Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

Latest Episodes:

Teen Leadership Schools Feb 13, 2025

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From Fortune 30 IT executive to nonprofit leader - Chris May shares how TeenPact Leadership Schools is transforming youth through hands-on civic engagement and faith-based leadership training at state capitals nationwide. Discover how this unique program is equipping the next generation of leaders through real-world political simulations and discipleship, with opportunities for students to experience government firsthand.

https://teenpact.com/

Mark your calendar for the 2025 National Commencement, May 16-17, 2025, in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! This is a time for Classical Conversations families from around the nation to celebrate the hard work with fellow families on the homeschooling journey. Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/

America's Happiest Christian Campus Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Can a Christian university create both spiritual depth and genuine joy? Dr. Michael Lindsay, President of Taylor University, reveals how his institution ranks #3 for happiest students nationwide while maintaining spiritual and academic rigor. In this episode, the Princeton-educated sociologist shares insights on developing faith-centered leaders, navigating college admissions, and integrating faith in the workplace.

https://www.taylor.edu/

https://x.com/dmichaellindsay

Parent Practicum events are hosted around the globe each year, inspiring and equipping parents to become better "everyday educators." Combining the encouragement of community, integration of ideas, and practice with the classical skills, Parent Practicum is a once-a-year parent investment.

Let us help you find a Parent Practicum event near you at www.ccpracticum.com

School Choice Week Wrap-Up: Freedom vs. Federal Control Feb 01, 2025

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From federal executive orders to state legislation battles, the school choice landscape is rapidly evolving - but are these changes moving us toward educational freedom or greater government control? In this thought-provoking wrap-up of School Choice Week, Robert delivers a comprehensive analysis of recent developments in education policy, including the latest federal executive orders, state-level initiatives in Tennessee and Texas, and proposed tax credit programs. He examines the complex intersection of federal funding, state autonomy, and educational freedom while sharing insights from behind-the-scenes conversations in the school choice movement.

Education Independence: The Best Choice Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Why did homeschooling succeed without government funding, while "school choice" demands it? We wrap up School Choice Week with Jim Mason, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), about an alternative to school choice that aligns with limited government principles. Mason breaks down HSLDA's proposal for education tax credits, explains how the homeschool movement succeeded without government funding, and discusses why accepting state money could threaten the educational freedom parents have fought decades to secure.

https://hslda.org/

Choice is good. A good choice is better. Therefore, choose better.

Click here to learn more about Education Independence and join the Education Independence Network. We exist to educate, inspire, and equip members to promote and protect education independence in their local government.

https://chooseeducationindependence.com/

Words for Warriors Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Is 'school choice' really about choice, or is it a Trojan horse for greater government control? In this School Choice Week episode, Robert hosts author and education advocate Sam Sorbo to examine the language and implications of the school choice movement. Drawing from her experience as a homeschool parent and author of 'Words for Warriors,' Sorbo unpacks how government-funded education initiatives could impact private and homeschool freedom.

https://samsorbo.locals.com/

https://rumble.com/c/SamSorbo

Choice is good. A good choice is better. Therefore, choose better.

https://chooseeducationindependence.com/

Get Involved in the Fight Against School Choice Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Should conservatives who oppose universal basic income support 'universal basic education'? We continue our School Choice Week series as Robert speaks with grassroots activist Aundrea Gomez about the contradictions in conservative support for school choice. Gomez, a former teacher and engaged citizen from Tennessee, breaks down how government funding of private education expands rather than shrinks bureaucracy, explores the role of out-of-state money in local education politics, and explains why true educational freedom requires independence from government dollars.

https://x.com/aundreago

Choice is good. A good choice is better. Therefore, choose better.

https://chooseeducationindependence.com/

Sweden's Alarming Tale on School Choice Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Could government-funded "school choice" lead to less educational freedom? We continue our School Choice Week series with journalist and Classical Conversations Senior Fellow Alex Newman for an in-depth discussion on school choice policies. Newman shares insights from his international experience, particularly in Sweden, and examines how government-funded education initiatives have impacted private and homeschool education globally. The conversation explores the historical context of educational funding, the role of UNESCO, and potential implications for American education policy.

https://libertysentinel.org/

Choice is good. A good choice is better. Therefore, choose better.

https://chooseeducationindependence.com/

Woke and Weaponized School Choice Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

Would you trust Mark Zuckerberg to run your child's school? As we continue our School Choice Week series, Robert interviews author and cultural critic James Lindsay to explore how universal school choice could lead to corporate monopolies in education. Lindsay, founder of New Discourses and author of "The Marxification of Education," breaks down the origins of school choice in 1970s Berkeley, explains why it's neither conservative nor free-market, and warns how government subsidies could transform private education into an industry dominated by massive corporations.

https://newdiscourses.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Marxification-Education-Freires-Critical-Marxism-ebook/dp/B0BHXDR544

Choice is good. A good choice is better. Therefore, choose better.

https://chooseeducationindependence.com/

The Dark Origins of School Choice Jan 26, 2025

Show notes

Can $7,000 buy your educational freedom? We kick off our School Choice Week series with researcher Lisa Logan about the concerning global agenda behind school choice initiatives. Logan, host of Parents of Patriots and author of Education Manifesto, breaks down UNESCO's involvement in education policy, the role of major foundations pushing school choice, and how government funding could lead to the erosion of true educational freedom.

Lisa's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtlIC1oYPBQiVFjJhngZggQ

Lisa's Substack: https://lisalogan.substack.com/

Choice is good. A good choice is better. Therefore, choose better.

https://chooseeducationindependence.com/

Why Universities Love Homeschoolers Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Looking to navigate the college admissions process as a homeschooler? Robert sits down with Blake and Sophie Sunny from Asbury University to demystify the journey from homeschool to higher education. Sophie, a former Classical Conversations student herself, shares her personal transition to college life, while Blake offers invaluable insights as Asbury's homeschool admissions counselor. With 20% of Asbury's student population coming from homeschool backgrounds, they discuss everything from crafting transcripts and preparing for campus visits to what makes homeschool students stand out in college.

https://www.asbury.edu/

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