ACSI Podcasts

Stronger Together Ep 13: Dr. Sean McDowell on Building a Culture of Curious Students

Dr. Sean McDowell, keynote speaker at the upcoming Rooted Educator Worldview Summit, joins the podcast to discuss Rooted, how to encourage questions in your classroom, and the impact of Christian education when done right—or wrong.
To register for the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit this June 15-17 in Colorado Springs, CO, visit acsi.org/rooted

Grafted Together Ep 46: Faith, Reconciliation, and the Blessings of Diversity, with John Murray

Should we consider a faith-informed form of risk and reward for educators who choose to teach in a population other than their own? How can leaders navigate the tension between pursuing a more diverse culture while fostering belonging for both staff and students? John Murray, Head of School at Brookstone Schools (NC), joins the podcast with Jerry Nelson.
With 31 years in Christian education–23 years as Head of School–John is a thought leader when it comes to equipping children and parents to impact modern culture for Jesus Christ. With a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a M.A.L.S. from Dartmouth College, John has extensive experience in impacting the broader public through speaking, writing, and filmmaking. He currently serves as the Head of Brookstone Schools, a K-8 school in Charlotte, NC whose mission is to glorify God by equipping under-resourced students spiritually, socially, and academically for future lives of leadership and service.

Grafted Together Ep 45: Biblical Infusion: Equipping Educators to Teach Like Jesus, with Dr. Kevin Miller

What does it mean to be a Christlike teacher? Kevin Miller, Director of Spiritual Life at Cincinnati Christian Schools, joins the Grafted Together Podcast, with Douglas Campbell hosting.
Kevin began his ministry in Christian education in 2014 at Cincinnati Christian Schools as a biblical studies teacher. In 2020, at home because of COVID lockdowns, he finished his Doctor of Ministry degree with Christian Theological Seminary focusing on a biblical model for Christian education. Today, Kevin serves as Director of Spiritual Life, Biblical Studies Department Chair, and a Biblical Studies Teacher at Cincinnati Christian.

Grafted Together Ep 44: Christian Education: The Next Generation, with Tatiana Smith

Tatiana Smith, the Superintendent’s Assistant for the Enlightium School System Agency, discusses the evolution of Christian education, the role of international and distance learning models, and more.
Tatiana Smith serves as the Superintendent’s Assistant for the Enlightium School System Agency, an international, accredited private Christian school district. In this role, she supports administrative operations and contributes to the review and editing of the Bible curriculum at Enlightium Academy, the virtual Christian school that the school district branches from. Tatiana is currently beginning the first semester of her Doctor of Ministry in Bible Studies and welcomes prayer as she steps into this season of study and service.
Digital Resources: Enlightium Virtual Christian Academy: https://www.enlightiumacademy.com/
Enlightium School System Agency (Enlightium School District): https://www.enlightium.ai/
Enlight Learning - non-profit organization that provides scholarship opportunities to Enlightium Academy students: https://www.enlightlearning.org/
 

Grafted Together Ep 43: From Spiritual Formation to Biblical Unity, with Deon Parker

Deon Parker rejoins the Grafted Together Podcast to discuss biblical themes stemming from the recent ACSI Biblical Unity Summit. Deon is the author of ChristiUnity: The History of God-authored Unity as well as Biblical Unity: It Takes You And Me.
Deon Parker has spent over two decades in vocational Christian ministry–primarily in pastoral ministry. He is currently serving as the Director of Biblical Unity at Christian Academy School System in Louisville, Kentucky & New Albany, Indiana.
Deon is the author of ChristiUnity: The History of God-authored Unity as well as Biblical Unity: It Takes You And Me.
To order Deon Parker’s books:
ChristiUnity: The History of God-authored Unity on Amazon: https://a.co/d/eIWnF6z
Biblical Unity: It Takes You And Me on Amazon: https://a.co/d/f5EEPHK
 

Grafted Together Ep 42: A Spiritual Formation Plan That Gets a Result, with Dr. Cy Smith

When a school leader gets fired up about the right things, transformation happens. Dr. Cy Smith joins Jerry Nelson to discuss practical ways for spiritual formation directors to influence students.
Dr. Cy Smith is the Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School and a national leader in Christian education. As host of the Clearly Christian Podcast, he challenges cultural drift, highlights the importance of Christian education to turn the tide, and contends with conviction for the biblical worldview. 
Dr. Smith is a Colson Fellow with the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and has degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of Toledo and Ashland University.  He is a conference speaker, executive coach, and school board consultant in addition to his role as Superintendent.  Dr. Smith has served at Mansfield Christian [MCS] for 34 years.
Digital Resources:  https://www.clearlychristianeducation.com/ 
https://mcsflames.org/
 

Grafted Together Ep 41: Race and Grace: A Providential Journey, with Dr. James Noble

Jerry Nelson discusses Gospel-centered racial reconciliation with Dr. James Noble, the Vice President for the Center of Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family at Anderson University (SC), and the Pastor of Kingdom Community Church of Anderson.
Dr. Noble earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Race and Grace: Gospel-Centered Racial Reconciliation.
Dr. Noble's book: https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/race-and-grace-gospel-centered-racial-reconciliation.

Student Leadership & Learning Ep 27: The Leadership Gap | Why Capable Students Often Lack Leadership Readiness

Why do some students seem to be ready for leadership but don't take the initiative, and what can we do about it? Emily Pigott has insights on what leads to the leadership gap and how educators can help bridge it.--Do you read the quarterly Student Leadership & Learning newsletters? Subscribe at www.acsi.org/subscribe
The Student Leadership & Learning Podcast aims to help create enriching experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's VP of Educational Resources & Student Programs.
The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts
 

Grafted Together Ep 40: Parental Engagement to Spiritual Formation, with Toyin Atolagbe

What would happen if our desire for more parental involvement extended beyond the child's academics to something of greater worth? Dr. Toyin Atolagbe shares how parental engagement shapes spiritual formation.
Dr. Toyin Atolagbe serves as Executive Director of Great Hearts Christos, a private Christian classical school with campuses in Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona. Previously, she led Archway Lincoln Classical Academy as Headmaster and was a founding faculty member at Archway Arete Classical Academy and Archway Trivium Classical Academy, all Great Hearts Academies. She is also the co-founder of Agape International School in Ilorin, Nigeria, which offers free classical education to underserved communities. She is the founder of Lighthouse Parenting Hub, a partnership that equips parents through public speaking, training, coaching, and curated resources to foster flourishing families. Dr. Atolagbe earned her Doctor of Education from Grand Canyon University, a Master of Education from the University of Lethbridge, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Ilorin.
Digital Resources:
Dr. Atolagbe's email: Toyin@lighthouseparentinghub.com  
Website: www.lighthouseparentinghub.com 
Instagram: lighthouseparentinghub 

Aha Leader Series Ep 5: Neglecting Middle Leaders (Flourishing Journey Podcast)

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to recognize the crucial role that middle leaders serve as the "bridge" between upper-level leadership and staff.
The Flourishing Journey podcast explores strategies for building a thriving school culture through research and practical application. The show is hosted by Dr. Edward Bunn, ACSI's Director of Professional Development.
The ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts