The Narrative

They'll know we're Christians because... we don't vandalize buildings? In this special episode of The Narrative , Aaron Baer, Maria Baer, David Mahan, and Mike Andrews pull back the curtain on Aaron’s recent appearance at the historic City Club of Cleveland and the firestorm that erupted around it. The team unpacks what it was like to share the Gospel in a room defined by spiritual oppressio...

Two decisions hit Washington this week that could have massive consequences for families nationwide. On the judicial front, the Supreme Court is weighing whether states can protect women’s sports. At the same time, Congress is debating the extension of Obamacare subsidies, this time without Hyde Amendment protections for the unborn. Aaron, David, and Mike explain what’s at stake in the...

This week, Aaron and David take listeners behind the headlines to break down the explosive growth of fraud in programs like Minnesota’s Somali-run daycares and Medicaid housing services, and the human cost of underregulated refugee resettlement. They explore the influence of billionaire-funded gender ideology initiatives, shifts in family courts, and victories in red-state policy reforms. Th...

Who actually deserves credit for founding America? Your eighth-grade history class probably didn't give you the whole story.  For the first  Narrative episode of 2026, Mike and David sit down with author Cynthia Scott to answer this question with insights from her book, Celebrating God, Our Founder, at America’s 250th Birthday. Together, they explore: How early settlers prayed thei...

As 2025 comes to a close, Aaron, David, and Mike look back on a year that set cultural change in motion and reveal where the ground is shifting. From the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and the unexpected national hunger for the Gospel that followed, to a major media outlet naming CCV one of Ohio's most influential political forces, this episode explores what these stories really mean. The...

Does "neutral secularism" exist? Why are some beliefs welcomed in the public square, but Christianity is disqualified? In this final episode of  The Narrative before Christmas, Aaron, David, and Mike react to the Cincinnati Enquirer investigative profile that called CCV "relentless" for turning Christian beliefs into public policy. Marketed as an objective report, the article instead exposes...

This week on The Narrative , Aaron, David, and Mike break down the firestorm that erupted in Cleveland after the City Club’s January 16 event , featuring Aaron, became ground zero in a very public showdown. LGBTQ activists penned an open letter to  pressure the City Club to cancel or modify the event, drawing a response from Attorney General Dave Yost . The Board met on Wednesday, and t...

This week on The Narrative , Aaron and Mike break down two major stories making headlines: the latest developments in the case of the Toledo doctor who forced abortion pills on his girlfriend , and the new peer-reviewed HHS report that uncovers the truth about pediatric gender dysphoria. After the news, tune in for the powerful and uncompromising message from author and speaker Rosaria Butterfield...

This week on The Narrative , we bring you an unforgettable message from  Duck Dynasty  star, author, and entrepreneur Willie Robertson, recorded live at CCV’s 2025 Essential Summit. With his signature humor and down-to-earth storytelling, Willie shares a powerful testimony of God’s redemption in his own family, how his parents’ marriage was miraculously restored, a...

Take a deep dive into the cultural and spiritual moment facing Ohio, America, and the Church in today's episode of The Narrative . David and Church Ambassador Network (CAN) Executive Director Chris Lightfoot begin with an inside look at the explosive growth of CAN—from 2,200 to over 5,000 churches—and why pastors across Ohio are urgently seeking Christ-centered worldview formation, mar...

When a man can secretly order abortion pills in his wife’s name and force them on his pregnant girlfriend, something is deeply broken in our culture. This week's episode of The Narrative breaks down a shocking Ohio case that exposes the growing dangers of unregulated abortion pill access and the cultural ideology enabling it. Aaron, David, and Mike unpack how current FDA rules allowed a man...

In the wake of this week's General Election, Aaron and Mike unpack the implications of Zoran Mamdani, an openly socialist and anti-Israel candidate, winning the mayoral race in New York City. The result points to something deeper than mere partisan politics: With 75 percent of voters under 30 backing Mamdani, Christians and conservatives need to understand the cultural and worldview battles shapin...

From Washington gridlock to the crisis of fatherhood, this week’s episode of The Narrative tackles the cultural forces shaping our culture and families. First, Aaron and Mike cover the news about: The Government Shutdown: Now stretching over nearly a month, this shutdown is unlike any before. The guys break down what’s driving the gridlock in Washington, and how political brinkmanship...

This week on The Narrative , Mike, David, and CAN Executive Director Chris Lightfoot break down major updates from the Ohio Statehouse, including: Progress on the Success Sequence Bill, Indecent exposure reforms, and Protecting kids from high-potency THC products. They also discuss why marriage is often missing from today’s fatherhood programs and why the Church must lead on family formation...

Ready to dive into this week's most pressing issues? Tune in to The Narrative with CCV's Aaron Baer, David Mahan, and Mike Andrews as they review: Israel-Hamas Peace Deal: The long-awaited peace deal is moving toward completion after more than two years of conflict. Walk through the release of remaining Israeli hostages vs. Hamas prisoners, the strategic actions taken by Israel, and why this could...

Though Charlie Kirk couldn’t join us at the Cleveland Celebration Gala last month, his mission—and the passion behind it—was at the center of our conversation. Charlie’s Phoenix pastor, Luke Barnett, and Allie Beth Stuckey joined CCV President Aaron Baer to reflect on advancing truth, protecting life, and strengthening families in a culture increasingly at odds with God&rsq...

This week’s episode of The Narrative is something special—we're coming to you LIVE  from the Ohio Statehouse lawn before the Ohio March for Life ! Thousands gathered in Columbus to boldly stand for life, and we were there, capturing the energy, voices, and stories that matter most. From inspiring testimonies to behind-the-scenes conversations, you’ll get an inside peek into...

The fight to protect children is gaining ground—Nationwide Children's Hospital just ended "gender-affirming" care for minors. Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers' Research , joins CCV Executive Policy Director David Mahan and Executive Communications Director Mike Andrews on this week's episode of The Narrative to break down how this victory came about, what it reveals about the broad...

The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk has forced every Christian to confront a sobering question: How do we live faithfully when the culture grows hostile to truth? On this week’s episode of The Narrative , Dr. Andrew Walker joins CCV's Aaron Baer, David Mahan, and Mike Andrews for a candid conversation about Christian ethics in a world that seems determined to abandon them. Dr. Walker do...

Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer shares a special tribute honoring Charlie Kirk’s life and how we answer the Lord’s call to move forward. We look forward to our Cleveland Gala on Friday, September 26, where we will stand alongside you, pray together, and unite under Christ as we remember Charlie’s life and the impactful Kingdom work he dedicated his life to. Join...

On this week's special episode of The Narrative , CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Executive Director David Mahan, and Communications Executive Director Mike Andrews give a run-down on this week's hottest news topics: The latest report on the Minnesota school shooter reveals he previously worked at a marijuana dispensary , leading to the use and abuse of the drug, which he claimed led to his plann...

For many believers, patriotism has either been idolized or abandoned. But is there a better way forward—one that honors God and seeks the good of our nation?  On this week's episode of The Narrative , Communications Executive Director Mike Andrews and Church Ambassador Network Executive Director Chris Lightfoot are joined by author and pastor Daniel Darling to discuss his new book, In D...

What kind of future do we want for our children? Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith, with the federal Office of Early Childhood Development, has spent her career answering that question. In this week's episode of The Narrative , CCV Communications Executive Director Mike Andrews and Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) Executive Director Troy McIntosh speak with Laurie as she shares real-time trends and sta...

This week on The Narrative , CCV Policy Director Mike Andrews and Communications Director Mike Andrews sit down with Pavel Unguryan and Diyana Gabyak to hear firsthand what's happening inside Ukraine and why Christians there are facing some of the fiercest persecution in recent history. From churches being shut down to believers being targeted for their faith, Ukraine's war is not only a battle fo...

We have reached a "civilizational moment" in the battle for truth. And it's past time for Christians to stand up and speak out.  In this week's episode of The Narrative , CCV Policy Director David Mahan and Communications Director Mike Andrews sit down with John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center, to talk about the upcoming documentary,  Truth Rising . This powerful project conf...