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The WallBuilders Show

Tim Barton, David Barton & Rick Green

The WallBuilders Show is a daily journey to examine today's issues from a Biblical, Historical and Constitutional perspective. Featured guests include elected officials, experts, activists, authors, and commentators.

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August 10 · 26 min
Petra and the Power of Christian Rock - with Bob Hartman and John Schlitt
Petra didn’t just make songs, they helped shape a whole lane of Christian rock that met kids in the real world and still pointed them to Jesus. We’re joined by Petra founder Bob Hartman and iconic lead singer John Schlitt for a conversation that blends faith, music, culture, and the practical grit it takes to keep a mission alive for decades. If you grew up on Petra Praise, Beyond Belief, or wore out a cassette of Back to the Street, you’ll feel this one immediately. We also talk about the new Beyond Belief movie, a faith-based film that spotlights an 80s-era Christian youth story and features Petra’s music throughout. Bob and John share why they backed the project, what makes the concept different from typical Christian entertainment, and how a great soundtrack can carry a message of hope without preaching past people. You’ll hear how the band thinks about impact, how they’ve navigated criticism, and why they believe music can reach people who might never step into a church first. Then we go behind the curtain: running a band as a real business, treating vendors well as part of your testimony, making tough financial calls, and discerning when God is opening the next door. John breaks down how he’s protected his voice over time, and we close with the songs fans still demand and what Petra is doing now, including their album Hope and ongoing touring. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs some hope, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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August 7 · 26 min
Removing Foreign Spies Helps Keep Americans Safe
113 active foreign spies removed from the United States is the kind of headline that makes you sit up straight, and it kicks off a packed Good News Friday where we connect the dots between national security and everyday life. We talk through why counterintelligence still matters, what it means when sensitive military information gets sold, and how those leaks can ripple into real costs and real risk for Americans. From there, we shift to a major Second Amendment development out of the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas: a federal judge rules that National Firearms Act registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns are unconstitutional after Congress eliminates the underlying tax. We explain what’s at stake, what an ATF appeal could look like at the Fifth Circuit, and we clear up one of the most persistent myths out there: suppressors do not make firearms “silent” like the movies, they reduce decibel levels and can help protect hearing. We also cover a court decision tied to a July 4 anti-ICE protest in Dallas where an officer is shot, and the sentencing sends a strong message about violence against law enforcement. Finally, we dig into the fight over mail-order abortion drugs shipped into pro-life states, including comments from acting attorney general Todd Blanche on steps the administration is working on to stop that pipeline. If you care about faith and culture, constitutional law, the ATF, the National Firearms Act, law enforcement, and protecting unborn life, this one is for you. Subscribe for more Good News Friday stories, share this with a friend who needs a hopeful update, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show
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August 6 · 26 min
How Article V Amendments Really Work And Why 38 States Matter
Could a Convention of States accidentally rewrite the whole Constitution, or is the “runaway convention” fear overstated? We take a listener’s question head-on and walk through what Article V actually does, what states can do to limit delegates, and why the ratification threshold changes everything. We keep coming back to one practical reality: no matter what gets proposed, three-fourths of the states must agree, and that’s a high bar designed to reflect the will of the people, not a backroom deal. From there, we zoom out to something our culture badly needs: serious disagreement without scorched-earth tactics. We talk about why fear can’t be the driver, why the Founders built checks and balances for moments like this, and why open debate is healthy even when the people on both sides share the same goals. Then we shift to history with a name most Americans never hear. Peyton Randolph, the steady hand chosen to preside over the First Continental Congress, helped set the tone before independence was even on the table. His story connects to the first prayer in Congress and even to how Thomas Jefferson ends up in position to shape the Declaration of Independence. We close with a candid question from a youth pastor about abortion: abolition or pro-life? We lay out why we support ending abortion while also supporting any legislative step that preserves more life right now. If this helped you think more clearly, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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August 5 · 26 min
When A Free Nation Drifts - with Pastor Rob McCoy
A country can look stable right up until it isn’t. South Korea, once a model of post-war recovery and a powerhouse of Christian growth in Asia, is now wrestling with rising pressure on churches, growing ideological control, and the quiet erosion of religious liberty. That’s why we sit down with Pastor Rob McCoy for a story that feels uncomfortably familiar, especially for anyone who remembers how fast government “emergency” rules can become a new normal. Rob walks us through his relationship with Pastor Sohn (you may hear the name said as Pastor Soan), the pastor of a large church in Busan who kept his doors open during COVID lockdowns and paid a severe price. We talk about raids, targeted enforcement, lack of due process, solitary confinement, and why international attention matters when a government decides to make an example out of a Christian leader. Rob also shares what it takes to rally support, keep a promise to a friend, and use public advocacy and diplomacy to protect someone facing re-arrest. From there, we zoom out to the bigger forces at work: how universities, media narratives, and political apathy can shift a nation’s direction; why the post World War II world originally organized to resist communism; and how foreign influence and border policies can change elections and values without a single bullet fired. We also discuss the Tytler cycle, the danger of the church stepping out of the public square, and why America’s role in defending global religious freedom still matters to believers everywhere. If you care about religious freedom, constitutional rights, and the future of the church in the public square, share this conversation, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s the clearest warning sign you think Americans are missing right now? Support the show
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August 4 · 26 min
A Thousand Pounds Of Glass And A Lot Of Prayer - With Logan Ryser
See the flag here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1018566781065855 A thousand pounds of glass hangs mid-air… and somehow it looks like it’s waving. That’s the true story behind a world-record American flag made of hand-blown glass, built for the 250th anniversary of America and finished with Scripture in 24 karat gold. We’re still trying to wrap our minds around how something that massive can be crafted panel by panel, shipped in wooden crates, and installed without losing a single piece. Before we get to the art, we give an important update on the Patriot Academy campus in Fredericksburg, Texas. The response from listeners has been overwhelming, with people praying, giving, and even sponsoring entire cottages to help protect a training ground for constitutional education and leadership development. It’s a reminder that culture isn’t changed only by talk, it’s changed when people step in, share the message, and support the mission. Then glass artist Logan Ryser joins us to explain how the flag came together, why only a handful of artisans can do this kind of work, and how he chose passages like Psalm 35 and 2 Chronicles 7:14 to connect America’s founding story with a clear call back to humility and repentance. We also talk about where the flag may travel next, including possible stops on the road to Washington, DC, so the public can see it up close and experience the message for themselves. If this conversation encourages you, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find resources at the intersection of faith, history, and the Constitution. Support the show
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August 3 · 26 min
Victory Mindset For Young Civic Leaders - with Thomas Umstattd and Elias Coop-Gonzalez
We’re coming to you from the Patriot Academy National Leadership Congress in Constitution City, Texas, where more than a hundred young adults are debating bills on the floor in a full legislative simulation. It’s constitutional education with real-world pressure, real speeches, real motions, and the kind of civic leadership training most people never get until they’re already in office, if they ever get it at all. We sit down with Patriot Academy alum Thomas Umstattd to talk about something deeper than procedures: mindset. He argues it’s time to trade retreatism for an attitude of victory and to recover the belief that we can actually take ground in culture and public life. From there, we zoom out into storytelling and influence, including how books shape leaders over decades, then into a fascinating thread on Elon Musk, Benjamin Franklin, and why radical accountability beats committee-driven systems. That leads to the hard question underneath modern bureaucracy: if nobody can be held responsible, can anything be fixed? Later, we talk with West Virginia delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez, who came to Patriot Academy as a teenager, ran for office at 19, and became the youngest member of his state legislature. He shares what helped him hold his ground, why community and mentorship matter, and what he wants the next generation to carry with them. We also preview two timely topics brought to the students: when to compromise without becoming compromised, and how to think clearly about AI without panic or blind trust. If you care about civics, constitutional literacy, and raising up serious young leaders, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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July 31 · 26 min
How Patriot Academy Trains Young Leaders And Protects Its Mission
A neighboring property can look like “just real estate” until it becomes a direct challenge to your mission. We open Good News Friday with a major update from Patriot Academy’s campus in Constitution City, Texas and then pivot into the kind of story you can’t ignore: a high-stakes effort to stop a dangerous group from buying the 47 acres right next door, including 40 newly built cottages, and what it takes to secure a contract before an auction changes everything. We also zoom out to the bigger why. We talk about the Patriot Institute and why we see it as the most important work happening on the campus: training young adults with a biblical worldview, moral philosophy, apologetics, leadership, communication, debate, and real-world skills that translate into business, education, ministry, the arts, law enforcement, and public service. We even touch Washington, DC, where training and encouraging principled congressional staffers matters because “staff is policy” and the right people in the right rooms can steady leadership and protect communities. Then we get practical with the deadline. We share how cottage sponsorships helped pull the property from auction, why 24 cottages are already sponsored, and why 16 still need sponsors before the August 31 close. If you care about Christian civic leadership, constitutional education, religious liberty, and local culture battles that shape the future, you’ll feel the urgency and the hope in this conversation. Subscribe, share this with a friend who cares about faith and culture, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of this story hits closest to home for you? Support the show
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July 30 · 26 min
Faith That Stands Up - with Jaco Booyens
Washington, DC doesn’t just run on policy, it runs on pressure, influence, and competing spiritual visions. We sit down with Jaco Booyens, a longtime abolitionist fighting human trafficking, to hear what happened when he felt called to move his family into the city, open an office, and launch a new church right in the middle of it all. The “yes” sounded clear, but the fallout was immediate: eviction after eviction, open hostility, and the kind of resistance that makes most people quietly back away. Tim Barton pushes into the question many of us ask when life gets hard: if God is leading, why is there so much opposition? Jaco's answer is direct and challenging. He argues that calling often comes with attack, and that courage isn’t bravado, it’s sonship, daily obedience, and a life anchored in God’s presence. We also get practical about what “daily encounters with God” look like beyond church attendance, including repentance, Scripture, listening, and a healthier view of deliverance as freedom from strongholds and fear. Then it gets surprisingly actionable: not everyone connects with God the same way. Jaco shares how movement, solitude, nature, and joy can become consistent pathways to hearing God, and he invites listeners to discover their own connection style. We also point you to anti-trafficking resources at helpjbm.org, plus a closing challenge that lands with weight: invite God into your trauma, talk to Him honestly, and let healing start where you’ve felt stuck. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of faith and culture, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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July 29 · 26 min
Trauma, Truth, And Freedom - with Jaco Booyens
Trauma can steal more than peace, it can steal your story. We pick up our conversation with Jaco Booyens at the intersection of faith and culture, where he lays out a sobering idea: spiritual accusation often targets the very wounds we carry, and if we don’t know what God says about us, we’re easier to manipulate through shame, fear, and false identity. That’s why we talk so plainly about laying down heavy burdens, choosing courage, and trusting that God can bring beauty and testimony out of what tried to break you. Jaco also shares hard-earned insight from decades of fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation. We unpack how extreme trauma can warp memory, rewrite narrative, and leave people feeling disconnected from reality, which helps explain why “rescue” is only the first step and why restoration takes endurance, community, and truth. This is a frank conversation about evil, but it’s also a hopeful one about healing, resilience, and the kind of faith that refuses to quit. Then we zoom out to America: what makes this nation different, why a naturalized citizen can sometimes see its value more clearly than we do, and what responsibility Christians and pastors carry right now. Jaco explains why he believes the church must be anchored in Washington, DC and why he feels called to plant there while continuing the work of protecting children. If you care about trauma healing, anti-human trafficking advocacy, Christian civic engagement, and biblical values in public life, this segment will challenge you to build instead of consume. Subscribe for the finale, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation. What part challenged you most? Support the show
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July 28 · 26 min
Not Another One - with Jaco Booyens
A childhood shaped by abandonment. A nation on the edge of civil war. A 12-year-old girl who wins a singing contest and then gets trafficked through a powerful corporate pipeline. That’s the true story pastor and anti-trafficking advocate Jaco Booyens shares with Tim Barton, and it’s the kind of conversation that changes how you think about human trafficking, trauma, and what it really takes to protect kids. We start with Jaco's early years in South Africa and the formative “root lies” that can set in before we even have words for them. He describes living through apartheid and the volatile tension of 1994, then brings it painfully close to home as his sister Ilanka is trafficked after landing a major music opportunity. When she’s finally rescued in 2001, Jaco recounts a moment he says he heard God speak: “not another one.” That phrase becomes a calling and a blueprint for a mission focused on child trafficking prevention, survivor advocacy, and defending the vulnerable. The conversation doesn’t stop at the headline. We also talk about what trauma does to the body, why survivors can carry pain long after the danger is gone, and why healing requires truth, patience, and deep faith. Along the way, Jaco ties the fight for children to liberty and justice under God, reminding us that rights and protections only matter if we’re willing to steward them. Subscribe for the rest of this interview, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review if you want more conversations that connect faith, culture, and real-world action. Support the show
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July 27 · 26 min
America First Counterterrorism Update On Syria Lebanon And Iran - with Rudy Atallah
The headlines make global conflict feel random, but the patterns are there if you know where to look. We sit down with Rudy Atallah for a fast, detailed national security update that connects the dots across Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and the Russia Ukraine war, all through a biblical, historical, and constitutional lens and with an America first focus on what keeps our country safe. We start with Syria and the move to remove it from the state sponsor of terrorism list, including what that decision could mean for banks, investors, and regional legitimacy. Then we dig into the harder question: what do you do when the person holding power has an extremist past, complicated alliances, and pressure from nearby players like Turkey? We talk about leverage, risk, and how quickly “opportunity” can become a security problem when bad actors embed themselves in government and military ranks. From there, we shift to Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah. We walk through the history that shaped today’s crisis, why Hezbollah’s disarmament demand has turned into a deadlock, and how Iran’s influence ties the entire standoff together. We also unpack Iran’s economic pressure campaign, why Karg Island in the Strait of Hormuz matters so much to Iran’s oil revenue and terrorist proxy funding, and what internal instability could mean over time. We close with the Russia Ukraine war, the rise of drone warfare, and why these battlefield lessons increasingly affect US domestic security. Subscribe, share this with a friend who follows world events, and leave a review with the biggest question you want us to tackle next. Support the show
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July 24 · 26 min
Faith And Culture Updates From Iran To America
You can feel it in the air right now: a lot of people are exhausted, cynical, and tempted to believe nothing good is happening. We refuse to live there. This Good News Friday brings stories that are concrete, surprising, and worth sharing, especially with the friend who’s been hit with the “America is the bad guy” narrative and can’t see past the headlines. We start with a remarkable update from one of the last places you’d expect: Iran. There’s credible reporting on a rapidly growing underground Christian church, and we point you to specific resources on the Back to Jerusalem movement and the strategy of Chinese believers entering closed nations as workers on major projects. If you’ve been looking for real leads instead of vague optimism, we name books, documentaries, and places to begin reading. Then we turn to the United States, where a Gallup poll shows many Americans still believe a more religious society would be a positive thing, even as the numbers shift over time and across political groups. We talk honestly about why government policy shapes moral values, why that matters for culture, and how these trends connect to the choices we make in public life. We also cover major legal and political developments: a Texas judge finally resolves a long fight tied to conscience and religious liberty, leaders push back on International Criminal Court overreach and threats to U.S. sovereignty, and we highlight a practical proposal to fast-track commercial driver’s licenses for military veterans. If you care about faith and culture, constitutional boundaries, and hopeful news you can act on, you’ll want to hear this one. Subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Support the show
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July 23 · 26 min
Franklin’s Prayer And The Constitution
Benjamin Franklin didn’t just give a clever speech at the Constitutional Convention, he tried to keep the whole thing from collapsing. When tempers rise, delegates start heading home, and the nation’s future hangs in the balance, Franklin points everyone back to a practice they once treated as normal: seeking God’s help. We walk through what the records actually show, why daily prayer wasn’t adopted on the spot, and how a strategic July 4 church service helped reset the tone and move the convention forward.\n\nFrom there we shift to a very practical question every history fan runs into: how “accurate” should a historical movie be? We talk about Young Washington, what it gets right in storyline and spirit, and why you shouldn’t judge a film by whether every sentence matches an archived document. The bigger question is whether the portrayal gives a true picture of character, convictions, and the pressures leaders faced.\n\nWe also tackle two listener-favorite topics for summer conversations: the education and faith background of the Declaration signers, and the real meaning behind the Appeal To Heaven flag. You’ll hear why the pine tree matters, how liberty poles and ship masts connect to property rights, and why the motto reflects both political philosophy and sermon-driven resistance theology.\n\nIf this kind of “hidden history” helps you, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What question do you want us to tackle next? Support the show
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July 22 · 26 min
Smithsonian Under The Microscope
A museum doesn’t just display artifacts, it teaches people what to believe about themselves. That’s why we dig into the growing spotlight on the Smithsonian and the recent congressional hearing that raises a blunt question: who is curating America’s story, and to what end? We walk through just how massive the Smithsonian Institution really is, why its authority carries so much weight in classrooms and textbooks, and how an agenda can be made to look “normal” simply by framing a tiny slice of a gigantic collection. We also talk about why oversight is so hard, since the Smithsonian operates as an independent trust with a unique governance structure, and why hearings and public scrutiny may be one of the only practical ways to force transparency. From there, we zoom out to the broader culture fight: what happens when public institutions normalize ideas and content that aren’t appropriate for kids, and why Christians can’t default to silence. We unpack the difference between being passive and practicing righteous courage, including the biblical case for righteous anger paired with integrity. We end with a timely example from the sports world that ties it all together: why telling the truth is one of the most loving things you can do, especially when it comes to protecting girls in girls’ sports and refusing to pretend biology doesn’t matter. If you care about American history, civic education, constitutional accountability, and faith in the public square, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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July 21 · 26 min
The Gap Year That Builds Leaders - with Krish Dhanam
Your teenager is smart, motivated, and still unsure what they’re called to do. Or maybe they’re already in college and feel like they’re paying to “find themselves.” We talk about a different path: a focused, high-intensity gap year that builds character, clarity, and real leadership skills instead of just collecting credits. We sit down with Krish Dhanam, dean of the Patriot Institute at Patriot Academy, to break down what a full academic year of Christian worldview training actually looks like. Krish explains the “baptism by fire” approach where students learn apologetics, research quickly, and present confidently, plus deep dives into worldviews like Islam, atheism, Hinduism, and scientism so they can engage culture with both conviction and kindness. We also get practical about how parents can think through college decisions, why purpose should come before a major, and how mentorship continues long after graduation. Along the way, we share stories of student growth, the impact of community and accountability, and memorable experiences like end-of-year travel to Philadelphia and Washington, DC that connects American history and constitutional principles to real places and real responsibility. David and Tim Barton also zoom out to a bigger challenge: resetting our assumptions about education and government by going back to biblical principles and foundational ideas that shaped the American experiment. If you care about civics education, apologetics, leadership development, and raising the next generation to serve well, listen now, subscribe, share this with a parent or student, and leave a review so more families can find it. Support the show
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July 20 · 26 min
How Local History And Public Prayer Can Renew America - with David Kubal
A Bronze Star for writing a prayer sounds like a punchline, but it’s tied to one of the most gripping faith and American history stories we’ve ever told. We start with a behind-the-scenes recap from Washington, DC, then walk straight into the General Patton prayer card account during the Battle of the Bulge: 250,000 soldiers urged to pray for weather, commanders stunned by “miraculous” clear skies, and a chaplain publicly honored because the prayer was answered. Whether you love military history, leadership lessons, or stories where faith collides with real-world stakes, this one will stay with you. Then we’re joined by Dave Kubal from Intercessors for America (IFAPray.org), and the conversation shifts from national moments to local mission. Dave explains how they’re helping believers research the spiritual heritage of their own county, with evidence that God has moved in every county across America. We talk about the wave of 500+ grassroots events already happening and why the 250th anniversary is the perfect catalyst for community rededication, public prayer, and a deeper kind of patriotism that doesn’t stop at fireworks. We also dig into the founding era record that many people never hear: government leaders repeatedly issued formal prayer proclamations, often with serious theological depth. That history raises a simple challenge for our generation: if earlier Americans marked key moments with humility and prayer, what would it look like for families, churches, counties, and states to do that again right now? If you’ve been looking for something concrete you can do, this gives you a next step. Subscribe, share this with a friend who cares about faith and culture, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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July 17 · 26 min
Who Controls What You Own After You Buy It
If you’ve ever been told you “own” something but can’t actually fix it, you already understand the fight at the center of this Good News Friday. We start with John Deere and the right to repair, unpacking why farmers and equipment owners get squeezed when parts, diagnostics, and labor are locked behind dealer-only rules, and why an antitrust-driven settlement signals a real win for competition and consumer rights. We also connect that same logic to modern vehicles and the growing backlash against features and policies that make maintenance harder, more expensive, and sometimes less safe. Next, we dig into a major Federal Trade Commission lawsuit aimed at WPATH, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. We walk through what the filing claims was misleading about pediatric “gender-affirming care,” including assertions about puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible procedures. We talk about medical ethics, the old standard of “do no harm,” and why clear definitions of harm matter even more when kids are involved and incentives can cloud judgment. We close with two more headlines: Syria coming off the state sponsors of terrorism list after decades, and the administration ending $67 million in federal grants connected to sexually explicit sex education materials in schools. If you care about parental rights, free markets, truth in public policy, and protecting children, this one is packed. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us: which story do you want us to go deeper on next? Links to Good News Stories: https://notthebee.com/article/ftc-chairman-announces-settlement-with-john-deere-to-let-farmers-fix-their-own-equipment-again https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-to-remove-syria-from-list-of-state-sponsors-of-terrorism-6059092 https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/ftc-sues-group-behind-child-transgender-surgery-playbook-what-to-know-6051515 https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/supreme-court-strikes-down-hawaiis-gun-restrictions-in-major-second-amendment-case-6025748 https://www.lifenews.com/2026/06/24/trump-will-end-67-million-in-grants-that-fund-sexually-explicit-sex-ed/ Support the show
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July 16 · 26 min
When Federal Courts Try To Run Immigration
One federal district judge can’t be allowed to function like a national legislature, yet that’s exactly what it feels like when courts block immigration enforcement and claim constitutional protections in ways the Founders never intended. We dig into the uproar over Judge James Boasberg, Marco Rubio’s attempt to remove visa holders accused of spreading propaganda, and the larger constitutional question behind it all: who has legitimate authority to set policy, and what happens when an unelected judge overrides elected leadership? We also go straight at the “three coequal branches” mantra and compare it to what the Founders actually said. David Barton and Rick Green walk through the logic of checks and balances, why Federalist No. 78 calls the judiciary “beyond comparison the weakest,” and why impeachment exists as a real restraint when judges act outside their bounds. From there, we trace how progressive ideology can erode civic memory, elevate courts over self-government, and even reshape law schools and legal writing into something ordinary citizens can’t easily challenge. Then the conversation pivots to a listener question with real historical stakes: did Declaration of Independence signer Richard Stockton recant? We tell the story of his capture, the brutality of the Provost Jail, and why signing a wartime parole is not the same as abandoning a cause. We also revisit the Battle of Saratoga and the surprising example of how Americans treated British prisoners of war with honor, even while British prisons proved deadly for Americans. If you care about the Constitution, separation of powers, judicial activism, and accurate American Revolution history, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show
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July 15 · 26 min
What Happens When You Raise The Bar For Young Leaders
Teenagers are debating monetary policy, health care, and constitutional questions on the actual Idaho House floor and they’re doing it with more seriousness than most adults expect. We’re at Patriot Academy’s Leadership Congress to find out why a realistic legislative simulation can change a student’s confidence in a matter of days, and why learning the process is only the beginning. We talk with Brady Smith about getting thrown into committee as a first-timer, discovering “my people,” and why the program isn’t just for future politicians. Rebecca Roberts shares what pulled her back year after year: the community, the intentional mentoring, and the difference between a smaller regional congress, the intensity of nationals, and deeper training through the Patriot Institute. If you’ve ever wondered how to teach civic education, public speaking, and leadership training for teens without making it feel dry, this is a clear model. Then Janessa Polk, now helping run the congress, explains the “leadership laboratory” idea: high standards, real microphones, real debate, and the kind of positive peer pressure that makes young people rise. We also dig into the faith component, patience, and the way purpose fuels the hard work behind the scenes. If you care about biblical worldview, constitutional principles, and building capable communicators for the next generation, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a parent or student who needs a push, and leave a review telling us what leadership skill you want young people to master next. Support the show
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July 14 · 26 min
Building on the American Heritage Series - Preserving America's Heritage
The phrase “Christian nation” gets thrown around like a slogan, but we wanted to slow down and ask a more precise question: what did American courts, lawmakers, and leaders historically mean when they used it? We start with the definition that shows up again and again in public records, that America is called a Christian nation because Christianity has “shaped and molded” its institutions, not because the country forces anyone to become Christian. From there, we dig into the 1892 US Supreme Court Holy Trinity case, why it mattered, and how the Court framed the relationship between law, history, and national character. We also draw a bright line between Christian influence and theocracy, pointing to early American practices like elections, written constitutions, and bills of rights as evidence of a system designed to limit power, protect conscience, and keep leaders accountable. We then connect the dots to practical outcomes people recognize today: Good Samaritan laws, the Golden Rule in civic life, America’s pattern of benevolence in disaster relief, and the argument that free markets require moral guardrails like honesty and covenant keeping. Finally, we answer listener questions about faith and politics, including “render to Caesar and to God,” why political protection matters for religious speech, whether God chooses leaders without our involvement, and what “submit to authority” means in a nation built on self-government. If this helped you think more clearly about American heritage, religious liberty, and civic duty, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation. Support the show
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