We talk with Dr. Andy Goodwin about what it really takes to be present when leadership pressure never turns off and your calendar keeps filling itself. We explore small, practical shifts that help us choose our spouse and kids without pretending work and responsibility will magically disappear.

• why Walking Slowly is written “in the margins” of a full life
• presence as a daily choice, not a personality trait
• using your calendar to reveal real priorities
• refusing the false solution of “just do less”
• integrating rest, reading, workouts, and meals into normal rhythms
• building a culture where rest is expected and modeled
• student formation that values personhood over performance
• listening well, trusting the Spirit, seeking the kingdom first

We share Michael Perkins’ family story of walking through 11 years of breast cancer, brain metastasis, and the grief of losing his wife Denise, while choosing steady trust in Jesus the whole way. We also talk about how God uses hard seasons to shape purpose, and how faith can move into the marketplace through work, business, and mentorship.

• What “suffer well” looks like when the outcome is unknown
• Brain metastasis, long-term treatment, and learning to rely on God daily
• Hospice, final moments, and the peace their family experiences in the room
• Perspective, loneliness, and waiting on the Lord after loss
• Why Christian entrepreneurs need teams, coaches, prayer, and community
• Physical therapy as a relationship-based career and a natural space for ministry
• Seeing work as worship, excellence as witness, and purpose as obedience
• Contagious Hope podcast and how legacy grows through planted seeds

We talk with Dr. Brooke Helling about how an unexpected path led her into English, ESL, and curriculum work, and why student connection matters as much as content. We also share what makes NorthStar Academy’s online model feel personal, growth-focused, and worth remembering for the relationships.

• Brooke’s real-life snapshot as a teacher, church leader, wife, and mom of four boys
• The “accidental English teacher” story and what she learns from ESL students’ resilience
• Designing a strong learning experience through belonging, buy-in, and student choice
• Measuring growth with mastery learning, reteaching, and assignment retries
• Why online school can deepen teacher-student connection through feedback and messaging
• What traditional sit-and-get models miss in a short-attention-span world
• Boy-mom lessons on grace, consistency, listening, and saying yes wisely
• “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” and why excellence points beyond ourselves
• The hope that students remember people and community most of all

“I support you failing spectacularly” might be the most freeing sentence a teacher can hear, and it sets the tone for a hopeful conversation about online Christian education done with courage and care. We celebrate what God is doing at NorthStar Academy through Katherine’s story as an alumna, teacher, and curriculum designer who turns research into practical tools for online student success. We talk about pacing, student agency, and the kind of supportive culture that helps students get unstuck and become lifelong learners.

• Katherine’s journey from student to teacher at NorthStar Academy
• Earning a master’s and applying capstone pacing research
• Designing online course tools that support student success right away
• “Failing spectacularly” as a leadership posture that fuels innovation
• Building student agency through reflection, good questions, and flexible project choices
• Reframing pacing as partnership, relationship, and individualized support
• Alumni council growth and the value of shared formative experience

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Matthews—an Australian classroom teacher, writer, TED Talk speaker, and leading voice at the intersection of AI and Christian education—to tackle the question so many educators are asking: Is AI going to harm learning…or can it actually help?

Paul shares the conviction that “AI should make education more human, not less,” and explains what that looks like in real classrooms. You’ll hear practical, approachable examples for teachers who are brand new to AI (including a simple way to differentiate texts in minutes), plus wise guidance for school leaders navigating student use, academic integrity, and clear expectations.

This conversation is hopeful, grounded, and deeply formative—because the goal of education isn’t just producing work, it’s producing a person. Whether you feel excited or anxious about AI, you’ll walk away with language, frameworks, and next steps to move forward with clarity and confidence under the lordship of Christ.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why AI can make teaching more human (not less)
• A practical “first step” any teacher can try this week
• How to set clear AI expectations for students (without constant policing)
• Why foundational skills still matter more than ever
• How Christian faith shapes a wise, steady approach to tech change

Connect with Paul:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmatthewsai/
• Website: https://paulmatthews.ai/
• ChatGPT Features Guide: https://paulmatthewsai.gumroad.com/l/FeaturesGuide
• Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgqiGuIV6-Q

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with longtime NorthStar Academy teacher Brittany Mee as she reflects on nearly a decade of ministry, mentorship, and global impact. As she steps into a new season centered on family, homeschooling, and local calling, Brittany shares powerful stories of God’s faithfulness — from walking alongside students through mental health and medical challenges to witnessing Christ-centered education ripple across cultures and continents.

This conversation captures the heart of NorthStar: testimony, discipleship, and the quiet ways God works through faithful teaching.

In this episode, we talk about:
• testimony as the core story of NorthStar
• student growth across academics, faith, and emotional health
• flexibility that supports students through illness and hardship
• parenting, homeschooling, and discerning seasons of calling
• encouragement to keep your eyes on Jesus and rest in His grace
• building alumni connection and lifelong community

What happens when an experienced educator steps outside the system—and sees education with fresh eyes?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with an education leader whose journey spans public schools, special education, Christian schools, homeschooling, accreditation, international education, and parent advocacy. With decades of experience and a deep heart for families, she shares why education doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all—and why parents matter more than they realize.

From homeschooling fears and finding balance, to what American schools can learn from international education, to why motivated learners are far more important than perfect grades, this conversation is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and practical insight for parents navigating today’s educational landscape.

We also dive into:

• Why parents questioning themselves is completely normal—and not a sign of failure
• What international schools do differently (and why it matters)
• How to raise whole, equipped children, not just high achievers
• The five key areas every parent can focus on—no teaching degree required
• Why education is deeply connected to faith, calling, and legacy

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I doing enough?”, “Is there another way?”, or “What does my child really need to thrive?”—this episode will meet you right where you are.

This is a conversation for parents who want freedom, clarity, and confidence as they walk alongside their children—one step, one season, and one calling at a time.

We explore how intimacy with God moves us from striving to overflow with Dr. Jodi Hook, former NorthStar teacher and author of Beloved Discipleship. Her stories, research, and practices help students hear God’s voice, quiet perfectionism, and trust the future to Jesus.

• turning a doctoral project into a practical guide for intimacy with God
• hearing God through Scripture, silence, and playful attention
• shifting from duty to delight in spiritual disciplines
• perfectionism, shame, and the “beloved” identity in Christ
• the “friend or foe” thought filter and spiritual armor
• trusting God with decisions by walking step by step
• the value of mentors, community, and remembrance