The Narrative with Aaron Baer

This week on The Narrative, Aaron, David, and Mike get into the details of both the Cleveland Clinic’s settlement over fraudulent billing for gender procedures, which established a $2 million detransitioner fund, and the Major League Baseball players who resisted forced corporate speech during Pride Month by rejecting pride caps or writing scripture on their gear.

After the news, Representative Mike Dovilla joins the hosts to discuss Ohio's widespread Medicaid and insurance fraud, calling it a symptom of an unaccountable administrative state. He argues that medical systems exploit loopholes to bypass state laws.

Listen to The Narrative today!

More About Representative Mike Dovilla

Mike Dovilla represents the 17th District in the Ohio House of Representatives. From 2011 to 2016, he served most of the same southwestern Cuyahoga County communities in one of Ohio’s most competitive legislative districts. A principled yet pragmatic legislator, Mike returned to the Legislature in 2025 with the well-earned reputation of a thoughtful policymaker trusted by constituents and colleagues alike.

In the 136th General Assembly, Representative Dovilla serves as Vice Chairman of the House Finance Committee and a member of the Energy, Veterans and Military Development, and Workforce and Higher Education Committees. During his previous service in the House, his peers elected him Majority Whip and he chaired two standing committees. As a freshman in 2011, he was appointed Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. Representative Dovilla is the author of 15 state laws designed to spur economic development, strengthen education, protect senior citizens, support veterans, and improve government accountability.

Mike is deeply committed to our community, state, and nation, volunteering in numerous civic, veterans, and educational organizations. He is a scripture reader at his church and devoted mentor to college students, serving in advisory roles for more than 25 years. A lifelong baseball fan and voracious reader, Mike also enjoys cooking for family and friends, traveling to historical sites around the country, and spending time outdoors with his yellow Labrador retriever, Perry, named in honor of the “Hero of Lake Erie.”

In this episode, David takes us behind the scenes at the Statehouse to the moment when the "Success Sequence" bill was resurrected at the eleventh hour during his desperate time of prayer. Then, Aaron breaks down a massive win for election security: a constitutional amendment heading to the November ballot to officially close the mail-in loophole and permanently lock down voter ID laws.

After the news, the hosts take time to celebrate that The Narrative is officially five years old! Take a look back at the half-decade of truth, learn the hosts’ all-time favorite guests (from Bob Woodson and Dr. Ben Carson to Chloe Cole), and get some hilarious secrets from when the mics were off, including the infamous day that newly hired Mike accidentally drank the very last of Congressman Jim Jordan's personal apple cider.

Listen to The Narrative today!

Learn More about the Minnery Fellowship

The Minnery Fellowship provides ongoing educational opportunities for pastors and church leaders to dive into the practical issues facing Christians in culture and develop, with a cohort of their peers, biblical strategies and messages to respond. Get the details and sign up at MinneryFellowship.org.

Is the recent corporate retreat from "Pride Month" just a shallow cultural wave that will crash back once the tides change? Without biblical grounding, it seems unlikely this slight move away from worshipping lust and debauchery will be sustained. And while Ohio's school choice expansion has public schools crying foul, The Narrative hosts think the worst-performing, hyper-funded schools should face real accountability. In today's episode, Aaron and Mike share the hard truth about what lies ahead for Christians in the coming years if we don't stay anchored in Christ alone.

After the news, Family First founder Mark Merrill joins the chat to reveal how All Pro Dad is combating the culture’s fatherhood crisis. Mark breaks down the vital, daily toolkit men need to become the heroes their kids deserve, and shares the exclusive details on their completely sold-out, interactive experience at the Ohio Stadium later this month.

In this episode of The Narrative podcast, Mike and David analyze what's next for the Ohio General Assembly. With a looming extended summer break and a chaotic "lame duck" session after the election, the next two weeks are critical to pass key legislation, including the Baby Olivia Act and the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act. Listen in to learn how grassroots efforts and constituent pressure powerfully influence lawmakers at the Statehouse.

After the news, National Review senior writer Noah Rothman shreds the mainstream media narrative by exposing a century of radical left-wing extremism and domestic terrorism that’s been systematically swept under the rug. From the dangerous roots of the "Marxist narrative" to the way groups like the SPLC gaslight the public into thinking left-wing violence is just a myth, this is a reality check the establishment doesn't want you to hear. For more, check out his provocative new book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence in America.

Listen to The Narrative today!

More About Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer with National Review, the foremost journal of conservative scholarly opinion and analysis in America since its founding in 1955. He is the author of Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America(Regnery, 2019) and The Rise of the New Puritans: Fighting Back Against Progressives’ War on Fun (HarperCollins, 2022). Mr. Rothman graduated from Drew University with a degree in Russian Studies and political science (2004), and he earned a graduate degree from Seton Hall University in diplomacy and international relations with a focus on security policy in the former Soviet space (2010). He lives with his wife and two sons in New Jersey.

This week on The Narrative, Aaron and David address the Supreme Court’s 7–2 ruling that blocked a 5th Circuit decision that had temporarily restricted mail-order abortion pills nationwide. Justice Thomas’s fierce dissent invoked the Comstock Act against mailing drugs, and the FDA Director Marty Makary’s abrupt resignation brought renewed hope to many pro-life advocates.

On a related note, in Ohio, David recently testified in favor of House Bill 324, the Patient Protection Act, which mandates in-person doctor visits and bans mail delivery for high-risk drugs. The legislation effectively defeats pro-abortion objections at the Statehouse by neutrally targeting all high-risk medications rather than uniquely targeting abortion.

After the news, Parker Thayer, a researcher with Capital Research Center and contributor to the Daily Wire, shares his insights on the massive Medicaid home-care fraud scheme in Ohio that proved the state’s optional GPS and signature verification systems failed to track actual patient care. Following the report's publication, Ohio implemented a total freeze on new home-care companies and restored mandatory GPS tracking.

Listen now or queue up the podcast for your commute!

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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 answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now.

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

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

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🔎 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.

The lid has been blown off a massive Medicaid fraud scheme that is bleeding Ohio taxpayers dry. In this week's Narrative podcast, Attorney General Dave Yost shares how his investigation had already uncovered criminals who billed for intensive care while they were actually competing in figure-skating competitions abroad or traveling on your dime, before the Daily Wire's exposé was published. 

Yet, even as the indictments roll in, a major shift is coming to the Attorney General’s office! After years of sparring with big-money industries and defending Ohio’s laws in court, Dave Yost has announced he is joining the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) as Vice President for Strategic Policy and Innovation.

Tune in to hear about the "Wild West" of unregulated gambling, the fight for school choice, and why Ohio's AG is taking his legal expertise to the largest Christian law firm in the world.

You don't want to miss this eye-opening episode!

More About Attorney General Dave Yost

Dave Yost was re-elected as Ohio’s 51st attorney general on November 8, 2022, receiving more votes than any other attorney general in the state’s history. 
 
During his first term as the state’s chief legal officer, he quickly gained a national reputation as a fearless advocate for the rule of law — or, as he puts it, “the same rules for everybody.” 
 
Yost’s goal is to “do big good” for the people of Ohio by protecting consumers, rooting out corruption, defending the environment, ensuring an open and competitive marketplace, and fulfilling the many other duties of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. 
 
Yost began his public-service career as Delaware County auditor, later winning election as that county’s prosecutor. From 2011 through 2018, he served as Ohio’s auditor of state and, in January 2019, began his first term as attorney general. 
 
Yost earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and law degree from Capital University. He and his wife, Darlene, live in Franklin County; they have three grown children and five grandchildren.

This week, CNN political commentator Scott Jennings delivers a direct indictment of a radical anti-American movement that has hijacked traditional liberal politics. This movement replaces paychecks with pronouns and border security with radicalism. Because the far Left continues to embrace this extreme, increasingly violent version of liberalism, we are now in a fight for the survival of Western civilization. 

CCV President Aaron Baer and US Senator Jon Husted join the conversation to expose the ongoing destruction that liberal politics have pushed on America, including:

• A poverty trap carefully constructed to punish work and destroy the nuclear family.
• Radical activists attempting to force boys into girls' locker rooms and bathrooms.
• American citizens fleeing blue-state chaos for the sanity of red-state leadership.
• Threats from the Iranian regime are downplayed, even though they have been the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism.
• The false belief that rights come from a government script or a judge rather than from God.

Listen today to hear why the survival of the American experiment depends on a relentless defense of the truth.

More About Scott Jennings

Scott Jennings is a prominent conservative political commentator on CNN, known for his sharp insights and thought-provoking analysis. Dubbed “The Black Sheep of CNN” by the Daily Mail and “Lonely Scott” by Bill Maher for his engaging nightly debates, Jennings has become a fixture of CNN’s election and major event coverage. As the network's senior conservative commentator, Scott brings a unique perspective, blending humor and candor grounded in his rural American roots, to deliver compelling arguments and lively discussions on the news of the day. 

Scott’s career spans decades at the intersection of politics, media, and academia. A trusted advisor on four presidential campaigns, he served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and played pivotal roles in high-profile Senate and congressional races. His expertise in political strategy has made him a respected analyst on CNN and a prolific writer featured in publications like The LA Times and Gannett. Beyond the campaign trail, Scott has taught at Harvard’s Kennedy School, shaping the next generation of public servants. He is also a founding partner of RunSwitch Public Relations, Kentucky’s largest PR and public affairs firm.

More About Senator Jon Husted

Jon Husted began serving Ohioans in the US Senate in January 2025. For more than two decades, the people of Ohio have trusted him to fight for their jobs, values, and families. Husted started his life in a foster home before his loving parents, Jim and Judy, adopted him. He is the oldest of three children and was raised in northwest Ohio’s Williams County. The small community instilled in him the importance of faith, family, and hard work, which remain the foundation of his public service.

In 2000, Husted won the election to the Ohio House of Representatives. He later was elected unanimously to lead the chamber as Speaker of the House from 2005 to 2009. As Speaker, Husted expanded educational freedom for Ohio children through the creation of the EdChoice Scholarship. Husted followed that with service in the Ohio State Senate until becoming the secretary of state in 2011. Husted’s two successful terms in that role led Ohioans to elect him lieutenant governor, where he championed common-sense solutions to make state government work better for its citizens while lowering costs. 

Of all his responsibilities, Sen. Husted considers being a loving husband, father, and grandfather the most important. He and his wife, Tina, raised their three children, Alex, Kylie, and Katie, in Ohio, and make their home in Columbus.

From the Statehouse to the Supreme Court, there is no shortage of news in this episode of The Narrative! Together, Aaron and Mike break down:

• The historic week for CCV as the organization officially expands beyond Ohio’s borders to launch the national Christian Education Network.
• The academic "deep state" at Bowling Green State University, where undercover footage caught bureaucrats playing word games to keep their illegal DEI machine running on your dime.
• The disturbing reality of three assassination attempts against President Trump.
• The Supreme Court finally dismantling racist gerrymandering. 

After the news, Benjamin Baird of the Middle East Forum exposes a hidden threat operating inside the Ohio Statehouse. He explains State Representative Munira Abdullahi’s deep-seated leadership within the Muslim American Society (MAS)—a group federal prosecutors identify as the overt arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in America. From hosting terror-linked figures at the Capitol to her lone vote against condemning the October 7 massacre in Israel, Munira's trajectory follows a dangerous blueprint of using democratic institutions to advance a radical, theocratic agenda.

Has the Muslim Brotherhood infiltrated the Ohio government? Find out today!

More About Benjamin Baird

Benjamin Baird is a public affairs specialist who organizes grassroots advocacy campaigns in support of Middle East Forum (MEF) projects. He mobilizes constituencies to support MEF policy objectives, coordinates effective public pressure campaigns, and uses bold and creative techniques to disrupt the policy-making arena. Mr. Baird is a US Army infantry veteran with a BA from American Military University. His writing can be found at National Review, New York Post, Jerusalem Post, and other prominent media outlets.

In this explosive episode of The Narrative, Aaron, David, and Mike dive deep into the shocking federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) involving allegations of wire fraud, money laundering, and bank fraud. The self-appointed "arbiters of hate" allegedly funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars through shell organizations like "Rare Books Warehouse" and "CIA" (Center Investigative Agency) to pay extremist activists. For an organization that raised over $120 million following the Charlottesville riots, the irony is staggering. The indictment states that they essentially manufactured the very radicalism they claim to fight. Once again, for the radical Left, victimhood is a multi-million dollar business model.

Beyond the legal drama, there are real-world consequences of being targeted by the SPLC’s "hate map," from de-banking and "financial death penalties" to actual physical security threats against Christian organizations like CCV and the FRC. Mainstream media outlets have lazily repeated these labels as "fact" despite the SPLC’s increasingly transparent political bias. If you want to understand how the Left weaponizes ideology to demonize traditional values while lining its own pockets, you can’t afford to miss this breakdown of the SPLC’s "outrage machine" and the federal case that could finally dismantle it.

American families are fleeing Blue States as the "Big Family Sort" continues across the country. The Family Structure Index, created by the Institute for Family Studies and Center for Christian Virtue, reveals that families are migrating from high-tax, anti-family states like California to Red States that prioritize religious freedom and affordable living.

Brad Wilcox joins Aaron, David, and Mike to discuss how Red State policies offer the stability required for marriage to flourish. They make it clear that to protect Ohio’s future, we must reject failing secular models and champion a culture that anchors economic success in biblical family values.

Tune in now or queue up your commute podcast!

More about Brad Wilcox

Brad Wilcox is Melville Foundation Jefferson Scholars Foundation University Professor of Sociology and Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, Future of Freedom Fellow and Director of the Get Married Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. 

The author of Get Married: Why Americans Should Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization (Harper Collins, 2024), Wilcox studies marital quality, marital stability, and the impact of strong and stable marriages upon men, women, and children. The author and editor of six books, Wilcox has written for scientific journals such as The American Sociological Review and The Journal of Marriage and Family, and The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and National Review.

More about the Family Structure Index

The Family Structure Index tracks the changing fortunes of marriage and family across America's states. By measuring marriage rates, family stability, and fertility, the Index reveals how the strength of the family is deeply connected to the health and attainability of the American Dream. The results have recently been featured on Fox News (here and here), Fox Business, The Daily Wire, and the Wall Street Journal.