Are you your child’s best teacher? In this episode, Robert reacts to a video of Leigh Bortins and Corey McKeown, director of the Trinity Homeschool Academy (T.E.A.C.H.) in Tampa, Florida, discussing the rise of homeschooling with Pete Hegseth on Fox and Friends. In the video, Corey explains why there has been an explosion of homeschooling in her state due to the success of homeschool co-ops where students can take classes from expert teachers. Unconvinced, Robert analyzes whether it’s necessary to send homeschool students to a co-op to learn from an expert instead of “just another mom.” In other words, can everyday parents rely on the classical tools of learning and community support to teach their children any subject? Finishing it up, Robert reflects on the true reasons why homeschooling is seeing a surge not just in Florida but nationwide as parents wake up to the nonsense in the traditional school system. In “Classical Crypto,” Will catches us up on the latest news on the downfall of Sam-Bankman Fried, the collapse of FTX, and the ultimate trial results. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Leigh-on-Fox Plan a trip to Museum of the Bible this Christmas! To get 50% off tickets as a Classical Conversations family, visit ClassicalConversations.com/motb.

What should your child’s classical education look like in the modern world? In this episode, Robert talks with Andrew Kern, founder and president of the CiRCE Institute, co-author of The Lost Tools of Writing, and one of the leading figures in the classical education movement. Here, Andrew identifies why the true purpose of classical education is to cultivate wisdom and virtue through the nourishment of students’ souls. Throughout this packed conversation, expect to learn where government-funded education in America first went wrong, why training your child to fight against distraction is crucial to their spiritual and intellectual development, how to become better at any skill such as writing, how to actually get your child to pay attention, why students still need to practice the lost tools of learning in an AI-driven world, and why the terms “artificial intelligence” and “virtual reality” are not only misleading but, in fact, don’t really mean anything at all. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Andrew-Kern Get a homeschool family the gift of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners this Christmas! Learn more at ScribblersatHome.com.

Is the earth really only a few thousand years old? In this episode, Robert speaks to Eric Hovind, founder of Creation Today, a Christian apologetics ministry with a mission to share the Gospel to the entire world. Eric relates his personal testimony and journey with apologetics, clarifies what “apologetics” really means, delves into his approach to apologetics in the digital age, underscores the contemporary relevancy of creation theory, and points out why the creation vs. evolution debate is a necessary spiritual battle. He also discusses the young earth and old earth theories of the age of the earth, how these theories impact one’s faith, how evolution destroys the doctrine of salvation, and why young earth theory is pro-science, explaining that “real science is a believer’s best friend.” If you’re a homeschool parent, expect to also learn ways to engage your children in conversations about creation vs. evolution and discover several resources to guide you in this journey. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Eric-Hovind CC parents, tutors, and Directors—sign up for the Classical Learning Cohort to level up your skills in guiding and assessing your student’s learning at home and in community! Register today at ClassicalConversations.com/cohort.

Is there hope for Gen Z? In this current events episode, Robert explores the reasons why Gen Z boys are leaning conservative twice as much as liberal, as discovered by a recent survey that contradicts the widely held narrative that Gen Z has a leftist bent. Then, in Classical Crypto, Will returns to consider what might happen to the crypto market if the government shuts down and to give a quick overview of Stellar (XLM). Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/why-gen-z-males-prefer-the-right Classical Conversations® members—get started with the beta release of The Math Map: Naturals, an exclusive lookinto our upcoming math curriculum from Classical Conversations! To access these materials, log in to your CC Connected account, navigate to the Learning Center, and search for “The Math Map.”

We plan for all the major goals in our lives—retirement, a career, a new car or home purchase. So, why don’t most of us create plans for raising our children, which is far more important? In this episode, Robert speaks to Dr. Josh Mulvihill, an author, speaker, and advocate for family discipleship and biblical parenting. Josh was a church pastor for twenty years and now serves on the board of Awana, as the Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at RenewaNation, and as an author of several books on biblical parenting, the most recent of which is 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: Raising Children to Godly Adults. In this conversation, Josh sheds light on why many Christian parents are failing to disciple their children well and what we can do as the church to turn this around. Discover how to master the art of biblical parenting from what Scripture says, Josh’s own childhood experiences, his efforts in raising his own children, and many, many book recommendations about taking a Christ-centered approach to parenting. Josh also shares a glimpse into his own family life, including why his family started their own farm, how each of his children is saving for college by running their own enterprise, what family worship looks like in the Mulvihill household, and much more. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Josh-Mulvihill You’re invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Head over to ClassicalConversationsFoundation.org to learn more.

Can movies save education? Here, Robert talks for the second time on Refining Rhetoric with Hollywood actress, podcast host, and Classical Conversations® parent and Director Sam Sorbo about her family’s upcoming film Miracle in East Texas. The film, delayed due to COVID-19, is now coming to theaters nationwide for an exclusive release on the weekend of October 29–30 and tells the true story of the biggest oil strike in the history of the United States. In this episode, Sam talks about working with her husband Kevin and son Braeden on Miracle in East Texas, why she created a homeschool curriculum to accompany the film, and how movies can serve as powerful tools to educate our students and encourage discussions about truth. Sam also recalls how Classical Conversations came into her life at just the right moment and gave her children the skills to succeed in their education, careers, and lives. Additionally, she and Robert discuss why cancel culture—a culture rooted in unforgiveness—is antithetical to Christianity and why the public school system demeans the true meaning of the word “education”. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Sam-Sorbo-2 Go see Miracle in East Texas at a theater near you on October 29–30! The film stars Kevin, Sam, and Braeden Sorbo, as well as John Ratzenberger of Pixar voice-acting fame. You can find tickets at SorboStudios.com.

Are Christianity and humanism compatible worldviews? In this episode, Robert sits down with Scott Postma, a Christian humanist writer and president of Kepler Education. Scott explains why Christian humanism is probably not what you think, putting it up against another philosophy more are familiar with—secular humanism. He discusses the origins of Christian humanism and the great thinkers behind this philosophy, including the brilliant minds of J. R. R. Tolkien and Flannery O’Connor. Scott also explores what he believes the future of online classical education will look like and how Kepler Education, “a marketplace for live online classical Christian education,” is giving teachers and students of the classics a safe place to learn and discover truth, beauty, and goodness. Of course, no Refining Rhetoric episode is complete without book recommendations. Here, you’ll find great entry points to discovering Flannery O’Connor, the philosophy of Christian humanism, and why classical education is just as important now as ever. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Scott-Postma Classical Conversations® members—you’re invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Head over to ClassicalConversationsFoundation.org to learn more.

In this episode, Robert uses the fifteen classical tools of learning to examine the recent tragic events in Israel and Palestine. He considers the following questions: Why has the U.S. funded Palestine, and how has this impacted the current conflict? Who is the oppressor and the oppressed in this situation? Is critical theory to blame? And is there a possibility of Palestinian terrorist attacks in our own country? Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/israel-palestine

Business leaders, listen up! In this episode, Robert welcomes his longtime friend and business mentor Troy Meachum to the show. Troy is the CEO of ACR Supply Co., North Carolina’s leading wholesale distributor for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration which, last year, exceeded $45 million in revenue. In their conversation, Troy shares how to turn a company culture around and transform the workplace into somewhere employees want to show up every day. Expect to learn what it was like for Troy to incorporate faith into his work culture, how to glorify God at work, how to hire employees who fit a company’s culture, how to maintain a company’s culture while scaling, how to boost employee satisfaction and engagement, and why it’s crucial for C-level leaders to communicate clearly to and care about the personal lives of their employees. Plus, discover Troy’s top five best books for business leaders. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Troy-Meachum Classical Conversations® members—get started with the beta release of The Math Map: Naturals, an exclusive look into our upcoming math curriculum from Classical Conversations! To access these materials, log in to your CC Connected account, navigate to the Learning Center, and search for “The Math Map.”

It’s time for another stand-alone episode of current events and Classical Crypto! First, Robert analyzes why Ohio voters attempted to raise the threshold percentage for making amendments to their state’s constitution (an effort to protect abortion rights in their state). Then, Robert takes a closer look at the EU’s “quiet and slow” approach to deciding on a digital euro (a CBDC), considering why this proposal, made silently right before an election, seems a little off. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/devastating-blows-for-pro-life-and-financial-freedom Get tickets for the upcoming film Miracle in East Texas, directed by Kevin Sorbo and starring both Kevin and Sam Sorbo (a Classical Conversations® family), at SorboStudios.com.

What can we learn from reading (or listening to) historical fiction? In this episode, Robert interviews Jim Hodges of Jim Hodges Audiobooks, a beloved resource among families around the world, most notably for productions of the historical novels of G. A. Henty. Here, Jim discusses his life before founding Jim Hodges Audiobooks: what homeschooling was like in the 1980s as a military family, being a reluctant homeschooler turned homeschool advocate, and how one teacher’s encouragement changed the trajectory of his life. Later, he praises G. A. Henty’s historical fiction, sharing what these novels can teach readers about history and godly, heroic masculinity. With decades of experience reading and narrating both historical nonfiction and fiction, Jim also recalls the most important lessons he has learned from history. And finally, as one making a living from his passion, he offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/jim-hodges Join Leigh Bortins every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. eastern on the Words Aptly Spoken book club! To learn more, visit LeighBortins.com/book-club-info.

In this shorter-than-usual episode, Robert uses the fifteen tools of classical learning to understand current events and cryptocurrency. First, he examines why property taxes are causing citizens of blue cities to relocate to red states and how these property taxes are related to the government funding of private education through school vouchers. In the Classical Crypto segment, Robert goes back to the basics and explains why this segment is a part of Refining Rhetoric. He discusses the history of money and how Bitcoin solves many of the fiat-related problems that have been around since money first became a store of value. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/telling-the-future Get tickets for the upcoming film Miracle in East Texas, directed by Kevin Sorbo and starring both Kevin and Sam Sorbo (a Classical Conversations® family), at SorboStudios.com.

Our nation is only as great as our families. In this episode, Robert interviews pastor Allen Mashburn, running candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor. Allen is a pastor of over twenty-five years, a podcast host, and a homeschool dad. Here, Allen focuses on the importance of the nuclear family, the Christian’s and the church’s roles in politics (drawing from biblical examples), what it means to be the salt and light of the earth, and why he, as a pastor, is running for office. In addition, Robert and Allen discuss gun control and safety (including nuances like permitless carry), the next steps in fighting abortion post the Dobbs decision, spiritual warfare in politics, and why the 2024 presidential election may be the most important yet in our country. This is a conversation for more than just NC residents, addressing crucial issues at a national level. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/allen-mashburn Get your copy of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners today and start encouraging your children to develop strong learning habits early on at ScribblersatHome.com.

In this first-ever in-person episode, Robert interviews Sara Sullards, his Executive Assistant and a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate, about doing hard things for Christ. Encouraged by her parents and inspired by the book Do Hard Things, Sara was called to mission work at an early age. In this conversation, she describes how God strengthened her faith through mission trips to Alaska, how an intentional prayer life can make all the difference in one’s faith, and why teenagers should consider serving on mission trips, as well as suggesting a few ways parents can encourage their children to hone their spiritual gifts. In addition, Sara shares how she came to work for Classical Conversations and what it’s really like working at the home office. Post-interview, Robert considers whether businesses should adapt to using AI tools and Will recaps the recent BRICS summit and Bitcoin’s flash crash earlier this month. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Sara-Sullards Get your discount on Museum of the Bible tickets by logging into your CC Connected account, and learn more about what’s happening at the museum on their website at MuseumoftheBible.org.

Are Classical Conversations® students equipped to pursue their passions? Continuing this month’s theme of bringing Challenge students and graduates onto the show, Robert welcomes Mayson Foster, a flight instructor at Louisiana Tech University, to share about his journey from homeschooling to becoming a pilot. Mayson discusses the path to earning a pilot’s license, the value of his family’s support in this journey, and how being classically educated equipped him with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Plus, the two discuss the national shortage of commercial airline pilots and potential solutions to this crisis. From recalling his first flight to sharing the life lessons he has learned from flying, Mayson encourages Challenge students that achieving their dreams is possible. After their conversation, Robert analyzes the effects of the UPS shipping strike and Will discusses Twitter’s rebrand to X, the platform’s potential integration of XRP, and the crypto token Chainlink. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Mayson-Foster Join Leigh Bortins every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. eastern on the Words Aptly Spoken book club! To learn more, visit LeighBortins.com/book-club-info.

Is entrepreneurship a real career? In this conversation, Robert talks with Micah Burk, a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate and recent college graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, where she studied public communications and leadership development and served as student body president. Starting her first business at age eleven, Micah shares her experience finding her feet in the world of entrepreneurship—from founding a social media agency and landing a first client to viewing her business as a creative outlet and why rejecting clients is sometimes the best decision. In addition, Micah speaks to what it means to achieve success as a Christian, offers book recommendations (and general reading advice) for driven individuals, shares her thoughts on why teenagers should get involved in politics, and discusses the importance of knowing your “why” when it comes to achieving goals. Finally, Micah addresses a question on every homeschool parent’s mind for their student: did she feel prepared for college? After their conversation, Robert breaks down the Biden administration’s recent ban on incandescent light bulbs and examines the UK’s attempt to hold crypto memes up to financial guidelines. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Micah-Burk A Classical Conversations® parent who recently completed the Classical Learning Cohort said that the program helped her to become “a better communicator, listener, assessor, and teacher in [her] home with [her] girls.” To learn more about the Classical Learning Cohort, visit ClassicalConversations.com/Cohort.

The script is flipped in this episode as Robert takes the seat of the interviewee while Classical Conversations® Challenge student Dominic DiPiero asks him both professional and personal questions. In their quick conversation recorded at our 2022 National Conference, Robert shares his favorite part about working for Classical Conversations, what program he would go back and enroll in, advice for students entering Challenge, why Challenge graduates excel in the workplace, how he spends his spare time, and what Classical Conversations’ goals are for the long-term future. Post-interview, Robert uses the fifteen tools of learning to analyze the Hunter Biden/IRS situation and then considers Congressman Ritchie Torres’s view that the SEC should stop viewing cryptocurrencies as securities in the wake of the SEC v. Ripple case. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/dominic-dipiero Healthy assessments strengthen families. To learn which homeschool testing options are available for your student, visit classicalconversations.com/assessment-options.

August is CC student month! In this conversation, Robert speaks with Danielle Hodges, a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate currently enrolled at Truett McConnell University studying to become a biblical counselor. After experiencing firsthand God’s healing through biblical counseling during her teen years, she has made it a goal to pursue helping others in a similar way through a Christ-centered approach to counseling. Here, Danielle discusses the differences between secular and biblical counseling, examples of counseling in the Scriptures, why Gen Z members are making mental health issues part of their identities, resources and tactics for listeners to learn about biblical counseling and apply its principles in everyday conversations, and her thoughts on the causes and impacts of the teenage mental health crisis, considering whether or not social media is to blame. Plus, Danielle shares how God used her relationship with her mom to help her overcome anxiety as a teenager. Stay tuned after the interview as Robert examines whether recent inflation statistics are being falsely reported and Will celebrates the upcoming conclusion to the SEC v. Ripple case. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/danielle-hodges

What does learning true biblical theology at a college level look like? In this episode, Robert sits down with Dr. Samuel Bierig. A Classical Conversations® dad, Sam is the vice president of undergraduate studies, college dean, and assistant professor of biblical studies at Spurgeon College, a private Christian college in Kansas City, Missouri. In this conversation, Sam discusses what it means to be a good shepherd, the importance of hermeneutics and exegesis, balancing multiple responsibilities, strategies for reading the whole Bible in one year, why a college degree is still worth the cost, and all things Spurgeon College—including degrees, core values, and the school’s focus on the true biblical theology. After the interview, Robert explains why thousands of new jobs are affecting the stock market and examines Bitcoin’s recent 13-month high. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/samuel-bierig

What does it mean to offer students a “whole-person education”? In this third conversation in our college series this July, Robert sits down with Dr. Charles Scott, the Vice President of External Affairs at Oral Roberts University (ORU), a private Christian college located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, whose mission is “to develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole-person education to impact the world.” They discuss what a whole-person education looks like practically at ORU, what cultural challenges college students face today, how to prepare students for work as worship, how to engage Generation Z students for Christ, and how Christ-centered businesses can serve the community around them. After the interview, Robert addresses the lowest decline in writing and math scores in decades in the U.S. and Will explains Blackrock’s proposed Bitcoin ETF. Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/charles-scott