In this in-depth interview, Casey Wardynski — former Assistant Secretary of the Army, West Point graduate, and longtime Pentagon official — shares firsthand insight into how power operates inside Washington, D.C., and what he witnessed during some of the most consequential moments in recent American history.

Wardynski discusses January 6, civilian control of the military, Pentagon leadership dynamics, intelligence agencies, defense budgeting, and the challenges facing the U.S. armed forces after decades of war. Drawing on decades of experience at the highest levels of government, he explains how entrenched bureaucracy and unelected officials influence policy decisions long after elected leaders come and go.

Is mass immigration biblical — or is it being weaponized against America and the Church? Bryan Dawson sits down with Pastor Rich Lusk to confront one of the most controversial issues facing Alabama and the nation today: immigration, assimilation, and biblical truth.

On this episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, we examine what the Bible actually says about immigration, why many churches have adopted progressive talking points, and how immigration without assimilation becomes invasion. Pastor Rich Lusk breaks down Scripture, church history, and theology to explain why nations, borders, and order matter — and why Christians must reject toxic empathy and lawlessness disguised as compassion.

This conversation also exposes how progressive and Marxist-aligned organizations have intentionally targeted the Church, funding astroturf campaigns and manipulating Scripture to reshape Christian views on immigration, sovereignty, and national identity.

Why would Jesus choose Simon Peter—a flawed, impulsive, ordinary fisherman—to become the foundation of the Church?

In this episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson sits down with bestselling author and historian Jerry Lathan to unpack the true, chronological story of Simon Peter, the most relatable and misunderstood figure in the Gospels.

Drawing from Lathan’s book, You Will Be Peter, this conversation explores why Peter’s failures were not a liability—but the point. From walking on water to denying Christ, Peter’s journey mirrors the struggles of everyday believers and reveals how faith is forged through doubt, growth, and perseverance.

The discussion also examines why modern culture—and Hollywood—often misunderstands Christianity, why authentic faith-based storytelling still resonates with audiences, and how Peter’s leadership compares to foundational figures like George Washington.

If you’ve ever felt unqualified, uncertain, or unfinished in your faith, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Learn more about the book: https://youwillbepeter.com

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In this episode, Bryan Dawson applies the “Dutton Principle” to immigration and explains why anything worth having must be defended—or it will be lost. Dawson connects faith, history, and current events to argue that immigration is the most urgent political issue facing America today. Building on themes from recent episodes, he explains why immigration without assimilation is not compassion, but invasion, and how it fits into a broader cultural and ideological struggle.

Dawson frames America as an inherited garden, built through sacrifice and faith, and warns that stewardship requires the courage to protect what previous generations handed down. From overwhelmed hospitals and public schools to rising housing costs, infrastructure strain, public safety concerns, and compromised elections, he lays out how mass legal and illegal immigration is reshaping the nation’s economy, culture, and future.

In a viral personal story sparked by a routine trip to buy stamps, Dawson exposes what he calls “toxic empathy”—a mindset that prioritizes the feelings of lawbreakers over responsibility to citizens and future generations. The backlash he received online, filled with accusations of racism and fascism, becomes a case study in how dissent is silenced and resistance discouraged.

The episode also addresses a controversial but direct claim: while abortion remains a grave moral evil, a nation must exist in order to outlaw it. Without borders, assimilation, and moral clarity, no long-term political victories are possible.

Dawson closes with a call to reject propaganda, embrace courage, and accept that defending something worth having always comes at a cost.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of 1819 News: The Podcast , host Bryan Dawson takes listeners on a gripping journey through the cultural battles shaping Alabama, America, and the future of Western civilization itself. Drawing on vivid metaphors—from Y ellowstone to the biblical creation mandate—Dawson introduces the compelling “Dutton Principle”: Anything worth having will inevitably be targeted, and unless we defend it with courage, it will be lost.

This episode zeroes in on one of Alabama’s most influential institutions: Auburn University. Dawson makes a passionate case for why Auburn is not only worth protecting but uniquely positioned to become the nation’s model for what a bold, unapologetically traditional university can be. With stories uncovered by 1819 News—ranging from DEI rebranding tactics and radical curriculum choices to controversial hiring decisions and alleged race-based admissions practices—Dawson paints a candid picture of a university at a crossroads.

But this conversation goes far beyond campus politics. Dawson zooms out to connect today’s cultural tensions to a sweeping historical narrative of Christendom, Western civilization, and the ideological forces that have sought to dismantle them for over a century. From the Bolshevik Revolution to the “long march through the institutions,” he traces how modern progressive ideology took root and explains why its rise represents not just a political struggle, but a spiritual one.

At the heart of the episode is a clear, energizing call to action: leaders must lead. Whether trustees, administrators, alumni, or everyday citizens, Dawson argues that those entrusted with influence have a responsibility to protect what is good, true, and beautiful—and to remove what threatens the hearts, minds, and souls of future generations.

Bold, unfiltered, and deeply motivating, this episode challenges listeners to see the cultural landscape with fresh clarity and to engage with renewed purpose. If you care about Alabama, education, or the future of America, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Who Is an American? Borders, Identity, and the Fight for a Nation w/ Andrew Isker.

In this powerful episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, we confront one of the most fundamental—and forbidden—questions in modern American discourse: What does it mean to be an American, and who gets to decide? From open borders to birthright citizenship, from mass immigration to the reshaping of culture and national identity, we dig into the uncomfortable realities that most media outlets and political leaders refuse to touch.

Host Bryan Dawson lays the groundwork with a striking analogy drawn from Yellowstone: Whenever something beautiful and valuable is built, there will always be forces trying to take it. America, he argues, is no different. As millions cross our borders and political elites rewrite long-held definitions of citizenship and nationhood, we must ask whether the inheritance passed down by our forefathers is being preserved—or quietly replaced.

Joining the conversation is author, cultural commentator, and prolific X-poster Andrew Isker, known for his penetrating critiques of “trash world” politics and his unapologetic defense of Christian nationalism and traditional American identity. Isker breaks down why nations are not mere “propositions,” why multiculturalism uniquely destabilizes Western societies, and why the U.S. has abandoned the basic principle that a government exists to serve its own people.

Dawson and Isker explore the economic side of national decline—from H-1B visa abuses to the outsourcing of American opportunity to foreign labor. They tackle the myth of the “melting pot,” the misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment, and the propaganda that conditions Americans to reject the very instincts every other nation on earth takes for granted.

This episode is a call to clarity. A call to return to a grounded understanding of nation, people, land, and culture. A call to reject the naïveté that assumes everyone flooding into our country shares our values or intentions. A call to defend what remains of the most extraordinary civilizational achievement in human history: the United States of America.

If you’re ready for tough questions, honest answers, and a conversation that pushes past the boundaries of polite political discourse, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson sits down with Col. John Eidsmoe—author, historian, and chairman of the Plymouth Rock Foundation—to explore the true, awe-inspiring story behind Plymouth Plantation, the Mayflower, and the first Thanksgiving. More than a history lesson, this conversation uncovers the spiritual DNA of America: courage, sacrifice, self-government, and unshakeable faith in God’s providence. Dawson opens the episode by connecting the Pilgrims’ story to his own family lineage, tracing his ancestry back to the Wampanoag chief who stood alongside the Pilgrims at that first Thanksgiving. Eidsmoe, joining the show dressed in full Pilgrim attire, begins unpacking the Pilgrims’ rich written history—one of the most well-documented origins of any nation besides ancient Israel. He walks listeners through their persecution in England, their turbulent stay in the Netherlands, and the bold decision to cross the Atlantic for the sake of religious freedom and the advancement of the Christian faith. Together, Dawson and Eidsmoe trace the harrowing voyage of the Mayflower, the drafting of the Mayflower Compact, and the brutal first winter in which half the colony perished. Eidsmoe explains how God’s providence appeared repeatedly—from Squanto’s arrival, to the peaceful treaty with Massasoit, to the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest and their now-legendary feast of thanksgiving to God. The episode also delves into the Pilgrims’ early flirtation with socialism—forced upon them by investors—and how Gov. William Bradford recorded its utter failure and the colony’s explosive success once private property and individual incentive were restored. Eidsmoe even shares the remarkable story of how Bradford’s long-lost manuscript, History of Plymouth Plantation, was miraculously recovered centuries later. This Thanksgiving, Dawson invites listeners to look beyond food, family, and football and remember the faith, fortitude, and God-honoring vision of the men and women who risked everything to establish a Christian foothold in the New World. This powerful episode is a call to gratitude, to remembrance, and to reclaiming America’s true heritage.

In this special edition of 1819 News: The Podcast, you’ll get a front row seat to 1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson's speech at the 2nd Annual Albert Patterson Gala: An Evening of Courage featuring Tucker Carlson.

Dawson gave a brief but incredible speech calling Christians to speak the truth and confront wickedness when and where they see it, no matter the cost.

God brought everything into existence by speaking and humans are the only creatures in creation who share that ability to speak. Because of this, Dawson highlights the importance of speaking the truth and refusing to be silenced.

We hope you’ll enjoy this brief speech and allow it to inspire you to go forth with courage, refusing to be silenced as you speak and live the truth.

Please also consider 1819 News in your year-end giving. We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, so all contributions toward our work are anonymous and tax deductible. Reach out to Ashley Carter, our VP of Finance and Events (Ashley.Carter@1819news.com), to make a year-end contribution, or give at 1819news.com/give.