The Regents Podcast

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Regents podcast, Dan Peterson, Kirk Avery, and Brandon Shufflebarger discuss their top 3 favorite episodes of all time.   The link to the episode archives going back to the very first one is: https://regentspodcast.libsyn.com   Dan's top 3: Episode #87: The Devil of Perfectionism Episode #26: David Thomas and Sissy Goff on Intentional Parenting Episode #167: Harlan Gilliam - Story of Redemption Kirk's top 3: Episode #125: Alumni in the Military Academies Episode #98: Emotional Intelligence of our Kids Episode #167: Harlan Gilliam - Story of Redemption Brandon's top 3: Episode #73: The Joy of Reading Episode #175: Re-engage Marriage Ministry Episode #94: David Thomas on the Mind of Boys

NOTE: This episode is a re-release of a conversation that was previously recorded in February of 2024.  As a perennially relevant topic at Regents, we are releasing it again for those of you who may have missed it the first time around. David Thomas and Sissy Goff join Dr. Dan Peterson in the studio again to talk about techniques to handle the rising anxiety in our kids and in ourselves.

Regents alumni Kyle Choy and Lucy Taylor talk with Kirk Avery about their experiences as students in the innagural class at the University of Austin (UATX), a new university with a focus on inquiry, curiosity, and intellectual freedom.

The admissions team at Regents talks to Kirk Avery about the true, good, and beautiful of the admissions process at the school and dispels some myths along the way.

New Chief Operations Officer, Joseph McElmurry talks to Kirk avery about his eclectic career experience and his journey to Regents.

NOTE: This episode is a re-release of a conversation that was previously recorded in November of 2023.  As a perennially relevant topic at Regents, we are releasing it again for those of you who may have missed it the first time around. Dr. Ed Welch, faculty member at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF), talks with Dr. Dan Peterson and Dr. Ryan Lister about a biblical approach to dealing with anxiety.

Robert Henneke, Executive Director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, talks with Kirk Avery about the work TPPF does defending liberty in Texas. They also discuss opportunities for Regents juniors/seniors through the Texas Scholars Program that aim to give students hands-on experience in a think-tank environment over the course of a semester.

Ben Broughton, Taylor Holcomb, and Clayton Ripley talk to Kirk Avery about the challenges, rewards, and opportunity to preach the gospel message they experienced taking their younger children on an international mission trip.

Rob Galvan, the "Voice of the Regents Knights", talks with Kirk Avery about how he became the primary announcer of Regents sporting events and how he approaches the craft of announcing.  Along the way you'll get to hear a little Regents Athletics history as well as Rob's own background as a sports announcer.

Dan Peterson and Kirk Avery talk to board members Will Davis and Brent Heath about the intricacies of serving on the Regents Board of Directors.  Topics discussed include: the board structure, long-term strategic decisions, length of service, and how the board handles issues that are raised at the school.

Heath Hale, known to most Regents families for his work with the Cowboy Auctioneer team, talks about his history as an auctioneer raising money for charities and his personal conviction to fulfill Jesus' Great Commission.

Katy Faust, author, speaker, and Founder/President of "Them Before Us", sits down to talk with Kirk Avery and Dan Peterson after her presentation on campus for Regents families.  They discuss the concept of children's rights (from a Christian and conservative framework) and the importance of guiding and preparing students to engage with anti-children perspectives in the culture at large.  

Alumni Coulter Cowden and Caroline O'Leary talk with Kirk Avery about their experiences preparing for and joining the U.S. Naval Academy.

Athletic Directors Kyle Shotwell and Sheila Henderson talk to Kirk Avery about the upcoming Regents "Sports Symposium" event for student athletes and coaches of Grammar aged kids.

Kirk Avery and Dan Peterson talk with Dr. Jonathan Pennington (Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary) about his RICE training sessions with Regents teachers coming back from Christmas Break.  Topics discussed included Christian culture, curriculum, the musical Wicked, and human flourishing in the context of happiness.

Kirk Avery (Directory of Advancement) and Ryan Lister (Director of Residency) talk with this year's Regents Residents about what the Residency program entails and how it is having an impact on students as well future teachers in the Classical education movement.

Visit with Becky Walter and Kirk Avery to learn why preparing your child for kindergarten has nothing to do with academics.

Long-time Regents dad Heath Driver joins Kirk Avery to discuss his experience leading Jouney to Manhood and the impact it has had on Regents fathers and sons over the years.

Kathi Haralson is the Excecutive Director of Pop-Up Birthday, one of the ministry partners for Regents 3rd graders.  In this conversation with Kirk Avery, Kathi describes the history and mission of Pop-Up Birthday and ways the Regents community can get invovled.

Regents parents Kendall and Kyle Harvey sit down with Kirk Avery to discuss Friedreich's ataxia (FA), a rare degenerative disorder that Kendall was diagnosed with in her early 20's.  Their discussion covers the history of Kendall's diagnosis, how it has affected her faith and family, and the Harveys' perspective on living with FA.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes founder Alan Graham and his wife Tricia join Kirk Avery this week to talk about the history of the organization, how God has grown their ministry, and how Regents has partnered with them over the years.  Along the way, they dive into other topics like Alan's faith journey and his recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.

Regents cross country coaches Mary Frances Payne and Aly Faulk talk to Kirk Avery about their own experiences running cross country at Regents and how the program has always been primarily centered on spiritual and relational growth.

Pano Kanelos, the founding president of the University of Austin and a Regents parent, talks with Dan Peterson about what initially drew him to education, the contributing factors to intellectual fragility in young people, and his hopes for the graduates of the University of Austin.

Courtney Abernethy, former Regents parent, talks with Kirk Avery about The Source, a full-service women's healthcare clinic in Austin and Houston that focuses on providing whole-person care for women.

Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He currently serves as the Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Assistant Professor of Faith and Culture at Texas Baptist College.  He joins Dr. Dan Peterson, Head of School at Regents School of Ausitn, to discuss the nuances of intertwining one's faith and politics.

Mark and Sara Franz are long-time Regents parents and community members and have each served in a variety of capacities on campus.  Mark is currently in his 11th year serving on the Board of Directors.  Now that their kids are older, Mark and Sara spend a lot of their time investing in the marriages of others through the Re|engage Marriage ministry. That ministry, and its fruits, are the topic of this conversation with Kirk Avery.

Bryce Waller, a pastor in the PCA, and his wife Lisa talk with Kirk Avery about following God's call to move their entire family to Bogotá, Colombia so Bryce could pastor a church in the heart of the city.  The Wallers have since moved back to Austin and are rejoining the Regents community this school year.

Stefan Wilson, a pastor and Director of Educators at the Colson Center, joins Dr. Dan Peterson to discuss belief formation in the context of education and his training of Regents teachers to kick off the 2024-2025 school year.

James Tessmann and Michael Heidler talk with Director of Advancement, Kirk Avery, about the impact the Dad's Bootcamp has had on their lives over the course of their time at Regents.  They also preview some of the speakers and topics for this year's event.

Ellen Troxclair is a former Austin City Council member and currently serves as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 19.  She is also a new Regents parent.  In this conversation, Rep. Troxclair sits down with Director of Advancement Kirk Avery to discuss the negative impact phones are having on children in the classroom.

Three seniors from the class of 2024 sit down with Dan Peterson to talk about their journeys developing their Senior Theses at Regents.

Melissa Piercy, Tracie Dickey, and Marie Artaza join Dan Peterson to talk about their experiences serving on the Regents Parent Council (RPC).

Katy Faust, author of "Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City", talks with Dr. Dan Peterson about raising kids intentionally with core faith and family values in the midst of strong cultural headwinds.

Harlan Gilliam sits down with Liz Benigno to tell the difficult story of how he came to faith.

Christopher Yuan, a speaker and writer on the issue of Biblical sexuality, sits down with Liz Benigno in the second of a two-part interview where he shares his story of struggling with homosexuality and drugs as a young man and how he and his parents came to Christ.

Dr. Christopher Yuan, a speaker and writer on the issue of Biblical sexuality, sits down with Liz Benigno in the first of a two-part interview where he shares his story of struggling with homosexuality and drugs as young man and how he and his parents came to Christ.

Author Liz Benigno and illustrator Claire Greiner Franklin talk with Dr. Dan Peterson about their journey creating their first book: Francine Rasberry, The Not So Scary Sleepover.

Regents Learning Specialist Jane-Ann Myers and parent Brittany Neff join Liz Benigno to talk about the Learning Initiative at Regents and how it benefits the community.

Regents Science teacher Chris Corley discusses the science behind the upcoming total eclipse and the opportunities available to Regents students to participate in the viewing.  

David Thomas and Sissy Goff join Dr. Dan Peterson in the studio again to talk about techniques to handle the rising anxiety in our kids and in ourselves.

Regents grads and current Regents parents Erin Holcomb, Merrill Laguarta, and Landon Lill talk with Liz Bengino about their experiences attending Regents and why they choose to send their own kids here.

Sara Soenen is a Regents mom and the founder of Hope & Laughter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health resources and care for believers.  She joins Liz Benigno to tell her very difficult, but redemptive life story.

Regents Athletic Director Sheila Henderson joins Liz Benigno to discuss the lessons she's learned through years, both on and off the field, on raising boys to become godly men.

Amy Laurer, current Regents parent with 20 years of involvement at Regents, joins Liz Benigno to discuss the importance of Christian service at our school and how to instill it as a virture in our students.

Regents alum JD McBee sits down with Liz Benigno to talk about his time at Regents and his unconventional journey to faith.

Dick Mattern, a long-time and beloved member of the Regents community, sits down with Liz Benigno to talk about his life and missionary work in Africa.  If you've been at Regents for any length of time you've probably been privileged to run across Dick and have a conversation with him in the plaza--now you get to hear his story!

Dr. Ed Welch, faculty member at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF), talks with Dr. Dan Peterson and Dr. Ryan Lister about a biblical approach to dealing with anxiety.

NOTE: This is a re-release of an episode with Becky Walter and Liz Benigno from May of 2021.  Liz has a new intro explailning the importance and timeliness of this topic at Regents! Becky Walter, K-2 Associate Head, sits down with Liz Benigno to talk about some of their favorite books and reading memories from childhood as well as strategies to instill the love of reading in all children. ==================== Some books mentioned in this episode: Because of Winn-Dixie, My Side of the Mountain, The Red Wall series, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, On the Banks of Plum Creek, Hank the Cowdog

Liz Benigno, Paige Ueltschey, and Brandon Shufflebarger discuss the life and works of Flannery O'Connor, a mid-century Christian writer that Regents seniors are introduced to in literature class. Beyond talking about her influence, Paige and Brandon discuss the thematic details of two of her short stories -- Good Country People and The Enduring Chill.  If you have never heard of Flannery O'Connor, or don't know much about her, this episode is a great introduction!

Dan Finkel, founder of Math for Love, sits down with Liz Benigno and Josh Wilkerson to talk about the importance of "playing with math" to develop a deeper understanding and love for the subject.

Eighth grader Sawyer Jackson and his mother, Megan Jackson, talk with Liz Benigno about the Embrace Special Needs ministry and the joy of serving on mission trips as a family.