

Making The Leap
Herzog Foundation
Making The Leap is a weekly podcast hosted by Christine and Chris Stigall. The Stigalls recently made the leap to Christian education, pulling their daughter out of a public school and sending her to a private Christian school. The Stigalls want to empower other families to choose the school that’s best for them and break free from the status quo. They speak with society experts, educators, legislators, psychologists, and other parents to uncover the hidden truths in education and lay the groundwork for change. Learn more at MakingTheLeapPodcast.com. This podcast is produced by the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 1, 2023 • 42min
Part 1: Meet the 2023 Teachers of the Year
Chris & Christine interview three of the Herzog Foundation's 2023 Christian Teachers of the Year: Dr. Kyle Rapinchuk, Brooke Stewart, and Rev. Joe Cox.Dr. Kyle Rapinchuk teaches Christian Worldview at School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. Kyle is also the co-founder of The Classical Thistle, an organization dedicated to promoting classical Christian education in a 21st century context.Brooke Stewart teaches Agriculture at Victory Christian Academy in Decatur, Texas. Brooke is also a certified floral designer through the American Institute of Floral Design. Rev. Joe Cox teaches English, Christian Apologetics, Ethics and Moral Decisions at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri. Joseph is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights. Learn more about the Herzog Foundation's Teacher of the Year Awards. Like and follow the Herzog Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Aug 25, 2023 • 52min
Special Education Misconceptions
This week, Chris and Christine discuss how Christian schools can better educate students with learning disabilities. They are joined by Karla Phillips-Krivickas, Founder of the Arizona Inclusion Network and Think Inclusion. With over 20 years of experience in state and federal policy, Karla uses her unique perspective to advise education leaders on sound policy and best practices to advance academic achievement for all students, including those with disabilities. Karla is the proud mother of a 19-year-old son and a 15-year daughter with Down Syndrome, both with learning disabilities.Throughout their discussion with Karla, Chris and Christine find that learning disabilities come in many different forms, and unfortunately, many students go undiagnosed for years. On the bright side, educating students with disabilities isn't as difficult as some make it out to be. By simply changing their approach and teaching strategies, countless private schools could increase their capacity and better serve all students. Follow Karla and AZ Inclusion Network on Twitter. Reach out to AZ Inclusion network via email: info@azinclusion.org.Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Aug 18, 2023 • 23min
Meet the Herzog Foundation Ambassadors
Chris and Christine discuss the Herzog Foundation's new Ambassador program and are joined by two participants in the program, Delaney Greim and Ginger Wiens. The Herzog Foundation offers year-long ambassadorships to young leaders seeking to make an impact in K-12 education nationwide. Each ambassador becomes fully immersed in Herzog Foundation programs and operations in Smithville, Missouri with the opportunity to travel across the country.Delaney and Ginger discuss their experience so far as Herzog Foundation Ambassadors. They also provide their perspective on the state of education in America. Follow the Herzog Foundation Ambassadors on Instagram. Apply here to join next year's class of Ambassadors. Learn more about the Forge Leadership Summit here.Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Aug 11, 2023 • 39min
What is Kingdom Education?
Chris and Christine discuss the philosophy of Kingdom Education with Middle School Principal Luke Bowers. Luke is well-versed in Christian education as a former Christian school student, coach, athletic director, and now, middle school principal. Luke and his school are practitioners of Kingdom Education, a Christ-centered educational philosophy developed by Glen Schultz. Glen has had a life-long passion for educating young people according to biblical standards. His message is that parents and educators must link arms with the local church to provide a strong foundation for every student, based on a God-centered world view. To learn more about Kingdom Education, follow Glen Schultz on Twitter or register for the Kingdom Education Summit. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Aug 4, 2023 • 38min
Rethinking Online School
Chris and Christine discuss online education with Garrett Smiley, Co-Founder & CEO of Sora Schools. Online learning got a bad rap during the pandemic, but some students may benefit from a virtual school environment. Sora Schools is an innovative middle and high school that helps students succeed. The project-based curriculum centers on socratic discussions and independent learning based on a student's individual needs.Follow Sora Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Jul 28, 2023 • 52min
Lies You Shouldn't Believe About School Choice
The topic of school choice is often misunderstood as we learned last week at the Herzog Foundation's event with Corey DeAngelis. Opponents to school choice will frequently say:"School choice will destroy rural communities.""School choice only benefits the elite.""Private schools are in it for the money."These lies are intentionally spread to confuse parents and lawmakers. Chris and Christine bust these myths and more during this week's episode. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow the Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Jul 21, 2023 • 46min
The Attack on Parent Empowerment
Chris and Christine discuss the recent vilification of parents who want better education options for their children. It's clear that the school choice and parent empowerment movements are under attack. Groups like Moms for Liberty and Parents Defending Education have worked tirelessly to protect their children and advocate for education options. Now, they're being labeled as hate groups. Even Justin Trudeau is blaming the "American right wing" for his own education issues in Canada. Chris and Christine discuss these outrageous headlines and set the record straight on parent empowerment. Making the Leap listeners are invited to join the Herzog Foundation for an event with Corey DeAngelis on July 21 in Smithville, Missouri. Corey is a school choice activist, Senior Fellow for American Federation for Children, and author of Mediocrity: 40 Ways Government Schools are Failing Today's Students. It's more important now than ever to support bold voices for school choice like Corey DeAngelis. Register for tickets HERE or purchase Corey's book on Amazon. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Jul 14, 2023 • 44min
A Family's Decision to Choose Homeschooling
Chris and Christine are joined by local parents Ashley and Tyler Mackey. Being new listeners to the show, the Mackey family was slightly hesitant to taking the homeschool approach to education in 2020, but after a successful experience for their two children, Ashley and Tyler are confident they made the right decision. Ashley and Tyler discuss the beginning stages of homeschooling their children and the impact it has made on their own family and other families that see their progress and are willing to look into it for themselves. They are amazed at the progress they see in their own children and hope that their story can encourage parents to make the leap for their child's education as well.The Herzog Foundation is hosting an event with Corey DeAngelis, school choice activist, Senior Fellow for American Federation for Children, and author of Mediocrity: 40 Ways Government Schools are Failing Today's Students. The event is on July 21, in Smithville, Missouri. Register for tickets HERE.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Jul 7, 2023 • 46min
How Pride Month Affected Public Education
In this week's episode, Chris and Christine cover a local controversy within a Kansas City school and a board member who chose to take an ideological stand on a shared media platform. The post was targeted towards more conservative, Christian families in regards to Pride month. Chris and Christine continue to dive into reoccurring public school controversies across the country in regards to LGBTQ+ ideology and the growing concerns for families as they put their children through the public school education system.Chris and Christine also promote an upcoming evening event featuring Corey DeAngelis, a school choice activist, Senior Fellow for American Federation for Children, and author of Mediocrity: 40 Ways Government Schools are Failing Today's Students. The event is being hosted by the Herzog Foundation on July 21 at their Smithville location. Register for tickets HERE.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.

Jun 30, 2023 • 39min
Facing Life After Graduating from a Christian School
Chris and Christine discuss post-graduation life with former Christian school graduate, Makaylee Hawkins. After her senior year, Makaylee took the traditional college route, but quickly learned that God had other intentions for her life outside of a four-year university. Makaylee talks about the impact of having had a Kingdom Education and the influence of Christian educators when facing the real world after high school and beyond. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign-up to receive monthly email updates. Follow Making the Leap on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.Follow Making The Leap on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also sign-up for our newsletter or send us an email hello@makingtheleappodcast.com.To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates.