In this special episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes a foundational mentor, veteran minister, and leader, Dr. Stanley Cordero, Director of Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. Before stepping into high school campus ministry, Stan spent decades forming generations of leaders as a diocesan youth ministry director—including our own host during his teenager years.

Together, they bridge the past and the future of youth evangelization. Stan shares his insights on shifting from large-scale diocesan programming to intimate, one-on-one student accompaniment. The conversation delves into the unique ecosystem of high school campus ministry, how a school can serve as a multi-faith spiritual sanctuary, the distinct charisms of Lasallian and Vincentian spirituality, and what it truly takes to sustain a lifetime of passionate, joyful service to young people.

In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Associate Director for Research at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. An acclaimed author, professor, and executive member of the Eucharistic Revival, Dr. O’Malley’s research bridges the gap between deep sacramental theology and the gritty realities of contemporary parish life.

Together, they explore what it means to cultivate a genuinely "sacramental imagination" in a secularized world. Dr. O’Malley breaks down the difference between teaching about the liturgy and true liturgical catechesis. He also offers practical strategies for pastoral leaders seeking to move their parishes past the "liturgy wars" and internal polarization, inviting them instead into a shared mission as a truly Eucharistic people.

In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes Dr. Josh Packard, sociologist, co-founder of Future of Faith, and one of the country's leading researchers on the spiritual lives of modern youth. Drawing on his book, Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Younger Generations, and years of empirical research, Josh dismantles common generational stereotypes and offers church leaders a clear, research-backed roadmap for connecting with young people.

Together, they explore why traditional "top-down" institutional authority fails with digital natives and how leaders can cultivate authentic "relational authority" instead. Josh unpacks the concept of "unbundled" faith, the power of sacred listening, and how parishes can move away from rigid, program-first thinking toward a culture of deep belonging and ongoing spiritual conversation.

In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes Denise Utter, M.A., a freelance consultant, author, ICF trained coach with Vibrant Faith, and the Coordinator of Family Faith Formation for the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL). Drawing from her deep experience at both the parish and diocesan levels, Denise tackles the hard truth facing modern ministry: the transmission of faith to the next generation depends entirely on how we form and accompany adults, not just children.

Together, they discuss how to "flip the script" on traditional religious education models. Denise shares concrete tools for coaching parents through doubt, managing the anxieties of parish staff transitions, and moving away from a program-first mentality to a people-first, accompaniment model that addresses the reality of the unchurched and disaffiliated.

In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Tony Alonso, Aquinas Associate Professor of Theology and Culture and the inaugural Director of Catholic Studies at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Known worldwide as a Latin Grammy-nominated composer of sacred music, Dr. Alonso is also an award-winning scholar whose research explores how consumer culture and everyday practices shape our worship.

Together, they discuss the connection between music, material culture, and pastoral leadership. Dr. Alonso reflects on how the songs we sing and the spaces we build form our Christian identity, the unique role of Latine theology in shaping modern ministry, and how pastoral leaders can cultivate an authentic "art of listening" through the liturgy itself.

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, "Shared Leadership in a Synodal Church," he explores how parishes are already living out synodal principles every day. Reflecting on past conversations with guests like John Roberto, Christopher Wesley, Casey Stanton, and Charleen Katra, this episode is a warm, encouraging invitation for leaders to identify the seeds of synodality in their local communities and make the small, intentional shifts that foster a culture of true accompaniment, listening, and mission.

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 for leaders in today’s complex organizations. The conversation delves into the power of discernment, the importance of "finding God in all things"—including our administrative work—and how to lead with a clear sense of mission. Whether you lead in a parish, a non-profit, or an academic setting, this episode offers a roadmap for leading with purpose, humility, and hope.

You can pre-order Fr. Carnes new book here. 

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 management" toward true digital formation using her Catholic Companion Framework. The conversation explores how we can empower young people to use technology with creativity, critical thinking, and a grounded sense of Christian ethics, ensuring that our digital tools serve the mission of the Gospel rather than distracting from it.

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 turns to the Church, exploring what pastoral leaders can learn from higher education and marketing practices about accessibility, communication, and meeting people where they are—without losing mission or identity.

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 faithfully minister with—and learn from—the Latino community. The conversation explores popular religiosity, everyday spiritual practices, liberation as lived experience, and what pastoral leaders must understand if they hope to serve Latino communities with authenticity, humility, and hope.