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The Narrative

The Narrative

Written by: Center for Christian Virtue
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The Narrative breaks away from the script to reveal the driving forces behind the most important and divisive issues facing our culture today.

Visit CCV.org to learn more.

 Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Battle for Human Dignity in the Age of AI with Devan Patel

    The Battle for Human Dignity in the Age of AI with Devan Patel
    Jul 3 2026
    In this week's episode of The Narrative, David and Mike discuss: The Save Ohio Sports Act, the bill that will target predatory mobile wagering by restricting sports betting exclusively to Ohio's four physical casinos. The landmark 6-3 Supreme Court decision that upholds Ohio's Save Women Sports Act that was passed to protect biological reality and sex-specific athletic categories. After the news, the guys sit down with tech expert Devan Patel and dig into the Vatican’s landmark AI encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which transcends denominational lines because it is meant for anyone who cares about protecting human dignity, the value of hard work, and safeguarding the future of humanity from anti-human technology. While AI holds unprecedented power and potential as a revolutionary tool, its profound dangers require deep wisdom to navigate. To safely harness this technology, governments must enforce robust national security protocols and a strict legal "duty of care," while parents shield their children by practicing healthy digital habits in the home. Listen or queue up your commute podcast now! More About Devan Patel Devan Patel is a lawyer and political strategist in Washington, DC. He serves as the visiting fellow for tech ethics and democracy at the Joseph Rainey Center. Previously, he served as counsel and managing director of public policy at Allegiance Strategies as well as the senior advisor of public policy and ethics at American Security Fund, where he emerged as a leading voice at the intersection of AI, national security, and Catholic ethics. He is an adjunct professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, a fellow at Notre Dame's de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and an inaugural member of the Federalist Society's AI & Law Working Group. Devan has authored and negotiated state and federal legislation, built and deployed unlikely advocacy coalitions, and has spoken at or convened international AI ethics summits on four continents, including a summit he convened at the Vatican in dialogue with the Holy See's advisors on AI. LAST CALL: To celebrate America's 250th, you can get 2 or more tickets and receive $50 off, through midnight on July 4! At the 2026 Essential Summit, you'll find five targeted breakout session tracks. Whether you lead in ministry, education, business, or the home, these Essential Summit breakout sessions are designed to speak directly to your calling. Choose the track that aligns with your influence:✝️ Faith in Action – For believers eager to boldly engage cultural issues with biblical clarity. This track addresses today’s greatest moral and political challenges and equips attendees to respond with truth and love.📚 Christian Education – Designed for school leaders protecting and discipling the next generation. Gain practical tools to build institutions grounded in a biblical worldview.🍼 Pro-Life Ministry – For those working in pregnancy centers, sidewalk advocacy, or post-abortion healing. Learn how to defend life and restore hope in a post-Roe culture.👔 Marketplace Impact – Created for Christian entrepreneurs and executives ready to integrate faith and business. Discover how to lead ethically and with eternal purpose.⛪ Church Leadership – Equipping pastors, elders, and church leaders to shepherd boldly, strengthen families, and build gospel-centered congregations. Get your tickets today at EssentialSummit.org! 📢 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉 Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉 Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    48 mins
  • Another Girls' Locker Room Nightmare

    Another Girls' Locker Room Nightmare
    Jul 10 2026

    In this week's episode of The Narrative, David and Mike sit down with the Henry family to discuss a terrifying loophole in Ohio state law governing public locker rooms that exposed their daughter to predatory behavior. Their shocking testimony makes it clear why we're fighting for change in Ohio before it happens again.

    Watch or listen today wherever you get your podcasts!

    TAKE ACTION

    You can do your part by taking 60 seconds to contact your legislator and urge them to pass HB249, the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act.

    Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Putting Families First to Shape Strong Policy with Brad Littlejohn

    Putting Families First to Shape Strong Policy with Brad Littlejohn
    Jun 26 2026
    This week on The Narrative, Aaron and Mike discuss the MLB's backpedaling after threats over Pride gear compliance, a journalist's tantrum over the Success Sequence (a proven framework for poverty avoidance) because "Oprah didn't take that path," and the left's desperate fight over common-sense voter ID requirements. After the news, Brad Littlejohn explains why conservatives must stop letting blind free-market absolutism dictate American life. True prosperity doesn't come from letting corporate elites maximize capital at the expense of our neighborhoods, but from intentional, pro-family policies that proactively help communities thrive. From championing child tax credits to pushing Ohio's App Store Accountability Act, Brad argues that the common good requires the government to put its thumb on the scale. True freedom means placing healthy constraints on the market so parents can successfully protect their kids and rebuild strong, stable homes. Listen or queue up your commute podcast now! More About Brad Littlejohn Brad Littlejohn (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is director of programs and education at American Compass. He founded and served for 10 years as president of The Davenant Institute. He has published and lectured extensively in the fields of Reformation history, Christian ethics, and political theology. You can find more of his writing at Substack. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and four children. Do You Have Your Tickets for the Essential Summit? At the 2026 Essential Summit, you'll find five targeted breakout session tracks. Whether you lead in ministry, education, business, or the home, these Essential Summit breakout sessions are designed to speak directly to your calling. Choose the track that aligns with your influence:✝️ Faith in Action – For believers eager to boldly engage cultural issues with biblical clarity. This track addresses today’s greatest moral and political challenges and equips attendees to respond with truth and love.📚 Christian Education – Designed for school leaders protecting and discipling the next generation. Gain practical tools to build institutions grounded in a biblical worldview.🍼 Pro-Life Ministry – For those working in pregnancy centers, sidewalk advocacy, or post-abortion healing. Learn how to defend life and restore hope in a post-Roe culture.👔 Marketplace Impact – Created for Christian entrepreneurs and executives ready to integrate faith and business. Discover how to lead ethically and with eternal purpose.⛪ Church Leadership – Equipping pastors, elders, and church leaders to shepherd boldly, strengthen families, and build gospel-centered congregations.To celebrate America's 250th, you can get 2 or more tickets and receive $50 off, now through July 4! Get your tickets today at EssentialSummit.org! 📢 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉 Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉 Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
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