
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

Feb 9, 2024 • 41min
Ep. 70: David Bahnsen on a Biblical Perspective of Work and Rest
God cares about the work because he cares about the worker. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by David Bahnsen, founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of The Bahnsen Group a national private wealth management group. In his recently released book, Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, David discusses how Christians should view work, rest, and retirement. In today’s culture, we dream about the day we no longer have to work – but is that mindset biblical? Give this episode a listen to learn more about current job trends, the purpose behind our work, and how to think biblically about the jobs we do.
Resources
Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life by David Bahnsen
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 6, 2024 • 49min
Ep. 69: Aaron Renn on Life in a Negative World
Anyone can tell you how the world has changed, but no one can predict what exactly the future holds. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Aaron Renn author of Life in a Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture. In his book, Aaron unpacks the changes in society's perspective and acceptance of Christianity. He catalogs three periods of decline: the positive, the neutral, and the negative world. He also analyses how three different types of evangelicals have responded and will respond to the changes in culture. There is no set guideline on how to navigate this negative world but listen now on what can be done and how you can live according to the truths of scripture.
Resources
Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Feb 2, 2024 • 31min
Ep. 68: Taylor Swift & The Influence of Music
She’s tall, she’s blonde, she has over one billion fans – who is it? Taylor Swift. This one-woman show has been sweeping the entertainment industry, even the NFL. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by worldview expert David McDonald and The Washington Stand’s resident gen-Z Rachael Woods to dissect the lyrics of one of the many famous songs by Taylor Swift. Having such a reach and influence over many generations, the question arises: What exactly is Taylor singing about and how is this affecting younger generations? Whether you are a Swiftie or parent to a Swiftie, listen now to learn more about her appeal and songwriting!
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 30, 2024 • 40min
Ep. 67: The Future of AI In The Church
This summary was not written by AI, or maybe it was…Artificial intelligence has been sweeping the internet and technology communities in recent years. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Joe Suh, CEO and founder of Pastors.ai, and The Washington Stand’s Jared Bridges to discuss the church’s use of AI. Have you ever had a question you wanted to ask a pastor, but one wasn’t available? Enter Pastors.ai, a chatbot that can be trained to produce resources theologically aligned with the teachings of a specific church or pastor. Joseph, Joe, and Jared wrestle with the pros and cons of AI use in the church and how this development in technology could adversely affect churchgoers' human connection and intentional community.
Resources
Three Points and a Program: AI Steps into the Pulpit
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 30, 2024 • 37min
Ep. 66: Kevin Freeman on the Economy, Digital Currency, and Pirate Money
Can shekels become shackles if currency goes completely digital? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Kevin Freeman, author of Pirate Money, to discuss the current state of the American economy and the shift to popularize digital currencies. The American dollar is seen as the universal value, but the faith in that type of currency is dwindling. Because of this shift, there has been a rise and push for digital and cryptocurrencies. Kevin lays out the pros and cons if an economy and individual were to go completely digital, warns of the consequences of unbacked money, and dives deep into the problem with our economy and love for money. Wealth can be used for personal gain, but it can also be used as an opportunity to serve our heavenly master, to use it to further his kingdom and save souls.
Resources
Pirate Money by Kevin Freeman
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 23, 2024 • 54min
Ep. 65: Life In Occupied Ukraine - One Pastor's Story Of Encouragement
It has been almost two years since Russia launched a brutal invasion on its neighboring country of Ukraine. The question on everyone’s mind is: Will this conflict ever end? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Gennadiy Mokhnenko, a Christian pastor actively preaching in Russian-occupied Ukraine. He walks through what life is like for believers, what he thinks the way to peace is, and how the majority of Russians and Ukrainians feel about the invasion. Fear paralyzes people. He encourages all believers, no matter their circumstances, to continue to speak truth because if we stay silent today, our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences. There is a cost to speaking the truth, but the cost of not speaking the truth is greater!
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 19, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 64: Nancy Pearcey on The Toxic War On Masculinity pt.2
In this second installment, host Joseph Backholm welcomes back Nancy Pearcey, professor, and author of “The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes” to discuss further the current war on men and masculinity. Joseph and Nancy spend time debunking the many myths of evangelical relationships spread by the media and even religious circles at times. They discuss the shocking findings on which group of women reported the highest satisfaction in their marriage and the impact that nominal Christianity has had on the definition of masculinity. What does it mean to be a good man vs. a real man? And how does God’s cultural mandate affect how we define masculinity?
Resources
Ep. 63: Nancy Pearcey on The Toxic War On Masculinity
The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy Pearcey
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 16, 2024 • 30min
Ep. 63: Nancy Pearcey on The Toxic War On Masculinity
There is a war on men that is affecting their development, behaviors, and priorities. They are being taught that their inherent nature does not fit within a biblical ethic. Nancy Pearcey, professor, and author of “The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes”, joins host Joseph Backholm to discuss the cultural shift in the definition of masculinity. Nancy and Joseph dive into when this shift happened, tracing it back to one main event in history: the Industrial Revolution. With men no longer working alongside their wives and children and instead competing with other men for work, a mindset shift happened that would eventually lead to the term “toxic masculinity”. Listen now to learn more about what influenced this change!
Resources
The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy Pearcey
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 12, 2024 • 33min
Ep. 62: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing
Although the overturn of Roe v. Wade was a huge win for life, pro-life advocates are still hard at work to protect life and support women. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Alexandra DeSanctis, coauthor of “Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing” to discuss the current state of abortion in America. Taking a deeper dive into the systemic impact of abortion and its disproportionate effect on minority communities, Alexandra emphasizes the harm it has caused to unborn children, mothers, and equality.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jan 9, 2024 • 38min
Ep. 61: Public Good or Personal Gain – Should Congress Members Own Their Own Stocks?
Why is it that many congressional members take office being relatively poor and then slowly amass large sums of money over time? Joining host Joseph Backholm to discuss members and their personal stocks is FRC Action’s Matt Carpenter. Recently, two members of Congress proposed a policy amendment that would ban congress members from owning or trading individual stocks. Due to their influential and powerful positions, congressmen and women can be exposed to crucial information that would help them pad their own financial portfolios. Looking at Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and other financial disclosure forms Matt and Joseph ask the question - What are the motives for individuals pursuing congressional and senate seats? The public good or personal gain?
Resources
Insider Trading? Congressional Democrats Crush the S&P 500
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.