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 focus entirely on equipping the next generation through his classes in civics, U.S. history, world history, and Christian ethics. Discover why civic ignorance is rampant even among conservative Christian kids, how to balance truth and grace in our polarized culture, and why teaching students how to think biblically is more crucial than ever. Steve shares hard-won wisdom about moving from cultural warrior to grace-filled educator, plus practical insights for parents wanting to raise kids who can defend their faith with both conviction and love.

Resources:

https://www.nobleuschool.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Have you heard? National Memory Master and National Commencement are moving to the Classical Conversations family cruise in 2026. This cruise isn’t just to celebrate CC graduates and memory masters, it’s for all CC families! You can connect with CC leaders and families at all stages of their journey and turn education into a memorable family adventure as you explore the Bahamas aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. Check out our landing page at www.classicalconversations.com/cruise-2026.

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 Classical Conversations. Discover how Thaddeus transformed into a persuasive communicator now thriving on Patrick Henry College's varsity mock trial team. Learn how Stoa's Christian approach to speech and debate not only builds communication skills but strengthens biblical worldview, creates lifelong friendships, and prepares students to "speak boldly and change the world for Christ." Whether you're a homeschooling parent wondering if your child could handle public speaking or curious about integrating rigorous academics with character development, this episode reveals the powerful combination of Classical Conversations and competitive speech and debate.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Stoa Christian Homeschool Speech and Debate League

https://www.stoausa.org/

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. She offers biblical guidance for churches and parents on how to faithfully respond during Pride Month by boldly proclaiming gospel truth rather than negotiating with idols.

Key Discussion Points:

- How the gay rights movement evolved from privatization to mandatory celebration

- Why LGBTQ ideology functions as an idol demanding worship and child sacrifice

- The evangelical church's failed strategy of compromise over truth

- Practical advice for parents of prodigals struggling with sexual sin

- What churches should do during Pride Month instead of staying silent

- Why Gen Z is hungry for bold truth over therapeutic excuses

Resources:

https://rosariabutterfield.com/

"The Lust of the Flesh: Thinking Biblically About Sexual Orientation" by Jared Moore

"The Enemy Within" by Chris Lundgaard

John Owen's works on indwelling sin

"From Transgender to Transformed" by Laura Perry Smalts

Decision Point (decisionpoint.org)

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Copper Lodge Library 2025 New Releases

Explore the exciting new 2025 additions to the Classical Conversations Bookstore! From engaging philosophy studies with Reasoning Together to timeless classics in the Copper Lodge Library and innovative math resources like the four new domains of The Math Map and two unique math flashcard sets, these tools are designed to support classical, Christian education at every level. Visit classicalconversations.com/whatsnew/ to see all the new releases and take advantage of savings of up to $30 off in April.

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 detective from NBC Dateline and author of the bestselling "Cold Case Christianity," shares his remarkable journey from committed atheist to Christian apologist. Wallace explains why evidential faith is like wearing a bulletproof vest in a gunfight—especially crucial for raising kids in today's increasingly hostile culture.
Key Themes:
• How detective skills reveal biblical truth through forensic statement analysis

• Why our culture shifted from positive to negative toward Christianity

• The difference between "belief that" and "belief in"

• Why parental passion about faith is more contagious than any program

This conversation will challenge how you think about faith, evidence, and raising the next generation of believers in an increasingly skeptical world.

Resources:
https://coldcasechristianity.com/

https://www.casemakersacademy.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by The Math Map: Monomials
The Math Map Monomials helps families practice introductory algebraic computation
together using classical skills that prepare students for the mathematical conversation of
the ages.
Visit https://classicalconversations.com/the-math-map/ today to transform your family's math experience!

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 play out over the next 6 months - and why one week of market action might have changed everything we thought we knew about Bitcoin's relationship to traditional finance.

Key Topics Covered

• Bitcoin's new all-time high at $112,000
• US bond market struggles and rising interest rates
• Japanese yen carry trade unwinding
• Bitcoin decoupling from stock market
• Three future price scenarios for Bitcoin
• Investment strategies and dollar cost averaging
• Bitcoin lending opportunities and risks
• Altcoin market performance vs Bitcoin
• Government debt crisis implications

This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial advice.

Resources:

https://ccalumni.network/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Three Division Design and Animation

Three Division is a 3D art and animation studio with real industry experience, working with brands like Disney and Warner Brothers. Their 10-Week Cohort gives students hands-on training in the 3D software Blender, along with mentorship from industry professionals, and a Christ-centered approach to creativity. Equip your student with the skills to thrive in the future of digital art—apply before May 31 and receive a 20% discount at threedivision.com/cohorts.

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 showing caves form rapidly through rising acidic waters during the flood

· The discovery of soft tissue in dinosaur fossils challenging conventional dating methods

· Why carbon dating actually supports young Earth theories rather than contradicting them

· The "reproducibility crisis" affecting over 50% of published scientific research

· How leading cosmologists acknowledge the universe appears "tailor-made" for humans

· Educational opportunities through Dr. Miller's "Flooded" book and hands-on programs in Arizona studying geological evidence

Dr. Miller shares how scientific evidence increasingly supports Biblical accounts like the global flood, offering compelling alternatives to conventional geological and evolutionary theories.

Resources:

https://apologeticspress.org/people/jeff-miller-phd/

Jeff’s Book: https://store.apologeticspress.org/products/flooded

Creation Research Program: Email CRP@ApologeticsPress.org for information about educational programs in Arizona

Episode Sponsored By Classic Learning Test

Learn more about CLT's online, at-home testing or their paper testing options for your community, and get 25% off your assessments at info.cltexam.com/classicalconversations. CC Connected families receive 25% off all CLT assessments!

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: A Guide for the Perplexed and Bored," which aims to help readers fall in love with Scripture again (or for the first time)

· The conversation addresses why modern Christians struggle with regular Bible reading despite it being God's direct words to us

· Dr. Bierig reveals his picks for most underrated biblical books: Numbers, Proverbs, Lamentations, and Jude

· Practical advice for teaching children to love Scripture through catechisms and connecting Bible readings to Sunday sermons

· Discussion of how American Christians might return to biblical foundations by making Scripture "the loudest voice in our heads"

For anyone struggling with biblical literacy or seeking to deepen their understanding of God's Word, this episode offers practical wisdom on rediscovering the Bible as a living, thrilling text relevant to every aspect of daily life.

Resources:

https://spurgeoncollege.com/

Sponsored by Classical Conversations - Parent Practicum

Parent Practicum events are hosted around the globe each year, inspiring and equipping parents to become better “everyday educators.” Combining the encouragement of community, integration of ideas, and practice with the classical skills, Parent Practicum is a once-a-year parent investment. Let us help you find a Parent Practicum event near you at www.ccpracticum.com.

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 cultural environments, and how parents can intentionally raise boys to become godly men. Mark explains how Trail Life USA serves as a Christ-centered, boy-focused character leadership and adventure organization for boys from kindergarten through 12th grade. With approximately 62,000 members across all 50 states and over 1,200 participating churches, Trail Life provides boys with outdoor activities like camping and hiking while maintaining a distinctly Christ-centered approach.

Resources:

Episode Sponsored by: Copper Lodge Library 2025 New Products

https://www.traillifeusa.com/

Explore the exciting new 2025 additions to the Classical Conversations Bookstore! From engaging philosophy studies with Reasoning Together to timeless classics in the Copper Lodge Library and innovative math resources like the four new domains of The Math Map and two unique math flashcard sets, these tools are designed to support classical, Christian education at every level. Visit classicalconversations.com/whatsnew/ to see all the new releases.