How do we faithfully raise children in a culture that constantly fragments their attention?

In this episode of Base Camp Live, Davies Owens welcomes Suzanne Phillips of Beacon Parent for a thoughtful and deeply encouraging conversation about parenting in an age of distraction, anxiety, and cultural confusion. Rather than offering another parenting checklist, Suzanne shares a biblical framework for becoming the kind of parent your children can follow.

Together, they explore what Suzanne calls the seven facets of a “Beacon Parent,” including the supremacy of Christ, expressed honor, intentional legacy, transformative wisdom, humble courage, secure identity, and personal responsibility.

Along the way, they discuss:
• Why everything starts at home
• The difference between knowledge and wisdom
• How technology is reshaping childhood
• Why honor is disappearing from families
• The dangers of fear-based parenting
• Why children need gradual responsibility
• How parents can lead with clarity instead of anxiety

This conversation is both practical and hopeful for parents seeking to raise grounded, thoughtful, Christ-centered children in a rapidly changing world.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Friendship does not happen automatically anymore. In a world filled with distraction, busyness, and surface-level interaction, many adults and students are struggling to form meaningful relationships.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Dirk Bellamy to discuss the growing loneliness crisis and why friendship is becoming one of the greatest challenges of modern life. Drawing from his own experience of realizing he had virtually no close friendships, Dirk shares the practical and deeply personal journey that led him to write his book, Why We Ask.

Together, they explore:

• Why proximity is not the same as connection
• The difference between acquaintances, friends, and close friendships
• How asking better questions transforms relationships
• Why intentionality matters in building community
• How parents can help children develop friendship skills
• The connection between friendship, meaning, and authentic belonging
• Why curiosity and humility are essential for healthy relationships

This conversation offers practical encouragement for parents, educators, and anyone longing for deeper connection in an increasingly disconnected culture.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why “How was your day?” is often the wrong question
• The four levels of conversation, from small talk to deep talk
• Why men and women often approach friendship differently
• How meaningful friendships are intentionally cultivated
• Why authentic belonging is essential for human flourishing

Whether you are trying to deepen your own friendships or help the next generation learn how to connect well, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and practical next steps.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

What does classical Christian education actually mean? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens continues the ongoing series on classical Christian education with guest Lindsey Ralls, Upper School Head at Summit Christian Academy. Together, they explore a practical framework for understanding the heart behind classical Christian education, not simply as a method or curriculum model, but as a vision for forming flourishing human beings.

Lindsey shares how Summit Christian Academy developed a one-page framework to help parents, teachers, and students better understand the deeper purpose of classical Christian education. The conversation moves beyond the familiar language of the trivium and great books into topics like virtue, paideia, ordered affections, truth, goodness, beauty, and the intentional formation of students.

Davies and Lindsey also discuss how the classical movement has matured over the last 30 years, shifting from an emphasis on educational stages and methodology toward a richer focus on formation and discipleship. They unpack several key principles that shape Summit’s approach, including formation over information, imitation over innovation, the givenness of the universe, and helping students distinguish between truth and reality.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why classical Christian education is about formation, not just information
• How schools can intentionally cultivate virtue and ordered affections
• The difference between truth and reality in today’s culture
• Why imitation and apprenticeship still matter in education
• Practical ways parents and teachers can create meaningful conversations

This episode offers practical encouragement for educators and parents alike, especially those seeking to cultivate thoughtful conversations, wise affections, and a deeper understanding of what it means to raise children to love what is true, good, and beautiful.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

How do we move students from simply talking about truth, goodness, and beauty to actually living those ideals out in everyday life?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Sharon Carlson for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to develop an “operational theology” , a faith that shapes not just beliefs, but daily decisions, relationships, failures, and future plans. Sharon draws from decades of experience in classical Christian education, student formation, counseling, and college advising to explore how schools and parents can help students connect theology to real life.

Together, they discuss:

• Why students often struggle to apply Christian truth in practical decisions
• What “the good life” actually means from a biblical perspective
• How parents and schools can respond redemptively when students fail
• Why discipline moments can become discipleship opportunities
• The difference between knowing Christian virtues and becoming more like Christ
• How theology helps students navigate anxiety, uncertainty, and major life decisions
• Why “the best next step” matters more than fear of making the “wrong” decision

Sharon also shares insights from mentoring students through college and career decisions, helping them understand that God’s will is ultimately about being conformed to the character of Christ, not simply finding the perfect school, job, or path.

🎧 Tune in for a rich conversation about spiritual formation, discipleship, and helping the next generation move beyond slogans into deeply lived faith.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Anxiety is everywhere today, but what if it doesn’t always tell us the truth? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens welcomes back Keith McCurdy for another conversation in the Live Sturdy series. Together, they unpack why anxiety has become so common in students and parents, how overcommitment and fear-based decision making fuel the problem, and what schools and families can do to cultivate resilience, wisdom, and hope in a fragile age.

Keith shares practical insight from years of counseling families, students, and school leaders. From sports overload to perfectionism to the pressure-filled culture surrounding today’s kids, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful perspective on helping children grow stronger instead of more fragile.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why anxiety often doesn’t tell us the truth
• The difference between helping and rescuing children
• How over-scheduled families unintentionally fuel stress
• Why students need encouragement, truth, and healthy boundaries
• Practical ways schools can respond to anxious students with wisdom and patience
• How parents can create more margin, harmony, and stability at home

Join us as we discuss what it means to raise children who can live sturdy, even in an anxious world.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Gen Z is more connected than any generation in history, yet also more isolated, anxious, and uncertain about their identity and purpose.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford, senior fellow at the Barna Group and author of You on Purpose, to explore the findings from Barna’s latest research on Gen Z mental health.

While anxiety and depression are on the rise, this conversation goes deeper. What if the core issue is not just mental health, but a lack of purpose, connection, and grounded identity?

Drawing from extensive research and expert interviews, Stephanie shares six key themes that offer a path forward for families and schools:

• Creating tech-free spaces to reduce anxiety and restore focus
• Supporting parents as a critical foundation for student wellbeing
• Rebuilding real, in-person relationships and community
• Helping students reframe struggles with resilience and hope
• Returning to faith practices that ground identity and purpose
• Cultivating a sense of responsibility and calling beyond self

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why Gen Z is called a “generation of paradox”
• The surprising connection between purpose and mental health
• How small changes at home can make a lasting impact
• Why church and community matter more than ever

This episode is both eye-opening and deeply practical, offering simple but powerful ways to help the next generation flourish.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

In a world where attention is constantly pulled in a thousand directions, how do we help students focus on what truly matters?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Tami Peterson, founder of Life Architects Coaching, to explore the growing challenge of distraction and its impact on formation. From shrinking attention spans to the overwhelming number of inputs competing for our focus, the conversation highlights how what we pay attention to ultimately shapes who we become.

Tami brings deep insight into how attention functions not just cognitively, but spiritually and relationally. Together, they discuss how modern technology, media, and even educational systems are influencing habits and affections, often without us realizing it.

But this episode is not just about the problem. It is about reclaiming attention with purpose. From forming meaningful habits in the home to helping students develop discernment in decisions like college and vocation, this conversation offers practical ways to guide the next generation toward what is true, good, and beautiful.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why attention is one of our most valuable and contested resources
• How distraction is shaping habits, identity, and decision-making
• The role of parents and educators in forming attentiveness
• Practical ways to help students grow in focus, discernment, and purpose

Join us as we revisit this must-hear episode and rediscover how forming attention can shape a life of purpose and clarity.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
The Champion Group
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

What happens when schools and homes truly align?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Sadie Elliott, Director of the Herzog Foundation Institute, to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of Christian education: the partnership between parents and schools.

Sadie shares what she is seeing from her unique vantage point serving thousands of Christian school leaders across the country. Together, she and Davies explore why education can never be outsourced, why parents remain the primary disciplers of their children, and how healthy Christian schools are working to build stronger connections between school life and home life.

They also discuss the continued growth of Christian education, the dangers of drifting into a “me too” model of schooling, the impact of technology on family life, and simple ways parents can become more intentional without feeling overwhelmed.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Christian education is about much more than academics
• What Sadie is seeing in the growth of Christian schools nationwide
• Why parent engagement matters so much for spiritual formation
• How schools and families can either reinforce each other or work against each other
• Why the dinner table still matters
• How technology can erode attention, formation, and family rhythms
• What the Herzog Foundation Institute is doing to equip Christian school leaders

This conversation is a timely encouragement for parents, teachers, and school leaders who want to see the next generation formed with wisdom, faith, and conviction.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
The Champion Group
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.