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

Jan 23, 2026

10 min

Spiritual Formation is the Foundation of Student Leadership and Engaged Learning. Emily Pigott shares encouragement on being a Christlike example in the classroom, because when it comes to worldview formation, learning is never neutral.
Watch this episode on YouTube!
--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.

Jan 22, 2026

51 min

Jerry Nelson and Stephen Deck discuss a biblical view of accreditation. 
For more on accreditation, visit https://www.acsi.org/accreditation-certification/accreditation-for-schools
Stephen Deck, Ed.S. serves as the Vice President of Education Standards for the Association of Christian Schools International, overseeing ACSI’s accreditation and credentialing teams. During his time at ACSI, Stephen has chaired numerous accreditation visits, served as the liaison between ACSI and partner accrediting agencies, and played a pivotal role in the revision of ACSI’s accreditation protocol. Prior to his time at ACSI, Stephen taught in an ACSI Accredited school. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, a Master of Arts degree in Ministry, a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. He lives in Kansas with his wife and 10 children.
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

Jan 19, 2026

51 min

Jerry Nelson and Dr. Page Curlee share research on recruiting and retaining a more diverse staff in Christian schools, drawing from Dr. Curlee's experience overseas.
Digital Resources:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/page.curlee/ 
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pagecurlee/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/page-curlee-edd-562294157/ 
Dr. Page Curlee is an educator and ministry leader passionate about fostering biblical unity and cultural humility in Christian communities. She recently earned her EdD in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where her research focused on the shared lived experiences of teachers who identify as Black and/or African American and work in predominantly white Christian schools. With experience as a teacher, missionary, and diversity advocate, Page brings a heart for helping Christian educators and leaders cultivate communities of belonging through unity, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding. 
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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

Jan 15, 2026

49 min

Philip Scott, ACSI VP for Legal Affairs, discusses how what civil discourse should look like for Christians today, and how to properly view our involvement and responsibility to our immediate and larger community.
Philip Scott’s background is a blend of education, religion, and law. He has taught middle and high school students U.S. Government and Civics in Christian schools.  Most recently he has been a lecturer in undergraduate and graduate programs teaching on ethics, nonprofit law, and education law.  Philip has been with ACSI since 2011.  He currently serves as Vice President for Legal Affairs. He and his wife, Heather, met in the 5th grade while attending a small Christian school in central Virginia. Philip and Heather have three children.
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

Jan 9, 2026

9 min

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss how to recognize when our mission begins to drift and explore strategies for helping our teams stay aligned with the school’s Christ-centered mission.
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

Jan 2, 2026

15 min

Simon Jeynes, Co-Founder of Christian School Management, discusses cultural shifts in and around Christian education, and more.
Watch this episode on YouTube!--The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine-style format.

Dec 17, 2025

59 min

Douglas Campbell hosts an episode with three major contributors to ACSI's Spiritual Formation Network meetings: Laurie LaFon, Sean Englert, and Sam Farinacci.
HOST BIOS:
Laurie LaFon received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and has been part of the Lucas Christian Academy community for over 22 years, with three of her four children graduating from LCA. Before becoming Director of Student Life eight years ago, she served in many volunteer roles and has spent more than 15 years in youth ministry. Laurie oversees the spiritual formation of students in grades 7–12 through chapel, retreats, small group discipleship, and leadership development programs such as student council and cross-grade mentoring. She also coordinates many of the fun events that shape student life throughout the year. Laurie’s greatest joy is seeing students grow in their relationship with the Lord, discover their God-given gifts, and step confidently into the next season of life—passionate about pursuing Jesus, loving Him deeply, and loving others well. Digital Resources: Https://lucasca.com/   -- https://www.instagram.com/lcawarriorssl/ 
Sean Englert serves as the Interim Co-Head of School and Director of Spiritual Life at Northlake Christian School in Covington, Louisiana. He is passionate about seeing communities flourish as God’s people love and serve their neighbors. Believing that Christian education is a powerful means of equipping the next generation for this calling, he is committed to advancing God’s kingdom by faithfully stewarding that opportunity. Digital Resources: northlakechristian.org, FB - @Northlake Christian School, IG - @ncscovington 
Samantha (Sam) Farinacci received her bachelor's degree in English at California Lutheran University and her master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.  She loves her job at Oaks Christian Online School where she develops online spiritual formation and Christian education for 6-12th grade students and provides online chaplaincy care for the faculty and staff.  She has been at OC Online since the program's genesis in 2011.  Outside of work, Sam is into her pet llamas, hiking, reading, and swimming in Bass Lake, CA near where she lives with her husband, who is a pastor. https://www.oakschristianonline.org/

Dec 12, 2025

10 min

Emily Pigott shares how to lead with presence to remind students that peace is not the absence of chaos, it's the awareness of Christ in that chaos. Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace; your stillness reflects Him.--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.

Dec 5, 2025

11 min

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss strategies for receiving and implementing healthy feedback as leaders.
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: acsi.org/podcasts

Nov 28, 2025

15 min

This episode features Dr. Chad McNatt, Superintendent at Seattle Christian School (WA), on the topic of apologetics and students asking tough questions. We also hear from Heath Nivens, Head of School at McKinney Christian Academy (TX) at the Catalyst Conference, and return to Asheville Christian Academy (NC) to hear about their recovery from Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Learn more about ACA and other stories at acsi.org/stories
The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine style format.
 

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