The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

In today's episode, we dive into the idea of parental sacrifice—but not just for our own children, for  all children. Suzanne is joined by Katy Faust, Founder and President of Them Before Us, a global movement advocating for children's rights to both their mother and father. Katy discusses how her work prioritizes children's needs over adult desires, especially in the context of marriage, family,...

In this episode of the InFormed Parent, Suzanne Phillips interviews Matt Beaudreau, founder of Apogee. Matt shares his story of excelling in the conventional school system but finding that it did not equip him or others with the real-world skills needed for life. Matt's experiences at Stanford University and in public education exposed him to systemic issues within traditional schooling, where stu...

In this Season 3 opener of The InFormed Parent podcast, Suzanne Phillips dives into the theme of courage and sets the tone for all the exciting episodes ahead. She reveals the changes happening across the parenting landscape—from the almost extinct helicopter parent, to the lawnmower parent, to the beacon parent who makes informed decisions and lights the way for their family. She describes a new...

Are you curious about how you can impact the schools, and more importantly, the children in your area with the love of Jesus? In this episode, Suzanne speaks with Donna Martin, Co-founder of the Joy Company, a non-profit organization whose aim is to awaken purpose in youth. Join in as they share valuable insights on how to bring light and hope into public schools and empower young people to discov...

Are you thinking about educating your children at home, within your community or your church, but you're not sure where to start? Or maybe you're looking for guidance from someone who has already gone through the homeschooling journey. In this episode, Suzanne talks to Lesley Russell, the founder of EQUIP 210, an educational model and movement for parents and pastors who are interested in starting...

Are you concerned about political narratives infiltrating your children's education? If you are, you'll be interested in this episode and the resources available to you. In this episode, Suzanne talks to Alex Nester, an Investigative Fellow with Parents Defending Education, who advocates for a healthy, non-political education for all children. Tune in as they discuss indoctrination in schools acro...

Are you finding it hard to keep up with all the changes happening in your child's school and wondering how you can make a difference? It can be challenging to understand all the policy adjustments in your school district and where they originate from. In this episode, Suzanne interviews Sonja Shaw, President of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board, who advocates for parents to decide wha...

Many parents are concerned about the questionable agendas in schools across the United States. But where do these agendas stem from? These deep-rooted issues are being promoted and advocated for by teacher's unions, rather than by well-meaning educators. In this episode, Suzanne interviews Rebecca Friedrichs, a twenty-eight-year public school teacher who is part of a movement to restore the voices...

Teenagers are hungry for guidance and truth when it comes to relationships and sex. Whether Christian or not, teenagers are facing the same pressure to prioritize pleasure over purpose. In this episode, Suzanne talks to Jackie Brewton, a motivational speaker who empowers teenagers to make better decisions and equips parents to have difficult conversations about love, sex, and relationships. Tune i...

Have you ever considered who is providing healthcare to your child at school? You would never let a doctor treat your child without your consent, but what about a seemingly harmless School-Based Health Center? In this episode, Suzanne interviews Valerie Borek, a Policy Analyst at Stand for Health Freedom, an organization committed to informing and mobilizing a grassroots movement to protect famili...

Believe it or not, there is a way for the Bible to be taught to public school students during school hours. In this episode, Suzanne interviews Joel Penton, Founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy, a program that offers Bible class as part of the public school day to more than 300 schools and 25,000 students across the U.S. each week. Listen in as they discuss how this legally works within the First A...

There are things parents should know, and then there are things parents need to know. In this must-listen episode, Suzanne talks with attorney Vernadette Broyles about children and parental rights amidst the growing transgender movement. Vernadette is President and General Counsel of Child & Parental Rights Campaign, Inc., a not-for-profit public interest law firm that engages in litigation and ad...

"The core issue people are dealing with is not gender, it's identity," says Dr. David Cooper,  lead pastor of Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, GA. In this episode, Suzanne and Dr. Cooper address three distinct aspects of gender–physiology, psychology and spirituality–in order to better understand genetic code, gender affirmation, gender dysphoria and emotionalism. Listen in as they bring clarity and...

It's no secret that the curriculum and content our children are exposed to in classrooms today vary greatly from what many of us adults experienced in school. But what exactly is the difference and why should we be aware? A huge part of the answer lies within the subjects of American history and civics. Listen in as Suzanne interviews author, attorney, and education advocate Jane Robbins and gets...

"We need to turn our frustration into fascination," said author and CEO of Growing Leaders, Dr. Tim Elmore, as he described how parents can best close the generational gaps with their children. Listen in as Suzanne and Tim discuss the differences parents and kids are experiencing across generations–including attitudes toward authority–and how best to make generational connection for the sake of ge...

"If you don't ever teach your kids, 'Here are the false worldviews and what they say,' then they will be, in fact, more compelled by the false worldviews when they hear them," said Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries. Listen in as Suzanne and Dr. Myers discuss the critical nuance of worldview and how important it is to teach our kids biblical truth in these concerning times. Plus, get t...

Proverbs tells us there are four types of people: The wise, simpleton, fool and mocker. When it comes to parenting, which one are you? In this episode, Suzanne calls us to ask ourselves the hard questions as parents: What does it look like to steward our responsibility? Are we pursuing wisdom? Are our children growing like Jesus did, in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man?  But she do...

Suzanne and Gabe call out some threats to be aware of, such as school-based health centers and gender ideology policies, and how parents can think well, make informed decisions, and exercise wisdom in seeking alternatives for their families. Gabe Lyons joins Suzanne Phillips to kick off Season 2 and highlight the new lineup of episodes ahead. They discuss frontline issues parents are facing in the...

  "The church has done a disservice, if you will, in teaching us to understand that we should be obsolete from government. We have been taught to, in a great sense, turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to things that are happening, and I believe that's why a lot of stuff is happening," said Latasha Fields, a passionate advocate for parental rights, education, and community empowerment and a homeschooli...

Did you know studies are now showing children are first exposed to porn as early as 8 years old? Titania Jordan, the CMO and Chief Parent Officer of  Bark.us , joins Suzanne on this week's episode to address the dark side of the fast-paced digital world our children are growing up in. They talk dangerous content, dangerous people, and dangerous apps–even the alarming rise of sextortion.  Tune in t...

"Parents have so many rights that they can use to protect their children. They just need to know where to go find it and how to bring it forward to their school," said author, attorney, and parent advocate, Kelly Hines Brolly. In this episode, Suzanne talks with Kelly about Kelly's new book Laws, Rules, and Rights: A Guide to Protecting Children in Public Schools. Kelly lays out misconceptions of...

"We're talking about who's behind the scenes in the realm of education…When you ask a parent 'Who is teaching your child? Who is leading your child?' we used to think Mrs. Jones in room 203, but that's no longer the case…In order to understand who's truly teaching your child, you have to understand who all the players are…." In this episode,  Suzanne interviews Melissa Jackson and Apryl Dukes-McDa...

It's no secret screens are invading our children's environments–including their classrooms! Yet, you might be surprised to know only a sliver of the 6-9 hours a day they spend on their screens is actually spent on school work. Veteran teachers and co-authors of Screen Schooled, Matt Miles and Joe Clement, join  Suzanne to discuss the negative impact screens are having on students' focus, critical...

In this episode, Suzanne Phillips and Tim Kennedy dial up the straight talk about parents taking extreme ownership–especially when it comes to their children's education. Not only is Tim a Master Sergeant with the US Army Green Berets and a Special Forces sniper with multiple combat deployments, he's also a father of four and an unapologetic American who can't sit idly by and accept the trajectory...

Buckle up, parents! In this episode, Suzanne interviews Noelle Kahaian and tackles the weighty topic of Comprehensive Sex Education—its pedophilic roots, its developmental inappropriateness, and its negative effects on the health and mental wellbeing of our children. Noelle shares insight from her work as a certified sex ed teacher, a Paralegal for the Child & Parental Rights Campaign and as the C...