The Catholic Leaders Podcast

About this Episode What role does faith play in bearing witness to suffering? How do you remain hopeful while covering humanity’s darkest moments? And what qualities define authentic leadership? Anne Thompson shares personal stories from her remarkable career in journalism and discusses how faith has sustained her through tragedy, why forgiveness is one of humanity’s greatest gifts, and why listen...

About this Episode In this episode, Michael Steele shares a personal and thought-provoking conversation on faith, leadership and public service. Reflecting on his formation with the Order of Saint Augustine and his career in politics, Steele reflects on the “constant process of formation” in his life, the moral responsibilities of leadership and our obligation to care for the poor and vulnerable....

About this Episode To grow up in Tim Shriver’s family — populated by senators, ambassadors, best-selling authors, illustrious awardees, a president — one was constantly measured by how fast , how smart , how successful . But through personal experience with his Aunt Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability, Tim and his family gained a priceless lesson in human dignity and unconditional love. “...

In the midst of polarization and disharmony, we as a Church are called to seek and share joy, charity, and generosity. On the Season 2 finale of The Catholic Leaders Podcast, our hosts Kerry Robinson and Kim Smolik sit down to reflect on this past season of conversations with esteemed and diverse leaders making a difference in the Catholic Church and the world. Kerry and Kim discuss ways to overco...

Tania Tetlow grew up in a uniquely Catholic and Jesuit-influenced household, where dinner conversation centered around intellect, scripture, and justice. Throughout her career, Tania’s Jesuit formation and devotion to justice have guided her, whether she was prosecuting violent crimes, helping lead recovery efforts for the New Orleans Library system post-Hurricane Katrina, or serving as the first...

Throughout his life and career in both corporate and nonprofit settings, Chris Lowney has learned that one of the most important pieces of leadership is avoiding what he calls “split life-ism,” where someone’s spirituality and personal life is left at the door when they enter the work place. “Nobody can live their whole life in a split way,” Chris shares. On this episode of The Catholic Leadership...

Since getting her first job in development right after graduating from college, Kendra Davenport knew that the nonprofit sector was where she belonged. Kendra shared that early in her career, “[I] realized how difficult it would be for me to work for a private sector company, as opposed to a nonprofit that really had a mission of helping and serving people.” Kendra has dedicated her career to miss...

“Have you ever thought about being a sister?” That simple invitation from a religious sister became a call to consecrated religious life for Dr. Carol Zinn, SSJ. Looking back on her life, Dr. Zinn, a religious sister with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, sees a series of invitations to which she responded “yes,” each of which shaped her vocation, career, and spirituality. On this episode of The Cathol...

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta (now Kolkata) has left an indelible impact on the Church, the world, and the life of Jim Towey. What began as a one-day stop in Kolkata to meet the renowned sister ended up transforming Jim’s life and forming an enduring, close friendship between the lawyer and the nun. Today, Jim credits much of who he is to Mother Teresa and the lessons she taught him. On this epi...

Moments when success may seem elusive are moments where Dr. Hosffman Ospino sees opportunity for innovation. Dr. Ospino is a professor, writer, and researcher in the fields of theology, religious education, and Catholic Hispanic/Latino ministry. Dr. Ospino is a leading scholar in the conversations surrounding how to engage young adults in the Church, how to grow and foster greater Hispanic/Latino...

Gloria Purvis didn’t set out to be an author, commentator, and the host of a popular Catholic podcast. But as she says, “the Lord has a funny sense of humor.” Join us for the first episode of Season 2 of The Catholic Leaders Podcast, where we talk with Gloria about how her faith in God’s plan for her life has steered her career from real estate finance to journalism and advocacy. In this episode,...

It’s the season one finale of The Catholic Leaders Podcast! As we wrap up an amazing season, Kim and Kerry sit down to reflect on this incredible first season of the podcast and what’s to come. Both hosts share about recent personal experiences of discernment and transition, from Kim’s recent pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago to Kerry taking on the role of President and CEO of Catholic Charitie...

Nicola Brady, Ph. D., is the General Secretary for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. She previously served as the General Secretary of the Irish Council of Churches and Joint Secretary of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting where she facilitated relationship-building between Christian churches in Ireland and collaborative action on issues of shared concern to member churches. Brady has particul...

Warning: Suicide is briefly mentioned in this episode. Ellen Koneck is the Executive Director of Commonweal, a Catholic, lay-led publication committed to hosting thought-provoking discussions surrounding faith, public affairs, and the arts through their magazine, website, podcast, and live and virtual events. Prior to joining Commonweal, she was the head writer at Springtide Research Institute, wh...

Nathalie Becquart is a French Catholic religious sister and member of the Congregation La Xavière. She has in many ways become the image of women’s leadership in the Church having been appointed by Pope Francis in 2022 as Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, making her the first woman to hold a voting role in a Synod of Bishops. She is one of the primary leaders of the Synod alongside Cardinal...

Kathleen McChesney, Ph. D., is the founder and CEO of Kinsale Consulting and was a founding member of Leadership Roundtable’s Board of Directors. Kathleen is a trusted expert who has extensive experience advising bishops and other Catholic leaders on child protection. She works directly with dioceses and organizations to audit and review policies and practices to make improvements to strengthen pr...

Amy Rauenhorst Goldman is CEO and Chair of GHR Foundation, a hope-fueled global funder of service to people and their limitless potential for good. Goldman steers the foundation’s direction with optimism and a background in diplomacy and social investment that has inspired new approaches to philanthropy in collaboration with partners and communities around the world. Under her leadership, GHR reim...

Sister Teresa Maya, CCVI, is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio and has been since 1994. Her education ministry has spanned several decades, during which time she has served as teacher, history professor, administrator, and speaker. Sr. Maya is passionate about pastoral formation, particularly of Hispanic/Latino leaders in the Church in the Un...

Fr. James Martin is a Jesuit priest, best-selling author, Editor-At-Large of America Media, and a leader working to build inclusivity in the Catholic Church. Among his books are the best-selling “The Jesuit Guide to (almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life,” “Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone,” and “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Re...

Kim Daniels is the director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and an adjunct professor in Georgetown’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies. She was appointed by Pope Francis as a Member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication in 2016, and in that role was an advisor to the organizing committee for the February 2019 Vatican Meeting on...