Conversations That Matter

Why are more Christian families choosing to homeschool their children? And what should parents know before making the decision?

On this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Brad Stafford, father of eight and founder of Anyone Can Homeschool, about the growing interest in homeschooling, the shortcomings of conventional education, and the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children's education.

Brad explains how the COVID era prompted many families to reconsider their educational choices and why first-time homeschoolers often struggle to navigate the overwhelming number of curricula, programs, and opinions available online. He also discusses the benefits of homeschooling for family relationships, the concerns surrounding college, and the importance of cultivating independent thinking rather than simply reproducing the structure of public school at home.

The conversation also examines the role of the local church in supporting homeschooling families without losing sight of its primary responsibilities, the dangers of homeschooling influencers and unrealistic social media portrayals, and how experienced homeschoolers can help younger families develop confidence and practical wisdom.

Brad shares how Anyone Can Homeschool seeks to provide parents with practical guidance, mentoring, and a clearer starting point for educating their children.

Topics covered:

- Why homeschooling grew after COVID

- Christian parents and the responsibility to educate their children

- How to choose homeschooling curricula without becoming overwhelmed

- The role of churches and pastors in supporting homeschool families

- Homeschooling, family relationships, and generational continuity

- College, career preparation, and alternative educational paths

- How to avoid replicating public school at home

- The problems with homeschooling influencers and social media comparison

- Practical guidance for families beginning their homeschooling journey

Learn more about Brad Stafford's work:

Anyone Can Homeschool: https://anyonecanhomeschool.com/

Learn more about Jon Harris's work:

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00:00 Introduction: Why Homeschooling Is Growing

01:12 Why COVID Changed Parents' Minds About School

06:22 Choosing Curricula Without Getting Overwhelmed

09:38 Should Churches Support Homeschooling?

15:42 The Benefits of Homeschooling for Families

20:16 College, Careers, and Alternative Paths

30:04 How Anyone Can Homeschool Helps Parents

34:05 Avoiding the Mistakes of Public School at Home

36:17 Homeschool Influencers and the Social Media Trap

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This week on Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in Christian institutions, conservative politics, and the broader cultural landscape.

Christianity Today faces questions about its leadership and direction. Point Loma Nazarene University draws criticism for inviting a controversial poet, while Vanderbilt Divinity School promotes solidarity circles and a solidarity economy. We also examine the controversy surrounding Samuel Sey's arrest by ICE, the online reaction, and why Christians should resist the temptation to rejoice over another family's hardship.

Other topics include allegations about James Lindsay's personal conduct, internal conflict within the Old Glory Club over America and Israel, and the broader rightward political shift across South America. Brazil's election raises questions about the future of conservative politics and the country's evangelical community.

Finally, we cover the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security concern and a Christian rapper's decision to cancel a concert over pornographic imagery at the venue.

In this episode:

- Christianity Today and the state of evangelical journalism

- Point Loma Nazarene University and a controversial poetry invitation

- Vanderbilt Divinity School's solidarity circles

- Samuel Sey, ICE, immigration law, and Christian charity

- James Lindsay and questions of personal character

- The Old Glory Club's internal conflict

- South America's rightward political shift and Brazil's election

- Confucius Institutes and national security

- Christian rapper Hulvey cancels a concert over pornographic imagery

- New content from Truthscript

Subscribe to Conversations That Matter for thoughtful Christian commentary on politics, culture, and the church.

#Christianity #Politics #ChristianCommentary #NewsRoundup

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00:00 Introduction and Announcements

00:48 Point Loma Nazarene University's Controversial Poet

03:43 Vanderbilt Divinity School's Solidarity Circles

08:00 Christianity Today in Turmoil

18:24 Samuel Sey Arrested by ICE: The Controversy

33:57 James Lindsay's Personal Conduct

35:04 The Old Glory Club's Internal Conflict

37:15 South America's Rightward Shift and Brazil's Election

41:22 Confucius Institutes, Hulvey, and Truthscript

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What did the NatCon conference in Jerusalem reveal about the future of nationalism, liberalism, and the relationship between Israel and the West?

In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Dr. Avital Levi, director of educational programs at the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, about her presentation at the National Conservatism Conference and the controversies surrounding the event.

Dr. Levi explains why liberal individualism struggles to sustain social cohesion, why nations need shared histories and traditions, and how the biblical account of nationhood offers an alternative to both radical individualism and political universalism. The conversation explores the relationship between family, nation, religion, and political order, as well as the influence of liberal ideas on Israeli society.

Jon and Dr. Levi also discuss the debate surrounding Israel's relationship with the United States, the controversy over public figures such as Tucker Carlson, accusations of antisemitism, and the importance of evaluating international alliances in light of both moral principles and national interests.

Finally, they consider the future of Christian influence in the West and why the recovery of a shared Christian inheritance matters for the political and cultural health of Western nations.

**Topics include:**

- The NatCon conference in Jerusalem

- Liberalism and the social contract

- National identity, family, and shared traditions

- Biblical nationhood and the Tower of Babel

- Israel, nationalism, and immigration

- Tucker Carlson and the debate over antisemitism

- The U.S.-Israel relationship and national interests

- Christianity and the future of Western civilization

Subscribe to *Conversations That Matter* for thoughtful discussions about Christianity, politics, theology, and Western civilization.

00:00 Introduction: Avital Levi and the NatCon Conference

04:30 Liberalism and the Problem of Individualism

09:00 Loyalty, Tragedy, and National Solidarity

14:00 Family, Marriage, and the Foundations of Society

19:00 Abraham, Babel, and Biblical Nationhood

28:00 Nationalism, Religion, and Self-Governing Nations

37:00 Christianity's Influence on Western Culture

44:00 Political Involvement and the NatCon Movement

49:00 Tucker Carlson, Antisemitism, and the NatCon Controversy

54:00 The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Interests and Alliances

64:00 Christian Ethics and Difficult Foreign Policy Questions

78:00 Restoring Christianity and Supporting Israel

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What happens when Christians bring their understanding of human nature, theology, and the good life into the worlds of business, technology, and politics?

In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, I sit down with Nate Fischer, co-founder of New Founding and a founding backer of American Reformer, to discuss how Christians can move beyond building niche alternatives and start shaping the future of America.

Nate explains how independent thinking helped shape his career as an investor, why Christian theology has practical implications for business decisions, and how New Founding identifies opportunities at the intersection of cultural change, politics, and entrepreneurship.

We also discuss the limits of conventional Christian approaches to business, the future of artificial intelligence, the decline of social trust, building communities rooted in the American way of life, and why people increasingly need to evaluate public figures by whether they have genuine skin in the game.

Finally, we consider how Christians should approach controversial ideas, institutional stewardship, and the responsibility to build rather than simply criticize.

Topics include:

- Why independent thinking matters in business and politics

- New Founding and its vision for America

- Christian anthropology and artificial intelligence

- Why Christian businesses need more than a Christian label

- The decline of social trust and the search for community

- Skin in the game, credibility, and the future of public discourse

- How Christians can build institutions that shape the future

Learn more:

New Founding: https://newfounding.com  

American Reformer: https://americanreformer.org

Follow Nate Fischer on X: @NateAFisher

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00:00 Introduction to Nate Fischer

01:20 Independent Thinking and the Path to Investing

05:00 From Business to Politics

08:00 Why Christian Theology Matters for Business

16:00 New Founding and American Reformer

23:06 Venture Capital, Startups, and Building Communities

42:10 Skin in the Game in the Age of AI and Social Media

44:00 Performative Outrage and Genuine Risk

1:03:09 Israel, Political Labels, and Productive Debate

1:15:08 Stewarding Imperfect Institutions and the Christian View of AI

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Democratic candidates with pastoral backgrounds are running competitive campaigns in traditionally Republican states, using Christian language to promote progressive political positions. What does this development mean for American Christians, and how should we understand the rise of the religious left?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines four candidates running for federal office in Texas, Kansas, and Iowa: James Talarico, Adam Hamilton, Sarah Trone Garriott, and Lindsay James.

Although these candidates often present themselves as moderate, bipartisan, and guided by Christian values, their positions on abortion, transgender issues, climate change, and social justice raise important questions about the relationship between progressive politics and historic Christian teaching.

Jon explores their public statements, theological backgrounds, and political strategies, including their criticism of Christian nationalism and their appeals to the gospel, compassion, and the common good.

The broader concern is not simply electoral politics. It is the way political movements can use familiar Christian language to persuade believers that particular policies follow from the gospel. Christians need biblical discernment to distinguish genuine Christian teaching from political programs presented in religious terms.

The episode concludes by considering what Republicans can learn from these candidates' communication strategies and why character, moral credibility, and a clear defense of Christian principles matter in public life.

In this episode:

- The rise of Democratic candidates with pastoral backgrounds

- James Talarico's campaign and his criticism of Christian nationalism

- Adam Hamilton's progressive theology and political positions

- Sarah Trone Garriott and Lindsay James in Iowa

- The relationship between social justice, the social gospel, and Christian teaching

- Why a moderate tone can make progressive policies more appealing

- How Christians can develop discernment and evaluate political claims

- What conservative candidates can learn from the religious left

For more:

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#Christianity #Politics #ReligiousLeft

00:00 The New Face of the Religious Left

05:06 Why Christians Should Pay Attention

12:18 The Rise of Democratic Pastors

17:03 James Talarico and Christian Nationalism

32:00 Adam Hamilton and Progressive Christianity

40:46 Sarah Trone Garriott and the Religious Left

46:40 Lindsay James and the Social Gospel

52:57 How Progressive Pastors Appeal to Voters

54:46 What Republicans Should Learn from the Religious Left

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In this News Roundup, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in American politics, the Christian church, and the broader cultural landscape. From the controversy surrounding YouTube’s copyright complaint against *All Are Not Welcome* to the biblical case for capital punishment, this episode examines the ideas and institutions shaping America’s future.

Jon discusses the United Nations’ pandemic preparedness resolution and the U.S. decision to oppose it, a recent school shooting and the role of armed citizens in stopping violence, and a new report examining suicide rates following restrictions on transgender medical procedures for minors.

In evangelical news, Southern Baptist Convention President Willie Rice calls on pastors to engage in the political process ahead of the midterm elections. Jon also examines the latest legal developments involving McLean Bible Church and considers whether growing public expressions of Christian faith in the music industry point to a broader cultural shift.

Topics covered:

- YouTube’s copyright complaint against All Are Not Welcome

- The biblical case for capital punishment and public accountability

- The Pope’s opposition to the death penalty and American sovereignty

- The United Nations’ pandemic preparedness resolution

- A school shooting and the role of armed citizens

- New findings on restrictions on transgender medical interventions for minors

- Willie Rice, the SBC, and Christian political engagement

- The latest McLean Bible Church legal developments

- Billy Corgan, Kid Rock, and the growing visibility of Christian faith in music

Jon's Music: jonharristunes.com

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00:00 Introduction and News Roundup (Low Bandwidth)

04:57 YouTube Targets All Are Not Welcome

09:01 The Death Penalty, the Bible, and Public Justice

17:42 The Pope, Capital Punishment, and American Sovereignty

20:05 The UN Pandemic Resolution and Medical Freedom

22:43 School Shooting: The Good Guy with a Gun

24:20 Report on Transgender Treatment Bans and Suicide Rates

25:36 Willie Rice Calls Southern Baptists to Political Engagement

27:49 McLean Bible Church: Latest Legal Developments

30:21 Billy Corgan, Kid Rock, and Christianity in Music

36:12 Midterm Elections and Audience Questions

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Why is Northern Ireland still comparatively Christian while the Republic of Ireland has seen such a dramatic collapse in Christian practice and cultural influence?

I talk with Pastor @j_bambrick about conversion, discipleship, Christian institutions, free speech, Enoch Burke, and what Christians in America can learn from Ireland.

00:00 — Why Talk About Christianity Outside America?

01:28 — Meet Pastor Jamie Bambrick

03:04 — Why Northern Ireland Remains More Christian

06:30 — How Ireland Lost Its Christian Culture

09:02 — Institutions Are Not Enough Without Conversion

11:17 — The Troubles and Northern Ireland’s Christian Identity

14:00 — Christian Nationalism and the Need for Discipleship

17:34 — Enoch Burke and the Fight Over Free Speech

24:01 — Northern Ireland Faces the Same Cultural Pressures

52:56 — Are Young Men Returning to Church?

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What did the Mexican-American War have to do with the Civil War, Manifest Destiny, Texas, California, and the modern American Southwest?

Jon Harris sits down with Thomas Wayne Riley of the American Southwest Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the Mexican-American War and the history that shaped the American Southwest.

The discussion begins with the enormous territorial consequences of the war and the idea of Manifest Destiny, before examining the border dispute that sparked the conflict and the American campaign into Mexico. They discuss the Mexican frontier, Texas independence, California, Mormon settlement, the growth of American communities in the Southwest, and the many future Civil War generals who gained military experience during the Mexican-American War.

The conversation also explores the war's connection to American expansion and imperialism, the San Patricio Battalion, the changing population of the Southwest, and the much older history of the region.

This is a conversation about the history between the American Revolution and the Civil War that is often overlooked, and why understanding that history helps explain the United States and the Southwest today.

00:00 – Introduction: The Mexican-American War and Modern America

06:00 – The Forgotten America Between the Revolution and Civil War

07:14 – Manifest Destiny and America's Expansion West

13:26 – How the Mexican-American War Began

20:35 – Life on the Mexican Frontier

24:21 – Population, Settlement, and the Growth of the Southwest

28:00 – Texas, California, and Mormon Settlement

35:00 – The Mexican War: Training Ground for Civil War Generals

42:02 – America's First Foray Into Imperialism?

52:58 – The San Patricio Battalion, Borders, and the Modern Southwest

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Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuWSPoH3ncE

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