30/08/2026
"I stand by what I said!" - EP 70 w/Dr Chase Spears
What does it mean to have the courage to stand by your convictions when doing so comes with a cost?
In this episode of Four Years a Slave, I sit down with Dr. Chase Spears, a former U.S. Army Major and host of the Find Your Spine podcast, to talk about moral courage, leadership, controversial ideas, and the difficult choices that come with standing up for what you believe is right.
We go deep on Abraham Lincoln and whether he deserves his reputation as one of America’s greatest presidents. Chase argues that Lincoln is overrated; I make the case for Lincoln as one of the country’s great leaders. Along the way, we discuss the Civil War, presidential leadership, and what makes a historical figure worthy of admiration.
We also talk about Chase’s experiences in the military, including him mocking the Russian Ministry of Defence in a PowerPoint Presentation to him.
Another difficult topic is moral responsibility. Chase shares the story of trying to persuade a young soldier under his command not to have an abortion because he believed she was making an immoral choice.
Whatever your position on abortion, the story raises larger questions about leadership, personal conviction, authority, and whether we have a responsibility to speak up when we believe someone is making a serious mistake.
We also take a detour into Kansas City, exploring why it may be one of America's most underrated cities and what makes it such an interesting place to visit, live, and explore.
This is ultimately a conversation about moral courage: knowing what you believe, being willing to defend it, and accepting that doing the right thing—as you understand it—can sometimes make your life considerably harder.
Topics discussed:
Abraham Lincoln: great president or overrated?
Leadership during the Civil War
Moral courage and standing up for your beliefs
Military leadership and accusations of racism
Abortion, morality, and the responsibility to speak up
The personal cost of challenging prevailing opinions
Chase Spears and Find Your Spine
Life after military service
Why Kansas City is an underrated American gem
Conviction, courage, disagreement, and leadership
If you enjoy conversations about history, leadership, morality, military life, politics, and the ideas that shape American culture, this episode is for you.
Subscribe to Four Years a Slave for more long-form conversations about American history, culture, politics, and the people willing to ask difficult questions.
