As America approaches its 250th birthday, O’Connor & Company welcomes Dr. Matthew Spalding, Vice President for Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C., Campus on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Spalding discusses the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and the events that led to 1776, drawing from his new book, The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence. From the Founders’ debates to the philosophical roots of America’s founding, this conversation explores why the Declaration still matters today.

Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C., Campus is home to the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, which offers a part-time M.A. in Government for young professionals.

Learn more at DC.Hillsdale.edu.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
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Episode: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

As America approaches its 250th birthday, O&rsquo;Connor &amp; Company welcomes Dr. Matthew Spalding, Vice President for Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College&rsquo;s Washington, D.C., Campus on Capitol Hill.
Dr. Spalding discusses the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and the events that led to 1776, drawing from his new book, The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence. From the Founders&rsquo; debates to the philosophical roots of America&rsquo;s founding, this conversation explores why the Declaration still matters today.
Hillsdale College&rsquo;s Washington, D.C., Campus is home to the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, which <a href="https://dc.hillsdale.edu/">offers </a>a part-time M.A. in Government for young professionals.
Learn more at <a href="https://dc.hillsdale.edu/">DC.Hillsdale.edu</a>.
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
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<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC</li>
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<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/" data-copy-preserve="1">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
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Episode: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

Enjoy O'Connor & Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

Enjoy O'Connor &amp; Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

O'Connor & Company

"O'Connor & Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at WMAL.com, on the WMAL App or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC

Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany

"O'Connor &amp; Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at <a href="http://www.wmal.com">WMAL.com</a>, on the <a href="https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/">WMAL App</a> or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC<a href="https://www.cornerstonefirst.com/"></a>
Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: <a href="http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany">http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany</a>