Sharpening Arrows

Ronald Reagan once said that the 9 most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani doesn’t agree. Who’s right? Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you think about Mamdani's statement? (3:06) 2. What is a problem in your life that you'd like fixed? (4:37) 3. Is the free market responsible for...

A massive hurricane devastated Jamaica last week. Is this another sign that global warming is going to kill you? Victor talks about the surprising change of heart from Bill Gates (!) on this issue. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you know about global warming or climate change? (2:08) 2. Are you worried about climate change? (4:48) 3. If the vast majority of scientists believe something...

Socialism won't make a country rich, but what does? Victor looks at the success of capitalism. The free market has produced so much value that poor Americans today have access to better stuff than billionaires did a century ago. Parental pause point questions: 1. Since poverty is normal, why are we rich? (4:27) 2. Do you think luck (factors outside of one's control) is a factor in success?...

If you want to see what socialism leads to, you shouldn't listen to the promises of Zohran Mamdani or Sen. Bernie Sanders. You should see what happened in Venezuela. Parental pause point questions: 1. Which of The Great 8 Questions would you use to make the case against socialism? (3:46) 2. Do you think food production increased or decreased after Venezuela's socialist takeover? (6:41) 3....

Sen. Bernie Sanders and other socialists constantly attack America's unequal distribution of wealth. They argue that we means we can afford more government programs and regulations. The key to defeating those arguments isn't to respond directly to them. Victor shows that the real debate is happening beneath the surface. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why are there vast differences in t...

Success in one area can lead to failure in what’s most important. Victor explores this paradox in today's show. Parental pause point questions: 1. What temptation accompanies success? (1:42) 2. Where in your life do you need to acknowledge that God is the one who enabled you to succeed? (4:56) Sermons from Pastor Chris Walker with Westminster Presbyterian Church are on Spotify here: https://sp...

Lots of people love to argue. But few know how to change someone's mind. Victor takes a look at why using great arguments in the wrong situation can be counter productive. When you are arguing -- ahem, talking passionately -- with someone, what's often needed are a listening ear and pointed questions. If you want to improve your ability to persuade someone, this episode is for you. Parenta...

Everyone wants to be great. Few people are willing to do what it takes to become great. Victor shares a brief story from Charlie Kirk's life that demonstrates this and challenges teenagers to apply it to their lives. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you want to be great at? What are you willing to suffer to achieve it? (3:56) Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and te...

Three widely repeated claims about Israel aren't true. Victor looks at the idea that pro-Israel policy is primarily driven by the undue influence of Israeli lobbyists; that Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip; and that Israel is an apartheid state. Victor explains the factual and logical problems with each assertion. Parental pause point questions: 1. What, if anything, do you thin...

It’s been two years since the worse slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust -- and some people in America cheered those who did the killing. That's a shocking truth, but it helps explain why Democrat support for Israel has fallen dramatically. Many on the left have embraced critical theory. It's a concept most people couldn't name, but it has infested America's education system. Vict...

On Tuesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gathered America’s top commanders together and laid out a new direction for the military. Victor details what was said and goes through three things people objected to. This includes a detailed discussion on if diversity is a strength. He also goes through why you have to prioritize standards or diversity. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you thi...

On Wednesday, the government may shut down. What does that even mean, and does it matter? Victor walks through what happens when the government shuts down, details if you should panic and examines the politics of the situation. Parental pause point questions: 1. What, if anything, have you heard about a government shutdown? (3:59) 2. Do you think the government has ever been shut down before? (6:5...

Applying what was said at Charlie Kirk's Memorial would change your life. Victor pulls out three bits of wisdom from the many speakers. That includes the link between suffering and learning; the proper connection between Jesus and politics; and why courage is easy. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do you view learning as suffering? (4:02) 2. What suffering do you need to endure to achieve th...

Victor attended the Charlie Kirk Memorial on Sunday. It was powerful, especially when Erika Kirk uttered six words, "That young man -- I forgive him." But many aren't interested in forgiveness. Victor looks at the arguments against forgiveness, before showing their flaws. He then makes the case for forgiveness, including the story of another woman who forgave in the hardest of circum...

Popular culture offers two competing narratives about what it means to be a man. Charlie Kirk rejected both and set an example for young men everywhere. Victor first looks at the two competing cultural messages -- either to act like a woman or like Andrew Tate. He details what both versions of manhood miss. He then lays out four principles, from "Raising a Modern Day Knight," on what Bib...

Charlie Kirk went to college campuses to share his political beliefs and his faith. Now, he’s dead. Where is God in a tragedy like this? Victor discusses that and what we can all learn from Kirk's faith and life. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why does death make us so sad? (2:00) 2. How do you think Charlie Kirk wanted to be remembered? (7:41) 3. When was the last time you gave each membe...

Isn't banning guns the easiest way to stop mass shootings? That may seem like a logical solution, but Victor discusses why the argument doesn't work, including insight on what happened to Britain's homicide rate after it banned firearms. That information may surprise you. Finally, he makes the case against gun control. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do you think new restrictions on...

Last week, children in Minneapolis were shot to death in church during a prayer service. Does this mean that prayer doesn’t work? It's an understandable question, and one that should be seriously considered. Victor lays out the arguments against prayer and then examines what we can learn from the Bible and church history about people dying for their faith. Finally, he talks about what the purp...

Cracker Barrel’s new logo now looks like its old logo. Why do people fight over symbols? Parental pause point questions: 1. Why was there so much controversy over a logo, a symbol? (1:22) 2. If symbols provide meaning to a people, what happens when some in the society seek to change those symbols or tear them down? (3:40) Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and teens to find 20 (or...

Trump said he could bring down crime in DC and he did -- in a big way. Does that mean Trump should expand this strategy to other high-crime cities? Victor offers a strong argument for doing so, but then looks at the downside -- and it is significant. He also looks at why it's so unusual for a political debate to produce a clear answer so quickly. Parental pause point questions: 1. What, if any...

We are taking a slight break from political topics look briefly at the life of Dr. James Dobson. But first, Victor looks at two objections teenagers might have to learning from the example of others. After responding to those concerns, Victor looks at three powerful lessons we can all learn from Dr. Dobson. Parental pause point questions: 1. What's a way, teens, that you are different from you...

Can a business do more to help the poor than a person who society deems compassionate? Absolutely. Parental pause point questions: 1. How do successful businesses and entrepreneurs help the poor? (1:14) 2. Is it possible to make money and make someone else’s life better off? (2:39) 3. How does this Thomas Sowell quote change your view of people running a business? (3:10) Life can be crazy. Some we...

There are many objections to the death penalty, but there are good answers to those arguments, as Victor shares. He also lays out why the death penalty should remain an option. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do you think your state should have the death penalty? (5:19) 2. What would you say to someone who quoted Scripture to oppose the death penalty? (7:19) 3. Which anti-death penalty argument...

President Donald Trump argues that more law enforcement is the key to reducing crime. Others claim we need social workers and better crime prevention efforts. Victor makes the case for the former, including an argument based on The Great 8. Then he explains the problems with a soft-on-crime approach. Finally, he lays out why sending criminals to jail reduces crime. Parental pause point questions:...

This advice from Warren Buffett could change your life. At the least, it's worth considering Pause point questions: 1. Even if you disagree with Buffett, how could saying no to things make someone more successful? (2:02) 2. Is there something you should say no to this year? (2:28)