The Leader’s Way

Poet and priest Spencer Reece joins Leader’s Way host Brandon Nappi for a moving conversation about the power of poetry as an act of remembrance, as a response to violence, and as a culture maker and culture keeper. Listen to Father Reece offer spontaneous recitation and remind us of the ways poetry can bring us closer to the Divine.      Host: Brandon Nappi Guest: Spencer Reece Production: Goodch...

We are growing in our understanding of the long-term effects trauma and moral injury can have on bodies and spirits, including those within our own congregations. In this important and tender episode, Brandon and Whitney talk with former Army Chaplain and Episcopal priest David Peters about the ways faith communities can lean on Jesus’s life story to respond with love and care to these wounds. Dav...

Welcome to WITHIN, a contemplative segment of The Leader's Way Podcast that explores the convergence of mental health, art, and spirituality through authentic conversations across traditions about personal and collective transformation. In this inaugural episode, Brandon talks with Joanna Penn, an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, whose latest book, “Pilgrimage: Lesson...

In this episode, Michelle Snyder, author, therapist, leadership coach, and the executive director of Soul Shop, speaks directly to faith leaders about the importance of talking about and tending to suicide in our communities, and training for the work of suicide prevention. Michelle talks with Brandon, Whitney, and Misty about the moment we are in, in which isolation is growing and suicide is on t...

In this episode, Irish theologian, storyteller, poet, conflict mediator, and host of the podcast Poetry Unbound Pádraig Ó Tuama speaks of the thrilling notion that “all language can do the work of delight or terror in us.” In this conversation, Leader’s Way hosts talk with Pádraig about the complex relationship between poetry and prayer, the timeless wisdom of Meister Eckhart, and the delightful t...

In this special summer episode, Brandon Nappi interviews The Rev’d Adrian Dannhauser, Rector of Church of the Incarnation in New York City and author of Ask Me for a Blessing (You Know You Need One). Adrian and Brandon dive into spiritual call and spiritual practice—from silent retreats to evangelism to the spiritual courage it takes to pray for others who may (or may not) ask for it. Host: Brando...

What do church mission, governance, and high school theater have in common? Brandon and Hannah talk with The Rev’d Molly James, PhD., Interim Executive Officer at The Episcopal Church and Berkeley Divinity at Yale alum (’05), about the ways Church mission and institutional governance weave together to strengthen the work of The Episcopal Church. Listen as Rev’d Molly recounts lessons on leadership...

In this episode, Brandon talks with New York Times bestselling author, public theologian, preacher, and founder of Sojourners, The Rev’d Jim Wallis. Their conversation explores the theological implications of authoritarianism, new frames for understanding church unity, and the difference between optimism and hope. Host: Brandon Nappi Guest: Jim Wallis Production: Goodchild Media Music: Wayfaring S...

Futurist and Berkeley Divinity at Yale alum Rachel Hatch (‘08) joins Brandon and Hannah for a conversation about how to look for signals of change within our own parishes and communities as we make thoughtful choices for the future. In this episode, Rachel encourages leaders to cultivate a practice of imagining possibilities and taking steps toward hope-filled futures, while still addressing the u...

Hannah has news, and you have new friends! Tune in to meet guest hosts Whitney and Misty as they join Brandon in interviewing Hannah for our season finale. Why is Gregory of Nyssa’s take on salvation so different from what Hannah heard in church growing up? Are there risks in the regular ways we talk about Christian salvation? How did feminist theology help her untangle all of this? How much can w...

The penultimate episode of season 4 is here, and it's with someone we know you'll love, @bishopmello of @episcopal_ct!! Tune in to hear about how Jeff Mello's experience in social work impacts his ministry, how a posture of curiosity and willingness to fail are key, and at the very end, hear all about Bishop Jeff Mello as a person when we play our new favorite game: Holy Cow!

Join co-hosts Brandon Nappi and Hannah Black in an engaging episode of The Leaders Way as they sit down with Linn Tonstad, Professor of Theology, Religion, and Sexuality at Yale Divinity School. In this episode, Tonstad shares her unique perspective on queer theology and how it relates to potential for social transformation. Perfect for Pride Month, this episode challenges us to envision a world w...

Dean Andrew McGowan joins us to further unpack shifting dynamics, changing landscapes, and the future after addressing the topic at the Episcopal Parish Network (EPN) conference. McGowan describes his observations of Australian secularization and how he sees similar dynamics arising in the United States. We talk about why church attendance is changing, the difference between hope and optimism, and...

THE Father Lizzie is back on The Leader's Way podcast, talking about her new devotional God Didn't Make Us to Hate Us. We talk about the alternative to "billboard Christianity" and how an expansive, inclusive God affects individual spirituality and corporate worship in church. Finally, the Golden Retriever Games are back, baby. Stay 'till the end for "Holy or Horror?" https://bookshop.org/contribu...

Yale Divinity School Professor Teresa Morgan shares her expertise about the Greek word “pistis,” often translated in the New Testament as “faith.” The conversation revolves around faith, trust, and faithfulness and touches on the importance of a nuanced understanding of atonement theology. Brandon challenges Morgan and Black to “Gregory or Gregory?” Tune in for an enlightening discussion that brid...

The Rev'd John Burruss (The Leader's Way ’23 Fellow) and the Rev'd Mary Bea Sullivan join hosts Hannah Black and Brandon Nappi to tell the story of the Threshold Center, a vibrant space designed to address loneliness and foster connection in Birmingham, Alabama. Born from a tragic event in the life of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the Threshold Center nurtures well-being and connection by engagi...

Bishop Graham Kings, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Ely and Research Associate of the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide, joins us to delve into the possibilities of engaging creativity in ministry. We discuss the power of collaboration with artists, crafting liturgical celebrations, his project on women in the Bible, how to start a Beer and Theology gathering, traveling from...

On Being host Krista Tippett reflects on her career and tells stories never before heard on air. She contemplates her grandfather's spirituality, what she was looking for when she decided to come to Yale Divinity School, the need she saw for intelligent public conversation about spirituality and religion, and the birth story of Speaking of Faith (later On Being) during the Cold War. We consider ho...

The Rev'd Dr. Jesse Zink, Principal at Montreal Diocesan Theological College, joins us to discuss living faithfully in our fast-paced, crisis-shaped world. We talk about his new book, Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis-Shaped World, and we reflect on insights like fostering a culture of contentment and enoughness amidst the prevailing ethos of "more."

The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Battle shares insights from the first volume, "Faith," in the new series Conversations in Global Anglican Theology. He helps us explore the fascinating transition of the Anglican Church from being the church of the establishment to becoming the church of advocacy. He also shares his insights on faith, culture, activism, and mysticism within the global Anglican Communion

Bishop Mary Glasspool shares her rich experiences and insights on leadership, vocation, and the evolving Episcopal Church. Embark on a journey through her inspiring stories of servant leadership and, of course, hear what gives her hope amidst challenges.

Dean Yejide Peters Pietersen joins us to discuss what it's like to apply to and be a student at Berkeley Divinity School, the Episcopal seminary at Yale. This is the perfect episode for people thinking about exploring their call or applying to seminary—or for people who know those people! Dean Pietersen reflects on vocational discernment and how theological education is for everyone. She shares ho...

Carve out 15 minutes of your day to center yourself in guided prayer with Dr. Brandon Nappi.

The Very Rev’d Dr. Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, joins Hannah for an Advent episode. Dean McGowan reflects on his career as a priest, academic, and administrator and shares how the Daily Office helps him maintain balance in the midst of it all. He shares the “what” and “why” behind the lectionary and reflects on the Advent readings from Luke for lectionary year C. We ex...

Professor Lin tells us all about her new book Immigration and Apocolypse: How the Book of Revelation Shaped American Immigration. We think about Christopher Columbus and the New World, why there's a "new" in New England, New York, and New Haven, how Revelation's words have shaped rhetoric about immigration, how Westward expansion and building a wall fit in, and more. Professor Lin helps us think a...