Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

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

Dr. Jennifer Murff's career is one defined by leadership. In this episode, Robert talks with Jenn about her work as President and CEO of the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) Leadership Center, an organization that equips Christian leaders throughout the MENA region with the skills to share the gospel successfully. Jenn also relates the cultural and religious challenges she and her organization face in the MENA region, how she was drawn to a career in leadership, balancing a full-time career while homeschooling, and the ways she encourages her own children to develop leadership skills. Finally, she shares a story of God's love and faithfulness as her church and local community supported her through a recent and serious surgery. After the interview, Robert uses the classical tools of learning to analyze the Chinese spy balloon incident, and Will takes a quick look into the SEC's attack on crypto stablecoins. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/jennifer-murff

Readers and writers—this is a must-listen episode! Robert sits down with Jennifer Courtney, the Global Curriculum Director for Classical Conversations Multi-Media (CCMM), the publishing company of all Classical Conversations® curriculum. In various roles at CCMM, Jennifer has written a variety of books and resources, including Classical Christian Education Made Approachable, the Essentials Curriculum, Fifth Edition, and many books in the Copper Lodge Library series. Among other points of conversation, Jennifer discusses the challenges of preserving the truth and beauty of work when translating it into another language, what's involved in the process of writing a new curriculum, writing about classical, Christian homeschooling from a Los Angeles hotel, what makes a book a "classic," how she discovers new books, and what books she is reading currently. Plus, in the "Current Events Discussion," Robert discusses ESG investing, and in "Classical Crypto," Will talks about the emerging cryptocurrency HBAR. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/jennifer-courtney

What challenges do black homeschool families face in America? In this episode, Joyce Burges, CEO and co-founder of the National Black Home Educators (NBHE), joins Robert to discuss how her organization helps to make homeschooling more accessible for black families. Aside from leading NBHE, Joyce is also an experienced homeschool mom of over thirty years, a national speaker and advocate for topics like education and family, and the author of several books including Teach Me How to Teach My Child. In addition to discussing NBHE, Joyce talks about what it was like starting to homeschool over thirty years ago, the upward trend in the number of black homeschool families, her hopes for the future of American education, and how she, as a grandmother, stays involved (but not too involved!) in the education of her grandchildren. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/joyce-burges

How do STEM subjects fit into the classical model of education? In this episode, Robert sits down with Heather Shirley to explore how to study math and science classically, how parents can become experts in the classical approach to education, and what resources Heather has found helpful in her own classical education journey. If you're a Classical Conversations® member, you might know Heather Shirley as our Chief Academic Advisor, although Heather has plenty of firsthand Classical Conversations experience, leading local communities for the Foundations, Essentials, Challenge III, and Challenge IV programs. Although she is passionate about the humanities, Heather originally pursued a career in STEM, receiving a bachelor's in mathematics and a master's in computer engineering. If anyone can speak to the topic of studying STEM subjects classically, it's Heather! Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/heather-shirley

What does an entrepreneur have in common with a polymath? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert talks to Dr. Matthew Smith, the founding president of Hildegard College. Hildegard is an all-new Christian college located in southern California that takes a unique approach to the liberal arts, merging the classical, Great Text tradition with entrepreneurship. In this conversation, Matthew speaks to why American higher education needs a reset, why Hildegard's undergraduate program emphasizes the study of entrepreneurship classically and the unique challenges students today face as opposed to students a decade ago. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/matthew-smith

Should homeschoolers accept government funds to help finance their children's education? As tempting as it might be to accept one of these stipends, homeschool families need to understand the dangers that lie beneath the surface of these government funds. In this conversation of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins is joined by Israel Wayne, a homeschool dad of eleven children, the director of Family Renewal Ministries, and the author of multiple books, including Education: Does God Have an Opinion? and Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask. Robert and Israel discuss the origins of the public school system in America, the foundational principles on which this system is built, and ultimately, why we should be concerned about the government funding of private and home schools. If you are a homeschool parent, this episode is a must-listen! To learn more about government-funded private education, classicalconversations.com/educationalfreedom. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/israel-wayne

Listen to Robert's favorite episode from the first season of Refining Rhetoric—a conversation with the one and only Leigh Bortins, Robert's mom and the founder of Classical Conversations®. Leigh has written several books, including The Core, The Question, and The Conversation, and is well-known for her ability to demystify the fundamental tools of learning. Since 1984, her efforts have helped launch the "home-centered" education movement. In this rerun of the podcast's second episode, Robert and Leigh discuss classical education, homeschooling, the origins of Classical Conversations, and the upcoming The Math Map, a brand-new math program for Classical Conversations members. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/top-2022-leigh-bortins

To kick off 2023, we are re-releasing two of our favorite episodes from last year, starting with this conversation with Andrew Pudewa. Andrew is the founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and is a longtime partner and friend of Classical Conversations®. Speaking around the world, Andrew is known for presenting the skills of writing, teaching, and thinking with clarity and wit. Through IEW seminars and curriculum, he has helped students of all ages become better communicators and critical thinkers. Andrew graduated from the Talent Education Research Institute (known for the Suzuki method) in Matsumoto, Japan, and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert interviews Andrew about his work at IEW, literacy in the United States, how to write with excellence, and Andrew's secrets for losing weight and staying healthy. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/top-2-2022-andrew-pudewa

What's the biggest obstacle Christian moms face today? In this conversation, Robert talks to Heidi St. John, a prolific speaker and author who encourages Christian moms through her blog, her ministry MomStrong International, and her books, which include Bible Promises for Moms and Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight With All That's In You For Your Family and Your Faith. Heidi shares her thoughts on going from an accidental homeschooler to an accidental author, why defending objective truth is the greatest challenge moms currently face, the definition of "Christian nationalism," and how the Republican Party has changed over time. In addition, she discusses whether she will ever run for office again. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/heidi-st-john

Welcome to the first episode of season two! In this episode, Robert chats with Will McCreery, the host of "Classical Crypto," the podcast segment on Refining Rhetoric that breaks down complex topics in the cryptocurrency space into simple terms using tools from the classical model of education. Will is also a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate and currently an employee at Classical Conversations, Inc., where he oversees the Odyssey Program, a gap-year opportunity for high school graduates through Classical Conversations Plus. Here, Will talks about being a Classical Conversations student, the CC Plus Program and the Odyssey Program, whether college is still necessary today, and, of course, finance and cryptocurrency. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/will-mccreery

What on earth is common law? In Refining Rhetoric's last episode of 2022, Robert sits down with Jeff Shafer, the director of the Hale Institute, graduate of Regent University School of Law, former legal practitioner, and former senior counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, to discuss the concept of common law and its relevance in recent Supreme Court decisions, including Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In the "Current Events Discussion," Robert asks, "Should the Department of Education exist?" using the classical tools of learning to break down this topic. Finally, Will McCreery briefly looks at where the NFT market stands now, pointing out several practical use cases for NFTs in the "Classical Crypto" segment. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/jeff-shafer

Now, more than ever before, knowing how to code is an incredibly valuable skill in the job market. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert welcomes Classical Conversations® Challenge student and self-taught computer programmer Elijah Whitbeck to the show. Elijah relates his coding journey from developing his first video game to recently launching his first mobile app and starting his own company, PIRUX Games. Elijah offers valuable tips and advice for homeschool parents looking to teach their children to code and, intriguingly, discusses the similarities between Latin and code. Tune in to this first-ever episode of Refining Rhetoric with a current homeschool student as the guest! Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/elijah-whitbeck

Regina Piazza has done it all, from serving in the U.S. Air Force and starting a business to homeschooling her children and running for the Florida State Senate District 2 seat. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins and Regina discuss her recent run for office, her experience working as a Classical Conversations® Support Representative, and how she prioritizes her Christian and conservative values. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/regina-piazza

Imagine the small community setting, thoughtful discussions with peers, and classical curriculum of Classical Conversations®, but at a college level! In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert speaks to Eliot Grasso, vice president and a tutor at Gutenberg College. Gutenberg takes a classical, Christian approach to a four-year higher education while limiting its incoming freshman class to just twenty students. This fosters a family-like community where students learn and live together while exploring and debating big ideas through Gutenberg's Great Books program. Here, Robert and Eliot talk about the importance of a multidisciplinary education, the unique Gutenberg experience, and, surprisingly, what in the world an uilleann pipe is. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/eliot-grasso

Can everyday homeschool parents and students make a political difference on a national scale? In this episode, Robert sits down with Andrew McIndoe, the vice president of development for the Heritage Foundation, an organization based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to help build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish. Robert and Andrew discuss which issues (including inflation) that the Heritage Foundation proposes solutions to, what political opportunities exist for homeschool families, and how homeschooling prepares students for college, careers, and life altogether. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/andrew-mcindoe

As voting season approaches, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking our individual voices won't make a difference. In this special mini-episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins argues against this and other reasons people give for choosing not to vote. In addition, he provides resource recommendations for those interested in learning more about how they can make an impact through voting. Your voice matters; get out there and vote! Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/voting

In this conversation, Robert and Allie Beth Stuckey discuss how to build a biblical worldview, respond to opposing opinions, and help our children navigate modern culture. Allie is an author, podcaster, commentator, speaker, wife, and mom who is on a mission to help others build their worldview upon the truth of God's Word. In 2020, she released her first book You're Not Enough (And That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love, in which she dispels modern cultural myths from a biblical worldview. Allie is also the host of the popular podcast Relatable on BlazeTV, where she analyzes culture, news, politics, and theology from a Christian perspective. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/allie-beth-stuckey

Sam Sorbo is an award-winning actress, model, author, and speaker, as well as the podcast host of The Sam Sorbo Show. She's also a homeschool mom and Classical Conversations® member. She's acted in TV shows such as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and movies like Let There Be Light and Miracle in East Texas. As a homeschool and Christian education activist, Sam has written several books, including They're Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate and Teach from Love: A School Year Devotional for Families. In this episode, Sam discusses being a Christian in Hollywood, challenges she's faced as a homeschool mom, and her latest book, Words for Warriors. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/sam-sorbo

Dr. Brian Ray is the president of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) and a leader in homeschooling research. The NHERI specializes in conducting and collecting research about homeschooling and publishes the research journal, the Home School Researcher. Dr. Ray is an author, speaker, and veteran homeschool father of eight children. He received his PhD in science education from Oregon State University and his master of science in zoology in zoology from Ohio University. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert and Dr. Ray discuss his research at the NHERI, including the history of home education, the reasons families homeschool, how COVID has impacted homeschooling, and the future of the homeschool movement. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/brian-ray

Ever wonder what it's like to be "canceled?" Andrew Crapuchettes is the visionary behind RedBalloon, an organization that attempts to solve the cancel culture movement in the American workplace by connecting like-minded employers with employees seeking jobs where their religious and personal beliefs are accepted. Andrew was also the CEO of Emsi, an international economic data firm with hundreds of employees worldwide. In this episode, Andrew discusses his successful career, advice for aspiring leaders, and being a Christian in the workplace. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/andrew-crapuchettes

After practicing law in the private sector, Dan has gone on to serve on the Mecklenburg County Commission in North Carolina, the North Carolina House of Representatives, and the North Carolina Senate. Since 2019, Dan has represented North Carolina's ninth district in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is a member of the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees. Currently, he is running for reelection as a representative. In this episode, Robert and Dan discuss Dan's career in politics, bills he has sponsored, the House Freedom Caucus, and important issues our country faces like high taxation and gun control. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/dan-bishop

E. Ray Moore is the founder and director of the Exodus Mandate Project, chairman of the Christian Education Initiative, chairman of the movement Public School Exit, and president of the board at Frontline Ministries. In addition to serving in pastoral ministry for over forty years, Ray is a proactive advocate for school choice, the author of two books (including Let My Children Go), and the executive producer of two films (including the award-winning 2011 film IndoctriNation). In this episode, Robert and Ray talk about educational freedom versus school choice and the future of education in the United States. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/ray-moore

Dr. Neil Shenvi is the author of Why Believe? A Reasoned Approach to Christianity. After receiving his PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, Neil has gone on to research nonadiabatic dynamics, electronic structure theory, and electron transfer while in positions at Yale and Duke. In addition to his scientific research, Neil speaks and writes about critical race theory and Christian apologetics. In 2015, he began homeschooling his family with Classical Conversations and now serves as a Tutor at his local Classical Conversations community. In this episode, Robert and Neil discuss homeschooling as a dad, critical race theory, and how to reconcile faith and science. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/neil-shenvi

Randan Steinhauser is a homeschool mom and the founding partner of Steinhauser Strategies, which specializes in creating public relations campaigns, influencing public policy debates, and building innovative digital movements. Randan is an expert in her field, having worked in more than thirty states on issue advocacy, political campaigns, client media relations, coalition development, strategic communications, and government affairs. She homeschools her four children with Classical Conversations®, participating in a local community in Austin, Texas. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert interviews Randan about her career, homeschooling, and school choice. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/randan-steinhauser

April Bortins is a homeschool mom and the wife of Robert Bortins. Together, April and Robert homeschool their three children with Classical Conversations®. Before teaching her own children, April worked as a public-school teacher and head coach for both track and field and cross country. In this special episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert and April chat about her background, her homeschooling journey so far, and how she integrates faith into teaching her children. They also talk about how she felt joining the Bortins family and what daily life looks like in the Bortins household. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/april-bortins

Andrew Pudewa is the founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and is a longtime partner and friend of Classical Conversations®. Speaking around the world, Andrew is known for presenting the skills of writing, teaching, and thinking with clarity and wit. Through IEW seminars and curriculum, he has helped students of all ages become better communicators and critical thinkers. Andrew graduated from the Talent Education Research Institute (known for the Suzuki method) in Matsumoto, Japan, and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert interviews Andrew about his work at IEW, literacy in the United States, and how to write with excellence. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/andrew-pudewa

Lisa Bailey is the host of Everyday Educator, a long-running Classical Conversations podcast, and is also the Lead Curriculum Developer for the Global Curriculum team of our publishing company, Classical Conversations MultiMedia (CCMM). Since joining the Classical Conversations family in 2004 as a Challenge B Director, Lisa has graduated two daughters out of the Challenge program and has served in various roles within the company. In this episode, Robert and Lisa discuss her homeschooling journey from why she first chose to homeschool to the importance of committing long-term to the homeschool process. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/lisa-bailey

Dr. Carol Swain is a distinguished political scientist, a former tenured professor at both Princeton University and Vanderbilt University, and late Vice Chair of President Donald Trump's 1776 Commission. Dr. Swain is the author of several books, including the bestseller Black Eye for America: How Critical Race Theory Is Burning Down the House. In this episode, Robert and Dr. Swain delve into a controversial subject in modern Western culture: critical race theory. Together, they explore how Christians ought to respond. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/carol-swain