Conversations That Matter

Why are more Christian families choosing to homeschool their children? And what should parents know before making the decision?On this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Brad Stafford, father of eight and founder of Anyone Can Homeschool, about the growing interest in homeschooling, the shortcomings of conventional education, and the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children's education.Brad explains how the COVID era prompted many families to reconsider their educational choices and why first-time homeschoolers often struggle to navigate the overwhelming number of curricula, programs, and opinions available online. He also discusses the benefits of homeschooling for family relationships, the concerns surrounding college, and the importance of cultivating independent thinking rather than simply reproducing the structure of public school at home.The conversation also examines the role of the local church in supporting homeschooling families without losing sight of its primary responsibilities, the dangers of homeschooling influencers and unrealistic social media portrayals, and how experienced homeschoolers can help younger families develop confidence and practical wisdom.Brad shares how Anyone Can Homeschool seeks to provide parents with practical guidance, mentoring, and a clearer starting point for educating their children.Topics covered:- Why homeschooling grew after COVID- Christian parents and the responsibility to educate their children- How to choose homeschooling curricula without becoming overwhelmed- The role of churches and pastors in supporting homeschool families- Homeschooling, family relationships, and generational continuity- College, career preparation, and alternative educational paths- How to avoid replicating public school at home- The problems with homeschooling influencers and social media comparison- Practical guidance for families beginning their homeschooling journeyLearn more about Brad Stafford's work:Anyone Can Homeschool: https://anyonecanhomeschool.com/Learn more about Jon Harris's work:Jon's Music: jonharristunes.comTo Support the Podcast:https://www.jonharrismedia.com/support/Become a Patronhttps://www.patreon.com/jonharrispodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@jonharrisFollow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Follow Jon on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jonharris1989/00:00 Introduction: Why Homeschooling Is Growing01:12 Why COVID Changed Parents' Minds About School06:22 Choosing Curricula Without Getting Overwhelmed09:38 Should Churches Support Homeschooling?15:42 The Benefits of Homeschooling for Families20:16 College, Careers, and Alternative Paths30:04 How Anyone Can Homeschool Helps Parents34:05 Avoiding the Mistakes of Public School at Home36:17 Homeschool Influencers and the Social Media TrapOur Sponsors:* Check out Mars Men and use my code Mengotomars.com for a great deal: https://mengotomars.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in Christian institutions, conservative politics, and the broader cultural landscape.Christianity Today faces questions about its leadership and direction. Point Loma Nazarene University draws criticism for inviting a controversial poet, while Vanderbilt Divinity School promotes solidarity circles and a solidarity economy. We also examine the controversy surrounding Samuel Sey's arrest by ICE, the online reaction, and why Christians should resist the temptation to rejoice over another family's hardship.Other topics include allegations about James Lindsay's personal conduct, internal conflict within the Old Glory Club over America and Israel, and the broader rightward political shift across South America. Brazil's election raises questions about the future of conservative politics and the country's evangelical community.Finally, we cover the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security concern and a Christian rapper's decision to cancel a concert over pornographic imagery at the venue.In this episode:- Christianity Today and the state of evangelical journalism- Point Loma Nazarene University and a controversial poetry invitation- Vanderbilt Divinity School's solidarity circles- Samuel Sey, ICE, immigration law, and Christian charity- James Lindsay and questions of personal character- The Old Glory Club's internal conflict- South America's rightward political shift and Brazil's election- Confucius Institutes and national security- Christian rapper Hulvey cancels a concert over pornographic imagery- New content from TruthscriptSubscribe to Conversations That Matter for thoughtful Christian commentary on politics, culture, and the church.#Christianity #Politics #ChristianCommentary #NewsRoundupJon's Music: jonharristunes.comTo Support the Podcast: https://www.jonharrismedia.com/support/Become a Patronhttps://www.patreon.com/jonharrispodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@jonharris Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonharris1989/00:00 Introduction and Announcements00:48 Point Loma Nazarene University's Controversial Poet03:43 Vanderbilt Divinity School's Solidarity Circles08:00 Christianity Today in Turmoil18:24 Samuel Sey Arrested by ICE: The Controversy33:57 James Lindsay's Personal Conduct35:04 The Old Glory Club's Internal Conflict37:15 South America's Rightward Shift and Brazil's Election41:22 Confucius Institutes, Hulvey, and TruthscriptOur Sponsors:* Check out Mars Men and use my code Mengotomars.com for a great deal: https://mengotomars.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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What did the NatCon conference in Jerusalem reveal about the future of nationalism, liberalism, and the relationship between Israel and the West?In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Dr. Avital Levi, director of educational programs at the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, about her presentation at the National Conservatism Conference and the controversies surrounding the event.Dr. Levi explains why liberal individualism struggles to sustain social cohesion, why nations need shared histories and traditions, and how the biblical account of nationhood offers an alternative to both radical individualism and political universalism. The conversation explores the relationship between family, nation, religion, and political order, as well as the influence of liberal ideas on Israeli society.Jon and Dr. Levi also discuss the debate surrounding Israel's relationship with the United States, the controversy over public figures such as Tucker Carlson, accusations of antisemitism, and the importance of evaluating international alliances in light of both moral principles and national interests.Finally, they consider the future of Christian influence in the West and why the recovery of a shared Christian inheritance matters for the political and cultural health of Western nations.**Topics include:**- The NatCon conference in Jerusalem- Liberalism and the social contract- National identity, family, and shared traditions- Biblical nationhood and the Tower of Babel- Israel, nationalism, and immigration- Tucker Carlson and the debate over antisemitism- The U.S.-Israel relationship and national interests- Christianity and the future of Western civilizationSubscribe to *Conversations That Matter* for thoughtful discussions about Christianity, politics, theology, and Western civilization.00:00 Introduction: Avital Levi and the NatCon Conference04:30 Liberalism and the Problem of Individualism09:00 Loyalty, Tragedy, and National Solidarity14:00 Family, Marriage, and the Foundations of Society19:00 Abraham, Babel, and Biblical Nationhood28:00 Nationalism, Religion, and Self-Governing Nations37:00 Christianity's Influence on Western Culture44:00 Political Involvement and the NatCon Movement49:00 Tucker Carlson, Antisemitism, and the NatCon Controversy54:00 The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Interests and Alliances64:00 Christian Ethics and Difficult Foreign Policy Questions78:00 Restoring Christianity and Supporting IsraelJon's Music: jonharristunes.comTo Support the Podcast: https://www.jonharrismedia.com/support/Become a Patronhttps://www.patreon.com/jonharrispodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@jonharris Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonharris1989/Our Sponsors:* Check out Mars Men and use my code Mengotomars.com for a great deal: https://mengotomars.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens when Christians bring their understanding of human nature, theology, and the good life into the worlds of business, technology, and politics?In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, I sit down with Nate Fischer, co-founder of New Founding and a founding backer of American Reformer, to discuss how Christians can move beyond building niche alternatives and start shaping the future of America.Nate explains how independent thinking helped shape his career as an investor, why Christian theology has practical implications for business decisions, and how New Founding identifies opportunities at the intersection of cultural change, politics, and entrepreneurship.We also discuss the limits of conventional Christian approaches to business, the future of artificial intelligence, the decline of social trust, building communities rooted in the American way of life, and why people increasingly need to evaluate public figures by whether they have genuine skin in the game.Finally, we consider how Christians should approach controversial ideas, institutional stewardship, and the responsibility to build rather than simply criticize.Topics include:- Why independent thinking matters in business and politics- New Founding and its vision for America- Christian anthropology and artificial intelligence- Why Christian businesses need more than a Christian label- The decline of social trust and the search for community- Skin in the game, credibility, and the future of public discourse- How Christians can build institutions that shape the futureLearn more:New Founding: https://newfounding.com  American Reformer: https://americanreformer.orgFollow Nate Fischer on X: @NateAFisherTo Support the Podcast: https://www.jonharrismedia.com/support/Become a Patronhttps://www.patreon.com/jonharrispodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@jonharris Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonharris1989/00:00 Introduction to Nate Fischer01:20 Independent Thinking and the Path to Investing05:00 From Business to Politics08:00 Why Christian Theology Matters for Business16:00 New Founding and American Reformer23:06 Venture Capital, Startups, and Building Communities42:10 Skin in the Game in the Age of AI and Social Media44:00 Performative Outrage and Genuine Risk1:03:09 Israel, Political Labels, and Productive Debate1:15:08 Stewarding Imperfect Institutions and the Christian View of AIOur Sponsors:* Check out Mars Men and use my code Mengotomars.com for a great deal: https://mengotomars.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy