Days before the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, podcast host Genevieve Anatalio interviews Dr. Matthew Spalding on “Ready, Willing, & Able.” Spalding is the Kirby Professor in Constitutional Government and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College and oversees the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship at Hillsdale’s Washington, D.C. campus.
He was also appointed Executive Director of the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission, and is a senior academic advisor for America 250 projects. Also a faithful Catholic, father of two, and longtime Knight of Columbus, Spalding breaks down why Catholics — or anyone — should care about “America 250.”
Spalding explains how the foundational principles that animate the Declaration of Independence come from the natural law. Anatalio asks Spalding about his recent award-winning book, “The Making of the American Mind: The Making of Our Declaration of Independence,” and how breaking down the founding document line-by-line can offer important points of reflection for Catholics 250 years later.
They reflect together on the universality and timelessness of these “self-evident” truths and agree that listeners should avoid separating things like Catholicism, natural law, and politics, but rather pursue the one, undying truth.
“Ready, Willing, & Able” explores topics that inform and edify Catholic parents. The creators aim to equip parents to discuss the faith with their children and bring the richness of the Catholic faith into their family lives, helping them feel ready, willing, and able to live out their call as primary educators of the faith.
Listen to “Should Catholics Care About America 250?” and explore other episodes of “Ready, Willing, & Able” on the podcast website or on your favorite streaming service.
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