Called to Lead: Pastoral Leadership for Today’s Church

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, &qu...

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...

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 . 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 mana...

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...

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 f...

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 t...

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...

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...

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,...

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 accommodati...

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: T...

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 formatio...

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...