Former Disney star talks being a homeschool mom, joining Brave Books’ new TV show

As mainstream children’s entertainment careens leftward into gender ideology, actress Leigh-Allyn Baker finds joy in making family-friendly content.

“I love doing children’s programming,” Baker told Chris and Christine Stigall, cohosts of the “Making the Leap” podcast. “I think that it takes some real smarts to make something funny without using dirty humor.”

Baker’s acting credits include a starring role on Disney Channel classic, “Good Luck Charlie,” as well as roles on “Will & Grace” and “Charmed.”

Now, she’s working as a writer, producer and guest star for “Adventures with Iggy and Mr. Kirk” – a Mister Rogers-inspired program by Brave Books and Kirk Cameron.

“I was really interested in serving our kids,” Baker explained. “The lane for programming like this is wide open. No one wants to drive on it, so I’m like, ‘I got a car, I got a bag, let’s go!’”

Since the pandemic, she’s also started homeschooling her two children. 

“If I can do it – no joke – you can do it,” she told the Stigalls. 

Though homeschooling was intimidating at first, Baker quickly realized how many resources there are – and how many opportunities homeschooling provides to customize kids’ educations.  

“You start to realize, ‘Wait a second, I never learned to do taxes, I never learned to balance a budget, I never learned what a home mortgage is or how to start a business. I can teach my kid that.’ 

“Because guess who the principal is?” Baker joked. “Who has two thumbs and is principal of her kids’ school? This girl!” 

The Stigalls also spoke to Zach Bell, Brave Book’s chief strategy officer, about why a children’s  book publisher was venturing into television production.  

“[Brave Books’ CEO and founder Trent Talbot] wanted to build something that wouldn’t just be a book company but that would one day be an entertainment company that parents can trust with their kids’ imaginations,” Bell explained. “Whether it’s through books or through TV screens or with maybe a movie one day or maybe a theme park – you never know. 

“We have big dreams, and we want to be a brand that people can trust with their kids’ imaginations.” 

Bell knows Brave Books faces some big competitors, but he believes there’s an audience for quality, conservative children’s television, in addition to the books.  

“We knew that if we were going to compete in the space that we’re going to need to provide a high quality product in the market so that parents and grandparents would be attracted to it and the kids would be attracted to it,” he concluded.  

“Glory to God for all that we’re doing and all that we’ve accomplished thus far.”