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Survival Guide for the Middle Podcast

 Mr. Joel Simpson, LCA 6th-8th Spiritual Life Director, launched the Survival Guide for the Middle podcast in March 2023. The weekly podcast features guests from LCA and the local community on topics that affect the lives of middle school students in many different ways. 

The podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We'd love for you take a minute and rate us or leave a review everywhere you listen to podcasts. 

2024-25 Podcasts

Survival Guide for the Middle is finally back, and joining Joel moving forward as co-host will be Drew Dawson. Drew is currently on staff at Elevate Christian Church here in Lexington, and has been one of the biggest ministry partners for LCA in helping during chapel services and other needs for Spiritual Life. Drew is married to Kayla and has two kids, Mikey and Luke, and we are excited to have him be a huge part of the podcast moving forward! 

MOST RECENT EPISODES

In their new series, Witnesses of Christmas, Drew and Joel explore the diverse characters woven into the Christmas story. They kick things off with two often-overlooked figures, Simeon and Anna, connecting their stories to an unlikely parallel: a small town in New Hampshire that holds unique significance every election season. They continue their journey to Bethlehem by exploring two key villains in the Christmas story. Drew and Joel then take a closer look at the remarkable characters surrounding the birth of Jesus. 

Enjoying this podcast? Please consider sharing, subscribing, liking, and reviewing!

Episode 43: Witnesses of Christmas - Baby Jesus (12/23/24)

Episode 42: Witnesses of Christmas - Mary and Joseph (12/17/24)

Episode 41: Witnesses of Christmas - The Magi and Shepherds (12/11/24)

Episode 40: Zechariah and Elizabeth (12/5/24)

Episode 39: Witnesses of Christmas - Gabriel and the Angels (11/25/24)

Episode 38: Witnesses of Christmas - The Villains (11/20/24)

Episode 37: Witnesses of Christmas - Simeon and Anna (11/13/24)

Drew and Joel start a new series highlighting stories in the Bible that are often overlooked or not discussed. 

Episode 36: Obscure Bible Stories - Ehud (11/7/24)

Episode 35: Obscure Bible Stories - Balaam's Talking Donkey (10/31/24)

Episode 34: Obscure Bible Stories - Josiah the Child King (10/24/24)

Episode 33: Obscure Bible Stories - The Floating Axe Head (10/17/24)

Drew and Joel dive into what happened during Spiritual Emphasis Week and how the Sermon on the Mount was the inspiration for the theme, "Counter-Culture". Make sure to share, subscribe and review Survival Guide for the Middle on whichever platform you use to listen! 

Episode 32: Sermon on the Mount - Part 2 (9/24/24)

Episode 31: Sermon on the Mount - Part 1 (9/18/24)

 

PREVIOUS EPISODES

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Episode 30 (3/19/24) - Truth and Authority (Guest: Carson Judd, LCA 8th Grader)
Episode 29 (2/28/24) - Foundational Truths: The Resurrection (Joel Simpson, LCA 6th-8th Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 28 (2/13/24) - Foundational Truths: Jesus (Joel Simpson, LCA 6th-8th Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 27 (2/8/24) - Foundational Truths: The Bible (Joel Simpson, LCA 6th-8th Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 26 (1/31/24) - Foundational Truths: Sin and the Gospel (Joel Simpson, LCA 6th-8th Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 25 (1/25/24) - Foundational Truths: Creation (Joel Simpson, LCA 6th-8th Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 24 (11/7/23) - How to Raise Grateful Students (Guest: Matt Lee, Executive Director, Psalm 82:3 Mission)
Episode 23 (10/31/23) - How to Raise Biblical Leaders (Guest: Mr. Coleman Marshall, LCA Junior High Principal)
Episode 22 (10/24/23) - How to Help Your Student Read the Bible (Guest: Marcus Shaeffer, Middle School Minister, Southland Christian Church)
Episode 21 (10/17/23): How to Stay Informed About New Drug Trends (Guest: Sgt. Brittany Whitcomb, LCA School Resource Officer)
Episode 20 (10/2/23): How to Balance Grace and Truth (Guest: Scott Hatfield, Minister & Lead Team, Southland Christian Church)
Episode 19 (9/26/23) - How to Protect Students as They Use Technology (Guest: Melody Ballard, LCA Technology Integration Specialist)
Episode 18 (9/19/23) - How to Help a Student Struggling with Anxiety/Depression (Guest: Zach Volz, Lakeside Christian Church)
Episode 17 (9/12/23) - How to Raise Boys into Godly Men (Guest: Mark Sullivan, White River Christian Church, Indiana)
Episode 16 (9/5/23) - How to Vet Friendships (Guests: Lea Clark & Nancy Jaeger)
Episode 15 (8/29/23) - How to Prioritize Faith as a Family (Guest: Drew Dawson from Elevate Church)
Episode 14 (8/22/23) - How to be a Successful Junior High Student/Parent (Guests: Brian Ray and EJ Ray)
Episode 13 (8/15/23) - Spiritual Life 2023-24 Introduction (Guests: Nathaniel Cheeks and Zac Barnhart)
Episode 12 (6/19/23) - High School Graduation (Guest: Zac Barnhart, PS-Elementary Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 11 (6/12/23) - Transitioning from 8th to 9th Grade (Guest: Zac Barnhart, PS-Elementary Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 10 (6/5/23) - Transitioning from 5th to 6th Grade (Guest: Zac Barnhart, PS-Elementary Spiritual Life Director)
Episode 9 (5/30/23): A Student Perspective (Guests: Jack Keeling, Ava VanMeter, Emma Kate Hall, and Porter Harris)
Episode 8 (5/22/23): Doubting Faith (Guest: Casey Easterwood, LCA 7th Grade Bible Teacher)

Episode 7 (5/15/23): Leaving a Legacy (Guest: Coach David Cravens)

 
Episode 6 (5/8/23): Partnering with Coaches (Guest: Doug Charles, LCA Head Varsity Football Coach)
Episode 5 (5/2/23) - Navigating Family and Grief (Guest: Doug Charles, LCA Head Varsity Football Coach)
Episode 4 (4/24/23) - Idolizing Sports (Guest: Keith Galloway, LCA HS Asst. Principal & Athletics Chaplain)
Episode 3 (4/17/23) - Navigating Dating & Intimacy (Guest: Brian Ray)
Episode 2 (4/11/23) - Navigating Friendships (Guest: Nancy Jaeger, LCA 6th-8th Guidance Counselor)
Episode 1 (3/27/23) - Parenting a Social Media Generation (Guest: Brian Ebel, LCA Parent and Senior Pastor at St. Luke Church)

Joel Simpson 
LCA 6th-8th Grade Spiritual Life Director