In this episode, Brett is joined by Dr. Ryan Topping, theologian, author, and founder of the Gregory the Great Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation on family, Catholic education, culture, and vocations. Drawing from his academic work and lived experience as a husband and father of ten, Dr. Topping explains the crisis facing Catholic education and priestly vocations in Canada, while offering a compelling vision rooted in classical education, fidelity, and the renewal of culture. The discussion highlights the family as the primary counterweight to the state and a powerful force for evangelization in our time. The episode closes with Dr. Topping's vision for the Gregory the Great Institute and a hopeful call for bold, faithful leadership in the Church today.

Website: https://www.gregorythegreat.ca/

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Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

This episode dives into a transformative approach to parish leadership, where hearing God's voice becomes the foundation for healing, clarity, and mission. Fr. John Riccardo walks through the prayer exercises that help teams confront wounds, expose the enemy's plans, and discern God's strategy with confidence. With powerful testimonies from bishops and leadership teams, the conversation reveals how Acts XXIX's immersive process brings unity, peace, and renewed purpose. Listeners are invited to embrace the Church's bold call to rescue, renew, and transform their communities through the Spirit.

Connect with Fr. John: https://www.actsxxix.org/media-1

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Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

Dr. Deborah Savage returns to explore the dignity and holiness of human work through a deeply Catholic lens. Drawing on her years in the corporate world and her research in virtue ethics, she unpacks how Confucian and Aristotelian traditions reveal the spiritual foundations of excellent work. The conversation also examines the feminine genius in professional settings and why women's unique gifts are essential for human flourishing in the workplace. The episode closes with reflections on AI, Catholic social teaching, and the enduring wisdom of Church tradition for modern leadership.

Institute for the Study of Man & Woman: https://franciscan.edu/man-and-woman-institute/

Connect with Dr. Savage: https://drdeborahsavage.com

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Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this episode, Dr. Deborah Savage of Franciscan University joins the conversation to unpack the "war on men," the masculine genius, and the deeper spiritual battle being waged against the human person. Drawing from St. John Paul II, Aquinas, and her own scholarship, she explores the unique gifts of men and women, the meaning of complementarity, and why fathers play a vital role in conferring identity.

The discussion tackles hard truths about suicide rates, cultural blind spots, and misplaced anger, while also pointing to the beauty of God's design for man and woman. Listeners are invited to recover a deeper appreciation of our differences, not as a struggle for power, but as the foundation of authentic human flourishing.

Institute for the Study of Man & Woman: https://franciscan.edu/man-and-woman-institute/

Connect with Dr. Savage: https://drdeborahsavage.com

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Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this episode, Brett is joined by Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada and Global Senior VP for Alpha International, who has spent nearly 30 years helping people encounter Jesus. Together they explore what God is doing across the world today — from rising faith among young people to surprising movements of the Holy Spirit in unexpected places. Shaila shares stories from Alpha's global and Canadian work, highlighting the growing hunger for authentic connection and spiritual depth, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Their conversation offers practical hope for leaders, parents, and anyone longing to understand this moment of renewal in the Church.

Made For This Website

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Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this episode, our conversation explores the mission of Amazing Parish and the importance of healthy leadership within the Church. Brett and Tim Glemkowski reflect on the powerful fruits of the Eucharistic Congress, how renewal movements can collaborate rather than compete, and the reminder that true revival comes from God's movement, not just strategies or models. They share encouraging signs of spiritual hunger, especially among Gen Z, and highlight the role of leaders in discerning and supporting God's work already underway. The episode closes with reflections on the surprise election of Pope Leo, his grounded Midwestern roots, and the hope that his leadership brings for the future.

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Connect with Brett:

Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this episode, Monsignor Shea reflects on leadership as stewardship, emphasizing that true influence comes through love, attentiveness, and surrender rather than force. He shares how personal experiences—especially the death of his brother—shaped his understanding of servant leadership and deepened his reliance on the Holy Spirit. The conversation explores humility, the joy of watching others build on one's work, and the importance of holding leadership roles lightly. Monsignor Shea also notes a growing hunger among today's students for meaning and truth, which is reshaping the landscape of Catholic higher education.

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Connect with Brett:

Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this episode, Brett shares his deep respect for Charlie Kirk, describing him as a principled leader whose best moments showed a genuine commitment to family, faith, and respectful dialogue. He reflects on the tragedy of Kirk's assassination as a loss not just for politics but for the culture of conversation and civility, lamenting how quickly words have become weapons rather than bridges. Brett calls listeners to remember the kind of leadership Kirk embodied — one marked by relational presence, authenticity, and speaking truth with kindness. Ultimately, the episode invites Christians to use their words and influence to build up truth, beauty, and goodness in imitation of what he saw in Charlie Kirk.

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Connect with Brett:

Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this heartfelt episode, Brett sits down with a very special guest—his daughter, Hannah Jakus—who just completed her Master's in Counseling Psychology at Trinity Western University. They talk through the highs and lows of her academic journey, including the struggles she faced toward the end. Hannah shares what inspired her to become a counselor, her brief stint as a social media influencer, and the complex landscape of counseling in British Columbia—where anyone can call themselves a counselor and the regulatory gaps that creates. They also dive into the intersection of psychology and faith, and Hannah's current work in her parish community through the Alpha program. A thoughtful, honest conversation about vocation, vulnerability, and the deep work of walking with others.

Connect with Hannah: https://www.instagram.com/hannahcounselling_/

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Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)

In this episode, we're joined by Fr. Michael Leclerc, pastor of St. Ignatius Parish in Montreal, and Shawna Rose, who serves on his senior leadership team overseeing Operations and Communications. Fr. Mike shares how his internship at St. Benedict's in Halifax—birthplace of The Divine Renovation Ministry—shaped his vision for parish renewal. Shawna reflects on her journey from attending Alpha to becoming a key staff member at St. Ignatius. Together, they talk about the incredible transformation happening in their parish, including an inspiring "Catholic church plant" that saw 30 parishioners sent as missionaries to help revitalize St. Willibrord Parish. Connect with St. Ignatius:

Home - St. Ignatius of Loyola MTL Instagram (@stig.ca) St. Ignatius of Loyola, Montreal | Montreal QC

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Connect with Brett:

Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching

Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg

Music

"Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)