
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

Nov 24, 2023 • 39min
Ep. 50: Pt. 1: The Changing of Culture
Culture and society seem to constant state of flux. Father Calvin Robinson, who serves as an Anglican priest in London, joins host Joseph Backholm to discuss his journey into priesthood and the culture war happening right now. Once a teacher, Father Calvin reflects on his time in education, how the educational system has changed, and how it impacted his decision to become a priest. He emphasizes the importance of speaking biblical truth, even when it is unpopular.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Nov 21, 2023 • 48min
Ep. 49: Thankfulness vs. Gratitude: Is Thanksgiving a Christian Holiday?
Thanksgiving is known for its comfort foods, family, and a special time of reflection on all that we are thankful for. Most Americans celebrate it, but why? What is the history behind this cherished holiday? Is it rooted in Christian principles and beliefs? J. Warner Wallace, cold-case detective and Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview joins host Joseph Backholm to dive into the history of Thanksgiving and how to navigate the holiday from a biblical worldview. They discuss the difference between thankfulness and gratitude and how you can bring the gospel message to your own family’s Thanksgiving celebration. Enjoy this podcast with a side of turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole!
Resources
Cold Case Christianity
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Nov 17, 2023 • 46min
Ep. 48: Life in the Aftermath of 2023
After the passing of Ohio’s Issue One, which made abortion legal for all nine months of pregnancy, many pro-lifers are wondering what the next steps of the movement should be. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by FRC’s Katherine Beck Johnson and Mary Szoch, both mothers and pro-life advocates. After the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion was given back to the states and while many thought that the biggest hurdle in the fight for life has been conquered, it seems that the battle is just beginning. These three dissect the “how” behind the passing of Issue One, the importance of pro-life messaging, and the impact the sexual revolution has had on the view of abortion. Katherine and Mary both share how their stories of miscarriage impact their fight for life and remind listeners that an unborn child is not a human based on if the parents feel like it, but is a human, designed with intentionality and dignity no matter what anyone says or feels!
Resources
What Comes After Ohio’s Issue 1?
The Path Forward Defending Life
The Left Wants Pro-Lifers to Despair after Tuesday’s Election. Don’t.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Nov 14, 2023 • 31min
Ep. 47: Sex As Industry, and the Audacity of Guarding Against It
The sexual revolution brought a lot of change around how society views and values sex. A sacred and intimate act has now been given an economic value due to the pornography industry shifting to enable what are now being called “creators”. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Washington Stand’s S.A. McCarthy to discuss why individuals are drawn to this type of lifestyle and the physical, emotional, and spiritual damage it can cause. Touching on the cultural shift in attitude towards sex, Joseph and Sam also discuss U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to protect his own household from pornography. Why has that decision stirred up so much controversy in the main stream media? Join in the conversation now!
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Nov 10, 2023 • 42min
Ep. 46: From Anxiety to Peace: A Christian Consideration of Mental Health
There are normally two camps when it comes to mental health: embrace it or toughen up. Since Covid, the number of people struggling with mental health issues has spiked and continues to climb. In a world that grows increasingly more secular per day, the search for the antidote for this growing epidemic has come up fruitless. Dr. Ed Welch, a psychologist and licensed counselor joins host Joseph Backholm to wade into the weeds of the mental health crisis. From a biblical worldview, they dissect the difference between spiritual warfare vs. living in a fallen world, emphasize that we were designed to need help, and how to properly handle our complex emotions. Our Creator wants to know what’s on our hearts, talk to him and lean into his peace and promises.
Resources
Books Written by Ed Welch
Poll Shows Positive Relationship Between Religion and Well-Being
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Nov 7, 2023 • 49min
Ep. 45: Criminal Justice System Reform: A Biblical Model
Did you know that in the U.S. only 10% of serious crimes ever end up being solved? Something has to change. Matt Martens a lawyer and author of “Reforming Criminal Justice” joins host Joseph Backholm in a discussion about what the framework of a biblical justice system looks like. Matt and Joseph dive into the many questions surrounding justice system reform: Are too many people imprisoned? What needs to be shifted for the system to fit a more biblical model? Is the Old Testament Law applicable today? We are reminded that most things are not black and white and that our definition of justice should be one rooted in biblical principles and truths! We are all broken vessels, worthy of redemption.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Nov 3, 2023 • 37min
Ep. 44: Speaker Mike Johnson - Too Biblical For The Media?
Fourth time is a charm when it comes to electing a new speaker of the house. After three GOP members failed attempts, Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana cinched the speakership position, winning the House majority with 220 votes. Having kept a low profile for most of his political career, Rep. Johnson has received a lot of press since his climatic rise to speaker of the house. While being known by his colleagues as a servant leader and man of deep biblical convictions, mainstream media has had quite a heyday deciding who this new speaker is. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by The Washington Stand’s Jared Bridges and FRC’s Quena Gonzalez to discuss Johnson’s biblical beliefs and how the mainstream media are choosing to portray him. From being called a radical right extremist to a Christian nationalist – listen now and discover for yourself who Speaker Johnson is!
Resources
House Speaker Mike Johnson ‘Radiates the Love of Jesus,’ Conservatives Laud
‘It’s a New Day’: Mike Johnson Brings Principles and Purpose to Speakership
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Oct 31, 2023 • 39min
Ep. 43: Why You Should Care About Ohio Issue One
On November 7th, Ohioans will vote on Issue One. If passed, abortion will be legal for all nine months of pregnancy and would eliminate any laws that require parental consent for abortion. Why should a non-Ohioan care about what happens? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Aaron Baer, President of Center for Christian Virtue, and Washington Stand’s Ben Johnson for a candid discussion on the catastrophic impacts that this amendment could have in both Ohio and the nation. Learn more about what Issue One is, who is aiding in the battle, and how you can help support this pro-life cause.
Resources
14 Lies in 50 Minutes: Abortion Activist Serves Up Misinformation about Ohio’s Issue 1
The Groups behind Ohio’s Issue 1 Favor Child Trans Surgeries, Abortion, Prostitution, and Open Borders
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Oct 27, 2023 • 49min
Ep. 42: Christian Just War Theory: Israel and Hamas
Christian just war theory addresses two questions:
When is it right to fight?
How do you rightly fight the fight?
Israel has shown great restraint in their conflict with Hamas. One government is doing everything they can to shield their people, while the other is using their people as shields. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Marc LiVecche, a Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life
at Providence and a nonresident research fellow at the US Naval War College and FRC’s Quena Gonzalez to discuss the proportionality of the current war. They take a deep dive into Israel’s reason to fight, the way they are fighting, and the overall goal to end this conflict. The complexity of this situation has left many wondering who is to blame – listen now to unravel the web of this current war through a Christian lens.
Resources
Providence - A Journal of Christianity & American Foreign Policy
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Oct 24, 2023 • 43min
Ep. 41: When is 'Christian' Teaching No Longer Christian?
In today’s culture, the decline of evangelical churches has reached new lows. This is not an overnight happening, but rather the slow creep of theological liberalism into teachings. The recent news of Pastor Andy's Stanley's hosting of a LGBTQ-affirming conference at his Atlanta church -- along with his subsequent defense (and apparent downplaying of) sin -- got us thinking. When Christian teachers stray from Scripture, when does it cease to become Christian teaching? David Closson, director of FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview, along with The Washington Stand's Jared Bridges (who is also a pastor at his local church) join host Jospeh Backholm to examine this emerging trend in light of Scripture.
Resorces
FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview
Theological Triage [Albert Mohler]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.