Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Dr. Franklin Annis, an active-duty military philosopher and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, to explore how education shapes courage and leadership. They trace Stoic influences on America’s founding and military traditions, examine Alden Partridge’s pioneering character-building at West Point, and contrast Renaissance ideals with the Prussian obedience model that still dominates today. Annis shares insights from his book Marching with Spartans (Vol. 1), battlefield lessons, and practical steps parents can take—classical reading, voluntary hardship, ruck marches—to raise resilient, virtuous children. You can follow Dr. Annis on X @EvolvingWar.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:47 - Book & Credentials

00:04:31 - Founding Era Model

00:06:48 - Philosophy Decline

00:07:55 - Prussian Origins

00:11:31 - Dewey Influence

00:15:02 - Courage Grounding

00:16:57 - College Purpose

00:19:18 - Eudaimonia Happiness

00:23:35 - Self-Reliance Economy

00:28:39 - Prussian Eugenics

00:34:45 - Andragogy vs Pedagogy

00:38:24 - Citizen Duties Lost

00:40:19 - Conflicting Worldviews

00:45:51 - Stoic Philosophy

00:48:07 - Cato & Archetypes

00:51:32 - Modern Stories

00:56:17 - Parent Solutions

01:00:46 - Partridge Marches

01:02:26 - Follow Dr. Annis

01:03:00 - Closing

You can follow Chase Spears on X @DrChaseSpears. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite episodes to keep the conversation going.

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