<![CDATA[To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america In 2026, the United States turns two hundred and fifty years old. Anniversaries of this size invite two very different kinds of commemoration. One looks backward with a fixed and comfortable pride — flags, fireworks, a story about founding that ends before it gets complicated. The other treats the anniversary as an occasion for the harder, more useful work: an honest accounting of what the country has built, what it has broken, and what it still owes the people living inside it.

This series is an attempt at the second kind.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America is daily podcast built around a simple premise: that the "soul" of a nation is not a slogan but a set of institutions, habits, and unresolved arguments — and that understanding any of them requires looking closely rather than looking away.

We organize the podcast episodes around the themes like healthcare, law, education, local government, culture, sports, family, food, science, and the hundred quieter systems that determine how Americans actually live. Every episode is targeted to regular Americans; no jargon, no academic throat-clearing, and no obligation to land on one side of an argument rather than describe it fairly.

The episodes are not bound by a single argument but a single method: look at an American institution as it actually operates, not as its founders imagined it, and ask who bears the cost of the difference. The oath this series takes its title from — sworn by every American president since 1789 — doesn't distinguish between the parts of the country that are working and the parts that are not. It asks for the whole thing, preserved, protected, and defended, which is only possible if the whole thing is first looked at honestly.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America, this podcast doesn't just skim the daily headlines—it exposes the structural crises, deliberate policy choices, and profit-driven systems that have fundamentally broken American public institutions. If you are tired of partisan talking points and want to understand the actual mechanics of how this country operates, you have found your new obsession.

Tune In and Wake Up

The Soul of America is rigorous, eye-opening, and endlessly compelling. It is designed for listeners who want to understand the actual mechanics of regulatory capture, systemic inequality, and the modern culture wars. If you want to know exactly how the system was built, who it actually serves, and why it feels like it is breaking apart, this is your definitive audio guide.

Subscribe now to The Soul of America wherever you get your podcasts—because you can't fix a broken machine until you understand how it works.

To purchase the book series, visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

]]> RSS.com 2026.721.95756 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:05:18 GMT en 1bfa83d3-301a-59e7-8ccb-0d4f200beca9 https://media.rss.com/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/podcast_cover_20260721_050706_cedef58ca374bb9bbf9cfb46f33c1fa9.png To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america no Sue B. Howell 2026 Sue B. Howell Sue B. Howell false episodic c46c3b70-8145-11f1-9035-d56fb09863c8 podcast Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The Last Holdout - America, the Metric System, and the Politics of Measurement]]> The episode examines the United States’ long-standing status as a global holdout regarding the adoption of the metric system. It traces the history of measurement from ancient, body-derived customary units to the Enlightenment-era rationalization of the decimal-based International System of Units. The podcast highlights a striking contradiction where the U.S. uses metric standards for science, medicine, and international trade, while the general public remains tethered to miles, pounds, and Fahrenheit. This dual-system environment has led to costly and tragic errors, such as the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter and dangerous medical dosing mistakes. Ultimately, the episode argues that the failure of American metrication is rooted in political inertia, voluntary legislative frameworks, and a cultural perception of the metric system as a foreign imposition on national identity.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3009503 31bcfd78-f4cf-4b11-b1e0-f9b8e289707a 2702 full 1 1 10 10 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The Sacred Fire - American BBQ and the Politics of Pit Culture]]> This episode explores American barbecue as a profound cultural institution rooted in indigenous techniques and the foundational, often uncredited, artistry of enslaved Africans. It details how distinct regional styles emerged from diverse immigrant influences and migration patterns, creating fierce rivalries centered on specific meats and wood-fired methods. Beyond the culinary techniques, the podcast examines the social and political history of the pit, noting how barbecue has served as a tool for community building and a symbol of democratic identity. The episode addresses modern tensions, including the existential struggle between traditional slow-cooking methods and the rise of a commercialized, media-driven competition circuit. Ultimately, the episode highlights the ongoing effort to reclaim the Black history of the craft while navigating the impacts of gentrification and celebrity culture. In doing so, the podcast frames barbecue as a mirror reflecting the broader complexities of American society and its history.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3009500 6da313a1-4e49-426b-b7f9-c255aa27de30 3044 full 1 1 9 9 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[Capes and Crusaders - American Comic Book Culture and the Superhero as National Mythology]]> This episode analyzes the American superhero as a contemporary form of national mythology, tracing its evolution from Great Depression origins to its current global dominance. It explores how early icons like Superman and Batman emerged as responses to social helplessness, eventually becoming tools for wartime propaganda and later enduring mid-century government censorship. The narrative highlights the Marvel revolution of the 1960s, which introduced flawed, relatable heroes who addressed civil rights and human fallibility. By examining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the podcast illustrates how these stories now function as a global symbolic language that exports American values such as individualism and exceptionalism. Ultimately, the episode reflects on the ethical complexities of the industry, including the systemic exploitation of creative labor and the ideological tensions inherent in stories of redemptive violence.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3009484 decf13cc-1296-44f1-a257-6ab7e98efe5e 2635 full 1 1 8 8 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The Culture War — CRT, Book Banning, and the Fight Over "Woke"]]> This episode examines the modern American culture war, focusing on the intense political struggle over education, race, and identity. It traces the history of these conflicts from the founding of the Republic to contemporary battles over Critical Race Theory, "woke" ideology, and the removal of books from public libraries. The podcast argues that education has been strategically weaponized by political interest groups to mobilize voters and reshape the national narrative. This movement has created a chilling effect for teachers and librarians, who now face legal threats and professional harassment. Ultimately, the episode suggests that these clashes represent a fundamental disagreement over the meaning of democracy and the truth of the American story. By centering children in the crossfire, the podcast warns that intellectual freedom is being sacrificed for the sake of manufactured cultural panics.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3009479 aa3930d2-95f4-44b3-a7c2-619c17d262ae 3107 full 1 1 7 7 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The American Adoption System — Power, Family, and the Search for Origins in the DNA age]]> The American adoption system is a complex, often fragmented network of institutions and ideologies that frequently reflect the priorities of the powerful over the needs of the vulnerable. The episode explores historical periods like the Baby Scoop Era, where social coercion led to mass infant surrenders, and the subsequent rise and fall of international adoption amid concerns of fraud and trafficking. Significant attention is given to the Indian Child Welfare Act and the ethical debates surrounding transracial adoption, highlighting the tension between individual desires and cultural or tribal sovereignty. The podcast also examines how the DNA revolution has challenged decades of institutional secrecy by allowing adoptees to reclaim their biological origins independently. Ultimately, the episode argues for a shift toward family preservation and a more honest accounting of the systemic inequities that have historically defined how children are moved between families.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3003499 5b79c72b-ff2c-4716-af66-d20ba76b4702 2611 full 1 1 6 6 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The Hit That Wouldn’t Stay Buried — The NFL’s War on Brain Science]]> The episode details the National Football League’s long-standing efforts to suppress and manipulate scientific research concerning chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Beginning with Dr. Bennet Omalu’s 2002 discovery of the disease in a former player, the narrative traces how the league utilized a "tobacco industry playbook" to engineer doubt through unqualified medical committees and aggressive public relations. This podcast examines the institutional science denial displayed during congressional hearings, the complexities of a multi-billion-dollar legal settlement, and the subsequent emergence of independent brain banks that solidified the link between football and brain damage. Furthermore, it highlights the resulting cultural shift as parents increasingly move children away from tackle football in favor of safer alternatives like flag football. Ultimately, the episode provide a comprehensive look at the clash between a powerful corporate entity and the evolving medical reality of sports-related head trauma.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3003302 8efee252-b7bf-4324-8807-f8246d7fa932 3129 full 1 1 5 5 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The American Local Government Labyrinth - 90,000 Governments, School Board Wars, Elected Judges, and the Governance Nobody Taught You About]]> This episode explores the vast and often invisible labyrinth of American local government, which comprises approximately 90,000 distinct entities including counties, municipalities, and special districts. It argues that while citizens focus on Washington, these obscure local bodies wield immense power over taxation, education, and law enforcement with minimal public oversight. The podcast traces the historical development of this fragmentation, from colonial traditions and Jacksonian populism to more modern drivers like suburban self-segregation. By examining flashpoints such as contentious school board wars, the unique practice of electing judges, and the unchecked authority of county sheriffs, the episode illustrates how low voter turnout enables ideological capture. Ultimately, the podcast suggests that the complexity of this system creates a crisis of accountability where governance often occurs without meaningful public consent. To address these failures, the podcast evaluates potential reforms like consolidating election cycles and increasing institutional transparency to reconnect citizens with their local representatives.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3003284 01e8d8e1-d56c-405c-b4cb-cc1fae468804 2950 full 1 1 4 4 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:01:02 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[The Zip-Code Lottery - American School Funding and Its Discontents]]> The episode investigates the systemic inequality of the American educational landscape, primarily focusing on how local property taxes create a "zip-code lottery" for K-12 funding. The podcast contrasts a fragmented public school system—where resources are tied to neighborhood wealth—with a world-leading higher education sector driven by competitive research and prestige. Legal analysis centers on the 1973 Rodriguez Supreme Court decision, which effectively ended federal attempts to mandate equal funding and shifted reform efforts to the states. The narrative also examines the polarizing rise of charter schools, vouchers, and Education Savings Accounts as market-based responses to failing local districts. Ultimately, the podcast highlight a deep tension between the American ideal of local control and the pursuit of educational equity. This episode suggests that until the structural link between real estate and school budgets is broken, geographic location will continue to dictate a child's future.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/3001570 10f72b6b-5224-4fa2-8ef3-2c7b02b18a79 2896 full 1 1 3 3 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:25:55 GMT false United States, USA Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA <![CDATA[The Broken Bench - Institutional Collapse of the Supreme Court]]> The episode explores a profound legitimacy crisis currently facing the United States Supreme Court, marked by historic lows in public approval and confidence. It identifies five critical drivers of this decline: structural issues with lifetime tenure, the partisan erosion of nomination norms, high-profile ethical scandals, and controversial rulings that diverge from broad public consensus. The podcast examines how the ideological sorting of justices has transformed the bench into a perceived political battlefield rather than an impartial arbiter of law. To address these failures, the podcast evaluates various institutional reforms, such as term limits, Court expansion, and binding ethics codes, while weighing their constitutional viability. Ultimately, the podcast argues that the current instability is historically unique and requires deliberate structural repair to restore the judiciary's democratic authority.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/2999377 5c85e77f-7497-40a1-8eeb-930b8652c32b 2416 full 1 1 2 2 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:06:05 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA <![CDATA[A Nation Sick With Its Own Cure - The American Healthcare System and Why the USA Stands Alone]]> The episode analyzes the uniquely expensive and fragmented nature of the American healthcare system compared to other developed nations. It argues that the United States lacks a centrally designed architecture, having instead developed through historical accidents and political compromises that prioritized private industry interests over universal access. While defenders of the status quo point to medical innovation and shorter wait times for the wealthy, the sources highlight the devastating reality of medical bankruptcy and debt, which affect even the insured. High costs are attributed not to higher utilization of services, but to inflated prices, administrative complexity, and the lack of government negotiation. Ultimately, the podcast illustrates how cultural individualism, intensive lobbying, and racial disparities have historically blocked the adoption of more efficient universal models found in countries like Sweden or the United Kingdom.

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America (30 book series)

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8MJDDGQ

To Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Soul of America: Volume One — America's Healthcare Crisis and Broken Public Institutions

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H8NLYNXP

Available across all Amazon Stores Worldwide

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the-soul-of-america/2996978 2c23fa80-9ad0-4647-8744-58537de88a3b 3524 full 1 1 1 1 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:18:10 GMT false false Winchester, Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 01890, USA United States, USA