ACSI Podcasts

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.

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.

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/

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

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/

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.

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

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

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

Dr. Chuck Fuller, Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson University, shares his transition from pastoral ministry to higher Christian education and identifies traits of "good" and "the right" types of education. Dr. Chuck Fuller serves as Director of the Honors College and Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson University. A native of Kentucky, Dr. Fuller came to AU in 2010 following thirteen years in full-time pastoral ministry. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where his primary emphasis was homiletical theology with additional studies in philosophy and systematic theology. https://andersonuniversity.edu/honors-college/

How does someone in charge of spiritual formation build a team to ensure growth continues beyond themself? Are you a spiritual formation lone ranger? Dr. David Brinkley, Director of Spiritual Life at Rosslyn Academy in Kenya, has helpful insights. David is the Director of Spiritual Life at Rosslyn Academy, a Christian international school in Nairobi serving about 700 students from over 50 nations. Previously at Rosslyn, he taught Bible to 11th–12th graders and served as Department Chair for seven years. He holds a D.Min from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and an M.Div and Th.M from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. David also serves on the pastoral team at International Christian Fellowship in Nairobi. Before moving to Kenya, he spent seventeen years in youth ministry and five years in Christian education. Digital Resources: www.rosslynacademy.org

Hear a snippet of Trevin Wax's presentation at the 2026 FSi Dallas, learn more about the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, and hear how God is working through ACSI Europe. For more on the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, visit everystudenteverystate.org and childrenstuitionfund.org

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

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. -- 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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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