Tom Woods 2000

I found the Tom Woods Show over seven years ago as my wife and I were considering home educating our son. I discovered his episodes on homeschooling and he introduced me to inspirational people like Pam Laricchia and Lenore Skenazy.

His manner and knowledge was so welcoming that I listened more and became familiar with the core philosophies of libertarianism.

His highlighting the compatibility of Christianity and libertarianism gave my mind space to contemplate a dramatic shift from the secular conservatism that had characterized my life since adolescence.

A few years later I was home educating two boys, renouncing democracy, and accepting Jesus Christ as my savior. Woods doesn’t get credit for all these things, but I’m not sure I would have imagined such a transformation in my late thirties.

Months after being Baptized, I lost my wife suddenly. One night, in a panic, I emailed Woods at an address that I assumed went to employees and would likely sit in limbo. I told him my story and asked for…what? I don’t know. I had found so many answers through his interviews that maybe I wanted a tidy 30-minute podcast to rescue me from my grief.

He emailed me back within a day. He expressed his condolences and asked how he could help.

I was embarrassed about this strange moment. I had probably been drinking the night before and had no idea how to respond. I still don’t remember if I thanked him. I hope this post serves as a proper gratitude.

Three years later and I’m sitting here at a celebration of Woods’s 2000th podcast episode. I’m once again grateful for his many contributions to my life and the wider cultural conversation.

Now to stop being a weirdo on his phone and make some friends.