ACSI Podcasts

On this channel are ACSI’s four podcasts: Sharpening Kingdom Leaders, with President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor. Grafted Together, with Chief Ministry Officer Jerry Nelson. Student Leadership & Learning, with SLL Director Emily Pigott. The Flourishing Journey, with Director of Leadership Programs Dr. Edward Bunn. ACSI’s podcasts aim to equip Christian school educators and strengthen you in your calling to impact the next generation for Christ. On a weekly basis, you can hear interviews, stories, research, and more. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Watch these episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@associationofchristianscho4983/featured

Episodes

Feb 26, 2026

43 min

To discuss how underserved students have been transformed by Christian education, Jonathon Basurto joins the Grafted Together Podcast.
Jonathon is the Principal at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy South Campus in Tucson, AZ, the first school in the nation that is Christian, Classical, Covenantal, and Dual Language. He has been in education and educational leadership for over fifteen years. He serves at his local church, helping the teens and college students through Bible studies.
Digital resources:
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy website
Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization
Institute for Better Education Scholarships
Center for Unity 2026 Summit

Feb 24, 2026

41 min

What is the responsibility of leaders to invest in the spiritual formation of the employees they steward? Chris Loncar, ACSI's VP of Human Resources, discusses how organizations should care for their most important asset: people.
Chris Loncar is the VP of Human Resources at ACSI. He spent the first 10 years of his calling as a pastor before transitioning to the human resources field, a blend that has given him a versatile and thoughtful approach to leading the HR function of an organization. He has a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management and is a Senior Certified Professional through the Society of Human Resources Management.
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The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education.
All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These 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

Feb 23, 2026

27 min

Darin Long hosts a session on making biblical unity a goal across your entire organization, using stories from his Christian school leadership experience.
Darin Long is the Superintendent of the Christian Academy School System, serving more than 3,000 students across campuses in Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. With over 26 years in education — from teacher to principal to superintendent — Darin also serves in leadership roles with ACSI and statewide education boards.
Darin Long presentation slides: https://www.acsi.org/docs/default-source/communication---engagement/podcasts/updated-darin-long-biblical-unity-summit-slides.pdf
Click here for a document on the Biblical Unity Summit here: 

Feb 19, 2026

36 min

Deon Parker hosts a session on pursuing biblical unity with Jesus Christ as the pace setter. 
To view Deon Parker's presentation slides, view here.
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.
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
 
Click here for a document on the Biblical Unity Summit here.

Feb 13, 2026

20 min

The question isn't if culture transforms students, but how. Emily Pigott shares what it means to make classrooms a place of safety and being known for the sake of spiritual growth.--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.

Feb 12, 2026

32 min

Dr. Matt Daniels hosts a session on biblical unity and looking to Dr. King for an antidote to political hate. For more on Dr. Matt Daniels, visit here.
Click here for a document on the Biblical Unity Summit here.
Read Dr. Daniel's writing on Dr. King as an Antidote to Political Hate.
Read "Bringing Americans Together with Dr. King’s Dream" with Chaplain Barry Black and Dr. Daniels here.

Feb 6, 2026

13 min

Rachael Jones interviews Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss strategies for clear communication that lead to collaboration and clarity.
Watch this episode on YouTube!
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

Feb 5, 2026

48 min


What are common pitfalls for a spiritual life director, and how can they best care for themselves as they lead others? Greg Tonkinson has insights on this and more.
Greg Tonkinson is the Spiritual Life Director at Valley Christian Schools in Chandler, AZ, where he has served for 18 years. A Phoenix-area resident for nearly four decades, Greg is the author of Unwanted Fraternity and hosts Meliora The Podcast with the Herzog Foundation. He is also a TEDx speaker, a former NPR guest with Guy Raz, and he recently conducted a 45-minute interview with President George W. Bush. Greg holds a Master’s from Phoenix Seminary and a Doctorate from Talbot School of Theology. He and Jennifer have five children.
 
Greg's Resources:
Meliora The Podcast – focused on Christian education 
Unwanted Fraternity – a book focused on a biblical perspective on grief 

Jan 30, 2026

13 min

Dr. Michael Lindsay, keynote speaker at FSi 2026, shares how to capitalize on life's "hinge moments," the topic of his keynote presentation at FSi this month.
Also, learn how the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship could help your school, from Shanda Adams of the ACSI Children's Tuition Fund.
Finally, see how Pantego Christian Academy (TX) supports its community. ACSI loves to highlight member schools!
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The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine-style format.

Jan 29, 2026

53 min

Russ Gregg started a Christian school in Minneapolis not only for his own kids, but for his neighborhood with no access to quality Christian education. Hear his insights on how to start a school and how Christian education can transform lives in a city.
Russ Gregg (M.A. in Educational Leadership, Gordon College) has served as Head of School at Hope Academy in Minneapolis since its founding in 2000. For Spreading Hope, Russ is the Visionary President and co-Founder (alongside Dan Olson). In 1999, God inspired Russ to quit his job to help lay the groundwork for a classical Christian school for his inner-city neighbors. He and his wife Phyllis, who teaches at Hope Academy, live just four blocks from the school where they raised their 3 children who are all grown with families of their own. 
Russ serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for Classical Learning. He is a regular speaker and writer on Urban Classical Christian Education and is the author of The Mark of God and our Education Crisis (2018). 
More resources:
2.) 7 Myths - Spreading Hope Network 
3.) 8 First Steps to Launch Guide through the Herzog Foundation.
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The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education. All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These 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

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