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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 Cost of Silence: How Culture Is Discipling America with David Closson
    Jan 16 2026
    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 these two major ideological battles. After the news, Dr. David Closson joins the podcast to unpack new survey data from George Barna and the Family Research Council, revealing a troubling gap inside America’s churches. While many regular churchgoers say they want clear biblical teaching on issues like abortion, sexuality, and religious freedom, foundational Christian beliefs about God, sin, and salvation are rapidly eroding. When churches go silent, culture fills the gap. Barna’s research shows that all seven “cornerstones” of a biblical worldview are in decline, even among committed believers. David explains what’s driving this collapse, why it matters for the Church’s witness, and what pastors and Christians must do to reclaim biblical clarity in an increasingly confused culture. TAKE ACTION Now is the moment to speak up using CCV.org. Through our Action Center, you can quickly contact Senators Moreno and Husted to encourage them to defend the Hyde Amendment. The process takes less than a minute! Call on Ohio's US Senator Moreno and US Senator Husted to oppose taxpayer-funded abortion in any “deal” on Obamacare subsidies. More About Dr. David Closson David Closson, Ph.D., serves as the Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council, where he researches, writes, and speaks about life, human sexuality, religious liberty, and related issues from a biblical worldview. He is the author of FRC's Biblical Worldview Series, which seeks to help Christians and Christian leaders apply the teachings of the Bible to difficult moral questions. Dr. Closson's work has appeared on Fox News, RealClearPolitics, National Review, The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Decision Magazine, WORLD Opinions, The Gospel Coalition, Townhall, and The Christian Post. He is the author of Life After Roe: Equipping Christians in the Fight for Life Today (B&H Academic, 2025), co-author of Male and Female He Created Them: A Study on Identity, Sexuality, and Marriage (Christian Focus, 2023), and co-author of the forthcoming book Worldview Basics: A Worldview Curriculum for Students (Fidelis Publishing, 2026). Dr. Closson is a regular guest on Christian and conservative media outlets, including Washington Watch, FRC's national television and radio program heard on more than 800 stations across 48 states. He also speaks at conferences, seminars, and churches across the United States and abroad, addressing moral and cultural issues from a biblical worldview. Dr. Closson is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M.) and the University of Central Florida (B.A.). He lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife, Abby, and their son, Daniel. 📢 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
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Why Classroom Technology Is Failing Our Kids with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath
    Jan 9 2026

    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. They also touch on the political implications of Ohio’s lieutenant governor candidate picks, the ban on AI in higher education, and US actions against Venezuela’s narco-state regime.

    Neuroscientist, educator, and bestselling author Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath joins the podcast to reveal why classroom technology may be undermining your child’s ability to learn. From 1-to-1 laptops to constant smartphone access, he explains the research linking screens to lower cognitive performance, disrupted memory, and weaker problem-solving skills—and why banning phones can boost learning by up to 11 hours per week and slash behavioral problems by 80 percent.

    Jared also uncovers the hidden motives behind the tech push in schools, the “mode effect” that makes handwriting far more effective than typing, and why teaching kids how to think beats teaching them how to use tools, even in our high-tech world.

    More About Jared Cooney Horvath

    Jared Cooney Horvath (PhD, MEd) is a neuroscientist, educator, and best-selling author who specializes in human learning and brain development. He is the creator of The Learning Blueprint, an international award-winning program helping educators and students understand how learning actually works.

    Jared has conducted research and taught at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Melbourne, and has worked with more than 1,000 schools around the world. He is the author of six books, has published over fifty research articles, and his work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Economist, Harvard Business Review, and ABC’s Catalyst.

    Jared currently serves as Director of LME Global, an organization dedicated to bringing cutting-edge brain and behavioral science to educators, students, and communities. To inquire about working with him, or to learn more about his international award-winning Science of Learning programs (The Learning Blueprint for Teachers & The Learning Blueprint for Students), visit lmeglobal.com.

    📢 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/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • The Sovereignty of God in America’s Founding with Cynthia Scott
    Jan 2 2026

    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 their way to America and governed themselves using biblical principles.
    • Why pastors were once the primary thought leaders in American communities.
    • How the First Great Awakening unified the colonies and laid the groundwork for independence.
    • What national repentance could, and should, look like as we approach America’s semiquincentennial.

    Americans are once again talking about repentance, prayer, and God’s role in our history. This renewed conversation suggests that our Divine Founder hasn't given up on our nation yet because, as John Adams wrote, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

    More About Cynthia Scott

    Cynthia Scott has led prayer initiatives across Pittsburgh and beyond, including citywide gatherings, prayer for national events, and a daily prayer call for the nation. Passionate about honoring God and praying for revival in America, she has written numerous prayer guides. Celebrating God, Our Founder, at America’s 250th Birthday reflects her conviction that God’s providence shaped the United States and calls believers to honor Him as our true Founder and help to shape our future through prayer. Cynthia resides near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

    📢 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/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
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