The Four Pillars of Citizenship and Building Strong Marriages

On this Thursday broadcast from June 22, 2023, Kim Monson welcomed the new president of Liberty Toastmasters Denver, Jay Morrison, along with several fellow Toastmasters who shared their perspectives on the four foundations of citizenship: self-reliance, self-restraint, self-assertion, and civic knowledge. In Hour 2, Casper and Cheryl Stockham discussed their marriage coaching ministry, I Am Love Builders.

Foundations of American Citizenship

Start listening at 29:16 – Hour 1

Brad Beck, co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters, opened the discussion by connecting the four pillars of citizenship to the uniquely American idea that our nation began as an abstract concept rather than from historical accident. Beck referenced Dr. Tom Krannawitter’s book “Introduction to Citizenship for New Americans,” noting that natural-born Americans often lack the civic knowledge that immigrants must demonstrate. He emphasized that self-restraint, as George Washington practiced with his famous rules of civility, means recognizing the difference between right and wrong through conscience.

Terri Goon of Liberty Toastmasters North connected civic knowledge directly to budget literacy, warning that Proposition HH represents a scheme to trade temporary property tax relief for permanent elimination of TABOR refunds. She argued that citizens who understand government budgets can hold their representatives accountable rather than dismissing them all as “swamp creatures.”

“America is not a spectator sport. You have to get out and play as an American.”

Russ Farmer, Liberty Toastmasters North

Self-Restraint in an Age of Provocation

Start listening at 39:10 – Hour 1

Marshall Dawson offered a provocative analysis of the culture wars, suggesting that progressive provocations from drag queen story hours to DEI mandates are tactical moves designed to instigate conservatives into overreaction. He cautioned that forces seeking expanded government power benefit from destabilization, making self-restraint perhaps the most critical civic virtue today. Dawson urged listeners to respond to inflammatory tactics with reason rather than emotion, choosing deliberate actions that achieve intended goals.

Greg Morrissey emphasized that the four citizenship pillars should be taught in schools but noted that many parents are turning to homeschooling to ensure their children learn constitutional principles. He shared that his own daughter homeschools her sons because they learn better outside the public school system that focuses on the lowest common denominator.

“They don’t really care about DEI. They don’t care about drag queens. They don’t even care about transing the kids. These are tactics. The aim is to instigate you, to provoke a reaction from you.”

Marshall Dawson, Liberty Toastmasters Denver

Building Love and Hope in Troubled Times

Start listening at 58:49 – Hour 2

Casper Stockham, a veteran and longtime political activist, announced a pivot back to marriage coaching through I Am Love Builders, a ministry he and his wife have operated for 14 years. Their upcoming book “Divorce Proofing Your Marriage” takes a kingdom-based approach to helping couples communicate better and build lasting relationships. Stockham noted that divorce has become too easy at $250 for an uncontested filing, treating covenant relationships like temporary arrangements.

Cheryl Stockham explained that many marriages fail because couples never learned what marriage actually requires. She emphasized that men and women process information differently, and successful couples become strategists who approach problems from different angles while working as a unified team. Her message to a divided and hurting nation was simple: don’t lose hope, because God has a plan even when human beings fail to represent Him well.

“Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope on your fellow man. Don’t quit. Don’t allow yourself to be so angry that you become blinded. Shine the light on the good.”

Cheryl Stockham, I Am Love Builders