The New Season

In this episode of The Narrative, Aaron Baer and Mike Andrews dissect the "blue tsunami" that swept the 2026 midterms, exploring how inflation, anti-establishment anger, and the disconnect between Wall Street and working-class Americans shaped the outcome. We also dive into Trump’s 60 Minutes interview, unpacking his stance on the AI race with China, the ethics of mass deportation, and his candid admission about refusing to forgive his political enemies. Plus, we discuss the ideological battle in public schools and the future of the conservative movement.00:00 The post-election question: why did the wave happen?03:41 Affordability was real, and campaign promises mattered05:10 The Epstein files and the promise to take on the system08:32 Why stock-market gains did not match everyday experience10:28 Trumbull County: turnout, enthusiasm, and voters who stayed home14:48 How conservatives can acknowledge economic pain16:15 Data centers, local costs, and community benefits22:30 Making the conservative coalition work for local people24:54 The longer-term concern: political worldviews and education30:11 Homeschooling, school choice, and reaching the next generation34:06 Mike Andrews joins: what the election says about Trump43:43 Why the hosts call the 60 Minutes interview a master class47:03 AI, automation, and the future of work50:35 Meaningful work, identity, and a Christian perspective55:21 AI leadership, China, and the local case for data centers59:38 Immigration enforcement: where policy may have gone too far01:04:25 Law enforcement, illegal entry, and the rule of law01:07:34 Can MAGA exist without Trump?01:12:51 Building a coalition that can win primaries and general elections01:14:16 Trump on forgiveness and the Christian response01:17:24 What political anger reveals about the culture

How should Christians respond to a disappointing election cycle? In a world driven by chaotic headlines, Christians need clarity. Following a tough national election, Aaron Baer debriefs the results, unpacking what went wrong for conservative candidates and why believers cannot afford to abandon the political arena.This episode explores the massive conservative losses across the country, the danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and the lasting impact of recent policy wins like school choice and border security. Most importantly, Aaron turns to Romans 8 to remind us that Jesus is still on the throne, and no election result can separate us from the love of God. Discover how God uses all things for good and why your grassroots efforts in the public square are never meaningless.Chapter Timestamps & Key Questions Answered:00:00 - Election defeat and the American dream02:23 - Affordability and voters who felt betrayed05:12 - Tariff rebates, family policy, and the Iran war08:25 - Why Democrats adopted popular cultural positions11:37 - The danger of drawing the wrong lessons14:05 - Florida, Texas, and Ohio’s different political problems17:20 - Young men, alienation, and campaign messaging19:13 - Religion, immigration, and Christian political messaging28:04 - Romney’s critique and Vance’s voter feedback32:26 - Israel, foreign policy, and America-first concerns37:16 - Schilling’s prescription: focus on working families41:40 - Aaron Bear’s Ohio election debrief44:01 - Staying engaged through political cycles46:54 - Romans 8 and finding hope after defeatCONNECT WITH CCV & THE NARRATIVE: Website: https://www.ccv.org/podcast X (Twitter): https://x.com/TheNarrativeCCVFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNarrativeCCV

Explore the cultural, political, and institutional shifts reshaping American Christianity today. In this episode, we unpack the complexities surrounding Samuel Say's recent ICE detainment, examine the evolving editorial stance of Christianity Today, and analyze how recent political movements exposed underlying ideological fractures among evangelical leaders.*Chapter Timestamps & Key Questions Answered**0:00* - *Current Events & Immigration:* What circumstances surround the recent ICE detainment of Samuel Say, and how did he approach his immigration status?*04:15* - *Legal Responses:* How are Samuel Say's family and legal team currently responding to the situation?*08:30* - *Public Reaction:* How should public supporters react to ongoing legal uncertainties regarding immigration enforcement?*12:45* - *Institutional Shifts:* How has the editorial stance of Christianity Today shifted away from its original conservative evangelical base?*17:20* - *NGO Influence:* What role does secular NGO funding play in altering the editorial direction of Christian publications?*22:10* - *Media Critiques:* How did the Mars Hill podcast critique conservative complementarian theology, and why were left-leaning experts utilized?*27:35* - *Journalistic Ethics:* What ethical considerations should guide Christian journalists when reporting on moral failures within the church?*33:50* - *Cultural Alignment:* How is the term "evangelical" defined through foundational doctrinal beliefs versus broader cultural and political identifiers?*39:15* - *The "Third Way":* Why did the winsome approach to cultural engagement lose support among conservative voters in the 2010s?*45:30* - *Ideological Fractures:* How did the political rise of Donald Trump expose underlying ideological divides among evangelical leaders?

Who’s using who? Is the political Left using Islam, or is Islam using the Left?In this episode, former Virginia Delegate Nick Freitas and Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek look past daily political noise to dissect the ideological alliances reshaping the modern West. Together, they analyze the paradox of tolerance, the clash between mass migration and high-trust societies, and why Western constitutional frameworks are under pressure.In this episode, we cover:The "Red-Green Alliance": Why the political Left and Islamic ideologies form a strategic alliance against traditional Western structures—and where their goals diverge.Foundations of Freedom: The philosophical role of the Declaration of Independence, objective truth, and Judeo-Christian values in sustaining American liberty.Mass Migration vs. Assimilation: How rapid demographic shifts without integration erode high-trust societies, increase social strain, and expand state control (featuring key lessons from European models like Sweden).The Economics of Human Nature: Why socialist models fail to deliver prosperity by ignoring private property rights and individual incentives.Faith & Cultural Pushback: How modern Christians can respond with courage, clarity, and unyielding faithfulness in an increasingly hostile political landscape.Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode!

In this episode, Steve Deace discusses the current political landscape in the Midwest, the impact of Trump's policies, and the strategic considerations for upcoming elections. He also shares insights on campaign messaging, voter behavior, and the future of conservative leadership.00:00 Introduction and Political Context in the Midwest01:56 Trump's Influence on State Politics and Voter Sentiment03:54 Campaign Strategies and the Role of Morality05:54 Voter Behavior and Issue Intensity in Elections07:55 The Impact of Abortion Politics and Campaign Messaging09:59 Minnesota and the Political Landscape in the Middle East11:49 Confronting Cultural and Political Challenges14:10 The Future of Conservative Leadership and JD Vance16:01 The Role of Credibility and Discipleship in Politics17:51 The Importance of Morality and Strategy in Campaigns20:02 The Next Generation and Political Engagement22:05 Advice for Future Leaders and the Path Forward23:45 Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts

Soren Aldaco shares her personal story on the impact of medical procedures on minors, media distortions, and standing for truth. We also speak with Doug Truax, CEO of Restoration of America, about national security, military integrity, and Christian civic engagement.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Cultural change requires patience and biblical grounding.Social media curates news and influences perception.Meditating on God's law builds spiritual resilience.Supreme Court power has grown through judicial activism.Cultural battles are won in education and media, not just elections.CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Transgender Debate 07:00 - Cross-Sex Hormones & Surgeries 12:07 - Media Misinformation 16:48 - Public Policy Impact 22:02 - Internet & Identity 26:57 - Biblical & Moral Foundations 32:05 - Christian Civic Engagement 36:47 - Political Participation 42:03 - Globalism & Foreign Policy 46:50 - Abortion Pills & Medical Lawlessness 51:53 - Truth in Politics 57:09 - Encouragement for Christian Voters 1:01:18 - Influence of Social Media 1:07:02 - The Sexual Revolution 1:10:50 - The Supreme Court 1:12:19 - Media & Demoralization 1:15:09 - Cultural Strategy 1:16:07 - Election Irregularities 1:19:00 - Education & Discipleship 1:21:26 - Spiritual Warfare 1:22:49 - Biblical Meditation 1:24:16 - Western Cultural Changes 1:30:28 - Battle for Cultural Hearts 1:33:19 - Role of Church & Education 1:40:25 - Legal Systems 1:41:21 - Conclusion & Call to ActionFOLLOW SOREN:X:https://x.com/sorenaldacoWebsite:https://www.sorenaldaco.com/FOLLOW DOUG TRUAX: Website:https://www.restorationofamerica.com/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/restoration-of-america/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@restoration-of-americaABOUT THE NARRATIVE: Brought to you by Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), The Narrative equips you to think critically and faithfully. Hosted by Aaron Baer and Samuel Sey.CONNECT WITH CCV & THE NARRATIVE: Website:https://thenarrativepodcast.orgX:https://x.com/TheNarrativeCCVFacebook:https://facebook.com/TheNarrativeCCVInstagram:https://instagram.com/thenarrativeccvTikTok:https://tiktok.com/@thenarrativeccvLISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS: Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-narrative/id1571838404Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1A0TGaZxzGQCb8euuko6Sm

We explore the complex issues surrounding voting for non-Christian candidates, the influence of culture and politics on Christian values, and analyze the portrayal of media and entertainment from a Christian perspective.Resources:China Misinformation on AI DebateURL: https://www.axios.com/2026/08/28/china-ai-data-center-backlash-botsBrad Wilcox on the Sex RecessionURL: https://x.com/BradWilcoxIFS/status/2103459744350380460EWTN News on The PopeURL: https://x.com/EWTNews/status/2104686712106655888FDA Director & Life News UpdatesURL: https://x.com/LifeNewsHQ/status/2104620994946019519?s=20Justin Verlander and FamilyURL: https://x.com/FoxNews/status/2104223840637202784?s=20Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to the Ohio Governor's Race and Christian Perspectives02:20 - How Christians Should Approach Voting for Non-Christian Candidates04:12 - Historical Context of Voting for Candidates with Different Faiths06:00 - The Character and Policies of Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump08:09 - Cultural Christianity and the Danger of False Faith09:59 - The Authenticity of Political Figures and Christian Values12:11 - The Influence of Media and Celebrity Culture on Political Opinions14:00 - The Power of the Voter and American Political System15:52 - The Role of Policy and Personal Faith in Elections18:04 - The Impact of AI and Technology on Society and Ethics19:58 - The Pope's Perspective on AI and Ethical Guardrails22:02 - Cultural Critique of Celebrity Statements on Political Issues23:45 - The Decline of Family and Marriage in Culture25:58 - Data Centers, AI, and National Security Concerns27:50 - The Vatican's View on AI and Ethical Regulation29:59 - The Influence of Media and Entertainment on Christian Values32:13 - The Impact of TV Shows and Movies on Culture and Christian Life33:56 - The Top and Bottom Ranked TV Shows and Cultural Trends36:02 - Analysis of Controversial Media and Cultural Artifacts37:53 - The Significance of Family, Marriage, and Cultural Narratives39:55 - The Role of Christian Art and Media in Society42:01 - The Influence of Popular Culture on Christian Identity43:51 - The Future of Media, Technology, and Christian Engagement

In this episode, we explore the complex issues surrounding marriage, family, education, and American identity through a conservative Christian lens. Guest Katie Faust shares insights on cultural trends, policy impacts, and biblical principles shaping society.Resources:Article: Gay Dad’s Disturbing Diary Illuminates Dysfunctions Of Buying Babies written by Katie Faust : https://thefederalist.com/2026/09/16/gay-dads-disturbing-diary-illuminates-dysfunctions-of-buying-babies/Article: In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own? Written by Nikole Hannah-Jones founder of 1619 : https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/magazine/ny-public-schools-black-students-segregation.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ClE.Vyfb.JogBuuh6KvBt&smid=url-share&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailArticle: The Cut - The New Dad Getting Laid While the Baby Naps https://www.thecut.com/article/new-sex-diaries-story-the-new-dad-getting-laid-as-the-baby-sleeps.html Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview00:34 - Katie Faust's Credibility and Focus02:41 - The Disturbing Diary of a Gay Dad03:57 - The Impact of Postpartum and Hormonal Changes on Fathers08:00 - The Biological and Biblical Foundations of Marriage11:01 - Adoption, Surrogacy, and the Natural Family12:36 - The Cultural and Political Shift on Marriage Support15:09 - Gay Marriage and the Victimhood Narrative20:17 - Children as Victims of Policy and Cultural Changes22:41 - The Redefinition of Parenthood Laws26:27 - The Role of Education and School Choice30:35 - The Fight Against Transgender Ideology43:52 - The Impact of Immigration and American Identity54:41 - The Cultural Roots of American ExceptionalismWays To Follow Katy Faust:Website: https://thembeforeus.com/katy-faust/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katyfaustauthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katyfaustofficial/ X: https://x.com/Katy_Faust 

In this episode, Alex Clark from TPUSA discusses Charlie Kirk's legacy, the state of the conservative movement, and the importance of health and faith in politics. They explore how to unify different political factions and the ongoing battle against misinformation and hate.Resources:Ayaan Hirsi Ali Article on Tablet Magazine : https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/mohamed-atta-25-years-911Aarons Post on X : https://x.com/aarbaer/status/2098428107149504800?s=20 Chapters:00:00- Introduction to the episode and guest Alex Clark02:25- Charlie Kirk’s legacy and his grounding influence04:17- The state of the conservative movement today05:25- Why faith and activism matter for the future08:20- The power of voter engagement and activism09:38- Charlie Kirk’s spiritual growth and internal life12:48- Dealing with opposition and hate towards Charlie Kirk15:30- The political landscape after recent GOP conventions16:46- The alliance between Christian conservatives and Maha20:58- The importance of protecting Maha voters and issues21:36- Closing remarks and upcoming events22:40- Introduction to Samuel Say and his background23:36- The biblical perspective on politics and culture25:10- The importance of biblical worldview in all issues27:36 - The danger of false teachings and deception29:36 - The falsehood of workspace salvation and works-based theology32:38 - The biblical view of salvation and grace33:34 - The biblical understanding of love and hate39:51 - The dog whistle language in political discourse41:00 - The deception in political rhetoric about oppression44:54 - Reflections on 9/11 and its impact45:21 - Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s analysis of Islam and Western culture47:16 - The threat of Islam and its worldview49:34 - The challenge of religious freedom and Islam54:09 - The concept of worldview and religious liberty55:20 - The American creed and biblical principles59:56 - The importance of American values and immigration01:02:28 - The true nature of Islam and its incompatibility with America01:03:13 - Closing thoughts and future outlooksWays To Follow Alex Clark:TPUSA: https://tpusa.com/contributor/alexclark/page/3/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realalexclark/?hl=en Podcast: https://tpusa.com/shows/culture-apothecary/

The Narrative Podcast is relaunching with new hosts and a focus on national stories impacting culture, politics, and the church. In this episode, Aaron Bear announces the return, introduces guest Alex Clark, and discusses Charlie Kirk's legacy and the future of conservative media.