Ben Lippen Podcast

Born in Canada to an Indian family, Ben appreciates cultural integration and has participated in various ministries in his church and community. With degrees in Counseling, Psychology, and Theology, he enjoys collaborating across academic disciplines. 

He earned a bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from Emmaus Bible College, continued graduate work at Dallas Theological Seminary, and received an MA in Counseling and a PhD in Psychology from Northcentral University. 

Ben worked in Dallas for years at the Minirth Clinic, specializing in adolescent rehab and mental health. He served over 20 years at Emmaus Bible College, most recently as Chair of Health Services and Professor of Counseling Psychology program. 

Ben is a Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) and currently serves as a Professor of Clinical Counseling (MA & PhD) at Columbia International University (ciu.edu). 

Chris McKenna: Founder, Protect Young Eyes, and Executive Director of the PYE Foundation.

His impactful 2019 testimony before the US Senate initiated a series of hearings to further online child protection policy. Years of effort earned PYE the 2020 Dignity Defense Award from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and the 2024 Child Safety Award from The Phase Alliance. Recent state-level legislation co-authored by Chris - the Child Device Protection Bill - passed in Utah and moved through multiple chambers in six other states.

He is a technical advisor to Angel Kids AI and works closely with digital safety advocates and legislators to craft policies that reign in abusive technologies. As a representative of the Human Change Movement, Chris spoke at the 2024 World Economic Forum. The PYE team conducts presentations worldwide to parents, professionals, and schools.

Website: https://protectyoungeyes.com/

Mr. Angstadt shares that “the greatest honor in my life is being married to the most incredible woman on earth, Phyllis Angstadt, who has taught me about living life with God and loving Him more than any theologian ever has.” He continues, “We have two incredible daughters, Jerusha and Anna, and two wonderful grandchildren, Porter and Raleigh. It has been a distinct privilege to teach Bible, Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics at Ben Lippen for 35 years—almost half my life—and to have witnessed firsthand the fruit of God’s faithfulness in the joy of now teaching the children of former students. The privilege of longevity affords wondrous glimpses of God’s faithfulness.”

https://www.benlippen.com/about/news/posts-landing-page/~board/news/post/podcast-dale-angstadt

Dr. Ben Porter has devoted 23 years to education, with the past 15 years spent at Ben Lippen School in various leadership roles, including House Parent, Athletic Director, Lower School Principal, and Assistant Head of School. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia International University. A 2001 graduate of The Citadel, Dr. Porter is passionate about prioritizing the student experience at Ben Lippen. He and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 22 years and have two sons, Drake (11th grade) and Stone (9th grade), who have been part of the Ben Lippen community since they were in Pre-K4.

Dr. Bill Jones currently serves as the eighth president of Columbia International University, having previously held the position as its sixth president. During his first term, CIU experienced remarkable growth and transformation. Under his leadership, CIU launched its first fully online degree program, established the Kepha (Chinese Initiative) program, and secured full accreditation for the Prison Initiative.

Dr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Certificate in Theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary. He earned dual Doctor of Ministry degrees from Columbia Biblical Seminary & Graduate School of Missions and Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

Dr. Ross brings 30 years of pastoral ministry to his current work of training leaders for the church. He is in demand as a preacher and lecturer, and is the author of Let’s Study Matthew (Banner of Truth, 2009). He is a minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

He started the "I Asked My Dad" podcast with his daughter, Emily Ross Woodard, where they discuss reading plans, theology and more.

Dr. Scott joined the School of Counseling faculty of Columbia International University in 2019, and serves as the Program Director and Assistant Dean of the School of Counseling, Professor of Clinical Counseling, Director of the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, and Associate Director of Chinese Clinical Counseling. Seth teaches in the areas of research, faith integration, worldview formation, trauma, and clinical practice for the MA program and research, counselor identity, faith integration, and counselor education in the PhD. He is an active member and participant of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), and the American Counseling Association (ACA). He also maintains a private practice, Sunrise Counseling, for both clinical work and supervision in the community.

Emily is a Ben Lippen Alumni and a current employee with Columbia International University as the School of Nursing Program Manager.  

She and her father, Dr. Mark Ross, started a podcast entitled "I Asked My Dad" where they cover Bible reading plans, theology and other topics.

Joe lives in a house full of females... my wife, Nicole, and my two daughters, Whitney and Brooklyn, along with our lovable dog, Gracie. I am a huge fan of sports, especially the South Carolina Gamecocks and of Baltimore sports teams, as that is where I was born and raised.  He is a Market Manager and the Midday host on HIS radio.  He has done radio in South Carolina and in Maine beginning in 2001.

When I was in High School, I tried to get out of going to church on Sunday mornings, until one day my mom came to me and said, "You don't have to go with us, but just go somewhere." That was freeing to me. There was a church up the street that a bunch of my friends went to, so I decided to go there. One of those friends invited me to a Young Life event.  On a snowy night in the mountains of New York on Young Life trip, I heard about the love that God had for me in a way I had never heard it before. I gave my life to Christ and never looked back.

The Ben Lippen Podcast is honored to welcome Kelly Davis, Development Director, to our latest episode! Kelly brings 19 years as a Falcon to the table with the last 13 years as an employee. 

I have three children at Ben Lippen: Davis, Cademon, and Phoebe, and a lovely wife, Melody, who is an alum (Class of '01). I love that I get to teach the BL students and share life with them. Jesus had an ongoing relationship with his disciples and taught them as they shared life together.

My background is in youth ministry and I have a master's degree in Education and Counseling from CIU. I've spent the last 12 years as a Christian school educator and I have always tried to include my students in my life, within reason, by letting them know what I am passionate about, my weekends, my travels, my family, etc. This allows them to be able to know me more than just a teacher. I also ask about their lives as well, show up to their games, care about their interests…and in doing so, we share life together. That works better with some students than others, but at least they can see that I care about them as individuals and not just their grades in my class.

Mrs. Helsley is the Director of The Ridge at Ben Lippen School.  She has worked at Ben Lippen since 2023. 

Education - B.A. in Special Education from Clemson University. M.Ed in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Mrs. Helsley is currently working on her associate OG certification.

Mrs. Sara Smithson has been a part of the Ben Lippen team since 2018. 

Education: Charleston Southern University - B.A. in Elementary Education with minors in Psychology and Sociology.

She graduated from Ben Lippen School in 2006.

Mrs. Smithson is currently working on her OG Associate Level Credentials.

Taylor Nelson is the Director of Fine Arts at Ben Lippen School in Columbia, South Carolina.

Under Taylor's leadership, Ben Lippen’s arts department has flourished with expanded opportunities, expert instruction, and a biblical worldview. Recent musical productions have nearly sold out, demonstrating growing community support. Looking ahead, Taylor hints at exciting developments, including potential tours and international experiences that will further enrich students' artistic journeys.

Want to support this vision of arts education that transforms not just skills but hearts? Connect with Taylor at taylor.nelson@benlippen.com or join the Friends of Fine Arts Booster Club at benlippen.com/fofa.