Give An Account

About Give An Account

A podcast inspired by 1 Peter 3:15, created for the BCS community to inspire connection by sharing the reason for our hope. Each episode highlights real stories of God’s faithfulness—through challenges, loss, growth, and everyday life. Our prayer is that as you listen, you’re reminded that God is sovereign, faithful, and at work in every season, and that you feel encouraged to share your own story of hope.

Publisher

Sarah Chavous

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Mar 2026

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   PRINCIPAL: Matt Ruta - Lead with Kindness

   In 1 Peter 3:15, we’re reminded to always be ready to give an account for the hope that is within us. In this episode of Give an Account, Principal Matt Ruta shares the story of God’s faithfulness throughout his life—including the seasons when the path ahead was uncertain. As a husband, father, and middle and high school principal, Mr. Ruta has experienced firsthand the importance of clinging to God’s character when circumstances are unclear. We talk about trusting God’s faithfulness in marriage, parenting, and a career spent investing in the lives of students. Mr. Ruta also shares about one of the greatest influences on his faith: his father and role model. Through his father’s example, he learned lessons about faith, character, and what it looks like to live in a way that points others toward Christ. After years of seeing the challenges, pressures, and choices that shape middle and high school students, Mr. Ruta offers honest and encouraging insight for parents. He reflects on the question, “What will you do differently as you parent?” and shares how his experiences have shaped the way he parents his own children. He also speaks to the challenge of entrusting our children to God while navigating the very real fears that come with raising them—and learning to trust that God is sovereign over their futures, even when we can’t see what lies ahead. We also talk about something simple that can have a profound impact: kindness. Mr. Ruta shares why treating others with kindness matters so much and how, in many ways, that simple act is what the gospel looks like lived out in our everyday interactions. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful reminder: God is faithful, God is sovereign, and our children’s futures are ultimately in His hands. This episode is an encouragement to parents, educators, and anyone walking through a season of uncertainty to look back at God’s faithfulness, learn from those who have modeled it for us, treat others with the kindness of Christ, and confidently place the future in God’s hands.

2. 

   20 Aug 2026

   SUPERINTENDENT: Linda Dahnke - God's Plan is Greater

   In this episode of Give An Account, I have the privilege of sitting down with Linda Dahnke, former superintendent of Bradenton Christian School, for a conversation that is especially meaningful to me—and a little bit of a time capsule. Why? Because this was the very first episode of Give An Account ever recorded. Before there was a polished format, a clear structure, or much of a plan for what I was even doing, there was a dining room, a microphone, and a whole lot of figuring it out as we went. The sound quality may remind you that we were definitely amateurs, and the questioning and structure were… let's just say, a work in progress. 😂 But what makes this episode special is that Linda was willing to take a risk on me before there was any proof of what this podcast could become. I am deeply honored and grateful that she said yes and trusted me enough to be the very first guest. Linda served as superintendent of BCS during a significant season of change, and she deserves tremendous credit for helping propel the school toward many of the changes that have contributed to the positive, encouraging breath of fresh air we are experiencing across our campus and among our staff today. Her leadership helped lay groundwork that continues to bear fruit. In our conversation, Linda shares her own story of faith, including the journey of finding contentment in singleness and learning to trust the Lord with the deepest desires of her heart. She beautifully shares how God answered that desire by blessing her with Shelby through adoption—a testimony that is both deeply personal and a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness. Throughout Linda's story, we see threads of change, surrender, stepping out in faith, and trusting that God is always up to something good—even when we can't see what He is doing yet. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, leader, coach, mom, single, or simply someone who loves a beautiful story of adoption and God's faithfulness, this episode is for you. And while you may hear the humble beginnings of Give An Account in every dining-room echo and slightly unstructured question, you'll also hear something much more important: a story of a faithful God working through seasons of uncertainty, change, and courageous steps of faith.

3. 

   1 Jun 2026

   MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER: Debbie Romaniello - God is Sovereign

   • 2:50 - PAST POINT: Growing up and accepting Christ • 9:00 - PURPOSE POINT: God’s hand in her life looking back • 19:25 - Don’t Miss: God in the middle of grief • 27:00 - Advice for walking alongside someone in grief • 35:40 - Passion Point • 38:25 - Professional Point: God working in middle school • 45:00- Panther Point:  Love & Hope for BCS • 54:00 - DO NOT MISS! In this episode, we sit down with a middle school teacher, Debbie Romaniello at BCS who shares a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness in the midst of profound grief. Through the lens of 1 Peter 3:15, she reflects on how suffering has deepened her faith and strengthened her confidence in the hope found in Christ. Our conversation explores the difficult questions that often arise when life doesn't go as planned. We also discuss how parents can help middle school students navigate questions of faith, doubt, and identify in Christ. She also offers practical and compassionate advice for walking alongside those who are grieving, sharing what it means to truly be present and support others through seasons of loss. At the heart of this episode is a simple but profound truth: God is sovereign through it all. Even when circumstances are painful and answers are hard to find, we can trust Him because He is faithful. Listeners will hear an honest discussion about wrestling with the hardest parts of life while discovering that there is still every reason to place our hope in Christ.

4. 

   27 Apr 2026

   BCS MOM & ALUMNI: Jacky Shenbaum - Know God & Make Him Known

   3:08 - PAST POINT: Growing up and accepting Christ 12:35 - PURPOSE POINT: God’s hand in her life looking back 14:45 - Don’t Miss: God’s REDEEMING love 17:30 - PROFESSIONAL POINT: God working in her life now 29:30 - A Season of Waiting 31:50 - Passion Point: Faith in Parenting and Marriage 46:00- Don’t miss this!  A message for us all! 50:00 - PANTHER POINT: Love & Hope for BCS In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Jacky Shenbaum—BCS mom and alumni—for an honest, faith-filled conversation rooted in 1 Peter 3:15 and what it truly looks like to follow Jesus with intention. Jacky shares her powerful testimony of learning to contend with God in every area of life—career, parenting, and marriage—and how that ongoing surrender has shaped her walk with Him. Together, we talk about meaningful reminders and the everyday choices that help us live on mission right where we are. At the center of it all is her family’s mission: to know God and make Him known—and trusting that everything else flows from that foundation. Come sit with us on my figurative “back porch” and listen in to two woman who love Jesus, just trying to figure it all out. My prayer is that you’ll be inspired by Jacky’s story and the way our unchanging God has faithfully led her life—and be reminded that this same God has a purpose and plan for your life too, inviting you to lean in and trust Him more.

5. 

   30 Mar 2026

   HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER: David Moss - True Heart Transformation

   Episode Highlights: | 4:15 - PAST POINT: Growing up and accepting Christ | 15:00 - PURPOSE POINT: Teaching in China & mission work | 18:50 - PROFESSIONAL POINT: God leads to teaching | 32:00 - PASSION POINT: God working in his life now | 33:45 - Moss family health update | 42:45 - Faith in grief | 48:50 - "What's your heart for those who don't have hope?" | 50:00 - PANTHER POINT: Love for BCS | 52:00 - Tough love message for parents | 59:36 - Examining your faith with assurance | 1:11:07 - Prayer | In this episode, I sit down with David Moss, a high school math and Bible teacher at Bradenton Christian School, for a powerful and encouraging conversation rooted in 1 Peter 3:15. David shares his personal testimony, reflecting on how God has worked in his life through both challenges and seasons of growth. With honesty and humility, he speaks about the importance of being truly anchored in Christ and how that calling plays out not just in big moments, but in everyday interactions—living life on mission for Him. His story is a reminder of God’s constant faithfulness and the impact of living out your faith with authenticity. For members of the BCS community, this episode is a chance to connect with the heart behind Mr. Moss. Whether you're an educator, a student, a parent, or simply someone seeking encouragement in your walk with Christ, this episode offers meaningful insight into trusting God’s sovereignty and living with an eternal perspective. Created in editing partnership with: Jason Rademeyer

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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