

Outstanding
The Washington Stand
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 85: Jody Hice on Election Integrity
A staggering percentage of Americans do not trust our electoral system. A system meant to be a voice for the people and of the people, has left many skeptical of its trustworthiness. Former Congressman and FRC Action's vice president Jody Hice, joins host Joseph Backholm for a discussion on election integrity. Jody shares his story going from hometown pastor to the center of the political arena. In his new book, "Sacred Trust: Election Integrity and the Will of the People", he emphasizes that if the voice of the people is lost at the ballot box, our Republic will be lost as well. Integrity must rule the day and surpass partisan strategies and yearnings. Listen now to hear his story and personal experience with the topic of election integrity.
Resources
Sacred Trust: Election Integrity and the Will of the People by Jody Hice
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 29, 2024 • 53min
Ep. 84: What Is Happening In Haiti?
There is turmoil brewing on a small island in the Caribbean. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Darrin Badon, president and co-founder of Louisiana Reach Haiti, and Dawest Louis, pastor of Connect International Church to discuss the current events happening in Haiti. Born in Haiti, Pastor Dawest gives his perspective on the historical and political history of his birth country. They compare and contrast Haiti and America, how the development of each country was different, and what has caused one to flourish and the other to fight for peace within its borders. Both men share their own personal stories of how they became involved with missions and where they see Haiti heading as a country.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 26, 2024 • 36min
Ep. 83: The War on Language – How to Discern the Truth
Words are a powerful tool that can inspire, but they can also be twisted and taken out of context. In a recent speech, former president Donald Trump stated that if he did not win the 2024 presidential election, there would be a “bloodbath”. He did not mean a physical bloodbath, but an economic one. This did not stop every large news outlet in the country from headlining his supposed endorsement of violence. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by The Washington Stand’s Ben Johnson for a discussion about the war on language and how to discern the truth from the lies. We must continue to speak the truth no matter the cost.
Resources
A ‘Bloodbath’ of Journalistic Ethics
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 22, 2024 • 1h 4min
Ep. 82: The Illusion of the Gold Coast – Where is California Headed?
The Gold Coast is slowly losing its shine. It is being dulled by anti-family policies, sky-high living prices, and progressive agendas. How long until it completely tarnishes? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the president of California Family Council, Jonathan Keller, for a discussion on the current and future state of California. A long-time resident of California, Jonathan offers a unique perspective on his state’s political history, how he has seen the economic landscape change, where it is all headed, and why those outside of California should care. He weighs in on and warns parents of current government initiatives such as Rainbow (Unicorn) Homes, abortion benevolence funds, and the push to limit parental rights. Join Jonathan and Joseph as they remove the rose-colored glasses through which many often view California.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Mar 19, 2024 • 1h
Ep. 81: Dr. Eithan Haim - A Whistleblower's Testimony
Dr. Eithan Haim was in his residency at Texas Children’s Hospital when he discovered a lie that the hospital was covering up from the public. In March of 2022, Texas Children’s Hospital released a statement stating that due to many factors, they were terminating their gender transition department. While from the outside everything looked normal, Dr. Haim discovered a different reality happening within the walls of the hospital. Dr. Eithan Haim joins host Joseph Backholm to tell his whistleblower story of discovery, action, and the aftermath of his decision to shed light on the lies!
Resources
Legal Defense Fund for Surgeon Whistleblower
He Blew the Whistle. Now the Feds Are Punishing Him for It.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

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.