Raising Boys to Become Godly Men with Mark Hancock
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.
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Is Gen Z Ready to Transform Political Engagement?
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 and debate, the importance of Christians participating in the democratic process, and why today's youth should be held to higher standards. Learn about TeenPact's unique approach to teaching students about government branches, lobbying, and the political process through week-long state classes and national conventions. Episode Sponsored by: Classical Conversations Foundation https://teenpact.com/ Mark your calendar for the 2025 National Commencement, May 16-17, 2025, in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! This is a time for Classical Conversations families from around the nation to celebrate the hard work with fellow families on the homeschooling journey. Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/
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“Christians Are Boring Because They're Afraid”: N.D. Wilson Gets Real
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 should embrace wonder rather than fear. Wilson shares insights on raising children to be confident in their faith, creating joyful Sabbath traditions, and his work on nature documentaries like “Riot and the Dance” that present creation from a Christian perspective. https://ndwilson.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 and take advantage of savings of up to $30 off in April.
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Public School Exit: Helping Christian Families Find Educational Freedom
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 families transition their children from government schools to homeschooling or private Christian education. Dran shares alarming statistics about faith loss, bullying, and inappropriate content in public schools, discusses the concerning curriculum trends across districts nationwide, and offers practical resources for parents looking to make the transition. Learn how Public School Exit serves as a clearinghouse of information, providing step-by-step guides and partnerships with quality educational alternatives like Classical Conversations. https://www.publicschoolexit.com/ 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.
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Where Your Money Sleeps Matters: Christian Banking in a Secular World
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 choices. "Your money doesn't just sit there," Frank explains, highlighting how deposits at major banks fund initiatives that may contradict Christian beliefs. The conversation explores faith-based banking alternatives, adoption financing opportunities, and practical wisdom for teaching children financial literacy—all while weaving in classical education principles. America’s Christian Credit Union is proud to partner with Classical Conversations to provide a full suite of banking services to CC communities across the country. Whether you’re a Licensed Director looking for better business banking or a family seeking a financial partner that shares your values, we are here to serve. We invite you to join ACCU and enjoy the many benefits of membership, including competitive returns on deposits, low-rate loans, and a nationwide network of shared branches and surcharge-free ATMs via the Co-Op Network. Click here to learn more.
Refining Rhetoric with CEO Robert Bortins. A podcast where faith, business, politics, and classical education meet. Join us as we use the Classical tools of rhetoric to seek truth in every arena of life.
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