The Firestone Files

Before he was "Monster" Michael Todd, world champion arm wrestler, he was a redneck kid growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In this episode of The Firestone Files, Dr. Chris Firestone sits down with Michael to trace the road from his hometown to the top of the sport. Michael talks about his early years in Hot Springs, what first pulled him to the table, and what it took to climb to a wo...

In episode fifty-seven, Dr. Firestone welcomes Pastor Eric Capaci back for a second conversation about his background and his candidacy for mayor of Hot Springs, Arkansas. They discuss his years in ministry, education, and business, along with the experiences that led him to run for office again. Capaci shares his views on the mayor’s role, local development, transparency, and communication with r...

In episode fifty-six, Dr. Firestone welcomes longtime family friend Laurie to reflect on their lengthy, intergenerational friendship and the legacy of faith that shaped both families. They trace Chris's upbringing on Chicago's South Side, his early church experiences, and the pivotal mentorship of high school coach Larry Stillwell, who guided him toward a deeper commitment to Christ and influenced...

In episode fifty-five, Dr. Firestone carries the Charlie Kirk material out of the studio and into a room full of high schoolers, one year to the day after Kirk's death. He puts the three points of orientation — the Bible, the Western intellectual tradition, and the American founding documents — in front of an audience young enough to still be choosing what they will stand on, and he makes the case...

In episode fifty-four, Dr. Firestone examines Charlie Kirk’s three fixed points of orientation — the Bible, the Western intellectual tradition, and the American founding documents — as they shape his campus dialogues. He revisits the four philosophical commitments he shared with Kirk, linking them to Kant’s four human superpowers. The episode analyzes clips where Kirk deploys cosmological, moral,...

In episode fifty-three, Dr. Firestone reflects on the first anniversary of the Firestone Files by recounting an in-depth phone conversation with Charlie Kirk in late 2023. He describes their discussion of Immanuel Kant's philosophy, the concept of a Lyceum-style educational program, and the planned classroom visit that never occurred due to Kirk's death. Firestone connects their dialogue t...

In episode fifty-two, Dr. Firestone concludes the dream interpretation series by offering a practical framework for understanding personal dreams. He reviews the philosophical and biblical foundations covered earlier and outlines a step‑by‑step method for recording, analyzing, and discerning the meaning of symbolic and prophetic dreams. The episode emphasizes the dreamer’s unique context as the ke...

In episode fifty-one, Dr. Firestone continues his dream interpretation series by turning from Old Testament dreams to the New Testament. He explores how Matthew serves as a dream-driven counterpart to Genesis and traces the striking parallels between Joseph of Egypt and Joseph of Nazareth—two righteous sons of Jacob whose lives are shaped by divine dreams and journeys involving Egypt. Along the wa...

In episode fifty, Dr. Firestone continues his dream interpretation series by turning from modern psychological theories to the biblical worldview of dreams. Drawing on Seymour Rossell’s Bible Dreams, he explores how the Old Testament presents dreams as a meeting place between the natural and supernatural—and as a possible means of divine communication. Along the way, he challenges the modern sacre...

In episode forty-nine, Dr. Firestone continues his series on dream interpretation by exploring two influential but often overlooked approaches to understanding our dreams. Building on his previous discussion of Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung, he examines the theories of Calvin Hall and Fritz Perls, showing how their approaches differ from the depth psychology of the Vienna School. Alon...

In episode forty-eight, Dr. Firestone presents part two of his dream interpretation series. He discusses the interpretive frameworks of Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung. Despite largely different approaches to the subject, all three agree that there is something meaningful behind our dreams and that we can access it through careful examination. Find part one of the dream interpretation s...

In episode forty-seven, Dr. Firestone visits Washington, D.C., with a group of his student. They visit the National Mall, view the White House, and tour the Capitol Building with Congressman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas' fourth congressional district. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosoph...

In episode forty-six, Dr. Firestone presents a talk he gave to a large body of potential foreign students. He discusses American exceptionalism, which is a not just a product of our great founding documents and philosophy, but also of our disposition as people imbued with the American spirit. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Fi...

Episode forty-five of The Firestone Files is a special crossover episode with the Nathan Jacobs Podcast! What happens when a profound, perspective-shifting experience forces a young artist to completely re-evaluate everything? In this deep-dive, long-form interview, Dr. Firestone sits down with his long-time friend and student-turned-colleague, Dr. Nathan Jacobs, to unpack his journey from artist...

Episode forty-four of The Firestone Files is a special crossover episode with the Nathan Jacobs Podcast! Is there salvation outside the boundaries of the Eastern Orthodox Church? As the internet remains ablaze with the recent theological clash between Gavin Ortlund and Jonathan Pageau over historic Orthodox exclusivity, the answer remains heavily contested. In this deep-dive dialogue, Drs. Nathan...

Episode forty-three of The Firestone Files is a special crossover episode with the Nathan Jacobs Podcast! In this interview, Dr. Jacobs sits down with his long-time friend, colleague, and frequent co-author, Dr. Chris Firestone. For 27 years, these two have been collaborating, pushing intellectual boundaries, and challenging the status quo in the academic world. In this deep-dive conversation, the...

In episode forty-two, Dr. Firestone introduces the practice of dream interpretation from a philosopher's perspective. He discusses the profound ubiquity of dreams in our lives and the paradoxical lack of attention we give them in modern life. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and wo...

In episode forty-one, Dr. Firestone shares his commencement address for the inaugural year of Turning Point Education's Prep Year program. He discusses the origins of the program, the highs and lows of the year, and what he hopes the students got out of it. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in ph...

In episode forty, Dr. Firestone discusses Philosophy as de-myth. He summarizes his Philosophy as Myth episode and explores how good philosophy can be done by de-mythologizing and interpreting the stories we tell. He closes by briefly discussing the work that Jordan Peterson has done in this area. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr...

In episode thirty-nine, Dr. Firestone discusses what may be the earliest practice of philosophy: myth. He summarizes the What is Philosophy series and dives into the work of Joseph Campbell on the hero's journey. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and worldview to bring answers to pr...

In episode thirty-eight, Dr. Firestone interviews his eldest child, Hannah. They discuss growing up as a oldest child, Hannah's early endeavors (such as starting a babysitting business in high school), her time studying at Amherst, and her academic and career work since graduating. Check out her current endeavors by visiting https://www.globalcapitalallocation.com/ Check out The Firestone File...

In episode thirty-seven, Dr. Firestone concludes his discussion of the question, "What is philosophy?" He describes "The Tree of Philosophy" and makes the argument that logic and ethics are the two pillars of good philosophy. Check out The Firestone Files Facebook page for weekly livestreams discussing that week's topic. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a...

In episode thirty-six, Dr. Firestone continues discussing the question, "What is philosophy?" Using the definition he settled on in last week's episode, he focuses now on how philosophy is done and comes to the culminating question, "Does philosophy require faith?" Check out The Firestone Files Facebook page for weekly livestreams discussing that week's topic. The Fires...

In episode thirty-five, Dr. Firestone discusses the question, "What is philosophy?" He explores many definitions posited throughout the ages (starting with the ancient Greeks: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle), dispels a number of misnomers, and finally settles on a singular, definitive definition from Immanuel Kant, a definition that you cannot unhear once you have heard it. Check out The...

In episode thirty-four, Dr. Firestone interviews his eldest son, Matthew. They discuss growing up in a large family, fostering an intellectual family atmosphere, Matthew's discover of a vocation in the military, and his recent turn to country swing dancing. Check out The Firestone Files Facebook page for weekly livestreams discussing that week's topic. The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchild...