WISE and Otherwise

Are you feeling called to start a Christian school but don't know where to begin? In this episode of Wise and Otherwise, host Dalena Wallace sits down with David Hazell — founder of My Father's World curriculum and Discipleship Academies — to talk about one of the most practical and Spirit-led movements happening in Christian education today: the return of the one-room schoolhouse. David s...

What if the reason Christian schools are struggling to stay affordable isn't a funding problem — it's a vision problem? In this episode of Wise & Otherwise, host Dalena Wallace sits down with Father Jarrod Lies, Vicar of Evangelization, Discipleship, and Stewardship for the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, and St. Francis of Assisi parishioner Phyllis Kuckelman to uncover one of the most q...

What happens when you leave a lucrative corporate career in New York to follow God’s call—while holding $330,000 in student loan debt? In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Dalena Wallace sits down with Analyssa Noe from Cardinal Learning Academy to discuss the radical, life-changing power of biblical stewardship. Analyssa shares her incredible testimony of paying off massive debt, learning to li...

Imagine sending your children to a private Christian school without paying a dime in tuition. It sounds like a dream, but for families in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, it is a reality. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, we dive deep into the "Wichita Miracle"—a stewardship model that funds education through the biblical principles of Time, Talent, and Treasure. This isn't just...

What happens when you stumble upon a model of education that seems too good to be true? In our first episode of 2026, Dalena Wallace sits down with Emmi McCabe for a candid conversation about the "Wichita Model" of stewardship. As a member of the Wichita Catholic Diocese, Emmi experienced firsthand the unique reality of tuition-free K-12 education—a "Way of Life" that has susta...

Before you file a single piece of paperwork or enroll your first student, there’s one crucial decision that could make or break your school: your legal structure. In this essential episode of WISE and Otherwise, education leaders Becky Abrams Wilmoth and Allison Weide break down everything microschool founders need to understand about forming a nonprofit, choosing a board, and staying legally comp...

This week on WISE and Otherwise, we’re sharing a special replay—an eye-opening conversation I had with Dr. Lisa Watson. If you missed it the first time, this is one of those episodes that stays with you. Dr. Watson’s story is unlike anything you’ve heard: a former ACLU president, a committed atheist, and a leader in progressive activism… until a supernatural encounter completely changed the direct...

What do you do when the system has no place for your child—or any child with special needs? In this moving episode of WISE and Otherwise, you’ll meet Meghan Melchor, founder of Lionheart Academy, a microschool for children with autism, intellectual delays, behavioral challenges, and other high-support needs. When one mom reached out with nowhere else to turn, Meghan said yes—and opened her home, h...

Shawna Hein didn’t set out to lead a school. In fact, she tried to keep her distance. But when her daughter fell in love with Northfield Academy—a small, classically grounded school in Wichita—God started tugging on Shawna’s heart too. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Shawna shares her surprising journey from skeptical homeschool mom to head of school, and how a simple campus tour turned int...

After 24 years in public education, Trudy Wischropp was burned out, overwhelmed… and deeply convicted. God was calling her to something radical. So she said yes. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Trudy shares the incredible journey behind Armor Academy—a micro-school she launched in the upstairs of her home, with dreams of eventually moving into a 100-year-old one-room schoolhouse… which she...

Most churches talk about reaching the next generation. Pastor Justin Walker built a school to do it. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Pastor Justin shares the remarkable story of launching Salt and Light Academy—a tuition-free, Christ-centered school born inside his church with zero budget, total faith, and a bold vision to reach the 57 million students in public schools.🎙️ In this episode:–...

For years, Jaime Beck watched her son Charlie struggle in silence—kicking, screaming, melting down before school, and coming home exhausted, ashamed, and overlooked. He was smart, creative, and full of potential—but public school didn’t know what to do with him. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Jaime shares the emotional journey of discovering her son’s dyslexia late, navigating misdiagnoses...

While churches send money across the globe, local Christian schools are closing their doors. What if we’ve been overlooking one of the most urgent mission fields—right in our own backyard? In this powerful episode of WISE and Otherwise, host Emmi McCabe sits down with Dalena Wallace, founder of HERO (Heartland Education Reformation Organization), to talk about the growing crisis in Christian educa...

In this episode of WISE and Otherwise , Kori Pennypacker , Executive Director of Bible2School , reveals how a little-known law called release time is making it possible to bring Bible-based education into public schools during school hours . No after-school programs. No church attendance required. Just one hour a week of Gospel-centered teaching—right in the middle of the school day. 🎙️ What you’l...

When Kathy Bond stepped into the world of public education, she didn’t come with a political agenda—she came with conviction. A grandmother, former ballerina, and now school board member, Kathy has one clear mission: bring truth, order, and God back into schools. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Kathy shares the bold moments that led her to run for school board, including witnessing out-of-c...

When schools say “You don’t belong here”—where do those kids go? In this powerful episode of WISE and Otherwise, Chuck Knowles, PhD, founder of  @McAdamsAcademyWichitaKs  shares how a former juvenile chaplain stepped out in faith to build a school for expelled, at-risk, and court-involved youth—many of whom were completely written off by the traditional system.📘 Inside this episode:– How Chuck st...

Pastor Dave Atherton didn’t have a strategy, a staff, or even a clear plan—but he did have a burden for families and a willingness to say “yes.” What followed was a series of surprising moves, divine timing, and a school that was born inside the walls of One Church at Pleasant View. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise , Pastor Dave shares how his church became home to not one, but two distinct C...

When Jodi Schlesener decided to start a new school rooted in faith, family, and freedom, she knew there would be pushback. But what she didn’t expect? Being labeled a cult leader and Christian nationalist—before the doors even opened. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Jodi shares her incredible journey from public school skeptic to Apogee Alpha & Omega founder. Backed by her father's...

Is it really possible to ditch the rigid school system… and still thrive? According to bestselling author and education advocate Kerry McDonald, the answer is a joyful, resounding yes. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Kerry shares insights from her life as a homeschooling mom, policy expert, and author of the upcoming book "Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Be...

When one of Stephanie Dulin’s children was found asleep and unattended for five hours in a public school classroom—and no one seemed to care—she knew something had to change. After years of being dismissed, ignored, and left out of the conversation, Stephanie took matters into her own hands. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Stephanie shares her journey from frustration to freedom. A foster a...

When Jenn Troy moved her family to Kansas, she expected a fresh start—but what she found in the local public school system left her stunned. From masked classrooms and canceled hugs to values that clashed with her own, Jenn knew something had to change. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Jenn shares her family’s journey from feeling out of place and unheard in public school to finding freedom,...

What happens when God calls you to homeschool… but you’re already called to a full-time ministry too? In this inspiring episode of WISE and Otherwise, therapist and mom Alexa Munger shares her emotional journey of seeking the right education path for her son. Torn between her calling as a licensed therapist and her desire to follow God’s prompting to homeschool, Alexa thought there was no way she...

What happens when your child is bullied at school—and no one listens? In this powerful episode of WISE and Otherwise, Jaci Unruh shares the heartbreaking journey that led her to pull her daughter from the local public school in small-town Kansas. ✅ Her daughter was repeatedly bullied—physically and emotionally. ✅ The school ignored her cries for help. ✅ Administrators brushed off concerns. ✅ T...

The battle for education freedom is heating up, and Becky Elder has been on the front lines for decades. From homeschooling pioneer to microschool founder, she has dedicated her life to creating better, more accessible education options for families. But as school choice policies and alternative models grow, so do the challenges. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Becky shares: ✅ The history...

For decades, education has drifted away from its classical roots—but that’s changing. Families across the country are rediscovering the power of Classical Christian Education, and the movement is growing fast. In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Amy McVay shares her journey from homeschooling mom to co-op leader to hybrid school founder. She reveals how classical education transformed her child...