PCA Podcasts

Rising Leaders: Meet PCA’s Promising Student-Athletes

Welcome back! In this episode, we introduce some of Portsmouth Christian Academy’s underclassmen who are stepping into leadership roles within their sports teams. Meet Lexi Jordan, Brayden Leland, and Ava Buchanan as they share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations for the future.
Lexi talks about her journey in varsity volleyball and soccer, inspired by her role models and the support from her dad. Brayden reflects on the importance of community support in sports and recounts overcoming injuries to continue his passion for soccer, basketball, and baseball. Ava discusses handling pressure and expectations in high-stakes moments, such as her crucial free throws in a playoff basketball game.
The trio also delves into the impact of injuries on their athletic journeys, the significance of fan support, and their hopes for building a stronger community at PCA through sports. They share heartfelt tributes to senior athletes who have inspired them and express their excitement for the upcoming seasons.
Join us to hear these inspiring stories and get a glimpse of the bright future ahead for PCA’s sports teams. Let’s go Eagles!

Voices of PCA: Senior Athletes Reflect on Faith, Sports, and Leadership

Welcome to the PCA community podcast! In this episode, we sit down with three senior student-athletes from PCA to hear their inspiring stories. Timothy Kelm, Tatiana Stockbower, and Isaac Kohl share their experiences in varsity sports, how their faith has shaped their character, and their thoughts on leadership and the future.
Listen as Timothy discusses the influence of his coaches on and off the field, Tatiana highlights overcoming team challenges, and Isaac reflects on the importance of leadership in sports. Whether you're a student, parent, or sports enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable insights and heartfelt moments.
Join us for an engaging conversation that celebrates the spirit of teamwork, community support, and the pursuit of excellence. Go Eagles!

Reflections on Memorial Day: Remembering...

Hello, PCA community. This is Mike Runey, and it is Memorial Day. I'd like to take some time today, just less than 10 minutes, to share some reflections on this important day of commemoration and remembrance.
While it's easy to mix up Veterans Day and Memorial Day, it's crucial to understand that Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering those who died in service to our nation. This tradition began after the Civil War and has evolved into a national holiday, recognized since 1971 during the Vietnam War.
For many veterans, today is a significant day of remembrance. If you know a veteran, I encourage you to be sensitive and inquire about their well-being. Connecting with them can be a meaningful way to honor this day.
Personally, I've been reflecting on my service and the incredible men and women I served with. They believed you were worth the sacrifice, regardless of your background or beliefs. As Christians, we follow a God who deemed us worthy of the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus laid down His life for us, and we remember those who did the same on Memorial Day.
So amidst the celebrations and cookouts, let's take a moment to reflect on what this day means for us personally, as a community, and as a nation. It's more than the start of summer; it's a call to joyfully follow our Lord and serve the world He loves.
Thank you for listening. There'll be an additional podcast tomorrow with great interviews from some amazing student athletes. God bless you.

Inspiring Stories of Service from a Missionary Trip to Puerto Rico

In a heartfelt conversation, "Youth on a Mission: Inspiring Stories of Service from a Missionary Trip to Puerto Rico" host Mike Runey sits down with a group of inspiring young missionaries who narrate their transformative experiences on a service-oriented trip to Puerto Rico. By overcoming hurdles such as the language barrier, cultural differences, and physical work, these dedicated students share personal anecdotes about their journey and the profound impact it had on growth.
Relive their experience, from Rachel's powerful connection with local citizens through prayer, Noah’s moment of conquering his struggle with Spanish, to Tatum's joy in serving at a local school, and Connor's humorous yet significant 'Gringo Michael Jordan' moment. Despite the different levels of Spanish education they've had, these young missionaries testify about how this journey led them to a better understanding of themselves and the world beyond their comfort zones.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of prayer, community, overcoming challenges and transcending cultural and language barriers. It offers insight into the transformative power of service, and elucidates the themes of accountability, positive community impact, and the invaluable connections built through prayer.
Learn about their fears of losing the profound impact of the journey with time, and how they plan to maintain the transformations that this service trip sparked in their lives. Their passion and commitment to service will inspire listeners to ponder upon the transformative power of service; not just to make a difference in the lives of others, but also to allow own lives to be changed for the better.
Listen in to be moved and inspired by these young individuals, as their stories remind us how service has the power to transform both ourselves and the world around us.

Faith, Joy, & Excellence from 6 PCA Artists

In this extended episode (40 minutes) of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Runey invites a diverse group of PCA actors, musicians, and artists to share their experiences, challenges, and spiritual evolvement framed in the realm of fine arts program. Discover how these students, bound by a mutual love for art and faith, use their creativity as a medium to deepen their connection with faith.
Listen as Anna, Levi, Chloe, Eric, and Owen share their individual journeys, discussing their roles and inspiring visions in music, theater, and leadership at the PCA. From Anna's choir anecdotes to Levi's experiences in Black Box shows, Chloe's successful balancing act between chapel team and rehearsals, Eric's musical explorations in worship, and Owen's innovative plans for the Fine Arts program, their narratives are powerfully captivating.
Our episode also has Josiah narrate his transformative journey in theater, and the influence of faith in his pursuit for perfection. Anna and Levi convey the metamorphoses in their artistic journey driven by trust, confidence, and an endeavor to conquer personal setbacks while Chloe and Eric underscore the significance of integrating faith and passion. Finally, Owen ends the episode stressing the impact of robust leadership in theater.
Each of these unique narratives combined highlights developed patience, perseverance, faith, and wisdom —qualities cultivated by the challenges they faced, solidifying their passion for arts and their faith together, to high standards. But more importantly, the episode brings to the fore the endless potential of young talent at the intersection of being a Christian and an artist.
From these young talents' excitement about their upcoming shows, gratitude for supportive theater directors and community, to the comprehensive theater experience they enjoyed over the years, this episode is sure to inspire you.

Students' Life-Changing Trip to Costa Rica

Join Mike Runey, head of school at Portsmouth Christian Academy, as he engages in a heartfelt conversation with four students who ventured on a transformative cultural mission trip to Costa Rica. Introducing their journey of stepping out of their comfort zones, they share their inspiring stories of personal growth, cultural immersion, and their earnest efforts to make a difference in global communities.
Experience the emotional roller-coaster of their conversations with local children at orphanages and schools - a testament to the power of unity, despite language barriers. Discover how they raised funds for this trip, demonstrating their dedication and resourceful spirit. They reflect on the effects of living sans personal electronic devices, an unexpected blessing that brought them closer together.
In this episode, our guests reveal how they overcame challenges, tasting the flavors of local cuisine and navigating through language barriers along the way. Hear how the experience strengthened their friendships, deepened their love for God, and amplified their understanding of other cultures.
Listen to the lasting memories they created and the profound impact this journey had on their personal growth and faith. Wrapping up the episode, they share words of wisdom for future travelers and express their yearning to revisit Costa Rica. Let their stories of bravery and camaraderie inspire you to take your own transformative journey.

Finishing strong! 40 days until end of year...

Welcome to another episode of Mondays with Mike where PCA's Mike Runey shares the latest happenings on campus and emphasizes the importance of finishing the school year strong.
The academic year is coming to an end, but not without a series of exciting events and activities. From mission trips to Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, musical performances, athletic meets, and AP tests, Mike updates on how the PCA community has been making the most of the year.
He then moves on to emphasize the importance of finishing the school year strong, both academically and relationally. He highlights the value of character development, cooperation, and fostering healthy relationships among peers as crucial aspects to achieving a successful school year.
Looking ahead to athletics, Mike acknowledges the stretching challenges experienced throughout the year and commends the students for their dedication and progress. He thanks the parents for supporting their children’s growth and the coaches for helping the students in their journey. He also celebrates a thriving year in fine arts and anticipates a grand culmination with the upcoming musical.
Moving on, Mike speaks about the spiritual growth of the students through the year and the consequent plans of taking this growth into the summer. He also shares his anticipation for the upcoming key spiritual ceremonies like the baccalaureate service for seniors and the milestone event for eighth graders.
In conclusion, Mike invites you to encourage your children to finish strong in every aspect of their school life, joining in his mantra of "running through the tape". He looks forward to partnering with the parents in raising their children and expects to see everyone on campus soon.

Broadening Horizons and Changing Lives

Join Mike Runey on "Mondays with Mike" as he delves into the transformative power of travel for Portsmouth Christian Academy students. Discover how trips to D.C., Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico expand worldviews, foster empathy, and cultivate leadership, all through the lens of Christ-centered service. 

Navigating Forward: Insights and Actions from Our Parent Survey

Join Mike Runey in this enlightening episode of 'Mondays with Mike' as we delve into the recent parent survey results at Portsmouth Christian Academy. Discover what we're doing right, where we aim to improve, and how your invaluable feedback is shaping a brighter, Christ-centered future for our students.

Insights on AI: Nurturing PCA's students today to become tomorrow's trusted thinkers

Join me in a post-Easter reflection on the pivotal role of AI in education. Discover our balanced approach at Portsmouth Christian Academy to fostering independent thinking, ethical technology use, and preparing our students for a future where technology complements, not replaces, human creativity.