
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 11, 2025 • 32min
Ep. 175: Free Speech - A Legal Analysis with Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell who serves as chief legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom joins Joseph Backholm to dissect the recent Supreme Court Case Free Speech Coalition vs. Paxton. They discuss details of the case, limitations on speech, and which way the Supreme Court may rule. They also examine the TikTok ban, whether it is Constitutional, and the potential threats the app could pose to our national security.

Feb 7, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 174: Northern Tensions: Trump, Tariffs, and Canada's Changing Politics
Former Canadian politician, Stockwell Day, joins Joseph Backholm to shed some light on what is happening with our neighbors to the north. From potential trade wars to a shift in power, Canadians are not only braving the cold this winter but also a constantly changing political and economic climate.

Feb 4, 2025 • 44min
Ep. 173: Unchecked Power? China's Global Influence
Gordon Chang, a China expert, joins Joseph Backholm to discuss China’s growing global influence, US-China relations, and concerns over its role in the Panama Canal. They discuss potential economic and security threats, including tech risks like TikTok and DeepSeek, and examine China’s involvement in global conflicts. They also unpack the question of how the Trump administration will handle Chinese influence both on American soil and abroad.

Jan 31, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 172: America's Identity Crisis: Faith, History, and Immigration with John Wilsey
Dr. John Wilsey, professor of church history and philosophy at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, joins Joseph Backholm to give an analysis of America right now compared to its history. Together they dive into the concept of “Christian Nationalism”, the root of the term, and what it truly means. They also discuss the controversial topic of immigration, answering the question, “Is it selfish and unbiblical to want to put America first?”

Jan 28, 2025 • 52min
Ep. 171: Trump's Executive Orders with Eric Teetsel
Joseph Backholm is joined by Eric Teetsel, executive vice president at the Center for Renewing America, to unpack President Trump’s recent executive orders. Spanning from border security to anti-woke policies, Trump wasted no time in rolling back many Biden-era decisions. The two talk about the Remain in Mexico policy, the One Flag policy, and the designation of drug cartels as terrorists. A lot has changed in the first few days of this administration. Listen now to learn more about the impact of Trump’s executive orders!

Jan 24, 2025 • 1h
Ep. 170: Biden's Buzzer Beater Pardons
Pardon me, Joe Biden pardoned who? Family Research Council’s Chris Gacek and The Washington Stand’s Jared Bridges join host Joseph Backholm to take a deep dive into Biden's last-minute pardons for figures like Dr. Fauci, General Milley, and many family members. The three explore the motivations behind these pardons, whether they imply guilt and the broader issue of the weaponization of justice.

Jan 21, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 169: Politics in Flux: Trump, the Left, and the Future of America
Hunter Baker, author and professor at North Greenville University, joins Joseph Backholm to reflect on the political landscape with a new president. Should the country be optimistic or pessimistic? Hunter and Joeseph analyze Trump’s resurgence into political power, a possible new era of free speech, and the concerns over the rising federal debt.

Jan 17, 2025 • 52min
Ep. 168: Who Does Wokeness Benefit: A Deep Dive with Musa-al Gharbi
Musa al-Gharbi, professor and author of We Have Never Been Woke, examines wokeness as an elite-driven ideology. He addresses the question of who it truly serves: the elite or the working class. He explores how social justice has been used to gain power and social media's role in spreading woke principles.
Resources
We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite by Musa al-Gharbi

Jan 14, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 167: California Fires: A Crisis of Policy, Resources, and Recovery
Jonathan Keller, President of the California Family Council, joins Joseph Backholm to discuss the devastating California fires, citing dry conditions and inadequate resources as a few of the key factors, but is there more at play here? Keller and Joseph ponder the possibility of whether the crisis was preventable or simply an act of God. They analyze state leaders prioritizing diversity over essential resources and the economic fallout this disaster will have on California for the years to come.

Jan 10, 2025 • 43min
Ep. 166: Keys To Rebuild a Civilization with Kendall Qualls
Kendall Qualls is the founder and president of Take Charge, an organization dedicated to building strong families, especially in the inner city. In this episode, he joins Joseph Backholm to explain why fatherlessness — not systemic racism, is the real problem for our country and what we can do to be part of the solution.