
Outstanding
Critical conversations on the news of the day and the issues that shape us.
Outstanding is a podcast of The Washington Stand, Family Research Council's outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview. We examine outstanding news and issues from TWS with an aim to take every thought captive for the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Join us as we examine the headlines through the lens of Scripture, and explore how Christians should respond.
Latest episodes

May 24, 2024 • 45min
Ep. 100: Who is the WHO?
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”… well, we are never very good at following the status quo here at Outstanding. Join host Joseph Backholm and The Washington Stand’s Ben Johnson as they peak behind the curtain of the World Health Organization analyzing their motives, methods, and origins. Who is the WHO? Originally designed to be an advisory role, we are currently seeing a shift and “power grab” with their new Pandemic Agreement. This new agreement would essentially set up a global parliament, and guess what? The Biden administration is leaning to agree with it. Listen now to learn what this agreement entails, the dangers of a one world government, and why Christians should care about this issue.
Resources
UPDATED Explainer: WHO Pandemic Agreement Threatens National Sovereignty, Free Speech, and Life
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

May 21, 2024 • 40min
Ep. 99: A Prison Guard's Testimony: Transgender Agenda in Prisons
Host Joseph Backholm is joined by former prison guard Hector Bravo Ferrel for an insider's look at how the transgender agenda has worked its way into the prison system. Hector shares his story of joining the military, being deployed, and then working in California’s prisons. Being a prison guard is not for the faint of heart, but Hector’s job got increasingly difficult when the state of California announced that transgender-identifying males could be moved to an all-female prison if they desired. At a crossroads between choosing his job or standing firm in his beliefs, Hector chose the latter and has continued to share his story and shed light on what is really happening within our prison systems.
Resources
Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Prison Guard Resigns After ‘Immoral, Dangerous’ Trans Policies
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

May 17, 2024 • 47min
Ep. 98: What Can Death Teach Us About Life with Detective J. Warner Wallace
Welcome to Outstanding: True Crime Edition. Host Joseph Backholm is joined today by cold case detective J. Warner Wallace whose recently released book, The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life, explores the clues lying behind our human nature as he uncovers fifteen life-truths gleaned from both contemporary murder investigations and ancient Biblical wisdom. Detective Wallace and Joseph discuss 3 of the 15 aspects of human nature: identity, how one deals with suffering, and our innate desire to worship. Listen now for an engaging discussion on the biblical life truths learned for murder investigations!
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

May 14, 2024 • 1h 4min
Ep.97: Antisemitism – How It Is Affecting Current Events, Politics, and Culture?
Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Family Research Council’s Travis Weber and Quena Gonzalez to unpack and offer a biblical perspective on the wave of antisemitism that seems to be crashing over college campuses, political offices, and the public square. There has been a pressure building against the Jewish people and Israel since the October 7th attack. But what is really
fueling these antisemitic protests and beliefs? Travis and Quena offer both a political and spiritual perspective to explain the current cultural situation, touch on the campus protests, and walk through the ins and outs of the antisemitic bill currently making its way through the Hill.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

May 10, 2024 • 37min
Ep. 96: Deconstruction with Alisa Childers pt.2
Deconstruction is a social contagion, so how should the church respond? In part two of the conversation, host Joseph Backholm is again joined by Alisa Childers, life long Christian and author of, “The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How To Respond” for advice on how to navigate deconstruction and the dangers of it. Deconstruction can sometimes take on another name: progressive Christianity. Is this a new gospel? Listen now as Alisa tackles the topic of progressive Christianity, where we can find truth, and what the culture says truth is.
Resources
Alisa Childers
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

May 7, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 95: Deconstruction with Alisa Childers pt.1
With the culture becoming more and more secular, an alarming number of churches do not seem far behind. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Alisa Childers, lifelong Christian and author of, “The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How To Respond” to unpack the current growing movement known as deconstruction. Alisa shares her story and how she has experienced deconstruction. There is one goal in deconstruction – to leave behind “toxic theology”. Join in this conversation to learn more about deconstruction and what is fueling this move away from historical Christianity.
Resources
Alisa Childers
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

May 3, 2024 • 59min
Ep. 94: Title IX - Revisions & Repercussions
Host Joseph Backholm is joined by senior advisor for Concerned Women for America Doreen Denny and Family Research Council's Meg Kilgannon for a conversation about the future protections of women and their sport. Diving into the history of Title IX, Doreen and Meg discuss its original purpose and the harmful revisions the Biden administration recently made. How does one justify allowing men to play in women's sports? Women all across the nation have not only had titles stolen, but have faced repercussions and suspensions for forfeiting competing against a biological man. When will America realize that in this situation, the harm only goes one way: to women.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Apr 30, 2024 • 50min
Ep. 93: The Economy and Fertility Rates: Are They Connected?
Recently, (and for the last four years) a lot of Americans have voiced their concern about the current state of the economy. It seems the cost of basic survival: food, shelter, and water has just continued to increase. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by The Washington Stand's Ben Johnson for a discussion surrounding the question: What causes an economy to grow or decline? Is there any connection with fertility rate? Joseph and Ben reflect on the spiritual value of an economy, analyze failed economic predictions from 50 years ago, offer a biblical way to think about the economy, and address the declining fertility rate in America.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Apr 26, 2024 • 49min
Ep. 92: Samuel Sey on Assisted Suicide
What makes life worth living? This age old question has been in the center of conversation as more countries legalize and support assisted suicide. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Samuel Sey, founder of Slow to Write, to dissect the morality of assisted suicide. Originally from Ghana, Samuel weighs in on how the West views suicide compared to other parts of the world, what has contributed to this different mindset, and the definition of Western privilege. It all comes down to when we do not value the one who created us, we will not value the life He has created.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Apr 23, 2024 • 40min
Ep. 91: Luke Moon - The Current and Future State of Israel
For over 6 months, conflict has ravaged the Middle East. It seems it wasn't enough for Israel to fight one enemy, but recently Iran launched 800 missiles at them, furthering the chaos and destruction in Israel. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Luke Moon, executive director of the Philos Project, for a conversation surrounding the current and future state of Israel. Starting from the beginning, Luke and Joseph analyze the Biden administration's shifting support of Israel and the constant public call for a ceasefire. For decades, there has been a strange and irrational hatred toward Jewish people, the worldwide scapegoat. In this war, there is one clear victim: Israel. Listen now for a current update on the war and an estimate of how long this conflict will last.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.