
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

Mar 15, 2024 • 38min
Ep. 80: The Battle for the Border - A Christian Perspective on Immigration
Border security is national security. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by FRC's David Closson and The Washington Stand's Joshua Arnold for a discussion on how to think biblically about the current border and immigration crisis. They compare and contrast the different approaches seen in the last administration and the current one. David and Joshua both emphasize the need for a balanced approach that considers the welfare of both immigrants and citizens.
Resources
4 Biblical Principles to Inform Immigration Policy
‘A Biden Invasion’: Trump and Biden’s Border Speeches Make ‘An Extraordinary Contrast’
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 12, 2024 • 55min
Ep. 79: Bill Bock on the NCAA Transgender Policies
Through their transgender policies, the NCAA is knowingly harming female athletes. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by sports attorney Bill Bock, who within the last month, resigned from his position with the NCAA due to their handling and procedures regarding transgender athletes. With over 20 years of experience, Bill has handled many cases of rule violations in sports. He was the lead prosecutor in the Lance Armstrong doping case, served as the general counsel for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and now offers an insider's perspective on what is really going on within the NCAA and their support of men competing in women's sports. He weighs in on how the NCAA can right the ship and reestablish what it used to have: a safe and equal playing field for all athletes.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 8, 2024 • 46min
Ep.78: Analyzing the Rise of Hostility Against Churches
Family Research Council's recently released report "Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States: Analyzing Incidents from 2018-2023", they identified 915 acts of hostility against churches in the United States between 2018-2023. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the author of the report FRC's Arielle Del Turco and The Washington Stand's Ben Johnson to discuss the influences that have led to the increasingly violent acts being committed against these sacred places of worship. As these attacks become more frequent, Arielle and Ben unpack the motivations, the public's perception of these crimes, and how the courts have responded. It has been said that culture can impact politics, but what we are seeing here is that politics can also impact culture.
Resources
Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States: Analyzing Incidents from 2018-2023 by Arielle Del Turco

Mar 5, 2024 • 38min
Ep. 77: Janet Boynes – A Story of Redemption
For 14 years, Janet Boynes lived as a lesbian. She joins host Joseph Backholm to tell her story of how she went from living as a lesbian to a life passionately devoted to Jesus and helping others who struggle with same sex attraction. She walks through the events of her early childhood and how they affected her actions and decisions, how the church should respond to the effects of the sexual revolution, and offers encouragement to anyone struggling as she did. Sin will take you further than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay. Janet’s testimony is one that illuminates the transformative power of the gospel and offers encouragement to anyone who currently feels stuck in a cycle of sin.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 1, 2024 • 51min
Ep. 76: Alabama, IVF, and the Dignity of Human Life
Recently, the Alabama Supreme Court took a case regarding the accidental death of frozen embryos in an IVF (in vitro fertilization) clinic. The question leading the trial was: Can parents sue for wrongful death because the embryos were accidentally destroyed, and it was an accident inside the laboratory? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Family Research Council's Mary Szoch, for a discussion about IVF and the sanctity of human life. She weighs in on the process of IVF, the ethical arguments surrounding it, and the impact this court case will have on the future of IVF.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 27, 2024 • 43min
Ep. 75: Josh Abbotoy on Creating Intentional Christian Communities and Institutions
There is some truth behind the saying "You are the product of your environment." Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Josh Abbotoy for a conversation exploring Christians' need to establish communities and institutions amidst the cultural shifts of society. Emphasizing the importance of Christians engaging in civic leadership and building legacies, Josh explains his vision of creating an intentional community centered around principles that promote family, freedom, and faith. He stresses that these communities are not just for Christians, but for all who desire to live in an environment that aligns with all their personal values.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 23, 2024 • 55min
Ep. 74: Michael Graham on The Great American Dechurching
Did you know that about 15% of all Americans have dechurched? Dechurching can be defined by individuals who used to attend church once a month, but now attend only once a year. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Michael Graham, co-author of “The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? to discuss this phenomenon that currently 40 million Americans are a part of. Michael walks through the four main groups of evangelicals who have walked away from the church and the surprising number of people who would come back if invited. Learn more about the cultural forces impacting this movement and give this episode a listen now!
Resources
The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 20, 2024 • 41min
Ep. 73: Jennifer Lahl on the Detransitioner Movement and Influences
There is a growing population of people who have decided to reverse their gender treatments and detransition. Jennifer Lahl, co-author of “The Detransition Diaries” joins host Joseph Backholm for a discussion about detransitioning and the influences behind this upward trending movement. For many years, Jennifer was a pediatric critical care nurse and is well-versed in the medical practices surrounding children. She unpacks why individuals who originally sought “gender-affirming” care have changed their minds, the influence of pornography, and the social stigma around transgenderism. America’s children are being targeted. She gives thoughtful advice to parents on how they can skillfully and lovingly navigate the topic of transgenderism with their children.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 16, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 72: Christian Nationalism from All Sides of the (Produce) Aisle
There's never ever ever ever ever been a show like...this episode of Outstanding. On this podcast, most of our conversations and guests fall squarely on the conservative end of the Christian spectrum. But sometimes it's good to talk to tomatoes. While he's not quite a tomato himself, Phil Vischer has played one on TV. The wildly creative Vischer joins host Joseph Backholm as they explore Christian nationalism from all angles of the political spectrum. While we may not agree with the "Veggie Tales" creator on everything, Phil and Joseph prove that good conversation is still possible even in disagreement. Have we got a show for you...
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 13, 2024 • 42min
Ep. 71: How to Pursue Marriage and Relationships in a Biblical Way
The topic of discussion for this episode can be summed up by the iconic quote from the movie The Princess Bride, "Mawwige is what bwings us together today." On this Valentine's Day special, host Joseph Backholm is joined by Jamie Dunlop, a local pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Jaime frequently guides newly engaged couples through pre-marital counseling and has himself been married for 23 years. He addresses the godly design of marriage and the intentional purpose of its creation: to bring God glory. He also dives into the reasons that many people pursue marriage and how to discern if you are pursuing self or pursuing the Lord when seeking out relationships.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.