Real America’s Voice – THE ROAD FORWARD – October 12, 2025
Host: Dr. Tim Clinton
Featured Guests: Ralph Reed, Michele Bachmann, Dr. Shauna Anderson, Heidi St. John
Theme: “A Word of Hope and Encouragement in Challenging Times – Faith, Culture, and America’s Future”
Episode Overview
This episode of “The Road Forward” delivers a faith-centered analysis of major political and cultural developments shaping contemporary America. Host Dr. Tim Clinton brings together prominent conservative voices to discuss the anniversary of the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the American faith revival and its societal implications, ongoing government shutdown debates, the battle for religious freedoms, and confronting challenges in education and culture. The conversation blends policy, spirituality, and personal encouragement, urging listeners to hold fast to hope and shared values in uncertain times.
1. Remembering the October 7, 2023 Attack on Israel
Guest: Ralph Reed
Timestamps: [03:11] – [12:23]
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Dr. Clinton opens by reflecting on the two-year anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, highlighting ongoing needs for the return of hostages and a stance against violence and terror.
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The conversation stresses the program's deep support for Israel, with references to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks and an emotional recounting of the attack’s brutality:
- “Infants, children and elderly people were brutally and horrifically murdered by Hamas terrorists. 251 men and women were abducted into the terror tunnels of the Gaza Strip.” — Dr. Tim Clinton [03:11]
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Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, recounts his personal visits to the affected sites in Israel, using vivid descriptions to emphasize the moral stakes:
- “I have visited those kibbutzes…I have walked through the streets and into the houses in Kafar Esa…where people were not only murdered and raped and decapitated and hacked to death, but were burned alive in their safe rooms.” — Ralph Reed [10:43]
- He expresses strong support for Israeli security and the need to remove Hamas’ governing authority in Gaza:
“If there’s a way to get all the hostages dead or alive out, and make sure that Hamas has no authority in Gaza ever again and is disarmed, I’m for that.” — Ralph Reed [11:38]
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Both Clinton and Reed call for prayer and continued advocacy for a just and lasting peace, not a “surrender to Hamas."
2. Government Shutdown and Policy Disputes
Guest: Ralph Reed
Timestamps: [06:26] – [09:42]
- Discussion frames the ongoing government shutdown as a result of sharp partisan divides, particularly focused on healthcare (Obamacare) policy.
- Reed recalls previous shutdowns as political maneuvers: “A lot of this…has been policy disputes. And shutting down the government was a way to kind of increase the pain on the other side…hoping to get policy concessions…That was the case for us in 2013. It didn’t work then. It’s not going to work now.” — Ralph Reed [07:03]
- Reed critiques the current healthcare system as unaffordable and calls for a principled stand against expanding government-run healthcare: “We should not cave on a program that does not work, that is not affordable. We need to create a more humane and caring and affordable alternative.” — Ralph Reed [09:20]
- Clinton notes the shutdown’s broad impacts, citing polling and national travel issues.
3. The Faith Surge and American Revival
Guest: Michele Bachmann
Timestamps: [17:22] – [23:38]
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Clinton and Bachmann discuss the passing of Christian leaders (notably Dr. James Dobson), reflecting on his legacy and faith-driven leadership.
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Bachmann shares personal stories illustrating Dobson’s commitment to family and ministry, stressing the importance of the local church: “Other than Dr. Billy Graham, no one had more influence on the generation than Dr. James Dobson…He stood for all the right things.” — Michele Bachmann [18:22]
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The episode highlights a documented “faith surge” in America:
- “America is in revival. Church attendance is up 15% across America, and the bulk of that increase is young people…and of the young people, the bulk is young males. So we’re seeing a new happening in America.” — Michele Bachmann [21:37-21:57]
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Bachmann distinguishes between “revival” (spiritual awakening at an individual level) and a true “Great Awakening” (societal transformation through discipleship and obedience).
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Both urge churches and believers to “disciple” new believers for sustained cultural change.
4. Israel, Disinformation, and Influence on Campuses
Guest: Michele Bachmann
Timestamps: [23:38] – [26:29]
- Bachmann details the spread of anti-Israel sentiment, attributing much to foreign influence, especially from Qatar: “Qatar…have been spending a lot of money on propaganda all over the world, but specifically in the U.S…They’ve put their money where their mouth is. They believe in terrorism. They believe in killing Jews. They believe in wiping Israel off the map and destroying the Jewish state. $200 billion.” — Michele Bachmann [24:23]
- She warns of shifting attitudes among young Christian conservatives and points to the creation of the “Israel Institute” at Regent University to counteract misinformation and teach “truth and facts.”
5. Religious Liberty and Therapy: The Supreme Court Case
Guest: Dr. Shauna Anderson
Timestamps: [29:56] – [38:44]
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Dr. Clinton and Dr. Anderson discuss a landmark counseling case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. The issue centers on freedom of speech for therapists counseling minors about same-sex attraction and gender identity.
- Anderson highlights the principle of "viewpoint discrimination": “You can be in counseling…for affirmation…but not if you want to actually explore change in those areas. If you no longer want to have same sex attraction or actually seek to have your gender correspond with your body.” — Dr. Shauna Anderson [32:28]
- She clarifies that the crux of the legal battle is not about “conversion therapy” but about the ability for therapists to engage in “talk therapy” consistent with clients’ religious convictions and self-determination.
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Dr. Anderson argues such government restrictions on licensed counselors violate religious liberty and professional practice standards: “The liberal left activists have hijacked our field and they’re really trying to impose their way of doing things…it really violates our freedom to be able to do the work that we’ve been trained to do, that our faith encourages…It’s not the government’s position to tell us how to do our work.” — Dr. Shauna Anderson [37:36]
6. Cultural Shift, Education, and Political Realignment
Guest: Heidi St. John
Timestamps: [43:35] – [52:53]
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Clinton and St. John revisit the “faith surge,” focusing on increased church attendance—especially among young men—following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and rising dissatisfaction with "woke" institutions and figures. “We need Jesus. We need the Lord in our lives. And I think we’re seeing that…People are going back to church…revival that’s happening even on the streets of Portland is real.” — Heidi St. John [44:21]
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St. John comments on crime, open borders, and urban decay, particularly in Portland and other Democratic-led cities, expressing hope that a political and practical shift is coming: “Normal people don’t want that. And Trump is reading the room. This is why you see…hardened Democrats going, okay, thanks. Nevermind, we didn’t like the crime.” — Heidi St. John [47:09]
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The importance of battling “confusion” and destructive ideologies is emphasized: “The enemy is the author of confusion…When you can’t understand why Governor Newsom in California doesn’t want his state to succeed, he would rather see it fail than admit that his state is in crisis…God is not the author of confusion, he is the author of peace.” — Heidi St. John [49:14]
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St. John warns of the urgent crisis in American education, tracing radical cultural and political trends to activist professors and teachers: “They are in our grade schools, our high schools, and our universities. And so we need to pay attention…If we don’t address the crisis in education…it is a five-alarm fire.” — Heidi St. John [51:14]
7. Hope, Encouragement, and a Call to Action
Host Closing Thoughts
Timestamps: [52:59] – [End]
- Dr. Clinton concludes with a message of spiritual encouragement and practical hope, quoting Ephesians 6:10-12 and urging listeners to rely on faith during challenging times.
- He addresses mental health and suicide prevention, encouraging those struggling to seek professional and pastoral help, and offers information on Christian counseling networks and training for aspiring mental health coaches. “I’ve learned as a professional counselor that it’s normal to have concerns, maybe some fear or worry…If you or someone you love is struggling, I hope you’ll…reach out for help.” — Dr. Tim Clinton [approximately 57:15]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Faith is back in America. A faith surge, really. And everyone is talking about God right now. What a wonderful thing.”
— Dr. Tim Clinton [03:11] - “America is in revival…statistically in a revival… Church attendance is up 15% across America. The bulk of that increase is young people.”
— Michele Bachmann [21:37] - “We need to continue to pray into this continued revival…that God would turn this current revival…into a real awakening in our country that will change the nation.”
— Michele Bachmann [22:44] - “God is not the author of confusion, he is the author of peace…As God’s people, I think we can step back and look at this and go, oh hey, we know who’s behind this. And it is the enemy. It is the spirit of this age.”
— Heidi St. John [49:14]
Key Takeaways
- Faith and culture are intertwined in America’s current moment; a “revival” is posited as swelling in the aftermath of national tragedy and social unrest.
- Support for Israel remains a core conservative value, with criticism of foreign influence and disinformation campaigns targeting young Americans.
- Political division, particularly over healthcare and government shutdowns, is framed as symptomatic of deeper issues regarding truth, values, and leadership.
- The fight for religious liberty in counseling and mental health is a present and urgent concern, with significant ramifications for freedom of speech and faith-based practice.
- Transformation of America’s future is seen as contingent on addressing the educational “crisis”—counteracting ideological indoctrination is positioned as the next great battleground.
Additional Resources & Further Engagement
- For encouragement and updates:
- Follow Dr. Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter)
- Christian counseling resources:
- Training:
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
- Dial 988
This summary encapsulates the episode’s major conversations, insights, and moments of inspiration and challenge, emphasizing the recurring themes of cultural struggle, faith-fueled hope, and the call for renewal through spiritual revival and principled civic engagement.