The Follow to Lead Podcast

Follow to Lead with Kyle Pietrantonio, Executive Director, DIA Schools Collaborative

In this episode we’ll be talking with our Executive Director, Kyle Pietrantonio about recent developments in the Duc In Altum Schools Collaborative, as well as a look at upcoming events and activities. As a part of the program, we’ll share information about our Fall Summit, including speakers and some of the workshops being planned. This year’s Summit will be hosted by JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Follow to Lead with Rachell Ullmann, Executive Director, The Given Institute

This week on “Follow to Lead” we will be interviewing Rachel Ullmann, the Executive Director of the GIVEN Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to activating the gifts of young adult women for the Catholic Church and the world. GIVEN inspires and equips the next generation of female leaders to “receive the gift that they are; realize the gifts they’ve been given; and respond with the gift that only they can give.” Through leadership training, faith formation, and dedicated mentoring, GIVEN forms women for mission and for life.

Follow to Lead with Chris Ledyard, Athletic Director of JSerra Catholic High School

Today we will be talking with Chris Ledyard, the Athletic Director of JSerra High School. Prior to his work at JSerra, Chris spent over 20 years as Athletic Director at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. For Catholic schools, sports is always a key component to the proper fulfillment of our faith mission. During our program, we will dive into the issues of integrating faith, virtues and moral values into athletics in schools. All of this and more will be coming to you on this edition of “Follow to Lead.”

Follow to Lead with Dr. Margarita Mooney Suarez

Today’s program features Dr. Margarita Mooney Suarez, Associate Professor, Princeton Theological Seminary and the Founder/CEO of the Scala Foundation. She lives her academic life at the intersection of social science, philosophy and theology. A gifted and popular speaker for schools, youth groups, parish groups and others, she loves challenging people to think in new and different ways about culture, education and faith. Dr. Mooney Suarez has just written a new book entitled, “The Wounds of Beauty: Seven Dialogues on Art and Education.” Join us for a fascinating and rich discussion on education, beauty and the liberal arts on this edition of “Follow to Lead.”

Follow to Lead with Marcie Stokman, author and founder of The Well-Read Mom

What began as a conversation between a mom and her daughter has become an international movement. We will be talking in today’s program with Marcie Stokman, author of the book, “The Well-Read Mom.” This book and a small group of mom’s who began to meet and read the Classics has become a movement of book clubs and groups in many parts of the world. As we will learn, through the power of reading together and reading well, well-read Moms across the country are finding friendships, meaning, and true leisure.

Follow to Lead with Mike Erwin, Founder of Father Vincent Capodanno High School

Today’s program, featuring Mike Erwin, will be a multi-faceted exploration into three fascinating organizations. Mike combined his passion for Christ, his interest in leadership and his military background to help establish a high school dedicated to building tomorrow’s faith-filled leaders. His is also the founder of Team Red, White and Blue, dedicated to enriching the lives of military veterans and co-founder of the Positivity Project, a K-12 program that provides resources regarding the 24 character strengths and helps in empowering young people in building positive relationships. We’ll talk about all of this and more on this edition of “Follow to Lead.”

Follow to Lead with Dr. Richard Ludwick, University of St. Thomas

In today’s society, we have a love-hate relationship with social media. Our guest for this edition of Follow to Lead is Dr. Richard Ludwick, President of the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Ludwick will highlight for us their collaboration with Bishop Robert Barron’s “Word on Fire Institute” in presenting a masterclass series called "The New Evangelization and New Media.” Max Studios, at UST, is producing this series, featuring some of the best Catholic communicators on the internet, as a means assist parishes, schools, ministries and other organization in harnessing today’s social media for the New Evangelization. You won’t want to miss this special interview.

Follow to Lead with John Cannon of SENT Ventures

Entrepreneurship is a familiar word these days, but what about Catholic Entrepreneurship? On this episode of Follow to Lead we’ll be talking about faith in the marketplace and the business world our Catholic School graduates can encounter in their future, with John Cannon, the Founder of SENT Ventures. SENT is an organization that provides business insight, community support, peer-to-peer mentorship, and deep spiritual grounding for innovative Spirit-led enterprises to succeed and revitalize the 21st century Catholic Church.  They are currently partnering with the University of St. Thomas in Houston for the first-Ever Catholic Entrepreneurial Summit, the “SENT Summit.” to be held May 18-20. The goal of the Summit is to bring together more than a hundred Catholic founders, CEOs, and business leaders from all over the country and serve as a launchpad for collaboration. 

Follow to Lead with Chris Carneal and Stephen Murray of Booster

A New Perspective on Fundraising - Booster

Fundraising in elementary schools is never fun and a lot of work. Booster is changing those ideas in schools across the country. Today we’ll be talking with two leaders from this innovative company and Duc In Altum parter. Chris Carneal is the founder and CEO of Booster. He’ll be joined by Stephen Murray, the President and COO. If you want a new perspective on fundraising, today’s program is for you!

Follow to Lead with Guests Jason Simon and Mari Pablo of Evangelical Catholic

We all know that the world needs Jesus. For many parishes and campus communities, more than programs and resources are needed to accomplish this mission. On today’s program we’ll be talking with Jason Simon, President and Mari Pablo, a consultant, from The Evangelical Catholic. The EC is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lay people into zealous leaders who are excited and equipped to go out and evangelize their communities. Currently, they are serving 163 Catholic ministries including parishes, campuses, and military bases.