Good news! The Narrative podcast is returning next week for a fifth volume, and this time we're doing it a little bit differently. Listen to this teaser episode with Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer to get the inside scoop on the exciting changes to come!



To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.

Good news! The Narrative podcast is returning next week for a fifth volume, and this time we're doing it a little bit differently. Listen to this teaser episode with Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer to get the inside scoop on the exciting changes to come!
 
To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit <a href="https://www.ccv.org/join">CCV.org.</a>

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>.

Volume 5 Coming Soon...

Is the recent corporate retreat from "Pride Month" just a shallow cultural wave that will crash back once the tides change? Without biblical grounding, it seems unlikely this slight move away from worshipping lust and debauchery will be sustained. And while Ohio's school choice expansion has public schools crying foul, The Narrative hosts think the worst-performing, hyper-funded schools should face real accountability. In today's episode, Aaron and Mike share the hard truth about what lies ahead for Christians in the coming years if we don't stay anchored in Christ alone.

After the news, Family First founder Mark Merrill joins the chat to reveal how All Pro Dad is combating the culture’s fatherhood crisis. Mark breaks down the vital, daily toolkit men need to become the heroes their kids deserve, and shares the exclusive details on their completely sold-out, interactive experience at the Ohio Stadium later this month.

Listen to The Narrative today!

More About Mark Merrill

Mark Merrill is the founder and president of Family First, Inc., a national non-profit organization that provides programs and online resources dedicated to helping people love their families well. He is the host of the "Family Minute with Mark Merrill," a nationally syndicated radio program reaching over 5 million listeners daily, and has appeared on numerous major broadcasting network shows and affiliates, including "FOX and Friends" and "The Today Show."

Mark has been featured in publications including USA Today, the Washington Times, and Sports Illustrated, and is the author of "All Pro Dad – Seven Essentials to Be a Hero to Your Kids," as well as several marriage and parenting books and articles. As an advocate for the family, Mark has spoken at conferences and events hosted by major companies, NFL teams, organizations, and government bodies. Before founding Family First in 1991, Mark practiced law in Florida for seven years. He and his wife, Susan, live in Tampa, Florida, and have five children.

📢 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.

Is the recent corporate retreat from "Pride Month" just a shallow cultural wave that will crash back once the tides change? Without biblical grounding, it seems unlikely this slight move away from worshipping lust and debauchery will be sustained. And while Ohio's school choice expansion has public schools crying foul,&nbsp;The Narrative hosts think&nbsp;the worst-performing, hyper-funded schools should face real accountability. In today's episode, Aaron and Mike share&nbsp;the hard truth about what lies ahead for Christians in the coming years if we don't stay anchored in Christ alone.
After the news, <a href="https://familyfirst.net">Family First</a> founder Mark Merrill joins the chat to reveal how All Pro Dad is combating the culture&rsquo;s fatherhood crisis. Mark breaks down the vital, daily toolkit men need to become the heroes their kids deserve, and shares the exclusive details on their completely sold-out, interactive experience at the Ohio Stadium later this month.
Listen to&nbsp;The Narrative today!
More About Mark Merrill
Mark Merrill is the founder and president of Family First, Inc., a national non-profit organization that provides programs and online resources dedicated to helping people love their families well. He is the host of the "Family Minute with Mark Merrill," a nationally syndicated radio program reaching over 5 million listeners daily, and has appeared on numerous major broadcasting network shows and affiliates, including "FOX and Friends" and "The Today Show."
Mark has been featured in publications including&nbsp;USA Today, the Washington Times, and Sports Illustrated, and is the author of "All Pro Dad &ndash; Seven Essentials to Be a Hero to Your Kids," as well as several marriage and parenting books and articles. As an advocate for the family, Mark has spoken at conferences and events hosted by major companies, NFL teams, organizations, and government bodies. Before founding Family First in 1991, Mark practiced law in Florida for seven years. He and his wife, Susan, live in Tampa, Florida, and have five children.
📢 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.

How Ordinary Dads Can Be Extraordinary Heroes with Mark Merrill

In this episode of The Narrative podcast, Mike and David analyze what's next for the Ohio General Assembly. With a looming extended summer break and a chaotic "lame duck" session after the election, the next two weeks are critical to pass key legislation, including the BabyOlivia Act and the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act. Listen in to learn how grassroots efforts and constituent pressure powerfully influence lawmakers at the Statehouse.

After the news, National Review senior writer Noah Rothman shreds the mainstream media narrative by exposing a century of radical left-wing extremism and domestic terrorism that’s been systematically swept under the rug. From the dangerous roots of the "Marxist narrative" to the way groups like the SPLC gaslight the public into thinking left-wing violence is just a myth, this is a reality check the establishment doesn't want you to hear. For more, check out his provocative new book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence in America.

Listen to The Narrative today!

More About Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer with National Review, the foremost journal of conservative scholarly opinion and analysis in America since its founding in 1955. He is the author of Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America(Regnery, 2019) and The Rise of the New Puritans: Fighting Back Against Progressives’ War on Fun (HarperCollins, 2022). Mr. Rothman graduated from Drew University with a degree in Russian Studies and political science (2004), and he earned a graduate degree from Seton Hall University in diplomacy and international relations with a focus on security policy in the former Soviet space (2010). He lives with his wife and two sons in New Jersey.

More About 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.

In this episode of The Narrative podcast, Mike and David analyze what's next for the Ohio General Assembly. With a looming extended summer break and a chaotic "lame duck" session after the election, the next two weeks are critical to pass key legislation, including the Baby Olivia Act and the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act. Listen in to learn how grassroots efforts and constituent pressure powerfully influence lawmakers at the Statehouse.
After the news,&nbsp;National Review senior writer Noah Rothman shreds the mainstream media narrative by exposing a century of radical left-wing extremism and domestic terrorism that&rsquo;s been systematically swept under the rug. From the dangerous roots of the "Marxist narrative" to the way groups like the SPLC gaslight the public into thinking left-wing violence is just a myth, this is a reality check the establishment doesn't want you to hear. For more, check out his provocative new book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence in America.
Listen to&nbsp;The Narrative today!
More About Noah Rothman
Noah Rothman is a senior writer with&nbsp;National Review, the foremost journal of conservative scholarly opinion and analysis in America since its founding in 1955. He is the author of Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America(Regnery, 2019) and The Rise of the New Puritans: Fighting Back Against Progressives&rsquo; War on Fun (HarperCollins, 2022). Mr. Rothman graduated from Drew University with a degree in Russian Studies and political science (2004), and he earned a graduate degree from Seton Hall University in diplomacy and international relations with a focus on security policy in the former Soviet space (2010). He lives with his wife and two sons in New Jersey.
More About 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:
✝️ Faith in Action &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.
📚 Christian Education &ndash; Designed for school leaders protecting and discipling the next generation. Gain practical tools to build institutions grounded in a biblical worldview.
🍼 Pro-Life Ministry &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.
👔 Marketplace Impact &ndash; Created for Christian entrepreneurs and executives ready to integrate faith and business. Discover how to lead ethically and with eternal purpose.
⛪ Church Leadership &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 EssentialSummit.org!
📢 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.

Blood, Progress, and Political Blind Spots with Noah Rothman

This week on The Narrative, Aaron and David address the Supreme Court’s 7–2 ruling that blocked a 5th Circuit decision that had temporarily restricted mail-order abortion pills nationwide. Justice Thomas’s fierce dissent invoked the Comstock Act against mailing drugs, and the FDA Director Marty Makary’s abrupt resignation brought renewed hope to many pro-life advocates.

On a related note, in Ohio, David recently testified in favor of House Bill 324, the Patient Protection Act, which mandates in-person doctor visits and bans mail delivery for high-risk drugs. The legislation effectively defeats pro-abortion objections at the Statehouse by neutrally targeting all high-risk medications rather than uniquely targeting abortion.

After the news, Parker Thayer, a researcher with Capital Research Center and contributor to the Daily Wire, shares his insights on the massive Medicaid home-care fraud scheme in Ohio that proved the state’s optional GPS and signature verification systems failed to track actual patient care. Following the report's publication, Ohio implemented a total freeze on new home-care companies and restored mandatory GPS tracking.

Listen now or queue up the podcast for your commute!

📢 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 David address the Supreme Court&rsquo;s 7&ndash;2 ruling that blocked a 5th Circuit decision that had temporarily restricted mail-order abortion pills nationwide. Justice Thomas&rsquo;s fierce dissent invoked the Comstock Act against mailing drugs, and the FDA Director Marty Makary&rsquo;s abrupt resignation brought renewed hope to many pro-life advocates.
On a related note, in Ohio, David recently testified in favor of House Bill 324, the&nbsp;Patient Protection Act, which mandates in-person doctor visits and bans mail delivery for high-risk drugs. The legislation effectively defeats pro-abortion objections at the Statehouse by neutrally targeting all high-risk medications rather than uniquely targeting abortion.
After the news, Parker Thayer, a researcher with&nbsp;<a href="https://capitalresearch.org/">Capital Research Center</a> and contributor to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/">Daily Wire</a>, shares his insights on the massive Medicaid home-care fraud scheme in Ohio that proved the state&rsquo;s optional GPS and signature verification systems failed to track actual patient care. Following the report's publication, Ohio implemented a total freeze on new home-care companies and restored mandatory GPS tracking.
Listen now or queue up the podcast for your commute!
📢 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.

Volume 5 Coming Soon...

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