About Called to Lead: Pastoral Leadership for Today’s Church
This podcast dives into the art and spirit of leadership in the Catholic Church. Through storytelling and dialogue with pastoral leaders, ministers, and scholars, the podcast bridges academic theology with practical ministry. These conversations invite listeners to better understand how today’s leaders answer God’s call and work to build just and inclusive communities.
Presented by the Markey Center in Santa Clara University’s Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries. (https://www.scu.edu/cas/graduate-program-in-pastoral-ministries/markey-center-for-leadership-and-ministry/)
From Good to Great—The Mechanics of Parish Renewal
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes John Poitevent, the founder and director of Great Catholic Parishes. With over 30 years of ministry experience and a background in organizational leadership development, John spends his days coaching pastors and parish teams through the painful but necessary shift from systemic burnout to sustainable missionary growth.
Together, they dig into the strategic side of local ministry. John breaks down the four foundational practices that make parishes thrive and shares practical advice on how to build a healthy staff culture, how to master the "Sunday experience" to engage visitors, and how to transition a parish from a mindset of maintenance to one of active mission.
22 Sept 2026
The Arc of Youth Ministry and the High School Campus as Sanctuary
In this special episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes a foundational mentor, veteran minister, and leader, Dr. Stanley Cordero, Director of Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. Before stepping into high school campus ministry, Stan spent decades forming generations of leaders as a diocesan youth ministry director—including our own host during his teenager years.
Together, they bridge the past and the future of youth evangelization. Stan shares his insights on shifting from large-scale diocesan programming to intimate, one-on-one student accompaniment. The conversation delves into the unique ecosystem of high school campus ministry, how a school can serve as a multi-faith spiritual sanctuary, the distinct charisms of Lasallian and Vincentian spirituality, and what it truly takes to sustain a lifetime of passionate, joyful service to young people.
15 Sept 2026
Liturgical Catechesis, Real Presence, and Healing a Secular Age
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Associate Director for Research at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. An acclaimed author, professor, and executive member of the Eucharistic Revival, Dr. O’Malley’s research bridges the gap between deep sacramental theology and the gritty realities of contemporary parish life.
Together, they explore what it means to cultivate a genuinely "sacramental imagination" in a secularized world. Dr. O’Malley breaks down the difference between teaching about the liturgy and true liturgical catechesis. He also offers practical strategies for pastoral leaders seeking to move their parishes past the "liturgy wars" and internal polarization, inviting them instead into a shared mission as a truly Eucharistic people.
8 Sept 2026
Relational Authority, Unbundled Faith, and the Future of Gen Z and Gen Alpha
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes Dr. Josh Packard, sociologist, co-founder of Future of Faith, and one of the country's leading researchers on the spiritual lives of modern youth. Drawing on his book, Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Younger Generations, and years of empirical research, Josh dismantles common generational stereotypes and offers church leaders a clear, research-backed roadmap for connecting with young people.
Together, they explore why traditional "top-down" institutional authority fails with digital natives and how leaders can cultivate authentic "relational authority" instead. Josh unpacks the concept of "unbundled" faith, the power of sacred listening, and how parishes can move away from rigid, program-first thinking toward a culture of deep belonging and ongoing spiritual conversation.
1 Sept 2026
Flipping the Script on Family Ministry and Parish Change
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes Denise Utter, M.A., a freelance consultant, author, ICF trained coach with Vibrant Faith, and the Coordinator of Family Faith Formation for the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL). Drawing from her deep experience at both the parish and diocesan levels, Denise tackles the hard truth facing modern ministry: the transmission of faith to the next generation depends entirely on how we form and accompany adults, not just children.
Together, they discuss how to "flip the script" on traditional religious education models. Denise shares concrete tools for coaching parents through doubt, managing the anxieties of parish staff transitions, and moving away from a program-first mentality to a people-first, accompaniment model that addresses the reality of the unchurched and disaffiliated.
25 Aug 2026
Liturgy, Culture, and the Living Voice of the People
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Tony Alonso, Aquinas Associate Professor of Theology and Culture and the inaugural Director of Catholic Studies at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Known worldwide as a Latin Grammy-nominated composer of sacred music, Dr. Alonso is also an award-winning scholar whose research explores how consumer culture and everyday practices shape our worship.
Together, they discuss the connection between music, material culture, and pastoral leadership. Dr. Alonso reflects on how the songs we sing and the spaces we build form our Christian identity, the unique role of Latine theology in shaping modern ministry, and how pastoral leaders can cultivate an authentic "art of listening" through the liturgy itself.
26 May 2026
The Synodal Parish: Moving from a Concept to a Lived Reality
In this season finale of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo shares a solo reflection to synthesize the key insights from the inaugural season. Addressing a common hurdle for pastoral leaders, John unpacks why "synodality" does not mean tearing down existing parish structures or throwing out current programs. Instead, drawing from his own writing, experience, and upcoming summer course, "Shared Leadership in a Synodal Church," he explores how parishes are already living out synodal principles every day. Reflecting on past conversations with guests like John Roberto, Christopher Wesley, Casey Stanton, and Charleen Katra, this episode is a warm, encouraging invitation for leaders to identify the seeds of synodality in their local communities and make the small, intentional shifts that foster a culture of true accompaniment, listening, and mission.
19 May 2026
Ignatian Wisdom for the Mission-Driven Leader
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Matthew Carnes, S.J., Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Executive Director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education at Santa Clara University.
Drawing from his new book, Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits, Fr. Carnes explores how the 500-year-old tradition of Ignatian spirituality offers practical, life-giving tools for leaders in today’s complex organizations. The conversation delves into the power of discernment, the importance of "finding God in all things"—including our administrative work—and how to lead with a clear sense of mission. Whether you lead in a parish, a non-profit, or an academic setting, this episode offers a roadmap for leading with purpose, humility, and hope.
You can pre-order Fr. Carnes new book here (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=leadership+lessons+from+the+jesuits&crid=1085L72159KRX&sprefix=leadership+lessons+from+Jesui,aps,203&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_2_29).
12 May 2026
Forming Digital Disciples in the Age of AI
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Meaghan Crowley-Sullivan, Curriculum and Professional Learning Developer for the iDEAL Institute at Loyola Marymount University (https://soe.lmu.edu/centers/ideal/).
As technology—and specifically Artificial Intelligence—reshapes the landscape of education and social interaction, Meaghan reflects on how Catholic schools and parishes can move beyond "tech management" toward true digital formation using her Catholic Companion Framework (https://soe.lmu.edu/centers/ideal/ccf/). The conversation explores how we can empower young people to use technology with creativity, critical thinking, and a grounded sense of Christian ethics, ensuring that our digital tools serve the mission of the Gospel rather than distracting from it.
5 May 2026
Innovation, Online Learning, and What Church Leaders Can Learn
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Toby McChesney, Vice Provost for Graduate Programs at Santa Clara University.
Drawing on decades of experience in graduate education, enrollment strategy, and marketing, Toby reflects on why online learning has become essential to the future of higher education and what trends are shaping how adults learn today. The conversation then turns to the Church, exploring what pastoral leaders can learn from higher education and marketing practices about accessibility, communication, and meeting people where they are—without losing mission or identity.
28 Apr 2026
Latino Ministry, Liberation, and the Wisdom of Lived Faith
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Christopher Tirres, the Michael J. Buckley, S.J. Endowed Chair at Santa Clara University and the president-elect of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the U.S (ACHTUS).
Drawing from liberation theology, U.S. Latine theology, and decades of teaching and pastoral engagement, Dr. Tirres reflects on how the Church can more faithfully minister with—and learn from—the Latino community. The conversation explores popular religiosity, everyday spiritual practices, liberation as lived experience, and what pastoral leaders must understand if they hope to serve Latino communities with authenticity, humility, and hope.
21 Apr 2026
OCIA, Parish Formation, and Initiation as Mission
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Diana Macalintal, an expert in the Baptismal Catechumenate and co-founder of Team Initiation.
Diana discusses the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), how it has evolved from the traditional RCIA model, and what has remained constant in fostering transformative Christian initiation. Drawing from her book, Your Parish is the Curriculum, the conversation explores how entire parish communities participate in the initiation process—not just catechists or clergy—and how OCIA can become a catalyst for deeper formation, belonging, and missionary discipleship.
14 Apr 2026
Liturgy as Source, Summit, and Mission
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Eugene R. Schlesinger, Ph.D., a systematic theologian and faculty member in the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University.
Drawing from his background in pastoral ministry and liturgical theology, Eugene reflects on what the Church’s worship is calling us to do—not only within the walls of the church, but in the world beyond it. Together, they explore the relationship between liturgy and mission, how participation in worship forms Christian identity, and what clergy and pastoral leaders must attend to if the Eucharist is truly to be experienced as the source and summit of the Church’s life.
7 Apr 2026
Discerning Deacons and the Art of Ecclesial Listening
In this episode of Called to Lead, host John Rinaldo sits down with Casey Stanton, co-director of Discerning Deacons. Casey shares her journey from parish social concerns ministry to leading a movement focused on the renewal of the diaconate and the inclusion of women’s leadership in the Catholic Church.
The conversation explores what it means to lead through a process of discernment, the current status of the Vatican’s study on women deacons following the Synod on Synodality, and how pastoral leaders can create spaces for honest, Spirit-led dialogue in their own communities. This is an invitation to consider how leadership isn't just about making decisions—it's about "discerning" the path forward together.
31 Mar 2026
Endurance, Accompaniment, and the Long Game of Youth Ministry
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Christopher Wesley, founder of Marathon Youth Ministry, for a conversation grounded in real-world experience and long-term commitment to young people.
Drawing on years of pastoral leadership, Christopher reflects on what it takes to sustain youth ministry over time, the shifting realities facing today’s adolescents and young adults, and why accompaniment—rather than programs alone—remains at the heart of effective ministry. Together, they explore the most pressing needs in Catholic youth ministry today and what pastoral leaders must understand if they hope to serve young people with authenticity, resilience, and hope.
24 Mar 2026
Adaptive Ministry and the Gift of Inclusion
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Charleen Katra, Executive Director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD).
Drawing from decades of experience in ministry with persons with disabilities, Charleen reflects on what adaptive ministry truly means, why inclusion is essential to the Church’s identity, and how pastoral leaders can move beyond accommodation toward belonging. This conversation invites ministers, catechists, and clergy to see adaptive ministry not as a specialized program, but as a faithful expression of the Gospel itself.
17 Mar 2026
Rethinking Clericalism and Leadership for a Flourishing Church
In this episode of Called to Lead, host Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Paul Schutz, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. Dr. Schutz is a theologian, liturgist, and author whose work bridges theological reflection with the lived realities of Church and world. Together, they discuss his recent scholarly work, including his recent book, A Theology of Flourishing: The Fullness of Life for All Creation, his research on clericalism as a structural phenomenon in the Catholic Church, and what leadership looks like in the 21st-century Church. This conversation invites listeners into a thoughtful exploration of power, culture, and theological imagination—grounding pastoral leadership in justice, humility, and a vision of flourishing for all.
10 Mar 2026
Forming Leaders for a Lifelong Church
In this episode of Called to Lead, John Rinaldo is joined by John Roberto, Executive Director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) and a lifelong leader in faith formation in the Catholic Church.
Drawing on decades of experience teaching, researching, writing, and accompanying pastoral leaders, John reflects on what it truly means to foster a culture of leadership formation in the Church today. The conversation explores how faith formation across the lifespan shapes leaders, why formation must move beyond programs to culture, and how the Church can reimagine leadership development for the 21st century while remaining deeply rooted in its mission.
25 Feb 2026
Called to Lead: A Vision for Pastoral Leadership at Santa Clara University
In this inaugural episode of Called to Lead, we begin by grounding the podcast in its purpose and vision. Host Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Dr. Melissa Broome Ursin, Executive Director of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, and Dr. Bridget Burke Ravizza, Director of the Markey Center for Leadership and Ministry, at Santa Clara University.
Together, they reflect on the evolving needs of the Church, the formation of pastoral leaders for today’s complex ministry contexts, and why thoughtful conversation—rooted in practice, theology, and accompaniment—is essential for leadership today.
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