Episodes

Your family needs a good local church—but how do you know when you’ve found one? In this episode of the Teach Them Diligently podcast, David Nunnery goes solo to share four characteristics he has learned to look for after decades of visiting, serving in, speaking at, and evaluating churches in the United States and around the world. This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive theological checklist for church health. Instead, David offers a practical framework Christian parents can use as they cons...

What would you tell your children about marriage right before they said, “I do”? David and I have now had the privilege of watching three of our children get married, including one just last weekend! And before each wedding, we’ve made it a point to sit down individually with our son or daughter and their future spouse for a very honest conversation about marriage. I’ll admit, the kids aren’t always thrilled when we first suggest these conversations. 😊 But there are some things we want them to ...

When five-year-old Gabby Walker walked into a church in Honduras, she was living in extreme poverty. Her mother worked multiple jobs, there were days without enough food, and Gabby often felt alone. That Sunday, she heard clearly about Jesus’ love for her—and wondered, “Does Jesus know who I am?” Then someone handed her an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Before she opened it, Gabby whispered one of her first prayers: “God, please let there be a Barbie doll in here.” What happened next plan...

Is something just not working in your homeschool? Maybe the schedule feels chaotic. A curriculum isn’t clicking. Your days aren’t unfolding the way you pictured them—or you’re already wondering whether you need to scrap the plan and start over. Before you change anything, David and Leslie Nunnery want you to work through a simple framework: Believe. Think. Feel. Do. Too often, homeschool parents jump straight from a problem to action: buy a new curriculum, create another schedule, join a co-o...

Most Christian homeschool families don't intentionally abandon their mission. They drift away from it—one small decision, pressure, activity, or expectation at a time. In this episode of the Teach Them Diligently Podcast, David and Leslie Nunnery talk about why homeschool drift happens and how to recognize when curriculum, schedules, academics, activities, fear, or other people's expectations have quietly started driving your homeschool. You'll walk through five questions that can help you eva...

Parents have an incredible responsibility to disciple their children. But that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to do it alone. In fact, one of the dangers Christian families can face—especially homeschool families—is allowing responsibility to slowly become self-sufficiency. We educate our children. We organize activities. We teach the Bible. We create community. Before long, we can begin acting as though our family is sufficient by itself. But that’s not the picture of Christianity we see in S...

How do we pass down a vibrant, lasting faith to the next generation in a world full of distractions? I Church attendance has become optional in many Christian homes—but what if we’re missing something far deeper than a Sunday service? In this conversation, Leslie Nunnery is joined by Angie Tolpin of Courageous Parenting to discuss why gathering with the local church remains one of the most important ways we disciple our children. Together they explore: Why livestreams can never replace bibli...

As we enter Pride Month, conversations around identity, gender, and family dynamics are more prevalent than ever. This week, we sit down with Walt Heyer for a deeply personal and candid conversation that serves as a valuable tool for families navigating these complex topics. Walt shares his firsthand journey through gender dysphoria and cross-dressing, shedding light on how early childhood trauma can profoundly impact identity development. Together, we explore the historical context of gender t...

Aside from parents, grandparents hold some of the highest potential for influence in a child’s life. But in today’s rapidly changing culture, navigating family dynamics, physical distance, and the delicate line between supporting and overstepping can feel like a minefield. In this episode, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Lori Wildenberg to explore the beautifully vital role of intentional Christian grandparenting. Together, they unpack the unique challenges modern grandparents face, the immense p...

How does parental divorce impact adult relationships later in life? In this eye-opening interview, Kent Darcie shares his personal journey from experiencing parental divorce to becoming a dedicated advocate and resource for adults and couples affected by it. Whether you are dating, preparing for marriage, or looking to strengthen your current relationship, this episode offers practical guidance on healing, specialized premarital preparation, and building a healthy marriage rooted in faith. IN ...

The landscape of faith-based learning has shifted dramatically in recent years. What was once a choice between traditional private schools and homeschooling has expanded into a vibrant ecosystem of micro schools, co-ops, and hybrid models. In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Edmondson from the Herzog Foundation to explore the post-COVID boom in Christian education. Jonathan shares how the “modern one-room schoolhouse” is making a comeback and why parents are more empowered than ever to sh...

In a rapidly changing educational landscape, parents and students alike find themselves wrestling with the question: Is traditional college worth it? With rising costs and shifting job markets, many are seeking alternatives that provide real-world experience and spiritual growth. In this blog post, we’ll explore insights from Andrew Haak, director of the Excel Summer Leadership Camp and faculty member at Excel College, about how their innovative approach to higher education addresses these press...

In an era of rising costs and impersonal systems, many families are looking for a healthcare alternative that aligns with their biblical values. This week, we sit down with Wes Humble from Liberty Health Share to explore the world of Christian health sharing. Unlike traditional insurance, health sharing is a community of believers who share one another’s medical burdens. We dive into how this model functions, the spiritual benefits of “bearing one another’s burdens,” and the practicalities of na...

The world isn’t waiting for our children to grow up before it starts trying to shape their hearts. Ideologies and cultural shifts are “invading” the family space every single day. The question is: Are we as parents ready to be the primary line of defense and discipleship? This week on the podcast, David and Leslie Nunnery are honored to sit down with Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. They move past the surface-level talk and dive deep into the sacred ste...

Is your parenting driven by a list of rules, or a life of discipleship? In this insightful episode of the Teach Them Diligently podcast, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Israel Wayne to pull back the curtain on what it truly means to raise children with a biblical worldview in a confusing culture. They move past the surface-level “how-to” and dive into the heart of the home: the parent’s own walk with Christ. From guarding your family against false teachings to the power of modeling authentic fait...

We often think of books as part of education—but what if they’re actually one of our most powerful tools for discipleship? In this episode, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Korrie Johnson of Good Book Mom to explore how the books our children read are shaping far more than academic skills—they’re forming worldview, discernment, and faith. From navigating the public library with confidence to using read-aloud time as a springboard for meaningful, gospel-centered conversations, this episode offers p...

How do you help kids develop clarity and confidence about who they are when culture constantly pushes confusion? In this episode, Leslie Nunnery is joined by Dr. Kathy Koch (Celebrate Kids) and Dr. Jeff Myers (Summit Ministries), co-authors of Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design , to talk about one of the most urgent discipleship challenges facing families today: raising gender-confident kids in a culture that’s increasingly confused about identity and God’...

In the final episode of our Homeschool Dad Series, David Nunnery sits down for a heart-to-heart with David Mills about a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough: the vital role of the father in the home. Let’s be honest—it’s easy for dads to feel like “the principal” or just the “financial provider.” But God has called us to be so much more. David Nunnery and David Mills dive deep into what it actually looks like to lead your family spiritually and educationally without feeling overwhelmed. ...

Is your family’s sports schedule life-giving or life-draining? In this episode of the Homeschool Dad Series, David Nunnery and Owen Strachan dive into the “theology of the sidelines.” They discuss how coaching and athletics provide a unique “Deuteronomy 6” opportunity for fathers to disciple their children through shared struggle, hard work, and adversity. Learn how to set healthy boundaries, keep Christ at the center of the court, and use sports as a tool to build masculine character in a passi...

In this episode of the Homeschool Dads series, David Nunnery talks with Isaac Tolpin, a seasoned parent and speaker, discussing the challenges and opportunities of courageous parenting. They explore the importance of intentionality in raising confident Christian children, overcoming fear in spiritual leadership, and the role of technology in modern parenting. The conversation emphasizes the need for fathers to take an active role in their children’s spiritual education and to prepare them for a ...

Are you feeling the pressure to make your homeschool look “perfect”? In this episode, we dive into the all-too-common trap of unrealistic expectations in homeschooling — the pressure parents put on themselves and the expectations driven by social media, comparison, and “ideal” homeschool images. You’ll hear honest, practical insights that confront unrealistic standards, plus encouragement for how to reset your vision, reduce stress, and re-discover the joy and purpose of home education. If you’v...

In this conversation on the Homeschool Dad Series, Mark Hancock tackles the rising tide of challenges facing boys in modern society, offering a powerful call to action for parents and leaders. He breaks down the alarming statistics—including boys’ growing academic performance gap and their disproportionate representation in special education—and identifies the crisis of absent father figures and the damaging cultural narrative of “toxic masculinity.” Mark emphasizes that boys are desperately see...

Costs creep up when you’re feeding a family and homeschooling full-time. Today, Jenny Martin—founder of Southern Savers and homeschool mom of five— shares the simple system that cut her grocery bill by $500 in one month (18 years ago!), how to stock up the right way (without hoarding), where to find the best meat prices, and how to turn everyday shopping into a discipleship lab for financial stewardship. We also hit end-of-year power moves—IRAs, HSAs, insurance choices, and the 30-day “impulse ...