This week on The Narrative, Aaron and Mike discuss the MLB's backpedaling after threats over Pride gear compliance, a journalist's tantrum over the Success Sequence (a proven framework for poverty avoidance) because "Oprah didn't take that path," and the left's desperate fight over common-sense voter ID requirements.

After the news, Brad Littlejohn explains why conservatives must stop letting blind free-market absolutism dictate American life. True prosperity doesn't come from letting corporate elites maximize capital at the expense of our neighborhoods, but from intentional, pro-family policies that proactively help communities thrive. From championing child tax credits to pushing Ohio's App Store Accountability Act, Brad argues that the common good requires the government to put its thumb on the scale. True freedom means placing healthy constraints on the market so parents can successfully protect their kids and rebuild strong, stable homes.

Listen or queue up your commute podcast now!

More About Brad Littlejohn

Brad Littlejohn (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is director of programs and education at American Compass. He founded and served for 10 years as president of The Davenant Institute. He has published and lectured extensively in the fields of Reformation history, Christian ethics, and political theology. You can find more of his writing at Substack. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and four children.

Do You Have Your Tickets for the Essential Summit?

At the 2026 Essential Summit, you'll find five targeted breakout session tracks. Whether you lead in ministry, education, business, or the home, these Essential Summit breakout sessions are designed to speak directly to your calling.  Choose the track that aligns with your influence:

✝️ Faith in Action – For believers eager to boldly engage cultural issues with biblical clarity. This track addresses today’s greatest moral and political challenges and equips attendees to respond with truth and love.

📚 Christian Education – Designed for school leaders protecting and discipling the next generation. Gain practical tools to build institutions grounded in a biblical worldview.

🍼 Pro-Life Ministry – For those working in pregnancy centers, sidewalk advocacy, or post-abortion healing. Learn how to defend life and restore hope in a post-Roe culture.

👔 Marketplace Impact – Created for Christian entrepreneurs and executives ready to integrate faith and business. Discover how to lead ethically and with eternal purpose.

⛪ Church Leadership – Equipping pastors, elders, and church leaders to shepherd boldly, strengthen families, and build gospel-centered congregations.

To celebrate America's 250th, you can get 2 or more tickets and receive $50 off, now through July 4!

Get your tickets today at EssentialSummit.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.

This week on The Narrative, Aaron and Mike discuss the MLB's backpedaling after threats over Pride gear compliance, a journalist's tantrum over the <a href="http://url910.ccv.org/ls/click?upn=u001.bvMvV8bufniskU3WkRz04OOur-2Ba6MxmTuM4gpLfod-2FthjDZAJW-2BZb2hDy4BJWsjEMSeQJGA8NEOYCEuxY5xnrgzg2-2BIkEvNd6xBH4UIZEU9wlNDjjjvOJw-2BEEuON2rmbttok3wM8Agq9w2hYM4U2Z9NfnDLqIp3SJhEFrhfVwmg-3DRmjx_rjcm5BZTlYE6zXnYh59rNes8AgXq3lTUrUlf8nqGTbodEE-2F7d9RvxFeQ0fD9lVxBfG7QtV7pDst4AYCf6CcRzzFkcB13Bmb7K5NpX65E8S8-2BVxMOnzPmEa4VpV5NJTLP51mIvzAX-2F717SSGssFEDP09u3CgISFo4RsoRqVCgLr3ubLu3RcxIdSf93BtEZ9SM88nQPqwZr2kak7-2FoYYSFtw-3D-3D">Success Sequence</a> (a proven framework for poverty avoidance) because "Oprah didn't take that path," and the left's desperate fight over common-sense voter ID requirements.
After the news, Brad Littlejohn explains why conservatives must stop letting blind free-market absolutism dictate American life. True prosperity doesn't come from letting corporate elites maximize capital at the expense of our neighborhoods, but from intentional, pro-family policies that proactively help communities thrive. From championing child tax credits to pushing Ohio's App Store Accountability Act, Brad argues that the common good requires the government to put its thumb on the scale. True freedom means placing healthy constraints on the market so parents can successfully protect their kids and rebuild strong, stable homes.
Listen or queue up your commute podcast now!
More About Brad Littlejohn
Brad Littlejohn (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is director of programs and education at American Compass. He founded and served for 10 years as president of The Davenant Institute. He has published and lectured extensively in the fields of Reformation history, Christian ethics, and political theology. You can find more of his writing at&nbsp;<a href="http://url910.ccv.org/ls/click?upn=u001.bvMvV8bufniskU3WkRz04HUZtDpvnUI5PlVBTYeA5-2BZzr6EmsJN-2F3tIFPHVEpFO-2BA-U__rjcm5BZTlYE6zXnYh59rNes8AgXq3lTUrUlf8nqGTbodEE-2F7d9RvxFeQ0fD9lVxBDGhZqUtQegTIAuK1zQWhNLGrqy5pr45YFqBfG9fhMtS0m0-2FF4qjG5CaN3JGa1-2FTu-2BhXcknziWDlluTTY3-2BTy6vMRP6UZFsBhTF2-2Ba-2BY2lr20iPgggiWYu95XEgaPQiLkeJ-2Ff86j-2BWPK26T92Qwb00w-3D-3D" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://url910.ccv.org/ls/click?upn%3Du001.bvMvV8bufniskU3WkRz04HUZtDpvnUI5PlVBTYeA5-2BZzr6EmsJN-2F3tIFPHVEpFO-2BA-U__rjcm5BZTlYE6zXnYh59rNes8AgXq3lTUrUlf8nqGTbodEE-2F7d9RvxFeQ0fD9lVxBDGhZqUtQegTIAuK1zQWhNLGrqy5pr45YFqBfG9fhMtS0m0-2FF4qjG5CaN3JGa1-2FTu-2BhXcknziWDlluTTY3-2BTy6vMRP6UZFsBhTF2-2Ba-2BY2lr20iPgggiWYu95XEgaPQiLkeJ-2Ff86j-2BWPK26T92Qwb00w-3D-3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1782567559167000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1LzHvxhe3I8ic_lFeN3wov">Substack</a>. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and four children.
Do You Have Your Tickets for the Essential Summit?
At the 2026 Essential Summit, you'll find five targeted breakout session tracks. Whether you lead in ministry, education, business, or the home, these Essential Summit breakout sessions are designed to speak directly to your calling.&nbsp; Choose the track that aligns with your influence: ✝️&nbsp;Faith in Action&nbsp;&ndash; For believers eager to boldly engage cultural issues with biblical clarity. This track addresses today&rsquo;s greatest moral and political challenges and equips attendees to respond with truth and love. 📚&nbsp;Christian Education&nbsp;&ndash; Designed for school leaders protecting and discipling the next generation. Gain practical tools to build institutions grounded in a biblical worldview. 🍼&nbsp;Pro-Life Ministry&nbsp;&ndash; For those working in pregnancy centers, sidewalk advocacy, or post-abortion healing. Learn how to defend life and restore hope in a post-Roe culture. 👔&nbsp;Marketplace Impact&nbsp;&ndash; Created for Christian entrepreneurs and executives ready to integrate faith and business. Discover how to lead ethically and with eternal purpose. ⛪&nbsp;Church Leadership&nbsp;&ndash; Equipping pastors, elders, and church leaders to shepherd boldly, strengthen families, and build gospel-centered congregations. To celebrate America's 250th, you can get 2 or more tickets and receive $50 off, now through July 4!
Get your tickets today at&nbsp;<a href="http://url910.ccv.org/ls/click?upn=u001.bvMvV8bufniskU3WkRz04LwVjIAmeJntr42HHVlXZpwL15vIX5cW7IgqdTndEiepkDBX_rjcm5BZTlYE6zXnYh59rNes8AgXq3lTUrUlf8nqGTbqVvM9NGEprGSJ50FMKNTe48hVlyrk9nfxHmrOy9Xg0v1BSMnoMLqVUCxEo5wXtPiXU0CEFjs8A7l0PF-2BdSmaQkfFlif9Tq-2FCjSGDSD4CFD9hG9FvXQ1NVFoWMCAja4sHnw-2BKyCMMkSLu-2BO2cBo1Lt2jOxa9TgW3FrHk2CHgPW4fQ-3D-3D">EssentialSummit.org</a>!
📢 Talk to Us
We want to hear from you! As a valued listener,&nbsp;your feedback is critical&nbsp;for us to keep&nbsp;The Narrative&nbsp;insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know!&nbsp;We&rsquo;ll answer your questions on an &ldquo;Ask Us Anything&rdquo; episode later, so send in your questions now.
👉&nbsp; Leave us a&nbsp;voicemail&nbsp;or&nbsp;text&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="tel:614-769-7077">614-769-7077.</a>
👉&nbsp; Email&nbsp;us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:thenarrative@ccv.org">thenarrative@ccv.org.</a>
To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ccv.org/join">CCV.org.</a>
⭐️ How are we doing?
If you've found any episode of&nbsp;The Narrative&nbsp;insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying&nbsp;and&nbsp;brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning&nbsp;you're helping equip your neighbors&nbsp;to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!
🔎 About&nbsp;The Narrative
The&nbsp;Narrative&nbsp;breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today&rsquo;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.

The Narrative breaks away from the script to reveal the driving forces behind the most important and divisive issues facing our culture today.

Visit CCV.org to learn more.

The Narrative breaks away from the script to reveal the driving forces behind the most important and divisive issues facing our culture today.
Visit <a href="https://www.ccv.org/">CCV.org</a> to learn more.

The Narrative

🔊 Talk to Us

We want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and engaging. Have a guest suggestion, a topic you're curious about, or a question you want answered? Let us know! We host “Ask Us Anything” episodes where we respond to your questions on the show.

👉  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'rehelping 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.

Visit CCV.org/TheNarrative to learn more.

Produced by Wessler Media.

🔊 Talk to Us
We want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and engaging. Have a guest suggestion, a topic you're curious about, or a question you want answered? Let us know! We host &ldquo;Ask Us Anything&rdquo; episodes where we respond to your questions on the show.
👉&nbsp; Leave us a voicemail or text at <a href="tel:614-769-7077">614-769-7077.</a>
👉&nbsp; Email us at <a href="mailto:thenarrative@ccv.org">thenarrative@ccv.org.</a>
To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ccv.org/join">CCV.org.</a>
<hr>
⭐️ 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&nbsp;you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!
<hr>
🔎 About The Narrative
The&nbsp;Narrative&nbsp;breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media&nbsp;narratives, and helps you understand the root causes of today&rsquo;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.
Visit <a href="CCV.org/TheNarrative">CCV.org/TheNarrative</a> to learn more.
Produced by <a href="https://www.wesslermedia.com/">Wessler Media</a>.