Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

Can tests actually inspire students rather than just stressing them out? Here, Robert talks with Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test, an education company that provides assessments that are intellectually richer and more rigorous than traditional standardized tests and college entrance exams. Jeremy discusses where standardized testing has gone wrong, the virtues and future o...

Where did the public school system go wrong? In this episode, Robert discusses the miseducation of America with David Goodwin. David is the president of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS), the managing director of The Classical Difference magazine, cofounder and former headmaster of The Ambrose School, and, most recently, coproducer, along with Pete Hegseth of Fox News, of the s...

Does God have an opinion on education? In this episode, Robert welcomes back Refining Rhetoric 's first returning guest, Israel Wayne, who has spent decades researching the answer to this question. Together, they discuss Israel's new book Foundations in Faith , sharing homeschooling responsibilities with one's spouse, the fundamental thing missing from the traditional school system, whether educat...

How can we assess progress and performance without assigning grades? In this episode, Robert talks with Amanda Butler, Vice President of Training and Support at Classical Conversations®, about what classical, Christian assessment should look like. From engineer to public school teacher to homeschool mom, Amanda draws from her unique experience to share what she has learned about how to encourage s...

Where has the fun gone in parenthood? In this special episode, Robert is joined by Delise Germond and Ginny Tran—hosts of the podcast Blessings and Motherhood from Classical Conversations®—to talk about the joys of parenting, the national birth rate decline, the behind-the-scenes of producing the Classical Conversations podcasts, and how to figure out major life decisions with your spouse. After t...

Can homeschooling give students the freedom to pursue their passions? In this episode, Robert chats with Classical Conversations® Challenge student and former National Memory Master champion Trevor Dolden about his promising acting career in Los Angeles, California. Since first becoming interested in acting at nine months old, Trevor has gone on to play roles in short films, TV shows, and movies,...

Just let boys be boys! In this episode, Robert talks with Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA. Trail Life is a Christ-centered, outdoor adventure program that teaches young men biblical values and outdoor skills through character and leadership development. Here, Mark describes how Trail Life stands out among other outdoor adventure programs by being Christ-focused, the three things boys need to g...

How can we improve our ability to anticipate and resolve relational conflicts? In episode 37, Robert speaks with Ken Sande, the founder of Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360). Over the course of his career as a lawyer and professional mediator, Ken has mediated hundreds of conflicts in familial, business, church, and legal settings. Classical Conversations® Challenge B families...

Dr. Jennifer Murff's career is one defined by leadership. In this episode, Robert talks with Jenn about her work as President and CEO of the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) Leadership Center, an organization that equips Christian leaders throughout the MENA region with the skills to share the gospel successfully. Jenn also relates the cultural and religious challenges she and her organization face...

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 Curricu...

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...

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 Shi...

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 spe...

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 Famil...

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...

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. Th...

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...

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 Conver...

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...

Now, more than ever before, knowing how to code is an incredibly valuable skill in the job market. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric , Robert welcomes Classical Conversations® Challenge student and self-taught computer programmer Elijah Whitbeck to the show. Elijah relates his coding journey from developing his first video game to recently launching his first mobile app and starting his own com...

Regina Piazza has done it all, from serving in the U.S. Air Force and starting a business to homeschooling her children and running for the Florida State Senate District 2 seat. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric , Robert Bortins and Regina discuss her recent run for office, her experience working as a Classical Conversations® Support Representative, and how she prioritizes her Christian and con...

Imagine the small community setting, thoughtful discussions with peers, and classical curriculum of Classical Conversations®, but at a college level! In this episode of Refining Rhetoric , Robert speaks to Eliot Grasso, vice president and a tutor at Gutenberg College. Gutenberg takes a classical, Christian approach to a four-year higher education while limiting its incoming freshman class to just...

Can everyday homeschool parents and students make a political difference on a national scale? In this episode, Robert sits down with Andrew McIndoe, the vice president of development for the Heritage Foundation, an organization based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to help build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish. Robert and Andrew discuss which issue...

As voting season approaches, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking our individual voices won't make a difference. In this special mini-episode of Refining Rhetoric , Robert Bortins argues against this and other reasons people give for choosing not to vote. In addition, he provides resource recommendations for those interested in learning more about how they can make an impact through voting....

In this conversation, Robert and Allie Beth Stuckey discuss how to build a biblical worldview, respond to opposing opinions, and help our children navigate modern culture. Allie is an author, podcaster, commentator, speaker, wife, and mom who is on a mission to help others build their worldview upon the truth of God's Word. In 2020, she released her first book You're Not Enough (And That's Okay):...