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Rules of the Game

Rules of the Game

By Butch Porter

Host, Butch Porter, has conversations in his home town of Leesburg, VA, with good people, exploring "Great Ideas" which extend beyond the local, but often start there. We'll set up opportunities to participate, in person and online, for all Americans who are looking to go beyond the teams and explore ideas with love and intellectual curiosity.
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4. “There IS such a thing as a free lunch...”

Rules of the GameAug 25, 2020

00:00
32:37
61. “Develop the confidence to love the opposition…”

61. “Develop the confidence to love the opposition…”

Butch sits down with the Philosophy teacher of the Loudoun Field Center, Mr Bill Fox, and they discuss the importance of developing good logical and rhetorical at a very young age.
Nov 22, 202301:28:29
60. “Just don’t give Her the car keys just yet…”

60. “Just don’t give Her the car keys just yet…”

For this episode (a second in a series of three between Paul and Butch), we move on with a conversation about (and with an) Artificial Intelligence… both Julia (The AI) and Paul are sufficiently convinced that she is not SkyNet. Butch at least feigns agreement… the next episode we’ll wrap up the technology discussion with a chat about how we should interact with it in general.
Nov 10, 202301:04:03
59. “Get offline…”
Oct 12, 202301:00:08
58. "Be prepared to question your assumptions."
Nov 16, 202247:49
57. "God Save the Queen."
Nov 01, 202201:01:27
56. Life Part Deux "Jessica is Obsessed With Porn."

56. Life Part Deux "Jessica is Obsessed With Porn."

OK... First: Jessica is NOT actually obsessed with porn, but we do talk about it a little bit in terms of how the sexual revolution has shifted how we think about abortion. We spend some time in our follow-up episode on the Dobbs case talking about the spiritual implications of the abortion issue, from Butch's position that the pro-choice (at least the virulent anti-religious segment) doesn't actually have a problem with the Christian Conservative viewpoint on LIFE, but they mostly have a problem with the CC viewpoint on SEX.... to Jessica's point that the meaning of LIFE is actually about finding opportunities to SUFFER while worshipping our Creator...

For the First Part of this discussion check out Episode 55 "The Pro Life Positions is the More Tenable Position; and it's not even close."

____________________________

Education Choice: https://loudounfieldcenter.org

SXole (formerly Great Conversation(s) Network): https://gc.inded.us

Same Blog tho: https://www.greatconversations.us

Sep 01, 202255:38
55. "Pro-Life is the more tenable position, and it's not even close." - Part 1

55. "Pro-Life is the more tenable position, and it's not even close." - Part 1

For Episode 2 of Season 3, Jessica and Butch take on the Dobbs Case and all the implications of abortion regulations. This time we focused as much as we could on the legal aspects of it, and all the implications therein. For our Sept 1 episode, we'll tackle the more spiritual angle.  

PLEASE find us on any of the podcast services you use at: 

https://rotgpodcast.us  

Share, Like, Rate us 5 stars... etc. etc. 

____________________________  

Butch's New Gig: https://loudounfieldcenter.org  

SXole (formerly Great Conversation(s) Network): https://gc.inded.us

Same Blog tho: https://www.greatconversations.us

Aug 01, 202248:47
54. "Shame Is Not a Healthy Way to Approach Your Identity."

54. "Shame Is Not a Healthy Way to Approach Your Identity."

Jessica and Butch are back to talk about a variety of topics; mostly “intersectionality.”

Opening Article from City Journal on Transsexuality linked to shame over being White.
https://www.city-journal.org/the-assault-on-childrens-psyches

Dostoevsky and the Pleasure of Taking Offense
https://quillette.com/2022/06/17/the-duelist-mentalityon-the-allures-of-taking-offense/

The Rise and Fall of the Modern Self

https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Triumph-Modern-Self-Individualism-ebook/dp/B089DNYCDY/

Closing of show, Jessica comments (possible tee up for next episode?) on the Orthodox Bishops’ position on Sanctity of Life:
https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2022/human-life-sacredness

(NOTE: The episode was recorded less than 24 hours before the decision was announced officially about the Dobbs case on abortion. So, guess what the topic will be for August.)

____________________________

Butch's New Gig:
https://loudounfieldcenter.org

SXole (formerly Great Conversation(s) Network):
https://gc.inded.us
(This Week is a teaser of our Video Format on Spotify... Normally the video version will ONLY be able to subscribers of SXOLE.)

Same Blog tho:
https://www.greatconversations.us

Jul 05, 202256:42
53. "If you choose to serve, prepare for disagreements."
Dec 10, 202141:42
52. “Remember the reason for the season…”
Nov 18, 202132:46
51. "Sin is sin; love is love..."
Nov 10, 202157:38
50. “Think before you fly…”
Nov 04, 202134:28
49. "The cancellers are the real bigots..." Sophia A Nelson fighting the woke mob at CNU

49. "The cancellers are the real bigots..." Sophia A Nelson fighting the woke mob at CNU

For our 49th Episode, Butch has a very frank and open conversation with Sophia A. Nelson... a repeat guest to the show. Sophia is an adjunct professor and visiting scholar at Christopher Newport University and recently tweeted a question regarding the son of Superman coming out as bisexual in DC Comics. Following the tweet, a firestorm of madness, thought police, and whining white-privileged Gen-Z hacks, with the support of a few professors who should know better have been trying to get Sophia cancelled. We'll have a full article on the topic over the weekend, but in the meantime, listen to Butch and Sophia talk this out.

Oct 29, 202101:09:46
48. "Extend your soul to the hungry..."
Sep 16, 202155:44
47. “It starts with the right soil…”
Sep 09, 202130:03
46. "Be honest, and fulfill your commitments..."
Aug 26, 202101:01:32
45. "Education is about: character, communication, and community."

45. "Education is about: character, communication, and community."

Bahar Picariello, who was the FIRST guest on the Rules of the Game podcast a little over a year ago, returns to discuss the current drama going on in Loudoun County, VA, regarding gender politics, CRT, the handling of the pandemic year 2+, etc.

Along the way, we talk about what Bahar and Butch knew all along: that the public education system has lost its purpose, or at least it is pursuing purposes which are not congruent with a logical approach to education. The modern school system is built for:

1) College and Career Readiness
2) "Socialization"
3) Changing the world

Butch contends that it should be about:

1) Intellectual acuity
2) Communication Skills
3) Character Development

Bahar talks a little bit about the challenges that parents are facing and the conundrum of homeschooling and wanting some of the benefits of "school." You can find her ("The Homeschool Ambassador" on FB at: https://www.facebook.com/thehomeschoolambassador )

Butch's alternative (in conjunction with IndED) is the new Loudoun Field Center, a high school alternative launching in Lucketts, VA:

https://loudounfieldcenter.org

The field center is taking on the challenge of helping high school students escape the madness of modern education and finding peace and purpose through learning as a part of the community and not apart from it, as well as taking on opportunities to fail. On Tuesday, August 17, the Field Center will hold an information center at the Chapel. To RSVP, you can join the "Great Conversation(s)" group on Facebook, or you can check in here:
https://loudounfieldcenter.org/events/brainstorming-and-information-session/

Aug 16, 202159:10
44. "Efficiency almost always wins... and we're often the worse for it."
Jul 30, 202101:05:26
43. "'Adult' is not a verb..."
Jul 15, 202101:03:31
42. "Charity means loving the deplorable..."
Jul 01, 202101:01:56
41. "Fake it 'till you make it..."
Jun 17, 202101:04:47
40. "Show up, pay attention, tell the truth..."
Jun 09, 202148:36
39. "Pursue morality first..."
Jun 03, 202101:12:27
38. "Come to me as a human being first..."
May 27, 202101:06:54
37. "Be curious - not judgmental..."

37. "Be curious - not judgmental..."

For Episode 37, Jessica and Butch have decided to dive deep into the dilemma of: Truth vs Unity. Is it more important to be RIGHT, or to be UNITED? Is it more important to admit what the real "truth" is or to get along with your fellow man? Do we have to choose between, say "evangelism" vs. "ecumenism" in our religious conversations? We talk about CRT a little and specifically what it means for continuing "dialogue" when County Governments, like the one in Loudoun County, VA (where Butch lives) create a "Chief Equity Officer" position.

https://www.jobapscloud.com/LDN/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=21&R2=139&R3=2200

Today's Rule, oddly enough came from the AppleTV show: Ted Lasso, where Ted wins a bet, while explaining how important it is to... ask questions.... be CURIOUS, before judging someone.

Next week, Butch will be continuing the conversation with none other than Loudoun's own: Sophia Nelson, who visited with Butch on his SECOND episode. This one will take the "Truth vs Unity" question to the modern political situation with the Republican Party, Donald Trump, "Conservatism," etc.

________________________
Independent Education: https://inded.us  
Great Conversation(s) Blog: https://greatconversations.us   
Great Conversation(s) Network: https://gc.inded.us
ROTG Podcast: https://rotgpodcast.us  
Patreon: https://patreon.com/rulesofthegame

May 21, 202101:17:08
36. "Tell stories that are True..."
May 05, 202101:03:30
35. "Hug your neighbor with both arms ... and count to 20."
Apr 21, 202101:03:55
34. "The Future of Education is not 'STEM'..."

34. "The Future of Education is not 'STEM'..."

Jessica and Butch spend some time talking about the future of education, in terms of what education means, what its purpose is, and what a teacher is. We talk about how the most important thing to teach kids is WHO THEY ARE; also what our responsibilities are as parents, as a community; and the goal of a multi-generational community which needs its elderly (see Episode 33) and it needs its children. Jessica spoke about "intentional" parenting, which involves educator as the role of the parent. Obviously the role of technology came up, and the rule of this episode is, of course: "The Future of Education is not 'STEM'..."

For more information on IndED's "The Best Education of a Lifetime Course Is..." course join the conversation at: https://gc.inded.us, (which will also give you access to the video versions of this podcast!) and find the "IndED Community" group... For only $20 a month you can join a small but growing number of families who are striving to be more intentional in how they teach their kids, whether they go to public, private, or homeschool.

________________________
Independent Education: https://inded.us  
Great Conversation(s) Blog: https://greatconversations.us   
Great Conversation(s) Network: https://gc.inded.us
ROTG Podcast: https://rotgpodcast.us  
Patreon: https://patreon.com/rulesofthegame

Apr 07, 202101:06:08
33. "Respect your elders..."

33. "Respect your elders..."

Butch welcomes Special Guest Stella Morabito, who is a senior contributor at the Federalist to discuss one of her latest articles on the Cuomo nursing homes scandal. We talk about how, in addition to the simple cost of precious human lives, the callous and dismissive treatment of the elderly has an even greater cost in "cultural memory." In addition we connect the conversation with how our culture has devalued the elderly in terms of how we're raising and educating our kids.

Stella's Rule is: "Respect your elders."

To read more from Stella, go to:
https://thefederalist.com/author/stellamorabito/

________________________
Independent Education: https://inded.us  
Great Conversation(s) Blog: https://greatconversations.us   
Great Conversation(s) Network: https://gc.inded.us
ROTG Podcast: https://rotgpodcast.us  
Patreon: https://patreon.com/rulesofthegame

Apr 01, 202143:23
32. "Be prepared to serve your community..."
Mar 25, 202101:04:57
31. "Pursue Truth with every tool at your disposal..."
Mar 11, 202101:08:05
30. "Don't take yourself too seriously..."
Mar 05, 202154:09
29. "Pursue leisure for leisure's sake..."
Feb 25, 202101:16:60
28. "Embrace the Sacred Feminine and Stop Saving the World..."
Feb 11, 202101:04:11
27. "China is not our friend..."

27. "China is not our friend..."

For Season 2, Episode 4, Butch chats with fellow Leesburger, Bill Fox with U.Group. The topic, of course, is our main geopolitical adversary at the moment: China. We talk about some of the security challenges with "smart" technology (including what televisions we probably shouldn't buy), along with what the implications are with the administrations of Presidents 44, 45, and now 46. Bill's Rule is pretty simple: "China is not our friend."
Feb 03, 202101:06:09
26. "Think Galactically, Be Human..."

26. "Think Galactically, Be Human..."

In anticipation of our next episode where we are going to finally move on from the travails in D.C. and talk about ... the important things, Jessica and Butch take the hour and talk about the path forward for the citizenry in dealing with such division and turmoil. Who is to blame? A little of that... but mostly a call to stay healthy (Jessica shares some nutrition advice) be good people, and keep the conversation and civilization going. That's our job, not the President's. And thank God for that.

Jan 26, 202101:08:60
25. "Two things can be true at the same time..."

25. "Two things can be true at the same time..."

For our first session back for Season Two....we talk about the riots and protests at the Capitol the previous week. It requires a return to Butch's FIRST rule: "Two things can be true at the same time..."  

It can be true that a lot of protesters are legitimately concerned that the Republic is being stolen from them, and it can also be true that the events at the capitol were double plus ungood. It can be true that impeachment is a bad idea and bad mojo, and that impeachment is completely and totally necessary (which we don't get to until next time, as we started having audio problems at the one hour mark)...

Jan 20, 202101:05:22
24. "If you say 'awoman'..."
Jan 12, 202101:18:48
23. "First, Do No Harm..."
Jan 05, 202101:02:18
22. "Let Dad be Dad..."
Dec 29, 202001:16:43
21.. "Speak your mind, with love and compassion."
Dec 22, 202001:03:22
20. "Never be intimidated by being by yourself..."
Dec 15, 202033:55
BONUS Episode - Butch is guest of Sophia's on the "One America Podcast"
Dec 08, 202001:09:56
19. "Be thankful for your many blessings..."
Nov 30, 202001:03:34
18. "Never underestimate what someone else can do..."
Nov 24, 202045:58
17. "Enforce the Tenth Amendment"
Nov 17, 202001:06:28
16. "Don't let anybody ever tell you you can't do something..."
Nov 10, 202030:38
15. "Become a great listener..."
Nov 03, 202040:10
14. "Own your choices..."
Oct 27, 202033:54
13. "Be nice to people..."
Oct 22, 202001:11:25