The Next Class 2.0

This season‑ending episode brings together reflections on Catholic education’s future, the rise of school choice, and the urgent need for mission‑driven leadership. The hosts revisit standout conversations—from higher‑ed fragility to thriving models and succession planning—offering school leaders practical wisdom, renewed hope, and a compelling vision for the year ahead.

This inspiring episode highlights leadership lessons relevant to school leaders: add outrageous value, build unparalleled environments, and meet people where they are. Coach Gautrat emphasizes clear vision, extreme ownership, communication, and culture-building. He champions self-awareness, joy, coachability, and developing others. His leadership approach—rooted in humility, discipline, growth, an...

The Future of Higher Education:  What Catholic School Leaders Need to Know   Higher education is confronting major demographic and financial challenges. This is essential information for Catholic school leaders advising students on higher education.  Join President Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey in a compelling conversation with Peter Stokes, Managing Director at Huron Consulting Group on how shrink...

Join Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano in an inspiring dialogue with Dr. Steve Cheeseman, President of NCEA. Dr. Cheeseman shares encouraging insights on the future of Catholic education, noting renewed hope and mission‑driven energy across schools nationwide. School communities are strengthening Catholic identity, embracing growth, and responding creatively to teacher and leader shortages. He highli...

Join this thought-provoking podcast as Erin Barisano talks with Catholic Education Services President Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey on the transformative power of Catholic school boards. They explore why today’s governance challenges demand spiritual grounding, intentional culture‑building, and true discernment—not business‑as‑usual decision‑making. Learn what makes an effective board “apostolic,”...

Join Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano in this episode as they engage in a thought-provoking dialogue with John Reyes, Director of Research and Program Evaluation, and Angela Mitchell, Director of Leadership Formation Programs, both representing the Roche Center for Catholic Education. This conversation explores critical themes shaping Catholic education today as reflected in Pope Leo’s recent Aposto...

Join Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey as they dive into a thought-provoking episode with Brandon Jacobs, Search Consultant at Carney, Sandoe & Associates, as they explore the ever-evolving landscape of leadership in private and Catholic schools. From rethinking traditional roles and expectations to embracing the humanity and imperfections of school leaders, this conversation challenges administrat...

In this episode, Dr. Erin Barisano and Rob Birdsell connect with Marco Clark to kick things off. The conversation explores what excites Marco most about college life and how he’s navigating this new chapter. Erin reflects on this transition from high school student body president to leadership in higher education, while also addressing the challenges facing colleges today. Rob shares thoughtful ad...

Kicking off season 6 of The Next Class 2.0, host Robert Birdsell is joined by returning co-hosts Dr. Erin Barisano and Kent Hickey, along with new producer Carlos Cárdenas. This season introduces a refreshed format—each episode will start with a preview of the guest and topic, and wrap up with a debrief from the hosts. Upcoming conversations will explore mastery-based learning with assessment expe...

In this special unedited edition of The Next Class, hosts Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano welcome Ashling Kelly Preston, Associate Director of Government Relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Recorded just days after the House passed historic federal school choice legislation, Ashling unpacks what this landmark moment means for Catholic schools nationwide. She details the structure...

In this episode of The Next Class, Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey sit down with spiritual leadership coach Kirsten Oates. With a background spanning law, consulting, and executive strategy at the Center for Action and Contemplation, Kirsten brings a unique blend of intellect and introspection. She shares how mysticism offers not just personal transformation, but practical, grounded tools for school...

In this powerful episode, hosts Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano sit down with Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, to explore the vital role of faith, leadership, and service in today’s world. Kerry shares her personal journey—from growing up in a legacy Catholic philanthropic family, to her work expanding Catholic life at Yale, and now leading one of the largest social...

In this episode of Next Class 2.0, hosts Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey welcomes Jeff Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England. Jeff shares his unique journey from his Jesuit volunteer experience in Peru to leading one of the nation’s oldest immigration and refugee service organizations. The conversation dives deep into how faith, mission-driven leadership, and educa...

In this episode, hosts Rob Birdsell, and Kent Hickey sit down with Ed Jennings, CEO of Quick Base, for an insightful conversation about leadership, adaptability, and lifelong learning. The discussion covers the mindset and habits that fuel long-term success, leadership lessons from Ed’s personal and professional journey, how to balance high performance with team collaboration, time management stra...

In this enlightening episode of The Next Class, hosts Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano sit down with Lannie Davis, a trailblazer in inclusive education, to discuss her transformative work at the Julie Billiart Schools. From their humble beginnings as a single campus to their current multi-campus model in Ohio, Lannie reflects on her decade-long journey of serving students with special needs and her...

Join Rob Birdsell, Erin Barisano, and Lori Stanley in a thought-provoking discussion on faith and leadership in today’s world. From exploring Ignatian spirituality to leveraging technology for deeper connections, they share personal stories and insights that inspire and empower Catholic school leaders. Lori’s moving reflections on inclusion and belonging highlight the ongoing work for unity within...

In this episode of The Next Class, hosts Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey chat with Kelby Woodard, CEO of The Cristo Rey Network. From his start in corporate security to his unexpected pivot into politics and education, Kelby shares how his diverse background fuels his vision for Cristo Rey’s mission. Learn about his first year as CEO, the network's expansion, and the incredible impact on students acr...

In this insightful episode, host Rob Birdsell and co-host Dr. Erin Barisano engage with Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. John Belmonte, superintendents from Miami and Sarasota. They explore Florida’s universal school choice and its benefits for Catholic education amid Miami’s cultural diversity. Fr. Belmonte shares the archdiocese’s rich history of supporting immigrant families and highlights scholarships tha...

In this episode, Rob Birdsell, Kent Hickey, and Dan Porterfield explore the transformative power of education, diving into how mentorship and growth mindsets shape student success. They discuss Dan's new book, "Mindset Matters", and how Catholic schools and higher ed can foster lifelong growth. A powerful conversation for educators everywhere!

Kicking off season 5 of "The Next Class 2.0," host Robert Birdsell is joined by Dr. Erin Barisano and Kent Hickey to discuss the latest trends and innovations in education. The conversation dives into the importance of relationships in Catholic schools, the impact of school choice on enrollment, and how educators can maintain hope and foster growth in their communities. The episode also teases upc...

Rob Birdsell hosts Casey Carter and Dan O'Keefe to discuss the transformative potential of generative AI in education. They explore how AI can shift focus from memorization to critical thinking and address concerns about AI biases and risks. The episode highlights the importance of educators embracing AI to enhance learning experiences. Check out some reading recommendations from our guests below....

In this podcast episode, host Rob Birdsell talks with Mike McShane and Rick Hess about their new book, "Getting Education Right." They discuss conservative perspectives on education reform, the importance of personal responsibility, and thoughtful policy changes. They focus on early childhood education, the need for diverse learning choices, and the impact of influential teachers.

In this new podcast episode, Rob Birdsell is joined by Father James Martin. Fr. Martin explores the significance of Lazarus' resurrection, touching on art, literature, and the delay before his raising. He also shares personal insights, linking the biblical story to daily life and spirituality. Watch this full episode for more!

Tune in for the continuation of Rob Birdsell, Josh Hale, and Chis Chandler's discussion on fundraising strategies and the teacher shortage crisis. Discover the power of authentic relationships with donors and alumni. Explore innovative tactics to retain school leaders and combat teacher turnover, emphasizing mission-driven leadership and support for educators.

Join host Rob Birdsell in this exciting podcast episode as he welcomes guests Josh Hale and Chris Chandler to discuss the dynamic world of school leadership, with a special focus on fundraising for Catholic schools. Dive into their insightful conversation where they emphasize the vital role of relationship-building, genuine passion for the mission, and the humble approach needed in leadership. Get...