Why are so many historically Christian colleges quietly abandoning their roots — and what does it take to raise a generation that won't? In this episode of *Refining Rhetoric*, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Albert Mohler, president of Boyce College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to talk about raising faithful Christian kids, the secular pressures pulling Christian colleges off course, and why parents need to be "loud" about their convictions instead of silent.

Dr. Mohler names the three "exit points" where Christian kids are most vulnerable — leaving the home, adolescence, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood — and explains why the 18-to-22 window matters more than parents think. He also unpacks his push to add the Truth in Unity Amendment to the Southern Baptist Convention's Constitution, why he believes Christian colleges are only ever one generation from drifting (citing Harvard's own Puritan founding), and why he's convinced America's Christian roots are recoverable, not lost.

Whether you're weighing where to send your student after homeschooling or just trying to raise kids who can articulate what they believe and why, this conversation is a bracing, hopeful case for staying convictional — and loud about it.

Dr. Albert Mohler's site & The Briefing: https://albertmohler.com/

Boyce College: https://boycecollege.com/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by the 2027 CC Family Cruise featuring the National Memory Master Competition, the National Number Knockout Competition, & the National Commencement.

The CC Family Cruise is setting sail May 2-8th, 2027, departing from Galveston, Texas, and your whole family is invited! Onboard, you can enjoy CC Signature events and exclusive perks like group dining, merchandise, events, onboard credit, and time with Leigh and Robert Bortins.

Space is filling up quickly, so visit classicalconversations.com/cruise to start your booking today!

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

What does it take to build entertainment kids actually love that parents can actually trust? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins talks with John Forystek, media veteran and creator of the faith-driven animated franchise Band of Friends, and DJ Gravitt — a Classical Conversations graduate and the show's producer and songwriter.

John, whose background spans record labels, publishing, and global media, describes the moment he stopped watching cartoons as an executive and started watching them as a father of four — and the five-point values framework his team built (moral and ethical, relational and social, emotional and personal growth, spiritual and character, and generosity and service) after consulting Christian counselors, rather than just aiming for "safe." DJ shares how Classical Conversations' emphasis on critical thinking, music theory, and self-directed learning prepared him to help build out the show's world — and how CC's story sequence chart shows up directly in how Band of Friends episodes are written.

Whether you're a parent tired of handing your kids a tablet full of over-sexualized content, or a homeschool student wondering what a career in storytelling could look like, this conversation is a reminder that good stories still shape culture — and that Classical Conversations grads are already out there making them.

Follow along and join the Band of Friends community: https://bandoffriends.tv/

This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Samaritan's Purse — Operation Christmas Child.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Your homeschool community can be part of this global mission by packing gift-filled shoeboxes full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items that are sent to children in over 100 countries. Through this project, Samaritan's Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.

Make Operation Christmas Child part of your school year leading up to National Collection Week, November 16–23.

Learn more about how you can join this ministry at https://samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/