Faith Over Fear: Governor Wes Moore on Service, Patriotism & Moral Leadership

August 27, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Governor Wes Moore told Mick Unplugged that he is "probably the most improbable governor in this country" — a kid who watched his father die at age three, had handcuffs on his wrists by eleven, joined the army at seventeen, and graduated from a two-year college before becoming Maryland's 63rd governor. The reason he made it, he said, is simple: "There were people who saw me there before I saw myself." That conviction — that service saves — became the backbone of a conversation about patriotism, moral leadership, and what it actually takes to govern.

The distinction between patriotism and nationalism

Moore's Fourth of July speech, which the host described as one of the three greatest speeches he had ever heard, centered on a distinction Moore believes has been dangerously blurred. Patriotism, he argued, "doesn't mean lying about your history. Patriotism means being willing to be part of the future of what is the greatest experiment in world history." It acknowledges that the experiment has never been perfect — but that every generation has an opportunity to make the union more perfect, to provide more rights and freedoms than the generation before.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:02) **Governor Wes Moore: Improbable Journey, Core Thesis** - Moore introduces himself as "the most improbable governor in this country" and lays out his life arc—father's death at age three, arrested at 11, Army at 17, two-year college, now governor—to ground the conversation in his core belief.
2 (05:09) **The Military School Origin Story** - Moore recounts being sent to military school at 13, running away five times in four days, and the phone call with his mother that reframed his understanding of service.
3 (07:35) **The July 4th Speech: Patriotism vs. Nationalism** - Host Mick describes Moore's July 4th, 2023 speech as one of the three greatest speeches he has ever heard, stopping a family gathering of 25-30 people in their tracks.
4 (10:20) **"Have Faith, Not Fear": The Central Framework** - Moore reveals the four words his grandfather wrote in a Bible given to him before deploying to Afghanistan: "Have faith not fear."
5 (13:58) **What Patriotism Requires of Everyone** - Moore responds to Mick's question about what citizens can do to enhance patriotism, diagnosing the modern information environment.
6 (15:57) **Maryland's Results: The "How" Matters as Much as the "What"** - Mick runs through Governor Moore's record: historic low unemployment, violent crime at all-time lows (homicide rate down nearly 60%), increased minimum wage, and rising homeownership.
7 (23:10) **Energy Crisis: National Problem, State-Level Solutions** - Moore addresses rising energy prices (17% increase in Maryland in 18 months) and the need for an "all-of-the-above" energy approach.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Wes Moore

Show Notes

Discussion about service, patriotism, faith, leadership, technology, and the responsibility to leave no one behind.

Governor Moore explains why "service saved me," beginning with the mentors, teachers, coaches, ministers, aunties, and uncles who saw his potential before he could see it himself. He reflects on losing his father at age three, wearing handcuffs by eleven, being sent to military school, and eventually discovering that leadership is not about individual achievement. It is about lifting as we climb.

The conversation then turns to the meaning of American patriotism. Governor Moore draws a sharp distinction between patriotism and nationalism, arguing that faith, not fear, is the foundation of a more perfect union. He and Mick also discuss Maryland's public-safety progress, service-year opportunities, apprenticeships, cannabis pardons, energy affordability, AI, data-center accountability, and why technological progress must include guardrails and public trust.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Mick’s most important conversation

02:05 Governor Moore’s “Because”: service saved me

04:39 Running away from military school

06:37 The Unplugged Truth: a speech that moved Mick’s family

08:41 Faith, fear, patriotism, and nationalism

13:22 God’s grace and moral leadership

15:21 Hot Takes: Maryland’s progress through collaboration

20:49 Energy affordability, AI, and data-center guardrails

28:55 The Room: you belong because the room needs you

33:11 The Unplugged Five and a legacy of compassion

FEATURED SPEECH

Watch Governor Wes Moore's July 4, 2026 address, "The Work of Patriotism":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfLQy82IsWo

Read the official transcript:

https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/work-patriotism

Connect & Discover Governor Wes Moore:

Website: theofficeofgovernorwesmoore.com

LinkedIn: @iamwesmoore

X: @iamwesmoore

Facebook: @iamwesmoore

Instagram: @iamwesmoore

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