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Wisdom Conversations

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Strengthening and Healing the Fabric of our Nation
October 2, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

As the “first and vital cell of society,” the family is indispensable. Yet as our cultural landscape grows more divided and uncertain, even the most basic aspects of the family are being contested. Is the family a social convention shaped by evolving norms? Is it a natural structure rooted in biological realities? Is it a divinely ordained human arrangement — one crafted by God for human flourishing — or a social arrangement that fosters injustice and abuse and, therefore, needs to be radically redesigned?

On October 2, Cornerstone University’s Wisdom Conversations brings together five nationally respected thought leaders to explore these enduring questions about the most important of human relationships — the family — in light of Biblical wisdom and informed vigorous discussion.

Register today to join us and our respected guest panelists:

Patrick T. Brown

Patrick T. Brown

Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and member of the EPPC’s national Life and Family Initiative

Dr. Rob Rienow

Dr. Rob Rienow

Pastor, author, and founder of Visionary Family Ministries

Ian V. Rowe

Ian V. Rowe

Vertex Partnership Academies founder and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow

Dr. Christina Hoff Sommers

Dr. Christina Hoff Sommers

Philosopher and senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute

Catalina Stubbe

Catalina Stubbe

Director of outreach for Moms for Liberty

Moderated by Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University, panelists will tackle a host of questions and assumptions surrounding contemporary debates about the family and its future. These include:

  • What is the definition, essence and role of the family?
  • Is it essential to human flourishing — or replaceable by institutions or even technology?
  • What influence should it have on culture, identity and morality?
  • How do contemporary debates about biology, sex, gender, masculinity and femininity influence how families are being reimagined?
  • How can we protect and strengthen families through effective policies, civic support, churches and communities?

Wisdom Conversations will go beyond diagnosis to challenge assumptions, elevate God’s truth, and offer Christ-centered hope for our families and our nation.

Register today to reserve your FREE seat!

 

Distinguished Guest Bios

Patrick T. Brown is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where his work with the Life and Family Initiative focuses on developing a robust pro-family economic agenda and supporting families as the cornerstone of a healthy and flourishing society.

His writing has been published in The New York Times, National Review, Politico, The Washington Post, and USA Today, and he has spoken on college campuses and Capitol Hill on topics from welfare reform to child-care and education policy.

Dr. Rob Rienow’s most important ministry is loving his wife, Amy, and partnering with her to help their seven children and four grandchildren love God. He is the co-founder of Visionary Family Ministries, a ministry dedicated to helping families around the world follow Jesus. He has served as a pastor, church planter, and is the author of several books, including “Visionary Parenting,” “Healing Family Relationships,” and “Visionary Church.” Rob and Amy host the Family Vision Podcast, offering practical and encouraging conversations about faith and family. He holds a Master of Arts in theology from Wheaton College Graduate School, a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. When Rob is not fishing for men, he enjoys fishing for fish. The Rienow family lives in the suburbs of Chicago.

Ian V. Rowe is the founder of Vertex Partnership Academies and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. In addition to serving 10 years as CEO of Public Prep, he held leadership positions at Teach for America, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the White House and MTV, where he earned two Public Service Emmys. With his book “Agency” (Templeton Press, May 2022), Rowe seeks to inspire young people of all races to build strong families and become masters of their own destiny. He has been widely published in the popular press, including in the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Examiner, and is often interviewed on talk radio programs. Rowe earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s College of Engineering and his high school diploma from Brooklyn Tech as part of a K-12 NYC public education.

Christina Hoff Sommers is a senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute and a nationally recognized scholar on gender, feminism, and free expression. A former philosophy professor at Clark University, she is best known for her defense of classical liberal feminism and her critique of modern gender ideology. She is the author of influential books, including “The War Against Boys,” “Who Stole Feminism?,” and “Freedom Feminism.” Her work has appeared in major outlets such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. She also hosts the video blog The Factual Feminist. Dr. Sommers holds a Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy from Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Arts from New York University.

Catalina Stubbe is a distinguished conservative media personality and national director of Moms for Liberty, recognized as a leading Latina influencer in the United States. A trilingual mother of four and former Miss World Colombia, she graduated with a sociology degree and political science from Université de La Sorbonne in Paris with eight years of residency in France, Catalina brings a global perspective to her advocacy.

A fierce defender of family values, parental rights, and American principles, she has championed transparency in education and led efforts to eliminate Marxist ideologies from schools since joining Moms for Liberty in 2021.

Her impactful leadership inspired El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to issue an executive order removing gender ideologies from schools. A sought-after voice, Catalina has addressed the United Nations, spoke at the European Parliament, and national conferences like CPAC and Turning Point; she appears regularly on major networks, including Fox, Newsmax, OAN, Telemundo, and Univision.

Residing in Florida, this businesswoman, journalist, and political commentator leverages her extensive media presence across the U.S., Europe, and South America to advocate for liberty, education, faith, the sanctity of life, and the well-being of Hispanic communities, inspiring a generation of parents with her unwavering commitment to God, family, and country.

Wisdom Conversations

Wisdom Conversations is a national series hosted by Cornerstone University that brings together leading voices from diverse fields to explore the ideas shaping culture, Christian faith, and the future. Rooted in Biblical wisdom and committed to public engagement, each event seeks to foster deep reflection, civil dialogue, and actionable insight on today’s most pressing issues to benefit students and society.




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