093222.html#google_vignette https://youtu.be/3W4tjgD-1XI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaby Blanco, a speaker for the Dissident Project and Gideons International, joins Chris Spangle to discuss the reality of life in Cuba today. Contrary to popular belief following Obama-era policy changes, Cuba remains under intense oppression. Gaby shares her personal journey growing up in Cuba, becoming a Christian, and her experiences highlighting ongoing persecution, government spying in churches, and the complicated role of the Vatican in Cuban politics. Cuba and the Vatican Deal in the Face of U.S. Elections - https://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2025/03/07/cuba_and_the_vatican_deal_in_the_face_of_us_elections_1096115.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are tariffs taxes in disguise? Matt Cookson, a policy fellow at Young Voices and contributor at the Mises Institute, explains the complicated truth behind tariffs. Learn why the U.S. Constitution originally placed tariff-setting power in the hands of Congress and how it ended up under presidential control during the Roosevelt administration. Cookson details how tariffs actually harm consumers, disrupt supply chains, and inject uncertainty into markets. Plus, we discuss the political realities that make Congress hesitant to reclaim its authority and what steps they could take—such as repealing the 1934 Reciprocal Tariffs Act—to restore constitutional balance. Congress Needs to Be Jealous of its Tariff Powers - https://mises.org/mises-wire/congress-needs-be-jealous-its-tariff-powers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been a longtime listener to this show, you know there are several things that we've emphasized over the years like the importance of friendship, healthy masculinity, and growing civil society within our local communities. For the last year, I have been hosting a podcast for Citizen 7, a local group dedicated to building deep friendships between men with the hope that it will spark redemptive change within Indianapolis. Big Hearted Indy is a podcast about friendship making a difference, and I think you will be encouraged by adding it to your podcast app. This is my favorite episode. My cohost Don Palmer and I welcome guest host Dave Neff, Rex Fisher and Mark Nottingham to the podcast to discuss their journeys of navigating careers, family life, and community investments. Listen in as they discuss their experiences with Edge Mentoring, Shepherd Community Center, and their entrepreneurial endeavors, providing valuable insights on balancing faith, work, and relationships in the vibrant city of Indianapolis. Download the podcast here: https://link.chtbl.com/citizen7 Here is the YouTube Channel. Please subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm0WsfdKBmcWgliQnVsHyUg Learn more about Citizen 7 and sign up for emails here: https://citizen7indy.com/ Video - https://youtu.be/Gm8lrLaAhkQ?si=n6pEGBCW_ximh5hL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Agustina Vergara Cid, an immigration policy expert, to break down the complex issue of birthright citizenship and President Trump's day-one executive order attempting to alter it. We discuss the history and legal foundation of birthright citizenship, tracing its roots to the 14th Amendment and the 1898 Supreme Court case, Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed that anyone born on U.S. soil (except for children of diplomats) is an American citizen. Agustina explains how Trump’s executive order aims to deny citizenship to children of non-citizen visa holders and undocumented immigrants—something she believes is a direct constitutional challenge. We explore the motivation behind the order, the likelihood of it surviving court scrutiny, and how immigration laws in Europe and the U.S. differ, particularly in how they impact assimilation. We also discuss: The myth of "anchor babies" and why the 21-year waiting period makes it an unlikely incentive. How countries like Germany have struggled with immigration assimilation due to restrictive citizenship policies. The broader implications of Trump's immigration strategy, including targeting legal immigrants and even denaturalized citizens. The welfare state argument, whether immigrants receive massive government payments, and how cities like New York are handling recent arrivals. Why Agustina believes America should strive for more Americans, not fewer, and the economic and cultural benefits of a strong immigration policy. This was an insightful conversation about what it means to be an American, how immigration policies shape the nation, and the real-world impact of political rhetoric. Agustina Vergara Cid, LL.B. and LL.M., is a Young Voices contributor focusing on immigration policy. Her commentary has appeared in The Orange County Register, Newsweek, and The Hill. Follow her on X: @agustinavcid Follow Agustina Vergara Cid on: Twitter/X: @agustinavcid Instagram: @agustinavcid Ending Birthright Citizenship Won’t Make America Great - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/01/29/ending_birthright_citizenship_wont_make_america_great_152263.html Video - https://youtu.be/A_-qurj0e3k Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices