Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

What happens when Christians stop thinking for themselves — and hand that job to AI? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Ben Holloway — philosopher, professor at Judson College at Southeastern Seminary, and incoming Bruce Little Chair of Christian Philosophy — to explore why classical Christian education depends on mastering language, logic, and the great books. From defending the faith against hard questions to why you simply cannot outsource your thinking to a machine, this is a conversation that will challenge and equip every homeschool family to love wisdom and pursue truth. Dr. Ben Holloway grew up in England, spent his 20s playing in a band and preaching the gospel with no formal education, then moved to America at 34 with his wife, two kids, and 29 boxes — and started his bachelor's degree at Moody Bible Institute. That late-in-life educational journey shapes everything about how he teaches and what he believes education is for. The conversation opens with a rich discussion of Christian philosophy — not as an abstract academic exercise, but as the indispensable tool Christians have always used to answer the questions the Bible doesn't directly address. From the early church borrowing the language of "substance" and "persons" from Greek philosophy to describe the Trinity, to the everyday challenge of interpreting a difficult passage of Scripture, philosophy and language are inescapably central to the Christian life. Dr. Holloway makes a compelling case that language is foundational to how we know God. Because God chose to reveal himself through 66 books, Christians are permanently and inescapably committed to the hard work of interpretation. You cannot outsource that to anyone — and certainly not to AI. He explains that AI isn't a reasoning machine; it's a pattern-matching product built to please customers, not to pursue truth. Students who try to use it before developing their own thinking ability won't just miss the learning — they'll also be incapable of evaluating what AI produces. What You'll Learn: - What Christian philosophy actually is — and why you can't do good theology without it - Why language is one of the most mysterious and important features of God's creation - How to read the Bible the way the author intended — not just the way it "speaks to you" - Three practical techniques for interpreting any difficult text correctly - Why Christians specifically cannot outsource their thinking to AI — and what's at stake if they try - Why using AI before you've learned to think is worse than not using it at all - The surprising connection between Homer's *Iliad* and the biblical meaning of glory and honor - Why hard-earned education is one of God's greatest gifts — and what we rob students of when we shortcut it   00:00 — Introduction & Dr. Holloway's Background 01:44 — Growing Up in England, Ministry Without a Degree & Coming to America 03:11 — Discovering a Calling to Teach at Moody Bible Institute 04:22 — What Makes Judson College Unique: Theory Meets Practice 05:07 — What Is Christian Philosophy — and Why Does It Matter? 06:27 — How the Early Church Used Philosophy to Describe the Trinity 08:26 — Language, God's Creation & Why It's So Mysterious 10:07 — How Language Connects to Truth and Education 12:11 — Why Christians Can't Outsource Bible Reading to AI 13:43 — Who Gets to Fix the Meaning of a Text? The Author, Not You 15:03 — Why You Shouldn't Skip the Parts of Scripture That Don't "Apply" to You 17:02 — Three Techniques for Interpreting Difficult Texts Correctly 21:25 — Honor, Glory & What Homer Teaches Us About the Bible 24:17 — Bethlehem, Lambs & the Depth of God's Storytelling (with Robert) 25:38 — AI, Thinking & Why You Have to Learn Without It First 29:10 — The Ethics of AI in the Classroom: Why It's a Form of Deception 31:05 — Handwriting, Blue Books & Seeing Students' Work 36:19 — The Satisfaction of Hard-Earned Learning 39:36 — Philosophy Means "Love of Wisdom" — and That's the Point 41:12 — About Judson College: Preview Days, Campus Visits & April 16 Experience Day 43:07 — Closing Thoughts: Christians, Culture & the Duty of This Generation   Resources: https://judsoncollege.com/   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

Is Bitcoin's bear market your best buying opportunity? On this episode of the Refining Rhetoric podcast, host Robert Bortins and crypto-savvy co-host Will McCreery break down the 2025 crypto market — covering the Bitcoin halving cycle, why altcoins underperformed, the case for dollar cost averaging, and what to watch for heading into 2026–2029. Bitcoin hit an all-time high near $126,000 in October 2025 — then the cycle turned. In this quarterly update, Robert and his Will break down what went wrong (low liquidity, tariff uncertainty, ETF hype without follow-through), why altcoins largely failed to run, and how geopolitics may be pushing nation states toward gold instead of Bitcoin. They also cover the stalled Clarity Act, Michael Saylor's continued conviction, and the case for dollar cost averaging through the bear market. What You'll Learn: - The Bitcoin halving cycle explained, and what it means for 2026–2029 - Why altcoins severely underperformed and whether they're worth buying now - How ETFs, liquidity, and tariff uncertainty shaped the current market - The Clarity Act: where U.S. crypto regulation stands and why 70% of institutions are still on the sidelines - Dollar cost averaging strategies: how to buy Bitcoin with as little as $10 - Robert's 2029 Bitcoin price prediction (and the reasoning behind it) - Catalysts to watch: interest rates, stock market tokenization, and gold/silver rotation 00:00 — Introduction 00:29 — Welcome & Why We Talk Crypto Every Quarter 01:22 — Where Bitcoin Stands Today (Price Check: Feb 10) 02:07 — The Bitcoin Halving Cycle Explained 03:29 — What Happened to the Altcoins? 04:21 — ETFs, Liquidity & Why the Cycle Disappointed 05:41 — Are Nation States Moving to Gold Instead of Bitcoin? 06:36 — Trump, Tariffs & Crypto Sentiment 09:00 — The Case for Dollar Cost Averaging 13:00 — How to Think About Risk & Portfolio Allocation 18:06 — Buying Strategy: Satoshis, Small Buys & Timing 19:26 — Price Predictions: Where Bitcoin Could Go in 2029 22:43 — Michael Saylor & MicroStrategy — Still Solvent? 24:31 — Catalysts to Watch: Clarity Act, Stock Market Tokenization & Interest Rates 25:30 — Gold & Silver Rotation into Crypto — Historical Patterns 26:21 — Final Thoughts & Robert's 2029 Price Call 27:07 — Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts This is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a professional before making investment decisions. This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org.  

What if the best way to change culture isn't through politics or protests—but by faithfully living out a biblical worldview right where you're planted? Discover how to raise disciples who think faithfully about every area of life. In this episode, Robert sits down with Mike Shcutt, Executive Director of Worldview Academy, to discuss how Christians can bridge the gap between biblical truth and cultural engagement. Mike shares insights from 30 years of discipling students through Worldview Academy's leadership camps, revealing why intellectual Christianity matters and how families can avoid the entertainment-focused approach that dominates youth ministry today. From homeschooling three children to watching seven grandchildren grow, Mike offers wisdom on passing down faith across generations. Learn why worldview education isn't about creating "know-it-alls" who argue everyone into submission, but about forming gracious disciples who love their neighbors well. Mike unpacks the difference between being blind versus being dumb, and why asking good questions matters more than having all the answers. This conversation challenges believers to think faithfully about their specific callings—whether in law, plumbing, teaching, or parenting—and bloom where they're planted. If Christians truly repented and lived according to Scripture in every area of life, what would cultural transformation look like?   Resources: https://worldview.org/   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

What would you give up to stand for truth? For Kayleigh Bush, the answer was a crown. When Kayleigh Bush was crowned Miss North Florida in August 2024, she had no idea she'd soon face a choice that would make national headlines. Just four weeks after her crowning, she was presented with a revised Miss America contract that redefined "female" to include biological males who have undergone surgical procedures — directly contradicting her Christian faith and Florida law. She refused to sign. And she refused to stay silent. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins sits down with Classical Conversations graduate and viral sensation Kayleigh Bush to talk about what really happened, what it cost her, and why she has zero regrets. From a surprise TMZ interview on a Washington D.C. sidewalk to tens of millions of views, Kayleigh shares how her CC education, her faith, and a community rooted in truth gave her the courage to trade a temporal crown for an eternal one. Whether you're a parent raising kids in a world that's redefining womanhood, a student wondering if standing on convictions is worth it, or simply someone looking for a story of genuine courage — this episode is for you. Resources: She Leads America: sheleadsamerica.com Liberty Counsel (Kayleigh's legal representation): lc.org This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing.  To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

What if the path to healing childhood trauma starts with a truth most people overlook? Join us as Rachel Davidson reveals how Kids Alive International is transforming the lives of sexually abused children across seven countries—and what every parent needs to know about prevention right now. In this powerful episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Rachel Davidson, Chief Operating Officer of Kids Alive International, to discuss one of society's most challenging issues: childhood sexual abuse and trauma recovery. In this episode, you'll discover: The shocking statistics on child sexual abuse—and why it's closer to home than you think Kids Alive's four-pillar approach: Prevention, Family Strengthening, Restorative Care, and Advocacy Critical warning signs every parent should know to protect their children Why most abuse happens with trusted family friends—not strangers How faith-based trauma healing is transforming lives in Peru, Guatemala, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Zambia, and Lebanon Practical prevention strategies you can implement with your family today Inspiring stories of forgiveness and restoration that will move you to tears Whether you're a parent, educator, church leader, or concerned citizen, this episode provides essential insights into protecting children and supporting survivors of abuse. Resources: https://www.kidsalive.org/   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

What if the crisis in education isn't about test scores—but about truth itself? Join Robert Bortins as he sits down with Billy Hutchinson, Education Specialist at the Colson Center, for a timely conversation about the worldview battle shaping our children's futures. With only 2% of Gen Z holding a biblical worldview (according to Barna research), the statistics are sobering. But this isn't a doom-and-gloom conversation—it's a roadmap for hope. Billy reveals why students today are getting different answers about fundamental questions like "What is a woman?" in every single classroom, and how the fracturing of truth is leaving an entire generation confused, discouraged, and unanchored. Discover the powerful distinction between secular hope ("I hope my team wins") and Christ-centered hope (anchored in the historical reality of the resurrection), and why that difference changes everything about how we face cultural chaos. Learn from the courageous stories featured in the Colson Center's Truth Rising documentary—including cake artist Jack Phillips and detransitioner Chloe Cole—and why these ordinary people chose courage over fear. Billy shares practical, free resources available at ColsonEducators.org that equip teachers, parents, and Christian leaders with the clarity, confidence, and courage needed to teach from—not just with—a biblical worldview. From worldview formation courses to the Fellows Program, discover how to become "agents of restoration" in this cultural moment. This episode is essential listening for anyone who refuses to surrender the next generation to confusion and wants to equip their family, church, or classroom with unshakable truth. Resources: Colson Educators: https://courses.colsoneducation.org/ Truth Rising: The Study Educators' Edition: https://courses.colsoneducation.org/truth-rising-educators-study 2026 Rooted Christian Educator Summit: https://www.acsi.org/rooted-educator-worldview-summit This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing.  To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

What if everything we've been told about making college "affordable" is actually making it more expensive and worse? Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Ben Merkle, President of New St. Andrews College and Oxford-educated scholar who wrote the foreword to "Woke and Weaponized." As one of fewer than a dozen colleges that refuse all federal student loan dollars, Dr. Merkle offers a rare insider perspective on how government money has corrupted higher education—and why K-12 schools should learn from their mistakes. Dr. Merkle traces the problem back to the GI Bill after World War II, explaining how federal funding changed the customer of education from students to government. Once colleges became dependent on Title IV money (Pell Grants and student loans), they became subject to Title IX mandates—leading Christian colleges to spend a year teaching students "how to receive consent for fornication" and removing backbones from administrators who now compete to be the most compliant rather than the most excellent. The financial impact is staggering. While other colleges charge $55,000-$60,000 annually (with fake "scholarships" discounting sticker prices), New St. Andrews provides superior classical education for just $18,600 per year—proving that without compliance officers and administrative bloat, quality education is affordable. Dr. Merkle exposes the Bennett hypothesis: every dollar added to federal grants causes reciprocal tuition increases within 18 months, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that makes education more expensive and worse quality simultaneously. Most provocatively, Dr. Merkle warns that classical Christian education—"the single biggest cultural victory for the American evangelical church"—is being handed over to the state through school choice programs. Charter schools aren't pulling kids from public schools; they're pulling families from Christian education into secular classrooms. He challenges administrators: stop serving mammon, define your mission clearly, and understand that funding is authority. The institutions we've sacrificed to build will be wasted if we trade them for government money. Resources: https://nsa.edu/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  "Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back" – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

"The government doesn't give you money because they love you. Government gives money so they can have power." Join host Robert Bortins as he sits down with Rachael Jensen, homeschool advocate and mother of six in Arizona—the state hailed as the "gold standard" for school choice. Rachael contributed Appendix A to "Woke and Weaponized" and shares what's really happening on the ground with ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account) programs. The shocking reality: Arizona homeschoolers must surrender their homeschool affidavit and sign a Department of Education contract, legally converting their children to public "school-at-home" students. State officials confirmed most ESA recipients aren't escaping public schools—they're private school and homeschool families being absorbed into government control. Rachael exposes devastating consequences. Christian charity has collapsed. Homeschool activity prices have skyrocketed 300%, costing her family $42,000 annually to stay independent. ESA funds have paid for a $900 abortion, four identical $200 Lego sets per child, $8,000 espresso machines, and ski passes. One program manager confessed: "I cannot believe we had this many conservatives who want their government money and then want to be left alone." Most striking: wealthy communities where 80% took funds versus poor ranching families who unanimously refused, saying "That's a dumb idea, we don't trust the government." Arizona expanded from 100 special needs students in 2011 to 84,000 universal participants. Rachael warns this is socialism at its core—teaching conservatives to be collectivists. Children are God's inheritance, and our provision comes from Him, not government bailouts. This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  "Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back" – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What if the architect of America's public school system was literally taking orders from demons through Ouija boards? Join host Robert Bortins as he talks with co-author Alex Newman to discuss their new book "Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education and How We Can Win It Back." This isn't hyperbole—it's documented history every Christian parent needs to know. Alex reveals shocking truth about Robert Owen, the intellectual godfather of public education, who openly admitted communicating with spiritual entities through séances to receive his vision for reshaping society. Owen's explicit goal: raise a generation freed from "the trinity of most monstrous evils"—private property, Christianity, and marriage. When his Indiana commune failed, he realized children needed government conditioning first, creating the public school blueprint we have today. The conversation exposes how robber barons like Rockefeller funded this system to create "complacent worker drones," not critical thinkers. Alex shares bombshell findings from the suppressed 1950s Reece Committee Report, which concluded a revolution had already occurred in America through education, funded by foundations working to merge the U.S. with the Soviet Union. Most urgently, Alex warns the same billionaires pushing globalism—Gates, Soros, Bloomberg, Zuckerberg—are the biggest school choice funders today. He traces the playbook from Sweden, where "free" government money trapped private schools under state control and destroyed homeschooling. The UN openly admits their strategy: use public funding to capture all "non-state education actors." Before government education, America was the best-educated society in history—your great-grandma's eighth-grade education was harder than today's master's degree. The solution requires complete rejection of government funding and recognizing God made parents—not the state—duty bearers for their children's education. Resources: https://face.net/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  "Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back" – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

"There is no such thing as vouchers without government control. They just simply don't exist." Join host Robert Bortins as he sits down with KrisAnne Hall, constitutional attorney, former prosecutor, and founder of Liberty First Society. With her background in constitutional law and as a former homeschool parent, KrisAnne delivers a compelling legal and biblical argument against government-funded school choice programs. KrisAnne explains why the federal government has zero constitutional authority over education and reveals how states have traded their sovereignty for federal dollars. Drawing from nearly two decades of warnings, she exposes what's already happening in Florida and Texas: mandatory ethics policies forcing Christian schools to teach evolution, regulations prohibiting single-source curriculum (biblical truth), and requirements around gender identity and sexual orientation. She dismantles the illusion that vouchers "follow the student, not the school," explaining why this actually gives government authority to audit your personal finances and exercise fiduciary control over your children. Those tax dollars legally belong to government the moment they're collected—when you take Caesar's money for education, you're converting your home into government property and your private school into a public one. Resources: https://www.krisannehall.com/ https://libertyfirstsociety.com/   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

"The enemy is not at the gate—the enemy has infiltrated our classrooms." Join host Robert Bortins for the first episode in a powerful School Choice Week series as he sits down with Dr. Joshua Pierson, who contributed to "Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education and How We Can Win It Back." In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Pierson—a retiring counterintelligence agent with 25 years of experience—reveals the shocking history of Soviet infiltration into American education. Drawing from his extensively researched appendix, he traces a direct line from 1917 Soviet intelligence operations to today's classroom controversies. Dr. Pierson exposes how Soviet strategist Willi Münzenberg architected a century-long disinformation campaign targeting American education, media, and government. He explains how Columbia Teachers College became a hub for communist influence, and why influential educators like John Dewey and George Counts became "useful idiots" after visiting carefully staged Potemkin villages in Soviet Russia. The conversation explores why communist ideology persists generations after its architects have died, how tactics like ANDEMKA (Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusation) still shape today's debates, and why accepting government funding transforms institutions into "agents of the state." From SEL programs to modern educational policy, discover how the Soviets succeeded in their strategy beyond their wildest expectations—and what Americans were willfully ignorant about as it happened.   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman. Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information. www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What if the biggest threat to the next generation of Christians isn't coming from outside the church—but from a decision Christian parents make every weekday morning? Join Robert Bortins as he sits down with Paul and Gena Suarez, publishers of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and founders of SchoolhouseTeachers.com, for a powerful conversation about the future of Christian education. Paul and Gena share their 30-year homeschooling journey and explain why they've shifted their focus from education to discipleship—and why this makes homeschooling a church issue that pastors can no longer ignore. They discuss the explosive growth of homeschooling since COVID, the dangers of government school choice programs, and the biblical mandate for Christian families to take responsibility for their children's education. With their new Pastor Plan initiative, the Suarezes are equipping churches with turnkey solutions to support homeschooling families and build vibrant communities. This episode is a rallying cry for Christians to stop sending their children to Caesar and start reclaiming discipleship as the church's responsibility. Resources: https://schoolhouseteachers.com/ https://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/ https://pastorplan.org/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Overturning Roe v. Wade was never the finish line—it was only the starting gun. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life and Students for Life Action, joins Refining Rhetoric to reveal why the pro-life movement's real battle is just beginning and where it's being won or lost right now. Discover why she launched Students for Life 20 years ago with the vision that Roe would be reversed (when everyone told her she was naive), how chemical abortion pills have become the leading cause of infant death with 1 in 10 women ending up in the ER, and why flushing babies down toilets has turned America's sewers into open cemeteries. Kristan exposes the RINO problem plaguing state legislatures, explains why Republicans keep funding their political enemies at Planned Parenthood to the tune of $800 million annually, and shares the dangerous rhetoric threatening to destroy pro-life credibility with women voters. She also discusses why homeschoolers terrify legislators more than lobbyists, the two types of people most likely to get violent at pro-life campus events, and how young men have actually shifted right on abortion while young women still buy feminist lies. This episode is a rallying cry for Christians to stop being lazy about life, start serving women in crisis pregnancies, and build the army needed to make abortion completely unthinkable in America.  Resources: https://studentsforlife.org/ Kristan's Instagram: @kristanmercerhawkins This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Ever wonder why every poll seemed to show Kamala Harris winning, yet Trump dominated the election? Mark Mitchell from Rasmussen Reports pulls back the curtain on the billion-dollar polling industry's most carefully guarded secrets. Discover how establishment pollsters use proprietary panels filled with left-leaning city dwellers to sandbag anti-establishment candidates by 20+ points, why FiveThirtyEight was really just a psychological operation funded by Disney and the New York Times, and how polling is weaponized to move the Overton Window on everything from reparations to LGBT issues. Mitchell reveals the shocking truth about why Gen Z is flirting with socialism (hint: it's not because they love Marx), what the Epstein case closure cost Trump in independent support, and why 43% of Americans now believe civil war is coming within years. He explains how the Republican Party remains captured by corporate interests while young voters are demanding a Caesar to burn down a corrupt system, why Trump's "golden age" messaging is falling flat with the very coalition that elected him, and what polling shows about the real mandate Trump received. This episode exposes how polling shapes public opinion through manufactured consensus and offers a sobering look at America's political future if the system isn't actually fixed. If you've ever felt manipulated by media narratives, this conversation will confirm your suspicions and arm you with the knowledge to fight back.   Resources: https://www.rasmussenreports.com/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What if the real sign of wealth isn't your bank account, but the number of kids around your dinner table? Chocolate Knox from CrossPolitic joins Refining Rhetoric to flip the script on modern family planning. With seven kids and counting, Knox shares why he and his wife decided to "replace the stupid people" in their family lineage and create a new generation that honors God. Discover how God has faithfully provided through every season, from figuring out how to fit everyone in one vehicle to navigating the transition from public school indoctrination to classical Christian education. Knox unpacks why the church bears responsibility for America's decline, how the feminist movement is already showing its cracks (yes, even in the Barbie movie), and why black families especially should flee government schools. Plus, practical advice for young singles on how to inflation-proof their future and set themselves up for the silk life: single income, lots of kids. This conversation challenges the lie that children are a financial burden and reveals them as the generational wealth investment God always intended. If you're tired of the dink (double income, no kids) propaganda and ready to embrace biblical fruitfulness, this episode is for you. Resources: https://crosspolitic.com/ https://x.com/Chocolate_Knox   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What happens when a Christian show gets canceled 20+ times but refuses to stay silent? Gabe Rench, founder of CrossPolitic, joins Refining Rhetoric to share his journey from launching a faith-and-politics show in 2016 to building a multi-platform network that's discipling Christians to engage culture boldly. Discover why he believes the church is responsible for America's condition, how his team is pivoting to deeper content in 2025, and why Christian business leaders need to stop burying their talents. Plus, learn about the surprising stat showing how Christians in Seattle could flip the city conservative overnight if they simply showed up to vote. Gabe also discusses surviving intense cancel culture (even password-protected content wasn't safe), the Fight Laugh Feast philosophy, launching the Business Makers Network, and why his new approach of one deeply researched show per week might be more effective than churning out four shows weekly. Resources: https://crosspolitic.com/ https://gaberench.com/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Is America on the brink of collapse—and are Christians ready to respond? Welcome to the first episode of Refining Rhetoric for 2026! As we kick off the new year, host Robert Bortins tackles the pressing issues facing Christian families, homeschoolers, and business owners in an increasingly chaotic world. In this episode, you'll discover: •    Why America's $38 trillion debt crisis (which just grew by $1 trillion in 76 days) matters for your family's future •    The spiritual battle behind cultural conflicts—from controversial elections to shocking legal cases abroad •    How only 6% of Christians hold a biblical worldview according to Barna research, and what that means for our communities •    The launch of the new book "Woke and Weaponized" and why understanding the root causes of societal issues is critical •    Plans for 2026 including discussions on cryptocurrency, bitcoin, and preparing for economic uncertainty This isn't just another news commentary—it's a call to action for believers to stop outsourcing their God-given responsibilities and start living boldly as ambassadors of Christ in a world that desperately needs the gospel. This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:  Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.  Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.  www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What happens when a school district demands you teach content that isn't legally required? Military wife and homeschool mom Jennifer Moye found herself in exactly that situation when New York officials insisted she add AIDS education to her sixth-grader's curriculum—or face truancy charges. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Jennifer shares her unexpected journey from compliant homeschooler to constitutional defender. After moving to upstate New York in 2019, she faced increasing demands from her local school district, culminating in a requirement that went beyond what homeschool law actually mandated. With three boys to educate and a military family's already complex life, Jennifer had to make a choice: comply with government overreach or stand her ground. In this episode, you'll discover: How Classical Conversations provided consistency and community through four military moves  The moment Jennifer realized she needed HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) The surprising number of families facing similar harassment from school officials What happened when attorneys showed up to defend her rights—at no cost to her family Why this fight mattered for every homeschooling family in New York How she's now empowering the next generation through Turning Point USA This is a must-listen for every homeschooling family who thinks these battles are behind us. They're not. And Jennifer's courage reminds us why defending our freedoms matters for every generation.   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman. Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information. www.WokeAndWeaponized.com   National Number Knockout 2027 Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers. Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes. But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit https://classicalconversations.com/national-number-knockout/ to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.

Your child's AI companion knows them better than you do—and it's learning how to manipulate them. Are we prepared for what comes next? In this eye-opening conversation, host Robert Bortins sits down with Randan Steinhauser, CEO of Steinhauser Strategies and recent fellow at the Center for Governance of AI, to discuss the profound implications of artificial intelligence on our families, children, and humanity itself. As AI rapidly advances, the questions we face go far beyond job displacement and technological convenience. Randan shares urgent concerns about AI chatbots engaging children in dangerous conversations, the normalization of AI companions replacing human relationships, and the troubling goals of tech leaders who view consciousness uploading and transhumanism as the future. This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. From AI-induced psychosis to the erosion of family bonds, from surveillance states to the potential loss of human purpose through work, this conversation challenges us to think critically about the technology we're inviting into our homes and our children's lives.   Resources: https://www.steinhauserstrategies.com/   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman. Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information. www.WokeAndWeaponized.com National Number Knockout 2027 Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers. Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes. But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit www.classicalconversations.com/n2k to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.

Join us for an exciting conversation with two exceptional Classical Conversations students who are making waves in the competitive yo-yo world! Thomas Rajan (Challenge II, Alabama) and James Heder (Challenge B, Florida) share their incredible journey from picking up their first yo-yos during COVID to competing on national and international stages. Thomas finished 5th at the 2025 U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest, while James placed 16th at the World Yo-Yo Championship in Prague. In this episode, they break down the fascinating world of competitive yo-yoing, explaining how competitions are scored (60% technical skill and 40% entertainment value) and what it takes to compete at the highest levels. They discuss their practice routines, with Thomas practicing up to eight hours a day and James maintaining a rigorous daily schedule except for his Classical Conversations day. Both students credit their Classical Conversations training in public speaking, debate, and presentations with helping them build confidence performing in front of large crowds at competitions. They share insights into their mentorship relationships with top competitors, the challenges of creating competition routines, and the importance of consistency under pressure. James even demonstrates some of his highest-scoring horizontal tricks on camera, showing the incredible skill and precision required at this level.   This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman. Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information. www.WokeAndWeaponized.com   National Number Knockout 2027 Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers. Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes. But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit www.classicalconversations.com/n2k to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.