Rock Talk

A single early loss lit the fuse. From that moment, Jack McGovern—a Rockhurst sophomore balancing student government, chamber choir, and a love for photography—built a season that leapt from local promise to national proof: a Missouri soil record, a 12-second state championship, fourth at Nike Cross Regionals, and 10th at Nike Cross Nationals. We dig into the hinge points, from the confidence breakthrough at Gans Creek to the race-day strategy that turned pressure into poise and joy.

We also widen the lens beyond the course. Jack breaks down how student government really works and what it means to serve as sophomore class president when “leadership” looks like planning events, making posters, and being the voice of your grade. He shares why auditioning into chamber choir put him back at the start of a new learning curve, and how being the least experienced in the room sharpened humility, listening, and growth. Add a budding photography business and you see the full picture: a student-athlete who treats excellence as a habit, not a headline.

Culture ties it together. With deep gratitude for Coach Dierks and a six-coach program that treats training like a team symphony, Jack explains how Rockhurst’s expectations—use your gifts, pursue greatness, support each other—turn effort into results. You’ll hear about the gym full of classmates cheering a livestream, the parents and alumni who keep the brotherhood strong, and the finals-week mindset that mirrors racing: trust the prep, take it step by step, and stay calm under stress. It’s a story of faith, discipline, and community that invites every listener to raise their own bar.

If this conversation gave you a spark, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review to help others find Rock Talk. What goal are you running toward next?

The mics are hot and the pace is real: We sit down with our SGA president and senior class president to unpack a semester that never touched the brakes. From a raucous district championship turnout to a weekly video series that became appointment viewing, they share how school spirit turned into a campus movement—and why that energy matters when you’re trying to lead, learn, and lift others.

We get into the record-breaking Harvest Food Drive that pushed past 50,000 pounds for local food banks, the friendly rivalry that fueled it, and the teamwork that made it happen. The conversation moves from pep rallies to production as the guys detail how the morning announcement videos evolved from simple updates to a creative engine, culminating in a new student-led podcast and internships with our marketing team. It’s a candid look at student agency, media skills, and the power of inviting more voices to the table.

Then we pivot to formation. Senior service takes center stage with concrete plans at L’Arche Heartland and Operation Breakthrough, shaped by years of listening to returning classmates describe life-changing placements. We also talk finals without the fluff: how to study smarter, why the Student Success Center’s peer tutoring works, and where AI can help diagnose weak spots without replacing human guidance. The holidays are around the corner, and the gratitude is palpable—teachers who show up, classmates who buy in, and a community that says yes when it counts.

If you care about student leadership, Jesuit education, and real-world learning in Kansas City, you’ll find practical ideas and honest reflection here. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a finals boost, and leave a quick review to help more families discover Rock Talk.

Gratitude changes how a community breathes. On Thanksgiving, Steve Redmond, our Director of Admissions and Marketing, steps behind the mic to offer a heartfelt thank-you to the people who make Rockhurst High School’s mission real—faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. This special message trades the usual format for a reflective pause: a look back on the year, a recognition of unseen effort, and a call to carry the brotherhood forward with presence and love.

We spotlight the daily faithfulness of teachers and staff who show up when it’s hard, and the commitment of parents who trust us with their sons and shoulder the rhythms of high school life. Steve also turns to our alumni—celebrating who they have become and inviting them to reconnect with the next wave of Hawklets. Whether it’s dropping by campus, mentoring a student, or simply checking in, those touchpoints strengthen the Jesuit values that shape men for others.

There’s also space for the complexity of the holidays. Joy and bustle can sit beside grief and exhaustion, and Steve offers a word of comfort for anyone carrying a heavy season. The invitation is simple: hug your people, say the loving thing out loud, and notice the grace that’s already present. If someone in your life could use encouragement, share this message and help it find its way to a table that needs it.

If you find value in Rock Talk, subscribe, leave a review, and pass this episode along to a fellow Hawk or a friend who could use a lift. Your support helps the brotherhood grow stronger, one thank-you at a time.

What if the best measure of a school isn’t just where graduates go, but who they become? We sit down with President David Laughlin to unpack how Rockhurst High School forms young men who work hard, love well, and aim their gifts toward something bigger than themselves. Across four decades in Catholic education, David maps the Jesuit DNA that powers our culture: prayer that frames the day, retreats that reset priorities, service that tempers ambition, and a rigorous college prep program that treats study habits as spiritual habits.

You’ll hear how excellence at Rockhurst avoids the comparison game. We talk about confident humility—reaching for high standards not to outdo others, but to honor the Giver of the gift. From STEM labs and speech team to choir and athletics, faculty set clear expectations and coach students into them. The rumor that “it’s a lot of work” becomes a rhythm when you look left and right and see everyone leaning in. That shared effort builds joy and resilience, making early mornings, office hours, and rehearsals feel like a path, not a punishment.

We also travel with David through alumni stories that stretch from Kansas City to San Diego, New Orleans, and Houston. The thread is striking: graduates stay connected, lead with purpose, and carry Rockhurst habits into families, careers, and communities. As the metro’s only all-boys Jesuit high school, Rockhurst holds a distinctive place—shaped by history, energized by parents and Jesuits, and committed to forming men for others. If you’re weighing where your son can be known, challenged, and guided, this conversation offers a clear window into a school where faith, scholarship, brotherhood, and service come to life.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more families discover Rockhurst.

A school’s true test isn’t just grades or trophies—it’s whether the people it forms keep coming back to lift the next class. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with executive leader and alum parent, Diane Marty, who shares how Rockhurst strengthens access, care, and real-world learning while holding tight to its Jesuit mission. From meeting 100% of verified financial need to rebuilding a counseling model for today’s challenges, we walk through a strategic plan designed to support, surround, connect, and engage every student.

You’ll hear the human side: alumni across the country who say Rockhurst changed—or even saved—their lives; a young grad pledging five years of giving because a few teachers wouldn’t let him settle; and the power of brotherhood that endures well into careers and cities far from campus. We dig into practical steps that make mission visible—transportation solutions for families, faculty retention so the best teachers stay in the building, and a gold-standard playbook for athletics and activities that reflects our values on every field and stage.

We also unpack the future-facing work: AI literacy supported by alumni-funded professional development, internships that count for credit and pay, and networks like Rock Connect that turn a handshake into a summer job. Diane’s personal “5809” moment in the robotics lab—an unexpected sign that she was home—captures what keeps people tied to this place: formation that lasts, community that shows up, and a culture that adapts without losing its soul.

If you care about education that shapes character and competence, or you’re ready to mentor, hire, or simply reconnect, this is your invitation. Subscribe, share with a fellow Hawk, and leave a review telling us the one moment that shaped you—and how you’ll pay it forward.

A small choice can define a lifetime: Jim Kopp and John Oades, two friends from the Class of ’67 sit down with us to share how Rockhurst formed their faith, sharpened their character, and gave them a brotherhood that still shows up—at service sites, retreats, tailgates, and alumni events. They talk about arriving as kids, becoming men for others, and why they now guide freshmen through Days for Others with the same joy their mentors once showed them.

We dig into access and inclusion with fresh honesty. Transportation remains a real barrier for some families, and simple solutions—carpools, neighbor networks,—can unlock a student’s path. From there, the conversation widens: participation matters, because small gifts and volunteer hours help secure corporate and foundation matches. We unpack how alumni presence transforms culture in the building. When students see seasoned grads grabbing shovels and leading by example, service becomes normal, not performative.

Career opportunity comes to life through Rock Connect, the Jesuit alumni network, and a growing speaker series that turns goodwill into internships, mentorship, and practical skills. First‑generation college students get tailored guidance on networking, internships, and campus engagement, with alumni stepping in as guides who translate experience into clear next steps. We also float a powerful idea: retired alums running hands‑on seminars that teach the real-world lessons you rarely get from a textbook.

At the heart of it all is a simple claim: academics open doors, but community keeps them open. Faith animates the bonds, and the bonds make the school more than a place—it’s a network you can lean on in any city, at any age. If you’ve drifted, start small. Read the alumni newsletter, show up for spaghetti dinner, say hello at a game, or lend an hour at a service site. Then decide how you want to give: time, talent, or treasure. If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a classmate, and leave a review—then tell us how you’ll reconnect this year.

What if a few hours of your time could unlock a scholarship, spark a student’s purpose, and strengthen a community for years? We invited two Parents Club leaders, Lyndy Volker and Julie Walker Browne, to share how Rockhurst’s culture of service comes alive through everyday actions—greeting at the hospitality desk, baking for faculty, making auction calls, and pitching in on setup or cleanup. Their stories reveal a powerful truth: when parents show up, boys notice. They learn generosity by watching it, then practice it through dress-down fundraisers, service trips, and other giving opportunities in the community.

We dig into the Spectacular auction and why it matters: it helps fuel Rockhurst’s ability to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. That commitment turns small volunteer jobs into big outcomes, keeping doors open for families across Kansas City and ensuring talented students can thrive. You’ll hear practical ways to get involved right now—short shifts, evening slots, and behind-the-scenes roles that fit real life. We also highlight opportunities to share professional skills through the career speaker series, marketing projects, and targeted support for counseling, activities, and athletics.

This conversation is ultimately about growth and belonging. Parents describe the pride of watching their sons carry the school’s values into college and beyond, and the comfort of a network that lasts long after graduation. If you’ve wondered whether your time, talent, or treasure would truly matter at Rockhurst, consider this your invitation. Subscribe for more stories from our Jesuit community, share this episode with a fellow parent, and leave a review to help others find Rock Talk. Your next yes could change a student’s path.

Doors open wider when a community decides they should—and that belief is on full display at Rockhurst. We sit down with Director of Engagement Moira Healy and Director of Community Engagement (and alumnus) Martin Radosevic Jr. to explore how parents, students, alumni, and staff turn Jesuit ideals into everyday action. From team Masses and days of reflection to mother–son brunches and the father–son bags tournament, we trace the moments that make a big school feel small, personal, and grounded in purpose.

Martin shares how his new role supports coaches and moderators with mission-based programming so every team and club experiences more than competition. He spotlights a student-led win: the golf team, driven by senior Connor Vickers, raised over $17,000 for Pete’s Garden by turning their skills into local impact. Moira opens the curtain on the Parents Club and the Spectacular Auction, showing why parent involvement is more than logistics—it’s the model students copy during Mission Week, service days, and holiday food drives. We also talk access: Rockhurst meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and the Hurtado Scholars program pairs scholarships with years of academic prep and community, lifting boys into rigorous high school work and beyond. One powerful example: a graduate now thriving at Georgetown through the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship.

Along the way, we share practical ways to plug in—from Hispanic Heritage Month activities that fund matched scholarships, to alumni events and Rock Giving Day on November 11. If you’ve wondered whether a faith-centered, college prep education can also feel like a home you return to for decades, listen to the stories of parents who still volunteer years after graduation and alumni who reconnect like no time has passed. That’s the Rockhurst difference: formation through relationships, service, and a community that keeps showing up.

If this resonates, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review so more families can find their path to Life at the Rock.

A humming activity period sets the scene as we sit down with three alumni who chose to come back to Rockhurst High School and teach theology. What unfolds is a grounded, energizing look at how faith formation actually works in a Jesuit college prep: mentors who shaped their vocation, a curriculum that moves from Scripture to social justice and vocation, and a community that treats retreats, service, athletics, arts, and even BBQ metaphors as real places to find God in all things.

We unpack why formation is more than memorizing answers—it’s learning to ask better questions and training the mind and heart to hold them with patience, charity, and intellectual honesty. We welcome Mr. Jon Feder '10, Mr. Ryan McAnany '12 and Mr. Luke McLellan '00 who explain “identity before action,” the idea that you can’t know what to do until you know who you are, and how cruciform love anchors Rockhurst’s signature values of brotherhood, leadership, and service. They walk through the four-year sequence: freshman Scripture, sophomore tradition and sacraments, junior philosophy and ethics with tracks in world religions or faith-and-reason apologetics, and a senior year focused on social justice and vocation. Along the way, we talk about collaboration between theology, campus ministry, retreats, and service—and how the school evolves its methods without losing its mission.

There’s heart here too: stories about teachers who kept relationships alive long after graduation, a duct-taped cell phone, Kairos road trips, and the Z-Man sandwich that somehow sparks real ethics debates. Whether you’re Catholic, another faith, or simply curious about how a Jesuit education forms young people to think deeply and love well, this conversation shows how Rockhurst turns big questions into a way of life.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about education and character, and leave a quick review with your biggest question about faith and formation. We read them all and might feature yours next time.

Ever wonder what makes a Jesuit education different? Rich Sullivan, who has devoted 27 years to Rockhurst High School as a teacher, coach, and now Director of Ignatian Identity, reveals the heart of what makes "The Rock" unique.

"Our goal isn't just to get these kids into Harvard. Our goal is to get these kids into heaven," Sullivan shares, quoting former president Father Baum. This powerful philosophy guides everything at Rockhurst, where forming "men for others" takes precedence over any single achievement.

The conversation explores how Rockhurst cultivates faith formation for both students and adults through retreats, spiritual exercises, and community building. Sullivan describes monthly faculty meetings, silent retreats, pilgrimages, and workshops that help teachers understand and embody Jesuit values before passing them on. "We do so many Jesuit things that we're not consciously aware of," he explains, highlighting how his role helps uncover these distinctive practices.

Perhaps most moving is Sullivan's reflection on the Rockhurst community itself – the dedicated mentors who shaped his own understanding of Jesuit education through their example. This spirit extends to athletics, where coaches teach students that "you're loved whether you win or lose," embodying Ignatius's teachings on detachment and finding God in all things.

For parents considering Rockhurst, Sullivan offers this perspective: "There are a lot of seeds planted here. Some grow quickly, some take time to germinate, but I can guarantee your son will be exposed to the questions that will give him meaning in life."

Join us for this insightful conversation about faith formation at Rockhurst and discover why, after nearly three decades, Rich Sullivan remains passionate about the transformative power of Jesuit education.