The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

Episode Summary As we wrap up this season,  Suzanne Phillips brings it all home with a powerful, reflective episode centered on one foundational truth: Family is not accidental — it is designed. Throughout this season, you've heard conversations around culture, education, identity, technology, and parenting challenges. But this episode asks a deeper question: What will you actually do with what yo...

Episode Summary What if education wasn't just about academics — but about preparing children to think clearly, live responsibly, and understand the world around them? In this thought-provoking episode, Suzanne sits down with Connor Boyack, bestselling author of the Tuttle Twins series and founder of Libertas Network , to explore how education, freedom, and worldview intersect in raising the next g...

Episode Summary Marriage is the foundation of family — and parenting flows from that foundation. But what happens when that foundation is built within a blended or stepfamily? In this insightful and practical episode, Suzanne is joined by Ron Deal, one of the nation's leading experts on blended families. With decades of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and director o...

Episode Summary Parenting today can feel overwhelming. The conversations are heavier. The culture is louder. The pressure is constant. In this personal and powerful solo episode, Suzanne pauses from interviewing guests to speak directly to parents — not about what to do, but about who we are becoming. Because our doing flows from our being… And our being flows from what we believe. Drawing from ov...

Episode Summary School choice is one of the most talked-about education topics in the country right now — but many parents are still unclear about what it actually means. In this episode, Suzanne is joined by Corey DeAngelis, widely known as the "school choice evangelist," to unpack the realities behind the policies, politics, and possibilities surrounding educational freedom. Corey is a leading a...

Episode Summary For decades, the path after high school seemed obvious : graduate, go to college, get a degree. But today, families are asking better questions. In this refreshing and inspiring episode, Suzanne sits down with Jonathan Brush to explore a bold alternative to traditional college pathways. Jonathan brings nearly 25 years of experience helping young adults ask the right questions, take...

Episode Summary Sexual identity conversations are no longer rare or distant — they are happening in classrooms, friend groups, churches, youth ministries, and homes. In this deeply thoughtful and compassionate episode, Suzanne is joined by Elizabeth Woning, Co-Executive Director of the CHANGED Movement — a community of individuals who once identified as LGBTQ+ and now testify to experiencing trans...

Episode Summary Can we raise children who are deeply rooted in the Kingdom of God and grateful for the country they live in? In this important and thought-provoking episode, Suzanne sits down with Jill Simonian, Director of Outreach and co-creator of PragerU Kids. With over 20 years of experience in media, parenting commentary, and education advocacy, Jill brings clarity and courage to conversatio...

Episode Summary Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than most parents can track — and it will shape our children's future far more than it will ever shape ours. In this essential episode, Suzanne Phillips is joined by Ryan Findley — a Christian, husband, father of three, former teacher turned tech professional, and founder of Evergreen Faith. Having spent six years working in Silicon Valle...

Episode Summary Screens are not going away — but what our children consume on them matters more than ever. In this timely and encouraging episode, Suzanne Phillips sits down with Brent Dusing, founder and CEO of TruPlay, a Christian entertainment platform created by parents, for parents. Brent shares his remarkable journey from venture capital and major tech exits to building a biblically grounded...

Episode Summary Social media is no longer just a distraction — it is shaping identity, behavior, mental health, and safety for an entire generation. In this eye-opening episode, Suzanne Phillips is joined by Nicki Petrossi, a former social media executive turned national advocate for child safety online. Nicki is the founder of Scrolling 2 Death, co-founder of the Tech-Safe Learning Coalition, and...

Episode Summary This is one of the most consequential and challenging conversations ever hosted on The InFormed Parent Podcast. In this episode, Suzanne Phillips is joined by Del Bigtree — journalist, filmmaker, former Emmy-winning producer, and one of the most influential voices calling for transparency in public health and medical science today. Del is the founder and CEO of Informed Consent Act...

Episode Summary Season 6 opens with a powerful solo episode from Suzanne Phillips, founder of Beacon Parent, setting the tone for what lies ahead. In this monologue, Suzanne reflects on the cultural moment parents are navigating right now — one marked by confusion, exhaustion, pressure, and noise. From education and technology to identity, sexuality, and discipleship, parents are being asked to ma...

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...

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 Alter...

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 conversat...

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 lear...

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 "vert...

Episode Summary: In this eye-opening and deeply practical episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, Suzanne Phillips is joined by Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes—a leading organization helping families, schools, and churches navigate the complex world of technology, internet safety, and digital wellness. Chris's work has reached hundreds of thousands of students and families nationwide...

Episode Summary: In this powerful and redemptive episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, Suzanne Phillips sits down with Joshua Broome—a bestselling author, speaker, and former adult film star whose life has been radically transformed by the love and truth of Jesus. Now serving as the Executive Director of Walk Worthy, a division of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Joshua uses his...

Episode Summary: In this powerful and much-needed conversation, Suzanne Phillips sits down with two leading voices in Christian education and child development—Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries and Dr. Kathy Koch of Celebrate Kids. Together, they unpack the heart behind their upcoming book, Raising Gender-Confident Kids, releasing July 2025. As gender confusion continues to rise at alarming rate...

Episode Summary: In this gripping episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, Suzanne welcomes Erin Lee, a mother of three, national speaker, and founder of Stop Gender Ideology. Erin shares the shocking story of rescuing her 12-year-old daughter from transgender grooming at her public school—an experience that propelled her into the fight for parental rights and the protection of children nationwide....

In this episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Dr. Hutz Hertzberg and Jennifer Burns of Turning Point Education to explore the rising movement of classical education and why it's gaining momentum among parents, homeschoolers, and schools across the nation. For many parents, education is simply about curriculum and outcomes. But beneath every method lies a philos...

Episode Summary: In this critical episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Karen England, President of the Capital Resource Institute and long-time advocate for parental rights, religious freedom, and education reform. With more than 27 years of experience in policy and advocacy, Karen has been on the frontlines fighting for parents, children, and families at the...

Episode Summary: In this urgent and eye-opening episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Landon Starbuck, national speaker, activist, and fierce advocate for protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. Landon's recent documentary The War On Children has reached over 60 million viewers, igniting conversations around the cultural threats our child...