The WallBuilders Show Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders: Inside Patriot Academy - with Patriot Academy students
"We're taking on the hot topics of the day from a biblical, historical, and constitutional perspective."
These words from Rick Green perfectly capture the heart of the WallBuilders Show broadcast from the Patriot Academy National Leadership Congress—where 140 young Americans are gathered for an experience that transcends typical political training.
Broadcasting from the House Chamber where future leaders are being forged, this episode takes listeners behind the scenes of Patriot Academy's largest class ever. Through conversations with student leaders serving as Governor, Speaker of the House, and Lieutenant Governor, we discover what makes this program transformative for participants ages 16-25.
What emerges is a powerful model of generational mentorship unlike anything else in American civic education. As Governor Benjamin Griesinger explains, Patriot Academy doesn't just involve older adults pouring into youth—it creates a continuous chain of leadership development where students mentor peers just a year or two behind them. This creates immediate application and multiplication of knowledge that accelerates growth.
The spiritual foundation underpinning Patriot Academy becomes evident as these young leaders share wisdom beyond their years. Benjamin offers a compelling analogy about recognizing falsehood: like bank tellers identifying counterfeit bills through constant handling of real currency, these students immerse themselves in truth so thoroughly that deception becomes immediately apparent. "The Lord has never said a negative thing about me, but the enemy does," he observes with remarkable clarity.
Speaker Abigail highlights how Patriot Academy prepares students for real-world impact, sharing her experience interning for Florida's First Lady Casey DeSantis and successfully establishing Constitution Day celebrations in her hometown—all before she could even vote. Lieutenant Governor Emma Sager emphasizes that participants develop universal leadership skills applicable in any field, not just politics.
The episode culminates with Pastor Michael Ciociola's powerful challenge to students to recognize their place in America's continuing story—not as spectators but as active participants completing what previous generations began.
Ready to join this movement? Visit PatriotAcademy.com to explore upcoming academies, including regional events across America and the Midwest Academy in Indianapolis.