Does where we spend our money matter?  If you haven't noticed, corporations these days often minimize the bottom line in favor of the activist line -- a line that nearly always leans left.   Not long ago, Michael Seifert saw this disparity as an opportunity for those businesses who share the values upon which our nation was founded. Enter PublicSq, a new platform that helps consumers think biblically about where they spend their money. Joining host Joseph Backholm is PublicSq. founder Michael Seifert. Since its inception, over 65,000 vendors and 1.5 million consumers have joined its marketplace.  Joseph and Michael discuss faith, liberty, and business, how business owners can empower the alternative economy.

Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement

Did you know at seven weeks of development a baby is the size of a coffee bean? This is the heart behind Seven Weeks Coffee, a pro-life coffee company that donates 10% of every sale to pregnancy care centers across the nation. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Anton Krecic, founder of Seven Weeks Coffee. Anton tells the story of how his company was born and his conviction to aid and support pregnancy care centers across the nation. He urges other business owners to stand up for their convictions because neutrality is not an option. It is time to rebuild the culture of life in America one cup of coffee at a time.

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.

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 Connecticut bills that would limit parental rights, and discusses his state's 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.

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.

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.

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!

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%. 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.

News Writer / Reporter

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.

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.

Staff Writer, The Washington Stand

Director of FRC Action

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.

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 Newsom's surprising response.

OK Boomer, an episode like this comes along only once in a generation. As the up-and-coming Gen Z begins to enter adulthood, will they be able to carry the mantle of previous generations? Do we even want them to? Joseph Backholm, himself a Gen-Xer, talks with two bona-fide Gen Zers (Washington Stand interns Sarah Holliday and Baylie McClafferty) about the particular issues facing Gen Z Christians. What they say might surprise you, and it might give you hope for the future...

Reporter at The Washington Stand

Stop those eyes from glazing over! Today, we're taking on a topic that's often a dark water in which we don't want to wade. Economics is often complex, but like it or not, we deal with it every day, and our boredom with it may be costing us more than we think. With the Biden administration recently labeling and promoting its own version of "Bidenomics," it's now more important than ever to approach economics from a biblical worldview. Former congressman and current Liberty University Vice Provost for Engagement Dave Brat joins host Joseph Backholm for a fascinating discussion on how to do just that. 

What role, if any, should The United States of America have in world affairs? While America can't be the world's police, there are times when doing the right thing means some kind of involvement. Ambassador Sam Brownback, who most recently served as U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom under the Trump administration (and before that served as a congressman, senator, and governor from the state of Kansas) joins Family Research Council Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs Travis Weber to talk with host Joseph Backholm about these issues through the lens of the tiny nation of Armenia -- a place that has a long history of religious freedom struggles. 

Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs

"If you love your children, leave California." That recent shocking statement by a sitting California state senator underscores just how far leftward California has moved in recent years. Pending legislation that would label parents who refuse to affirm their child's perceived gender identity as abusive is but one of a plethora of moves that have potential for putting families and individuals in danger. Host Joseph Backholm joined Jonathan Keller, president of the California Family Council to talk about these issues facing California and the impact they have on the rest of America.

Throughout America's history, we've never shied away from exporting our ideas. And most of the time that's beneficial for nations on the receiving end. But when our ideals become corrupted, the exporting business seems to kick into a higher gear. Case in point: the Biden administration's LGBT activism around the globe -- all fueled by official public policy and your tax dollars. Family Research Council's new report, <a href="https://www.frc.org/issueanalysis/exporting-lgbt-ideology-the-biden-administrations-foreign-policy-priority" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Exporting LGBT Ideology: The Biden Administration's Foreign Policy Priorities</a>, documents this state-sponsored activism in detail. Host Joseph Backholm talks with the report's authors, FRC's Arielle Del Turco and Chris Gacek, about what our government is doing abroad and the worldview that it's peddling around the globe.

Director of the Center for Religious Liberty

Senior Fellow for Regulatory Affairs

Don't boycott this episode! It seems like corporations are falling all over themselves to "out-pride" one another or make a political statement And increasingly, these statements go beyond simply diverging from a Christian's value system -- they malign the biblical worldview outright. How should followers of Christ respond to a marketplace that not only has branded itself as favoring the world, but actively impugns Christians? Are boycotts morally acceptable? If so, we can't boycott everything, so how do we decide? Joseph Backholm joins The Washington Stand's Suzanne Bowdey and Jared Bridges to talk about how we deal with these dealers of the world.

Editorial Director and Senior Writer, The Washington Stand

Vice President, Brand Advancement

Unless you live underground, you can't escape the flood of rainbows and alphabet soup in the month of June. Pride month is on display everywhere. Outstanding host Joseph Backholm takes this episode with you as his only guest to discuss how Christians should approach what's become a government and corporate obsession. Listen for an honest discussion on how to stand and how to say yes to a better way.

It's basketball, baseball, and all kinds of pride for this episode of Outstanding. Host Joseph Backholm talks with TWS senior reporter and editor Ben Johnson about Brittney Griner's change of heart about standing during the national anthem, now that she's back in action in the WNBA after a stint in a Russian prison. And, with pride month around the corner, the Los Angeles Dodgers throw more than a bit outside by inviting a faith-mocking group to their LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration Night. They discuss how Christians should respond to offensive headlines like these, and where the sexual revolution stands in America today.

The Cold War may be long gone (or is it?), but socialism has made a comeback in recent years here in America. Bernie Sanders proposes free college, others call for single-payer health care. Why is that, and what's the problem with it? Host Joseph Backholm has a fascinating conversation with exiled Cuban journalist Yoe Suarez and TWS editor-in-chief Jared Bridges as they examine socialism and shed light on the truth behind the lies.

It's all the buzz. With the legalization of cannabis popping up all over the country, it's high time Christians become informed about a nation going to pot. How should we approach policies that govern the drug from a biblical worldview, and how? All joking aside, host Joseph Backholm has a sobering discussion with Jaime Zerbe, chief of staff for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, about the truth behind big marijuana, legalization, and the health effects of cannabis use.

Grooming. It's one of the more controversial words in recent discourse, with Twitter banning the term in its pre-Elon Musk days) for a period in 2022. But behind all the social buzz, there's a very real threat to our children who are being prepared -- sometimes in their classrooms -- for a culture that's now steeped in sexualized everything. Host Joseph Backholm talks with Conrad Woodall, director of operations for Kootenai Classical Academy in Post Falls, Idaho and also the director of Idaho Parents Rights in Education. They'll discuss the heavy topic of how the sexual revolution has moved rapidly into the classroom as parents clash with administrators and sometimes teachers over what content is appropriate for children in school.

Following the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health decision at the U.S. Supreme Court, abortion has been thrust even more (it that's possible)into the national spotlight. With restrictions on abortion facilities becoming more common around the country, chemical abortion -- which was already on the rise -- has been an abortion option that is increasingly being used by the abortion industry and governments to get around these obstacles. While certainly dangerous to the baby, these drugs are also dangerous to the mothers who take them. Host Joseph Backholm talks with Dr. Donna Harrison, past CEO of the <a href="https://aaplog.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists</a>, and <a href="https://adflegal.org/biography/erik-baptist" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Erik Baptist</a>, senior counsel at <a href="https://adflegal.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Alliance Defending Freedom</a>, about the dangers of these drugs, and how government actors are influencing this debate.

Violence in the world is nothing new, but recent events in the United States involving mass shooters highlight that this is a problem that isn't going away. While politicians often jump to what they see as simple solutions, Joseph Backholm talks with philosophy Professor Mike Austin, author of "God and Guns in America," about ways Christians might approach this biblically. They explore how Christians have approached guns, self-defense, and related policies, and how we need to first seek to look biblically before we look pragmatically.

There's a tear in our beer for this episode of Outstanding. Strange things are afoot in brands and genres that once appealed to the traditional. With Bud Light and country music both recently ditching blue-collar markets for dress-up actors, host Joseph Backholm joins Joy Stockbauer and Ben Johnson to address this trend. They'll also discuss increasing acts of violence on churches in America, and whether or not policies related to border security are "unchristian," as one lawmaker suggested. No alcoholic beverages were consumed in the production of this podcast.

Policy Analyst, Center for Human Dignity

They're not just parts of speech anymore. No longer can pronouns be relegated to the back of our minds or those grueling exercises in school where we diagrammed sentences. Pronouns are now at the forefront of national conversation, and increasingly in the signature line of every email or social media bio. Joseph Backholm joins <a href="https://www.reformation21.org/blog/why-i-no-longer-use-transgender-pronouns-and-why-you-shouldnt-either" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Massachusetts Family Institute</a>'s Andrew Beckwith and <a href="https://frc.org" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Family Research Council</a>'s Quena González to talk about pronouns and how Christians should approach the pronoun hospitality debate and what it means to stand for truth in a world that lives by lies.

Senior Director of Government Affairs

The senseless murder of three children and three adults at a Christian school in Nashville is jarring, but sadly, it's yet another manifestation of evil in the world. How do Christians respond to such devastation, and how have they responded in the past? And how do we bring light into the darkness without glibness and with grace? Host Joseph Backholm joins TWS writers Joy Stockbauer and Joshua Arnold as they take on this heavy topic in a hopeful way.

There's a growing trend among pro hockey player to ditch participation in now all-too-common "Pride Night." Host Joseph Backholm joins Washington Stand editors Suzanne Bowdey and Jared Bridges as they face off about this movement of courage. They'll also dissect the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) and look at what it means for humans created in God's image. We can assure you, an AI didn't write this podcast description...or did it?

What does a good old fashioned bank run have to do with Christian faith? In this episode of Outstanding, host Joseph Backholm joins Washington Stand writer Joshua Arnold as they do a deep <a href="https://washingtonstand.com/podcast/ep-3-a-bank-collapse-and-the-things-that-dont-fail">... (more)</a>

When actress Drew Barrymore recently kneeled before a trans activist, it painted a unique picture of our cultural moment. What do actions like this mean for women, and how Christians <a href="https://washingtonstand.com/podcast/ep-2-women-drew-barrymore-and-the-trans-patriarchy-what-biden-labels-close-to-sinful">... (more)</a>

In the inaugural episode of Outstanding, host Joseph Backholm talks with The Washington Stand's editor-in-chief Jared Bridges about what in the world we're doing, and they look at <a href="https://washingtonstand.com/podcast/ep-1-introducing-outstanding-deion-sanders-gets-checked-the-rise-of-chemical-abortion-congress-dances-with-tiktok">... (more)</a>

We are living in a world of subjectivism. A culture that claims, "Live YOUR truth". Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Alex McFarland, co-host of Exploring the Word and host of the Alex McFarland Show. Alex reminds listeners of 1 Corinthians 6, that we are not our own, but bought with a price. He speaks on the impact the transgender movement has had on families and the health dangers that come with transitioning. Transgenderism claims, "God you cannot define what I am", and we are starting to see that when you build your life on the basis of a lie, you will eventually run out of track. Join Joseph and Alex in an engaging discussion on transgenderism and humanity.

Outstanding! A Podcast of The Washington Stand

Ep. 33: We Are Not Our Own

PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep. 32: Thinking Biblically About Where You Spend Your Money

Ep. 31: In Good Company: When Business Takes a Risk on What's Right

Ep. 30: The Seven Cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview

Episode 29: How to Advance Pro-Family and Pro-Life Issues in a Blue State