Podcast Summary: The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour – "The Making of the American Mind"
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Scott Bertram
Guest: Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dean, Van Andel Graduate School of Government, Hillsdale College
Episode Length: ~41 minutes

Overview

This episode centers around Dr. Matthew Spalding’s new book, The Making of the American Mind, exploring the creation, principles, and enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence. The conversation dives deeply into the philosophical and historical foundations of American identity, the intent and meaning of the Declaration, and the importance of reflective patriotism. Dr. Spalding emphasizes understanding and embracing foundational truths to foster an informed love of country.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflective Patriotism and the Love of Country (01:13–04:32)

• Dr. Spalding distinguishes between mere sentimental patriotism and "reflective patriotism," which involves genuinely understanding and loving the underlying principles of the nation.
  • "Augustine talks about this... you can't really love something unless you know it... Well, if you want to love America, you've got to actually know it." (Dr. Spalding, 03:36)
• The Declaration as central to American identity: it embodies core values, not just a historical event.

2. Origins and Making of the Declaration (04:32–08:00)

• The journey to independence involved significant debate and philosophical development, not just a sequence of events.
• Jefferson’s role: While Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration, it was shaped by committee—especially by Franklin and Adams—and significantly edited by Congress.
  • "Jefferson is very important... but we have to understand the Declaration was written by Jefferson as the drafter, for the Continental Congress." (Dr. Spalding, 07:11)
• The phrase "expression of the American mind" becomes central to the book’s thesis.

3. The Dual Meaning of Independence (08:00–09:50)

• "Independence" in the Declaration refers both to separation from England and the creation of a new, independent nation.
  • "By Declaration of Independence, they mean both of these things: separating from England, but also at the same time, creating this new thing which is going to be an independent nation..." (Dr. Spalding, 09:25)

4. The Founders’ Classical Education & Cicero’s Influence (09:50–11:53)

• The Founding Fathers' education was grounded in classical tradition—particularly Cicero, whose concepts of law and citizenship greatly influenced them.
  • "Cicero is the most influential in that sense..." (Dr. Spalding, 10:55)
• The classical worldview anchors the Declaration in a Western tradition of law and virtue.

5. “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” (11:53–14:36)

• This phrase is both a rational (natural law) and theological claim, often misunderstood as secular but rooted in tradition.
  • "There is a God that is the lawmaker of the laws of nature. It actually is a theological reference here." (Dr. Spalding, 13:12)

6. Intended Audience of the Declaration (14:36–18:53)

• Multiple audiences: British authorities, the wider world, but especially the domestic (colonial) population.
• The urgency was to signal to Americans that independence had been formally declared and to encourage unity.
  • "The immediate target was... to all the states, all the provincial legislatures, and to Washington and his armies in the field." (Dr. Spalding, 16:29)

7. Structure and Rhetoric—‘Self Evident Truths’ (20:03–22:17)

• The use of “self-evident truths” differs from modern relativism or mere opinion; it asserts universality and reason.
  • "They didn't say, this is my truth... There are fundamentals that can be known as truths, and of those truths there are certain ones that we hold so dear because they are self evident." (Dr. Spalding, 20:22; 21:15)

8. Slavery, Equality, and Founding Principles (22:22–25:49)

• The Declaration planted the seeds for abolition through its assertion of equality.
• While slavery was present and not resolved, the principle of equality would drive its eventual demise.
  • "The beauty of it... is that a nation so divided... actually began their declaration by saying... all men are created equal. That's dynamite." (Dr. Spalding, 25:38)

9. Why Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? (25:49–28:05)

• These rights were selected to succinctly encapsulate the entirety of human existence: beginning (life), conduct (liberty), and fulfillment (happiness).
  • "It's the human. These are the rites that encompass humanity." (Dr. Spalding, 27:54)

10. American Founding vs. French Revolution (28:05–29:43)

• The “American Revolution” is better termed the “American Founding”—distinct in its prudence, rule of law, and outcomes compared to the violence of the French Revolution.
  • "I would argue the proper terminology is the American Founding because that's the more important thing they did." (Dr. Spalding, 29:36)

11. The Centrality of Prudence (29:43–32:35)

• "Prudence" is introduced in the Declaration as the bridge between unchanging truths and practical action.
  • "Prudence plays the role... between things that are true, simply, the things for which we seek wisdom... and actual decisions about what to do, what to do in the particular moment." (Dr. Spalding, 30:48)

12. Significance of the Grievance Section (33:00–35:18)

• The grievances are not mere complaints; they legally and logically justify independence and shaped the structure of the new government.
  • "If you think of the Declaration as a legal document, this is where the prosecutor... is making its... case against the King." (Dr. Spalding, 33:29)

13. Formation of a Distinct People (35:18–37:02)

• The American people are self-defined by the acceptance of equality and rights—not merely by ancestry or subjecthood.
  • "We are a people. Why? Because we recognize that all of us have these rights equally according to the laws of nature and nature's God." (Dr. Spalding, 36:08)

14. Ending Rhetoric: Life, Fortune, and Sacred Honor (37:02–39:31)

• The closing pledge is a moment of solemn unity and courage, elevating the act of Declaration to a sacred, honorable commitment.
  • "Honor that is sacred... makes the activity itself... sacred. It raises it." (Dr. Spalding, 38:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Reflective Patriotism:
  "If you want to love America, you've got to actually know it. It works both ways." (Dr. Spalding, 03:36)

• On Jefferson’s Approach:
  "The Declaration is an expression of the American mind, which is actually where I get my book title." (Dr. Spalding, 07:09)

• On Self-Evident Truths:
  "They didn't say, this is my truth, right?... There are fundamentals that can be known as truths, and of those truths there are certain ones that we hold so dear because they are self evident." (Dr. Spalding, 20:22–21:15)

• On Slavery and Equality:
  "The beauty of it... is that a nation so divided... actually began their declaration by saying... all men are created equal. That's dynamite." (Dr. Spalding, 25:38)

• On Prudence:
  "Prudence... is considered to be the virtue of statesmanship. It's the political virtue." (Dr. Spalding, 31:06)

• On the "Mic Drop" Ending:
  "It's really kind of a mic drop moment that simultaneously introduces honor, which is a very powerful human motivator of high magnitude." (Dr. Spalding, 38:26)

Important Segments (with Timestamps)

• [01:13] Reflective Patriotism and Love of Country
• [04:48] Origins and Crafting of the Declaration
• [08:15] Dual Meaning of "Independence"
• [09:50] Classical and Cicero’s Influence
• [11:53] “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” Explained
• [14:50] Intended Audience of the Declaration
• [20:03] "We hold these truths to be self evident"
• [22:22] Slavery and Equality
• [25:49] Selection of Foundational Rights
• [28:30] American vs. French Revolution
• [29:53] Prudence as Political Virtue
• [33:00] Grievances Section’s Importance
• [35:44] Defining the American People
• [37:12] The Closing Pledge: Lives, Fortunes, Sacred Honor

Tone & Style

Dr. Spalding’s approach is scholarly yet accessible, combining historical rigor with a sense of narrative and personal engagement. The tone is thoughtful, passionate, and thoroughly rooted in the ideals of classical liberal education.

Conclusion

This episode offers an in-depth and inspiring examination of the Declaration of Independence—its origins, philosophical foundations, and enduring value. Dr. Spalding’s insights illuminate how Americans can thoughtfully reconnect with their founding principles through reflection, education, and a renewed appreciation for the nation’s core story.