Patriot Academy Grads Serve Texas Legislators And More: Join us today as we visit with several Patriot Academy graduates who are now part of our scholars program. They”€™re traveling the country with us and currently spending some time in the Texas state legislature. Let”€™s hear what they have to share!

Air Date: 03/20/2019

Guests: Patriot Academy Scholars

On-air Personalities: Rick Green

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Transcription note:  As a courtesy for our listeners’ enjoyment, we are providing a transcription of this podcast. Transcription will be released shortly. However, as this is transcribed from a live talk show, words and sentence structure were not altered to fit grammatical, written norms in order to preserve the integrity of the actual dialogue between the speakers. Additionally, names may be misspelled or we might use an asterisk to indicate a missing word because of the difficulty in understanding the speaker at times. We apologize in advance.

Faith And The Culture

Rick:

You”€™ve found your way to the intersection of faith and the culture. This is WallBuilders Live where we’re talking about today’s hottest topics on policy and faith, the culture, education, entertainment, all those different areas. And we always do that from a biblical, historical, and constitutional, perspective.

Normally, we’re with David Barton, America’s premier historian and our founder at WallBuilders. And Tim Barton, national speaker and pastor and president of WallBuilders.

But today they’re not with us and instead we have a studio full of Patriot Academy graduates who are now in the Scholars Program. Which means they’re spending six months with us at Patriot Academy. They’re going to be traveling all across the nation to all the Patriot academies that we conduct around the nation. But right now they’re working at the Texas Capitol and spending time with me in Dripping Springs, Texas.

My name is Rick Green I’m a former Texas legislator and I’m glad you joined us today. And I’m so glad these scholars are here with us.

By the way, before I introduce them and get them in on the program, be sure and visit WallBuildersLive.com if you want to know more about our radio program. That’s also where you can get archives of the program, you can listen to those Good News Friday program. They”€™ll encourage you if you want to hear some good news. If you’re thinking it’s all bad, it’s not. When we work the system the system works. So, listen to Good News Friday’s.

Patriot Academy Scholars

Rick:

Also go into those Thursday programs. That’s what we call Foundations of Freedom Thursday. That’s an opportunity to dive into foundational questions that you get to ask. So, you drive the program on Thursday. Send those questions in – [email protected] and we’ll get to as many as we can on Thursday. And then Monday through Wednesday we have great interviews with Senators, and Congressmen, and attorneys arguing before the Supreme Court, and Patriot Academy graduates. Which brings us to today’s program.

So, alright, guys, we”€™ve got six of you in here. Brady Smith actually runs the Scholar program. Brady, you’ve been on Wall Builders Live before. It’s been a few years, but you were on once before when you were going to the Idaho program, coming to the Texas program. Welcome back.

Brady Smith:

Well, thank you, yeah. I’d like to say the reason I”€™m back is because I”€™m a popular man, but I’m not quite sure if that”€™s–

Rick:

It was. No, actually I’m serious we got thousands and thousands of e-mails, calls, requests–

Brady Smith:

That figures. That figures.

Rick:

–that Brady Smith guy that was on the program. Not really. That never happened. So,rry, man, not one request, but we’re so glad you’re here and we’re really glad you’re running the program. So, you and Abigail actually moved down from Idaho. What made you decide to sow into these scholars this year during the program?

Brady Smith:

Well, really, it was the vision the Patriot Academy cast when I first went back in 2009, I believe it was, when I first attended Patriot Academy and just really just seeing the potential that was in the next generation. I was more a part of that next generation, I guess, back then. Now looking– from where I am now looking, I can see the other next generation, a new next generation.

Making Sure They”€™re Making Every Single Year Count

Rick:

Yeah. Now it”€™s your turn to pass the torch.

Brady Smith:

Yeah, exactly. And that’s what I’m really excited about and just being able to spend the time with these guys, and invest in them, and teach them lessons, that I’ve learned and hopefully point them in the right direction to make sure they’re making every single year count as they’re coming into adulthood.

Rick:

Now, this is when we talk about the next generation, we talk about leadership. Obviously  on this program we talk about this a lot, the need for principled, ethical, well-educated, understanding the Constitution, understanding the founding of the country leaders, in the next generation.

Do you see that as you’ve watched Patriot Academy grow and expand? You’re you’re working with these guys, working at the Capitol, we’ve actually got probably 30 or 40 Patriot Academy grads working in Capitols across the country. Are you seeing hope in your generation right now of young leaders stepping up?

Brady Smith:

Oh, yeah, definitely. The work I”€™ve been able to do with Patriot Academy– attending Patriot Academy I think you definitely in a sense for it, but working behind the scenes and seeing just the * who are having, the impact that the students are having. Yeah, it”€™s definitely happening. There’s hope, there’s way more hope than I think people even realize.

Rick:

And a lot of people are getting to see that now as they work in the Capitol. So, let’s introduce our scholars who have come to us from all over the country. Believe it or not, our listeners may not believe this, especially our listeners in California, we’ve actually got a guy here from California.

Mike Noriega, from– now you live in kind of the L.A. area, right? So, you’re not– actually, Orange County used to be conservative where you live.

Reagan Country

Mike Noriega:

It was. It was Reagan country.  

Rick:

Reagan country. When I went through the Reagan Library years ago, and the Nixon Library, especially the Nixon Library because it took me all the way back in the 60s and I thought, “€œWow, California voted Conservative in the 60s, they voted conservative with Reagan.”€ So, you’re right, I shouldn’t dis your home state, Mike, sorry about that. But you’re with us all the way from California. Mike Noriega, thanks for being on with us today.

Mike Noriega:

Thank you.

Rick:

Alright. Elijah O’Neil also from, I guess we could say the southwest, at least going out west direction from Arizona.

Elijah O’Neil:

Yes.

Rick:

Thanks for coming, man.

Elijah O’Neil

Thank you very much for having me.

Rick:

You’ve actually served as a– what were you? Speaker of the House?

Elijah O’Neil:

Yes, I was speaker of the House of the Southwest Patriot Academy in the state of Arizona.

Rick:

Okay, so you had been to PA a couple times before you were Speaker, right?

Running The Process

Elijah O’Neil:

No. That was my first year.

Rick:

That was your first– wait, you had to get elected, right? Or did we we just appoint you Speaker?

Elijah O’Neil:

I was elected. Andrew Sucomb who was the Speaker of the House at the time saw how much I loved the program, how much I ran after and invested in it my first few days there, and he said that I needed to run, so I took that opportunity.

Rick:

So, you didn’t serve as Speaker your first year, you ran for speaker your first year?

Elijah O’Neil:

Ran for Speaker.

Rick:

Okay. So, you went one time, ran for Speaker, got elected.

Elijah O’Neil:

Yes sir.

Rick:

Came back the next time, got to be Speaker of the House. Which means, for our listeners at home, he’s literally on the real– in this case we were in the Senate side, but we were pretending we were the House– in the real Senate chamber in the Arizona capital and Elijah’s up there with the gavel, the microphone, parliamentarian talking in his ear. You got to actually run the the legislative session. That was pretty cool.

Elijah O’Neil:

Yes, incredible experience.

Rick:

Alright, well, now you’re not getting to be Speaker, but you’re actually at the Texas Capitol watching the real legislative session – not only watching it, actually participating in it, working at the Capital. So, what was more fun – actually being speaker in our mock legislative session? Or actually working and serving at the real legislature right now?

Two Dynamics

Elijah O’Neil:

Well, there are two dynamics.

Rick:

We’re going to see how political Elijah is right now because he’s like, “€œOkay, how do I not offend Rick and say, “€˜Well, Patrick Academy was okay, but now I’m at the real–“€™”€ Just kidding. Okay.

Elijah O’Neil:

Well, there are two dynamics to that. So, the first, being Speaker of the House at Patriot Academy is more of, I would say, a teaching opportunity for the people that come to the academy. To teach them about the LIFT principles – limited government, individual liberty, freedom of enterprise, timeless truth. And also being able to show them the history of our nation, our biblical foundation. So, it’s more of a teaching opportunity for me which is why I love it.

But working at the Capitol, I think, provides more time for effectual change in my generation. Just being able to work hands on with the legislation–

Rick:

Yeah.

Elijah O’Neil:

–and being able to help my representative be as effective as he can be in the legislature. That’s just an honor that I’m going to have for a very long time and I greatly appreciate the opportunity that you’ve given me to do this.

Rick:

Well, you’re welcome. And our listeners at home who don’t realize where we”€™re at, we’re in the middle of the Texas legislative session, but it’s early. So, Elijah is still optimistic. In another month when he’s not getting to sleep at all because they’re going 100 miles an hour then all these guys are going to be like, “€œRick, what did you get us into?”€

Okay, we’ve got three more guys to introduce you to and then we’ll hear more from Mike Noriega in a second as well, but we’ve got to take a quick break. Stay with us and if you want to learn more about Patrick Academy, go to PatrickAcademy.com. Taking applications right now for students that would like to come this summer, 16 to 25 years old. We have them all over the nation – Arizona, Idaho, Florida, Delaware, Texas.

You can be 16 to 25 to go to the regular Academy. You can be a military veteran of any age to go to the military academy. And then people of any age can come to the citizen track in Texas as well. So, find out more about all of that at PictureAcademy.com. Stay with us. We’ll be right back on WallBuilders Live.

Red, White, Blue, and Green

Hey friends, a special event is coming to you. It’s called Red, White, Blue, and Green. It’s a stage show, it’s our opportunity to bring history to life, to bring the Constitution to life, to equip and inspire you and your family, and the people at your church and in your community, to get involved and do more. To be given true action steps on what you can do right there in your backyard to preserve freedom for future generations.

It”€™s going to be a fun evening. We’re going to laugh and learn together and get educated. There”€™s gonna”€™ be lots of great music, and presentations, and inspirational stories. It”€™s called Red, White, Blue, and Green. You can make it happen right there in your hometown. We’re gonna be filming live in Thousand Oaks, California, on the evening of March 23rd, and streaming it all across the nation.

You can be the one to bring it into your community by streaming it to your church, or in your home, or even just watch it individually if you like. Go to ConstitutionCoach.com today and you’ll find out more. ConstitutionCoach.com. The event is on March 23rd. We’re hoping you’ll participate with us and help us restore America’s Constitution.

Why In The World?!

Rick:

Welcome back. Thanks for staying with us here on WallBuilders Live. Be sure and check out PatriotAcademy.com. Today we’ve got a studio full of Patriot Academy graduates now involved in our Patriot Scholars program. Which means they”€™re full time working at the Capitol, learning leadership skills, speaking for Patriot Academy, just having a great time living in Texas for, I guess, three more months, guys.

And what’s crazy about our first Scholars Program is none of you are from Texas. I don’t know how we failed so miserably in our recruiting that we would have our first scholars program without any Texans, but we’ll take you other citizens of these foreign countries like Ohio, which is our next Patriot Academy scholar. Actually, we”€™ve got a lot of stations in Ohio. Got to be careful how I say that, via Florida.

So, Austin, you are at normally Pensacola Christian College going to school and you’ve taken six months off to do this scholars program. Why in the world would you want to leave beautiful sunny Florida where you were attending school and come spend six months with me and Nathan Macias, and the Bartons? You all are going to be actually at WallBuilders for two full weeks diving into the library and the scholars program. I know I asked you a question and then I’m not giving you a chance to answer it.

But anyway, that’s the other thing that they’re going to get to do is be a part of the WallBuilders leadership training program. So, Austin Cook, from Ohio, via Florida, why in the world did you say “€œyes”€?

Austin Cook:

First of all, it’s not beautiful sunny Florida, it’s beautiful humid Florida.

Rick:

Oh, oh.

Austin Cook:

I don’t want to be there at all during summer or the spring.

Rick:

Okay. Alright, good.

Austin Cook:

Also–

Why 6 Months Off School?

Rick:

Welcome to humid Texas then. Yeah. It hasn”€™t been bad though. It”€™s actually been cold since you”€™ve been here.

Austin Cook:

It’s been really cold.

Rick:

Yeah.

Austin Cook:

But Ohio, I’m kind of used to that part.

Rick:

Yeah.

Rick:

Alright, so back to why you decided to take six months off of school and be a part of the scholars program. What was appealing to you about all this?

Austin Cook:

Well, definitely it’s the amounts of experience. At school you get all the basics. So, you get your government, your history, anything I would need to know factually for the legislature. But coming here and actually participating is hands on experience.

Rick:

Yeah.

Austin Cook:

And the amount of variation in the experience between WallBuilders and the Capitol going to different places across the country speaking–

Rick:

Shooting guns, going to Front Sight–

Austin Cook:

Front Sight. That”€™s right.

Charis Bible College

Rick:

Yes. Yes. Right.

Austin Cook:

Holding the Charis PA, working all these different areas.

Rick:

Now, wait, let me explain to our listeners what that is. So, you mentioned the Charis PA that means Charis Patriot Academy, Charis Bible College. David and Tim Barton got to design a government program with them and it’s been in place for I guess three years now. And folks who want to learn more about that, we”€™ll have a link if you’re interested in attending that program as well.

But these guys all went to Colorado and conducted a, basically, mini Patriot Academy for the Charis government student program. Now, what did you– what role did you play in that? You were like a floor leader or something, right? You were engaged in the debate.

Austin Cook:

That’s correct. I was the floor whip–

Rick:

Awesome.

Austin Cook:

–so I was on the mikes helping people out, trying to build up the debate so that anyone who was a little nervous or had a question they didn”€™t want to ask felt free to ask the question because they knew exactly what to do.

Rick:

Cool. Now, you’re going to do a little bit of that also this summer as you guys travel around to all the academies. You’ll be mentoring other students who are attending Patriot Academy and engaging in that debate as well.

But I love what you’re saying about the diversity of the the training and all the different things that you guys are doing. So, what do you hope to do with what you’re learning from Patrick Academy and from the scholars program?

Long Term Goals

Austin Cook:

Right now the long term–

Rick:

And, by the way, folks at home, these guys have no idea what I’m going to ask them. We’re totally putting them on the spot. And the other guys are all standing behind Austin Cook right now going, “€œWow, I’m glad I didn’t get that question.”€ So, I’m just springing it on Austin. Go ahead, man.

Austin Cook:

Alright, sir. Well, the long term goal right now is to be a history teacher hopefully around the Dallas Fort Worth area and to be able to take all of this experience and pass it on. To be able to convey exactly how it works–

Rick:

Good.

Austin Cook:

–so that future generations can understand. But I also really love local area politics. And be able to take this and be involved in smaller scale–

Rick:

Yeah.

Austin Cook:

–would definitely be something I”€™m interested in.

Rick:

We need more of that.

Okay. So, I’m very impressed. Austin, obviously, has learned a lot already because he said he wants to become a Texan. That’s the most important thing he could say to prove his brilliance. Austin, good job.

Alright, Kenny, you’re up next and I”€™ve got to go to a break. Alright, buddy, you’re going to be up when we come back from the break. Folks, stay with us. We”€™ve got our Patriot Academy scholars in studio with us and you can learn more about it at PatriotAcademy.com.

You can apply for our regular Patriot Academy program right now online. In fact, this is the time to do it if you want the less expensive tuition or if you want to sponsor a student to attend. If you’d like to sponsor a scholar to spend six months with us doing all this training, you can do all that at PatrickAcademy.com.

And if you happen to be available during the two weeks this summer that WallBuilders is doing the leadership training program, that’s another great opportunity for young people to get equipped and engaged in the culture. Stay with us. We’ll be right back. You’re listening to WallBuilders Live.

America”€™s History

This is David Barton with another moment from America’s history. Often today it seems that the federal government has become too intrusive in the local matters. And federal micro-management has now unfortunately become the norm in education, law enforcement, religious expressions, and even on what is and is not moral.

Strikingly, the Founding Fathers had intended that the federal government never intrude into any of these issues. As Thomas Jefferson explained, “€œTaking from the states the moral rule of their citizens and subordinating it to the federal government would break up the foundations of the Union. I believe the states can best govern our home concerns and the federal government our foreign ones.”€ ,

According to Thomas Jefferson, the original plan was for the federal government to direct foreign affairs but for the states and local communities the domestic and the moral ones. For more information on God’s hand in American history contact WallBuilders at 1 800 8 REBUILD

Rick:

Welcome back to WallBuilders Live. Thanks for staying with us today. We have the Patriot Academy scholars in studio with us. And, Kenny, I was teasing you a little bit about next break, but here we are. Now it’s actually happening. Kenny Shove from Idaho. Now, where in Idaho do you live?

“€œI Knew Immediately”€

Kenny Shove:

I’m in Coeur d’Alene.

Rick:

Oh, beautiful.

Kenny Shove:

It’s in the northern part, yes, the beautiful part of Idaho for sure.

Rick:

Alright. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. So, all the way from the northwest. We had California already, Arizona, Florida/Ohio, it’s kind of weird that I put those two states together, and now Idaho. So, from Idaho. How about you, Kenny? What made you decide to come down and spend six months with us in the scholar program?

Kenny Shove:

Well, having been through Patriot Academy three times and seeing the effect it had on my life, the change it had in my life, when you gave me the call, Rick, when I picked up and you told me what we were doing, it was basically a no brainer for me. My motto has been pursue opportunities for growth, don’t turn any thing down unless there’s a good reason for it.

So, when I received that call from you and we discussed what would be happening I didn’t have anything in the way. There wasn’t really any reason for me not to. Immediately I knew it was happening I went up and told my family, “€œHey, I’m moving to Texas for a number of months.”€ There really wasn’t any process to it. It was something I knew immediately this was an opportunity to invest–

Rick:

Had you done legislative work before? Or just done the academies?

Kenny Shove:

Just done the Academy–

Rick:

Okay.

Kenny Shove:

–was the only time I’d spent doing anything like that.

What Is The Main Difference?

Rick:

Okay, so this has got to be a little bit weird, then, to actually being a real legislative session instead of just a mock legislative session. What’s the main difference you’ve noticed in the way the big boys do it and the way that we do it when we’re actually doing a Patriot Academy?

Kenny Shove:

Right. Well, it’s very similar. The only difference that I’ve seen the majority of the time is at Patrick Academy it’s a lot of fun. We’re being very serious, we’re encouraging, we’re challenging young people to step up to leadership, but it’s all very fun and we know at the end of the Patriot Academy we’re going go home, none of this really affects it as far as the bills that we’re doing, none of it affects the–

Rick:

It”€™s preparing you guys, but it’s not real law, right?

Kenny Shove:

Exactly.

Rick:

This time it is. What you guys do in your offices right now genuinely impacts actual state law in Texas.

Kenny Shove:

Right. So, at Patrick Academy, like you said, it is affecting us. We’re learning, we’re growing, it’s challenging us. But what we’re doing right now at the Texas Legislature is– it’s actually affecting all of Texas. So, it’s much more on a serious level for sure.

Rick:

Yeah, yeah. Alright. Cool, cool, cool, cool. Now, Zeke, I’m going to come back to you in just a second. Mike Noriega, same question for you. You’ve done, let’s see, how many times you been to Patriot Academy? Four or three?

Mike Noriega:

Three.

Being Given A Realization

Rick:

Okay. So, you did Arizona Patriot Academy. You did Texas Patriot Academy. Have you been to any other ones?

Mike Noriega:

No, I just did Texas twice and Arizona.

Rick:

Texas twice and Arizona.

Mike Noriega:

Right.

Rick:

And when we say Texas, that’s the National Academy, so that’s the full week long program. So, after doing that at the Texas Capitol and now working at the Texas Capitol in the real legislative session, same question – What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed?

Mike Noriega:

I think it gives me a realization of the terms of use and how effective they are in the process, like how we go do leg council.

Rick:

Yeah.

Mike Noriega:

Then it goes to committee and just the whole bill filing process, and the how the bill gets to the floor, and how it becomes law, becomes so real, when you actually see the process and are in the process.

A Bigger Appreciation For The Process

Rick:

Yeah, yeah. So, you guys are too young to remember Schoolhouse Rocks, but I grew up on Schoolhouse Rock How a Bill Becomes a Law. So, we try to teach some of that at Patrick Academy as much as we can. But you’re literally engaged in that happening right now and watching it happen. Does it give you more of an appreciation for how hard it is to pass a law?

Mike Noriega:

It does and the people who strive to pass good laws and how much opposition that are actually against to make those good laws to keep our union safe.

Rick:

Yeah. And you guys are going to watch a lot of bills go down in flames that you’re actually rooting for. So, no crying when the bills don’t pass, alright? So, you guys, you can complain to me, or to your member, but it’s going to happen. It’s easier to kill a bill than it is to pass a bill.

And y’all are getting just to that part of the session where all the bills have been filed at this point and now you’re about to see them die every day. And hopefully the good ones, like you said, the good things that are trying to get passed, it’s hard to do. So, when that victory happens, I expect some phone calls. I want to celebrate with you guys.

Remind me who you’re working for at the state Capitol again?

Mike Noriega:

I’m working for Representative Matt Shafer.

Rick:

Matt Shafer. Yes. Good, good, Freedom Caucus leader as well.

Mike Noriega:

Right.

Rick:

Alright, Zeke Hillmo. We’ve got the northwest again. Man, nobody from the northeast. But, Zeke, you’re from Washington. But now you’re in Florida, so you’re kind of like Austin Cook over there. Been in another state for a while, but now Florida. Do you actually say you’re from Washington or from Florida now?

Zeke Hillmo:

I say I’m from Florida.

You Realize How Little Control

Rick:

Okay. Even though you grew up in Washington, just moved to Florida, what, a year ago?

Zeke Hillmo:

Two years.

Rick:

Two years ago. Okay. Alright, Zeke, you’ve also served in an actual leadership position at Patriot Academy. You were Lieutenant Governor or Governor? I can”€™t remember.

Zeke Hillmo:

I was Speaker of the House–

Rick:

Speaker, I got it all wrong.

Zeke Hillmo:

–for the Northwest Idaho Academy.

Rick:

Speaker the House. So, like Elijah, you actually were up there with the gavel running the legislative session this time in the Idaho State Capitol. So, alright, same question then – what was different in actually being the speaker in the mock legislative session versus now you’re working at an actual state legislative session?

Zeke Hillmo:

Makes you realize how much– let me see how the phrase this– how little control there is, actually. When you’re in the mock legislation people kind of tend to listen to you. Especially at Patriot Academy, everybody is very respectful. But even just watching the floor sessions, there isn’t as much respect and there isn’t as much– But that being said, there’s a lot more on the line. Whereas Patriot Academy, there’s a lot less on the line. At the end of the day, it’s not affecting someone like it does in the Texas legislature.

A Lot Of Moving Parts

Rick:

Yeah, no, that’s a really good point. I think I finally realized that about halfway through my first legislative session as a member how difficult it was to impact the process and how little control most people had. And there’s a lot of moving parts, but the important thing is to realize that we can influence it.

So, let me get all you guys in on this next question. What about just the citizens coming into your legislative offices. As you see– has it surprised you how many people come to each of these– Because you’re all in five different legislative offices. Has it surprised you how many lobbyists, how many citizens, how many people, are coming through and interacting with, not just you, but the member that you work for?

Elijah O’Neil:

Yeah. This is Elijah O’Neil, I work for Representative Steve Toth in legislative district 15. And it does surprise me. But what I will say is actually slightly disappointing is we get many more lobbyists than we do actual constituents. I find that a lot of special interests have much more interest on the political process versus the average citizen. Which is a little disheartening, but I think we have to remember to get people civically minded and to remind them of their constitutional duties and obligations to ensure that our state, the great state of Texas, stays free.

Rick:

Alright. That’s a clarion call to all of our listeners all across the country – no matter what state you’re in the same thing is happening. And most states are in their legislative session right now. Even the states that only meet for a short time in off years and then longer time. Most states are having a legislative session right now. I would encourage you to do– what Elijah just said, what I heard you say, Elijah, is there’s not enough citizens showing up and letting their voice be heard. Testifying in committee, just walking into the legislators office and sitting down – either with a staffer like you guys are doing right now, or with the member themselves, and let them know where you stand.

A Little Advice

Rick:

And let’s give a little advice right now, guys. How do you– because some people come in mad and all they want to do is scream at you, the staff person working for the legislator. Or they actually scream at the legislators. So, do you recommend that, coming in all hotheaded? Or maybe coming in a little bit different? What’s your recommendation on how to best influence a legislative office?

Austin Cook:

Alright, well, this is Austin Cook again. I”€™m with Mat * office in district 66. The easiest way to get your voice heard in the office if you’re coming physically, make sure you’re nice to the secretary.

Rick:

That’s right.

Austin Cook:

If you don’t get past the gatekeeper–

Rick:

Good advice. The gatekeeper.

Austin Cook:

–you don’t– you”€™re not heard if you don’t get past the gatekeeper.

Rick:

That”€™s right.

Austin Cook:

So, make sure you bring that sort of willingness to want to help your district.

Rick:

Good.

Austin Cook:

It’s not about just trying to pass an agenda. You want to be able to help us so we can help you. That’s the biggest thing. Make sure you’re nice. A soft answer definitely, definitely, goes further than–

Rick:

Yes.

If You”€™re Willing To Set Aside Time

Austin Cook:

A loud one.

Rick:

Soft answer turns away wrath and is far more effective in the state legislative process. That’s first Richard two and five. Yeah. No, no, you’re so right. Go ahead, Zeke.

Zeke Hillmo:

Even just if you’re willing to put aside some time, at least in my office, I work for Representative Hefner out of district 5, the House district.

Rick:

Who, by the way, is a Patriot Academy grad sort of. He came kind of a citizen track guy and actually helped with Patrick Academy for years before he actually ran for the legislature. Great guy. Go ahead. So, you work for Cole Hefner and– go ahead.

Austin Cook:

And basically what you do is is if you’re willing to set aside some time normally the legislator wants to meet with their constituents, they’ll make time for their constituents. That being said, if they’re very, very, busy they can’t. But most likely you’re always going to be able to see rep or at least shake his hand, and say “€œhi”€, and just tell him something really quickly.

Rick:

Alright, guys, all six of you including Brady before we sign off today. All the listeners out there, why should they either come to Patrick Academy or encourage someone in their life to come to Patrick Academy. Gotta make it quick. Go.

PA Scholars:

I would say come to Patriot Academy. It’s really great to learn the government process and how to be involved. There’s so much out there going on and it’s easy to see all the corruption and go, “€œThere’s nothing I can do.”€ Patriot Academy is showing students how you can actually be involved and make a difference in government as well as personal life. There’s so much growth, there’s so much rich discipline and discipleship stuff going on. If you don’t do anything else this summer, I encourage you to come to Patriot Academy for sure.

Get Rid Of The Hopelessness

Rick:

Very good, very good. Get rid of that hopelessness and see that you can make a change and get that own– your own personal growth. Go ahead.

PA Scholars:

Get the foundation to where you can build your political ideas and you political sphere off of a firm foundation.

Rick:

Good. Get the foundation. Mike?

PA Scholars:

It gives you the tools to promote freedom of liberty in politics.

Rick:

Good.

PA Scholars:

And to keep America’s principles secure.

Rick:

I love it. I love it. Go ahead, Elijah.

PA Scholars:

It gives you the tools and skills necessary to fight the good fight and to win.

Rick:

Love it. Austin?

PA Scholars:

It will teach you how to communicate. If you can’t get your message across in, say, a simple floor session of Patriot Academy–

Rick:

This Can”€™t Be Emphasized Enough

Yeah.

PA Scholars:

–where you’re getting coached, then you’re not going to get it across in the major areas of life. By learning how to communicate you’re going to excel in every aspect of your life.

Rick:

Very good. Brady, wrap us up, buddy. What would you say to young people thinking about coming or to parents, grandparents, donors, whoever else, about supporting Patriot Academy and sending people there?

Brady Smith:

Well, if you’re looking to coming, if you meet some purpose in your life, come to Patriot Academy. If you have passion and don’t know what to do with it, come to Patriot Academy. If you have money and don”€™t know what to do with it–

Rick:

That’s right. Send it to Patriot–

Brady Smith:

Send it to Patriot Academy. No, the investment in the next generation will pay off time and time again.

Rick:

Yeah.

Patriot Academy Grads Serve Texas Legislators And More

Brady Smith:

I cannot emphasize that enough. And just, if you want to give to something that’s actually going to make an impact, skip the politician, give to Patriot Academy. We’re making a difference. These students are going to rock this world.

Rick:

I love it. Alright, guys, thank you all so much for being in studio today. One of the things we do at Patriot Academy, every time the word socialism is mentioned, socialism is–

PA Scholars:

Bad. Very, very, bad.

Rick:

Oh yes. Just one more time. Socialism is–

PA Scholars:

Bad. Very, very, bad.

Rick:

There you go, folks. That’s why you want invest in Patriot Academy and why you want to send your young people to Patriot Academy. Thanks so much for listening today. Visit PatriotAcademy.com and then also visit WallBuilders.com to find out about the leadership training program that all these Patriot Academy scholars are going to be a part of this summer as well.

We appreciate you listening. Be sure and visit the website, WallBuildersLive.com, today. Stop at that donate button, click that donate button, and either make that one time or monthly donation. Come alongside us. We’re a listener supported program and it happens because of you. You’ve been listening to WallBuilders Live.