Real America’s Voice – THE ROAD FORWARD: November 16, 2025

Host: Dr. Tim Clinton
Guests: Gary Bauer, Heidi St. John, Dr. Gary Sibse, Dr. Sharon May
Date: November 16, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Real America’s Voice: THE ROAD FORWARD explores crucial political, cultural, and family issues through a lens of faith, American values, and hope. As the holiday season approaches, host Dr. Tim Clinton brings together notable voices—Gary Bauer (American Values), Heidi St. John (author and cultural commentator), Dr. Gary Sibse (clinical psychologist), and Dr. Sharon May (family therapist)—to discuss government gridlock, rising political division, family resilience, parental connectedness, and navigating relationships and grief during the holidays. A common thread: finding encouragement and strength amid chaos, with a steadfast focus on faith and community.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Political Landscape & Government Shutdown

Guest: Gary Bauer
Timestamps: 07:27 – 15:36

• Shutdown Ends:
  The longest government shutdown in US history is concluding, with the Senate and House finally agreeing ("I'm so glad we're home." – Clinton, 07:51).

  • Bauer attributes blame to Democrats, stating, "For weeks… this was a Republican shutdown… now it’s clear to everybody… the exact opposite was the truth." (08:14)

• Filibuster Debate:
  President Trump and Bauer both advocate reconsidering the Senate filibuster to push key policies.

  • Bauer: "The Democrats get up every morning ready to punch us in the nose… they want to transform America… into a socialist, authoritarian country… Let's do [end filibuster] now so I can get my agenda through." (09:44)

• Public Sentiment and Violence:
  Frustration among voters due to division and leftist violence, referencing the TPUSA/Charlie Kirk incident:

  • "Almost all the violence now is coming from the political left… not one major Democrat does anything to try to restrain it…" (11:40)
  • Balancing act: public distracted by economic hardship while politicians play to emotion with promises of "free things." (12:40-13:16)

Notable Quote:

"If we keep growing the size of government and adding more bureaucrats and big government programs… we’ll never get our economy… working the way it needs to benefit average working-class Americans."
— Gary Bauer (12:54)

2. Faith, Holidays, and Hope

Guests: Dr. Tim Clinton, Gary Bauer
Timestamps: 13:16 – 15:36

• Holiday Reflections & Faith:
  Importance of gratitude, forgiveness, and spiritual revival as America heads into Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • "This is a great time…to tell [your children and grandchildren] the gospel of Jesus Christ and why he is the way and the truth and the light." — Gary Bauer (15:07)
• Call for courage, faith, family unity, and prayer through difficult national moments.

3. Rising Political and Social Division

Guest: Heidi St. John
Timestamps: 21:52 – 32:01

• Campus Violence & the ‘Radical Left’:
  Recent TPUSA event at UC Berkeley erupts in violence and disruption; cultural lines deepening.

  • "This is not a right vs. left anymore. This is not Democrat vs. Republican. This is good vs. evil." (22:53)

• Civil Discord & Fear:
  Rising fears of political violence and talk of "civil war" surfacing.

  • "I don't know how you find unity with people who literally want to kill you…" (24:30)

• Education as Battleground:
  St. John blames educational institutions for radicalization and cultural rifts.

  • "[You] can blame a whole lot of what’s going on in our country now on our…socialist education system… If we do not correct the problem in our education system… we won’t be able to fix it via politics." (26:45)

Notable Exchange:

"It’s so important…I’m telling parents, you’ve got to stop taking the lazy approach to parenting, it takes work to build relationships. You get out of the relationships…what you put into them."
— Heidi St. John (28:54)

• Family and Parenting in Crisis:
  Clinton and St. John discuss intentional parenting, regaining influence over children amid societal confusion, and the critical role of modeling and investment.

4. Cultivating Emotional Closeness in Families

Guest: Dr. Gary Sibse
Timestamps: 37:24 – 47:03

• Pandemic of Disconnection:
  Parents and children are struggling with anxiety, screen time, and loss of emotional connection.

  • "Parents are concerned that their kids are really exposed to so much input that's outside of their control…" (38:15)

• Significance of Relationship:
  The key to discipline, understanding, and resilience is the quality of the parent-child bond.

  • "The quality of your relationship with your child will even determine the effectiveness of your discipline strategies and more. You've got to get this piece right." (40:31)

• Practical Suggestions:

  • 'Crawl into their world'—show interest in their passions, even if they're not your own.
  • Schedule 15-20 minutes of undistracted, child-led time, several times a week.
  • "It's a powerful way of saying… I'm interested in you and I'm delighted to be with you… this is what helps discipline work better." (44:57)

Notable Quote:

"It's about opening that closed spirit… and you see that so often in families."
— Dr. Tim Clinton (44:26)

5. Navigating Holiday Stress & Healing in Families

Guest: Dr. Sharon May
Timestamps: 53:48 – 62:45

• Why Holidays Escalate Family Conflict:

  • Unrealistic hopes, pressure for perfection, and unresolved disappointments are magnified.
  • "Holidays highlight our great disappointments in our marriage and families… It all gets squished together and highlighted under the magnifying glass." (55:22)

• Dealing with Family Pain and Alienation:

  • Parental alienation, "ghosting," and pushing the 'nuclear button' stem from "deep, deep pain" and unprocessed grief or loss. (57:53)
  • Approach gatherings with a decision: "Do you want to be an agent of healing and forgiveness? …How are you going to regulate yourself when you get triggered?" (59:38)

• Pursuing Civility, Kindness, and Hope:

  • "Bring a piece of forgiveness and love and kindness and understanding into my family system, and I want to be that light." (60:47)
  • For those grieving or facing emptiness: "Name it, recognize it… find small moments to savor, to enjoy little bits of the present, even as you grieve." (61:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Gary Bauer on Political Strategy (09:44):
  “The Democrats get up every morning ready to punch us in the nose… Let's do [end the filibuster] now so I can get my agenda through.”
• Heidi St. John on Good vs Evil (22:53):
  “This is not a right versus left anymore… This is good versus evil… a spiritual battle that requires spiritual weapons.”
• Dr. Gary Sibse on Parental Connection (44:57):
  “Set aside 15, 20 minutes… where you follow your child’s lead. It is a powerful way of saying, ‘I’m interested in you and delighted to be with you.’”
• Dr. Sharon May on Holiday Healing (59:38):
  "Before you go to those family gatherings, decide: who do you want to be? …Do you want to bring kindness and forgiveness?"

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Description | Guest | Timestamp (MM:SS) | |---------|-------------|-------|-------------------| | Government Shutdown, Division, Filibuster | Gary Bauer on gridlock, Trump’s plans, party conflict | Bauer | 07:27–15:36 | | Faith and the Holidays | Christian encouragement, hope, unity | Clinton/Bauer | 13:16–15:36 | | Cultural Division & Education | Violence, fear, education as battleground, parenting | St. John | 21:52–32:01 | | Parental Connection & Child Mental Health | Emotional closeness, practical tips for parents | Sibse | 37:24–47:03 | | Family Healing during Holidays | Holiday stress, disappointment, forgiveness, grief | May | 53:48–62:45 |

Concluding Thoughts & Encouragement

Dr. Tim Clinton closes by emphasizing hope, connection, and faith:

“God’s in control. Press into him. Get close to God. Know that God loves you and wants to be in your life. Our hope, our strength comes from the Lord.” (63:05)

He urges anyone struggling with darkness, anxiety, or hopelessness to seek help, reminding listeners that "you don’t have to live like that" and providing mental health resources and a call to reach out for support.

For More Information

• Mental Health Coaching and Resources: aacc.net, ChristianCareConnect.com, LightUniversity.com
• Safe Haven Marriage Resources: safehavenrelationshipcenter.com

Tone:
Candid, urgent, faith-driven, compassionate, and focused on tangible actions to foster family healing and societal resilience.

A takeaway:
Despite cultural turbulence and personal challenges, the pathway forward is rooted in restoring relationships, investing in children and families, seeking spiritual renewal, and finding hope in community and faith.