By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Robert Bortins

Should business leaders step beyond profit margins and become the frontline defenders of a nation’s values? That question drives a passionate dialogue between host Robert Bortins and guest Linda Hanson, who argue that Christian employers have a unique responsibility to speak up on public policy, cultural issues, and workplace freedom.

The Employer as the Last Line of Defense

Robert Bortins frames employers as “the last line of defense for our nation,” emphasizing that silence on political matters is itself a political choice. He recounts countless instances where business owners dismiss involvement with the excuse, “that’s politics.” Bortins counters, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run into employers who say, ‘that’s politics. I don’t get involved.’ I’m like, well, politics is involved with you.” The host stresses that the workplace is a micro‑cosm of broader societal debates, especially when it comes to protecting religious liberty and free expression.

Hanson expands on this premise, noting that Christian values have historically shaped American prosperity. She argues that when employers embed those values into corporate culture, they not only nurture a thriving workforce but also contribute to a “fertile soil” for the gospel in the public square.

Practical Tools for Mobilizing the Workforce

To move from rhetoric to action, Hanson offers a concrete solution: a twelve‑lesson online course lasting five to seven minutes per video. The curriculum can be licensed directly through her learning management system or integrated into a company’s own platform. She cites a case study where a gentleman used five‑minute segments within his payroll software’s communication channel to spark discussion about economic policy and its impact on the business.

The course does not prescribe viewpoints; instead, it coaches employees to ask critical questions about economic policy, regulation, and constitutional freedoms. “We don’t tell them what to think, but we coach them and ask them,” Hanson says, highlighting a pedagogical approach that respects individual agency while fostering informed dialogue.

The Three‑Point Employers Unleashed Pledge

Another initiative highlighted in the conversation is the Employers Unleashed Pledge, a three‑point commitment encouraging leaders to publicly affirm that Judeo‑Christian values undergird America’s greatness, to protect those values, and to take at least one actionable step in the workplace to promote them. The pledge is positioned as both a cultural statement and a strategic business move, recognizing that today’s employees are tomorrow’s voters.

By signing the pledge, companies signal to their staff that the organization cares about more than the bottom line. This can improve employee morale, reduce turnover, and attract talent that shares the same worldview, creating a virtuous cycle of cultural and economic prosperity.

Connecting Faith, Education, and the Marketplace

Both Bortins and Hanson stress the intersection of faith‑based education and the workplace. They reference Classical Conversations, a homeschooling program that integrates rigorous academics with biblical principles. Hanson notes that “the education system has failed us,” but she also points out that families involved in Classical Conversations are already cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and a desire for economic literacy.

By extending these educational resources into the corporate arena, employers can help employees understand entrepreneurship, policy, and the constitutional foundations that protect both business and faith. This synergy, they argue, equips the next generation to be both competent professionals and informed citizens.

Broader Implications for Culture and Policy

The discussion concludes with a call to action: “We need Jesus and we need common sense,” Bortins asserts, underscoring the belief that moral clarity and practical wisdom are essential for a healthy public square. The speakers warn that if good people remain silent, “all evil needs to do to win is for good people to sit idly by.”

By encouraging Christian employers to engage thoughtfully with policy and culture, the conversation suggests a pathway for preserving religious liberty, fostering economic vitality, and shaping a civic environment that reflects shared values.

The broader significance lies in recognizing the workplace as a pivotal arena for cultural influence. As employers adopt tools like the online course and the pledge, they not only strengthen their own organizations but also contribute to a national dialogue about freedom, prosperity, and faith.

The full episode of Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins is available on OBBM Network TV.