Why the System Is Working Against You (And What to Do About It) with Sam Sorbo

**Sam Sorbo** (0:00)
Just the act of sitting in a classroom as a student teaches you don't ask, don't try, don't read, and don't think.
So don't ask, because this is the required motion in order to ask a question, this is a barrier to entry. It's easier not to ask.
Don't try because failure's bad. Failure is an F. If you fail at something, ooh, I mean, the class is like, wow, ooh, failed, you know, it's embarrassing. So don't try. Don't read because the teachers read the book and she's teaching you the book. There's no real reason for you to read the book. The teacher read it, she's telling you what's in it.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:46)
Your organization is known worldwide and we certainly appreciate every facet that you do.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:51)
I do believe in what you're doing because I've seen it in my family. I'm so excited about all the things that, Robert, you guys do with Classical Conversations. It's been a huge blessing for our family.

**Robert Bortins** (1:01)
Grateful for the work at Classical Conversations. You're a leader and you have been in this movement for a long time.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:06)
We love Classical Conversations. I do feel like I have a debt of gratitude to you, your family, all of CC for just the fruit that has come from CC.

**SPEAKER_5** (1:18)
I appreciate all that you guys do both through this wonderful podcast and also through Classical Conversations, which I am convinced is the best education resource out there. Thank you very much for all that you do for the cause of Christ and for our families and for our children. Really, really appreciate it.

**Robert Bortins** (1:33)
Hey everyone, and welcome to another informative episode of Refining Rhetoric, and we are celebrating America's 250th birthday all July and of course all year long. Such a great pleasure to live in America.
Today, I'm super excited to have a reoccurring guest, a friend of the show, a friend of our family, Sam Sorbo on. She is a fashion model, award-winning Hollywood actress, married to Kevin Sorbo, homeschooled her kids, is a homeschool advocate. Enjoy talking to all of her family anytime I get the chance to do that. She's here to talk to us about the 4th of July and our 250th anniversary. I couldn't think of anyone better to have this conversation with. So without further ado, Sam, welcome to the show.

**Sam Sorbo** (2:24)
Thank you so much. It's such a pleasure to be here with you.

**Robert Bortins** (2:27)
Yeah, as we were talking offline, I just got back from Europe for a 10-day trip with my wife and some friends. And I'm just going to say I'm glad to be an American.
And the freedom that we have and just, yeah, it was just amazing to see the difference in lifestyles to the Europeans and to us. And a lot of it was because of the foundation of our country over 250 years ago. So, yeah, let's start with there. For this kind of very special 4th of July, Sam, like what are some of those things about America that you've appreciated, especially as we're coming up to this 250th anniversary and just the reflections that you've had so far?

**Sam Sorbo** (3:14)
Well, I think it's important to note that America was founded on a belief in God.
And the reason I say that is because they believe their rights came from God and not from a monarch. And so that was the vast distinction between this nation and every other nation that had ever been conceived, frankly. And so the fact that that's in our roots and that we have by and large forgotten that is kind of a testimony to sort of where we are today and the degradation of our culture and our society that we're seeing. And I'm hoping that with the 250, marking the 250th anniversary, you know, maybe we'll start to take a look at that and look at how far we've come, but also how far we've drifted away from our founding. So that would be my hope. You know, you said you just got back from Europe and Europe is very different from us. And there's good parts and there's bad parts. And of course, you have to look at the whole picture, but there's definitely a reason to be glad to be American. And I'm with you on that.

**Robert Bortins** (4:25)
Yeah, from like a family standpoint, I know your kids are older now and things, but are there anything you guys are doing for this 4th of July to make it more special? I know you guys like to have fun.

**Sam Sorbo** (4:39)
Yeah, so the really special thing this 4th of July is my son's getting married.