Welcome to Of Becoming, a Catholic Leadership Podcast. I'm Kristen Hew, a seasoned former youth and young adult minister and communications specialist. I have a passion for walking with leaders who desire to grow in their identity as children of God while furthering the mission of Christ through church ministry. Let's journey from thinking of becoming whole person leaders to the story of becoming whole person leaders.
Why is "HELP" the hardest four-letter word for Catholic leaders to say?
If you are carrying the entire weight of your parish, ministry, or department on your own shoulders, you might be trapped by the Solo Leader Myth. Believing you have to do it all isn’t holiness; it’s an isolation trap that leads straight to burnout and stagnant ministries.
In this episode of Of Becoming, host and coach Kristen Hew explores why asking for help isn’t an admission of defeat; it is a direct reflection of God’s relational design. From Moses relying on Aaron to Jesus forming the Apostles, God continuously calls leaders to invite others into His mission.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Cold Open & Introduction
00:52 – The Solo Leader Myth: Why asking for help feels impossible
01:09 – Created for Relationship: God’s original design and biblical precedent
02:48 – The Two Blockers: Unpacking fear and ignorance in ministry
03:57 – Preparing the Fields: Moving from passive waiting to active stewardship
07:23 – Knocking at the Door (Gateways): How to advocate for resources and development with pastors or boards
09:12 – Knocking at the Door (Fellow Laborers): Calling out charisms and inviting staff/volunteers into real leadership
10:48 – Knocking at the Door (The Fields): Breaking ministry silos and building a peer brain trust
12:55 – Final Reflection & Weekly Leadership Challenge
Reflection for the Week:What is one thing you can do this week to grow as a leader? And who is one person you can reach out to with genuine gratitude for how they have helped form you?
Connect & Grow:
Looking to partner with a coach to take your leadership from where it is to where God is calling it to be? Reach out to Kristen to explore one-on-one leadership coaching. Email her at kristen@ofbecoming.org
If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Spotify, and share it with a fellow ministry leader who might be feeling overwhelmed.
Keep frequenting the Sacraments; especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Answer God’s call. Ignite your leadership!
Website: ofbecoming.org
9 Oct 2026
The 5 Step Authenticity Self-Audit for Catholic Leaders
Have you ever had a conversation where nothing was explicitly wrong, but your internal alarm bells started going off? That’s your authenticity radar at work and as Catholic leaders, people are tuning into ours every single day.
In this episode of Of Becoming Catholic Leadership, we take an honest look at the pressure we face as spiritual leaders and how it subtly drives us into two dangerous traps: Imposter Syndrome ("I must pretend") and Main Character Syndrome ("I must control"). Drawing lessons from scripture and the classic film The Devil Wears Prada, we break down how quiet compromises creep into our lives and Kristen offers a grace-filled roadmap to return to authentic, Christ-centered leadership.
Scripture References:
1 Peter 2:9 — Your true identity as a chosen race, royal priesthood, and holy nation.
Hebrews 8:10 — God's law written on our hearts as the foundation for true alignment.
Psalm 139:23–24 — The leader's prayer for heart reflection and guidance.
(Grab these steps to use in your personal prayer time this week!)
Run a "No Choice" Audit: Track every time you say or think "I didn't have a choice" in your ministry. That phrase is your first red flag that core values are being sacrificed for external demands.
Define 3 Non-Negotiable Core Values: Write down three personal values rooted in your identity in Christ. If a project or schedule forces you to violate them, performance culture has taken over.
Practice a Leader’s Daily Examen: Adapt Psalm 139:23–24 into a 3-minute evening review asking two questions: Where did I act out of fear or performance today? Where did I lead out of the overflow of God's love?
Lean into Intentional Vulnerability: True authenticity means acknowledging limits. Saying "I don't know, but let's pray and discern this together" builds far more trust than pretending to have every answer.
Designate an Accountability Partner: Give a trusted colleague or friend explicit permission in advance to call you out if they see you slipping into performance or control.
Action Challenge: Don't feel pressured to tackle all five today. Pick just ONE step that speaks to your heart right now and bring it into your prayer time this week.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
00:42 – What is the "Authenticity Radar"?
01:56 – The Unique Pressure of Spiritual Leadership (1 Peter 2:9)
03:09 – Imposter Syndrome vs. Main Character Syndrome
04:15 – The Devil Wears Prada Analogy
06:11 – Translating the "I Didn't Have a Choice" Trap into Leader Reality
07:46 – The Antidote: Grace Over Grit (Hebrews 8:10)
08:50 – The 5-Step Leadership Authenticity Audit
11:14 – Practical Encouragement: Pick Just ONE Step
11:30 – Closing Thoughts & Final Prayer
If this episode touched your heart, please take a moment to rate, review, and share it with a fellow Catholic leader!
Host: Kristen Hew
Podcast: Of Becoming Catholic Leadership Podcast
Stay Connected: Subscribe for future episodes on authentic Catholic leadership, ministry mindset, and spiritual growth.
Ignite Your Leadership: Visit ofbecoming.org (https://ofbecoming.org/) to connect with Kristen and start your journey to professional transformation.
25 Sept 2026
How to Build a Ministry Survival Manual: 9 Items Your Team Will Thank You For
What happens to your ministry if you suddenly can't be there tomorrow? In this episode of the Of Becoming Podcast, we tackle the anxiety of solo leadership and the "buffalo mentality." Listen in as we share a practical, 9-step guide to creating a one-stop survival manual for your ministry, ensuring your team can thrive even in your absence.
Download your free copy of the 9-Point Survival Manual Checklist & Sample Here! (https://ofbecoming.org/podcast-2/)
Feel free to send me any questions you have or topics you would like to hear me cover on tackling various aspects of Catholic Leadership, administrative or spiritual as well! You can comment below or send me an email at kristen@ofbecoming.org
What we cover in this episode:
00:00 - The Gut-Check Question for Every Spiritual Leader
01:19 - Are You a "Buffalo Leader"? The Danger of Solo Ministry
03:37 - What Maternity Leave Taught Me About Systems & Delegation
05:25 - Survival Guide or Procedures Manual
06:05 - The 9 Key Elements of a Ministry One-Stop Resource
09:07 - How to Do a Brain-Dump When You Feel Overwhelmed
11:37 - Geese Leadership: The Holy Spirit at Work in Team Communion
10 Sept 2026
How to Launch Your Ministry Year Strong: Prayer & Logistics
As September arrives, many of us are stepping into the excitement (and chaos!) of a new ministry launch. In this episode, we ask: What does it look like to start off a ministry year well? From establishing your spiritual compass through intentional prayer to building an administrative roadmap that keeps you organized, we're covering the essentials you need before execution. If you're feeling behind, don't worry; we’ve got a 90-day plan just for you. Tune in and let's build a strong foundation together!
Outline:
Intro: (00:00)
Rooting in Spirituality: (03:09)
The Administrative Road Map: (08:46)
90- Day Triage: (20:43)
Outro: (23:33)
10 Jul 2026
Are You Misplacing Your Worth? 4 Questions for Catholic Leaders AND An Introduction to Of Becoming
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Of Becoming: Catholic Leadership Podcast!
Are you a Catholic leader who feels exhausted, overworked, or like you’re constantly trying to earn the approval of others? Whether you serve in frontline parish ministry, lead a non-profit, or exercise your faith as an executive in the corporate world, this podcast is for you.
In this episode, host Kristen Hew shares her own "trial by fire" journey as a young ministry leader, complete with facility double-bookings, giant tents, and unexpected cultural hurdles. She dives deep into the subtle but dangerous trap of tying your personal worth to your mission output, and introduces a transformative framework rooted in St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
Tune in to discover the four warning signs that you've displaced your identity, learn why your team members are never just "assets to get a job done," and explore how professional coaching can help you lead an integrated, fruit-bearing life with Christ firmly in the passenger seat.
Hit subscribe to join us on this adventure of becoming who God created you to be!
Connect With Us
Website: www.ofbecoming.org (www.ofbecoming.org)
Email Kristen Directly: kristen@ofbecoming.org
Share Your Thoughts: Have you ever experienced a leadership "trial by fire"? Reach out via email, I would love to hear your story and answer your questions!
12 Jun 2026
Of Becoming Trailer
"Of Becoming" is a podcast focused on Catholic leader development especially in the realm of church ministry.
Contact "Of Becoming" Catholic Leadership Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of "Of Becoming" Catholic Leadership Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
