Conversations That Matter

What happens when we put adult desires ahead of children's rights?
In this episode of Conversations That Matter, I speak with Katie Faust, founder of Them Before Us and author of several books on children, family, and pro-child politics. We discuss why children have a fundamental interest in being raised by their mother and father, how the debate over same-sex marriage affects children, and why Christians need to put the interests of children at the center of their cultural and political arguments.
We also discuss surrogacy, the consequences of separating children from their biological parents, the legal and political strategy behind the movement to restore the natural family, and the opportunities Christians have to change the culture.
How can Christians make a more persuasive case for traditional marriage and family? Katie argues that we must identify the true victims of cultural changes, tell the stories of affected children, and explain why children's interests should come before adult preferences.
Learn more and get involved:
https://thembeforeus.com/
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00:00 Introduction: Katie Faust and the Rights of Children
03:00 Why Child Protection Is Changing the Culture
06:00 Raising Conservative Children in a Progressive Culture
10:00 Why Children Need Their Biological Parents
15:00 Identifying the Victims in the Culture War
18:00 The Case for Overturning Obergefell
23:00 Surrogacy, Adult Desires, and the Cost to Children
27:00 The Legal Strategy for Restoring the Natural Family
32:00 Building a Pro-Child Political Movement
38:00 The Church's Role in Defending Children
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Why are more Christian families choosing to homeschool their children? And what should parents know before making the decision?
On this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Brad Stafford, father of eight and founder of Anyone Can Homeschool, about the growing interest in homeschooling, the shortcomings of conventional education, and the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children's education.
Brad explains how the COVID era prompted many families to reconsider their educational choices and why first-time homeschoolers often struggle to navigate the overwhelming number of curricula, programs, and opinions available online. He also discusses the benefits of homeschooling for family relationships, the concerns surrounding college, and the importance of cultivating independent thinking rather than simply reproducing the structure of public school at home.
The conversation also examines the role of the local church in supporting homeschooling families without losing sight of its primary responsibilities, the dangers of homeschooling influencers and unrealistic social media portrayals, and how experienced homeschoolers can help younger families develop confidence and practical wisdom.
Brad shares how Anyone Can Homeschool seeks to provide parents with practical guidance, mentoring, and a clearer starting point for educating their children.

Topics covered:
- Why homeschooling grew after COVID
- Christian parents and the responsibility to educate their children
- How to choose homeschooling curricula without becoming overwhelmed
- The role of churches and pastors in supporting homeschool families
- Homeschooling, family relationships, and generational continuity
- College, career preparation, and alternative educational paths
- How to avoid replicating public school at home
- The problems with homeschooling influencers and social media comparison
- Practical guidance for families beginning their homeschooling journey

Learn more about Brad Stafford's work:
Anyone Can Homeschool: https://anyonecanhomeschool.com/
Learn more about Jon Harris's work:
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00:00 Introduction: Why Homeschooling Is Growing
01:12 Why COVID Changed Parents' Minds About School
06:22 Choosing Curricula Without Getting Overwhelmed
09:38 Should Churches Support Homeschooling?
15:42 The Benefits of Homeschooling for Families
20:16 College, Careers, and Alternative Paths
30:04 How Anyone Can Homeschool Helps Parents
34:05 Avoiding the Mistakes of Public School at Home
36:17 Homeschool Influencers and the Social Media Trap

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This week on Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in Christian institutions, conservative politics, and the broader cultural landscape.

Christianity Today faces questions about its leadership and direction. Point Loma Nazarene University draws criticism for inviting a controversial poet, while Vanderbilt Divinity School promotes solidarity circles and a solidarity economy. We also examine the controversy surrounding Samuel Sey's arrest by ICE, the online reaction, and why Christians should resist the temptation to rejoice over another family's hardship.

Other topics include allegations about James Lindsay's personal conduct, internal conflict within the Old Glory Club over America and Israel, and the broader rightward political shift across South America. Brazil's election raises questions about the future of conservative politics and the country's evangelical community.

Finally, we cover the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security concern and a Christian rapper's decision to cancel a concert over pornographic imagery at the venue.

In this episode:
- Christianity Today and the state of evangelical journalism
- Point Loma Nazarene University and a controversial poetry invitation
- Vanderbilt Divinity School's solidarity circles
- Samuel Sey, ICE, immigration law, and Christian charity
- James Lindsay and questions of personal character
- The Old Glory Club's internal conflict
- South America's rightward political shift and Brazil's election
- Confucius Institutes and national security
- Christian rapper Hulvey cancels a concert over pornographic imagery
- New content from Truthscript

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#Christianity #Politics #ChristianCommentary #NewsRoundup
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00:00 Introduction and Announcements
00:48 Point Loma Nazarene University's Controversial Poet
03:43 Vanderbilt Divinity School's Solidarity Circles
08:00 Christianity Today in Turmoil
18:24 Samuel Sey Arrested by ICE: The Controversy
33:57 James Lindsay's Personal Conduct
35:04 The Old Glory Club's Internal Conflict
37:15 South America's Rightward Shift and Brazil's Election
41:22 Confucius Institutes, Hulvey, and Truthscript

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Substack article: https://jonharris.substack.com/p/standing-shoulder-to-shoulder?r=2j3qvv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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What did the NatCon conference in Jerusalem reveal about the future of nationalism, liberalism, and the relationship between Israel and the West?
In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Dr. Avital Levi, director of educational programs at the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, about her presentation at the National Conservatism Conference and the controversies surrounding the event.
Dr. Levi explains why liberal individualism struggles to sustain social cohesion, why nations need shared histories and traditions, and how the biblical account of nationhood offers an alternative to both radical individualism and political universalism. The conversation explores the relationship between family, nation, religion, and political order, as well as the influence of liberal ideas on Israeli society.
Jon and Dr. Levi also discuss the debate surrounding Israel's relationship with the United States, the controversy over public figures such as Tucker Carlson, accusations of antisemitism, and the importance of evaluating international alliances in light of both moral principles and national interests.
Finally, they consider the future of Christian influence in the West and why the recovery of a shared Christian inheritance matters for the political and cultural health of Western nations.
**Topics include:**
- The NatCon conference in Jerusalem
- Liberalism and the social contract
- National identity, family, and shared traditions
- Biblical nationhood and the Tower of Babel
- Israel, nationalism, and immigration
- Tucker Carlson and the debate over antisemitism
- The U.S.-Israel relationship and national interests
- Christianity and the future of Western civilization
Subscribe to *Conversations That Matter* for thoughtful discussions about Christianity, politics, theology, and Western civilization.
00:00 Introduction: Avital Levi and the NatCon Conference
04:30 Liberalism and the Problem of Individualism
09:00 Loyalty, Tragedy, and National Solidarity
14:00 Family, Marriage, and the Foundations of Society
19:00 Abraham, Babel, and Biblical Nationhood
28:00 Nationalism, Religion, and Self-Governing Nations
37:00 Christianity's Influence on Western Culture
44:00 Political Involvement and the NatCon Movement
49:00 Tucker Carlson, Antisemitism, and the NatCon Controversy
54:00 The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Interests and Alliances
64:00 Christian Ethics and Difficult Foreign Policy Questions
78:00 Restoring Christianity and Supporting Israel

Jon's Music: jonharristunes.com
To Support the Podcast: 
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Become a Patron
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