What if the people writing our laws aren't the ones we elected? The shocking truth about who really runs Washington—and how 22-year-olds shape policy that affects millions. Robert Bortins sits down with Ed Corrigan, President and CEO of the Conservative Partnership Institute, to pull back the curtain on how Washington really works. With over 25 yea…

Bitcoin hit $126,000... then crashed $23,000 in a single day. What happened? And more importantly, is this the top or just the beginning? In this episode, Robert unpacks the most volatile month in crypto history, reveals why gold is crushing every other investment in 2025, and explains what the global shift away from the U.S. dollar means for your …

What if homeschooling your children could land you in jail? In 1984, that wasn't a hypothetical—it was reality. Discover how one mom's brave stand against a state superintendent's threats helped spark a movement that changed education in America forever. Join Robert Bortins for a powerful conversation with homeschooling pioneer Zan Tyler, who began…

Young adults today are 1,600% more likely to identify as transgender than people over 50. Every family may not struggle with this issue—but every family will face it. Are you ready? In this critical episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries and author of the new book Raising Gend…

He had never stepped in front of a camera before. He almost ignored the audition opportunity completely. But when Robert Amaya finally sent in that tape for Courageous, it launched a career that would transform both faith-based filmmaking and his own family forever. In this inspiring episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with …

What if everything you thought you knew about the Bible's structure was making it harder to understand God's story? Pastor, author, and Bible engagement architect Randy Frazee joins host Robert on Refining Rhetoric to discuss why so many Christians—even those in Bible-believing churches—can't articulate the basic narrative of Scripture. The problem…

What if the virtue we've been taught to prize above all others—empathy—has become a weapon that's destroying our families, churches, and society? In this thought-provoking episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Joe Rigney, author of the controversial new book "The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits." Dr. R…

In the aftermath of tragedy, the internet becomes a breeding ground for speculation, conspiracy theories, and misinformation—but how do we navigate these waters wisely? Cold case detective J. Warner Wallace returns to Refining Rhetoric to discuss the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk, offering crucial insights on distinguishing between what we can kn…

Everyone's talking about AI replacing jobs, but here's what they're missing: the real danger isn't AI taking over—it's our children never learning to think for themselves. Classical education might just be the key to thriving in an AI-dominated world. In this thought-provoking episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins dives deep into artifi…

Charlie Kirk was the kind of person who remembered your name even after meeting you just once at a crowded event. Robert joins Dr. Owen Anderson, professor at Arizona State University and faculty advisor for the Turning Point USA chapter, for a heartfelt discussion following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Dr. Anderson shares personal memories o…

When Kim Davis spent six days behind bars for refusing to sign same-sex marriage certificates, most people thought the story was over. They were wrong. Nine years later, Davis faces $360,000 in personal damages—and her case is now headed to the Supreme Court with the potential to overturn same-sex marriage entirely. Constitutional attorney Matthew …

What if you discovered you have more religious freedom right now than at any point in your lifetime—but nobody told you? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert sits down with Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, to discuss the remarkable string of religious freedom victories at the Supreme Court that most Americans…

Before government schools, America had 95% literacy. Now it's 35%. What if everything you've been told about "fixing" education is actually designed to make it worse? Robert teams up with award-winning journalist and CEO of Liberty Sentinel, Alex Newman, to announce their explosive new book "Woke and Weaponized" - a deep dive into how Karl Marx's i…

What if the biggest threat to Christian values in America isn't hostile politicians—but Christians who refuse to vote? Bunni Pounds drops a bombshell statistic that will shake you: Christians are registering and voting at exactly the same rates as the general population. That means roughly half of Bible-believing Americans are voluntarily sitting o…

Think homeschoolers are antisocial? Think again. In this special in-studio episode, Robert sits down with his sister-in-law Emma Bortins, a Classical Conversations graduate who went from small-town homeschooling to thriving in the heart of New York City at The King's College. Emma breaks down the myths about homeschool socialization while sharing h…

What if the biggest threat to Christian education isn't coming from the left—but from Christians themselves? In this eye-opening episode of Refining Rhetoric, attorney and author Kevin R. Novak drops a bombshell that will make you rethink everything about school choice, vouchers, and education reform. While most Christians celebrate getting "their …

What if everything the "experts" told us about globalization, economics, and the future was wrong? Dr. Steve Turley, the "Patriot Professor" and author of over 20 books, joins Robert Bortins to discuss his latest work "America Awakened: The Collapse of Globalism and the Return to Faith, Family, and Freedom." They explore why globalism is collapsing…

Is your Christian teen prepared for the intellectual assault waiting at university? Dr. Owen Anderson, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Arizona State University, pulls back the curtain on what's really happening on college campuses. With 70% of Christian students walking away from their faith in university, Dr. Anderson—a rare conservative C…

What happens when artificial intelligence can write better essays than your students—and they don't even know the difference? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Bill Davis from Covenant College explores the ethical implications of AI in education and beyond. From the classroom challenges of detecting AI-generated work to the broader questions o…

What if the key to saving America isn't found in Washington D.C., but in the hands that rock the cradle? Join host Robert as he sits down with Kimberly Fletcher, founder of Moms for America, who transformed from a patriotic mom into a patriot after 9/11 when her Air Force husband narrowly escaped the Pentagon attack. With over 20 years of grassroot…

What if the secret to raising spiritually mature kids isn't found in the latest parenting book, but in letting Scripture do the heavy lifting? Robert interviews Josh Niemi, founder of Expository Parenting Ministries, about his unique approach to Christian parenting that mirrors expository preaching—teaching children the Bible verse by verse in syst…

What if your teenager knows all the "right" Christian answers but can't defend a single one? Join Robert Bortins as he sits down with Steve Noble, former Christian talk radio host turned educator, who's taught over 1,400 high school homeschoolers since 2011. After 17 years on the airwaves, Steve made the bold decision to leave radio behind and focu…

Could competitive debate actually strengthen your child's faith while building their confidence? Most parents never imagine their quiet kid becoming a national-level debater, but that's exactly what happened in this family. In this inspiring mother-son interview, Alyssa and Thaddeus share their remarkable journey through Stoa (Speech & Debate) and …

Why has Pride Month become less about tolerance and more about forced celebration—and what can faithful churches do about it? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Dr. Rosaria Butterfield—former lesbian activist turned pastor's wife—explains how LGBTQ ideology became a cultural idol and why the evangelical church's "winsome" approach has failed. Sh…

What if the same skills that solve decades-old murders could prove the reliability of the Gospels? Cold case detective J. Warner Wallace was a committed atheist who thought Christianity was fiction—until he applied his investigative training to the New Testament. What he discovered changed everything. J. Warner Wallace, a featured cold case detecti…

Bitcoin just smashed through $112,000 while the bond market implodes and Japan's decades-old financial strategy unravels before our eyes. Is this the beginning of crypto's final moonshot to $500K+, or are we witnessing the setup for a devastating 70% crash? In this emergency market update, we break down three wildly different scenarios that could p…

What if everything we've been taught about Earth's geological timeline is dramatically wrong? In this eye-opening episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert interviews Dr. Jeff Miller, a biomechanical engineer with a PhD from Auburn University who specializes in creation science. Key topics covered: · Dr. Miller's research on hypo-gene speleogenesis…

What if the most thrilling story ever written is one you're ignoring on your bookshelf? Robert welcomes Dr. Samuel Bierig, Vice President of Undergraduate Studies at Spurgeon College, to discuss why so many find the Bible boring when it's actually wildly fascinating. Key highlights: · Dr. Bierig introduces his upcoming book "Surprised by the Bible:…

Is your energetic, can't-sit-still son being treated like a 'defective girl' in today's educational system? Mark Hancock reveals how to celebrate boys' God-given design instead of trying to change it. Robert continues his conversation with Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA. They discuss the unique challenges boys face in today's educational and c…

What happens when we challenge young Christians to step boldly into politics instead of stepping away? Joseph Jackson shares his journey from a politics-loving teen to a leader in TeenPact, a Christian government and leadership school for students ages 13-19. He discusses how his Classical Conversations education prepared him for public speaking an…

What if Christians were called to be the flood instead of hiding in the ark? N.D. Wilson challenges believers to stop playing it safe and embrace a faith that's dangerously alive. Robert speaks with Wilson about his journey as a writer inspired by C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, his approach to Christian fantasy writing, and his belief that Christians shou…

Are your children safe at school? Discover why thousands of families are choosing to exit the public education system. In this eye-opening episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert welcomes Dran Reese, founder and president of Public School Exit. With decades of experience in education advocacy, Dran explains why her organization helps Christian familie…

Are you accidentally funding values that oppose your faith every time you deposit a paycheck Robert interviews Frank Clement, VP of Strategic Partnerships at America's Christian Credit Union. Frank shares how Christians can align their financial decisions with biblical values, revealing that many unwittingly undermine their faith through banking ch…

Is philosophy obsolete in our AI-driven world? Timothy Knotts argues just the opposite. Robert interviews Timothy Knotts, a member of Classical Conversations' development team, about "Reasoning Together Philosophy", an anthology of original works and excerpts from philosophers, writers, and thinkers from all eras, coming Spring 2025. Timothy discus…

When election night broadcasters were still counting votes, cryptocurrency insiders already knew who won. In this exclusive in-studio interview, Robert welcomes Will McCreery to explain how this digital asset has become both a leading economic indicator and a financial revolution that's caught the attention of the White House. The duo breaks down B…

Could AI actually strengthen our faith communities rather than replace them? In this thought-provoking episode, Robert interviews Dr. Richard Snyder from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. They explore the intersection of technology, faith, and education, with particular focus on how Christians should approach AI and digital media. Dr. S…

What if the 80,000 hours you'll spend at work could become your most fulfilling ministry opportunity? Robert interviews Jeff Reep, the Director of Career Services at Cedarville University. They discuss the intersection of homeschooling, coaching, and Christian leadership. Jeff shares his 26-year journey homeschooling five boys, his experiences as a…

While most students graduate with financial shackles, Excel College graduates debt-free with real-world skills. Robert speaks with Andrew Haak, Director of Excel Summer Leadership Camp. Andrew shares how Excel College students responded during Hurricane Helene, transforming their campus into a major distribution center for Western North Carolina. A…

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Megan Griffin, Provost and Senior Vice President at Southeastern University, pulls back the curtain on the challenges and opportunities facing Christian higher education today. With two universities closing weekly across America, Dr. Griffin shares how SEU is breaking traditional models to create affordable, ac…

What happens when a reluctant baseball player takes a bioethics class that changes his entire perspective on learning and life? Robert explores the intersection of philosophy, theology, and practical ethics with Dr. Bill Davis, professor at Covenant College and Reform Theological Seminary, and Noah Sweatman, Covenant College admissions counselor an…

What happens when 400-year-old theological wisdom meets modern cultural challenges? Rev. Levi Berntson, Assistant Professor of Theology at Reformed Bible College and teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, shares his journey from farm fields in North Dakota to theological academia. He discusses his work translating Dutch Reformed theo…

What if the solution to our throwaway culture lies in ancient educational methods and traditional craftsmanship? Robert interviews Luke Kolbie, CEO of Russell Moccasin Company and founder of Kingfisher Leather Works. Luke shares his remarkable journey from homeschooled Classical Conversations student to successful business leader and advocate for s…

Can a classically-educated student excel in STEM fields? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert welcomes Courtney Sanford, a homeschool mother and associate professor of fine arts at Bryan College, who shares her family's journey with classical education. She discusses how incorporating art and hands-on learning enhanced her children's educat…

From sitting at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in 1960 to advocating for educational reform today, civil rights pioneer Clarence Henderson shares his remarkable journey of courage and conviction. Henderson recounts his firsthand experience during the historic Greensboro sit-ins and discusses how that watershed moment shaped his lifelong mis…

From Fortune 30 IT executive to nonprofit leader - Chris May shares how TeenPact Leadership Schools is transforming youth through hands-on civic engagement and faith-based leadership training at state capitals nationwide. Discover how this unique program is equipping the next generation of leaders through real-world political simulations and discip…

Can a Christian university create both spiritual depth and genuine joy? Dr. Michael Lindsay, President of Taylor University, reveals how his institution ranks #3 for happiest students nationwide while maintaining spiritual and academic rigor. In this episode, the Princeton-educated sociologist shares insights on developing faith-centered leaders, n…

From federal executive orders to state legislation battles, the school choice landscape is rapidly evolving - but are these changes moving us toward educational freedom or greater government control? In this thought-provoking wrap-up of School Choice Week, Robert delivers a comprehensive analysis of recent developments in education policy, includin…

Why did homeschooling succeed without government funding, while "school choice" demands it? We wrap up School Choice Week with Jim Mason, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), about an alternative to school choice that aligns with limited government principles. Mason breaks down HSLDA's proposal for education tax credits, …

Is 'school choice' really about choice, or is it a Trojan horse for greater government control? In this School Choice Week episode, Robert hosts author and education advocate Sam Sorbo to examine the language and implications of the school choice movement. Drawing from her experience as a homeschool parent and author of 'Words for Warriors,' Sorbo …

Should conservatives who oppose universal basic income support 'universal basic education'? We continue our School Choice Week series as Robert speaks with grassroots activist Aundrea Gomez about the contradictions in conservative support for school choice. Gomez, a former teacher and engaged citizen from Tennessee, breaks down how government fundi…