S5 E4: Taking Back the Classroom: Protecting Children

Episode Summary:

In this critical episode of The InFormed Parent Podcast, host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Karen England, President of the Capital Resource Institute and long-time advocate for parental rights, religious freedom, and education reform.

With more than 27 years of experience in policy and advocacy, Karen has been on the frontlines fighting for parents, children, and families at the local, state, and national levels. Today, she unpacks the real issues surrounding school libraries, surveys, and curriculum, and why the conversation around "book banning" is often misunderstood.

This episode equips parents with facts over fear, helping them understand what's at stake in schools and how to practically engage their local community to protect children.

Episode Highlights:

✔️ How Karen's journey from homeschooling mom to policy advocate began

✔️ Why more parents are "waking up" to dangers in culture and schools

✔️ The truth about books vs. curriculum—and why it matters

✔️ What parents need to know about age-inappropriate content in school libraries

✔️ The role of surveys in shaping children's beliefs

✔️ Breaking down the recent Supreme Court case in Maryland and what it means for parents

✔️ Why complacency around executive orders can be risky

✔️ Practical steps to engage with your school board and elected officials

✔️ Encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed by the fight

📖 Featured Resource: Capital Resource Institute Toolkit

Karen and her team created a practical toolkit to help parents organize locally, engage school boards, and protect children.

👉 Explore Resources → Capital Resource Institute

📣 Call-to-Actions (CTAs):

📲 Follow Karen England:

• Instagram: @thekitchentableactivist
• Website: Capital Resource Institute
  
  

📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent:

• @suzannephillips_
• @beacon_parent
• Website: www.beaconparent.com
  
  

📚 Free Resource Hub:

Get parenting tools, downloads, and discipleship guides →  The Hub

✨ Gain access to coaching, encouragement, and exclusive resources → The Parent Club

📥 Starting a Homeschool Pod?

Download The Pod Packet—a free step-by-step guide to launch your own homeschool pod with confidence → www.beaconparent.com/podpacket

📖 Identity Truth for the Family:

✅ Parents are called to be the primary protectors and disciples of their children.

✅ When we engage with truth and vigilance, we model faith and courage to the next generation.

🔔 Closing Call-to-Action (CTA):

The classroom is one of the most important battlefields of our time. Don't assume someone else is protecting your children—you are their first line of defense.

Share this episode with another parent or community leader, subscribe for weekly encouragement, and let's continue raising families who are both informed and equipped.

🎧 Listen Now → https://youtu.be/svSWYlPT1mU