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

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.
 

Nov 21, 2025

1hr 13 min

Jerry Nelson and Dr. Jeff Lawrence talk through building spiritual formation in schools from the top down, including defining a biblical worldview and practical steps leaders can take for spiritual formation in Christian schools. 
Jeff Lawrence is the Director of Spiritual Development at Foundation Academy (FL). He is a writer, teacher, and cultural apologist passionate about helping people think deeply and live faithfully in a world that often rejects absolute truth.
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

Nov 14, 2025

21 min

This episode completes a three-part series on equipping students to make a courageous influence, with this episode focused on actionable steps to call students up to meet their potential.
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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 Student Leadership & Learning Director.
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.

Nov 7, 2025

12 min

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to ensure that we as leaders intentionally focus on our own spiritual formation.
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

Nov 5, 2025

42 min

Every school is being discipled by culture. Often, it happens subconsciously. To discuss how to engage students where Christ & culture meet, Dan Stuart joins Jerry Nelson and shares about his role as the Director of the Christian Leadership Program and Institute for Christ & Culture at The King's Academy (FL). 
Dan Stuart has a diverse teaching history from the youth group to the college classroom. During that time, his desires became clear: he wants to see students challenged through difficult questions and loved with the love of Christ. His education is in biblical studies and apologetics.--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

Oct 31, 2025

13 min

The recent Student Leadership Conference in Hungary was a major success. Hear updates on that event, from outgoing Senior Director of the International Division, Tim Shuman, and leadership advice from a head of school.
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The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine style format.

Oct 29, 2025

37 min

Jerry Nelson and Mark Senseman, Director of Business Development with Servant Solutions, discuss stewardship over finances, a biblical view of retirement, and other important topics that affect educators' lives in and out of the classroom.
Mark serves as Director of Business Development at Servant Solutions. He develops, communicates, executes, and sustains corporate strategic initiatives. He is a 1988 graduate of Anderson University with a B.S. in Business Management.
Servant Solution website https://servantsolutions.squarespace.com/employees-toolbox 
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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

Oct 24, 2025

45 min

How do we know if we're producing faithful followers of Jesus? Paris Shewey, campus pastor at King's Way Christian Schools (WA), joins the podcast to share his own story of salvation and a simple survey he uses to evaluate spiritual formation in his students.
To see the faith survey, visit here.
Paris Shewey has also served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He met Jesus in 2009 while playing baseball at Washington State University. Since then, he has carried that same work ethic, drive, and discipline into his walk with Christ and his mission to serve the next generation.--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

Oct 22, 2025

37 min

Steve Dang joins the podcast to discuss spiritual formation, how to share the gospel based on varying school contexts.
DOCS:
An example of how to tell the story of Spiritual Formation at your school here.
Spiritual Formation overview at VCS - see more here.
Leveraging Social Media as a Storytelling tool: @vcs_faith
 
Spiritual Formation links: https://qrco.de/beE6mM
Steve serves as the Chief Ministry Officer and Senior Vice President at Valley Christian Schools in San Jose, California, where he oversees spiritual formation, community engagement, advancement, and alumni relations for one of the largest K–12 Christian schools in the nation. A graduate of Valley Christian himself, Steve is passionate about helping the next generation navigate faith in a complex, post-Christian world.

Oct 17, 2025

17 min

Educators can help students understand their identity in Christ and foster genuine relationships in a digitally connected but lonely world. Learn more about equipping students to make a courageous influence, which continues a three-part series that began last episode.--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 Student Leadership & Learning Director.
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.

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