The Narrative

This week on The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer and Communications Director Mike Andrews are joined by Alex Schadenberg, from Canada's Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, to discuss the reality of the aggressive growth of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada and the US. Listen to find out how euthanasia proponents use personal freedom and peace of mind as a bait and switch to accomplish their financially-motivated goals without concern for life. To learn more, go to EPCC.ca or follow Alex's blog at alexschadenberg.blogspot.com. Aaron and Mike also take time to discuss why there's still hope for the pro-life movement in Ohio and how students are benefitting from the "fanny pack" school-choice expansion of 2023! More about Alex Schadenberg Alex Schadenberg is one of the world’s premier opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide. He is the co-founder and executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, founded in 1998 and based in London, Ontario, Canada. Alex has traveled the world speaking about the issue, authored countless opinion columns, and moderates the world’s most widely-read blog devoted to the issue. He is also the author of Exposing Vulnerable People to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. 🔊 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 also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. 👉  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 to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it 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.

On this episode of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews sit down with our first-ever repeat guest, Lora Ries, Director of The Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, to discuss what's happening at the Texas border. Listen in to find out why there's a stand-off between the federal agents and the Texas border patrol, how the terrorist watch-list hits from migrants apprehended crossing the Southern border went from 3 in all of 2020 to 50 already in 2024, and why the border crisis has become a priority issue for every state this year. Looking for more? Read HR2, the federal legislation Lora mentioned, read Lora's issue briefings on the border, and listen to our 2022 episode with Lora on how the border crisis even then was affecting Ohio. Before the news, the men discuss the advice Alistair Begg gave to one grandmother to attend her grandson's homosexual/trans wedding ceremony to show her love and why CCV disagrees with his advice, but also why it's unfair to categorize him as "woke." David referenced Ephesians 4 and 5, and Galatians 6. as the scriptural basis for Christians to seek God's approval above all else. For additional context, listen to Begg's response to the controversy from last weekend.  More about Lora Ries Lora is Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation. She has over 26 years’ experience in the immigration and homeland security arena. Lora twice worked at the Department of Homeland Security on management and immigration policy and operations issues, most recently as the Acting Deputy Chief of Staff. She also worked in the private sector as a homeland security industry strategist and in government relations. Lora previously worked in the legislative branch as Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims. She started her career at the Department of Justice’s Board of Immigration Appeals and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Lora’s commentary and analysis have been published and quoted in multiple print media, including The National Interest, FoxNews.com, Roll Call, and The Hill. She has done numerous radio and TV interviews and has testified before Congress. 🔊 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 also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. 👉  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 to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it 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 Narrative is back for volume 9! Join Riley Gaines and CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews in celebrating the huge victory in the General Assembly overriding Governor DeWine's veto to pass the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act (HB68) into law.Listen in to find out: what was encouraging after the Governor vetoed this critical bill, what inspired Riley to switch from future dentist to women's rights activist, and what themes Riley has seen nationally in the culture over the last 18 months in her fight to protect women's sports. Want to learn more? Check out Riley's Women's Bill of Rights and her brand-new book, Happy No Snakes Day, and keep up with her on X (formerly Twitter), @Riley_Gaines_. Click here to watch Senator Kristina Roegner's floor speech before the override vote. More about Riley Gaines Riley Gaines is a leader defending women’s single-sex spaces, advocating for equality and fairness, and standing up for women’s safety, privacy, and equal opportunities. Gaines graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she was a 12-time All-American swimmer. Riley has made waves for speaking out after tying UPenn’s Lia Thomas, a biological male swimmer on the women’s team, at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. After Riley directly experienced competing against a man in women’s sports, being forced without warning or consent to undress before the fully intact male, and subjected to discrimination by the NCAA, she became one of the most powerful voices to speak out against the injustice, challenging the rules of the NCAA, USA Swimming, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other governing bodies.  Riley now works for the leading women’s organization making real and lasting change, legally defining ‘woman,’ protecting Title IX, and defending women’s rights to single-sex spaces and equal opportunities.  🔊 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 also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. 👉  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 to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it 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.

Following the Governor's veto of the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act (HB68), CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews sat down for an emergency episode of The Narrative podcast to discuss what happened and what's next for this critical bill. Listen in to get the answers to questions including: In 2018, the original version of the SAFE Act–the Vulnerable Child Protection Act–was politically unpalatable. What has changed since then to make it common-sense legislation? What happened behind the scenes as the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act went through the Ohio General Assembly? Why did Governor DeWine veto HB68? How can we still get HB68 passed into law? As Mike mentioned during the conversation, you can listen to our episodes with Scott Newgent and Chloe Cole and Prisha Mosley for additional context to the heart-wrenching consequences that HB68 would prevent. Take Action: Overriding the Veto Take 60 seconds to send a message to your State Senator and Representative to encourage them to act quickly and override the Governor to protect kids from dangerous puberty-blocking drugs, wrong-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries, and to preserve the integrity of women’s sports by protecting female athletes from having to compete against biological males. Click here to contact your legislators. 👉 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 also be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. 👉  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 to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it 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.

On this final episode of The Narrative podcast for 2023, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews answer your questions! We had more high-quality questions than ever before–not that we'd expect anything less from our podcast family–so listen in to get the guys' thoughts on: With the passage of Issue 2, how can we keep cannabis out of our communities? How can Christians, in good conscience, remove the influence of our kids from public schools? Doesn't that mean we're shirking our responsibility to spread the Good News of the Gospel? Who or what is CCV's goal audience for impacting culture? How can we maintain growth, momentum, and hope in the pro-life community? Thank you for making this our best volume yet! What should we do in 2024? 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 next year, let us know! 👉  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 to be insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It really helps us to know what you're enjoying and it 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.

On this special edition of The Narrative podcast, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews share their raw thoughts on the passage of Issue 1, that, among a host of other detrimental consequences, created a right to abortion up to birth and without any restrictions in our Ohio Constitution. Listen now to hear what the amendment means for Ohio, what's next, and what lessons we can take into 2024. For further reflection, they referenced 2 Corinthians 4, Isaiah 62, and Psalm 27. Talk to Us Thanks for listening to The Narrative! We value our listeners and want to provide an opportunity to keep these crucial conversations going. Get connected with The Narrative hosts by submitting your questions, feedback, and guest recommendations. We’ll be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode next week where your questions will be answered on the podcast. 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.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a very special guest joining CCV President Aaron Baer and Communications Director Mike Andrews on The Narrative podcast this week! In this insightful and intriguing episode, Monica Snyder, Executive Director of Secular Pro-Life and an atheist, shares with listeners the secular perspective on why abortion is neither logical nor kind.  If you've ever tried to approach the subject of life with your pro-choice friends and family, and been unsure of how to refute claims that you're just trying to force your religion on everyone, you'll definitely want to listen to this conversation! For more information on the fight for life happening in Ohio right now with Issue 1, go to CCV.org/Vote. There are only four more days left to be a vote for the voiceless! More about Monica Snyder Monica is a political conservative with a scientific background with a BS in chemical biology from UC Berkeley and an MS in forensic science from UC Davis. She started volunteering with Secular Pro-Life in late 2009 and became Executive Director in 2021. Monica takes a particular interest in the biological facts surrounding the abortion debate. Talk to Us Thanks for listening to The Narrative! We value our listeners and want to provide an opportunity to keep these crucial conversations going. Get connected with The Narrative hosts by submitting your questions, feedback, and guest recommendations. We’ll be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. 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.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a ministerial family reunion this week on The Narrative podcast with Joshua Livingston, Executive Director of pureHOPE, joining CCV President Aaron Baer and Communications Director Mike Andrews. CCV and pureHOPE share the same founder, Dr. Jerry Kirk, who had a burning heart 40 years ago to see human dignity be upheld in Cincinnati. In a world where pornography is just a click away on any electronic device, slipped into popular TV shows, or suggested content in social media feeds, Josh shares practical tips and real life experience for not only protecting children from pornography, but equipping them for when they are exposed to it.  For free resources and help in combatting pornography, go to purehope.net. Before the conversation, Aaron, Mike, and CCV Policy Director David Mahan walk through  legislation that has had recent movement at the Statehouse that would protect children from adult obscenity, co-ed bathrooms, and online pornography. Check out CCV.org/Advocacy to learn more and contact your legislators! More about Joshua Livingston As Executive Director of pureHOPE, Josh focuses on relationship building, strategic planning, vision casting, and expanding the message of pureHOPE. Josh joined the team in January 2020 after serving for years as a board member and champion of pureHOPE. Josh felt called to ministry at the age of 13 and has been in and around professional ministry his entire life as his family started Central Church in Charlotte, NC over 40 years ago. Growing up in church gave him many opportunities for outreach, mission trips, and leadership. He attended Lee University to pursue this ministry calling, and there he captained the baseball team, majored in Broadcasting, and minored in Bible. He has served in some form of ministry ever since—from church planting to pastoring to leading worship. In addition to starting a nonprofit ministry in Africa, Josh has also worked as a business advisor for two financial institutions, and as a Donor Advisor for KLOVE/Air1 Radio Networks. What brings Josh the most joy is his family. He has been married to his beautiful wife Kate for 20 years and they have an 18-year-old son (Parker) who attends Samford University, and a 15-year-old daughter (Merritt) who is in 10th grade. Josh is an avid golfer who also plays a lot of tennis and Pickleball with his family. Thanks for listening to The Narrative! We value our listeners and want to provide an opportunity to keep these crucial conversations going. Get connected with The Narrative hosts by submitting your questions, feedback, and guest recommendations. We’ll be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. Talk to Us: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining from Jerusalem, Michael Mistretta, CEO of Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM), shares the current reality in Israel with CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews on this episode of The Narrative. From explaining his mission work to spread the Gospel in Israel to the heart-wrenching reality of the current war to why Christians should care, Michael’s conversation is both sobering and joy-filled. To learn more about Michael's work, go to FIRMIsrael.org.  Throughout the conversation with Michael, we could see the name “Roni” written on his hand. At the end of the episode, Michael shared the significance of the name. To join FIRM’s initiative that was inspired by Isaiah 49 to pray for the Israeli hostages by name, go to PrayForIsraelByName.com.  Before the conversation, Aaron mentioned the importance of November’s Issue 1, the constitutional amendment that would permanently legalize abortion up to birth in Ohio. You can go to CCV.org/Vote for free nonpartisan election resources. More About Michael Mistretta Michael Mistretta is the CEO of FIRM, which stands for Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries. Born in Toronto, Canada, Michael was raised in the church and later received a call to Israel where he met Pastor Wayne Hilsden and helped start FIRM. From starting his own company as a teenager to his 12 years of ministry experience, he is an entrepreneur and innovator who is passionate about seeing ministries in Israel thrive and people coming to know Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah. Michael’s passion for Israel takes him around the world as he strives to build unique connections between the church and the body of believers in Israel, and shares about how God is moving in Israel today. Michael immigrated to Israel in 2014 and lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Vanessa, and their two young sons. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Narrative, Alistair Begg, senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland and a daily contributor on the Truth for Life Ministries radio program, joins CCV President Aaron Baer, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and Executive Director of CCV's Church Ambassador Network Chris Lightfoot to chat about faith, freedom, the Gospel, and the November election. If you've never heard Alistair speak before, you'll want to listen not only for his Scottish accent, but also for his profound wisdom and encouragement on how Christians should be approaching the life issue this fall. Don't forget to check out CCV.org/Vote for free nonpartisan election resources. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org   To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.