Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins and Chris Blackburn discuss the "He Gets Us" campaign, exploring whether it accurately represents Jesus's teachings and its impact on society's view of faith. They delve into the challenges of depicting religious figures in modern media and what that means for viewers. Listen in for a compelling talk on how faith is portrayed today and its effects on cultural discussions. He Gets Us MSN Article The Copper Lodge Library series from Classical Conversations® preserves history's best stories for future generations. View the collection on ClassicalConversationsBooks.com.

What if you sold your house and homeschooled in an RV? In this "Refining Rhetoric" episode, host Robert Bortins chats with Adam Powers, a veteran turned homeschooling dad living in an RV with his family. He offers advice to dads on getting involved in their children's education and discusses the benefits and challenges of their unique lifestyle. The Copper Lodge Library series from Classical Conversations® preserves history's best stories for future generations. View the collection on ClassicalConversationsBooks.com.

In this episode of "Refining Rhetoric," Robert Bortins and Chris Blackburn explore the consequences of U.S. payments to Iran, linking them to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, rising oil prices, and inflation. Through a classical education perspective, they discuss the importance of informed citizenship and community engagement in tackling these issues. The episode concludes with a Classical Crypto segment. You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/ CNBC Article The Hill Article Reuters Article

Do you want to know to be more organized, confident, and influential? In this "Refining Rhetoric" episode, Robert Bortins hosts Mark Ramsay of Hip Socket, discussing the fusion of classical education with modern business strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of early work experiences for students and previews Mark's upcoming book, "The Lost Tools of Business," highlighting the relevance of classical education in contemporary business practices. HipSocket.net Classical Conversations® Relationships: Exclusive Discounts for CC Members!

In this episode of "Refining Rhetoric," Robert focuses on the United States' declining birth rates and its societal implications. The discussion centers on the need to revive traditional family values and Christian principles to counteract this trend. Additionally, for Classical Crypto, Will touches on the SEC's approval of Bitcoin ETFs and its potential impact on finance. You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/ "Opinion: Why I'm not going to have children" | CNN

In this episode of "Refining Rhetoric," host Robert Bortins is joined by historian and author Jane Hampton Cook. They discuss the importance of original source documents in understanding the Founding Fathers, the role of integrity in leadership, and the challenges of modern media and freedom of speech. CC parents, tutors, and Directors—sign up for the Classical Learning Cohort to level up your skills in guiding and assessing your student's learning at home and in community! Register today at ClassicalConversations.com/cohort. War of Lies: When George Washington Was the Target and Propaganda Was the Crime | Amazon JaneCook.com founders.archives.gov Jane's Substack

Robert discusses the recent controversy surrounding Harvard University and its former president, Claudine Gay. The episode delves into the issues of plagiarism, diversity, and critical race theory at Harvard, highlighting how Claudine's hiring was influenced more by her race and gender than her academic excellence. Robert also explores the broader implications of such ideologies in academia and society, emphasizing the importance of a biblical worldview and the pursuit of truth. Additionally, the episode touches on cryptocurrency trends, particularly related to Bitcoin's halving cycles. You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/

Does a college degree guarantee a job? In this episode, Robert talks with Dr. Benjamin Merkle, president of New Saint Andrews College, a classical Christian college in Idaho. In their conversation, Ben speaks to why NSA and other colleges are looking for students with a classical education background, how NSA is able to keep their tuition costs affordable and transparent, how a college can keep a good reputation amidst the current college climate, why liberal arts degrees can be kept affordable, what parents need to know before sending their children to secular universities, what students should aim to get out of a Christian college experience, and why college isn't always the ticket to getting a good job. Robert and Ben also discuss our society's backward prioritization of college athletics over college academics and whether there is a place for sports in a higher-education setting. Finally, Ben answers why NSA and other colleges are refusing to accept federal grants, his best advice for Classical Conversations® Challenge graduates, and what the most in-demand skill is for students entering the workforce. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Ben-Merkle You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at ClassicalConversationsFoundation.org.

What is truth? Our world is overrun with subjective truth, postmodernism, and emotionalism, where everyone's "truth" is equally valid and there's no such thing as objective truth. But this is a lie. As Refining Rhetoric is all about seeking the capital-T Truth in every arena of life, throughout the course of 2023 Robert asked his guests to weigh in with their definitions of truth. In this wrap-up episode for the year, Robert replays and reacts to the best responses from his guests to the question, "What is truth?" As you hear from guests like Dale Partridge, David Goodwin, Joyce Burges, Israel Wayne, and more, you'll discover that truth is a person, why you can't build a society on lies, that the church is the pillar of truth, why you can't believe in your own subjective truth and still believe in Jesus, why you shouldn't send your children to schools that don't believe in objective truth, why truth is anything that fits into God's narrative, why real truth never changes, why our relationship with Christ ought to motivate our obedience to Him, off of what standard we should base our understanding of truth, and much more. Finally, in "Classical Crypto," Will discusses the current market sentiment and why there is reason to be optimistic about crypto in 2024. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/defining-truth The Copper Lodge Library series from Classical Conversations® preserves history's best stories for future generations. View the library on ClassicalConversationsBooks.com.

Are video games good for your child? Some can be! In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert talks with Brent Dusin, founder and CEO of TruPlay Games, a media company creating video games, comics, and video content centered on stories with a Christian worldview. With high-quality Christian content and no in-app purchases, no chatrooms, and no ads, TruPlay is truly unique in the video game industry, uplifting and educating children and their families with the truth of God's word. In this conversation, discover why fewer American children believe in God, the importance of providing Christian content in a sea of toxic content, and how TruPlay tells biblical stories through video games. Brent also shares insights into the popularity of TruPlay's games in Christian homes, games that span true biblical narratives to imaginative tales of cartoon characters navigating real-world challenges and discovering faith in God. Finally, Brent and Robert explore why Disney fails to inspire whole families anymore. TruPlay Games: https://truplaygames.getrewardful.com/invitations/2GNFpLAU6ATEuyCW2qPsDJgo Terms of Service Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Brent-Dusing Enjoying Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins? Check out the other Classical Conversations® podcasts at ClassicalConversations.com/Podcasts!

Can civility save our country? In this episode, Robert talks with Alexandra Hudson, an award-winning journalist, speaker, and author of the book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. "A refugee from the federal government," Alexandra grew up in a home that prioritized politeness and viewed education as a lifestyle. Yet when she began working for the U.S. Department of Education, Alexandra soon discovered that her coworkers used politeness for corruption and also didn't care about education. In this conversation, Alexandra discusses her disillusionment with the Department of Education, not living a boxed life, the difference between politeness and civility, why we need less politeness in the world, how to respect someone while sharing hard truths, why the left and right don't share the same vision, how incivility hurts both others and ourselves, how one individual can start a quiet revolution that can change the world, and how the classical model of education can be used to teach future generations the art of being civil. To get a free audiobook version of The Soul of Civility, follow the steps in this episode's show notes. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Alexandra-Hudson Get a homeschool family the gift of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners this Christmas! Learn more at ClassicalConversations.com/Scribblers.

Are you your child's best teacher? In this episode, Robert reacts to a video of Leigh Bortins and Corey McKeown, director of the Trinity Homeschool Academy (T.E.A.C.H.) in Tampa, Florida, discussing the rise of homeschooling with Pete Hegseth on Fox and Friends. In the video, Corey explains why there has been an explosion of homeschooling in her state due to the success of homeschool co-ops where students can take classes from expert teachers. Unconvinced, Robert analyzes whether it's necessary to send homeschool students to a co-op to learn from an expert instead of "just another mom." In other words, can everyday parents rely on the classical tools of learning and community support to teach their children any subject? Finishing it up, Robert reflects on the true reasons why homeschooling is seeing a surge not just in Florida but nationwide as parents wake up to the nonsense in the traditional school system. In "Classical Crypto," Will catches us up on the latest news on the downfall of Sam-Bankman Fried, the collapse of FTX, and the ultimate trial results. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Leigh-on-Fox Plan a trip to Museum of the Bible this Christmas! To get 50% off tickets as a Classical Conversations family, visit ClassicalConversations.com/motb.

What should your child's classical education look like in the modern world? In this episode, Robert talks with Andrew Kern, founder and president of the CiRCE Institute, co-author of The Lost Tools of Writing, and one of the leading figures in the classical education movement. Here, Andrew identifies why the true purpose of classical education is to cultivate wisdom and virtue through the nourishment of students' souls. Throughout this packed conversation, expect to learn where government-funded education in America first went wrong, why training your child to fight against distraction is crucial to their spiritual and intellectual development, how to become better at any skill such as writing, how to actually get your child to pay attention, why students still need to practice the lost tools of learning in an AI-driven world, and why the terms "artificial intelligence" and "virtual reality" are not only misleading but, in fact, don't really mean anything at all. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Andrew-Kern Get a homeschool family the gift of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners this Christmas! Learn more at ScribblersatHome.com.

Is the earth really only a few thousand years old? In this episode, Robert speaks to Eric Hovind, founder of Creation Today, a Christian apologetics ministry with a mission to share the Gospel to the entire world. Eric relates his personal testimony and journey with apologetics, clarifies what "apologetics" really means, delves into his approach to apologetics in the digital age, underscores the contemporary relevancy of creation theory, and points out why the creation vs. evolution debate is a necessary spiritual battle. He also discusses the young earth and old earth theories of the age of the earth, how these theories impact one's faith, how evolution destroys the doctrine of salvation, and why young earth theory is pro-science, explaining that "real science is a believer's best friend." If you're a homeschool parent, expect to also learn ways to engage your children in conversations about creation vs. evolution and discover several resources to guide you in this journey. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Eric-Hovind CC parents, tutors, and Directors—sign up for the Classical Learning Cohort to level up your skills in guiding and assessing your student's learning at home and in community! Register today at ClassicalConversations.com/cohort.

Is there hope for Gen Z? In this current events episode, Robert explores the reasons why Gen Z boys are leaning conservative twice as much as liberal, as discovered by a recent survey that contradicts the widely held narrative that Gen Z has a leftist bent. Then, in Classical Crypto, Will returns to consider what might happen to the crypto market if the government shuts down and to give a quick overview of Stellar (XLM). Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/why-gen-z-males-prefer-the-right Classical Conversations® members—get started with the beta release of The Math Map: Naturals, an exclusive lookinto our upcoming math curriculum from Classical Conversations! To access these materials, log in to your CC Connected account, navigate to the Learning Center, and search for "The Math Map."

We plan for all the major goals in our lives—retirement, a career, a new car or home purchase. So, why don't most of us create plans for raising our children, which is far more important? In this episode, Robert speaks to Dr. Josh Mulvihill, an author, speaker, and advocate for family discipleship and biblical parenting. Josh was a church pastor for twenty years and now serves on the board of Awana, as the Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at RenewaNation, and as an author of several books on biblical parenting, the most recent of which is 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: Raising Children to Godly Adults. In this conversation, Josh sheds light on why many Christian parents are failing to disciple their children well and what we can do as the church to turn this around. Discover how to master the art of biblical parenting from what Scripture says, Josh's own childhood experiences, his efforts in raising his own children, and many, many book recommendations about taking a Christ-centered approach to parenting. Josh also shares a glimpse into his own family life, including why his family started their own farm, how each of his children is saving for college by running their own enterprise, what family worship looks like in the Mulvihill household, and much more. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Josh-Mulvihill You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Head over to ClassicalConversationsFoundation.org to learn more.

Can movies save education? Here, Robert talks for the second time on Refining Rhetoric with Hollywood actress, podcast host, and Classical Conversations® parent and Director Sam Sorbo about her family's upcoming film Miracle in East Texas. The film, delayed due to COVID-19, is now coming to theaters nationwide for an exclusive release on the weekend of October 29–30 and tells the true story of the biggest oil strike in the history of the United States. In this episode, Sam talks about working with her husband Kevin and son Braeden on Miracle in East Texas, why she created a homeschool curriculum to accompany the film, and how movies can serve as powerful tools to educate our students and encourage discussions about truth. Sam also recalls how Classical Conversations came into her life at just the right moment and gave her children the skills to succeed in their education, careers, and lives. Additionally, she and Robert discuss why cancel culture—a culture rooted in unforgiveness—is antithetical to Christianity and why the public school system demeans the true meaning of the word "education". Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Sam-Sorbo-2 Go see Miracle in East Texas at a theater near you on October 29–30! The film stars Kevin, Sam, and Braeden Sorbo, as well as John Ratzenberger of Pixar voice-acting fame. You can find tickets at SorboStudios.com.

Are Christianity and humanism compatible worldviews? In this episode, Robert sits down with Scott Postma, a Christian humanist writer and president of Kepler Education. Scott explains why Christian humanism is probably not what you think, putting it up against another philosophy more are familiar with—secular humanism. He discusses the origins of Christian humanism and the great thinkers behind this philosophy, including the brilliant minds of J. R. R. Tolkien and Flannery O'Connor. Scott also explores what he believes the future of online classical education will look like and how Kepler Education, "a marketplace for live online classical Christian education," is giving teachers and students of the classics a safe place to learn and discover truth, beauty, and goodness. Of course, no Refining Rhetoric episode is complete without book recommendations. Here, you'll find great entry points to discovering Flannery O'Connor, the philosophy of Christian humanism, and why classical education is just as important now as ever. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Scott-Postma Classical Conversations® members—you're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Head over to ClassicalConversationsFoundation.org to learn more.

In this episode, Robert uses the fifteen classical tools of learning to examine the recent tragic events in Israel and Palestine. He considers the following questions: Why has the U.S. funded Palestine, and how has this impacted the current conflict? Who is the oppressor and the oppressed in this situation? Is critical theory to blame? And is there a possibility of Palestinian terrorist attacks in our own country? Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/israel-palestine

Business leaders, listen up! In this episode, Robert welcomes his longtime friend and business mentor Troy Meachum to the show. Troy is the CEO of ACR Supply Co., North Carolina's leading wholesale distributor for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration which, last year, exceeded $45 million in revenue. In their conversation, Troy shares how to turn a company culture around and transform the workplace into somewhere employees want to show up every day. Expect to learn what it was like for Troy to incorporate faith into his work culture, how to glorify God at work, how to hire employees who fit a company's culture, how to maintain a company's culture while scaling, how to boost employee satisfaction and engagement, and why it's crucial for C-level leaders to communicate clearly to and care about the personal lives of their employees. Plus, discover Troy's top five best books for business leaders. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Troy-Meachum Classical Conversations® members—get started with the beta release of The Math Map: Naturals, an exclusive look into our upcoming math curriculum from Classical Conversations! To access these materials, log in to your CC Connected account, navigate to the Learning Center, and search for "The Math Map."

It's time for another stand-alone episode of current events and Classical Crypto! First, Robert analyzes why Ohio voters attempted to raise the threshold percentage for making amendments to their state's constitution (an effort to protect abortion rights in their state). Then, Robert takes a closer look at the EU's "quiet and slow" approach to deciding on a digital euro (a CBDC), considering why this proposal, made silently right before an election, seems a little off. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/devastating-blows-for-pro-life-and-financial-freedom Get tickets for the upcoming film Miracle in East Texas, directed by Kevin Sorbo and starring both Kevin and Sam Sorbo (a Classical Conversations® family), at SorboStudios.com.

What can we learn from reading (or listening to) historical fiction? In this episode, Robert interviews Jim Hodges of Jim Hodges Audiobooks, a beloved resource among families around the world, most notably for productions of the historical novels of G. A. Henty. Here, Jim discusses his life before founding Jim Hodges Audiobooks: what homeschooling was like in the 1980s as a military family, being a reluctant homeschooler turned homeschool advocate, and how one teacher's encouragement changed the trajectory of his life. Later, he praises G. A. Henty's historical fiction, sharing what these novels can teach readers about history and godly, heroic masculinity. With decades of experience reading and narrating both historical nonfiction and fiction, Jim also recalls the most important lessons he has learned from history. And finally, as one making a living from his passion, he offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/jim-hodges Join Leigh Bortins every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. eastern on the Words Aptly Spoken book club! To learn more, visit LeighBortins.com/book-club-info.

In this shorter-than-usual episode, Robert uses the fifteen tools of classical learning to understand current events and cryptocurrency. First, he examines why property taxes are causing citizens of blue cities to relocate to red states and how these property taxes are related to the government funding of private education through school vouchers. In the Classical Crypto segment, Robert goes back to the basics and explains why this segment is a part of Refining Rhetoric. He discusses the history of money and how Bitcoin solves many of the fiat-related problems that have been around since money first became a store of value. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/telling-the-future Get tickets for the upcoming film Miracle in East Texas, directed by Kevin Sorbo and starring both Kevin and Sam Sorbo (a Classical Conversations® family), at SorboStudios.com.

Our nation is only as great as our families. In this episode, Robert interviews pastor Allen Mashburn, running candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor. Allen is a pastor of over twenty-five years, a podcast host, and a homeschool dad. Here, Allen focuses on the importance of the nuclear family, the Christian's and the church's roles in politics (drawing from biblical examples), what it means to be the salt and light of the earth, and why he, as a pastor, is running for office. In addition, Robert and Allen discuss gun control and safety (including nuances like permitless carry), the next steps in fighting abortion post the Dobbs decision, spiritual warfare in politics, and why the 2024 presidential election may be the most important yet in our country. This is a conversation for more than just NC residents, addressing crucial issues at a national level. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/allen-mashburn Get your copy of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners today and start encouraging your children to develop strong learning habits early on at ScribblersatHome.com.

In this first-ever in-person episode, Robert interviews Sara Sullards, his Executive Assistant and a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate, about doing hard things for Christ. Encouraged by her parents and inspired by the book Do Hard Things, Sara was called to mission work at an early age. In this conversation, she describes how God strengthened her faith through mission trips to Alaska, how an intentional prayer life can make all the difference in one's faith, and why teenagers should consider serving on mission trips, as well as suggesting a few ways parents can encourage their children to hone their spiritual gifts. In addition, Sara shares how she came to work for Classical Conversations and what it's really like working at the home office. Post-interview, Robert considers whether businesses should adapt to using AI tools and Will recaps the recent BRICS summit and Bitcoin's flash crash earlier this month. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Sara-Sullards Get your discount on Museum of the Bible tickets by logging into your CC Connected account, and learn more about what's happening at the museum on their website at MuseumoftheBible.org.

Are Classical Conversations® students equipped to pursue their passions? Continuing this month's theme of bringing Challenge students and graduates onto the show, Robert welcomes Mayson Foster, a flight instructor at Louisiana Tech University, to share about his journey from homeschooling to becoming a pilot. Mayson discusses the path to earning a pilot's license, the value of his family's support in this journey, and how being classically educated equipped him with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Plus, the two discuss the national shortage of commercial airline pilots and potential solutions to this crisis. From recalling his first flight to sharing the life lessons he has learned from flying, Mayson encourages Challenge students that achieving their dreams is possible. After their conversation, Robert analyzes the effects of the UPS shipping strike and Will discusses Twitter's rebrand to X, the platform's potential integration of XRP, and the crypto token Chainlink. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Mayson-Foster Join Leigh Bortins every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. eastern on the Words Aptly Spoken book club! To learn more, visit LeighBortins.com/book-club-info.

Is entrepreneurship a real career? In this conversation, Robert talks with Micah Burk, a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate and recent college graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, where she studied public communications and leadership development and served as student body president. Starting her first business at age eleven, Micah shares her experience finding her feet in the world of entrepreneurship—from founding a social media agency and landing a first client to viewing her business as a creative outlet and why rejecting clients is sometimes the best decision. In addition, Micah speaks to what it means to achieve success as a Christian, offers book recommendations (and general reading advice) for driven individuals, shares her thoughts on why teenagers should get involved in politics, and discusses the importance of knowing your "why" when it comes to achieving goals. Finally, Micah addresses a question on every homeschool parent's mind for their student: did she feel prepared for college? After their conversation, Robert breaks down the Biden administration's recent ban on incandescent light bulbs and examines the UK's attempt to hold crypto memes up to financial guidelines. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Micah-Burk A Classical Conversations® parent who recently completed the Classical Learning Cohort said that the program helped her to become "a better communicator, listener, assessor, and teacher in [her] home with [her] girls." To learn more about the Classical Learning Cohort, visit ClassicalConversations.com/Cohort.

The script is flipped in this episode as Robert takes the seat of the interviewee while Classical Conversations® Challenge student Dominic DiPiero asks him both professional and personal questions. In their quick conversation recorded at our 2022 National Conference, Robert shares his favorite part about working for Classical Conversations, what program he would go back and enroll in, advice for students entering Challenge, why Challenge graduates excel in the workplace, how he spends his spare time, and what Classical Conversations' goals are for the long-term future. Post-interview, Robert uses the fifteen tools of learning to analyze the Hunter Biden/IRS situation and then considers Congressman Ritchie Torres's view that the SEC should stop viewing cryptocurrencies as securities in the wake of the SEC v. Ripple case. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/dominic-dipiero Healthy assessments strengthen families. To learn which homeschool testing options are available for your student, visit classicalconversations.com/assessment-options.

August is CC student month! In this conversation, Robert speaks with Danielle Hodges, a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate currently enrolled at Truett McConnell University studying to become a biblical counselor. After experiencing firsthand God's healing through biblical counseling during her teen years, she has made it a goal to pursue helping others in a similar way through a Christ-centered approach to counseling. Here, Danielle discusses the differences between secular and biblical counseling, examples of counseling in the Scriptures, why Gen Z members are making mental health issues part of their identities, resources and tactics for listeners to learn about biblical counseling and apply its principles in everyday conversations, and her thoughts on the causes and impacts of the teenage mental health crisis, considering whether or not social media is to blame. Plus, Danielle shares how God used her relationship with her mom to help her overcome anxiety as a teenager. Stay tuned after the interview as Robert examines whether recent inflation statistics are being falsely reported and Will celebrates the upcoming conclusion to the SEC v. Ripple case. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/danielle-hodges

What does learning true biblical theology at a college level look like? In this episode, Robert sits down with Dr. Samuel Bierig. A Classical Conversations® dad, Sam is the vice president of undergraduate studies, college dean, and assistant professor of biblical studies at Spurgeon College, a private Christian college in Kansas City, Missouri. In this conversation, Sam discusses what it means to be a good shepherd, the importance of hermeneutics and exegesis, balancing multiple responsibilities, strategies for reading the whole Bible in one year, why a college degree is still worth the cost, and all things Spurgeon College—including degrees, core values, and the school's focus on the true biblical theology. After the interview, Robert explains why thousands of new jobs are affecting the stock market and examines Bitcoin's recent 13-month high. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/samuel-bierig

What does it mean to offer students a "whole-person education"? In this third conversation in our college series this July, Robert sits down with Dr. Charles Scott, the Vice President of External Affairs at Oral Roberts University (ORU), a private Christian college located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, whose mission is "to develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole-person education to impact the world." They discuss what a whole-person education looks like practically at ORU, what cultural challenges college students face today, how to prepare students for work as worship, how to engage Generation Z students for Christ, and how Christ-centered businesses can serve the community around them. After the interview, Robert addresses the lowest decline in writing and math scores in decades in the U.S. and Will explains Blackrock's proposed Bitcoin ETF. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/charles-scott

"Learn to build a life, not just a living" is the slogan of Excel College in North Carolina, a unique higher education experience that equips students with skills for the whole of life, including their careers, relationships, and faith. In this conversation, Robert speaks with Andrew Chambers, Head of Campus Life at Excel. Andrew discusses Excel's unique philosophy and approach to higher education, emphasizing the two phases the college's students work through—the Core and the Practicum. In addition, Andrew describes the family-style campus environment at Excel, why companies are seeking liberal arts students, how Excel students can graduate with bachelor's degrees in just two and a half years, and much more. Afterward, in this episode's "Current Events Discussion," Robert uses the classical tools of learning to understand the Canadian wildfires and, in the "Classical Crypto" segment, debunks two popular myths about crypto: that it has no use cases and is untraceable. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/andrew-chambers

What's wrong with masculinity? In this bonus episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert interviews critically acclaimed author and speaker Nancy Pearcey about her new book The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. Nancy is the author of several bestselling books, including Love Thy Body, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, and Total Truth. She is also a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University and has been hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual." In this crucially important conversation, Nancy shares the research behind The Toxic War on Masculinity, examining the history of why modern culture is so hostile toward men, the Darwinian and Christian takes on masculinity, astonishing evidence that supports Christian evangelical men as the least likely to divorce or commit abuse, how the war on masculinity is affecting our culture at a large scale, and what men can practically do to stay involved with their families. This is an episode you won't want to miss! Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/nancy-pearcey

July is college month here on Refining Rhetoric! For the next four weeks, we'll feature a university that aligns with our values both in faith and education, as well as our mission to know God and to make Him known. This week, Robert speaks with Dr. Thomas White, the tenth president of Cedarville University in Ohio and a Classical Conversations® dad. Thomas explains how running Cedarville is a ministry opportunity, what a thriving Christian community looks like on their college campus, and how Cedarville is preparing for the college "enrollment cliff"—the decline in the population of college-age students starting in 2025. Plus, Thomas encourages parents homeschooling with Classical Conversations that they are doing more than enough to prepare their students for college-level education. And, if you or your student are considering pursuing a college degree, you'll discover what opportunities are available at Cedarville. After the interview, Robert considers why Greta Thunberg's doomsday prediction made five years ago did not happen, and Will theorizes why the U.S. government appears to be reversing some of its public opinions on crypto. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/thomas-white

Where is your money safe: in the bank or in Bitcoin? In this episode's conversation, Robert interviews Classical Conversations® homeschool dad Alex Hays, the founder of Orion & Taurus, a company based in South Florida that specializes in repairs of ASIC machines and GPUs for Bitcoin miners. Alex shares his thoughts on questions that are on the minds of many Americans interested in personal finance and crypto: Where is our money safe? Is Bitcoin a hedge against inflation? And is Bitcoin mining sustainable? Alex also talks about balancing homeschooling with running a business, gives his best book recommendations for entrepreneurs, offers his opinions on the controversial yet highly influential book The 48 Laws of Power, and much more. After his conversation with Alex, Robert addresses the recent nationwide crackdown on remote work, and Will returns to give an update on the three recent SEC lawsuits against Coinbase, Binance, and Ripple (XRP). Disclaimer: This episode is purely for education and entertainment purposes only. Nothing discussed in this conversation should be taken as financial advice. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/alex-hays

What's wrong with the modern social justice movement? In this episode, Robert is joined by Dr. George Grant, a pastor, prolific author, and founder of several classical, Christian schools, colleges, and educational organizations. Here, George talks about the distinction between mercy ministry and the social justice movement, the importance of proclaiming biblical truth in a God-honoring manner, the role of classical education as discipleship, and practical ways Christians can help the homeless. Later, Robert uses the classical tools of learning to analyze the risks of generative AI art and to examine the SEC's legal action against Coinbase, the leading crypto exchange in the U.S. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/george-grant

Ever wonder what the star of Bethlehem that led the wise men to Christ's birth really looked like? In this episode, Robert talks to Howard Hochhalter, a marine turned astronomer and NASA Solar System Ambassador and an atheist turned Christian and Classical Conversations® dad. In this powerful conversation, Howard tells his incredible testimony of coming to know Jesus through a chance meeting with a homeschool family, being welcomed by the believers in his family's Classical Conversations community, and studying the history and astronomy behind the real star of Bethlehem. He also shares what fascinates him about the night sky and what he does as a NASA Solar System Ambassador and director of a planetarium. In the "Current Events Discussion," Robert considers the possibility of a secret government program monitoring UFOs and then wraps things up by explaining USDT (Tether) in "Classical Crypto." Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/howard-hochhalter

Our emotions can be complicated, and understanding how they work and how to deal with them is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships both in the workplace and at home. In this episode, Robert chats with Classical Conversations® dad, former army ranger, and longtime friend Noble Gibbens about why Noble became an emotional intelligence (EQ) consultant and helps individuals and teams understand and manage their emotions. Noble explains what an EQ consultant does, narrates a powerful story of helping a stone-cold business leader develop empathy, offers numerous book recommendations for both readers wanting to grow in their EQ and for entrepreneurs, describes the purpose of EQ, gives advice to parents teaching their children about emotions, and finally tells the story of how developing his own EQ helped him become a better leader, husband, and father. After the interview, Robert addresses the Target/Pride Month controversy and explores why the UK Parliament is calling for crypto regulations. Tune in for another insight-packed episode of Refining Rhetoric! Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/noble-gibbens

Robert welcomes Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate Nathan Burns to the show for a wide-ranging conversation on homeschooling, machine learning, AI, acrobatics, Christian mentorship, and much, much more. Nathan narrates his journey from growing up homeschooled in a military family to studying economics in college to becoming a machine learning engineer and entrepreneur. Together, Robert and Nathan explore how AI can free up our time through automation, the danger in biased AI systems, the timeless wisdom in the book of Proverbs, why faith-based mentorship is needed among young men, the lessons Nathan gained from doing acrobatics through childhood, and his experience competing on America's Got Talent. Plus, Nathan shares tips for homeschool parents wanting to teach their children to code. Stay tuned after the interview to hear Robert examine the recent acquisition of three major U.S. education companies by a Chinese private equity firm and to listen to Will offer his thoughts on the current state of American politics and crypto. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/nathan-burns

What does it take to leave an organization your family has been involved with for generations? On this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert interviews Patti Garibay, the founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls, an adventure program that encourages Christ-centered leadership and character development for girls ages 5–18. In their conversation, Patti discusses leaving Girl Scouts USA to start a Christ-centered alternative, how to avoid mission drift as an organization and stay fast to your core values, the significance behind the American Heritage Girls' oath and creed, helping start Trail Life USA, and what we can do about the disconcerting rise in mental health issues among teen girls. Stick around after the interview for our "Current Events Discussion" and "Classical Crypto" segments, where this week Robert explores the possibility of reaching the national debt ceiling and whether on-chain metrics and the upcoming Bitcoin halving are valid predictors of a crypto bull market. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/patti-garibay

Parental rights: are these God-given, natural rights or state-defined? In this conversation, Robert talks with longtime friend Will Estrada, president of ParentalRights.org and the Parental Rights Foundation, two nonprofits holding fast to the belief that parents should be able to raise their children without undue government interference. Together, they explore what the term "parental rights" actually means and why it's important to enshrine parental rights in an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Plus, Will shares his personal journey from growing up homeschooled to now defending parents' rights to their children's education and freedom. Post-interview, Robert addresses recent advances in AI using the classical tools of learning and then explains an educational game about crypto created by a homeschool family called HODL Up. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/william-estrada

Do we have a truly biblical view of masculinity and femininity? In this episode, Robert Bortins sits down with author and entrepreneur Dale Partridge to discuss how to bring the church back to the Bible, specifically on the topic of gender. Dale, the president of Relearn.org and Reformation Seminary and the author of several books, including People Over Profit, talks here about the modern church's move away from biblical masculinity, the manliness of Jesus Christ, his decision to write the children's book Jesus and My Gender, and the criticism he has received for several of his views. After their conversation, Robert turns toward current events, explaining Trump's decision not to attend a GOP presidential debate and the SEC's recent lawsuit against the crypto exchange Coinbase. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/dale-partridge

Can tests actually inspire students rather than just stressing them out? Here, Robert talks with Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test, an education company that provides assessments that are intellectually richer and more rigorous than traditional standardized tests and college entrance exams. Jeremy discusses where standardized testing has gone wrong, the virtues and future of classical education, what sets CLT exams apart from other standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, and why so many colleges are gladly awarding scholarships based on students' CLT exam scores. After the conversation with Jeremy, Robert uses the classical tools of learning to help listeners understand Tucker Carlson's departure from Fox News and, in the "Classical Crypto" segment, considers why the federal government is selling its Bitcoin. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/jeremy-tate

Where did the public school system go wrong? In this episode, Robert discusses the miseducation of America with David Goodwin. David is the president of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS), the managing director of The Classical Difference magazine, cofounder and former headmaster of The Ambrose School, and, most recently, coproducer, along with Pete Hegseth of Fox News, of the six-part docuseries The Miseducation of America. Together, David and Pete also authored the recent #1 New York Times Bestseller, The Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation. In this conversation, David shares his perspective on the current state of education in the United States, explains the concept of "paideia" and how traditional schools have lost the Western Christian Paideia, and considers why classical education has been gaining so much recent attention nationwide. Later in the episode, Robert discusses the potential changes to Title IX, and Will theorizes on why Bitcoin's value has skyrocketed. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/david-goodwin

Does God have an opinion on education? In this episode, Robert welcomes back Refining Rhetoric's first returning guest, Israel Wayne, who has spent decades researching the answer to this question. Together, they discuss Israel's new book Foundations in Faith, sharing homeschooling responsibilities with one's spouse, the fundamental thing missing from the traditional school system, whether education is morally neutral, and the importance of developing a Christian worldview, while also sharing helpful resources to help listeners get started along this path. After their conversation, Robert uses the classical tools of learning to analyze Brazil and China's recent agreement to trade oil outside the U.S. dollar, followed by a "Classical Crypto" segment on bear markets vs. bull markets. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/israel-wayne-2

How can we assess progress and performance without assigning grades? In this episode, Robert talks with Amanda Butler, Vice President of Training and Support at Classical Conversations®, about what classical, Christian assessment should look like. From engineer to public school teacher to homeschool mom, Amanda draws from her unique experience to share what she has learned about how to encourage students to improve without stifling their motivation and creativity. She discusses how classical assessment is different from public school testing, the principles of classical assessment, the common pitfalls homeschool parents can fall into when assessing their children's learning, and advice for young parents at the start of the homeschooling journey. Post-interview, Robert uses the classical tools of learning to break down what is happening with Trump's indictment and then takes a critical look at FedNow, the new instantaneous digital transfer system from the U.S. Federal Reserve, and how it relates to crypto. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/amanda-butler

Where has the fun gone in parenthood? In this special episode, Robert is joined by Delise Germond and Ginny Tran—hosts of the podcast Blessings and Motherhood from Classical Conversations®—to talk about the joys of parenting, the national birth rate decline, the behind-the-scenes of producing the Classical Conversations podcasts, and how to figure out major life decisions with your spouse. After their conversation, Robert provides insight into the recent bank failures and explains the Federal Reserve's balance sheet. Then, Will concludes the episode by considering how Silicon Valley Bank's collapse may impact the future of crypto. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/blessings-and-motherhood

Can homeschooling give students the freedom to pursue their passions? In this episode, Robert chats with Classical Conversations® Challenge student and former National Memory Master champion Trevor Dolden about his promising acting career in Los Angeles, California. Since first becoming interested in acting at nine months old, Trevor has gone on to play roles in short films, TV shows, and movies, including Monsters at Large, the Apple TV+ original show Mr. Corman, and the 2021 horror film Not Alone. After participating in his local Classical Conversations Memory Master program no less than seven times, Trevor competed in and won the 2021 National Memory Master competition, taking home the grand prize of $10,000. Here, Trevor shares how homeschooling gives him more time to audition and prep for roles, how his family has supported him along his journey, and advice for upcoming Memory Master participants. After the interview, Robert uses the classical tools of learning to explain the third-largest bank failure in U. S. history, and Will returns to his discussion of whether Ripple's XRP token ought to be considered a security. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/trevor-dolden

Just let boys be boys! In this episode, Robert talks with Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA. Trail Life is a Christ-centered, outdoor adventure program that teaches young men biblical values and outdoor skills through character and leadership development. Here, Mark describes how Trail Life stands out among other outdoor adventure programs by being Christ-focused, the three things boys need to give them a sense of fulfillment in life, and how dads' relationships with their sons have been strengthened through participating in Trail Life troops. After his conversation with Mark, Robert takes a sobering look at the increase in suicidal thoughts among teen girls and, in the "Classical Crypto" segment, provides an overview of the token ATOM by Cosmos. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/mark-hancock

How can we improve our ability to anticipate and resolve relational conflicts? In episode 37, Robert speaks with Ken Sande, the founder of Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360). Over the course of his career as a lawyer and professional mediator, Ken has mediated hundreds of conflicts in familial, business, church, and legal settings. Classical Conversations® Challenge B families should be especially excited to hear this episode because Ken is also the author of the bestselling book The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Conflict, a recommended resource for parents of students enrolled in our Challenge B program. Here, Ken discusses ways to improve our relational wisdom and peacemaking skills so that we can better love one another. After the interview, Robert uses the fifteen classical tools to analyze students' low math and reading proficiencies and then introduces two proposed bills that could ban the U.S. government from creating its own central bank digital currency (CBDC). Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/ken-sande