The Follow to Lead Podcast

Today we will be talking about Catholic School leadership, exploring both what it means to be a leader and what resources are available to equip school leaders for mission. Our guest is Dr. Krystyn Schmerbeck Lulloff from Benedictine College. As a director of programs in school leadership, Krystyn will be sharing current insights and ideas on being a leader.

Summer is a great time to review key areas of our school programs including Faculty Faith Formation. This area is often neglected or de-prioritized due to the busy-ness of our schools. When we realize the reason for this formation, however, we can see why we need to take another look at the importance of this activity in the life of our educators. Join Sebastian and Jennie from the Seelos Institut...

On this episode of “Follow to Lead” we’ll take a deep dive into digital addiction with Andrew Laubacher, the Executive Director of Humanality. The organization helps people discover freedom through an intentional relationship with technology. But more than that - they teach you to flourish in your humanity. There’s more to wellness than just “not looking at a screen.” They created the first digita...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and today we will be talking with Catherine DiNuzzo, a Catholic speaker, author, and Licensed Professional Counselor. Catherine is the author of the bestselling book “The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety,” which offers a practical and faith-informed approach to understanding and managing anxiety. We’ll also explore managing anxiety in schools and classrooms.

On this episode of follow to lead we’ll be talking with Cristy McNay, from Partners in Mission, who specializes in Catholic school enrollment management, recruitment, and retention. From her vast experience including 17 years in leadership roles in Catholic Schools, we asked Cristy to share with us a list of her five most important life lessons regarding admissions and enrollment. These will defin...

A great resource for families and schools has been released by the Augustine Institute called “Welcome to Hope Springs,” an audio drama series that looks at life through a Catholic worldview. We’ll be talking with Peabody Award-winning author Paul McCusker, the writer and producer of the series about its development and distribution. The story follows a tight-knit group of young friends who gather...

At a time when American history and Western Civilization are increasingly contested on college campuses, the University of St. Thomas–Houston (UST) is investing in the importance of developing good Catholic citizenship. We will be exploring their new initiative on this episode of “Follow to Lead” with Dr. Tom Harmon, Associate Director of Catholic Studies at the University. In addition to our disc...

Today on “Follow to Lead” we’ll be talking with Matt Paolelli, Vice President of Marketing for Real Life Catholic about their new Lenten Phone Fast Challenge. Studies show that up to 57% of Americans consider themselves addicted to their smartphones, a trend especially pronounced among younger generations. Chris Stefanick’s non-profit ministry Real Life Catholic is launching the Lenten Phone Fast...

Catholic Schools are always looking for ways to make a difference through prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Cross Catholic Outreach, a Vatican-endorsed Catholic global relief and development ministry, is inviting U.S. Catholics to join a large-scale “clean water challenge” to bring safe, abundant drinking water to distant corners of the world — including villages in Zambia facing the country’s worst...

In 2015, Jeremy Tate embarked on a mission to provide alternative standardized tests rooted in tradition. It all began when Jeremy questioned how American education had come to be so utilitarian, realizing that transcendent, moral, and ethical ideas had been gutted from the classroom. He came to the conclusion that high-stakes testing was partially to blame, driving secondary school curriculum. Da...

Today on "Follow to Lead" we will be talking with Chuck Jansen of the Forgiveness Institute KC about the most common problem in mental health we face - Forgiveness. Chuck's study of this area of the past 13 years has yielded some great resources we can all use. With a background in Catholic education, Chuck also shows how forgiveness can be applied to the school and classroom.

Today on “Follow To Lead” we will be talking with Sam Rockford, Director of Educational Programming with St. James Academy, Lenexa, KS. Sam led the launch of an initiative as SJA that expanded student involvement and development in media. This initiative included students on both sides of the camera and microphone for their Thunder Broadcasting Network as well as other media projects and upgraded...

We have had “Bible in a Year,” “Catechism in a Year,” and Rosary in a Year.” Beginning in 2026, we be able to journey through the greatest work of St. Thomas Aquinas with “Summa in a Year.” The podcast will distill the timeless wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas into daily episodes of 30 minutes or less in a way that is accessible that makes his insights clear, accessible, and relatable. On this week’s...

On this episode we will be talking with Hallow’s Sales Manager about implementing Hallow in schools to encourage prayer and faith formation for both teachers and students. Nathan was one of the developers of the school partnership program at Hallow several years ago and has seen it become a huge resource for elementary and secondary schools.

Most of us may have heard of “The Newman Guide” from the Cardinal Newman Society that recommends colleges and universities which provide faithful Catholic education. Today, we’ll be talking with the society’s director, Patrick Reilly, about the beginnings of their work, about the Guide and Catholic Education in general. Please join us for this most interesting episode of “Follow to Lead.”

Today on “Follow to Lead” our guest is Carlos Rivera of Subler, Inc. We’ll be talking with Carlos about ways to use your facilities as an additional revenue stream. Subler is a technology company that operates a online marketplace for schools to manage and rent out their existing facilities. It helps schools generate income by connecting them with individuals and organizations who want to book spa...

Jonathan Doyle is from Australia and travels the world talking to Catholic educators and organizations. His global view of Catholic Education will be the focus of our discussion, as we look at what is happening in our area of the world as well as other nations. Join us for this episode of “Follow to Lead” learn more about the work of Catholic Education in places not like home.

On this ENCORE edition of "Follow to lead we'll be revisiting the communications mission of a Catholic school, which is often ignored or underutilized. We'll be joined by Kate Sell, Founder and Managing Partner of Mission Advancement Partners in a discussion on this vital aspect of our Educational mission. Today we will be focusing mostly on external communications, what needs to be said to famili...

Join Fr. Randy Sly, DIA Executive Director Dcn. Dana Nearmyer, and Andy Tylicki, President of St. James Academy for a preview of the 11th Annual DIA Schools Summit, to be held October 20-22, 2025. We’ll look at the scheduled speakers, workshops and the invaluable times of fellowship with other educators.

Two key ingredients for a dynamic Catholic school are Catholic identity and Community involvement. Msgr. Swetland shares how both of these have been the key strengths for Donnelly College as they provide affordable education in an Urban setting. Many of the alumni are first generation graduates in their families, changing the course of many lives. Join Fr. Randy Sly and Msgr. Swetland for this int...

In 2015, Jeremy Tate embarked on a mission to provide alternative standardized tests rooted in tradition. It all began when Jeremy questioned how American education had come to be so utilitarian, realizing that transcendent, moral, and ethical ideas had been gutted from the classroom. He came to the conclusion that high-stakes testing was partially to blame, driving secondary school curriculum. Da...

On this episode of Follow to Lead we’ll be talking with Dr. Jeffrey Lehman, Professor of Philosophy and Theology with The Augustine Institute about “Teachers for Christ,” a new in-residence program developed by the Augustine Institute in partnership with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE). The two-year program forms future Catholic school teachers of all subject areas so that they...

The Board of Directors for the Duc In Altum Schools Collaborative recently announced that they have filled the position of Executive Director. Deacon Dana Nearmyer, from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will succeed Kyle Pietrantonio in that role. Join Fr. Randy Sly and Board Chair Pat Reidy as they talk with Deacon Dana about his background, his thoughts on becoming the Executive Director...

Today we’ll be talking with Dan DeMatte , Co-Founder and Executive Director of Damascus, one of the fastest-growing youth and young adult ministry movements in the country. Damascus has had a remarkable impact in the lives of youth from across the country for the past twenty-five years. We’ll be talking with Dan about the growth and development of their camps and other ministries as well as explor...

On May 8, 2025, white smoke at the Vatican signaled the election of a new pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo, an Augustinian, is the first American who has ascended to this position. While born in the United States, he spent many years in ministry in Peru and, later, at the Vatican. Today Fr. Randy Sly and Dr. Daniel Lindman, of Ave Maria University will share information an...