
Matthew Spalding
Vice president of Hillsdale College and author of The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence, discussing the Declaration's role in shaping American political identity.
Top 5 podcasts with Matthew Spalding
Ranked by the Snipd community

25 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 9min
The Making of the American Mind with Matthew Spalding
Matthew Spalding, Hillsdale professor and author of The Making of the American Mind, explores how the Declaration of Independence draws on theological language and Christian intellectual traditions. He discusses providence, natural law, the Declaration’s crafting and civic role, Protestant textual habits, and whether America was founded as a Christian-influenced but nonsectarian polity.

Feb 6, 2026 • 1h 2min
The Forgotten Wisdom of the Declaration of Independence | Matthew Spalding
Matthew Spalding, a Hillsdale College professor and author on the American founding, explains why the Declaration of Independence is a claim of lasting truth rooted in natural law. He traces founders’ ancient Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian influences. He contrasts natural-rights thinking with modern historicism and shows how the Declaration philosophically anchors constitutional government.

Jan 20, 2026 • 1h 21min
Don Lemon’s Disgraceful Antics, The Truth About Immigration in America, PLUS Dangers of Data Centers
Matthew Spalding, Dean at Hillsdale College and author, shares insights on America's immigration crisis, discussing how citizenship debates reflect deeper national identity issues. Investigative journalist Shane Cashman delves into the controversial rise of AI data centers, highlighting local resistance and the looming surveillance threats posed by tech billionaires. The conversation also critiques Don Lemon's coverage of church disruptions, bringing to light questions about media responsibility and public perception of faith communities.

Jan 6, 2026 • 46min
‘The Making Of The American Mind’: A Deep Dive Into The Declaration Of Independence
Matthew Spalding, Vice President of Washington Operations and dean at Hillsdale College, explores the significance of the Declaration of Independence. He discusses the founders' sacrificial spirit, revealing how Jefferson and others shaped a collective voice. Spalding emphasizes the Declaration's theological roots and its role in American values like life and liberty. He also critiques modern cynicism and advocates for recovering the founders' principles to enhance civic education, urging a return to self-governance ahead of the Declaration's 250th anniversary.

Dec 12, 2025 • 54min
The Making of the American Mind
Matthew Spalding, Dean of Hillsdale College's School of Government and author of The Making of the American Mind, dives into the significance of the Declaration of Independence. He explores the courage of the founding fathers and the historical context of their grievances. Spalding addresses contemporary critiques of Jefferson, emphasizing the importance of understanding self-evident truths. He also argues that citizens must connect with their nation's founding to foster genuine patriotism, blending narrative and ideas to resonate with younger generations.


