AACS Today

In this episode of AACS Today, Matt and Jamison sit down with Austin Erickson, Senior Strategic Manager at Turning Point USA. The discussion centers on the legacy of the late Charlie Kirk and the remarkable growth of Club America, TPUSA’s high school initiative.

Erickson shares how the organization has seen incredible growth following Kirk’s assassination, with chapters increasing from 1,200 to 3,000 as students respond with renewed engagement. 

The conversation highlights Club America’s mission: creating student-led spaces for dialogue on the Constitution and conservative values to prevent radicalization. The episode also explores the importance of integrating a biblical lens into the political realm to help students navigate cultural trends. For educators and students interested in launching a free chapter, this episode provides a clear roadmap for utilizing TPUSA's leadership resources and programs.

Olivia joins Matt and Jamison for some breaking news: the Youth Legislative Training Conference is officially now the Youth Legislative Development Conference (YLDC). Inspired by a conversation with a member of Congress regarding the dignity of human reason, the new name better reflects the program's focus on intellectual and character growth.

Based in Washington, D.C., the YLDC equips high school students for civic engagement and biblical leadership through a week-long mock senate, congressional briefings, and historic tours. This transformative experience encourages students to view government as a ministry and prepare for future leadership roles.

The program is fully scholarship-based, with donors covering all costs except travel. Nominations for students graduating in 2026–2028 are due to state offices by March 30th. Visit aacs.org to learn more about this life-changing opportunity to develop the next generation of Christian leaders.

In this episode, Matt and Jamison delve into recent Supreme Court arguments regarding laws in Idaho and West Virginia. These cases center on whether states can require student athletes to compete according to their biological sex rather than gender identity. The discussion examines the legal nuances of Title IX and the 14th Amendment, highlighting the critical need for a clear legal definition of "sex" that aligns with Scripture.

Jamison shares observations from a rally outside the Court, noting a significant cultural shift and the participation of prominent advocates like Riley Gaines.

Grounded in the biblical perspective that humans are "different by design," the episode argues that bodies play sports, while identities do not. Listeners will gain insight into the "axiomatic truths" of biological reality and the potential implications for the future of fair competition in women's sports.

This episode explores the shifting dynamics of the 119th Congress, focusing on what we can expect as we enter 2026. Jamison and Matt discuss the ongoing effort to wind down the Department of Education and the legislative push for "Reconciliation 2.0" to enhance school choice through the federal tax credit scholarship program.

The conversation further addresses cultural concerns, including large-scale fraud within Minnesota's childcare block grant system and the Trump administration's aggressive deregulation agenda

Finally, the hosts provide insights into landmark Supreme Court cases, such as West Virginia v. B.P.J. regarding biological sex in sports, Trump v. Barbara on birthright citizenship, and Charles v. Salazar concerning First Amendment and religious liberty protections. Stay informed on how these legal and political battles shape the future of Christian education and national identity.

On this episode, Matt and Jamison discuss the emerging federal school choice program, which is structured as a tax bill under the Treasury Department—not the Department of Education—and is projected to be a $25 billion annual initiative funded by private donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). The discussion centers on the crucial regulatory phase, where the Treasury Department is currently writing the program's rules and requesting public comments to determine participation criteria. The hosts also explore the political dynamics surrounding the federal program's requirement that governors must opt in annually, noting recent movements in Texas and Colorado. Finally, the efforts of the AACS office are detailed, including advocacy during the comment period and the establishment of the AACS Children's Scholarship Fund, anticipating the program’s effective date for receiving donations starting January 1, 2027.

Listeners are encouraged to leave comments about the program by clicking here.

On this episode, Jamison and Matt welcome Chloe Cole, an articulate 21-year-old woman passionately advocating against the practice of transitioning minors. Chloe shares her powerful, true story of undergoing medical gender transition between the ages of 12 and 16, which included puberty-suppressing drugs, high-dose testosterone, and a double mastectomy at age 15. She speaks with firsthand authority on the deeply traumatic effects of these "sex-denying procedures" and the consequences of medical professionals disregarding their oath to "do no harm."

Chloe shares the isolation and alienation experienced in public school settings, the challenge parents face when seeking expert advice that often pushed instant affirmation, and the importance of affirming God's design and restoring the sanctity of family. She offers vital counsel to parents, urging them to teach their children critical thinking to inoculate them against ideological deceptions prevalent online. Chloe concludes by discussing her legislative advocacy, including the Chloe Cole Act, a federal effort to allow those harmed as minors to seek legal justice by reforming medical malpractice statute of limitations. Her testimony highlights her journey of healing and redemption found through faith in Christ.

In this episode, Matt and Jamison discuss the significant next steps announced by Secretary Linda McMahon in the effort to close the Department of Education. Since permanent closure requires Congress, the department is moving programs through inter-agency agreements with several programs transferring to other agencies including the State Department and Department of Labor.

The hosts focus on the consequential move of elementary and secondary education to the Department of Labor, which raises concerns about balancing workforce preparation (like Career and Technical Education) with virtue development and knowledge acquisition. Programs statutorily required to remain at the DOE include the Office for Civil Rights (Title IX), Federal Student Aid, and Special Education. AACS schools are advised to anticipate changes regarding the administration of Title funding. The episode wraps up by celebrating Maureen Van Den Berg's 20-year milestone with AACS.

In this episode, Matt and Jamison welcome Texas State Senator Phil King—a respected Christian political leader representing constituents in Senate District 10—to discuss the major legislative battles shaping the state and the nation.

Senator King provides deep insight into the Ten Commandments bill, which mandates the posting of the commandments in Texas public schools, and the ongoing legal challenges at the Fifth Circuit.

The discussion pivots to the often-litigious and complex world of redistricting, including the effort to increase Republican congressional seats in Texas, and why Christians should be engaged in this political process

Finally, Senator King details the historic passing of Texas' school choice bill, the largest rollout of its kind in American history, explaining its goal to offer options, competition, and funding to families in poorly performing districts

This conversation underscores the "ministry of politics"—the duty of Christian men and women to be actively involved in government, an institution ordained by God for the good of society.

This episode of AACS Today dissects a public "dust up brewing" among conservative friends, viewed as a critical fight for the "soul of conservatism." The hosts analyze the debate over the quote "No enemies to my right" amidst current political realignments, discussing controversies involving key figures like Matt Walsh, Tucker Carlson, and the Heritage Foundation. Gain Christian perspective on this spiritual war and learn to discern truth by referencing the parables of the wheat and the tares and the sheep and the goats.

Trump versus Higher Education: Are colleges taking the bait? President Trump is using a high-stakes "carrot or the stick" approach to force reform. The stick? Civil rights investigations and taxing massive multi-billion-dollar endowments. The carrot? The Compact for Excellence in Higher Education. Signatories receive priority research grants for adopting merit-based admissions, freezing tuition costs, and protecting Title IX women's spaces from men. Only nine major institutions were offered this deal, and none have signed on as of yet. Critics claim Trump is politicizing federal funding. Don't miss AACS Today, Episode 103!