Making The Leap
Making The Leap is a weekly podcast hosted by Christine and Chris Stigall. The Stigalls recently made the leap to Christian education, pulling their daughter out of a public school and sending her to a private Christian school. The Stigalls want to empower other families to choose the school that’s best for them and break free from the status quo. They speak with society experts, educators, legislators, psychologists, and other parents to uncover the hidden truths in education and lay the groundwork for change.
Learn more at MakingTheLeapPodcast.com. This podcast is produced by the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation.
Episodes
134 episodes
These Moms Carry A Big Political Stick
If you're a concerned parent about the state of your community's schools, odds are you've heard of Moms for Liberty. They've played a big roll in the presidential election cycle, with candidates since the primaries attempting to court their sup...
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Episode 133
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31:16
Elections, The Church, And Your Kids
With a major, national election just around the corner, the Stigalls contemplate with their pastor, Dr. Ken Parker the role of the church and its leaders' in discussing civics, voting, and education with our school-aged kids and how they do or ...
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Episode 132
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44:27
Could Your Kids Be Our Next Ambassador?
Chris and Christine have a pretty cool job at the Herzog Foundation getting to talk to you every week on this podcast. But if you know anyone headed for college or is currently enrolled in, or about to finish their college education - you shoul...
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Episode 131
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43:00
Does Your Child's School Make The Grade?
We bring back a familiar voice to Making the Leap this week. Ginny Gentles - a senior fellow at Independent Women's Forum - has now joined with a fairly new D.C. based organization called the Defense of Freedom Institute where she serves as the...
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Episode 130
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26:55
How One Christian School Literally Rose From The Ashes
Sometimes we hear churches find reasons why opening their doors to Christian schools or homeschool programs doesn't work for them. We've never heard of a church totally destroyed, only for the leadership to declare - "We must rebuild, and this ...
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Episode 129
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29:11
Creating A Pod School - One Year Later
Join Chris and Christine this week as they talk with Joelle Fortin and Kelly Lyman, a dynamic pair of moms who have been working to create a pod school in southeast Pennsylvania. Joelle and Kelly share their experiences, success and strategies ...
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Episode 128
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42:20
Christian Media Is Booming!
While there's never been a bigger selection and menu of Christian media options today, there's also never been a more aggressive push to silence those products. That's why the National Religious Broadcasters exist as an organization - to advoca...
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Episode 127
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27:04
Surprise Episode with Special Guest SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS
The 47th Governor of Arkansas drops by to discuss how she championed school choice in her state. Don't miss it!
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14:47
Homeschool Or Christian School - Part 2
Last week, Christine joined Emilie Lunt of "Heart and Soul Homeschool" to discuss the pioneering work of Bitterroot Heritage Academy. This week, the conversation continues as the Stigalls explore how a highly degreed professional educator and c...
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Season 2
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Episode 126
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35:28
Homeschool Or Christian School - Make It Kingdom Focused
In a Herzog Podcast Network first, Christine Stigall of "Making the Leap" and Emilie Lunt of "Heart and Soul Homeschool" join forces for an important conversation for believers, no matter how you choose to educate your kids. The ladies di...
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Season 2
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Episode 125
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33:26
The Best In Christian Education - Part 3
In part three of this three-part series, the Stigalls interview this year's recipients of the 2024 Excellence In Christian Education Awards. Hear why these exemplary teachers from all over the country have been nominated and ultimately ch...
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Season 2
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Episode 124
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42:25
The Best In Christian Education - Part 2
In part two of this three-part series, the Stigalls interview this year's recipients of the 2024 Excellence In Christian Education Awards. Hear why these exemplary teachers from all over the country have been nominated and ultimately chos...
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Season 2
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Episode 123
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39:28
The Best In Christian Education - Part 1
In part one of this three-part series, the Stigalls interview this year's recipients of the 2024 Excellence In Christian Education Awards. Hear why these exemplary teachers from all over the country have been nominated and ultimately chosen by ...
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Season 2
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Episode 122
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40:22
Fighting For Family
If you're a parent, it's no secret the secular world is working overtime to drive a wedge in between you and members of your family. Chris and Julie Bennett have one of the most extraordinary stories of trying to listen and follow God's will fo...
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Season 2
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Episode 121
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45:07
Christian School Conquers Student Anxiety
What can Christian school do for a child struggling with mental health challenges? Meet Janie Wilson - a young woman who convinced her parents before entering kindergarten she knew she needed Christian school. But it was not without...
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Season 2
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Episode 120
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36:44
2023 Christian Teachers Of The Year - Where Are They Now?
Christine sits down with five recipients from last year's Teacher of the Year class to discuss where they are now twelve months after their honor and how their lives have changed since winning. Their stories continue to inspire, but also demons...
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Season 2
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Episode 119
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1:13:32
When Tragedy Strikes, Who Tells Your Kids?
The news of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump last Saturday got the Stigalls thinking about the different national tragedies that have befallen the United States over the years and who are our kids spending time with when they happen?...
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Season 2
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Episode 118
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40:09
Embrace Change If Your School Isn't Getting Through To Your Kids
Dr. Allison Lassiter is one of the more interesting examples of someone whose life in education is one full of change. She's a community college professor who also homeschools but has also placed some of her kids in a classical Christian school...
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Season 2
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Episode 117
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43:28
Taking The Reigns Of Administration At A Young Age
Chris and Christine sit down with Jonathan Houpe and Nia Thompson Campbell, administrators of Harvest Christian School in Kansas City, Missouri. Jonathan and Nia discuss taking over leadership roles at an early age, as well as the trials and tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 116
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31:19
This Family Shatters One-Size Fits All Education
We've never met a couple with a background quite like the Oettels. In one conversation, you'll hear how a young couple became public school teachers - while first home-schooling their kids. They then started their own classical Christian school...
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Season 2
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Episode 115
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42:22
Former Disney Star Sets A New Course For Kids TV
We hope you enjoyed the previous episode featuring the Stigalls on the set of Brave Books new children's TV show "Adventures with Iggy and Mr. Kirk." In this part-two episode you'll hear from another star of the show. She's a familiar name to m...
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Season 2
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Episode 114
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23:01
Live On Set! An Exclusive Conversation with Kirk Cameron
The Stigalls head to College Station, Texas to get a behind-the-scenes tour of Brave Books' new children's TV show hosted by Kirk Cameron. In part one of this two-part episode, you'll join the Stigalls on set for a one-on-one with the star of "...
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Season 2
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Episode 113
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18:36
Digital Technology: Your Child's Friend Or Enemy?
Here's a topic we've never tackled on the show. Can Christians, specifically Christian schools lean into rapidly developing technology like A.I. or is it a dangerous place that runs counter to Biblical teaching? Dr. Seann Dikkers is both a Chri...
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Season 2
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Episode 112
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30:01
Answering Life's Biggest Questions For Kids
What if your child asked "What is truth?" or "What does it mean to be human?" Those are deep questions and Elizabeth Urbanowicz - the founder of FoundationWorldview.com and host of "The Foundation Worldview" podcast says the answer is in her ap...
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Season 2
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Episode 111
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37:25
Slaying Government. Winning School Choice.
Bob Vander Plaats is perhaps the state of Iowa's biggest political "influencer." As the President and CEO of The Family Leader, Bob is known as a cultural force for strengthening families and encouraging churches to get involved in govern...
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Season 2
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Episode 110
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27:11