The Follow to Lead Podcast

#99: “Spriritual Growth and Faith Permeation in Catholic Schools” with Dr. Brett Fawcett

This is the final episode of “Beyond Faculty Faith Formation,” a special four-part series of podcasts looking at ways that Catholic educators can enhance their own spiritual growth and development, deepening their faith in Christ and strengthening their life in the Church.

Dr. Brett Fawcett, who just finished defending his doctoral dissertation on Faith Permeation, will join us to discuss how our personal faith plays a role in faith permeation, what Dr. Brett Salkeld would call “making every class Catholic.”

#98: “Resources for Spiritual Growth” with Deborah Nearmyer and Austin Krause from St. James Academy

This is the third episode of “Beyond Faculty Faith Formation,” a special four-part series of podcasts looking at ways that Catholic educators can enhance their own spiritual growth and development, deepening their faith in Christ and strengthening their life in the Church.

In this episode Deborah Nearmyer, Vice-President of Faith and Mission and Austin Krause, Director of Campus Ministry at St. James Academy, Lenexa, KS, discuss thoughts, ideas and resources that can be helpful for teachers and administrators in their spiritual walk. We also will get an overview of the Faculty Faith Formation program at St. James.

#97: “Spiritual Refreshing and Renewal” with Betsy Orr, Founder and President of The Retreat at Heritage.

This is the second episode of “Beyond Faculty Faith Formation,” a special series of podcasts looking at ways that Catholic educators can enhance their own spiritual growth and development, deepening their faith in Christ and strengthening their life in the Church.

In addition to talking about spiritual renewal, on today’s “Follow to Lead” Betsy Orr will share about her background, her conversion to the Catholic Faith, the Retreat at Heritage Center, along with some amazing God-moments and other ministries in which she is involved. You won’t want to miss this program!

#96: “The Wisdom Papers” with Dr. Roger Nutt, Provost of Ave Maria University

In this podcast we are beginning a special series entitled “Beyond Faculty Faith Formation,” giving those in Catholic Education some ideas to spur individual growth both spiritual and intellectually in their Catholic Faith. Today we are talking with Dr. Roger Nutt, Provost and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University about a new university initiative called “The Wisdom Papers.”

The Wisdom Papers is a free, monthly series of reflections on contemporary issues from the faculty of Ave Maria University. Topics span across politics, culture, spirituality, the sciences, and living a Christian life. Go deeper in your pursuit of wisdom with The Wisdom Papers. Inspiring. Accessible. Delivered to your mailbox or inbox. Available in print or digitally. Join us on this edition of “Follow to Lead” to learn more about this wonderful initiative from Ave Maria University.

In a correction of the reference to the domain for The Wisdom Papers online, the sit can be reached at: https://www.wisdompapers.org/.

 

#95: “Are We Making People Feel Welcome at School?” with Terry Poplava, General Manager of ACST Catholic, a branch of ACS Technologies

ACS Technologies examined the theological beliefs of 15,000 Americans with their ground-breaking “American Beliefs Study: Religious Preferences and Practices,” originally conducted in 2013 and then repeated in 2017 and 2021. Out of this survey, Terry Poplava observed, “In the American Beliefs Study, newcomers reported that ‘warm and friendly encounters’ were highly important to them. We were specifically interested in the behaviors and circumstances that foster this kind of environment in a parish.” His follow up study in this area is the subject of this edition of “Follow to Lead” as we look at Catholic Schools through the lens of “warm and friendly” encounters.

#94: “Making Every Class Catholic Online Community” with Dr. Brett Salkeld, author

In August of 2023 we interviewed Dr. Brett Salkeld about his new book, Educating for Eternity: A Teacher’s Companion for Making Every Class Catholic. Since that time, the book and Brett’s message has become a major topic in schools and dioceses across North America. A natural outgrowth of the interest in this subject is an online community that just launched, “Making Every Class Catholic Online Community.” In this edition of “Follow to Lead” we’ll be catching up with Brett on his ministry and the launch of this virtual platform for interaction.

#93: “The Leadership Virtues Series” with Dr. Joseph McInerney, Vice President of Leadership and Ethics Educations, Knights of Columbus

On this episode of “Follow to Lead” we will be talking with Dr. Joseph McInerney about a new eight-part video series he has written, called “The Leadership Virtues Series.” This series can be inspiration to all but can be especially important for administrators, staff, department heads, coaches and teachers in our schools who exercise various expressions of leadership.  Produced by the Knights of Columbus, this new series seeks to provide a model and inspiration for Catholic leaders based upon the exemplary leadership of Jesus himself.

#92: “Leaving a Catholic Legacy” with Elizabeth Simutis, Director of Engagement and Growth for Catholic Legacy

On today’s Follow to Lead, Elizabeth Simutis will share with us about a new groundbreaking online estate planning platform call Catholic Legacy. This platform allows Catholics to establish, free of charge, funeral plans, wills, planned giving, and healthcare choices that reflect the Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person. Not only is this a great personal planning tool for administrators and teachers, but can serve as a tremendous resource for planned giving in our Catholic Schools.

#91: “Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Box of Joy” with Michele Sagarino, President, Cross Catholic Outreach

Michele Sagarino, of Cross Catholic Outreach, is back with us on Follow to Lead to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Box of Joy, a ministry that sends small tokens of love and hope to some of the world’s poorest children. Each year, parishes and schools nationwide host Box of Joy events, packing shoebox-sized boxes with small gifts such as toys, coloring books and school supplies, as well as treats like hard candy. The ministry adds a rosary and The Story of Jesus to every box to remind children why Christmas is so special, and participants donate $9 per box to cover international shipment. Join us this week for a very inspiring edition of Follow to Lead!

#90: “Artificial Intelligence and Catholic Education” with Matthew Sanders, Founder and CEO of Longbeard

This week on “Follow to Lead” we will be talking with Matthew Sanders, Founder and CEO of Longboard, whose focus is developing Artificial Intelligence products for the mission of the Church. This is, perhaps, one of the most fascinating interviews we have ever had on our podcast.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay. It can be daunting, challenging and can sometimes even bring fear as we see AI more and more involved in our daily lives. In this interview, Matthew takes some of the mystery out of the world of AI, shows how it can be harnessed powerfully for the work of the Church and, in particular, how will continue to impact Catholic Education. You won’t want to miss this program!