What if the biggest threat to the next generation of Christians isn't coming from outside the church—but from a decision Christian parents make every weekday morning?
Join Robert Bortins as he sits down with Paul and Gena Suarez, publishers of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and founders of SchoolhouseTeachers.com, for a powerful conversation about the future of Christian education.
Paul and Gena share their 30-year homeschooling journey and explain why they've shifted their focus from education to discipleship—and why this makes homeschooling a church issue that pastors can no longer ignore. They discuss the explosive growth of homeschooling since COVID, the dangers of government school choice programs, and the biblical mandate for Christian families to take responsibility for their children's education.
With their new Pastor Plan initiative, the Suarezes are equipping churches with turnkey solutions to support homeschooling families and build vibrant communities. This episode is a rallying cry for Christians to stop sending their children to Caesar and start reclaiming discipleship as the church's responsibility.

Resources:
https://schoolhouseteachers.com/

https://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/

https://pastorplan.org/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Overturning Roe v. Wade was never the finish line—it was only the starting gun. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life and Students for Life Action, joins Refining Rhetoric to reveal why the pro-life movement's real battle is just beginning and where it's being won or lost right now. Discover why she launched Students for Life 20 years ago with the vision that Roe would be reversed (when everyone told her she was naive), how chemical abortion pills have become the leading cause of infant death with 1 in 10 women ending up in the ER, and why flushing babies down toilets has turned America's sewers into open cemeteries. Kristan exposes the RINO problem plaguing state legislatures, explains why Republicans keep funding their political enemies at Planned Parenthood to the tune of $800 million annually, and shares the dangerous rhetoric threatening to destroy pro-life credibility with women voters. She also discusses why homeschoolers terrify legislators more than lobbyists, the two types of people most likely to get violent at pro-life campus events, and how young men have actually shifted right on abortion while young women still buy feminist lies. This episode is a rallying cry for Christians to stop being lazy about life, start serving women in crisis pregnancies, and build the army needed to make abortion completely unthinkable in America.

Resources:
https://studentsforlife.org/

Kristan's Instagram: @kristanmercerhawkins

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Ever wonder why every poll seemed to show Kamala Harris winning, yet Trump dominated the election? Mark Mitchell from Rasmussen Reports pulls back the curtain on the billion-dollar polling industry's most carefully guarded secrets. Discover how establishment pollsters use proprietary panels filled with left-leaning city dwellers to sandbag anti-establishment candidates by 20+ points, why FiveThirtyEight was really just a psychological operation funded by Disney and the New York Times, and how polling is weaponized to move the Overton Window on everything from reparations to LGBT issues. Mitchell reveals the shocking truth about why Gen Z is flirting with socialism (hint: it's not because they love Marx), what the Epstein case closure cost Trump in independent support, and why 43% of Americans now believe civil war is coming within years. He explains how the Republican Party remains captured by corporate interests while young voters are demanding a Caesar to burn down a corrupt system, why Trump's "golden age" messaging is falling flat with the very coalition that elected him, and what polling shows about the real mandate Trump received. This episode exposes how polling shapes public opinion through manufactured consensus and offers a sobering look at America's political future if the system isn't actually fixed. If you've ever felt manipulated by media narratives, this conversation will confirm your suspicions and arm you with the knowledge to fight back.

Resources:
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What if the real sign of wealth isn't your bank account, but the number of kids around your dinner table? Chocolate Knox from CrossPolitic joins Refining Rhetoric to flip the script on modern family planning. With seven kids and counting, Knox shares why he and his wife decided to "replace the stupid people" in their family lineage and create a new generation that honors God. Discover how God has faithfully provided through every season, from figuring out how to fit everyone in one vehicle to navigating the transition from public school indoctrination to classical Christian education. Knox unpacks why the church bears responsibility for America's decline, how the feminist movement is already showing its cracks (yes, even in the Barbie movie), and why black families especially should flee government schools. Plus, practical advice for young singles on how to inflation-proof their future and set themselves up for the silk life: single income, lots of kids. This conversation challenges the lie that children are a financial burden and reveals them as the generational wealth investment God always intended. If you're tired of the dink (double income, no kids) propaganda and ready to embrace biblical fruitfulness, this episode is for you.

Resources:

https://crosspolitic.com/

https://x.com/Chocolate_Knox

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What happens when a Christian show gets canceled 20+ times but refuses to stay silent? Gabe Rench, founder of CrossPolitic, joins Refining Rhetoric to share his journey from launching a faith-and-politics show in 2016 to building a multi-platform network that's discipling Christians to engage culture boldly. Discover why he believes the church is responsible for America's condition, how his team is pivoting to deeper content in 2025, and why Christian business leaders need to stop burying their talents. Plus, learn about the surprising stat showing how Christians in Seattle could flip the city conservative overnight if they simply showed up to vote. Gabe also discusses surviving intense cancel culture (even password-protected content wasn't safe), the Fight Laugh Feast philosophy, launching the Business Makers Network, and why his new approach of one deeply researched show per week might be more effective than churning out four shows weekly.

Resources:

https://crosspolitic.com/

https://gaberench.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

Is America on the brink of collapse—and are Christians ready to respond?
Welcome to the first episode of Refining Rhetoric for 2026! As we kick off the new year, host Robert Bortins tackles the pressing issues facing Christian families, homeschoolers, and business owners in an increasingly chaotic world.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why America's $38 trillion debt crisis (which just grew by $1 trillion in 76 days) matters for your family's future
• The spiritual battle behind cultural conflicts—from controversial elections to shocking legal cases abroad
• How only 6% of Christians hold a biblical worldview according to Barna research, and what that means for our communities
• The launch of the new book "Woke and Weaponized" and why understanding the root causes of societal issues is critical
• Plans for 2026 including discussions on cryptocurrency, bitcoin, and preparing for economic uncertainty
This isn't just another news commentary—it's a call to action for believers to stop outsourcing their God-given responsibilities and start living boldly as ambassadors of Christ in a world that desperately needs the gospel.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What happens when a school district demands you teach content that isn't legally required? Military wife and homeschool mom Jennifer Moye found herself in exactly that situation when New York officials insisted she add AIDS education to her sixth-grader's curriculum—or face truancy charges.

In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Jennifer shares her unexpected journey from compliant homeschooler to constitutional defender. After moving to upstate New York in 2019, she faced increasing demands from her local school district, culminating in a requirement that went beyond what homeschool law actually mandated. With three boys to educate and a military family's already complex life, Jennifer had to make a choice: comply with government overreach or stand her ground.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Classical Conversations provided consistency and community through four military moves
• The moment Jennifer realized she needed HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
• The surprising number of families facing similar harassment from school officials
• What happened when attorneys showed up to defend her rights—at no cost to her family
• Why this fight mattered for every homeschooling family in New York
• How she's now empowering the next generation through Turning Point USA

This is a must-listen for every homeschooling family who thinks these battles are behind us. They're not. And Jennifer's courage reminds us why defending our freedoms matters for every generation.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.

Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.

www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

National Number Knockout 2027

Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers.

Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes.

But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit https://classicalconversations.com/national-number-knockout/ to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.

Your child's AI companion knows them better than you do—and it's learning how to manipulate them. Are we prepared for what comes next? In this eye-opening conversation, host Robert Bortins sits down with Randan Steinhauser, CEO of Steinhauser Strategies and recent fellow at the Center for Governance of AI, to discuss the profound implications of artificial intelligence on our families, children, and humanity itself. As AI rapidly advances, the questions we face go far beyond job displacement and technological convenience. Randan shares urgent concerns about AI chatbots engaging children in dangerous conversations, the normalization of AI companions replacing human relationships, and the troubling goals of tech leaders who view consciousness uploading and transhumanism as the future. This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. From AI-induced psychosis to the erosion of family bonds, from surveillance states to the potential loss of human purpose through work, this conversation challenges us to think critically about the technology we're inviting into our homes and our children's lives.

Resources:

https://www.steinhauserstrategies.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.

Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.

www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

National Number Knockout 2027

Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers.

Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes.

But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit www.classicalconversations.com/n2k to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.