Cracker Barrel’s new logo now looks like its old logo. Why do people fight over symbols?

Parental pause point questions:

1. Why was there so much controversy over a logo, a symbol? (1:22)

2. If symbols provide meaning to a people, what happens when some in the society seek to change those symbols or tear them down? (3:40)

Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and teens to find 20 (or 30 minutes) to dig into a political topic. But we need to have meaningful discussions become part of our weekly routine.

That’s where Victor’s “Pointed” series comes in. Every week, Victor will share a thought-provoking quote. It’s a great way to ensure connection during even the busiest weeks.

A new episode of “Pointed” will be available every Friday morning.

Trump said he could bring down crime in DC and he did -- in a big way. Does that mean Trump should expand this strategy to other high-crime cities?

Victor offers a strong argument for doing so, but then looks at the downside -- and it is significant. He also looks at why it's so unusual for a political debate to produce a clear answer so quickly.

Parental pause point questions:

1. What, if anything, have you heard about crime in D.C. since Trump took over? (1:43)

2. Can you think of another hot button political issue that involves multiple factors? (7:42)

3. Should Trump send in troops to reduce crime in Chicago? (10:47)

4. Which of The Great 8 questions apply here? (16:20)

5. Do you think it's right to abide by a principle even if it means that people will die? (20:22)

The Great 8 questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

5. What do you mean by that?

6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic?

7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument?

8. What does the Bible say?

We are taking a slight break from political topics look briefly at the life of Dr. James Dobson. But first, Victor looks at two objections teenagers might have to learning from the example of others. After responding to those concerns, Victor looks at three powerful lessons we can all learn from Dr. Dobson.

Parental pause point questions:

1. What's a way, teens, that you are different from your parents? And what's a way that you are similar? (4:30)

2. Have you ever avoided a bad outcome because you saw and learned from someone else's mistake? (8:19)

3. Have you ever been called to do something by the Lord, but you haven't been sure why? (14:38)

4. How do you think Dr. Dobson's father felt about this career move? (16:36)

5. When you die, what are three ways you want to be remembered? And what is one change you can make today to bring yourself closer to that goal? (22:22)

The Great 8 questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

5. What do you mean by that?

6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic?

7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument?

8. What does the Bible say?

Can a business do more to help the poor than a person who society deems compassionate? Absolutely.

Parental pause point questions:

1. How do successful businesses and entrepreneurs help the poor? (1:14)

2. Is it possible to make money and make someone else’s life better off? (2:39)

3. How does this Thomas Sowell quote change your view of people running a business? (3:10)

Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and teens to find 20 (or 30 minutes) to dig into a political topic. But we need to have meaningful discussions become part of our weekly routine.

That’s where Victor’s “Pointed” series comes in. Every week, Victor will share a thought-provoking quote. It’s a great way to ensure connection during even the busiest weeks.

A new episode of “Pointed” will be available every Friday morning.

There are many objections to the death penalty, but there are good answers to those arguments, as Victor shares. He also lays out why the death penalty should remain an option.

Parental pause point questions:

1. Do you think your state should have the death penalty? (5:19)

2. What would you say to someone who quoted Scripture to oppose the death penalty? (7:19)

3. Which anti-death penalty argument do you find the most convincing and why? (10:52)

4. Do you think the death penalty would be more of a deterrent if it were applied to more murderers? (16:17)

5. Have your thoughts changed on the death penalty? If so, how? (25:02)

The Great 8 questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

5. What do you mean by that?

6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic?

7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument?

8. What does the Bible say?

President Donald Trump argues that more law enforcement is the key to reducing crime. Others claim we need social workers and better crime prevention efforts.

Victor makes the case for the former, including an argument based on The Great 8. Then he explains the problems with a soft-on-crime approach. Finally, he lays out why sending criminals to jail reduces crime.

Parental pause point questions:

1. Which approach is better: Addressing root causes or tough sentences for criminals? (7:42)

2. Which of The Great 8 questions applies to these arguments? (12:59)

3. Is there a principle involved in how criminals are punished? (16:09)

4. What happens when criminals realize that they'll only receive a slap on the wrist for their crimes? (18:28)

5. What happens when you or a sibling realize your parents aren't enforcing a rule they've laid out? (20:32)

Sharpening Arrows is now available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sharpeningarrows

The Great 8 questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

5. What do you mean by that?

6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic?

7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument?

8. What does the Bible say?

This advice from Warren Buffett could change your life. At the least, it's worth considering

Pause point questions:

1. Even if you disagree with Buffett, how could saying no to things make someone more successful? (2:02)

2. Is there something you should say no to this year? (2:28)

Judging people based on merit produces racial disparities. Is that a cause for concern?

To discuss this, Victor dives into a case study involving NYC high schools. He first makes the case that racial disparities prove there is racial discrimination. He then exposes the many flaws in that argument. He ends with compelling evidenced debunking this notion from Thomas Sowell's wonderful book "Discrimination and Disparities."

Parental pause point questions:

1. Have you ever been curious about something but not wanted to engage in a conversation because you feared someone’s reaction? (1:09)

2. How many offers to Stuyvesant High School went to white students? (4:49)

3. Aside from racism, can you think of other reasons why NYC high schools would have this racial disparity? (10:07)

4. What are some ways that people are different from each other? (12:57)

5. Is it possible to have equal opportunity and equal outcomes? Should government policy focus on equal opportunity or equal outcomes? (26:10)

The Great 8 questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

5. What do you mean by that?

6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic?

7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument?

8. What does the Bible say?

Is gerrymandering the end of democracy? Many Democrats claim so -- at least when Texas does it.

Victor explains what gerrymandering is and why there's such a big fight about who draws congressional districts. He lays out three common arguments against what Texas Republicans are doing and then explains why they don't hold up to scrutiny.

Parental pause point questions:

1. Why is there a big fight about who gets to draw congressional lines? (10:11)

2. When you think gerrymandering first started in America? (15:26)

3. Which of The Great 8 questions applies to these arguments? (17:15)

4. After hearing this, do you believe what's happening in Texas threatens democracy? (28:17)

The Great 8 questions:

1. What happens next?

2. Has this been tried before?

3. Is there a principle involved?

4. What are the trade-offs?

5. What do you mean by that?

6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic?

7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument?

8. What does the Bible say?

200 years ago, Americans defined education very differently and it's worth looking at the difference.

Pause point questions:

1. How would the world be different, if our society still held to the 1828 definition of education? (3:45)

2. Are there any changes you want to incorporate as you think about this year of education? (3:54)

3. Do you agree that a religious education is indispensable? Why or why not? (4:18)

Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and teens to find 20 (or 30 minutes) to dig into a weighty political topic. But we need to have meaningful discussions become part of our weekly routine.

That’s where Victor’s new series “Pointed” comes in. Every week, Victor will share a thought-provoking and brief passage. It’s a great way to ensure connection during even the busiest weeks.

A new episode of “Pointed” will be available every Friday morning.