The Follow to Lead Podcast

#112: “Catholic Identity and Community” with Msgr. Stuart Swetland, President of Donnelly College

Two key ingredients for a dynamic Catholic school are Catholic identity and Community involvement. Msgr. Swetland shares how both of these have been the key strengths for Donnelly College as they provide affordable education in an Urban setting. Many of the alumni are first generation graduates in their families, changing the course of many lives. Join Fr. Randy Sly and Msgr. Swetland for this interesting episode of “Follow to Lead.”

#111: “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.

#110: “Teachers for Christ” with Dr. Jeffrey Lehman, The Augustine Institute

On this episode of Follow to Lead we’ll be talking with Dr. Jeffrey Lehman, Professor of Philosophy and Theology with The Augustine Institute about “Teachers for Christ,” a new in-residence program developed by the Augustine Institute in partnership with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE). The two-year program forms future Catholic school teachers of all subject areas so that they are ready to place the best practices of Catholic liberal education at the service of the temporal and eternal good of the whole human person. Students earn a Master’s degree in Catholic Education along with a credential from the ICLE’s groundbreaking national alternative to state teacher licensure.

#109: “Meet DIA’s New Executive Director, Deacon Dana Nearmyer”

The Board of Directors for the Duc In Altum Schools Collaborative recently announced that they have filled the position of Executive Director. Deacon Dana Nearmyer, from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will succeed Kyle Pietrantonio in that role. Join Fr. Randy Sly and Board Chair Pat Reidy as they talk with Deacon Dana about his background, his thoughts on becoming the Executive Director and the future of DIA.

#108: “Transformational Youth Ministry” with Dan DeMatte, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Damascus.

Today we’ll be talking with Dan DeMatte , Co-Founder and Executive Director of Damascus, one of the fastest-growing youth and young adult ministry movements in the country. Damascus has had a remarkable impact in the lives of youth from across the country for the past twenty-five years. We’ll be talking with Dan about the growth and development of their camps and other ministries as well as exploring ways that youth ministry can become more effective in Catholic Schools.

To discover more about the amazing work of Damascus, visit Damascus.

#107: “Pope Leo XIV: His Papacy and What It May Mean for Catholic Education” with Dr. Daniel Lendman, Assistant Professor of Catholic theology at Ave Maria University.

On May 8, 2025, white smoke at the Vatican signaled the election of a new pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo, an Augustinian, is the first American who has ascended to this position. While born in the United States, he spent many years in ministry in Peru and, later, at the Vatican. Today Fr. Randy Sly and Dr. Daniel Lindman, of Ave Maria University will share information and perspectives about our new pope and what his papacy may mean in the world of Catholic Education.

#106: “Digital Deception: Scammers Targeting Faith” with Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions

Faculty, Staff, Students and their families at Catholic Schools are among new targets for online scamming as scammers focus on elder and religious fraud. Join Fr. Randy Sly and Theresa Payton, the first female White House Chief Information Officer under President George W. Bush and known as one of the nation's top advisors on cybercrime, in talking about this issue.

We will discuss a new nationwide initiative is being launched to confront a disturbing and fast-growing trend: scammers exploiting the elderly, celebrities, clergy and their followers through sophisticated online fraud schemes. Driven by the alarming rise in digital deception targeting religious audiences, this campaign will educate families, warn seniors and equip faith communities to recognize and report scams.

#105: “Mental Health Mentoring” with Dr. Greg Bottaro of CatholicPsych Institute

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Over the last 25 years, there are more people in therapy and more people receiving medication for mental health struggles than ever before, with nearly every metric indicating downturns as it pertains to suicide, gender dysphoria, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Join us on this episode of “Follow to Lead” as Dr. Greg Bottaro, Founder and Director of the CatholicPsych Institute, talks about Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship (IDDM) or “Mentorship,” which is breakthrough model of accompaniment that is offering hope and healing to patients who have been stagnant in self-destructive behavioral patterns for years. This mentorship model also provides great opportunities for wellness in Catholic schools.

#104: “Pope Francis’ Impact on Catholic Education” with Dr. Brett Graham Fawcett

You won’t want to miss this episode of “Follow to Lead!”

As we celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8, please join Dr. Brett Graham Fawcett and Fr. Randy Sly in a retrospective on the late Pope Francis’ impact on Catholic Education. As a Jesuit educator, the pope spent his early years as a teacher of Literature and Psychology in Jesuit Schools. He later taught theology and served as a seminary rector. On this episode Brett will take us on a in-depth look at his background in Catholic Education and how it formed his papacy as well as his initiatives in Catholic Education.

#103: “The Communication Mission of Catholic Schools with Kate Sell of Mission Advancement Partners

The communications mission of a Catholic school is often ignored or underutilized. On today’s edition of “Follow to Lead” we’ll be joined by Kate Sell, Founder and Managing Partner of Mission Advancement Partners in a discussion on this vital aspect of our Educational mission. Today we will be focusing mostly on external communications, what needs to be said to families, friends and stakeholders through traditional means and the new avenues of social media.

This will be an enlightening and vitally important program for leaders and educators, especially as our media appetite has changed significantly in recent years. You want want to miss this program!