Outstanding

When an idea is planted, it can do one of two things: take root and flourish or wither and die. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Tim Goeglein who serves as the Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family for a conversation around his new book “Stumbling Toward Utopia”. To understand the current political and cultural climate, we must look at the past. Tim dives int...

Fired from his teaching job because he refused to use “proper pronouns”, Peter Vlaming and his attorney, Alliance Defending Freedom’s Tyson Langhofer, join host Joseph Backholm to tell his story and unpack the five year long legal battle of protecting his rights to free speech and religion. One minute Peter is teaching a French class and the next he is put on administrative leave. Five years ago,...

Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Dr. Robert George, a professor at Princeton University, for a conversation addressing the pressing issues of this generation. First and foremost, Christians are called to protect the unborn. Professor George emphasizes and unpacks how the Republican party has shifted from this narrative and how the Democratic party is not the party of love and compassion, but one...

Theologian, author, and cultural commentator Os Guinness joins host Joseph Backholm to offer insight and encouragement to the culture wars and division we see in America today. As Christians, we must understand the gravity of the moment and act accordingly. We were placed in this tumultuous time to serve God’s purpose in this generation. Os weighs in on what it would take to have an “awakening” in...

Are we bowing to God or government? Host Joesph Backholm is joined by Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel Gary Hamrick for a conversation on how Christians can navigate this upcoming election season. While many Christians are less than enthused by their options in this upcoming presidential election, Pastor Hamrick encourages them to mobilize, because if we do not, someone else will fill the void. He enc...

In a culture of “gentle parenting”, do parents think too much about what their child wants that it hinders their ability to process negative emotions when they get older? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the founder of Them Before Us, Katy Faust, for a conversation centering around pro-children policies, parenting, and political trends being seen in young adults. One of the main goals of everythi...

Host Joseph Backholm is joined by executive director of the Philos Project Luke Moon for an in-depth analysis of the conflict in the Middle East, why it is occurring and where is it going. It’s been a few days since Iran launched close to 200 ballistic missiles at Israel and it seems the world is waiting with bated breath to see how and if Israel will retaliate. Joseph and Luke discuss possible re...

About 2 and a half years ago, Russia launched a full-on invasion into Ukraine. Countless lives have been lost, families separated, cities destroyed, and many are wondering if the war will ever end. Host Joseph Backholm is joined again by Gennadiy Mokhnenko, a Christian pastor actively preaching in Russian-occupied Ukraine, for an update of what life and ministry is like in a war zone. Pastor Genna...

We are 40 days from the 2024 presidential election and many people are still debating how they will cast their vote. For those wondering how they can cast their vote wisely, tune in to the conversation with host Joseph Backholm and Pastor of Heritage Church Trent Hunter, for a conversation about how Christians can and should be civically engaged. Casting a vote can seem like a big deal with heavy...

President Lincoln once said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand". Over the last several years, politics has divided the nation instead of uniting it. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Denise Gitsham, a political commentator, attorney, and author of "Politics for People Who Hate Politics", for a conversation about the political divide and how to tackle it from a biblic...

Culture has become the topic of conversation since news broke that Haitian immigrants were supposedly eating domesticated cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, John Stonestreet, for a conversation about the origin of cultures. If all cultures reflect certain morals, does that make one superior than the othe...

It is safe to say that many Americans are concerned about the economy but are not sure what would help turn it around. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Jerry Bowyer, an investment manager, author, and economy expert, to offer guidance on how Christians can think biblically about the economy. First things first, what does the Bible say about the economy? How did certain economic situations affect...

After weeks of waiting, Kamala Harris has finally posted her policies to her campaign site. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by The Washington Stand’s Ben Johnson to unpack exactly what she has planned. At 30,000, voters can view her Equality Act, a national expansion on abortion, amnesty for immigrants, gun control, and so much more. Joseph and Ben take a closer look at what it would mean for Chris...

Host Joseph Backholm is joined by resident D.C. insider Eric Teetsel for a conspiratorial conversation concerning the deep state. What is the deep state? Is it even real? If the deep state does exist, who are its members and what are their motives? Joseph and Eric unpack and dive into all of these questions. In a world where reality can truly be stranger than fiction, listen now to learn more abou...

What is going on for teachers in the land of 10,000 lakes? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by senior attorney at the Upper Midwest Law Center, James Dickey, for a conversation unpacking what teachers are going through in Minnesota. Recently, the Professional Educator Licensing Standards Board in Minnesota declared that teachers must affirm the gender of their students - and if they don't, they...

What role should the government have in incentivizing the familial support system? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Chuck Donovan, who has worked for the Reagan administration, Family Research Council, and Charlotte Lozier Institute, to weigh in on the current debate surrounding the Child Tax Credit. In this election season, we have seen both presidential candidates give their thoughts on the CTC...

As November looms in the not-so-distant future, many Americans are contemplating how they will cast their vote in the upcoming presidential election. While many are concerned about the economy, the border, and LGBTQ issues, one topic has taken center stage in both respective campaigns: Abortion. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Family Research Council’s Mary Szoch and FRC Action’s Matt Carpenter...

We appreciate your patience as we work to update today's podcast in light of newly announced information. Thank you for listening to Outstanding! Our goal is to help listeners think biblically about the current news of the day -- stay tuned for this update. You won't want to miss it!

Last week, the streets of Chicago were overflowing with protestors, police, and a mobile abortion unit – all tale tell signs the Democratic National Convention was back in town. From DJs to vibes, the DNC was in full swing as Kamala Harris “officially” accepted the Democratic presidential nomination. Host Joseph Backholm, who had boots on the ground outside of the DNC last week, is joined by The W...

Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Family Research Council's Meg Kilgannon for an educational conversation (pun intended) about the Department of Education (DOE). Started in 1979, the DOE has come under recent inspection by presidential candidate Donald Trump who says, if elected in November, he will close down the federal department. But why? Meg and Joseph dive into the origins of the DOE, it...

If the media thinks being a father, having a successful business career, and serving our country as a Marine is “weird”, well then, JD Vance is indeed weird. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the president of the Center for Christian Virtue, Aaron Baer, for a conversation unpacking “Who is JD Vance?”. Hailing from Ohio, Trump’s running mate is best known for his biographical book “Hillbilly Elegy”...

Have you ever looked at the world and thought "How did we get here"? If you have, you are in the right place to find some answers. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the founder of The White Rose Resistance, Seth Gruber, for a conversation focused on who and what ideas have shaped the world we see today. For Seth, it starts by going back to the year 1916 when Margaret Sanger opened the fi...

Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, has announced her running mate, *queue the drum roll* announcing Tim Walz…*crickets*. So, who is Tim Walz? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Minnesota native and director of strategy at the Minnesota Family Council, Moses Bratrud, for a deep dive into Governor Walz. Moses and Joseph unpack Tim’s life before politics, his rise to elected positions, an...

It truly only takes one to make a difference. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the president and founder of Christians Engaged, Bunni Pounds, for a conversation emphasizing the need and ability of believers to make an impact where they can! In a world that seems to turn upside down on a weekly basis, do not be disheartened or anxious about the news – YOU can do something. Bunni encourages listene...

Religious freedom is under attack in Minnesota. The general counsel of True North Legal, Renee Carlson, joins host Joseph Backholm to tell her story of how she and many others protected and reestablished religious freedom in Minnesota. The Minnesotan government is currently in complete control by the democratic party. Renee and colleagues noticed that the freedom of religion was essentially remove...