The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

• S5 E14: Creating Freedom in Education: How a Pod Can Change Everything

  Episode Summary: In this powerful and timely episode, Suzanne sits down with two moms who have lived what so many parents are only beginning to consider: you can change your child's educational story — and it doesn't have to be complicated. Today's guests, Lauren Tatum and Brandy Hansen, both stepped out of traditional education pathways to create thriving, faith-filled homeschool pods for their children and communities. From fear and overwhelm to clarity and confidence, their journeys reveal what is possible when parents refuse to believe the cultural lie that there is only one way to educate kids. This conversation explores the cultural pressure surrounding education, the rise of therapeutic and agenda-driven classrooms, and why more families every year are discovering freedom through pods, microschools, hybrid models, and custom learning environments. Suzanne also introduces The Pod Packet, a practical, step-by-step resource created to help parents launch their own simple-but-powerful pod—without needing to build a full school or reinvent the wheel. Whether you're curious, cautious, overwhelmed, or ready to take action, this episode will give you vision, options, and encouragement for the educational future of your family. Episode Highlights: ✔️ Lauren & Brandy's personal journeys into alternative education ✔️ Public, private, homeschool — and why they chose something different ✔️ The cultural lies that pressure parents into traditional schooling ✔️ Why pods work — and how simple they can be ✔️ The story behind The Pod Packet and how it equips families ✔️ How to structure a pod, build rhythms, and set expectations ✔️ Real results: confidence, community, joy ✔️ How pods grow into hybrids, microschools, or academies ✔️ Encouragement for parents feeling the nudge to make a change 🎧 Listen Now: [Insert Podcast Link] Featured Resource: The Pod Packet A practical, step-by-step guide to help families create a simple, effective homeschool pod rooted in vision, community, and clarity. Perfect for: parents teachers churches entrepreneurs hybrid or microschool starters 👉 Learn More → www.beaconparent.com/podpacket 👉 Instagram → @thepodpacket Call-to-Actions (CTAs): 📲 Connect with Today's Guests: @thepodpacket www.beaconparent.com/podpacket 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent: Instagram: @suzannephillips_ Instagram: @beacon_parent Website: www.beaconparent.com 📚 Beacon Parent Free Resource Hub: Tools for discipleship, identity, parenting, culture conversations & more. 👉 Download free resources → www.beaconparent.com/thehub ✨ Parent Club (Monthly Membership): Foundational discipleship, community, teaching, and support for parents. 👉 Join the club → www.beaconparent.com/parentclub 🏫 Considering Alternative Education? Explore The Pod Packet — your first step toward building a meaningful, small-scale educational community. 👉 Get the packet → www.beaconparent.com/podpacket Identity Truth for the Family: You don't have to choose what culture tells you is "normal." Parents have God-given authority, creativity, and freedom to shape an environment where their children can grow in truth, purpose, and joy. Closing CTA: Parents — you have more options than ever, and more influence than you know. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another family exploring educational alternatives or seeking clarity for next year. 🎧 Listen Now →

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• S5 E13: Affirming Girls, Building Secure Women

  Episode Summary: In this heartfelt and deeply practical episode, Suzanne Phillips sits down with Jonathan Pitts—author, speaker, ministry executive, father of five, and President of For Girls Like You, a ministry serving tween girls and their parents. Jonathan has spent nearly two decades in Christian leadership, including serving as Executive Director of Dr. Tony Evans' ministry (The Urban Alternative), managing recording artist Anthony Evans, Jr., and now serving in pastoral leadership at Church of the City in Franklin, TN. As a father of four daughters and a newly welcomed baby boy, Jonathan brings real-life wisdom, raw honesty, and a deeply redemptive story following the loss of his late wife, Wynter Pitts. This episode is essential for any parent raising girls in a culture that is rapidly shifting and increasingly confusing. From identity and confidence to cultural pressures and discipleship at home, Jonathan offers encouragement, clarity, and tools to help parents raise secure daughters who stand firm in truth. Episode Highlights: ✔️ Why Pop Culture Parenting is dangerous—especially for girls ✔️ The rise of cultural insecurity, comparison, and identity distortion ✔️ Why For Girls Like You focuses on tweens — and how it helps parents ✔️ The father–daughter dynamic and how dads impact girls' identity ✔️ Raising a boy now — what's different, what's the same ✔️ Encouragement for parents raising girls who need grounding in truth Featured Resource: For Girls Like You A Christ-centered ministry equipping parents of tween girls with resources that build identity, confidence, and discipleship at home. 👉 Website → www.forgirlslikeyou.com 👉 Instagram → @forgirlslikeyou 👉 Jonathan's Instagram → @pittsjr26 👉 Books → She Is Yours & My Wynter Season 💸 Use Code: BEACON20 for 20% off Call-to-Actions (CTAs): 📲 Connect with Jonathan Pitts: Instagram (Personal): @pittsjr26 Ministry: @forgirlslikeyou Website: www.forgirlslikeyou.com 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent: Instagram: @suzannephillips_ Instagram: @beacon_parent Website: www.beaconparent.com 📚 Beacon Parent Free Resource Hub: Your place for discipleship tools, identity-building worksheets, and family formation resources. 👉 Download resources →   ✨ Parent Club (Monthly Membership): Ongoing discipleship, teaching, support, and community for moms & dads. 👉 Join now →     📥 Thinking About Homeschooling or Hybrid Learning? The Pod Packet walks you step-by-step through creating your own homeschool pod. 👉 Get The Pod Packet → www.beaconparent.com/podpacket Identity Truth for the Family: Girls become secure when they hear truth from the people they trust most. Parents who affirm identity before culture tries to distort it lay foundations for strong, confident, Christ-centered women. Closing CTA: Parents, your voice matters. Your presence matters. The world is loud — but truth is louder when it's lived out in your home. If this episode encouraged you or gave you language for raising girls in today's culture, share it with a friend, your small group, or another parent who needs this hope. 🎧 Listen Now →

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• S5 E12: Education Beyond a Degree

  Episode Summary: In today's episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, Suzanne Phillips sits down with Andrew Chambers, the Head of Campus Life at Excel College, one of the most innovative and biblically grounded higher education models in the country. With many parents questioning traditional college pathways — rising costs, secular influence, lack of discipleship, cultural pressure — this conversation opens the door to a revolutionary alternative designed to help students become wise, mature, productive adults who live purposeful and fulfilling lives. Andrew shares how Excel College is rethinking higher education by prioritizing mentorship, community, real-world skills, spiritual formation, and integrated learning — all through a distinctly Christian worldview. Whether your child plans to attend college or pursue another path, this episode will inspire and equip you to think differently about what higher education can look like. Episode Highlights: ✔️ How Excel College is redefining Christian higher education ✔️ Why so many families are rethinking traditional college pathways ✔️ The hesitations many parents have — and the truths that ease those fears ✔️ Why a biblical worldview is essential in higher education today ✔️ How parents can guide teens through major decisions with confidence ✔️ A hopeful vision for raising the next generation of kingdom leaders 🎧 Listen Now Featured Resource: Excel College An innovative, Christ-centered college dedicated to forming wise, mature, purposeful adults through community, mentorship, and integrated education. 👉 Website → theexcelcollege.com 👉 Instagram → @theexcelcollege 👉 Facebook → facebook.com/theexcelcollege 👉 X (Twitter) → x.com/TheExcelCollege     Call-to-Actions (CTAs): 📲 Connect with Excel College: Instagram: @theexcelcollege Website: theexcelcollege.com 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent: Instagram: @suzannephillips_ Instagram: @beacon_parent Website: www.beaconparent.com 📚 Beacon Parent Resource Hub: Free tools for discipleship, identity formation, family culture, and parenting with biblical wisdom. 👉 Download free resources → https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/7dFPbYXY/checkout/ ✨ Join the Parent Club (Monthly Membership): Parenting support, community, teaching, coaching, and discipleship for moms and dads who want to lead with confidence and without the overwhelm. 👉 Join now → https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/mLSFLoXT/checkout/ 📥 Starting a Homeschool Pod? The Pod Packet is a step-by-step guide to help you build, launch, and lead your own alternative education option with confidence and clarity. 👉 Download The Pod Packet → www.beaconparent.com/podpacket Identity Truth for the Family: Education is more than academics — it's discipleship. Parents who guide their children with wisdom, truth, and courage prepare them to walk in purpose, freedom, and maturity. Closing CTA: Parents, you don't have to settle for the cultural default. Higher education can be purposeful, biblical, personal, and transformative. Explore, ask questions, and lead with confidence as you help your children discern their next steps. If this episode gave you insight or opened your eyes to new possibilities, share it with another parent, pastor, or teen who's navigating the college conversation.

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• S5 E11: Raising Leaders: Innovative Education

  Episode Summary: In this energizing and visionary episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, Suzanne Phillips is joined by Justin MacDonald, award-winning educator, coach, entrepreneur, global executive, and founder of The Academy at District Church. Justin brings a bold, fresh perspective on what education could be — and what's possible when the Church, families, and innovative thinkers reclaim learning for the next generation With a model that blends individualized learning, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and Christ-centered formation, The Academy is proving that children thrive when they are known, challenged, equipped, and expected to lead. Parents, pastors, educators, innovators — this conversation will inspire you, stretch your imagination, and call you to action. The education system may be broken, but solutions already exist — and Justin is living out one of the most compelling models today. Episode Highlights: ✔️ The story of how a local church stepped out to lead and provide solutions for education in its community. ✔️ Why the next generation of leaders must be trained with a biblical worldview and an entrepreneurial spirit. ✔️ How students learn through 6-week sprints, real projects, and leadership ✔️ Why pastors and parents must reclaim education as discipleship ✔️ Encouragement for parents who feel powerless in today's educational climate 🎧 Listen Now!   Featured Resource: The Academy at District Church A bold, Christ-centered K–12 leadership academy helping raise confident, joyful, purpose-driven students. 🔗 Visit → www.districtchristianacademy.com 🔗 Follow → @theacademyatdistrict Call-to-Actions (CTAs): 📲 Follow Justin MacDonald & The Academy at District Church: • Instagram:   / jmacleads     / theacademyatdistrict  • Website: https://www.theacademyatdistrict.com/   📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent: •   / suzannephillips_  •   / beacon_parent  • Website: https://www.beaconparent.com   📚 Free Resource Hub: Download guides, conversation starters, and digital wellness tools → The Hub: https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/7dFPbYXY/checkout/   ✨ Join the Parent Club (Monthly Membership): Access Christ-centered coaching, community, and exclusive resources for parents → The Parent Club: https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/7dFPbYXY/checkout/   📥 Thinking About Homeschooling or Hybrid Models? Download The Pod Packet—a complete guide to starting and managing your own homeschool pod with confidence → https://www.beaconparent.com/podpacket/ Identity Truth for the Family: "Leaders aren't born—they're discipled." Families who build a culture of responsibility, curiosity, and biblical identity prepare children to lead with wisdom and courage. Closing CTA: Parents, pastors, and leaders — the future belongs to those willing to build it. Education is not neutral. It's discipleship. If this episode gave you vision or stirred something in you, share it with a pastor, parent, or educator who needs to hear what's possible.

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• S5 E10: Vertical Parenting

  Episode Summary: In this heartfelt and wisdom-filled episode, Suzanne Phillips sits down with her own pastor, Chuck Ramsey, Lead Pastor of Restoration Church, for a conversation on building strong families through biblical parenting and discipleship. As a father of seven and grandfather of five, Pastor Chuck shares both personal and pastoral insights on what it means to raise children with a "vertical" mindset—anchored in God's Word, guided by His Spirit, and grounded in eternal truth. Together, they discuss the power of a Vertical Church, how its principles build strong families at home, and why now more than ever parents must return to Scripture as their foundation for leadership and love. Whether you're raising little ones or leading grown children, this episode will refresh your faith and refocus your parenting around the One who holds it all together. Episode Highlights: ✔️ What it means to build and lead a Vertical Church ✔️ How the same principles of a vertical church apply to parenting at home ✔️ The 5 pillars that strengthen families and churches alike ✔️ Why parents must root their family life in Scripture—not social media trends ✔️ The importance of discipleship and honoring spiritual fathers and mothers ✔️ Why prayer, community, and men's ministry are vital in today's culture ✔️ How Restoration Church's growth reflects God's hand and healthy leadership ✔️ Encouragement for parents who want to raise their children to follow Christ ✔️ A powerful prayer Pastor Chuck prayed over his children growing up   📖 Featured Resource: Restoration Church Discover the heart behind a Vertical Church—one built on truth, prayer, and discipleship that leads people to Jesus. 👉 Visit: www.restorationchurch.faith 👉 Follow: @restorationchurch.faith   📣 Call-to-Actions (CTAs): 📲 Follow Pastor Chuck Ramsey & Restoration Church: Instagram: @restorationchurch.faith Website: www.restorationchurch.faith 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent: @suzannephillips_ @beacon_parent Website: www.beaconparent.com 📚 Free Resource Hub: Download guides, conversation starters, and digital wellness tools →  The Hub ✨ Join the Parent Club (Monthly Membership): Access Christ-centered coaching, community, and exclusive resources for parents → The Parent Club 📥 Thinking About Homeschooling or Hybrid Models? Download The Pod Packet—a complete guide to starting and managing your own homeschool pod with confidence → www.beaconparent.com/podpacket 📖 Identity Truth for the Family: ✅ Families who look vertically to God find peace, purpose, and power to lead with conviction. ✅ A vertical home reflects a vertical heart—rooted in prayer and truth, producing legacy and fruit. 🔔 Closing Call-to-Action (CTA): Culture changes, but God's design for family does not. Parents, you are called to lead from the Word—not the world. Build vertically, lead intentionally, and pray fervently over your children. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, share it with another parent, small group, or pastor who's passionate about raising strong families in faith.

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