The Follow to Lead Podcast

#126: “Welcome to Hope Springs” with Paul McCusker, Senior Creative Director for the Augustine Institute.

A great resource for families and schools has been released by the Augustine Institute called “Welcome to Hope Springs,” an audio drama series that looks at life through a Catholic worldview. We’ll be talking with Peabody Award-winning author Paul McCusker, the writer and producer of the series about its development and distribution.

The story follows a tight-knit group of young friends who gather at a restored train station that becomes a community hub. As they pursue new adventures, they solve unexpected mysteries and encounter unexplainable events.  The kids gradually learn that their choices and relationships shape who they are becoming, offering meaningful moral lessons that give parents easy openings for conversations about character and faith.

#125: “Catholics in American Civic Life,” with Dr. Tom Harmon, University of St. Thomas-Houston

At a time when American history and Western Civilization are increasingly contested on college campuses, the University of St. Thomas–Houston (UST) is investing in the importance of developing good Catholic citizenship. We will be exploring their new initiative on this episode of “Follow to Lead” with Dr. Tom Harmon, Associate Director of Catholic Studies at the University. In addition to our discussion of citizenship, we will hear more about UST’s $1 million federal grant received from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The award comes as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary and underscores UST’s commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition and to understanding the American founding within its broader moral, philosophical, and religious context.

#124: “A Lenten Phone Fast Challenge” with Matt Paolelli, Vice President of Marketing, Real Life Catholic

Today on “Follow to Lead” we’ll be talking with Matt Paolelli, Vice President of Marketing for Real Life Catholic about their new Lenten Phone Fast Challenge. Studies show that up to 57% of Americans consider themselves addicted to their smartphones, a trend especially pronounced among younger generations. Chris Stefanick’s non-profit ministry Real Life Catholic is launching the Lenten Phone Fast Challenge to propose a countercultural sacrifice this Lent in support of the youngest generation of Catholics. RLC encourages people to commit to a specific phone fast to decrease their smartphone usage during Lent while also joining in prayer specifically for the renewed faith of Catholic teens.  

Learn more and join the challenge at https://reallifecatholic.com/lent.

#123: “The Clean Water Challenge for Catholic Schools” with Michele Sagarino, President of Cross Catholic Outreach.

Catholic Schools are always looking for ways to make a difference through prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Cross Catholic Outreach, a Vatican-endorsed Catholic global relief and development ministry, is inviting U.S. Catholics to join a large-scale “clean water challenge” to bring safe, abundant drinking water to distant corners of the world — including villages in Zambia facing the country’s worst cholera outbreak in decades. 

Today, we will be getting an update from CCO President Michele Sagarino about this this effort, carried out with Catholic ministry partners in nine developing countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

For more information see: http://www.crosscatholic.org/clean-water/

There is a great informational video found at: https://youtu.be/KTnec1tS154

 

#122: “Discovering the Classical Learning Test” with Jeremy Tate, Founder and CEO

In 2015, Jeremy Tate embarked on a mission to provide alternative standardized tests rooted in tradition. It all began when Jeremy questioned how American education had come to be so utilitarian, realizing that transcendent, moral, and ethical ideas had been gutted from the classroom. He came to the conclusion that high-stakes testing was partially to blame, driving secondary school curriculum. David Coleman, CEO of the College Board, has stated publicly that “teachers will teach towards the test. There is no force on this earth strong enough to prevent that.”

If teaching to the test is an inescapable reality, then shouldn’t those tests engage students with the thinkers and writings that have most meaningfully shaped history and culture?  Historically, the goal of education has been understood as developing both intellect and character in students. Its purpose was to help students become better human beings.

Standardized tests should reflect that same goal. They should leave students feeling inspired and enriched while equipping them to pursue their goals. That’s why our tests feature beautiful and meaningful content in addition to assessing timeless academic skills. By offering a new standard for assessments, CLT aims to be a catalyst for renewal in education nationwide.

 

 

#121: “Forgiveness” with Chuck Jansen of the Forgiveness Institute KC

Today on "Follow to Lead" we will be talking with Chuck Jansen of the Forgiveness Institute KC about the most common problem in mental health we face - Forgiveness. Chuck's study of this area of the past 13 years has yielded some great resources we can all use. With a background in Catholic education, Chuck also shows how forgiveness can be applied to the school and classroom.

#120: “Media as Mission and Curriculum” with Sam Rockford, St. James Academy

Today on “Follow To Lead” we will be talking with Sam Rockford, Director of Educational Programming with St. James Academy, Lenexa, KS. Sam led the launch of an initiative as SJA that expanded student involvement and development in media. This initiative included students on both sides of the camera and microphone for their Thunder Broadcasting Network as well as other media projects and upgraded other communications areas such as Yearbook. Sam will not only share with us the developments made in this area but offer some practical guidance on how other schools can do the same. You won’t want to miss this program!

#119: “The Summa for the Rest of Us” with Austin Habash of Think Catholic.

We have had “Bible in a Year,” “Catechism in a Year,” and Rosary in a Year.” Beginning in 2026, we be able to journey through the greatest work of St. Thomas Aquinas with “Summa in a Year.” The podcast will distill the timeless wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas into daily episodes of 30 minutes or less in a way that is accessible that makes his insights clear, accessible, and relatable. On this week’s episode we will discuss this new podcast with Austin as well as that that the program can be used in Catholic Education.

#118: “Hallow for Schools” with Nathan Crankfield, Sales Manger for Hallow

On this episode we will be talking with Hallow’s Sales Manager about implementing Hallow in schools to encourage prayer and faith formation for both teachers and students. Nathan was one of the developers of the school partnership program at Hallow several years ago and has seen it become a huge resource for elementary and secondary schools.

#117: “Education as Catholic” with Patrick Reilly, President, CEO and Founder of the Cardinal Newman Society

Most of us may have heard of “The Newman Guide” from the Cardinal Newman Society that recommends colleges and universities which provide faithful Catholic education. Today, we’ll be talking with the society’s director, Patrick Reilly, about the beginnings of their work, about the Guide and Catholic Education in general. Please join us for this most interesting episode of “Follow to Lead.”