The Rebuilt Parish Podcast

What does it mean to be truly rooted in faith, especially when parish life is changing around us? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson is joined by Rebuilt Parish Executive Director Bill Baird and Dr. John Sehorn of the Augustine Institute for a rich conversation about theology, formation, leadership, and the importance of developing deep roots in Christ. Drawing from S...

What does healthy parish leadership look like when the demands of ministry feel overwhelming? Fr. Paul MacNeil, pastor of St. Alexander Catholic Church in Fonthill, Ontario, returns to the Rebuilt Parish Podcast for a deeply personal conversation about priesthood, leadership, burnout, parish growth, and learning to lead from a place of peace. Fr. Paul shares the remarkable story of meeting both St...

What if finding the right volunteers for your parish was less about filling empty spots and more about helping people discover how God has uniquely gifted them to serve? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Jill Simons, founder of Many Parts Ministries, to talk about charisms, volunteer ministry, and creating a parish culture where people serve from their...

Generosity in a parish starts with a simple but sometimes uncomfortable step: you have to ask. In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with David Gaines, a Catholic business leader, parishioner, and generous giver, for a candid conversation about generosity, stewardship, and what pastors and parish leaders should know about inviting people to give...

Small groups can help a large parish feel small, giving people a place to be known, grow in faith, and support one another. But how do you actually get them started, find leaders, and build momentum? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson talks with Tammy Jacobs and Deborah West from Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City about their experience launching pa...

Matt Pinto, founder of Ascension Press, joins Tom Corcoran and Melissa Wilkinson to share what he has learned from more than three decades of building Catholic ministries that reach people. From his own conversion story to the growth of Ascension, Matt explains why belief, vision, beauty, authenticity, and intentionality all matter when trying to lead people closer to Christ. For pastors and paris...

Talking about money can feel uncomfortable for pastors and parish leaders. But what if the goal isn’t simply to raise more money, but to help people grow in generosity? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with philanthropy expert and Church of the Nativity parishioner Michelle Glennon to explore a more relational approach to giving. Drawing on...

What if the challenge that feels too big for you is actually the very place where God wants to show you His strength? In this special Rebuilt Conference replay, Tom Corcoran closes the 2025 Rebuilt Conference with a powerful message for pastors and parish leaders carrying real challenges back home: spiritual apathy, financial pressure, conflict, fear, overwhelm, self-doubt, and more. Walking throu...

What happens when parish leaders stop letting the headwinds define what is possible? In this special conference replay, Fr. Michael White opens the 2025 Rebuilt Conference with a powerful message for pastors, parish staff, and volunteer leaders who know firsthand how challenging parish ministry can be. Reflecting on Matthew 14 and Peter walking on water, Fr. Michael names the very real headwinds f...

What happens when a self-described "regular guy" finally lets God into his business? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, host Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Rebuilt Coach Dan Sipe for an honest, story-rich conversation about faith, money, and stewardship in the Catholic Church. Dan shares how the book “Rebuilt” captured his imagination, how his family came to call Church of the Nativi...

What can a parish accomplish in less than a year when its leaders are willing to pray, experiment, and take the next right step? In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson speaks with Father Norm Douglas and Deacon Andy Davis of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Akron, Ohio. Since beginning Rebuilt Parish Coaching, their parish has formed a strategic leadership team, introduced message series, strengthened co...

What helps a parishioner move from simply attending a parish to investing deeply in its mission? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with Nativity parishioner, real estate investor, and philanthropist Wayne Gioioso. Wayne offers parish leaders a valuable perspective from the other side of the stewardship conversation: what inspires someone to...

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Bill Baird, Rebuilt Parish’s new Executive Director. Bill has been part of Rebuilt for years as a coach, parishioner at Nativity, and leader, bringing experience from the business world, diocesan leadership, parish consulting, and parish coaching. Bill shares how God has shaped his path from finance to parish renewal,...

What does it actually look like to invite a Rebuilt Parish speaker into your parish? In this episode of The Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson talks with Fr. Roger Gustafson, pastor of St. Hilary Parish in Tiburon, California, about his experience bringing multiple Rebuilt speakers to his parish over time. Fr. Roger shares how these speaking events helped strengthen parish vision, encourage...

On this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa welcomes back Abby Daniels and introduces Andrea Zubiri-Flynn from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Illinois, to talk about a milestone many parishes dream about: reaching 10,000 followers on Instagram. Abby and Andrea share how their parish moved from simply posting announcements to creating intentional, engaging, and mission-focus...

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with Frank Kelly III of Kelly Benefits for a conversation about faith, business, leadership, and evangelization in everyday life. Frank shares how his faith moved from his head to his heart during his college lacrosse years, how the Holy Spirit led him back home to Baltimore and into the family business, and...

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with Natalie Marts, a Chick-fil-A owner/operator and parish leader at Church of the Nativity. Natalie shares her story of entrepreneurship, faith, leadership, and stewardship, from buying her first business at 19 years old to leading a thriving Chick-fil-A team in Towson, Maryland. Together, they explore wha...

Young adults are searching for truth, belonging, and something deeper than what the culture is offering. In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson welcomes Rachel Herbeck from Renewal Ministries for a conversation about reaching Gen Z and young adults with the Gospel. Rachel shares what she is seeing in the next generation, why many young people are becoming more open to the Church, and how parishes can...

What happens when a parish team comes to the Rebuilt Conference, takes time to dream together, and then chooses to act on what God is stirring? In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson talks with Chris Kozlowski from St. Isidore Parish in Michigan about how his parish and family of parishes came to the Rebuilt Conference in 2025, invited Tom Corcoran and David Makela to lead a strategic offsite, and eve...

What happens when parish leaders step away from the daily pressures of ministry and gather together with other pastors, staff, and volunteers who understand the mission and the challenges of parish life? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Rebuilt’s own Colleen Droney to talk all things Rebuilt Conference 2027. Colleen shares behind-the-scenes insights f...

What if one Gospel encounter could reshape the way your parish thinks about discipleship, generosity, and eternal life? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Tom Corcoran to talk about his upcoming book, Jesus, the Rich Young Man and the Meaning of Life. Tom shares the story behind the book, why this particular passage has stayed with him for years, and ho...

What does real renewal in the Church actually require right now? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Tim Glemkowski of Amazing Parish alongside Tom Corcoran for a conversation rooted in both experience and conviction. Tim shares the heart behind his recent white paper Rebuild My Church: A Call for Renewal and reflects on what he’s seeing across parishes today. Together, they explore why renewa...

What does it look like when a parish moves from vision to action? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Fr. Gregory Reichlen to unpack the story behind St. John the Apostle’s recent capital campaign. Just days after their commitment weekend, Fr. Greg shares how years of intentional culture change, rooted in mission and stewardship, led to a moment of extraordinary provision. What makes this conv...

What happens when someone truly discovers who they are in Christ? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Johnnette Williams of Women of Grace for a conversation filled with joy, honesty, and deep spiritual wisdom. Alongside Tom Corcoran, they reflect on Johnnette’s powerful story of conversion, the heart behind her ministry, and what she’s learned from walking with thousands of women over the yea...

What if a capital campaign was not just about raising money but raising faith? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Daniel Miller, Director of Next Gen at Church of the Nativity, to reflect on the heart behind the Wonder Campaign. This is an 18 million dollar effort rooted not just in facilities, but in forming the next generation of disciples. Daniel shares how the campaign began, the spiritua...