Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

Latest Episodes:

What Does It Take to be a Writer? with Jennifer Courtney Mar 01, 2023

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Readers and writers—this is a must-listen episode! Robert sits down with Jennifer Courtney, the Global Curriculum Director for Classical Conversations Multi-Media (CCMM), the publishing company of all Classical Conversations® curriculum. In various roles at CCMM, Jennifer has written a variety of books and resources, including Classical Christian Education Made Approachable, the Essentials Curriculum, Fifth Edition, and many books in the Copper Lodge Library series. Among other points of conversation, Jennifer discusses the challenges of preserving the truth and beauty of work when translating it into another language, what's involved in the process of writing a new curriculum, writing about classical, Christian homeschooling from a Los Angeles hotel, what makes a book a "classic," how she discovers new books, and what books she is reading currently. Plus, in the "Current Events Discussion," Robert discusses ESG investing, and in "Classical Crypto," Will talks about the emerging cryptocurrency HBAR.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/jennifer-courtney

Homeschooling while Black with Joyce Burges Feb 22, 2023

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What challenges do black homeschool families face in America? In this episode, Joyce Burges, CEO and co-founder of the National Black Home Educators (NBHE), joins Robert to discuss how her organization helps to make homeschooling more accessible for black families. Aside from leading NBHE, Joyce is also an experienced homeschool mom of over thirty years, a national speaker and advocate for topics like education and family, and the author of several books including Teach Me How to Teach My Child. In addition to discussing NBHE, Joyce talks about what it was like starting to homeschool over thirty years ago, the upward trend in the number of black homeschool families, her hopes for the future of American education, and how she, as a grandmother, stays involved (but not too involved!) in the education of her grandchildren.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/joyce-burges

A Practical Approach to Classical Thought with Heather Shirley Feb 15, 2023

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How do STEM subjects fit into the classical model of education? In this episode, Robert sits down with Heather Shirley to explore how to study math and science classically, how parents can become experts in the classical approach to education, and what resources Heather has found helpful in her own classical education journey. If you're a Classical Conversations® member, you might know Heather Shirley as our Chief Academic Advisor, although Heather has plenty of firsthand Classical Conversations experience, leading local communities for the Foundations, Essentials, Challenge III, and Challenge IV programs. Although she is passionate about the humanities, Heather originally pursued a career in STEM, receiving a bachelor's in mathematics and a master's in computer engineering. If anyone can speak to the topic of studying STEM subjects classically, it's Heather!

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/heather-shirley

Taking a Classical Approach to Entrepreneurship with Dr. Matthew Smith Feb 08, 2023

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What does an entrepreneur have in common with a polymath? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert talks to Dr. Matthew Smith, the founding president of Hildegard College. Hildegard is an all-new Christian college located in southern California that takes a unique approach to the liberal arts, merging the classical, Great Text tradition with entrepreneurship. In this conversation, Matthew speaks to why American higher education needs a reset, why Hildegard's undergraduate program emphasizes the study of entrepreneurship classically and the unique challenges students today face as opposed to students a decade ago.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/matthew-smith

ESAs: What You Need to Know with Israel Wayne Feb 01, 2023

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Should homeschoolers accept government funds to help finance their children's education? As tempting as it might be to accept one of these stipends, homeschool families need to understand the dangers that lie beneath the surface of these government funds. In this conversation of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins is joined by Israel Wayne, a homeschool dad of eleven children, the director of Family Renewal Ministries, and the author of multiple books, including Education: Does God Have an Opinion? and Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask. Robert and Israel discuss the origins of the public school system in America, the foundational principles on which this system is built, and ultimately, why we should be concerned about the government funding of private and home schools. If you are a homeschool parent, this episode is a must-listen!

To learn more about government-funded private education, classicalconversations.com/educationalfreedom.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/israel-wayne

Top Episode of 2022 with Leigh Bortins Jan 25, 2023

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Listen to Robert's favorite episode from the first season of Refining Rhetoric—a conversation with the one and only Leigh Bortins, Robert's mom and the founder of Classical Conversations®. Leigh has written several books, including The Core, The Question, and The Conversation, and is well-known for her ability to demystify the fundamental tools of learning. Since 1984, her efforts have helped launch the "home-centered" education movement. In this rerun of the podcast's second episode, Robert and Leigh discuss classical education, homeschooling, the origins of Classical Conversations, and the upcoming The Math Map, a brand-new math program for Classical Conversations members.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/top-2022-leigh-bortins

Top 2 of 2022 with Andrew Pudewa Jan 18, 2023

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To kick off 2023, we are re-releasing two of our favorite episodes from last year, starting with this conversation with Andrew Pudewa. Andrew is the founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and is a longtime partner and friend of Classical Conversations®. Speaking around the world, Andrew is known for presenting the skills of writing, teaching, and thinking with clarity and wit. Through IEW seminars and curriculum, he has helped students of all ages become better communicators and critical thinkers. Andrew graduated from the Talent Education Research Institute (known for the Suzuki method) in Matsumoto, Japan, and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert interviews Andrew about his work at IEW, literacy in the United States, how to write with excellence, and Andrew's secrets for losing weight and staying healthy.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/top-2-2022-andrew-pudewa

Defining Christian Nationalism with Heidi St. John Jan 11, 2023

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What's the biggest obstacle Christian moms face today? In this conversation, Robert talks to Heidi St. John, a prolific speaker and author who encourages Christian moms through her blog, her ministry MomStrong International, and her books, which include Bible Promises for Moms and Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight With All That's In You For Your Family and Your Faith. Heidi shares her thoughts on going from an accidental homeschooler to an accidental author, why defending objective truth is the greatest challenge moms currently face, the definition of "Christian nationalism," and how the Republican Party has changed over time. In addition, she discusses whether she will ever run for office again.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/heidi-st-john

The Truth About Money, College, and the Modern Workforce with Will McCreery Jan 04, 2023

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Welcome to the first episode of season two! In this episode, Robert chats with Will McCreery, the host of "Classical Crypto," the podcast segment on Refining Rhetoric that breaks down complex topics in the cryptocurrency space into simple terms using tools from the classical model of education. Will is also a Classical Conversations® Challenge graduate and currently an employee at Classical Conversations, Inc., where he oversees the Odyssey Program, a gap-year opportunity for high school graduates through Classical Conversations Plus. Here, Will talks about being a Classical Conversations student, the CC Plus Program and the Odyssey Program, whether college is still necessary today, and, of course, finance and cryptocurrency.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/will-mccreery

Understanding Common Law with Jeff Shafer Dec 28, 2022

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What on earth is common law? In Refining Rhetoric's last episode of 2022, Robert sits down with Jeff Shafer, the director of the Hale Institute, graduate of Regent University School of Law, former legal practitioner, and former senior counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, to discuss the concept of common law and its relevance in recent Supreme Court decisions, including Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In the "Current Events Discussion," Robert asks, "Should the Department of Education exist?" using the classical tools of learning to break down this topic. Finally, Will McCreery briefly looks at where the NFT market stands now, pointing out several practical use cases for NFTs in the "Classical Crypto" segment.

Show notes: refiningrhetoric.com/jeff-shafer