The Determined Society with Shawn French

Episode: "Freedom Town USA with Patrick Dearborn"

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Shawn French
Guest: Patrick Dearborn

Overview

This episode of "The Determined Society" sees host Shawn French sit down with community leader, fire commissioner, and realtor Patrick Dearborn. Their conversation explores the continual quest for self-betterment, the true meaning of unity and determination, and the impact of living with purpose in an increasingly divided world. The tone is authentic, upbeat, and motivating, as they dig beneath surface platitudes to share hard-won lessons, personal stories, and their determination to encourage and unify those around them.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Division in Society and the Need for Unity

• The episode opens with a frank take on polarization—political, social, and cultural—and who benefits when people are set against each other rather than working in solidarity ([00:00], [08:54]).
• Patrick Dearborn:
  "There is something, some force going back to the dawn of time that wants to keep us at each other as opposed to for each other." ([00:00], [08:54])
• Both men agree this dynamic has deep historical roots, but is amplified in the current era by media, algorithms, and social platforms that feed into division.

2. Personal Responsibility and Agency

• Shawn and Patrick underscore the importance of focusing on controllable internal factors, rather than blaming external circumstances such as politics or the economy ([01:00], [12:03], [13:52]).
• Shawn French:
  "Stop looking for excuses of why you're not making it because who's in charge. It doesn't matter..." ([01:00], [12:03])
• The discussion pivots to the value of daily habits, self-discipline, and refusing to fall into victim mentality.

3. Authenticity and Real-Life Struggles

• Both men reveal vulnerabilities, confessing struggles at home, professional setbacks, and the daily grind that social media doesn't show ([03:07], [47:28]).
• Patrick Dearborn:
  "I'm imperfect and I'm flawed and I make mistakes all the time...The best way to get beyond all that is to come together." ([08:54])

4. Unification over Division: Popsicle Stick Analogy

• Patrick shares a memorable analogy about popsicle sticks to illustrate the power of unity; one stick breaks easily, but together, they're nearly unbreakable ([10:02]).
• Patrick Dearborn:
  "If you get eight or nine together and they're all very thin and you put a rubber band around them...you're not breaking those popsicle sticks." ([10:02])

5. Faith, Community, and Being an Encourager

• Faith is a guiding principle for both, yet the discussion is inclusive—emphasizing shared human experiences across diverse backgrounds ([14:04]-[14:59], [15:46], [20:15]).
• The importance of being an encourager and role model in the community, rather than focusing on labels and differences, is a recurring theme.

6. Habits, Self-Discipline, and Setting Standards

• Early wake-ups, gym routines, and non-negotiables are explored as tools for winning the day and staying consistent even when motivation flags ([34:51], [36:25], [39:26]).
• Shawn French:
  "The one thing that you struggle with, take care of that thing and make standards and processes and systems around that to insulate you from all risk..." ([37:19])

7. Service, Local Pride, and First Responders

• Patrick shares his motivation behind serving as fire commissioner in "Freedomtown USA" (Naples, Florida), emphasizing the honor of supporting first responders ([27:58], [28:54]).
• Both express pride and gratitude for their community, recognizing the often overlooked daily sacrifices of police, firefighters, and EMS ([30:11], [30:49]).

8. Purpose, Growth, and Future Aspirations

• Shawn discusses his goals for the podcast and brand, emphasizing impact over fame—wanting "The Determined Society" to be a place that truly empowers people ([49:31], [49:56]).
• Shawn French:
  "I want to empower society to chase their damn dreams, no matter how they feel emotionally at the time." ([49:56])

9. True Determination and Commitment

• In a powerful exchange on the meaning of determination, Patrick reveals his origins as an abortion clinic survivor, linking his survival to an ingrained never-give-up attitude ([56:01]).
• Patrick Dearborn:
  "Doing things, the right things, even when nobody's looking and the lights aren't on...that's a determining attribute." ([56:01])
• Shawn French:
  "Determination to me is just doing what you said you were going to do long after the emotion wears off." ([58:36])

10. Cherishing Family and Small Moments

• A grounding segment details Shawn's joy at spending a simple evening doing parent pickup, dinner, and board games with his youngest daughter—affirming that family, not achievement, is the ultimate reward ([59:28]-[61:12]).
• Shawn French:
  "I moved forward as a human being and as a father yesterday. And, you know... that's determination." ([61:27])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Unity in Diversity:

“I think we have more in common than we do apart. I don't care if your name tag says Muslim. I don't care if it says Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Christian. You're still a human being.”
– Patrick Dearborn (14:04)

On Social Media's Influence:

“Everybody looks awesome on social media… Hunky Dory… But we don't have it all figured out.”
– Shawn French (03:07)

On Facing Adversity:

"On top of the mountain. Didn't fall there."
– Patrick Dearborn (02:30, reiterated at 20:15)

Overcoming Fear and Moving Forward:

"You can't be better for everybody if you don't take care of yourself first. And that is not a selfish thing."
– Shawn French (36:24)

Faith as Strength, Not Perfection:

“The disciples were...imperfect and flawed, just like we are. Yet Jesus was patient and he already knew… and yet he still loved on all of them and kept him as his core group."
– Patrick Dearborn (21:00)

On True Determination:

"Doing what you said you were going to do long after the emotion wears off."
– Shawn French (58:36, quoting Dan Tuffarello)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Patrick opens: societal division and personal vulnerability | | 03:07 | Reality vs. social media: “We don’t have it all figured out…” | | 08:54 | Patrick discusses unity over labels, reflects on faith and imperfection | | 10:02 | Popsicle sticks analogy on unity and strength | | 14:04–14:59 | Patrick on finding common ground, not focusing on differences | | 20:15 | On learning from setbacks: “On top of the mountain. Didn’t fall there.” | | 27:58 | Why Patrick serves as fire commissioner | | 34:51 | Early routines and first-thing-in-the-day habit setting | | 37:19 | The importance of standards over goals | | 49:31 | Shawn’s vision: future growth and impact of The Determined Society | | 56:01 | Patrick defines determination, shares abortion survivor story | | 58:36 | Commitment: “doing what you said… after the emotion wears off” | | 59:28–61:12 | Shawn’s story of family, presence, and daily victories |

Conclusion

This episode radiates with encouragement to take ownership of one’s actions and mindset, to unify rather than divide, and to keep moving forward with authenticity—especially when nobody is watching. Both Shawn and Patrick model humility, humor, and heart, challenging listeners to support each other, be encouragers, and build community from the inside out. Whether discussing local pride in Naples, transcending political echo chambers, or the grind of personal transformation, their message is clear: determination means showing up for yourself and others, choosing growth daily, and never forgetting the simple blessings right in front of you.