The manger is quieter than our calendars, and that’s the point. We sit with Dr. Ben Porter to explore how the Nativity’s simplicity, an ordinary place, a young family, and the presence of God, can reset our pace, heal our hurry, and restore what matters most. Instead of chasing perfection, we trace a gentler path toward presence, where spiritual gr…

Love that only lives in feelings fades fast. Love that takes action changes homes, classrooms, churches, and neighborhoods. In this Advent conversation, we sit down with Cliff Evans, high school Bible teacher and pastor, to map a clear, practical path from affection to action and from good intentions to habits that actually serve people. We start w…

Joy that survives sorrow is not a mood; it’s the steady life of Christ in us. We open our Advent series episode on Joy by tracing where joy comes from, why it holds when happiness fails, and how ordinary people can practice rejoicing without faking smiles or denying pain. Our guest, Joey Caldwell, a high school Bible teacher at Ben Lippen, shares a…

Peace isn’t the same as quiet. Together with high school Bible teacher Nathan Aylestock, we unpack why Scripture’s vision of shalom is more than a calm moment; it’s restored relationship with God that reshapes our inner world and our everyday conflicts. From Genesis 3:15 to Isaiah 9:6 and John 14:27, we trace the promise of a Prince of Peace who br…

In this episode, we sat down with Dale Angstadt, longtime Ben Lippen teacher, husband, and honest disciple of the Word, to trace the true meaning of biblical hope. Mr. Angstadt names hope as a chosen trust in God’s character, not a thin optimism, and walks us through the tangible ways God meets us in the waiting: Abraham’s dust and stars, Mary’s si…

A mountain of trust, a school reborn, and a community knit together by generosity—this conversation with Kelly Davis, Ben Lippen’s development director, uncovers how giving has guided the school from its Asheville roots to a thriving, multi-campus community in Columbia. We revisit the origin story, from summer conferences to a boarding school, the …

Parenting gets harder when life does too—divorce, grief, tech overload, and the daily strain can leave even steady homes frayed. We sat down with Dr. Seth Scott to unpack a different path: lead with grace, lean on community, and parent the whole child—body, mind, relationships, and spirit. Rather than trying to be the sole fixer, we focus on buildi…

What if the thing making parenting feel impossible isn’t you, but the way our world flips risk and connection on their heads? We sit down with Dr. Seth Scott—counselor educator, assistant dean, and dad—to unpack why raising kids in today’s culture can feel like sprinting uphill with a phone in each hand. From earlier individuation and eroding commu…

What happens when God redirects your carefully laid plans? Dr. Bill Jones knows this redirection intimately. Once determined to serve as an overseas church planter among unreached people groups, a pivotal conversation with three seminary graduates forever changed his trajectory, leading him to Columbia International University and an unexpected lea…

Ever wondered how faith holds up when life throws its worst at you? Joe Polek's story might just give you the answer you're seeking. When Joe and his family relocated to Columbia in 2012 for a Christian radio position, they couldn't have anticipated the journey ahead. What began as a simple school choice for their daughters evolved into a profound …

What happens when a lifetime of theological wisdom gets transmitted from one generation to the next? Mark Ross and Emily Woodard's podcast "I Ask My Dad" offers a compelling answer—and a model for families seeking deeper spiritual connections. The father-daughter duo never intended to create a podcast. As Emily explains, friends had long suggested …

What happens when your identity is shaken to its foundation? Taylor Nelson, Director of Fine Arts at Ben Lippen School, takes us on an intimate journey through the defining moments that shaped his understanding of art, faith, and purpose. As Taylor shares stories from his six years at Ben Lippen and his previous teaching experience in Charlotte, we…

Unlocking the mystery of dyslexia and revealing the transformative power of specialized instruction, this episode takes listeners deep into the world of neurodiversity through the lens of Ben Lippen School's innovative program, The Ridge. Mrs. Sarah Beth Helsley and Mrs. Sara Smithson, experts in Orton-Gillingham methodology, break down the complex…

Dr. Ben Mathew returns to conclude our five-part series on racial reconciliation with a powerful synthesis of biblical teaching and practical wisdom. Rather than diving into political talking points, we ground our conversation in scripture's grand narrative—from creation to revelation—exploring how God's design for a diverse human family unfolds. T…

Unlock the profound connection between biblical identity and racial reality in our latest episode with Dr. Ben Mathew from Columbia International University. Join us as we explore how prioritizing our faith can help us transcend biases and foster unity within the Ben Lippin School community. Dr. Mathew guides us through the complexities of maintain…

Discover how the cross shapes our understanding of race and reconciliation with Dr. Ben Mathew on the Ben Lippen Podcast. Join us as we explore the profound themes of creation, fall, cross, redemption, and glory, focusing on the central role of the cross in God's grand narrative. Dr. Mathew offers fresh insights from Revelation 5, illuminating the …

Dr. Ben Mathew from Columbia International University joins us to explore the intricate relationship between the gospel and racial discussions, guided by a reflective heart posture. Discover how good theology serves as a vital foundation for addressing race through a biblical perspective, using the rich framework of creation, fall, cross, redemptio…

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Ben Mathew, a respected figure in counseling and theology, as we navigate the complex intersection of The Gospel and race at Ben Lippen School. Discover how Dr. Mathew’s multicultural upbringing shapes his unique approach to these sensitive discussions, emphasizing the critical role of heart posture …

Discover how to navigate the complexities of modern parenting as we wrap up our enlightening series with Chris McKenna from Protect Young Eyes. Chris joins us to equip parents with the tools needed to create tech-savvy homes in a digital world that’s evolving at lightning speed. We promise that by the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer unde…

Can social media be a spiritual stumbling block for children? Chris McKenna from Protect Young Eyes joins us to tackle this thought-provoking question, offering a perspective through a biblical lens. We explore the potential spiritual and emotional challenges posed by social media, urging Christian parents to be vigilant about the dark influences t…

Discover the pressing digital challenges faced by today's families with Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, as he shares his personal journey as a father in the digital age on the Ben Lippen Podcast. Gain invaluable insights into the alarming rise of deepfake technology and the pervasive threat of sextortion, both of which are rapidly imp…

Are you curious about how to armor your home against the digital dangers lurking in the Wi-Fi shadows? Join us as we unravel the secrets of safeguarding your family with Chris McKenna from Protect Young Eyes. Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes and a repeat guest expert in digital safety, shares his wisdom on the essential layers required …

Discover the transformative strategies for balancing faith and technology in your home as we chat with Chris McKenna, the visionary behind Protect Young Eyes. Chris shares his compelling journey from a business consultant to a leading advocate for safe technology use among children. Through a fascinating analogy, he compares technology to "junk foo…

We are excited to announce the debut of the Ben Lippen podcast with our host, Mrs. Erin Kay, High School Counselor. Our new podcast format offers the perfect way to access crucial parent education anytime and anywhere, allowing you to revisit these vital discussions as your parenting journey develops. Whether you're dealing with the immediate deman…