College Conversations Podcast

This podcast features two Institute alum, Matthew Parker and Stephen Carver, who are both employed in the construction industry while also working as pastors and development workers. Joined by hosts Gregg Garner and Jeff Sherrod, the four discuss changing job opportunities for graduates of Christian colleges, focusing on non-traditional ministry roles.

Join Institute for God professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay and headmaster Gregg Garner as they explore the issue of loneliness among college students, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasize the importance of feeling seen and heard, integrating into community, and recognizing cultural values to combat isolation.

This podcast focuses on the differences between small and large colleges, particularly in the context of Bible colleges and Christian higher education. President Gregg Garner, Laurie Kagay, and Jeff Sherrod, explore how school size impacts factors such as facilities, faculty, student-faculty relationships, and the overall college experience.

Gregg Garner, Jeffrey Sherrod, and Institute Professor and historian Shaun Galford discuss the importance of prioritizing biblical education, emphasizing the need for understanding beyond symbols and procedures. They highlight the role of the community in educating the next generation and stress the significance of passing down faith and values, drawing on historical lessons.

Join Institute for God Professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay, and Gregg Garner as they explore the "summer melt" phenomenon where students accepted to college do not show up in the fall.

Join Institute for God professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay and headmaster Gregg Garner as they discusses with Institute student; Jacob Oliveira his summer internship mission trip to Uganda, emphasizing intentional planning and transformative impact on one's relationship with God.

Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod and Laurie Kagay from College Conversations interview Institute students; Genesis Garner and Erin Gammill. They reflect on previous mission trips as well as share hopes for upcoming trips.

Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay, and Benjamin Reese from College Conversations discuss the challenges and criticisms surrounding short-term missions in America, focusing on issues such as the lack of lasting impact and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. They emphasize the importance of expertise, financial integrity, and a holistic approach to measuring success in mission work.

In this episode of the College Conversations podcast, host Jeff Sherrod sits down with Gregg Garner, president of The Institute for GOD, as well as Benjamin Reese and Laurie Kagay to discuss the importance of mission trips for college students. Guests share insights on what to look for when choosing a missions organization, emphasizing the significance of expert leadership and a focus on people over tasks. This episode provides invaluable guidance for prospective missions trip participants and their parents.

For this week’s podcast, we thought it’d be fun to have Institute President Gregg Garner react to tiktoks Gen Z are creating about their Christian college experiences. Because he’s reacting live to videos, and some of them don’t even have audio, but words on the screen, this episode is best experienced by watching, not just listening.

This week’s College Conversations podcast revolves around the impact of AI, specifically generative predictive text models like ChatGPT, on education. Institute President Gregg Garner alongside professors Jeffrey Sherrod and Benjamin Reese discuss concerns such as plagiarism, the erosion of critical thinking skills, and the oft-used comparison of AI to calculators.

It’s campus visit season. Jeff and Laurie discuss the parts of a college visit you don’t want to leave campus without, especially if you’re looking for a biblically based Christian community. Don’t miss these 7 pro tips!

Laurie Kagay, Jeff Sherrod and Institute for Global Outreach Developments president, Gregg Garner discuss the challenges faced by Christian students in secular colleges, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation in biblical education. They highlight the need for proper discipleship, Biblical literacy, and integration of faith into all aspects of life to effectively spread the light of Christ.

Joined by the Presidents of Mid South Christian College, Larry Griffin and Nick Griffin, Jeff Sherrod and Institute for Global Outreach Developments president; Gregg Garner discuss spiritual formation in students featuring a discussion on spiritual formation at Mid South Christian College. Speakers focus on the challenges of assessing and prioritizing spiritual growth in students.

President Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay highlight the importance of biblical literacy and critical thinking in studying the Bible. They address the need for sustainable transformation and genuine education for leaders and congregations in the developing world.

Institute President Gregg Garner leads a discussion with Professors Laurie Kagay and Benjamin Reese where they discuss being token representatives of diversity and emphasize the need for genuine diversity rooted in values. They discuss the challenges of navigating different cultural environments and stress the importance of self-awareness in promoting true diversity.

In this episode of College Conversations, Jeff Sherrod, President Gregg Garner, and VP of Enrollment and Marketing Laurie Kagay discuss how colleges prepare students for the workforce. They explore the disconnect between graduates' readiness and employers' expectations, highlighting the importance of practical experiences and skills beyond a degree. The podcast also touches on the Institute for GOD's innovative approaches to addressing this issue.

In this podcast episode, Jeff Sherrod and Gregg Garner interview Brent Holzklaw and Daniel Ryan Day from Reclaim Today. They discuss the mission of Reclaim Today to help people connect with God in the ordinary moments of everyday life, and how they use research and creative content to engage Gen Z and Millennials in their faith.

In a recent College Conversations podcast, Gregg Garner, Laurie Kagay, Mitchell Buchanan, and Amelia Harrison discuss the transformative impact of Students Living a Mission and the Summer Internship programs on college students. They highlight the opportunities for cross-cultural experiences, professional development, and increased enthusiasm for education that these programs offer.

Gregg, Jeff, and Laurie discuss the topic of discipleship on college campuses and the various programs available. They highlight the misconception that discipleship is solely about one's relationship with God and emphasize the importance of interactions with others, and college as the premier venue for discipleship (even above church). Listen and check out what cooperation is necessary between churches and colleges for discipleship to occur effectively.

Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay discuss the topic of discipleship on college campuses and highlight the lack of engagement in discipleship among Christians. They explore different definitions and examples of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of interacting with others. The speakers also address the challenges of discipleship in a culture that values self-affirmation and individualism. They suggest that there is a problem with discipleship in churches and a lack of biblical literacy among young people. Overall, they emphasize the importance of making disciples and discuss the potential role of colleges in discipleship.

This podcast discusses the topic of accreditation in higher education, highlighting its voluntary nature and the benefits it provides to schools. It also explores the pros and cons of accreditation, including financial support and recognition versus the challenges of meeting standards. The conversation then shifts to the evolving role of libraries, emphasizing the need for adaptation to meet the changing needs of students. The importance of providing services and resources, marketing offerings, and supporting academic programs is emphasized. The speakers also discuss the importance of a physical library space and the potential for libraries to preserve students' work.

President Gregg Garner discusses biblical college education’s current and future relevance with Institute faculty Jeff Sherrod, Benjamin Reese, and Laurie Kagay. They address the challenges and benefits of a faith-based degree, its influence on career paths, and its role in preparing students for a dynamic job market. A crucial conversation for Gen Z students and their parents considering higher education.

President Gregg Garner discusses biblical college education’s current and future relevance with Institute faculty Jeff Sherrod, Benjamin Reese, and Laurie Kagay. They address the challenges and benefits of a faith-based degree, its influence on career paths, and its role in preparing students for a dynamic job market. A crucial conversation for Gen Z students and their parents considering higher education.

The Institute for GOD has launched its first season of “College Conversations” — a podcast for college goers and their parents, facing a very different academic, economic, and social climate than previous generations. Hosted by Gregg Garner and Jeff Sherrod, the show invites interested students and families into discussions that range from the cost of college, the point of college, making friends, studying abroad, mental health, and more. It’s available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

In a special episode recorded during a break from filming The Institute’s feature on The College Tour, Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay are joined by show host Alex Boylan. Alex, an avid advocate of higher education, travel, and adventure, shares his perspective on why spending time abroad is an integral part of a student’s education. Tune in to learn about the unparalleled learning opportunities that travel offers and why it's a must for students seeking a well-rounded educational experience.

Benjamin Reese and Jeffrey Sherrod join Institute President Gregg Garner for a vital discussion on cultivating leadership skills in college. This episode examines how traditional college approaches may fall short in nurturing leadership qualities, essential in today's world and job market. The trio delves into the necessary changes colleges must adopt to effectively foster leadership among young people. It's an insightful episode for students, educators, and anyone interested in the evolution of higher education to meet contemporary leadership challenges.