Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

What happens to children when marriage gets redefined? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Katy Faust — founder and president of Them Before Us, a global movement defending children's right to their mother and father — to talk about the fallout of the Obergefell decision, the rise of commercial surrogacy, and how "big fertility" has turned children into a commodity. Katy walks through how IVF and surrogacy have created what she calls a marketplace of children — one that preys on desperate infertile couples and economically vulnerable women alike (including military wives), and one where, as she puts it, no laws protect the child; the contract protects the adults. She and Robert also discuss the scrubbing of "mother" and "father" from parenthood statutes, the rise of designer babies and selective reduction, and why she believes Christians are uniquely called to defend the fatherless. Katy closes with a direct challenge: become an expert on these issues, and join the Greater Than campaign — a coalition of conservative leaders working to overturn gay marriage on behalf of children. This is a heavy episode, but Robert calls it one of the most important the show has done all year. Katy's website: https://katyfaust.com/ Them Before Us: https://thembeforeus.com/ Greater Than campaign: https://greaterthancampaign.com/

What if employers — not politicians — are the last line of defense for freedom in America? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Linda J. Hansen — founder of Prosperity 101, former deputy chief of staff on Herman Cain's historic presidential campaign, and pioneering homeschool mom of six — to unpack why Christian employers can no longer afford to stay on the sidelines. Linda traces the remarkable journey from a divine call at her firstborn's birth to the national stage of the 999 Plan, and explains how that same conviction birthed Prosperity 101 — a practical framework for equipping employees with the economic literacy, civic knowledge, and biblical worldview they need to protect their own freedom. She breaks down the seven mountains of culture, the real cost of minimum wage mandates, and why a legislator will always listen to 50 constituents before one lobbyist. The conversation covers everything from grassroots activism and the Tea Party movement to why classical education and critical thinking are the antidote to a culture that's lost its moral compass. If you're a business owner, a homeschool parent raising the next generation of citizens, or a Christian who's been told to keep quiet about faith and politics — this episode will challenge you and equip you. Politics is involved with you whether you're involved with it or not. It's time to flip the script. Prosperity 101: https://prosperity101.com Follow Linda on X & LinkedIn: @Linda_J_Hansen

Can a homeschooler really compete at the Power 5 level? Victoria Roberts just came one tenth of a point from proving it — helping LSU finish runner-up at the 2026 national championship. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins talks with Victoria, a Classical Conversations graduate who trained 14 years at Elmwood Gymnastics Academy and is now one of the first CC grads to compete in Division I gymnastics at the Power 5 level. Victoria breaks down how homeschooling and CC Plus dual enrollment prepared her to balance 16+ hours a week of gymnastics with college coursework — work she says left her better prepared for LSU than a traditional school schedule would have. She talks candidly about the recruiting process as a homeschooled athlete in a state with few big gyms, the late-arriving offer from LSU that changed everything, and the mindset shift between a nerve-filled freshman year and a breakout sophomore season. She also opens up about what almost losing meant to the team, how camaraderie carried them further than talent alone, and how her faith has only deepened under the pressure of D1 competition. Whether you're a homeschool parent wondering if elite athletics and academics can coexist, or you're raising a future athlete of your own, Victoria's story is proof that the two aren't in competition — they can build each other. Tune in for a conversation full of perseverance, faith, and a homeschool-to-college pipeline more families should know about. Victoria's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicctoriaroberts

What made America different from every kingdom that came before it? Bestselling author and American Minute founder Bill Federer joins Refining Rhetoric for our Celebrating 250 Years series to trace the improbable, providential story of the American experiment. From the invention of writing in ancient Sumer to the empire on which the sun never set, Federer explains how humanity's default form of government has always been kings—until ancient Israel became the first literate, self-governing people in history, and America flipped the flow of power from the top down to "We the People." Discover the providential moments most Americans have never heard: the mysterious fog that shrouded Washington's midnight retreat across the East River, and the last-minute discovery of Benedict Arnold's plot to hand West Point to the British. Federer unpacks "the laws of nature and of nature's God," why the Founders saw no war between science and faith, and how the First Amendment was written to keep the federal government out of the states' religious affairs, not to scrub God from public life. He charts the nation's drift from a Judeo-Christian past into secular "neutral" and toward an aggressive Islamic future, exposes the psychological "psyops" shaping kids through social emotional learning, and calls families to anchor their children's identity in Christ. If you want to remember why America is worth defending, and to leave your own testimony of what God can do again, this episode is for you. Resources: https://americanminute.com/ Books mentioned in this episode: Miracles in American History, Who Is the King in America?, Silence Equals Consent, and What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur'an. 📖 Learn more about classical Christian education: https://classicalconversations.com/blog/classical-education-curriculum/ 📖 Homeschool vs. Public School: https://classicalconversations.com/blog/homeschool-vs-public-school/ 🎙️ Enjoyed this one? We think you'll love our other podcast! Check out Everyday Educator: https://everydayeducatorpodcast.com/ 🔎 Find a CC Community Near You: https://classicalconversations.com/community-search/ 📅 Upcoming CC Events: https://classicalconversations.com/events/ 📚 Foundations Curriculum: https://classicalconversations.com/collections/foundations/ 🛍️ CC Shoppable Catalog: https://classicalconversations.com/pages/shoppable-catalog/