Is America on the brink of collapse—and are Christians ready to respond?
Welcome to the first episode of Refining Rhetoric for 2026! As we kick off the new year, host Robert Bortins tackles the pressing issues facing Christian families, homeschoolers, and business owners in an increasingly chaotic world.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why America's $38 trillion debt crisis (which just grew by $1 trillion in 76 days) matters for your family's future
• The spiritual battle behind cultural conflicts—from controversial elections to shocking legal cases abroad
• How only 6% of Christians hold a biblical worldview according to Barna research, and what that means for our communities
• The launch of the new book "Woke and Weaponized" and why understanding the root causes of societal issues is critical
• Plans for 2026 including discussions on cryptocurrency, bitcoin, and preparing for economic uncertainty
This isn't just another news commentary—it's a call to action for believers to stop outsourcing their God-given responsibilities and start living boldly as ambassadors of Christ in a world that desperately needs the gospel.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

What happens when a school district demands you teach content that isn't legally required? Military wife and homeschool mom Jennifer Moye found herself in exactly that situation when New York officials insisted she add AIDS education to her sixth-grader's curriculum—or face truancy charges.

In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Jennifer shares her unexpected journey from compliant homeschooler to constitutional defender. After moving to upstate New York in 2019, she faced increasing demands from her local school district, culminating in a requirement that went beyond what homeschool law actually mandated. With three boys to educate and a military family's already complex life, Jennifer had to make a choice: comply with government overreach or stand her ground.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Classical Conversations provided consistency and community through four military moves
• The moment Jennifer realized she needed HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
• The surprising number of families facing similar harassment from school officials
• What happened when attorneys showed up to defend her rights—at no cost to her family
• Why this fight mattered for every homeschooling family in New York
• How she's now empowering the next generation through Turning Point USA

This is a must-listen for every homeschooling family who thinks these battles are behind us. They're not. And Jennifer's courage reminds us why defending our freedoms matters for every generation.

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.

Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.

www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

National Number Knockout 2027

Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers.

Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes.

But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit https://classicalconversations.com/national-number-knockout/ to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.

Your child's AI companion knows them better than you do—and it's learning how to manipulate them. Are we prepared for what comes next? In this eye-opening conversation, host Robert Bortins sits down with Randan Steinhauser, CEO of Steinhauser Strategies and recent fellow at the Center for Governance of AI, to discuss the profound implications of artificial intelligence on our families, children, and humanity itself. As AI rapidly advances, the questions we face go far beyond job displacement and technological convenience. Randan shares urgent concerns about AI chatbots engaging children in dangerous conversations, the normalization of AI companions replacing human relationships, and the troubling goals of tech leaders who view consciousness uploading and transhumanism as the future. This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. From AI-induced psychosis to the erosion of family bonds, from surveillance states to the potential loss of human purpose through work, this conversation challenges us to think critically about the technology we're inviting into our homes and our children's lives.

Resources:

https://www.steinhauserstrategies.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by:

Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman.

Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information.

www.WokeAndWeaponized.com

National Number Knockout 2027

Does your student think math is boring? What if they stopped seeing math as drill work and started seeing it as an exciting mental sport? That's the power of National Number Knockout, a nationwide mental math competition that's transforming how students think about numbers.

Here's how basic Number Knockout works: Students ages 10-14 use three dice and a 6x6 grid to create as many mathematical equations as possible in just 60 seconds. It's fast, strategic, and seriously addictive. In spring of 2027, 16 national finalists will compete aboard a Caribbean cruise for grand prizes.

But the real win? Whether your student makes it to nationals or just plays at home, they're building lightning-fast mental math skills and genuine mathematical confidence—watching them fall in love with mathematics. National Number Knockout—where math becomes a game, and every student can win. Visit www.classicalconversations.com/n2k to find free resources and learn about the 2027 competition.