Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

Latest Episodes:

Homeschooling in an RV Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

What if you sold your house and homeschooled in an RV? In this "Refining Rhetoric" episode, host Robert Bortins chats with Adam Powers, a veteran turned homeschooling dad living in an RV with his family. He offers advice to dads on getting involved in their children's education and discusses the benefits and challenges of their unique lifestyle.

The Copper Lodge Library series from Classical Conversations® preserves history's best stories for future generations. View the collection on ClassicalConversationsBooks .com.

Why Education Affects Foreign Policy Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of "Refining Rhetoric," Robert Bortins and Chris Blackburn explore the consequences of U.S. payments to Iran, linking them to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, rising oil prices, and inflation. Through a classical education perspective, they discuss the importance of informed citizenship and community engagement in tackling these issues. The episode concludes with a Classical Crypto segment.

You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/

CNBC Article

The Hill Article

Reuters Article

How to be more Organized, Confident, and Influential | Applying the Classical Tools to Business Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

Do you want to know to be more organized, confident, and influential? In this "Refining Rhetoric" episode, Robert Bortins hosts Mark Ramsay of Hip Socket, discussing the fusion of classical education with modern business strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of early work experiences for students and previews Mark's upcoming book, "The Lost Tools of Business," highlighting the relevance of classical education in contemporary business practices.

HipSocket.net

Classical Conversations® Relationships: Exclusive Discounts for CC Members!

Single and Afraid Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of "Refining Rhetoric," Robert focuses on the United States' declining birth rates and its societal implications. The discussion centers on the need to revive traditional family values and Christian principles to counteract this trend. Additionally, for Classical Crypto, Will touches on the SEC's approval of Bitcoin ETFs and its potential impact on finance.

You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/

"Opinion: Why I'm not going to have children" | CNN

Unsilenced Voices: Safeguarding Free Expression with Jane Cook Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of "Refining Rhetoric," host Robert Bortins is joined by historian and author Jane Hampton Cook. They discuss the importance of original source documents in understanding the Founding Fathers, the role of integrity in leadership, and the challenges of modern media and freedom of speech.

CC parents, tutors, and Directors—sign up for the Classical Learning Cohort to level up your skills in guiding and assessing your student's learning at home and in community! Register today at ClassicalConversations.com/cohort.

War of Lies: When George Washington Was the Target and Propaganda Was the Crime | Amazon

JaneCook.com

founders.archives.gov

Jane's Substack

Harvard's Dilemma Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

Robert discusses the recent controversy surrounding Harvard University and its former president, Claudine Gay. The episode delves into the issues of plagiarism, diversity, and critical race theory at Harvard, highlighting how Claudine's hiring was influenced more by her race and gender than her academic excellence. Robert also explores the broader implications of such ideologies in academia and society, emphasizing the importance of a biblical worldview and the pursuit of truth. Additionally, the episode touches on cryptocurrency trends, particularly related to Bitcoin's halving cycles.

You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at https://classicalconversationsfoundation.org/

What Skills Are Employers Looking For? with Ben Merkle of New Saint Andrews College Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

Does a college degree guarantee a job? In this episode, Robert talks with Dr. Benjamin Merkle, president of New Saint Andrews College, a classical Christian college in Idaho. In their conversation, Ben speaks to why NSA and other colleges are looking for students with a classical education background, how NSA is able to keep their tuition costs affordable and transparent, how a college can keep a good reputation amidst the current college climate, why liberal arts degrees can be kept affordable, what parents need to know before sending their children to secular universities, what students should aim to get out of a Christian college experience, and why college isn't always the ticket to getting a good job. Robert and Ben also discuss our society's backward prioritization of college athletics over college academics and whether there is a place for sports in a higher-education setting. Finally, Ben answers why NSA and other colleges are refusing to accept federal grants, his best advice for Classical Conversations® Challenge graduates, and what the most in-demand skill is for students entering the workforce.

Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Ben-Merkle

You're invited to our 2024 National Events Weekend in sunny Southern Pines, North Carolina! Register at ClassicalConversationsFoundation.org.

Defining Truth with Robert Bortins Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

What is truth? Our world is overrun with subjective truth, postmodernism, and emotionalism, where everyone's "truth" is equally valid and there's no such thing as objective truth. But this is a lie. As Refining Rhetoric is all about seeking the capital-T Truth in every arena of life, throughout the course of 2023 Robert asked his guests to weigh in with their definitions of truth. In this wrap-up episode for the year, Robert replays and reacts to the best responses from his guests to the question, "What is truth?" As you hear from guests like Dale Partridge, David Goodwin, Joyce Burges, Israel Wayne, and more, you'll discover that truth is a person, why you can't build a society on lies, that the church is the pillar of truth, why you can't believe in your own subjective truth and still believe in Jesus, why you shouldn't send your children to schools that don't believe in objective truth, why truth is anything that fits into God's narrative, why real truth never changes, why our relationship with Christ ought to motivate our obedience to Him, off of what standard we should base our understanding of truth, and much more. Finally, in "Classical Crypto," Will discusses the current market sentiment and why there is reason to be optimistic about crypto in 2024.

Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/defining-truth

The Copper Lodge Library series from Classical Conversations® preserves history's best stories for future generations. View the library on ClassicalConversationsBooks .com.

Can Screen Time be Good? with Brent Dusing Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Are video games good for your child? Some can be! In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert talks with Brent Dusin, founder and CEO of TruPlay Games, a media company creating video games, comics, and video content centered on stories with a Christian worldview. With high-quality Christian content and no in-app purchases, no chatrooms, and no ads, TruPlay is truly unique in the video game industry, uplifting and educating children and their families with the truth of God's word. In this conversation, discover why fewer American children believe in God, the importance of providing Christian content in a sea of toxic content, and how TruPlay tells biblical stories through video games. Brent also shares insights into the popularity of TruPlay's games in Christian homes, games that span true biblical narratives to imaginative tales of cartoon characters navigating real-world challenges and discovering faith in God. Finally, Brent and Robert explore why Disney fails to inspire whole families anymore.

TruPlay Games: https://truplaygames.getrewardful.com/invitations/2GNFpLAU6ATEuyCW2qPsDJgo Terms of Service

Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Brent-Dusing

Enjoying Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins? Check out the other Classical Conversations® podcasts at ClassicalConversations.com/Podcasts!

Stop Being Polite! How Civility Can Save Our Country with Alexandra Hudson Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Can civility save our country? In this episode, Robert talks with Alexandra Hudson, an award-winning journalist, speaker, and author of the book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. "A refugee from the federal government," Alexandra grew up in a home that prioritized politeness and viewed education as a lifestyle. Yet when she began working for the U.S. Department of Education, Alexandra soon discovered that her coworkers used politeness for corruption and also didn't care about education. In this conversation, Alexandra discusses her disillusionment with the Department of Education, not living a boxed life, the difference between politeness and civility, why we need less politeness in the world, how to respect someone while sharing hard truths, why the left and right don't share the same vision, how incivility hurts both others and ourselves, how one individual can start a quiet revolution that can change the world, and how the classical model of education can be used to teach future generations the art of being civil.

To get a free audiobook version of The Soul of Civility, follow the steps in this episode's show notes.

Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Alexandra-Hudson

Get a homeschool family the gift of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners this Christmas! Learn more at ClassicalConversations.com/Scribblers.