The Griffin Rundown

In the final Griffin Rundown of the school year, Mr. Nees sits down with seniors Max McCort and Grace Ochenjele for a thoughtful and reflective conversation. As the first-ever graduating class of HCA, Max and Grace share what it has been like to help shape the school’s early years. They also discuss their Senior Thesis projects and talk about where they are headed after graduation.

This week on the podcast, Mr. Nees sits down with Elizabeth Joyce, Director of Advancement, and Rick Eimers, Senior Development Officer, to talk all about this year’s Giving Day. They share what makes this year’s effort especially meaningful, as all funds raised will support the Annual Fund, which helps provide student scholarships and teacher benefits beyond the standard budget. Listeners will le...

On this week’s episode, Mr. Nees is joined by historian Dr. Jason Edwards, professor at Grove City College, and HCA Upper School teacher Mr. Weiland for a timely and thoughtful conversation. Together, they reflect on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, exploring the enduring relationship between faith and freedom and asking a key question: What role does education play in shaping...

This week, we’re excited to introduce Sarah Klein, the theater director behind HCA’s growing theater program. Sarah shares her vision for theater at HCA, what makes the program such a meaningful experience for students, and how creativity, confidence, and collaboration come to life on stage. Join us as we explore how the arts are flourishing at HCA—and what’s ahead for students passionate about pe...

Welcome back to The Griffin Rundown . We hope everyone enjoyed a joyful and restful Easter break. In this episode, we’re back with key announcements and important reminders to help you stay informed as we move into the coming weeks—followed, as always, by our much‑anticipated Joke of the Week.

Welcome back to The Griffin Rundown . We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and refreshing spring break. In this episode, we return with important announcements to keep you informed and up to date, followed by our much‑anticipated Joke of the Week.

In this episode Mr. Nees sits down with Rick Eimers and Katie Anne Mann to share the heart behind HCA’s Rhetoric School Mentoring Program. Together they discuss how mentoring strengthens the partnership between teachers and parents, helping reach the heart of each student with the truth of God’s Word. Grounded in John 20:31, the conversation highlights the program’s aim to point students to Christ...

In this week’s episode, we are pleased to feature a local ministry highlight: Emmaus Theological Seminary. Mr. Nees sits down with Rev. Cory Wilson PhD, President and Co‑Founder, for a thoughtful conversation about the origins of Emmaus, the vision behind its founding, and why this ministry plays a vital role in Northeast Ohio today. They also discuss who can benefit most from attending the semina...

In this special edition of The Griffin Rundown , we honor the remarkable educators who faithfully serve our school community every day. In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are pleased to share heartfelt words of gratitude from our families and students. Through their messages, we reflect on the profound impact our teachers make—both in and beyond the classroom. Join us as we celebrate...

In this week’s episode, Mr. Nees and Mr. Bond discuss The Wolf in Their Pockets by Chris Martin, a timely exploration of how social media shapes the way we think, feel, and understand ourselves. Their conversation highlights how entertainment and identity have become increasingly intertwined in the digital age—and how the distortion of human purpose often follows when we give our attention to the...

This week on The Griffin Rundown , Associate Head of School Daniel Bond and Pastor Jason Piland join Mr. Nees for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation on family devotions. Together, they explore Deuteronomy 6 and the father’s role in pointing children to who God is. The discussion highlights practical ways families can cultivate rhythms of discipleship—including prayer, Scripture, and singing...

We are excited to welcome author, speaker, and pastor Tim Challies to the podcast! He joins Mr. Nees for a thoughtful conversation about wisely managing and shepherding our lives in a tech‑driven age. He will be speaking at Heritage on February 26 on this topic. Mr. Challies also shares several helpful resources for families navigating the digital world. Plus, we have got the latest news from arou...

This week on The Griffin Rundown , we are taking a short pause from new interviews and bringing you a Griffin Rundown Rewind! It’s the perfect time to revisit an episode you loved or catch up on one you may have missed. Our archive is full of great conversations, insights, and stories—so dive back in and enjoy a favorite moment or discover something new. We’ll return next week with a brand‑new int...

In this episode of The Griffin Rundown , Mr. Nees sits down with Nolan Grame, Academic Dean and Humanities teacher, for a rich conversation about the purpose and power of a great classics education. Together, they explore the philosophy and theology that shape our classical approach to education—why the Great Books endure, how they form the imagination, and what makes them so essential in shaping...

In this episode, we sit down with Peninsula teacher Beth Smith and continue t to explore a question at the heart of classical education: Why do we read the great works? Drawing from her years of experience at HCA, Beth unpacks how timeless literature shapes students’ imaginations, forms their moral reasoning, and helps them see the world with clarity and compassion. Whether you're a parent, educat...

In this episode of The Griffin Rundown , Mr. Nees welcomes special guest Mr. Jim Parkin to dive into some of the great books that students read in the Upper School at Heritage. These works are shining examples of the classical Christian education that all Heritage students receive—cultivating lifelong learners who think and live for Christ. Along the way, we’ll also share important announcements a...

In this week’s episode, we ease back into the new year and share updates on what’s happening around campus. Join us for a quick check-in as we prepare for an exciting season ahead. We’ll return next Tuesday with our full content lineup and a brand-new interview you won’t want to miss!

In this week’s Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees welcomes Sandy Trado, a seasoned CPA and proud HCA grandparent, for an engaging and informative conversation about the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Together, they delve into the purpose and impact of the SGO, explaining how this program transforms state tax dollars into meaningful scholarships for HCA students. Sandy shares practical insights on...

In this week’s Griffin Rundown , we’re excited to introduce the newest member of our Admin Team—Mrs. Liz Fruh, our Director of Finance. Tune in to learn more about her role and what she brings to the team. Plus, we’ll share the latest news from around campus and wrap things up with Reagan’s always-entertaining Joke of the Week.

This week on the Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees sits down with Dr. Denny King, a devoted Heritage father, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Dr. King serves as an instructor at Case Western Reserve University and is the founder of Kindred Family Care. With extensive experience as a clinician, professor, counselor, researcher, author, and consultant, Dr. King is passionate a...

In this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown , we bring you a special recording from our Annual Dinner held on Friday, November 7th. Hear from Dr. Jason Valley, HCA Upper School teacher and keynote speaker for the evening, as he shares inspiring insights on the theme “Love Others.” Join us for this meaningful message that reflects the heart of our community and mission.

In this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown , Mr. Nees sits down with Jonathan Holmes, MA—author of Grounded in Grace: Helping Kids Build Their Identity in Christ and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. With over fifteen years of pastoral experience at Parkside Church and Parkside Green, Jonathan brings deep biblical insight and practical wisdom to the conversation. Together, they explo...

In this fourth installment of the Building Study Kids series, Mr. Nees sits down with Mr. Scott Hatteberg, Head of Upper School, for a conversation on guiding children through life’s challenges. Together, they explore the importance of allowing kids to struggle and learn to navigate on their own, creating teachable moments, and turning problems into opportunities for dialogue. The discussion also...

This week on The Griffin Rundown , we continue our Building Sturdy Kids series with an insightful conversation between Mr. Nees and Upper School teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Fleagle. Together, they explore practical ways to support our students both in the classroom and at home, sharing strategies, stories, and encouragement for families and educators alike. The episode also features the always-popular...

We continue our series on Building Sturdy Kids with a special conversation between Mr. Nees and Mrs. Pam Larison, Head of Lower School in Pepper Pike. Together, they explore how parents and educators can deepen their understanding of what children are truly capable of—and how to support their growth with wisdom and care. Also in this episode, Mr. Bond and Mr. Hatteberg reflect on the joy and succe...