The Washington Stand

Outstanding

News EN ↓ 253 episodes

Critical conversations on the news of the day and the issues that shape us. Outstanding is a podcast of The Washington Stand, Family Research Council's outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview. We examine outstanding news and issues from TWS with an aim to take every thought captive for the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Join us as we examine the headlines through the lens of Scripture, and explore how Christians should respond.

Author

The Washington Stand

Category

News

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

The Leftist Takeover of Schools, Paid for by Taxpayers (Ep. 202) 23.07.2025

Education is under attack. Host Casey Harper is joined by Kendall Tietz, an investigative reporter for Defending Education to discuss the ideological takeover of America’s schools. Together, they expose how federal funds meant for disadvantaged students are being redirected to controversial programs promoting race and gender-based ideologies, equitable grading, and political indoctrination—often w...

Inside the Transgender Industry: Its Profits Over Protection (Ep. 201) 16.07.2025

Transgender ideology has quietly taken root in key institutions meant to nurture and protect children - schools and hospitals. Host Casey Harper is joined by Alleigh Marre of the American Parents Coalition and Joshua Arnold of The Washington Stand to discuss the disturbing financial incentives driving the movement, the life-altering consequences of transitioning minors, and the FBI’s recent invest...

The Crisis of Justice and Safety in America (Ep. 200) 09.07.2025

Former cop Jason Johnson and Washington Stand’s Sam McCarthy join host Casey Harper to expose the growing crisis in America’s justice system — where public officials often seem to side with criminals over victims. Is it now a good time to be a criminal? Jason and Sam break down why cities are feeling increasingly unsafe, the failures of modern prosecutors, and how the Trump administration is handl...

The Christian Roots of America's Founding: Fact or Fiction? (Ep. 199) 02.07.2025

Is the Declaration of Independence still relevant today? Does it contain language that lays the groundwork for a Christian society? Does slavery disqualify the founders? Dr. Matthew Spalding joins host Casey Harper to unpack the Declaration, exploring how its true meaning has been lost in modern misinterpretations. They also tackle the age-old question: Was this country, and its founding documents...

Journey from Iranian Muslim to Persecuted Christian (Ep. 198) 27.06.2025

Marziyeh Amirizadeh’s story is one of courageous faith and a powerful testament to God’s providence. Growing up as a Muslim in Iran, Marzi knew the grave risks of becoming a Christian. She witnessed the Iranian regime’s brutal persecution of believers and would come to experience it herself. Charged with apostasy - leaving Islam - Marzi was imprisoned, tortured, and sentenced to death by hanging....

Is Pride Losing Steam? (Ep. 197) 25.06.2025

"Pride Month" was so scaled back this year - the rainbow showed up in pastel. It seems big corporations realize going woke can hurt the bottom line. But what’s really behind the silencing of this once-colorful cacophony of the leftist agenda? Executive Director of the National Center’s Free Enterprise Project, Stefan Padfield, and The Washington Stand’s Suzanne Bowdey join Casey Harper t...

Post-Roe Reality: Fighting for Life in the Age of Abortion Pills (Ep. 196) 18.06.2025

The fight for life is far from over. Family Research Council’s Mary Szoch joins host Casey Harper to discuss what the life issue landscape looks like since the overturn of  Roe v. Wade . While a lot of good has come from that decision, abortions have actually been on the rise over the last few years, driven largely by the widespread use of chemical abortion pills like mifepristone. Harper and Szoc...

The Tech Exit: Is AI and Social Media Rewiring Childhood? Clare Morell, Arielle Del Turco (Ep. 195) 11.06.2025

Technology is reshaping childhood in deeply concerning ways, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence and social media. Clare Morell, author of  The Tech Exit , and Family Research Council’s Arielle Del Turco explore how screen addiction, AI chatbots, and unregulated tech are damaging young minds, fueling loneliness, and eroding both emotional and spiritual well-being. Together, they emp...

The Hate Charade: Tyler O'Neil and Chris Gacek on the SPLC (Ep.194) 04.06.2025

The Southern Poverty Law Center has been in the business of big hate for decades. Even after inspiring a 2012 domestic terror attack by an attempted mass-shooter who used their "hate map," the SPLC doubled down. The organization is once again targeting conservatives for their views. Daily Signal's Tyler O'Neil and Family Research Council's Chris Gacek explain the history and corruption of SPLC, th...

Embracing God's Design: Walt Heyer and Jennifer Bauwens (Ep. 193) 28.05.2025

It is not about gender – but identity. Family Research Council’s Jennifer Bauwens and Walt Heyer speak on their new book and resource that helps explain and offers advice on how Christians can navigate the growing transgender movement. In their new book, Embracing God’s Design , Jennifer and Walt dive deep into what is pushing the transgender movement, what role trauma plays, and how the church ca...

Created to Create: Art and Creativity for Christ (Ep. 192) 14.05.2025

Just like words, art is used to communicate beauty, feelings, and truth. Family Research Council’s Hannah Tu and veteran designer Jeff Dionise discuss the power and purpose of art as a form of human creativity and expression. They share how they integrate faith and design and how creativity flows from a rightly ordered faith. They also explore its role in communication and the church, and how AI i...

Journalism: Past, Present, and Future (Ep. 191) 07.05.2025

Journalists Mark Tapscott and Casey Harper join The Washington Stand’s Jared Bridges to discuss the state of journalism—past, present, and future. They explore media bias, declining public trust, the shift from traditional reporting, and historical and modern media missteps. They also reflect on how their Christian faith shapes their work and how believers can wisely consume media in a digital age...

100 Days of Trump 2.0 (Ep. 190) 30.04.2025

As Donald Trump launches into his second term, the first 100 days have been nothing short of a political whirlwind. FRC Action's Matt Carpenter and Family Research Council's Quena Gonzalez unpack the first 100 days of the Trump administration 2.0. They reflect on the fast-moving first few weeks, the importance of Congress making reforms permanent, and key wins for social issues important t...

Ep. 189: DEI, ESG & Wokeism: Dead Terms or Hidden Agendas? 23.04.2025

Stephen Soukup, director of The Political Forum Institute, joins Jared Birdges and Suzanne Bowdey from The Washington Stand to discuss the state of DEI, ESG, and wokeism in business and government. Are these initiatives truly dead, or just rebranded? They explore the role of consumer boycotts, government actions, and why the average person should care. Soukup also offers tips on identifying these...

Ep. 188: The Permanence of the Cross in a Temporary Age 16.04.2025

In a world where everything feels temporary, this Resurrection Week conversation centers on the one thing that never changes—the cross of Christ. The Washington Stand’s Jared Bridges is joined by Dr. Stephen Wellum and Pastor David Schrock to discuss the lasting significance of the cross and resurrection in a fleeting world. They explore why the cross is central to God’s plan, the importance of Je...

Ep. 187: The Courage to Speak Out - An Update with Dr. Eithan Haim 09.04.2025

In this powerful follow-up episode, Dr. Eithan Haim, who first joined us in March 2024 after blowing the whistle on Texas Children’s Hospital’s secretive transgender program for minors, shares his whirlwind legal journey fighting the Biden DOJ, what made him decide to blow the whistle, and what he has learned over the course of this year. Listen today to be encouraged by one man’s courageous stand...

Ep. 186: A Light on the Hill: Faith, Politics, and the Legacy of Capitol Hill Baptist 02.04.2025

Should faith and politics mix? Joseph Backholm sits down with Caleb Morrell, author of  A Light on the Hill , to explore the unique role of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in shaping evangelicalism in the nation’s capital. Caleb shares his journey with the church, uncovering its rich 150-year history, from its founding to its enduring biblical foundation despite cultural shifts. They discuss the churc...

Ep. 185: Is Gavin Newsom Rebranding? 26.03.2025

As Charlie Kirk put it, let’s hope voters do not have the memory of a goldfish when it comes to Gavin Newsom’s political history. President of California Family Council, Jonathan Keller, joins Joseph Backholm to discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom’s “political rebrand”. Recently, Newsom walked back his support for transgender athletes in women’s sports. Was this a strategic shift or political...

Ep. 184: Syria's Power Shift: HTS, Assad's Fall, and Global Impact with Luke Moon 19.03.2025

Executive Director of the Philos Project, Luke Moon, joins Joseph Backholm to unpack the latest developments in Syria. With HTS overthrowing the Assad regime after 54 years, they explore whether the new rule is any better - or just as bad. Luke breaks down the roots of the civil war, the role of the Alawites, and why Christians are being targeted. We also examine HTS’s origins, the broader Sunni-S...

Ep. 183: A Check in with Gen Z 12.03.2025

As Generation Z grows older and enters the workforce, theworld is learning more about what they value and believe. Family Research Council interns Alanna Casey and Zach Gohl join host Joseph Backholm to share their experience being Gen Z and the shift they are seeing when it comes to lifestyles and worldviews among their peers.

Ep. 182: The U.S., Ukraine & Russia: What's Next? 07.03.2025

When President Donald Trump was elected, he promised to clean up the foreign affairs mess left by his predecessor - specifically the Russian-Ukrainian war. Professor at Regent University, Dr. A.J. Nolte, joins Joseph Backholm to explore America’s stance on Ukraine, the Biden administration’s role, and whether the U.S. should engage with Putin. Why is Trump the only president who seems willing to t...

Ep. 181: Life After Roe with David Closson 04.03.2025

Family Research Council’s David Closson joins Joseph Backholm to discuss his new book  Life After Roe , examining the impact of  Roe v. Wade’s  overturn in 2022. While 22,000 lives were saved, abortion reached an all-time high in the years following the overturn. They explore the role of pro-life laws, the church’s response, and the emerging debate on IVF. As culture shifts, how do we stay committ...

Ep. 180: From Aid to Audit: Navigating USAID and DOGE Cuts 28.02.2025

The Washington Stand’s Joshua Arnold and FRC Action’s Matt Carpenter explore recent government funding cuts, focusing on USAID and concerns over misuse of funds. Along with host Joseph Backholm, they discuss DOGE’s (Department of Governmental Efficiency) oversight, whether their actions are constitutional, and Elon Musk’s role in the shake-up. The hosts offer a Christian pe...

Ep. 179: The Anti-Evangelical Movement and Trump's Impact with Daniel Darling 25.02.2025

Daniel Darling, author, pastor, and Christian leader, joins Joseph Backholm to discuss the shifting anti-evangelical movement in America and the impact of Trump’s elections on faith and politics. They explore Trump’s surprising gains across demographics, his appeal to the working class, and the debate over whether political involvement is driving people away from the church. Darling emphasizes the...

Ep. 178: Neil Shenvi on Critical Theory and Christianity 21.02.2025

Christian apologist Neil Shenvi, joins Joseph Backholm to discuss the dangers of critical theory and its clash with biblical Christianity. He explains the influence of movements like BLM and the definition of “wokeness”. Shenvi exposes how critical theory threatens unity within the church and stresses the need for unity in Christ over divisions of gender, ethnicity, and race.

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