The Narrative

What would it look like for the Ten Commandments to make a comeback in public schools? In this episode of The Narrative, Andrea Piccotti-Bayer joins CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews to discuss the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments and why public schools should return to the religious roots that our country was founded on. Andrea explains how these tenants have a rightful place in our classrooms and breaks down the historical and legal arguments for their proposed return to public education, such as would be allowed by Ohio Senate Bill 34. Before talking with Andrea, Aaron and Mike celebrate the recent Senate Bill 1 victory banning DEI at Ohio's state colleges and universities. They also discuss the proposed House budget and Senate Bill 156, which would require schools to teach the Success Sequence.   More about Andrea Picciotti-Bayer Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is Director of the Conscience Project. A Stanford-educated lawyer, she has dedicated her legal career to civil rights and appellate advocacy. Andrea started as a trial and appellate attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice. Before leading the Conscience Project, she served as the legal advisor for the Catholic Association, filing amicus briefs with federal courts of appeal and the US Supreme Court in key religious freedom and free speech cases. She frequently appears in the media to discuss religious freedom controversies and legal victories. In 2021, she received First Place for Best Coverage—Religious Liberty Issues from the Catholic Media Association. She is also a legal analyst for EWTN News and a regular columnist for the National Catholic Register. Her writing has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, National Review, Fox News, Newsweek, CNN en Español, and other well-regarded publications. She has also joined Fox News, Newsmax, and various other shows to share expert commentary. Andrea has ten children and lives in the Washington, DC area.   For more, check out the video put together by the Conscience Project: Louisiana Ten Commandments: When Does The Government Go Too Far In Promoting Religion? 🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the key to improving education in America is as simple as dismantling the Department of Education (DOE)? In this week's episode of The Narrative, CCV Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and Ohio Christian Education Network Executive Director Troy McIntosh sit down with Heritage Foundation's Jonathan Butcher—a leading expert in education policy—to talk about President Trump's recent executive order to abolish the DOE and how ending the bloated bureaucracy could unlock a new era of innovation, local empowerment, and real reform. Jonathan takes us through the potential benefits of dismantling the DOE, offering a fresh perspective on how we can reshape education to better serve students, parents, and communities.    More about Jonathan Butcher Jonathan Butcher is the Will Skillman Senior Research Fellow in Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. He has researched and testified on education policy around the US, including testimony before the US Commission on Civil Rights. He is the author of Splintered: Critical Race Theory and the Progressive War on Truth. Jonathan co-edited and wrote chapters in The Critical Classroom, discussing the racial prejudice that comes from applying critical race theory in K-12 schools. He also co-edited and wrote chapters in the book The Not-So-Great Society, which provides conservative solutions to the problems created by the ever-expanding federal footprint in preschool, K-12, and higher education. Jonathan previously served as the Education Director at the Goldwater Institute, where he remains a Senior Fellow. He was a member of the Arizona Department of Education's first Steering Committee for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, the nation's first education savings account program. He is also a Senior Fellow with The Beacon Center of Tennessee and a contributing scholar for the Georgia Center for Opportunity. Prior to joining Goldwater, Jonathan was the Director of Accountability for the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Jonathan previously studied education policy at the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. He worked with the School Choice Demonstration Project, the research team that evaluated voucher programs in Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jonathan holds a bachelor's degree in English from Furman University and a master's degree in economics from the University of Arkansas. 🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is all the rage right now—with varying opinions, thoughts, and questions about what DEI encompasses, its impact, and what the future would look like without it. Ohio State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) joins CCV Policy Director David Mahan and Communications Director Mike Andrews on this week's episode of The Narrative to offer a unique perspective on the fight against DEI! Rep. Williams unpacks what DEI in Ohio's higher education system really looks like and how the passage of Senate Bill 1 through the Ohio House will have lasting effects on the state's education system. Before Rep. Williams joins the conversation, the guys talk about current legislation happening in the Statehouse—how the Innocence Act (HB84)  and Cannabis Bill (HB160) are evolving and what these pieces of legislation would mean for Ohio residents. Listen to this week's episode to hear Rep. Williams' testimony and how the Lord is working through him to advance Christ-centered legislation into our state laws. More about Rep. Josh Williams State Representative Josh Williams went from a homeless high school dropout to an attorney, but there were many challenges and obstacles along the way. After dropping out of high school, he went to work to support his young son. He was hurt on the job after falling 30 feet and was disabled for six years because of a serious back injury. Josh credited a change in his mindset as motivation to overcome his injury. After getting his GED, Josh started college at the age of 30. By the time he was 35, he had graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law with his Juris Doctorate (J.D.). He currently teaches constitutional law, criminal law, and criminal procedure in the undergraduate criminal justice programs. As a State Representative, Josh is pursuing reform in the areas that most affect Lucas County residents: workforce development, education, and criminal justice.  🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think you know the truth about marijuana? Think again.  With the passage of Issue 2 in 2023 and new legislation being proposed to regulate the legalization of marijuana in Ohio, Dr. Ken Finn joins CCV Policy Director David Mahan and Communications Director Mike Andrews on The Narrative to challenge common misconceptions and illuminate the risks of marijuana that many people overlook. Whether you’re already familiar with the topic or just starting to explore it, this episode is packed with essential insights to help you navigate the conversation around the need to safeguard against the harms of the marijuana industry. More about Dr. Ken Finn Dr. Ken Finn has been practicing Pain Medicine in Colorado Springs since 1994. He is Board Certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain medicine, and pain management.   He is President-Elect of the American Board of Pain Medicine. He served on the Colorado Governor’s Task Force on Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for recreational use, Consumer Safety and Social Issues Work Group and served four years on Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Scientific Advisory Council.   Dr. Finn has testified to the Canadian Senate on their marijuana bill and speaks internationally on the health impacts of marijuana. He is editor of the book Cannabis in Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach, and currently serves as the vice president of the International Academy on the Science and Impacts of Cannabis. 🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you ready to be encouraged and challenged? Listen in to this week's episode of The Narrative as Sam Allberry explores biblical anthropology! Sam dives into the theology of the body and how God has uniquely and intentionally designed us in His image, offering powerful reflections on how our identity, both as individuals and as a community, is rooted in God's perfect plan for creation. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of Scripture or seeking a fresh perspective on God's design for humanity, this discussion with Sam Allberry is not to be missed. Before the conversation, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews run through some of the latest news of the week, including Kieran Culkin's pro-life Oscar acceptance speech, DEI rollbacks at The Ohio State University and Target, and President Trump's address to Congress.   More about Sam Allberry Sam Allberry is Associate Pastor at Immanuel Nashville Church and a Fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. He is a canon theologian for the Anglican Church in North America and is the co-host of The Gospel Coalition’s podcast You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors.  He is the author of several books, including Is God Anti-Gay?; 7 Myths About Singleness; Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?; and What God Has to Say About Our Bodies. Sam studied theology at Wycliffe Hall University of Oxford. 🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Too few young people are taking advantage of the key to stability, happiness, and well-being: marriage.We're thrilled to welcome back Brad Wilcox, a leading sociologist, to The Narrative to dive into our report on marriage and family, Hope and a Future.  CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews join Brad to discuss how marriage determines the nation's trajectory and its long-term benefits for both couples and society at large.Whether you're married or single, this conversation offers valuable insights that will make you rethink the importance of commitment and its impact on our future. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion! 🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virgil Walker joins this week's episode of The Narrative to discuss his newest book, A Biblical Theology of Climate Change. Virgil joins Communications Director Mike Andrews and Policy Director David Mahan to provide a biblical framework for caring for the environment and how the media has created a fear-driven approach to climate change.  Before their conversation with Virgil, President Aaron Baer joins David and Mike to catch up on this week's news, covering the release of CCV's Hope and a Future report, President Trump's Executive Order expanding in vitro fertilization, and Ohio Governor DeWine's child tax credit. 🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel O'Brien joins this week's episode of The Narrative! As concerns about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are on the rise across Ohio, Rachel sits down with the guys to take a hard look at the ever-expanding DEI budgets at colleges and universities and how these institutions are diverting funds away from students' core educational needs. Before their discussion with Rachel, CCV Communications Director Mike Andrews and Policy Director David Mahan catch up on the excitement growing around Senate Bill 1 (SB1)–which would ban DEI programs at Ohio's state colleges–and its passage through the Senate and on to the House of Representatives. Add to the momentum of SB1 and catch up on the latest news by following our social channels or visiting our website, CCV.org!   🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After only 18 days in office, President Trump has gotten to work signing Executive Orders—over 75 and counting! On this special episode of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews run through their lists of notable Executive Orders the President has introduced and signed. Listen to today's episode to get a primer on Executive Orders and the impact they have on the country and the American people.   🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The choice is clear: Secular schools in a secular society aren't cutting it for the Church. So in honor of National School Choice Week, we're bringing you a special edition of The Narrative with Pastor Jimmy Scroggins, Church Ambassador Network Executive Director Chris Lightfoot, Ohio Christian Education Network Executive Director Troy McIntosh, and podcast co-host Mike Andrews. Listen in to learn why it's crucial for your church to start a school! Before the guys chat with Pastor Scroggins, CCV President Aaron Baer caught up with Mike on the latest news on Senate Bill 1 to ban DEI on college campuses, Aaron's trip to D.C. for the national March for Life and his interview with EWTN, and his National Review op-ed in response to the New Yorker hit piece on CCV and school choice in Ohio. For a deeper dive into the benefits of Christian Schools, check out Pastor Scroggins' book, The Education Reformation: Why Your Church Should Start a Christian School. More about Pastor Jimmy Scroggins Pastor Jimmy Scroggins serves as the Professor of Christian Ministry at Southern Seminary. Pastor Scroggins is the lead pastor of Family Church in South Florida where he has served since July 2008. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Before joining staff at Family Church, Pastor Scroggins served as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Kentucky, and the Dean of Boyce College from 2004–2008. He is married to Kristin, and they have eight children and two grandchildren.   🔊 Talk to Us We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉  Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉  Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ How are we doing? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 About The Narrative The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.