Robert Bortins पॉडकास्टस

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 setti…

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 …

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 E…

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 …

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…

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 en…

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 homesch…

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 …

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 writin…

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 Fam…

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 grad…

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 Cou…

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 launch…

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 Representati…

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 wh…

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 socie…

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 …

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 he…

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 …

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 childre…

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…

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 a…

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 bo…

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 res…

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 m…

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 Apri…

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 b…

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 daught…

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 t…

In this episode, Robert and Michael P. Farris discuss basic human rights, educational choice, and the possible overturn of Roe v. Wade. Michael is the founding president of both Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and Patrick Henry College. Today, he serves as chairman of the board of HSLDA, chancellor emeritus of Patrick Henry, and the p…

Mike Donnelly is HSLDA’s Director of Global Outreach and Senior Counsel to members in seven states. He is also an adjunct professor at Patrick Henry College, teaching constitutional law, and a published author and notable speaker, defending homeschooling and educational choice. In this episode, Robert and Mike discuss the mission, origins, and futu…

Yvette Hampton is the producer and host of the 2021 documentary Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. During production, Yvette and her family traveled around the country to speak with education experts and homeschool families about their thoughts on the increasing interest in homeschooling in the United States. In this conversation, Rober…

Al Lopus is the CEO and co-founder of Best Christian Workplaces Institute, an organization founded in 2002 dedicated to helping Christian-led workplaces set the standard as the best, most effective places to work in the world. Al is a recognized author, speaker, and consultant for helping Christian leaders and organizations thrive. In this conversa…

Lisa McLeod is the bestselling author of Selling with Noble Purpose: How to Drive Revenue and Do Work That Makes You Proud. Lisa is a global expert on purpose-driven business and has spent two decades helping leaders increase competitive differentiation and emotional engagement. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins interviews Lisa a…

In the second episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins speaks with Leigh Bortins, his mom and 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 th…

In this episode, Robert Bortins interviews Mike Sharrow, president and CEO of the C12 Group. C12 is a national platform where thousands of Christian CEOs and business owners learn and pursue building “great businesses for a greater purpose” together. In this conversation, Robert and Mike discuss #BaaM (Business as a Ministry) and what it means to b…

In this first episode of Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins, host Robert Bortins discusses his background and what listeners can expect from future episodes of the show. Using the 15 tools of classical learning, Robert shares how he built a strong resume in high school with professional work experience, paid for college by himself while sleeping…

Classical Conversations Studios presents Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins, a podcast where faith, business, politics, and classical education meet. Join Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations, and use the classical tools of learning to seek truth in every arena of life. New episodes released every other week.…