The Follow to Lead Podcast

#57: ”Sustained by the Witness of Teaching” - The Fifth Essential Mark of a Catholic School

Today we will complete the fifth and final essential mark of a truly  Catholic education, with the topic, Sustained by the Witness of Teaching. We are going to look at the vital role teachers play in an authentic Catholic identity for a school. As we will see, being a Catholic education is more of a calling than the exercise of a profession. It also involves ownership with the school’s mission, values and vision. Our guest for this program is Frank Hanna, an American entrepreneur, merchant banker and philanthropist who has been heavily involved in education for the past 37 years and has been instrumental in the founding of 13 new educational institutions from preschool through post-secondary.

Production note: We encountered sound problems with the host microphone during this podcast.

#56:“Imbued by a Catholic Worldview” - The Fourth Essential Mark of a Catholic School

We are continuing our series on the Five Essential Marks of Catholic Schools. For today’s episode, we will be joined by Chris Valdez, Principal of Marin Catholic in Kentfield, CA. Our worldview is our lens through which we look at all aspects of life. In his presentation “The Holy See's Teaching On Catholic Schools,” Archbishop Miller highlights our Worldview as the fourth essential mark of a Catholic school. We will explore what it means to have a Catholic worldview and its importance to a faith-first education.

#55: ”Animated by Communion and Community” - The Third Esential Mark of Catholic Schools

As we continue our six-part series on the Five Essential Marks of Catholic Schools, today we will look at "Animated by Communion and Community." An essentially Catholic School should be seen as more than a community than as an institution. This mark addresses the ways in which students build relationships, the interaction of students and teachers and even the building. Joining us for this important program are Zach Ekert, Director of Campus Ministry and Annual Fund at JSerra Catholic High School, in San Jan Capistrano, CA along with Chris and Katie Walters Walters, both teachers at St. James Academy in Lenexa KS, where Katie also serves as Director of Community.

#54: ”Founded on a Christian Anthropology” - The Second Essential Mark of Catholic Schools

We are continuing our series on the Five Essential Marks of Catholic Schools, talking about the second essential mark - "Founded on a Christian Anthropology." For today’s episode, we will be joined by Dr. Anthony Lilles, Professor of Spiritual Theology and Director of the M.A. Program at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, CA. Perhaps there is no other Mark that is more crucial to affirm or more “under fire” in today’s culture than this one. We are in a time where the entire notion of the human person is being re-defined. We will explore what is meant by a Christian Anthropology, some of the implications of our current cultural pressures in this area and how we can strengthen this foundation.

#53: “Inspired by a Supernatural Vision” - The First Essential Mark of Catholic Schools

Our special guest for this episode of “Follow to Lead” is Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We will be discussing the First Mark of a Catholic School, “Inspired by a Supernatural Vision.” While focusing on the whole child in the educational process, Catholic Schools are unique in forming the student not only for this world but also the next.

#52: The Five Essential Marks of Catholic Schools, An Introduction - Archbishop Michael Miller

We begin our series on the Five Marks of Catholic Schools with special guest, Archbishop Michael Miller

 

On this edition of “Follow to Lead,” we are beginning a six-part series on the “Five Marks of Catholic Schools” from Archbishop Michael Miller’s 2005 Document “The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools.” This powerful presentation was written while he was the Secretary of the Congregation of Catholic Education at the Vatican.

 

The author, Archbishop Miller, now with the Archdiocese of Vancouver, is our special guest for this introductory program.

#51: Follow to Lead with Chris Carneal, Founder and CEO of Booster

Today we will be talking with Chris Carneal, Founder and CEO of Booster, about two fascinating subjects. First, we will get an update on the latest activities happening with Booster, a partner with the Duc In Altum Schools Collaborative. Booster has been changing the ideas of fundraising in schools across the country for the past 20 years.

We will also dig into the area of “Building a Staff Culture” in our schools. We will explore what a staff culture looks like and ways that our schools cannot just survive but thrive.  

#50: Follow to Lead - The Mission of Admissions in Catholic Schools

Today we will be joined by three administrators who know the work of Admissions in faith-first schools: Karen Maginn, Coordinator for Duc In Altum Schools Collaborative, who worked in Admissions prior to this position; Amber Hellwig, Director of Admissions for St. James Academy; and Chris Harrington, the Vice President of Admissions and Engagement at JSerra High School.

We all know that Admissions is more than simply enrolling new students. These three veterans will talk about the expansive work of the Admissions department and the impact of a faith-first mission has on that process. Please join us for a stimulating discussion today on Follow to Lead!

Follow to Lead - Leaving a Legacy: Pope Benedict XVI and Catholic Education

Today, we have a very special edition of Follow to Lead, looking at the impact Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had on Catholic Education. For this podcast, we are joined by three members of the Duc In Altum Board of Directors, Rich Meyer, President of JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA; Andy Tylicki, President of St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS, and Dr. Todd Flanders, Headmaster at Providence Academy in Plymouth, MN. 

Follow to Lead with Matt Meeks, Founder, Lion & Lamb Book Club

Today we will be talking with Matt Meeks, CEO of Catholic Ventures. Catholic Ventures began in 2021 as an incubator for Technology in the Church with a vision to sanctify  the use of modern technology and provide an alternative to “Big Tech,” that we are hearing so much about these days.

Their newest venture is the Lion & Lamb Book Club, the first-ever Catholic children’s book subscription box that helps families pass down the faith through good stories and character-forming bedtime conversations. Please join us for an informative and inspiring episode on bringing quality books into the lives of our children. This and more on today’s edition of Follow to Lead.