What if the test gatekeeping college admissions was designed to celebrate—not undermine—your classical education? Discover how one alternative is changing the game for homeschoolers and classical students across America. In this milestone episode, Robert Bortins sits down with Soren Schwab (VP of Partnerships) and Noah Tyler (CFO) from the Classical Learning Test to celebrate 10 years of offering an alternative to the College Board's monopoly. The conversation opens with a stunning revelation: after hiring David Coleman—the chief architect of Common Core—in 2015, the College Board transformed the SAT so dramatically that its longest reading passage is now between 25-125 words. That's literally the length of a tweet. This is what "college readiness" has become.

The CLT offers something radically different: Instead of politically biased content and tweet-length passages, students engage with C.S. Lewis, Aristotle, Dickens, and Abraham Lincoln. Parents report their children actually asking to read more after encountering authors on the test—something that would never happen with the SAT or ACT. And because homeschoolers can take it from home through video proctoring, test anxiety is significantly reduced.

What You'll Learn:

• How homeschoolers went from "a little weird" to the most sought-after students on college campuses
• The expansion story: from garage startup to 320+ accepting universities and recognition in 15 states
• Legislative victories breaking the College Board's monopoly in Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and beyond
• The exciting announcement about "Enduring Course Exams"—CLT's alternative to AP, starting with humanities subjects where the College Board's ideological capture is most egregious

Resources:

https://www.cltexam.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by: Classical Conversations Alumni Network

Classical Conversations launched its Alumni Network in May 2025, creating the first comprehensive platform for CC graduates and parents to stay connected beyond Challenge IV. Discover job opportunities, network with fellow alumni, and access exclusive content featuring CC success stories.

Learn more at https://ccalumni.network/ and join the community that's empowering CC alumni and parents to connect, thrive, and inspire through their shared legacy of Christian, classical education.

What if the people writing our laws aren't the ones we elected? The shocking truth about who really runs Washington—and how 22-year-olds shape policy that affects millions. Robert Bortins sits down with Ed Corrigan, President and CEO of the Conservative Partnership Institute, to pull back the curtain on how Washington really works. With over 25 years navigating Capitol Hill and leading the Trump transition team, Ed reveals why this administration hit the ground running while others floundered—and it's not what you think. Discover why congressional staffers in their early twenties wield enormous influence over the laws that govern our lives, how the conservative movement is building a "MAGA bench" to prevent future administrations from being sabotaged by the swamp, and what it really takes to drain those 50 state swamps across America. Ed explains the critical work of the State Freedom Caucus Network, the Election Integrity Network, and why training the next generation of conservative leaders might be the most important battle happening in D.C. right now. Plus, he shares insider details on the government shutdown, census manipulation affecting congressional representation, and practical advice for young people who want to make a real difference in politics.

Resources:

https://cpi.org/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

CC Graduate Certificate in Classical Studies

Classical Conversations is excited to announce the launch of our new accredited Graduate Certificate in Classical Studies, a 12-credit hour program designed specifically for homeschooling parents who want to deepen their understanding of classical Christian education. This graduate certificate program provides academic recognition for your dedication to classical learning while offering a pathway to advanced study through our partnership with Southeastern University.

Register today to secure your spot in this transformative educational experience.

https://ics.regfox.com/ma-certificate

Bitcoin hit $126,000... then crashed $23,000 in a single day. What happened? And more importantly, is this the top or just the beginning? In this episode, Robert unpacks the most volatile month in crypto history, reveals why gold is crushing every other investment in 2025, and explains what the global shift away from the U.S. dollar means for your money. If you're wondering whether to buy the dip or run for the hills, this episode is essential listening.

This episode contains commentary on financial markets and economic policy. None of the content should be considered financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with financial professionals before making investment decisions.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Classical Conversations Alumni Network

Classical Conversations launched its Alumni Network in May 2025, creating the first comprehensive platform for CC graduates and parents to stay connected beyond Challenge IV. Discover job opportunities, network with fellow alumni, and access exclusive content featuring CC success stories.

Learn more at https://ccalumni.network/ and join the community that's empowering CC alumni and parents to connect, thrive, and inspire through their shared legacy of Christian, classical education.

What if homeschooling your children could land you in jail? In 1984, that wasn't a hypothetical—it was reality. Discover how one mom's brave stand against a state superintendent's threats helped spark a movement that changed education in America forever.

Join Robert Bortins for a powerful conversation with homeschooling pioneer Zan Tyler, who began her journey in 1984 when the South Carolina State Superintendent of Education threatened her with jail for teaching her own children. This isn't just history—it's the remarkable story of how homeschooling went from illegal to celebrated in just four decades. Zan shares the incredible account of her "Patrick Henry moment" when she told the superintendent, "You'll just have to put me in jail then," and how a U.S. Senator's intervention kept her out of prison. But the legal battles were just beginning—it took eight years to get good homeschool legislation passed in South Carolina, and Zan was on the front lines the entire time.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The midnight knock on the door that launched an eight-year legislative battle
• How 125 letters (written on actual typewriters!) sparked a grassroots movement
• The cultural turning points that took homeschooling mainstream—from Columbine to COVID
• Why colleges now actively recruit homeschoolers (and what changed their minds)
• The surprising story of how the U.S. Military went from rejecting homeschool diplomas to recognizing homeschoolers as top performers
• Why new legislative threats are emerging even as homeschooling reaches record numbers
• The critical importance of staying vigilant and supporting state homeschool organizations

Zan's story is a testament to God's faithfulness, parental courage, and the power of grassroots advocacy. Whether you're a veteran homeschooler or just considering the journey, this conversation will inspire you to appreciate the freedom you have—and equip you to protect it for the next generation.

Resources:

https://zantyler.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by the Classical Learning Cohort:

Are you a CC parent or graduate wanting to become a more confident classical educator? Why not sample the CLC by attending a free, online "Experience the CLC" event at classicalconversations.com/cohort. Find a time that fits your schedule.

Young adults today are 1,600% more likely to identify as transgender than people over 50. Every family may not struggle with this issue—but every family will face it. Are you ready?

In this critical episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries and author of the new book Raising Gender Confident Kids, for an unflinching conversation about one of the most pressing challenges facing Christian families today. Dr. Myers reveals why gender ideology isn't just about elevating Pride Month—it's a calculated strategy to tear down the foundations of Western civilization and biblical worldview.

What You'll Discover:

• Why 39% of young adults now identify as LGBTQ—and what's driving this dramatic shift
• The shocking reality of "transgender recruitment" happening in public schools (and some private schools)
• How gender ideology functions as an anti-Christ religion with its own evangelism and discipleship steps
• Age-appropriate conversation strategies for elementary, middle school, and high school students
• Why middle schoolers are being specifically targeted before they complete puberty
• How to help your child respond when they can't tell if someone is a boy or a girl
• The biological truth: 6,500 cataloged differences between males and females—and why they're designed to harmonize
• Why teaching "Imago Dei" (being made in God's image) is now mission-critical for every Christian family

Dr. Myers doesn't sugarcoat the reality: this is a well-funded, strategic assault on the biblical understanding of humanity. But he also offers hope, practical tools, and a pathway for parents to raise children who are confident in God's good design—while showing Christ's love to a generation that's been tragically deceived.

Resources:

Raising Gender Confident Kids book - genderconfidentkids.com

https://www.summit.org/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

2026 Classical Conversations Family Cruise

Have you heard? The Classical Conversations 2026 CC Family Cruise will set sail on May 16, 2026. This exciting adventure is open to all CC families and alumni. It will include the National Memory Master Competition, National Commencement, and special CC family activities. Interest is booming with over 800 people interested in cruising with us and cabins are selling out fast!

Book your cabin now at www.classicalconversations.com/cruise-2026

Remember, to participate in the CC activities you need to book through the CC group. Grab your sunscreen, your beach bag. and join us on board!

He had never stepped in front of a camera before. He almost ignored the audition opportunity completely. But when Robert Amaya finally sent in that tape for Courageous, it launched a career that would transform both faith-based filmmaking and his own family forever.

In this inspiring episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with actor, speaker, and mentor Robert Amaya to discuss his journey in faith-based filmmaking and his experience as a Classical Conversations dad. Robert shares the miraculous story of how he landed his breakthrough role in Courageous despite having zero acting experience, and how working with the Kendrick Brothers became a "master class" in biblical manhood that changed his life forever.

What You'll Discover:

• The incredible "courtesy call rejection" that turned into Robert's first movie role
• Why working on faith-based film sets with the Kendrick and Erwin Brothers is different from Hollywood
• How Robert's faith journey transformed from church rebellion to using film as a platform for the gospel
• The void in Christian filmmaking—and what Robert's doing about it through Join Creators Call
• Practical advice for parents whose kids want to pursue acting (hint: start with children's theater!)
• Why Robert believes homeschooling through Classical Conversations has given his daughters skills that surpass what he had in 12th grade
• How CC community provides the support system that eliminates parents' fears of inadequacy
• The Lancaster Film Initiative—Robert's new nonprofit creating excellence in faith-based films with profit-sharing for all involved

Robert's transparency about raising two talented daughters in the entertainment industry while maintaining strong family values and a classical education offers both practical wisdom and genuine encouragement. His motto says it all: "Faith, family, and fun."

Resources:

https://joincreatorscall.com/

Robert Amaya's IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3892002/

Robert Amaya's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realrobertamaya

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by the Classical Learning Cohort:

Are you a CC parent or graduate wanting to become a more confident classical educator? Why not sample the CLC by attending a free, online "Experience the CLC" event at classicalconversations.com/cohort. Find a time that fits your schedule.

What if everything you thought you knew about the Bible's structure was making it harder to understand God's story? Pastor, author, and Bible engagement architect Randy Frazee joins host Robert on Refining Rhetoric to discuss why so many Christians—even those in Bible-believing churches—can't articulate the basic narrative of Scripture. The problem isn't a lack of commitment; it's how the Bible is organized.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• · Why chronological Bible reading changes everything (and how The Story makes it accessible)
• · What really happens after you die—and why most Christians have it backwards
• · The surprising biblical truth: heaven isn't the final destination (hint: read Revelation 21-22)
• · Why the Garden of Eden matters for understanding eternity on the new earth
• · How Paul wrote the ultimate treatise on joy... from prison
• · The neuroscience that validates ancient biblical wisdom about depression and anxiety
• · Why gratitude is the #1 weapon against worry (backed by both Philippians and brain science)
• · The loneliness epidemic destroying Americans—and how proximity creates real community
• · Practical ways homeschoolers can combat isolation and build deeper connections

Randy brings decades of pastoral wisdom, research-backed insights, and a refreshing perspective on biblical literacy. From explaining why Psalm 51 should be read right after 2 Samuel 11 (David's confession after his fall with Bathsheba) to unpacking why we'll still struggle at golf in the new kingdom (yes, really), this conversation bridges ancient truth and modern science.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

2026 Classical Conversations Family Cruise

Have you heard? The Classical Conversations 2026 CC Family Cruise will set sail on May 16, 2026. This exciting adventure is open to all CC families and alumni. It will include the National Memory Master Competition, National Commencement, and special CC family activities. Interest is booming with over 800 people interested in cruising with us and cabins are selling out fast!

Book your cabin now at www.classicalconversations.com/cruise-2026

Remember, to participate in the CC activities you need to book through the CC group. Grab your sunscreen, your beach bag. and join us on board!

What if the virtue we've been taught to prize above all others—empathy—has become a weapon that's destroying our families, churches, and society? In this thought-provoking episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Joe Rigney, author of the controversial new book "The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits." Dr. Rigney, who serves as Fellow of Theology at New St. Andrews College and is a pastor at Christ's Church, makes a bold argument that will challenge everything you think you know about compassion. Using the powerful analogy of someone drowning in quicksand, Dr. Rigney distinguishes between biblical compassion—which reaches out to help while remaining anchored to truth—and what he calls "untethered empathy," which jumps into the pit with both feet, creating two drowning victims instead of one. This counterfeit virtue, he argues, has been weaponized across cultural battlegrounds from immigration and abortion to the transgender movement, demanding that we validate feelings regardless of truth or moral consequences. The conversation explores how this emotional manipulation has infiltrated churches, schools, and homes through Social Emotional Learning curricula, creating what Dr. Rigney calls "the institutionalization of the pity party." From the redefinition of marriage to the mutilation of confused children in the name of "gender-affirming care," he traces how untethered empathy leads through a predictable progression: pity to anger to cruelty—all while flying the banner of compassion.

Resources:

https://x.com/joe_rigney

https://canonpress.com/products/the-sin-of-empathy

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by the Classical Learning Cohort:

Are you a CC parent or graduate wanting to become a more confident classical educator? Why not sample the CLC by attending a free, online "Experience the CLC" event at classicalconversations.com/cohort. Find a time that fits your schedule.

In the aftermath of tragedy, the internet becomes a breeding ground for speculation, conspiracy theories, and misinformation—but how do we navigate these waters wisely? Cold case detective J. Warner Wallace returns to Refining Rhetoric to discuss the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk, offering crucial insights on distinguishing between what we can know from public information versus unfounded theories that spread online. Wallace explains why detectives withhold information during investigations, how to evaluate claims about shooting feasibility and evidence, and why complexity isn't usually the answer in criminal cases. The conversation moves beyond the specifics to address deeper questions about identity, martyrdom, and how our worldview shapes our response to violence. Wallace emphasizes that Charlie's identity was rooted in Christ first, with his political views flowing from that foundation. The episode concludes with practical advice for parents on helping children process tragedy and ground their identity in something transcendent rather than political or cultural groups. Wallace also discusses his new graphic novel "Case Files: Murder and Meaning" co-written with his son Jimmy, which explores themes of identity and human value through a criminal investigation narrative.

Resources:

https://coldcasechristianity.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

2026 Classical Conversations Family Cruise

Have you heard? The Classical Conversations 2026 CC Family Cruise will set sail on May 16, 2026. This exciting adventure is open to all CC families and alumni. It will include the National Memory Master Competition, National Commencement, and special CC family activities. Interest is booming with over 800 people interested in cruising with us and cabins are selling out fast!

Book your cabin now at www.classicalconversations.com/cruise-2026

Remember, to participate in the CC activities you need to book through the CC group.

Grab your sunscreen, your beach bag. and join us on board!

Everyone's talking about AI replacing jobs, but here's what they're missing: the real danger isn't AI taking over—it's our children never learning to think for themselves. Classical education might just be the key to thriving in an AI-dominated world. In this thought-provoking episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins dives deep into artificial intelligence and its implications for families, education, and society. With the Trump administration pushing AI as a solution to national debt and economic challenges, Robert examines both the promises and perils of this technological revolution. From data privacy concerns and the staggering energy demands of AI infrastructure to its potential impact on childhood development and learning, Robert offers a balanced perspective on navigating this new landscape. He shares practical insights on when and how to use AI tools effectively while emphasizing why the struggle of learning remains irreplaceable. This episode is essential listening for parents wondering how AI will affect their children's education and future opportunities, offering both warnings and wisdom for the road ahead.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Trump administration's AI strategy and national security implications
• Data privacy, intellectual property, and energy infrastructure challenges
• AI in education: personalized learning vs. relationship-based teaching
• Why experts benefit from AI while novices suffer
• Practical guidelines for using AI tools safely and effectively
• The irreplaceable value of struggle and the learning journey
• How classical education prepares students for an AI-integrated world

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by the Classical Learning Cohort:

Are you a CC parent or graduate wanting to become a more confident classical educator? Why not sample the CLC by attending a free, online "Experience the CLC" event at classicalconversations.com/cohort. Find a time that fits your schedule.