
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

Sep 15, 2023 • 52min
Ep. 30: The Seven Cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview
Thirty percent of Americans identify with having no religion, even though many grew up within the church. What is the cause behind the dropping numbers of religious Americans? What do American church goers actually believe? In a recent survey conducted by George Barna, American church goers were asked a series of questions to discover if they had a biblical worldview. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by FRC’s David Closson who gives some important insight on the survey's findings, and what it means for a believer to have a biblical worldview.
Resources:
FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 12, 2023 • 55min
Ep. 29: How to Advance Pro-Family and Pro-Life Issues in a Blue State
In today’s culture, it can sometimes come down to an invisible state line that determines if parents have a right to know about their child’s education or if a baby is protected in the womb. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. A native of Connecticut, Peter has seen a lot change in his state’s government the last few decades. As time passes, there has been a major shift in both political parties’ ideologies and values. Peter discusses his strategy on how to advance pro-family and pro-life values in predominantly blue states, highlights his work in fighting bills that would limit parental rights, and discusses his states unique “experimental” role for new laws and bills. He encourages listeners to remember Psalm 146:3 “Put not your trust in princes…”, but to remember our hope is in the Lord, not a political party.
Resources:
Family Institute of Connecticut
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 8, 2023 • 47min
Ep. 28: What Causes Transgenderism?
With every new generation, there come new trends, lifestyles, and ideologies. Within Gen Z, there has been one trend that has taken center stage: Transgenderism. Approximately, 2% of Gen Z identify as transgender, which is double the amount of millennials who identify as such. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Walt Heyer, who lived as a woman for 8 years before detransitioning. Walt shares his personal experience with the transgender world and discusses why he believes this topic is such a trend amongst young people. He has helped thousands of individuals in their journey of, as he puts it, “identity distress”, and urges people to wake up to the truth. Learn about the influence of adverse childhood experiences, social contagion, and a biblical approach to the issue.
Resources:
Walt Heyer's website: Sex Change Regret
Diagnosing Gender Dysphoria in Children: An Explainer [FRC]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 1, 2023 • 1h 4min
Ep. 27: Scandal, Politics, and The Family Business
Get out your popcorn because this story is straight out of a spy movie: One family, 5 decades, $20 million, and 20 shell companies. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by the Washington Stand’s Ben Johnson as they begin to untangle the web of details and documents surrounding the Biden family’s financial affairs. Spanning all the way back to the 1970s, they examine then-Senator Joe Biden and his brother Jim Biden, the connections between Hunter Biden and Ukraine, and an attempt to answer the question “What are the Bidens really selling to have accrued such wealth?” As believers, truth is the only thing that matters, so settle in as we dissect the Biden family saga from a biblical worldview.
Resources:
‘Impeach Robert L. Peters’: Congressman, Perkins Agree It’s Time for Biden Impeachment Inquiry [Ben Johnson, TWS]
Congressman Introduces Bill to Impeach Joe Biden over Corruption, Obstruction, Fraud, and Drugs [Ben Johnson, TWS]
‘This Thing Stinks’: GOP Pans Special Counsel Appointed to Investigate Hunter Biden [Ben Johnson, TWS]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Aug 25, 2023 • 36min
Ep. 26: Everyone has the Right to Free Speech
Librarians have been known for shushing people, but a California library recently took things to a new level. The Mary L. Stephens Davis Library played host to a bizarre scene of shutting down free speech. During a scheduled forum at the library for fair and safe sports for girls, Sophia Lorey was asked to leave due to her “misgendering” people who identify as trans. Sophia is Outreach Coordinator at the California Family Council, and she joins host Joseph Backholm to talk about her experience and discusses violations of free speech, the dangers of men competing in women’s sports and why we should continue speaking out in truth. Check out this important episode before you have to return it in two weeks!
Resources:
California Policy Council
Calif. Library Kicks Out Event Speaker for ‘Misgendering’ [S.A. McCarthy, TWS]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Aug 18, 2023 • 45min
Ep. 25: Back to School - The State of Education in America
Do you know what the first 10 amendments to the constitution are called? If you said the Bill of Rights, congratulations, you are in the 33% of college graduates that know that fact…yes only 33 percent. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by The Washington Stand’s Sam McCarthy. Educators and schools have a powerful influence on what the next generation values and believes. Children spend close to 16,000 hours in the classroom so what are they absorbing? Sam & Joseph discuss the importance of parents instilling critical thinking and morality within their children. They also highlight the need to go back to the basics of education where parents and educators worked together -- not separate -- to mold and shape the minds of future generations.
Resources:
There’s a War on for Your Kids in Public Schools [S. A. McCarthy, TWS]
Polyamory, ‘Genderqueers,’ and Pagans ‘Oppressed’ in U.S., Public School Teachers Instructed [Ben Johnson, TWS]
Report: 143 K-12 Schools in the U.S. Have Chinese Communist Party Ties [Dan Hart, TWS]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Aug 11, 2023 • 43min
Ep. 24: The Importance of Knowing America's Foundational Values
Although America is often referred to as the melting pot, it has become alarmingly apparent that many are forgetting foundations that this great country was built upon: biblical Christian principles. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Texas State Representative Matt Schaefer, and Texas attorney Sam Webb. Recently, Schaefer announced his sponsorship of a bill in Texas requiring all classrooms to display a copy of the Ten Commandments. Both Schaefer and Webb emphasize the influence public schools have on transmitting values and how important it is that they transmit foundational American values. Children are our future and it is important that they know the history which has allowed this country to thrive. Is it good for schools to require something like a Ten Commandments display? Join us for the discussion.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Aug 4, 2023 • 40min
Ep.23: UFOs, the U.S. Government, and the Bible: The Truth is out There
Don your tinfoil hats and call the Men in Black. On this episode we look to the sky and discuss the possibility of extraterrestrial life roaming somewhere in the great beyond. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by The Washington Stand’s Joshua Arnold and FRC Action’s Matt Carpenter to talk about the buzz that has been encircling Washington, D.C. and the media ever since whistleblower David Grusch came forward claiming the government has been keeping secret events of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) from the American public. Would the presence of extraterrestrial life affect Christians and their theological views? What does the Bible say about other intelligent life forms? Could aliens be heavenly beings interacting in our earthly realm? Unpack all these questions on today’s out-of-this-world episode.
Resources:
Does the U.S. Government Possess Alien Spacecraft? [Matt Carpenter, TWS]
5 Biblical Reasons for Skepticism on UFO Testimony to Congress [Joshua Arnold, TWS]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jul 28, 2023 • 37min
Ep. 22: Confusion, Feminism, and What it Really Means to Be a Woman
What does it take to be a woman? In this episode, host Joseph Backholm learns how. Is it knowing the hottest trends in fashion, or how to become a Nike and Bud Light ambassador? Well, maybe not. Joseph is joined by Katie McCoy (an actual biological woman) and author of "To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond." Katie sheds light on the three waves of feminism and the connection between biology and gender stereotypes. In a world preaching “Be your AUTHENTIC self,” Katie discusses from a biblical worldview what it takes to live with true authenticity.
Resources:
Katie's book, To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond
Katie McCoy's website
Katie McCoy on Twitter
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Jul 21, 2023 • 43min
Ep. 21: California Scheming on Parental Rights
Rick Astley does not appear on this podcast, but it's likely that he plays on repeat in all of the Democratic California state government offices, because they are “never gonna give up infringing on parental rights," and "never gonna let the transgender agenda down.” Host Joseph Backholm is once again joined by Jonathan Keller, president of the California Family Council, to unpack the thought processes and motives of California state legislators who seem driven to pass legislation that directly harms minors and families. They also discuss the recent failure of the California State Assembly to pass a bill that would make child trafficking a serious felony and Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) surprising response.
Resources:
California Family Council
California Democrats Vote against Anti-Child Trafficking Bill, Then Change Course [Arielle Del Turco, TWS]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.