Sharpening Arrows

Letting a boy play on a girls’ sports team isn’t compassion. Its cruelty to the young women he’s competing against. Parental pause point questions: 1. How do you think the lawyer responded? (4:21) 2. Do men have an advantage in sports? And if so, are you a better basketball player than a woman in the WNBA? (6:30) 3. Does this athlete have the same opportunity as his peers? (10:57) 4. Can an issue...

Many of the same people who don’t believe in absolute truth will get very upset when people refuse to ignore biological realities, like men are not women. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you know about transgenderism? (6:41) 2. Is everything a person feels valid? (9:08) 3. What would you say in response to this argument? (11:34) 4. Have you ever been insulted for your beliefs? (12:29) 5...

President Donald Trump sent the U.S. military into Venezuela on a daring raid to arrest the country’s president. Was that a victory, an example of American imperialism or the start of another forever war? Parental pause point questions: 1. What have you heard about the U.S. arresting Nicolas Madura, who claimed to be Venezuela’s president? (3:48) 2. Why does Venezuela have so much oil, but produce...

It’s almost New Years. Is it worth making resolutions? Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you think about New Year's resolutions? (4:08) 2. Have you ever made a resolution? What was it about? (5:35) 3. Did you keep your resolution? (6:57) 4. Which of The Great 8 Questions apply here? (11:39) 5. What is the problem with these goals? (18:21) 6. What is a specific, measurable and controll...

Christmas is a celebration of something that’s scientifically impossible. Should this concern Christians? Also, Victor is podcasting from a special location. Listen to find out where. The newly released book, Memory Burn, is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Burn-Thriller-Resistance-Veilfire-ebook/dp/B0G7G13LKQ/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1 Parental pause point questions: 1. What makes a compellin...

It’s time to answer a question that’s vexed high school students for decades. Why do we write papers and do algebra? Parental pause point questions: 1. In 2023, 13% of teenagers used ChatGPT to help with their homework. What percent do you think did so in 2024? (4:55) 2. Is it cheating to use AI to complete your homework? (5:10) 3. Do you agree or disagree with this argument? (7:34) 4. What is the...

Why do students need intelligence when there's artificial intelligence? Victor looks at the role of AI in education. Parental pause point questions: 1. Does you or your school use AI in education? (2:32) 2. What is a benefit and a downside of AI in education? (5:17) 3. Do you know someone who's used AI to complete an assignment? Have you? (10:16) 4. Which of these arguments do you find the...

One way Christians can improve their communities is by getting involved in politics. Now, that's not something you hear everyday, but Victor shows why it's true. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do Biblical teachings have any practical applications for modern politics? (4:56) 2. Do Christians bring anything important to political discussions? (7:22) 3. Which of The Great 8 Questions appl...

If you’re looking for something to be thankful for, try this. You have better stuff than a billionaire. And a late-show appearance by some of my children make listening impossible. You've been warned. Parental pause point questions: 1. What makes someone rich? (03:07) 2. What would prevent a billionaire from buying something that you could afford right now? (05:01) 3. Which of The Great 8 Ques...

It’s time to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the separation of church and state. Parental pause point questions: 1. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “separation of church and state”? (3:23) 2. Do you think any governments in the U.S. have ever favored Christianity over other faiths? (5:02) 3. Which of The Great 8 Questions would you use in response to Justice Black's con...

President Donald Trump has floated a new solution to high housing prices: 50 year mortgages. Is that a good idea? Also, Allie Beth Stuckey (unknowingly) provides a ringing endorsement Sharpening Arrows. Very flattering. Parental pause point questions: 1. Do you think you'll ever want to buy a home someday? (2:45) 2. Why do people want to buy a home? Parents, why did you buy a home? (4:18) 3. D...

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...