Teach Them Diligently

Join host Leslie Nunnery and guest Bradley Pierce, a co-founding attorney of Heritage Defense, as they delve into the essential laws that every parent, especially homeschoolers, should be aware of. From understanding your rights in interactions with social services to knowing the age restrictions for leaving children home alone, this episode provides valuable information to protect your parental rights and ensure your family’s well-being. 

Bradley Pierce is a co-founding attorney of Heritage Defense, where he helps defend the parental rights of Christian homeschooling families around the country against threats by social services. After being homeschooled in the late 80′s through graduation, Bradley earned a degree in History and English from Baylor University while serving as student body vice president, then went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor Law School. He and his wife Cindy have eleven children.

https://youtu.be/ElaagRIRo-4

You may or may not already have legal protection for your right to homeschool, but what if a social worker knocked on your door and the allegation was not about homeschooling? Since 2010, Heritage Defense has been providing member families with 24/7 direct access to experienced, Christian attorneys ready to protect your children and defend your parental rights. Membership with Heritage Defense also provides you an attorney beyond your initial call, including being with you for any meetings with CPS and representing you in court if needed… at no extra cost to you. Click HERE to find out more information.

Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed. You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 18-25. To learn more CLICK HERE. 

Discover the inspiring story behind Coach Joe Kennedy, whose steadfast faith and remarkable journey from atheism to a powerful testimony of God’s grace is now a major motion picture, “Average Joe.” In this episode, Leslie Nunnery sits down with Coach Kennedy to talk about his transformative life, the challenges he faced, and how God used him in incredible ways—even when he felt unworthy. From battling personal struggles to taking a bold stand for his faith, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and uplift you as you hear how God works through even the most unlikely circumstances. Don’t miss this moving and faith-filled episode!

Coach Joe Kennedy, an eighteen-year Marine veteran, was an assistant coach for the Bremerton High School (BHS) varsity football team. Before he even coached his first game, the Marine-turned-football coach made a commitment to God that he would give thanks at the conclusion of each game for what the players had accomplished and for the opportunity to be part of their lives through football. This was met with disapproval from his school district and turned into a lengthy court battle. On June 27, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Coach Kennedy and his First Amendment right and on March 8, 2023, Coach Kennedy was officially reinstated as assistant coach and returned to the field for one game on September 1, 2023 before resigning. Joe and his wife, Denise, are parents to four and reside currently in Pensacola. His memoir, Average Joe, is available wherever books are sold and a film inspired by his life will be in theaters beginning October 11. He continues to speak across the country promoting freedom of speech. Connect with him online HERE. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehsy7aehAX8https://youtu.be/10iRbXmV84c

Secure your ticket to see Average Joe

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Connect with Coach Joe Kennedy

2025 Registrations Are OPEN!

Don’t miss your chance to join thousands of Christian homeschool families for a life-changing experience at Teach Them Diligently. Our events in Dayton, OH;  Pigeon Forge, TN; and Branson, MO are packed with powerful speakers, worship, and tons of resources designed to strengthen your homeschool journey. 

Imagine escaping a war-torn country, living in poverty, and facing relentless persecution. Now, imagine finding hope and healing in a simple shoebox gift. Dania Yadago-Andreos’s extraordinary story is a testament to the power of faith, the resilience of the human spirit, and the life-changing impact of Operation Christmas Child. Join us as Dania shares her inspiring journey and discover how a single act of kindness can change lives forever. 

Subjected to severe poverty, Dania Yadago Andraos and her family lived in three Middle Eastern countries while growing up. Dania’s family prayed for everything they needed. One year they began praying for a specific need. That year, Dania received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. As Dania and her family carefully went through each item in the gift, they shrieked in disbelief as they pulled out from that shoebox a direct answer to their prayers. That day Dania learned that with God all things are possible and there is power in prayer. To hear more about how the Lord answered Dania’s prayer through a shoebox, please join us for a special time of Dania sharing her testimony.

Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed. You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 18-25. To learn more, click HERE 

https://youtu.be/CvIOeS-1VRs

All these stories are incredible for children to listen to so they can better understand how God can use their little gift to change the life of a little boy or girl who may have never received a gift before. Listen to other OCC stories linked below!

2025 Registrations Are OPEN!

Don’t miss your chance to join thousands of Christian homeschool families for a life-changing experience at Teach Them Diligently. Our events in Dayton, OH;  Pigeon Forge, TN; and Branson, MO are packed with powerful speakers, worship, and tons of resources designed to strengthen your homeschool journey. 

In this episode, Leslie and Kirk Martin discuss the challenges of parenting children with big emotions. Kirk shares his personal experiences and insights on how to approach parenting with compassion and understanding. Leslie and Kirk will explore practical strategies for calming children, the importance of validating their emotions, and the role of parents in managing their own responses. The conversation emphasizes the need for movement, relationship-building, and creating a supportive environment for children to express their feelings. Kirk provides actionable steps for parents to help their children navigate emotional challenges effectively.

CelebrateCalm.com Founder and Calm Parenting Podcast host Kirk Martin has shown almost 1,000,000 parents how to stop the yelling, defiance, and power struggles with the most strong-willed children. Kirk is known for very practical strategies and scripts delivered with humor and compassion. Learn how to get your kids to listen the first time while building a close, trusting relationship. 

1) Give the child something he or she is in control of. 

2) Control yourself first as the parent (tone of voice, body posture) 

3) Motion changes emotion. 

4) Use positive intensity. 

5) Give kids space to process and don’t look them in the eyes! 

https://youtu.be/QxsWpOTuPVI

Celebrate Calm WebsiteCalm Parenting Podcast IG PageSecure a ticket to the 2025 TTD Convention in either Dayton OH, Pigeon Forge TN, or Branson MO!

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. 

The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. 

Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed. You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 18-25. To learn more CLICK HERE.

Join us as we dive into the world of family-friendly filmmaking with author and educator Sherri Seligson. Discover how her journey from homeschooling to curriculum writing led her to the heart of Hollywood’s family-friendly movie scene. Learn about the exciting new film “The Wild Robot” and how it’s inspiring families across the country. We’ll also explore the importance of supporting family-friendly content and the impact it can have on our children’s values. 

Sherri Seligson is a 21-year homeschool veteran, M.Ed., and marine biologist. She has authored several Apologia middle and high school science courses and their instructional video courses, the new Wonders of the Ocean Realm elementary book, and more. An international conference speaker, Sherri encourages moms and teaches families the value and adventure of studying God’s creation. 

We’ve got a GREAT movie for your family coming out Sept 27th. From DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures The Wild Robot is an enchanting story of friendship, motherhood and what brings us together. And even better they created a homeschool specific weeklong curriculum with educational activities for all ages. You can download it FREE HERE and get a special discount off tickets as well! So make plans now to visit theaters on September 27th for a film you won’t want to miss! 

https://youtu.be/tJ17_O6W-XQ

In this special episode, Leslie sits down with Andrew Erwin, co-founder and chief creative officer of Kingdom Story Company, to discuss the powerful new film White Bird, hitting theaters October 4th. A spinoff from the beloved movie Wonder, White Bird tells a moving story of redemption, courage, and kindness in the face of adversity. Andrew shares the inspiration behind the film, its missional message, and the importance of teaching kindness and courage to the next generation. This episode is packed with heartfelt insights for families and homeschoolers, with lessons on how we can impact our world with simple, yet profound, acts of kindness.

As co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Kingdom Story Company Andrew Erwin began his career as a teenager working for ESPN as a camera operator in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Erwin is renowned for his work in the music video industry, particularly within the Christian and country music genres. His portfolio includes directing and producing memorable music videos for prominent artists such as Casting Crowns (“Slow Fade”), Skillet (“Hero”), and Montgomery Gentry (“Some People Change”). Andrew’s creative vision has also brought to life the compelling visuals for Alan Jackson’s “Sissy’s Song,” Michael W. Smith’s “Healing Rain,” Switchfoot’s “Dare You to Move,” and The Almost’s “Say This Sooner.” His work is celebrated for its emotional depth and storytelling. His music video work ultimately led to feature films and the founding of Kingdom Story Company. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW1h9coypgE&t=2s

From the world of WONDER, which sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter: WHITE BIRD. Struggling to fit in at his new school after being expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian is visited by his grandmother, played by Helen Mirren, and is transformed by the compassionate and heroic story of her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during WWII. From the director of Finding Neverland, WHITE BIRD reminds us to be brave and choose kindness. Exclusively in theaters beginning October 4. Secure your tickets HERE

We are excited to introduce you to TUVU! TUVU is a brand new social media platform built on Christian principles and designed for families. It was created to meet the needs of families and churches that were not being met by other existing platforms. TUVU aims to provide a refreshing and guilt-free social media experience by implementing strict moderation and a subscription-based model. The platform focuses on connection rather than addiction, and aims to combat the negative impact of information overload on mental health. TUVU has barriers and strong moderation in place to ensure a safe and uplifting environment for users. Parents play a crucial role in teaching their children self-control and setting boundaries with technology.

Ben Laws heads up the marketing for the new Christian social media platform called TUVU. As a Christian family man (husband and father of three little children) he is really happy to be a part of the digital movement that Families have needed.

Parents, seeing your kids dive into this social media jungle is nerve wracking. MeetTUVU – the wholesome social media where you, or your kids, won’t see junk as you scroll through posts, your data will never be sold to advertisers for profit, and you can be sure that the content you see is family friendly.

Visit www.tuvu.com/ttd to try TUVU free for 30 days!

https://youtu.be/xQq7YPlbKng

Jill Garner joins us today to help us uncover the essential strategies for raising children with strong, resilient hearts in today’s challenging world. Together, Jill and Leslie will dig into the heart of biblical parenting, unpacking what it means to instill moral courage, foster true self-respect over self-esteem, and embrace a heart-centered approach to homeschooling. Through rich, faith-driven insights, they reveal how God’s truth and a focus on character development equip the next generation to stand firm in a culture that often wavers. Packed with actionable tips and spiritual wisdom, this episode offers invaluable guidance for Christian homeschooling parents seeking to raise confident, God-honoring children. 

 Jill Garner is an accomplished speaker, advocate, and founder of Manners of the Heart, a nonprofit reawakening respect in our society for the sake of the next generation. She is the author of the award-winning Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World, Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, and Manners of the Heart, an elementary school curriculum that helps children see beyond themselves to become all God created them to be. Her work is endorsed by Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Dr. Kevin Leman, and many others. Jill and her husband reside in Baton Rouge, LA.

Secure your copy of StrongHeart: Cultivating Humility, Respect, and Resiliency in Your Child 

Find out about more resources from Jill Garner HERE

https://youtu.be/6KjLfO5BUDM

We are thrilled to tell you about a new movie coming out on October 4 called White Bird. From the world of WONDER, which sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter: WHITE BIRD. Struggling to fit in at his new school after being expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian is visited by his grandmother, played by Helen Mirren, and is transformed by the compassionate and heroic story of her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during WWII. From the director of Finding Neverland, WHITE BIRD reminds us to be brave and choose kind. Exclusively in theaters beginning October 4. Secure your tickets HERE

In a time of profound political, civil, and spiritual turmoil, Reverend David Hill grapples with a crucial question: Does God still have a place in politics? Following the unexpected death of a favored congressional incumbent, David feels compelled to enter the race, challenging the increasing efforts to remove religious influence from public policy. Facing off against state senator Peter Kane, a formidable opponent determined to create greater division by pushing religion out of the public square, David must navigate the treacherous waters of modern politics, where his faith, optimism, and principles are put to the ultimate test. As he confronts adversaries from his past and faces relentless scrutiny, David’s campaign becomes a beacon of hope for many who yearn for spiritual and moral leadership in a divided nation. God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust explores the enduring relevance of faith in public life and the fight to keep religious values at the heart of governance. Secure your tickets HERE

Actress Samaire Armstrong discusses her role in the movie ‘God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust’ and the importance of faith-based projects. The movie explores the responsibility to do good and stand up for beliefs, particularly in the political realm. Samaire shares her personal journey of speaking out and running for mayor, and how God led her to this project. She emphasizes the power of storytelling and the motivation it brings. The conversation also touches on the role of parents in navigating culture and pointing their children to Jesus. The movie is set to release in September and is a call for Christians to vote and make their voices heard. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6eU802jGts&t=1s

On September 12th, the biggest faith movie franchise returns to the big screen with “God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust”. Be inspired by this story of faith, hope, and courage. 

 Ripped from the headlines, in this new journey of political and spiritual turmoil, Reverend David Hill is called to run for Congress against his opponent Peter Kane who aims to erase religion from policy from government. The fight becomes a beacon of hope for people seeking moral leadership in a divided world. 

 “God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust” hits theaters nationwide on September 12th.

To learn more about the movie go to the website GodsNotDead.com. 

https://youtu.be/OcLq5Zp49eQ

Struggling to teach your child to read? Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start? Join us as we chat with Lydia Callahan, a seasoned educator and founder of Reading HQ, who shares invaluable insights on overcoming reading anxiety and empowering parents to help their children succeed. Discover practical strategies, essential tools, and the importance of a positive mindset in fostering a love of learning. 

Lydia Callahan has 16 years experience in the field of education, two master’s degrees, and is currently completing a PhD in Literacy. Her classroom experience centers around the lower elementary end, with multiple years in preschool, 1st, and 2nd grade. After the classroom experience, she worked as a consultant and contributing author for several textbook publishers, and became a national trainer, specializing in curriculum planning, reading instruction, comprehension building, and questioning strategies. For the last three years, she has been busy creating The Reading HQ, a supplemental reading program to help students become better readers.

Ready to Experience Your Faith? Word of Life creates faith defining experiences that give students and families the opportunity to encounter God and grow in their spiritual walk. Through Camps, the Bible Institute, Youth ministries and International Ministries, Word of Life is a catalyst for lasting life change and eternal impact. Visit www.wol.org to learn more! 

Click HERE to find out more about The Reading HQ