The Narrative with Aaron Baer

This week on The Narrative, Dr. Carrie Mendoza, an emergency medicine and toxicology physician, joins CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews to unpack how we went from the opioid epidemic to the gender "medicine" scandal revealed by the leaked WPATH Files.

Before the conversation, the men also discuss Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted's proposal to restrict students' cell phone use at school. Don't forget to vote in the Ohio Presidential Primary Election this weekend or on Tuesday, March 19!

More about Dr. Carrie Mendoza

Carrie D. Mendoza, MD, is the former Director of FAIR in Medicine with the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, the current Director of Genspect USA, and a practicing emergency medicine physician with over 20 years of experience working in rural, suburban, and urban hospitals treating everything from snakebites to gunshot wounds to Covid-19 patients. Her practical experience provides unique insights into the American medical system and how the modern healthcare bureaucracy can scale harmful policies while ignoring the negative side effects. 

Note: An unforeseen technical issue occurred during the conversation with Dr. Mendoza. You may notice the men's audio quality is below our usual standards, but we have identified the problem and how to prevent it in future episodes. In spite of the issue, we know you will find Dr. Mendoza's comments insightful and helpful.

🔊 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll be answering your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode next week, so send in your questions now.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at [email protected].

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

⭐️ How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cultural elites claim marriage is obsolete, but recent data shows: 

• Children who grow up with a married mom and dad overcome poverty at high rates
• Boys from intact families are more likely to graduate high school than go to jail
• Married Christian women report the highest levels of relational satisfaction

Brad Wilcox, a sociologist and Director of the National Marriage Project, joins CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews on The Narrative to reveal the power of marriage to break the poverty cycle and create thriving, stable communities.

Aaron and David also discuss the leaked files from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which prove that the so-called global authority on "gender medicine" doesn't meet the standards of evidence-based care.

Want more? Check out these resources that are mentioned during the episode:

• See Brad's work and check out his book, Get Married: Why Americans Should Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization. You can also keep up with Brad on X (formerly Twitter), @BradWilcoxIFS.
• Review the Harvard study on upward mobility, Where is the Land of Opportunity: The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in the United States. The study's conclusions on family structure affecting upward mobility are on pages 5 and 41.
• Read Tyler O'Neil's Liver Cancer in Teens, Reduced Sexual Function, Lack of Consent: Internal Docs Reveal Experimental Nature of ‘Gender-Affirming Care.’
• Listen to Abigail Shrier talk with Bari Weiss in her podcast episode, Why the Kids Aren't Alright, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

In light of the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling to allow parents to sue for wrongful death if their frozen embryos are destroyed, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews are joined this week on The Narrative by Emma Waters from The Heritage Foundation to discuss the unregulated, Big Money practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Emma and the men break down information about IVF that Christians and all pro-life proponents should know, from physical risks and complications to the many ethical, moral, and theological issues involved.

For more information, check out these resources that are mentioned during the episode:

• Read Emma's IVF explainer articles in American Reformer and World Magazine.
• Review the Alabama Supreme Court ruling.
• Watch Jennifer Lahl's 2010 documentary, Eggsploitation.
• Read the 1992 Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act (FCSRCA, or Public Law 102-493).
• Review the CDC's 2021 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Fertility Clinic and National Summary Report.
• Learn more about the pro-IVF bills the Alabama General Assembly are trying to pass to remove the protections the Supreme Court instituted.

More about Emma Waters

Emma Waters is a Research Associate for the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion and Family at The Heritage Foundation. Her work focuses on marriage and family, sex and gender, and assisted reproductive technology policy. Emma is also a Visiting Fellow with Independent Women’s Forum and a monthly contributor with World magazine.

Emma lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and their daughter. You can find her on Twitter @emlwaters.

Today on The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews, and Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) discuss the biggest public corruption scandal in Ohio history: the scandal around former House Bill 6. With headlines announcing new indictments everyday, The Narrative unpacks the story.

Before the conversation, the men discuss a new gambling survey showing that 1 in 5 Ohioans are at-risk or problem gamblers. With the legalization of sports betting last year, these numbers are likely to only get worse. For more information, listen to "The Truth About Gambling with Les Bernal."

More about Rep. Brian Stewart

State Representative Brian Stewart is currently serving his second term representing the 12th Ohio House District. Additionally, Rep. Stewart maintains a successful law practice representing businesses and individuals as the owner of The Law Office of Brian Stewart, LLC in Circleville.

Rep. Stewart is also an infantry veteran of the Iraq War and earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge in addition to twice receiving the Army Commendation Medal. 

🔊 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at [email protected].

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

⭐️ How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews are joined by Megan Basham, a reporter for The Daily Wire, to discuss the intersection of the Church and politics, and the deception some financial backers are supporting to thwart true Christian discernment in living out our faith in the public square.

Before the conversation, the men discuss the tragic shooting at Joel Osteen's church in Texas and the media's stark silence, the dichotomy of candidates who support LGBT legislation like Ohio's (un)Fairness Act at the Statehouse but don't mention it in district, and how they are each drawing closer to the Lord during this Lenten season.

Want more from Megan? Read her article "Follow the Money to The After Party," and follow her on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

More about Megan Basham

Megan Basham is a culture reporter for The Daily Wire and a frequent contributor to the Morning Wire podcast. She has also worked as an entertainment editor and podcast co-host for World Magazine. Megan is the author of Beside Every Successful Man, and has written for The Wall Street Journal, National Review, Townhall, and First Things.

🔊 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at [email protected].

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

⭐️ How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer and Communications Director Mike Andrews are joined by Alex Schadenberg, from Canada's Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, to discuss the reality of the aggressive growth of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada and the US.

Listen to find out how euthanasia proponents use personal freedom and peace of mind as a bait and switch to accomplish their financially-motivated goals without concern for life. To learn more, go to EPCC.ca or follow Alex's blog at alexschadenberg.blogspot.com.

Aaron and Mike also take time to discuss why there's still hope for the pro-life movement in Ohio and how students are benefitting from the "fanny pack" school-choice expansion of 2023!

More about Alex Schadenberg

Alex Schadenberg is one of the world’s premier opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide. He is the co-founder and executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, founded in 1998 and based in London, Ontario, Canada. Alex has traveled the world speaking about the issue, authored countless opinion columns, and moderates the world’s most widely-read blog devoted to the issue. He is also the author of Exposing Vulnerable People to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.

🔊 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at [email protected].

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

⭐️ How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews sit down with our first-ever repeat guest, Lora Ries, Director of The Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, to discuss what's happening at the Texas border.

Listen in to find out why there's a stand-off between the federal agents and the Texas border patrol, how the terrorist watch-list hits from migrants apprehended crossing the Southern border went from 3 in all of 2020 to 50 already in 2024, and why the border crisis has become a priority issue for every state this year.

Looking for more? Read HR2, the federal legislation Lora mentioned, read Lora's issue briefings on the border, and listen to our 2022 episode with Lora on how the border crisis even then was affecting Ohio.

Before the news, the men discuss the advice Alistair Begg gave to one grandmother to attend her grandson's homosexual/trans wedding ceremony to show her love and why CCV disagrees with his advice, but also why it's unfair to categorize him as "woke." David referenced Ephesians 4 and 5, and Galatians 6. as the scriptural basis for Christians to seek God's approval above all else. For additional context, listen to Begg's response to the controversy from last weekend. 

More about Lora Ries

Lora is Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation. She has over 26 years’ experience in the immigration and homeland security arena. Lora twice worked at the Department of Homeland Security on management and immigration policy and operations issues, most recently as the Acting Deputy Chief of Staff.

She also worked in the private sector as a homeland security industry strategist and in government relations.

Lora previously worked in the legislative branch as Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims. She started her career at the Department of Justice’s Board of Immigration Appeals and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Lora’s commentary and analysis have been published and quoted in multiple print media, including The National Interest, FoxNews.com, Roll Call, and The Hill. She has done numerous radio and TV interviews and has testified before Congress.

The Narrative is back for volume 9! Join Riley Gaines and CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews in celebrating the huge victory in the General Assembly overriding Governor DeWine's veto to pass the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act (HB68) into law.

Listen in to find out:

• what was encouraging after the Governor vetoed this critical bill,
• what inspired Riley to switch from future dentist to women's rights activist, and
• what themes Riley has seen nationally in the culture over the last 18 months in her fight to protect women's sports.

Want to learn more? Check out Riley's Women's Bill of Rights and her brand-new book, Happy No Snakes Day, and keep up with her on X (formerly Twitter), @Riley_Gaines_.

Click here to watch Senator Kristina Roegner's floor speech before the override vote.

More about Riley Gaines

Riley Gaines is a leader defending women’s single-sex spaces, advocating for equality and fairness, and standing up for women’s safety, privacy, and equal opportunities.

Gaines graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she was a 12-time All-American swimmer. Riley has made waves for speaking out after tying UPenn’s Lia Thomas, a biological male swimmer on the women’s team, at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships.

After Riley directly experienced competing against a man in women’s sports, being forced without warning or consent to undress before the fully intact male, and subjected to discrimination by the NCAA, she became one of the most powerful voices to speak out against the injustice, challenging the rules of the NCAA, USA Swimming, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other governing bodies. 

Riley now works for the leading women’s organization making real and lasting change, legally defining ‘woman,’ protecting Title IX, and defending women’s rights to single-sex spaces and equal opportunities. 

Following the Governor's veto of the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act (HB68), CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews sat down for an emergency episode of The Narrative podcast to discuss what happened and what's next for this critical bill.

Listen in to get the answers to questions including:

• In 2018, the original version of the SAFE Act–the Vulnerable Child Protection Act–was politically unpalatable. What has changed since then to make it common-sense legislation?
• What happened behind the scenes as the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act went through the Ohio General Assembly?
• Why did Governor DeWine veto HB68?
• How can we still get HB68 passed into law?

As Mike mentioned during the conversation, you can listen to our episodes with Scott Newgent and Chloe Cole and Prisha Mosley for additional context to the heart-wrenching consequences that HB68 would prevent.

Take Action: Overriding the Veto

Take 60 seconds to send a message to your State Senator and Representative to encourage them to act quickly and override the Governor to protect kids from dangerous puberty-blocking drugs, wrong-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries, and to preserve the integrity of women’s sports by protecting female athletes from having to compete against biological males.

Click here to contact your legislators.

👉 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast.

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at [email protected].

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

🔊 How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this final episode of The Narrative podcast for 2023, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews answer your questions!

We had more high-quality questions than ever before–not that we'd expect anything less from our podcast family–so listen in to get the guys' thoughts on:

• With the passage of Issue 2, how can we keep cannabis out of our communities?
• How can Christians, in good conscience, remove the influence of our kids from public schools? Doesn't that mean we're shirking our responsibility to spread the Good News of the Gospel?
• Who or what is CCV's goal audience for impacting culture?
• How can we maintain growth, momentum, and hope in the pro-life community?

Thank you for making this our best volume yet!

What should we do in 2024?

We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover next year, let us know!

👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.

👉  Email us at [email protected].

To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

🔊 How are we doing?

If you've found any episode of The Narrative to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!

🔎 About The Narrative

The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture, and political controversies.

Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.

Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.