Finding Your Spine

THIS EPISODE DEALS WITH HEAVY AND SENSITIVE TOPICS. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Dr. Chase Spears welcomes back retired Navy CDR Theresa Carpenter—30-year PAO, Stories of Service host, and military justice advocate. She reveals why she retired 6 months early: supporting Pete Hegseth’s SecDef nomination. From press conference speech to Newsmax stand-down, a LOI, and housing fraud accusations, sh...

Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Navy Commander Theresa Carpenter—30-year public affairs veteran, Stories of Service podcast host, and advocate for military justice reform. Ten days post-retirement, she shares her journey from aviation electrician to PAO, disillusionment with leadership’s “say-do gap,” the Brett Crozier case, Bowe Bergdahl narrative control, and why she spoke out despite backlash. They e...

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 do...

Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Vanessa Reid, a Leavenworth County commissioner, to Finding Your Spine. Vanessa shares her 2020 awakening to political involvement, from challenging school policies on masks and critical race theory to running for office. They discuss the importance of courage in local governance, standing against woke agendas, and building Christian communities. Vanessa reflects on trial...

Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Navy veteran Chris Pierce to Finding Your Spine, sharing his 22-year career in boarding operations and combat systems. Chris discusses intercepting smuggling vessels in the Persian Gulf, the USS Cole bombing aftermath, and his PTSD journey, including therapy and a service dog. They explore courage in civilian life, his city council run in Lansing, Kansas, and the importan...

Join Dr. Chase Spears on Finding Your Spine as he welcomes Andrew Crapuchettes, CEO of RedBalloon, a job board connecting conservative-minded individuals with values-aligned employers. Andrew shares his journey from Silicon Valley entrepreneurship to founding RedBalloon in 2021 after being forced to choose between his faith and his CEO role. They discuss the importance of courageous business leade...

Join host Chase Spears on the Finding Your Spine podcast as he welcomes Mark Bashaw, a former military officer pardoned by President Trump. Mark shares his 17-year military career, including his court martial on April 29, 2022, for resisting Covid-19 mandates, and his pardon on May 28, 2025. They discuss his stand against unlawful orders, the weaponization of emergency use authorized products (mas...

Dr. Chase Spears sits down with Brendan Regan, a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, to unpack his bold stand against the Army’s unlawful COVID vaccine mandate at Fort Leavenworth in 2021. Regan shares his grueling administrative battle under harsh leadership, his ultimate victory, and his decision to exit the military on his own terms in 2024. Brendan reflects on how faith and conviction guide...

Dr. Chase Spears welcomes Alex Kocman, co-host of The Missions Podcast , to explore a bold, theological approach to missions. As Director of Communication at the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), Kocman shares how sound doctrine fuels effective evangelism, church planting, and leadership development. From the Great Commission to avoiding pragmatic pitfalls, this episode unpacks...

Dr. Chase Spears confronts the shocking aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, diving into a disturbing trend of extremism within the U.S. military. Joined by R. Davis Younts and Caleb Byrd of Younts Law, Spears unpacks reports of military officers openly mocking Kirk’s death, revealing a crisis of character in the ranks. The discussion explores how eroded standards, from social engineering to...

Chase Spears welcomes back Dr. Owen Anderson, ASU Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, for a second episode exploring how Christians can live boldly in a pagan culture. Building on Samson’s story, they discuss serving as salt and light in challenging settings, grounded in theology and ethics. The conversation offers practical insights for standing firm in faith. 00:00:00 - Introduction 0...

Chase Spears hosts Dr. Owen Anderson, ASU Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, to explore Samson’s biblical story as a model of moral strength. They discuss how Samson’s fight against unbelief offers lessons for living boldly in faith and confronting challenges. The episode examines the intersection of theology, ethics, and public life. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:48 - Samson’s Story 0...

Chase Spears hosts Dusty Deevers, a pastor and Oklahoma State Senator who blends faith with governance. A biology graduate from Oklahoma City University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alum, he represents Senate District 32, pushing bold legislation rooted in Christian principles. He discusses resisting worldly powers and calling government to righteousness. 00:00:00 - Introduction 0...

Chase Spears hosts Brian Isted, a Canadian military veteran who stood against toxic military culture and faced mental health struggles. Brian shares his 11 years as an officer, resisting harmful norms, and advocating for change. His story inspires action and resilience. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:49 - Military Service 00:14:06 - Toxic Culture 00:24:47 - Mental Struggles 00:35:53 - Resisting Nor...

Chase Spears hosts Michael Young, a Christian businessman who shares his journey of standing firm in faith through decades in construction and aviation. From St. Louis to Angola’s petroleum industry, Michael discusses leading with principle, mentoring others, and trusting God amid challenges. His story inspires purposeful action. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:14 - Early Career 00:09:32 - Christian...

Chase Spears hosts Daniel Knick, an Air Force veteran who faced career-ending pressure over the COVID-19 shot mandate. Daniel shares his journey of faith, resisting coercion, and rebuilding after an honorable discharge. His story underscores the importance of standing firm in conviction. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:47 - Military Service 00:13:16 - Early Struggles 00:18:02 - Finding Faith 00:27:1...

Chase Spears hosts Will Pope, a January 6 defendant who faced 30 years of federal charges. Will shares his journey of being pushed into the Capitol, self-representing against DOJ tactics, and overcoming false accusations. His story of resilience highlights the human toll and need for accountability.  00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:32 - January 6 Chaos 00:08:24 - DOJ Charges 00:16:11 - Social Fallou...

Chase Spears hosts Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Bulge and Technical Sergeant Chris Babczak, who share their ongoing battles against unjust military policies. Facing career-ending repercussions despite rescinded mandates, they discuss the fight for their rights, the impact of leadership failures, and their resolve to uphold principle. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:50 - Army Injustice 00:09:57 -...

Chase Spears hosts Dr. Joshua Bowman, Executive Director of The Ciceronian Society, to explore how Christian friendship fosters moral strength. They discuss oases—communities that combat isolation and nurture virtues like resolve, drawing from Hannah Arendt and C.S. Lewis. Bowman shares insights on faith, fatherhood, and the church’s role in cultural renewal. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:10 - Fri...

Chase Spears hosts Brennan 'Skip' Schilperoort, an Air Force major who faced persecution for resisting unlawful military mandates. Despite having his pay halted, Skip stood firm in his faith and constitutional rights, inspiring others to hold fast. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:05:09 - Pay Halted 00:09:14 - Mandate Resistance 00:13:17 - Moral Convictions 00:18:11 - Religious Persecution 00:...

Chase Spears hosts Kirsten Workman, a Lansing, KS school board member, who shares her fight against mask mandates and ideological curricula in schools. As a homeschooling mom and pro-life volunteer, she stands for truth despite opposition. Her story inspires action for freedom and faith. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:11 - Covid Awakening 00:11:09 - School Board Fight 00:16:26 - Defying Fear 00:21:...

Chase Spears hosts Caedran Sullivan, a veteran teacher exposing DEI and transgender policies in the Shawnee Mission School District. Facing retaliation for opposing critical race theory and compelled speech, Sullivan fights for transparency and academic focus. Her legal battle defends free thought and free expression. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:23 - DEI Curriculum Issues 00:12:00 - Resisting Ma...

Chase Spears hosts Kayla Toney, counsel at First Liberty Institute, who fights for religious liberty. Toney shares her calling and cases like Valerie Klosterman’s, challenging hospital gender ideology mandates, and California parents opposing school transgender curricula. These stands shape case law nationwide. Visit FirstLiberty.org to learn more or seek help. Follow First Liberty Institute on X...

Chase Spears hosts Jake Herzog, son of Stan Herzog, founder of the Herzog Foundation. Jake shares how his father’s quiet faith and bold giving shaped a legacy supporting Christian education. From humble railroad roots, Stan’s vision birthed a foundation empowering educators and families. Jake discusses purposeful philanthropy, prioritizing gospel-driven impact over personal recognition. Learn more...

Chase Spears hosts Dr. Ben Carson, renowned neurosurgeon and former HUD Secretary, on Finding Your Spine. From poverty in Detroit to pioneering medical breakthroughs, Carson discusses his fight to preserve America’s foundational values. His book The Perilous Fight addresses attacks on family and faith, urging resolve against cultural subversion. As vice chair of the Commission on Religious Liberty...