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…

Could government-funded “school choice” lead to less educational freedom? We continue our School Choice Week series with journalist and Classical Conversations Senior Fellow Alex Newman for an in-depth discussion on school choice policies. Newman shares insights from his international experience, particularly in Sweden, and examines how government-…

Would you trust Mark Zuckerberg to run your child's school? As we continue our School Choice Week series, Robert interviews author and cultural critic James Lindsay to explore how universal school choice could lead to corporate monopolies in education. Lindsay, founder of New Discourses and author of “The Marxification of Education,” breaks down th…

Can $7,000 buy your educational freedom? We kick off our School Choice Week series with researcher Lisa Logan about the concerning global agenda behind school choice initiatives. Logan, host of Parents of Patriots and author of Education Manifesto, breaks down UNESCO's involvement in education policy, the role of major foundations pushing school ch…

Looking to navigate the college admissions process as a homeschooler? Robert sits down with Blake and Sophie Sunny from Asbury University to demystify the journey from homeschool to higher education. Sophie, a former Classical Conversations student herself, shares her personal transition to college life, while Blake offers invaluable insights as As…

How does a struggling Christian college transform into a thriving university while keeping tuition frozen for 16 years? Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller shares the remarkable story of GCU's innovative approach to affordable education, student-led spiritual growth, and community transformation. From serving immigrant neighborhoods to …

Can a college focused on ancient texts prepare students for modern challenges better than traditional universities? Dr. Charles Dewberry, Academic Dean of Gutenberg College, joins Robert to discuss their unique great books approach to higher education. Learn how this small liberal arts college uses tutoring and primary texts to teach students the a…

Is our modern view of the family broken? Robert interviews Jeremy Pryor, founder of Family Teams Ministry. Jeremy shares his journey from being uninterested in fatherhood to becoming a passionate advocate for multigenerational family teams after being inspired by Jewish and Arab family cultures during his time in Jerusalem. They discuss how modern …

Today we explore five essential tips for making classical thinking a lifestyle from some of our past episodes. From restoring liberal arts to their biblical roots, to cultivating natural curiosity and demonstrating real understanding, join us for practical insights on bringing classical education into everyday life. Will wraps up the episode with a…