WISE and Otherwise

About WISE and Otherwise

Join host and Christian education advocate Dalena Wallace on WISE and Otherwise, a podcast powered by the Heartland Education Reformation Organization (HERO). Each episode explores faith-based and family-centered education—featuring leaders reshaping learning through microschools, hybrids, and co-ops that keep Christ at the center. For media inquiries, please email dalena@aimeducationks.com.

Publisher

Heartland Christian Ministries Association and AIM Educational Collaborative

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Dec 2023

Latest episode

30 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

60 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Mar 2026

   How to Launch a Christian Microschool for $125 | David Hazell of Discipleship Academies

   Are you feeling called to start a Christian school but don't know where to begin? In this episode of Wise and Otherwise, host Dalena Wallace sits down with David Hazell — founder of My Father's World curriculum and Discipleship Academies — to talk about one of the most practical and Spirit-led movements happening in Christian education today: the return of the one-room schoolhouse. David shares how churches and everyday believers are launching micro schools in as little as three to six weeks, with little more than a willing heart, a curriculum, and a community. Whether you're a pastor, a parent, or someone who simply feels the stirring, this conversation is for you. In this episode: Why public schools are accomplishing exactly what they were designed to do — and why that should concern every Christian parent How Deuteronomy 6 and Psalm 78 call the whole community — not just parents — to disciple children The surprising truth about socialization in one-room schoolhouses What a typical school day looks like across 8 different micro school models How to get started for as little as $125 at a Discipleship Academies conference How David and his wife have given away over $25 million — and why they ask "How much should I keep?" instead of "How much should I give?" Ready to take your next step? Visit 👉 discipleshipacademies.com to watch the free Rescue the Children video series and sign up for an upcoming conference. Also find resources at 👉 mfwbooks.com Wise and Otherwise is a podcast for Christians passionate about reclaiming education for the glory of God — from microschools to school boards, from homeschool living rooms to church sanctuaries. New episodes regularly. #ChristianEducation #MicroSchool #HomeschoolCommunity #DiscipleshipAcademies #MyFathersWorld #WiseAndOtherwise #ChristianParenting #ChurchSchool #OneRoomSchoolhouse #BiblicalEducation BIG NEWS FOR March 2026: The HERO Matching Scholarship Challenge We have officially launched the HERO Matching Scholarship Challenge! We currently have a $100,000 match fund ready to support Christian education. Every dollar raised by our founders and schools goes directly toward tuition, ensuring that faith-based education is accessible to every family. How you can take action today: Find a School: Check out a HERO partner school in your community and see how you can contribute your time, talent, or treasure: ⁠https://heartlandhero.org/directory⁠ Visit Our Website: Learn more about our mission at ⁠https://heartlandhero.org⁠. Get in Touch: Have questions? Email Dalena at dalena@aimeducationks.com. We'd like to thank our generous sponsors for this year's podcast episodes: 1. Learning Lab Wichita: Programs, space and support foreducation done differently. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher or an education innovator – Learning Lab gives you the resources to create your own path.(https://www.golearninglab.org/) 2. VELA: Every day, millions of families are stepping up to own their education. Thousands of founders have broken the mold, providing solutions that work better for families. This is a movement of self-determined people doing education their own way. VELA is where they connect. Download the VELA App today! (https://vela.org/)

2. 

   18 Mar 2026

   Why Christian Schools Are Struggling And the 60-Year-Old Solution Already Working

   What if the reason Christian schools are struggling to stay affordable isn't a funding problem — it's a vision problem? In this episode of Wise & Otherwise, host Dalena Wallace sits down with Father Jarrod Lies, Vicar of Evangelization, Discipleship, and Stewardship for the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, and St. Francis of Assisi parishioner Phyllis Kuckelman to uncover one of the most quietly remarkable models in Christian education today. For over 60 years, the Diocese of Wichita has been living out a stewardship way of life — not as a fundraising program, but as a full expression of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. The result? A community where Christian education is sustained not by tuition alone, but by an entire body of believers who see generosity as an act of worship. But here's the part most people miss: it didn't start with a school. It didn't start with a form, a budget, or a strategic plan. It started with faith, culture, and a vision that took 25 years to take root. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why stewardship that starts with an outcome is doomed to fail The biblical foundation for time, talent, AND treasure — from Genesis to Acts How 60% of Catholic school funding in Wichita comes from parishioners with no kids in the school The dangerous phrase Father Lies warns every church leader never to say What Protestant churches can learn from this model — and where to start today Whether you're a pastor, school founder, homeschool parent, or everyday believer wondering what role you can play in the future of Christian education — this conversation will challenge you, convict you, and give you a next step. Subscribe so you don't miss the full episode #ChristianEducation #Stewardship #ChristianSchools #HomeschoolMom #MicroSchool #ChurchLeadership #Discipleship #WiseAndOtherwise #CatholicDiocese #Wichita #ChristianParenting #BiblicalStewardship #FaithAndEducation #ChurchAndSchool #PrivateChristianSchool BIG NEWS FOR March 2026: The HERO Matching Scholarship ChallengeWe have officially launched the HERO Matching Scholarship Challenge! We currently have a $100,000 match fund ready to support Christian education. Every dollar raised by our founders and schools goes directly toward tuition, ensuring that faith-based education is accessible to every family. How you can take action today: Find a School: Check out a HERO partner school in your community and see how you can contribute your time, talent, or treasure: ⁠https://heartlandhero.org/directory⁠ Visit Our Website: Learn more about our mission at ⁠https://heartlandhero.org⁠. Get in Touch: Have questions? Email Dalena at dalena@aimeducationks.com. We'd like to thank our generous sponsors for this year's podcast episodes: 1. Learning Lab Wichita: Programs, space and support foreducation done differently. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher or an education innovator – Learning Lab gives you the resources to create your own path.(https://www.golearninglab.org/) 2. VELA: Every day, millions of families are stepping up to own their education. Thousands of founders have broken the mold, providing solutions that work better for families. This is a movement of self-determined people doing education their own way. VELA is where they connect. Download the VELA App today! (https://vela.org/)

3. 

   2 Mar 2026

   Why She Left Corporate America to Build Christian Microschools

   What happens when you leave a lucrative corporate career in New York to follow God’s call—while holding $330,000 in student loan debt? In this episode of WISE and Otherwise, Dalena Wallace sits down with Analyssa Noe from Cardinal Learning Academy to discuss the radical, life-changing power of biblical stewardship. Analyssa shares her incredible testimony of paying off massive debt, learning to live below her means, and ultimately walking away from the corporate world to help build innovative Christian education communities. Plus, Dalena shares a powerful personal story about how God miraculously provided for her own family's educational needs while she was busy investing in others. If you've ever wondered how the Church can lead the way in education or what true financial freedom looks like when you put God first, this episode is for you! 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more inspiring stories from the frontlines of Christian education! 💡 Learn more about our mission and support the movement: Visit our website: https://heartlandhero.org BIG NEWS FOR March 2026: The HERO Matching Scholarship Challenge We have officially launched the HERO Matching Scholarship Challenge! We currently have a $100,000 match fund ready to support Christian education. Every dollar raised by our founders and schools goes directly toward tuition, ensuring that faith-based education is accessible to every family. How you can take action today: Find a School: Check out a HERO partner school in your community and see how you can contribute your time, talent, or treasure: ⁠https://heartlandhero.org/directory⁠ Visit Our Website: Learn more about our mission at ⁠https://heartlandhero.org⁠.⁠ Get in Touch: Have questions? Email Dalena at dalena@aimeducationks.com.⁠ We'd like to thank our generous sponsors for this year's podcast episodes:⁠ 1. Learning Lab Wichita: Programs, space and support foreducation done differently. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher or an education innovator – Learning Lab gives you the resources to create your own path.(https://www.golearninglab.org/)⁠ 2. VELA: Every day, millions of families are stepping up to own their education. Thousands of founders have broken the mold, providing solutions that work better for families. This is a movement of self-determined people doing education their own way. VELA is where they connect. Download the VELA App today! (https://vela.org/)⁠ ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Teaser: Graduating with $330k in Debt 00:53 - Welcome to WISE and Otherwise with Deena Wallace 01:54 - Meet Analyssa Noe and The Biblical Premise of Stewardship 03:41 - Leaving Corporate America for Christian Education 05:01 - Redefining Success and Storing Treasures in Heaven 08:00 - Why God is Calling People into the Education Movement 10:55 - How Tithing & Discipline Changed Analyssa's Financial Life 14:26 - The Miracle of Paying Off $330k in Student Loans 18:13 - Dalena's Story: Investing in Others & Divine Provision 23:51 - Final Thoughts: How Stewardship Can Change the World ⁠ Keywords/Tags: WISE and Otherwise podcast, Dalena Wallace, Analyssa Noe, Christian education, micro schools, hybrid homeschooling, biblical stewardship, Christian finances, paying off student loan debt, trusting God with finances, Heartland HERO, Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Cardinal Learning Academy, faith-based education.

Who has been a guest on WISE and Otherwise

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dave Atherton
• Jodi Schlesener
• Kerry McDonald

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

3,095

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

27

Contact WISE and Otherwise

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.