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Diocesan leaders can launch programs, provide resources, and organize events—and still struggle to see lasting fruit in their parishes. What helps a culture of evangelization take root? In Episode 235 of the Huntley Leadership Podcast, Ron Huntley speaks with Jim Jansen about building trust, accompanying parish leaders, and creating the conditions for sustainable renewal. Need a clear picture of your parish's health? Take the free Parish Missional Health Assessment to understand your strengths, areas for growth, and concrete next steps—all in about 10 minutes. Start here: https://huntleyleadership.com What Works in Diocesan Leadership What is the role of a diocese in helping parishes make disciples? And how can diocesan leaders support renewal without taking responsibility away from the pastors and teams they serve? Jim Jansen joins Ron Huntley to reflect on his experience helping lead parish renewal efforts in the Archdiocese of Omaha and now accompanying parishes and dioceses through his work with Anchor Consulting. Their conversation explores a different vision of diocesan leadership: one rooted in humility, patient relationship-building, coaching, and a clear commitment to evangelical fruitfulness. Rather than simply providing programs or delivering solutions, diocesan leaders can equip local leaders to discern what their communities need, build healthy ministry teams, and develop practical pathways for making missionary disciples. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why diocesan leaders must serve parish leaders: The difference between delivering ministry centrally and equipping local communities to evangelize. - How humility builds trust: Why listening, patience, and respect for the pastor's role matter more than arriving with ready-made solutions. - What coaching accompaniment makes possible: How walking with leaders over time helps them grow in confidence, ownership, and the ability to solve problems. - How to define and recognize fruitfulness: Why being busy is not the same as making disciples—and why leaders need a shared understanding of what success looks like. - How dioceses can build a culture of evangelization: What changes when parish renewal is no longer isolated to a handful of communities. - Why discipleship needs a clear pathway: How parishes can identify the steps through which people are welcomed, encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and become missionary disciples. - What diocesan leadership may require in the years ahead: Jim's perspective on coaching, accompaniment, integrated leadership, and supporting parishes through an increasingly complex pastoral landscape. About Jim Jansen Jim Jansen helps dioceses, parishes, and Catholic leaders build cultures of evangelization. As one of the first FOCUS missionaries, he witnessed and helped guide the organization's formative years. In 2017, he returned to Omaha, Nebraska, to lead efforts within the Archdiocese of Omaha to renew parishes and make disciples. Today, Jim leads a team serving parishes and dioceses around the world through his work with Anchor Consulting. He is the author of *A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish* and host of the weekly podcast *The EquipCast*. He and his wife have six children. Connect with Jim Jansen - Website, consulting, and podcast: https://everydayevangelization.org/ - A Clear Path: https://everydayevangelization.org/clear-path/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.jansen.589 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-jansen-anchor-consulting Resources mentioned - Parish Missional Health Assessment: Gain clarity on your parish's strengths, areas for growth, and next steps. Free assessment available through https://huntleyleadership.com. - A Clear Path: Explore Jim's practical approach to making missionary disciples in your parish: https://everydayevangelization.org/clear-path/ - Divine Renovation: The parish-renewal work that helped inform the early conversations around supporting parishes in the Archdiocese of Omaha. - Alpha and other conversion-moment ministries: Examples discussed in the episode of ways parishes can create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus. - Small-group ministry: An important part of building relationships, forming disciples, and helping parishioners experience the Church as a community of support. ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

Catholics cannot simply complain about the culture around us. We have to learn how to build culture again. In Episode 234 of the Huntley Leadership Podcast, Ron Huntley sits down with Victor Carpay to explore what it actually means for Catholics to renew culture—from the Mass outward, through families, friendships, education, institutions, leadership, and the common life of our communities. If you're a priest, parish leader, Catholic educator, business leader, parent, or serious lay leader wondering what faithful cultural renewal can look like in practice, this conversation is worth your time. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why separating the Gospel from culture leaves people disconnected, unrooted, and searching for meaning * What Victor means by “culture” and why culture is more than what happens inside the parish * Why Catholic culture should flow from the Mass into family life, education, work, the arts, business, politics, and community * Why intellectual formation needs to be accompanied by friendship, prayer, action, and real community * Why Catholics need to think beyond programs and begin building institutions that can form future generations * What a Catholic intellectual renaissance might look like—and why it begins not simply with acquiring knowledge, but with learning to love reality, truth, goodness, and beauty * Why Victor sees tremendous opportunity for Catholics to become “creative minorities” who patiently build something lasting About Victor Carpay Victor Carpay is a 22-year-old Catholic young adult and a 2025 graduate of Newman Theological College with a BA in Catholic Studies. He is head of Frassati Catholic Men's House in Edmonton and serves as Head of Development and Communications for the Gregory the Great Institute, an Edmonton-based initiative devoted to equipping Christians to renew culture. Victor also volunteers with Opus Dei in initiatives serving young men and is involved in a growing network of Catholic cultural and leadership initiatives across Canada. Connect with Victor & the Gregory the Great Institute Website: gregorythegreat.ca YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gregorythegreatinstitute Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Gregory-the-Great-Institute/61580155953310/ The Magnalia: https://www.gregorythegreat.ca/magnalia/ Victor welcomes questions and emails at [email protected] Mentioned in this episode * Gregory the Great Institute * The Magnalia * The Renewing Culture Conference * Classical education and the Catholic intellectual tradition * St. Augustine's *Confessions* * St. Augustine's *City of God* * Christopher Dawson's *The Restoration of Christian Culture* * St. Gregory the Great * The Benedictine model of cultural renewal * The Catholic concept of the “creative minority” Continue the conversation If this episode gave you a new way to think about Catholic leadership, culture, or renewal, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this conversation with another Catholic leader who should be part of the conversation. Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

This is a different kind of episode. What does it mean to face death with hope rather than fear? When this conversation was recorded, Jean Alphonse knew he was nearing the end of his life. He had lived through war, cancer, the loss of his foot, and years of experiences that had brought him face-to-face with suffering and death. Yet what comes through most clearly in this conversation is not fear, but his deep confidence in Jesus Christ. Jean passed away shortly after this episode was recorded, in December 2025. He left behind his wife, his three children, a loving extended family, many dear friends, and a Catholic Lebanese community he cherished. Now, in the wake of Ron's own mother's death from cancer, Ron is sharing this conversation as a witness Jean left behind—a conversation about faith, suffering, death, purpose, and the hope of going home to God. Jean's testimony is deeply personal. He speaks about encountering Christ, experiencing His presence during some of the hardest moments of his life, and coming to believe that death is not the end of our story. For Jean, the Christian hope of eternal life was not an abstract idea. It shaped the way he lived, suffered, served, loved, and ultimately prepared to die. In this episode, you’ll hear Jean reflect on: – Why he could face death without fear and what he meant when he said, "We're going home." – How his relationship with Jesus Christ changed the way he experienced cancer, suffering, and uncertainty. – What growing up amid war in Lebanon taught him about suffering, hope, and the importance of choosing to do good. – How surviving experiences of violence and death shaped his understanding of God's presence. – Why he believed we can lose something of our purpose when we spend our lives comparing ourselves with others. – Why Christian unity is found not in having identical preferences, but in coming together around Christ and a shared mission. – What it means to actively pursue a relationship with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and the daily choice to walk with Him. This is not ultimately a conversation about death. It is a conversation about how we live in light of what we believe about God. Jean speaks about choosing God, discovering our purpose, using the gifts we've been given, refusing comparison, serving others, and becoming a source of joy and encouragement in the lives of those around us. About Jean Alphonse Jean Alphonse was a member of the Maronite Church, Our Lady of Lebanon, in Halifax, and came to know Ron while spending a season at Saint Benedict Parish. Jean died in December 2025. He is remembered by his wife and three children, his extended family, many dear friends, and the Catholic Lebanese community he loved. This conversation was recorded during the final season of Jean's life. Before his death, he expressed a desire to share this message with others. What he left behind is a testimony of faith, gratitude, courage, and hope. Relevant Links Find an Alpha course in Canada: https://www.alphacanada.org/ Our Lady of Lebanon — Maronite Catholic Church in Halifax: https://ourladyoflebanon.org/ Huntley Leadership Podcast: huntleyleadership.com/podcast Ron's podcast episode with his mom: Building Faith Through Retreats | Patricia Cosgrove & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #134 https://youtu.be/sDMLWv9oF9Q?si=5WR8pJ8yGqxQz_R7 Mentioned in this episode: – Alpha – Scripture and the Gospels – Wisdom 3 – Revelation 21 – "Heaven Is for Real" – Mother Teresa – Ron's Episode with his mom: https://youtu.be/sDMLWv9oF9Q?si=5WR8pJ8yGqxQz_R7 If this conversation speaks to you, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and consider sharing it with someone who may need Jean's witness of faith and hope. ___ Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

We all want a good life.  But what happens when the very things God has given us—money, success, influence, family, pleasure, authority, even ministry—begin to occupy a place that belongs to God alone? In Episode 232 of the Huntley Leadership Podcast, Ron Huntley sits down with Tom Corcoran of Rebuilt Parish to explore one of Jesus' most challenging encounters: the rich young man who asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The conversation goes far beyond money. Tom and Ron explore the ache for more that exists within every human heart, the difference between practicing a faith of rules and encountering Jesus, and the ways good things can quietly become idols when we look to them for the happiness and fulfillment only God can provide. The rich young man was moral, religious and apparently successful. Yet he knew something was missing. His story gives us an opportunity to ask the same question of ourselves: What am I really seeking, and am I willing to let Jesus show me what is keeping me from Him? In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why the ache for "more" isn't necessarily a problem—and why becoming numb or indifferent to God can be far more concerning. * What the rich young man's question about eternal life reveals about the human search for lasting happiness. * Why following the commandments cannot be reduced to simply checking religious boxes. * How good things such as money, authority, popularity and possessions can become idols when they take the place of God. * How to recognize when an attachment has become something we're no longer free to surrender. * Why Jesus' willingness to challenge us is actually an expression of His love. * What the rich young man's decision to walk away can teach us about freedom, discipleship and the way Jesus invites rather than coerces us. About Tom Corcoran Tom Corcoran is the cofounder and president of Rebuilt Parish, a Catholic renewal ministry serving dioceses and parishes around the world. He also serves at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, as associate to the pastor, where he oversees weekend message development, strategic planning, fundraising and staff development. With more than 28 years of parish experience, Tom brings together pastoral insight and strategic clarity. He is the coauthor of *Rebuilt* and numerous other books and resources focused on Catholic renewal, discipleship, preaching, small groups and parish life. In 2023, Tom Corcoran and Fr. Michael White were honored by Pope Francis with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award for outstanding service to the Church. Relevant Links: Rebuilt Parish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebuiltparish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuiltParish/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rebuiltparish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/64728362 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rebuilt-parish-podcast/id1291771880 Book information: Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life by Tom Corcoran and Fr. Michael White. Buy it on Ave Maria Press: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/jesus-the-rich-young-man-and-the-meaning-of-life-special-edition Buy it on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646804848?lv=shuf&bestFormat=true rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman Parish Resources:  rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman The book explores the depth of this Gospel encounter and invites readers to move beyond simply understanding the passage toward an encounter with Christ. Tom also discusses the possibility of using the book with small groups and parish communities as a tool for reflection and formation. For parish leaders Want to take a closer look at the missionary health of your parish? Take the Parish Missionary Health Assessment at huntleyleadership.com. And if this conversation is useful to you, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this episode with a priest, parish leader or Catholic leader who might benefit from it.

Parish renewal can look very different when you're no longer talking about it from a diocesan office—but actually living it as a pastor and parish leader. In Episode 231, Ron Huntley sits down with Fr. Peter Wojcik and Marco Oropeza talk about what they have learned through years of pastoral renewal at St. Clement Parish in Chicago—and why those lessons eventually led them to launch Magnified Ministries. If you're a pastor or parish leader wondering how to move from ideas about renewal into the lived reality of parish transformation, this conversation is for you. And if you're ready to take an honest look at your own parish, take the Parish Missional Health Assessment at huntleyleadership.com. In this episode, you'll learn: – Why renewal leaders need to experience transformation themselves, not simply teach a strategy to others. – Why parish transformation moves much more slowly than a strategic plan might suggest, and why that slowness can be valuable. – How listening to a parish community can become the starting point for vision, strategy, and engagement. – How pastors and parish councils can work together without confusing their different responsibilities and authority. – How to create meaningful connection and belonging as a parish grows larger, including the use of smaller communities and trained leaders who listen rather than simply promote programs. – Why parish renewal requires identifying, forming, and releasing lay leaders rather than relying on the pastor to carry every ministry. – Why pastors shouldn't assume they have to build renewal alone. About Fr. Peter Wojcik Fr. Peter Wojcik is pastor of Saint Clement Parish and Pastoral Strategy Leader for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He teaches negotiation and change management at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University and serves on the board of Alpha USA and the Vatican's Centesimus Annus pro Pontifice Foundation. Born in Lublin, Poland, Fr. Peter came to Chicago in 2003 for graduate studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2008 and later served with the Renew My Church initiative, helping lead parish spiritual renewal efforts. His academic background includes human behaviour and philosophy, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, an MA in Theology, and post-master certifications in medical ethics, spirituality, and preaching. About Marco Oropeza Marco is a Partner with Aberdeen Advisors where he works closely with CEOs and senior leadership teams on large scale technology enabled transformations. Before joining Aberdeen, Marco was the Chief Program Management Officer for the Archdiocese of Chicago and a Project Leader with The Boston Consulting Group. Marco holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. He and his wife Christina have 3 children and reside in Chicago. He is a co-founder of Magnified Ministries.​ Links St. Clement Parish: https://www.clement.org Fr. Peter on Instagram & Facebook: @chicagopriest St. Clement Parish YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3DpoPMWpWT98bkaGmIoAyg Mentioned Resource Magnified Ministries — a ministry founded by Fr. Peter and Marco to share practical lessons, stories, and approaches for engaging the next generation and helping church leaders learn from what has worked—and what hasn't—in parish life. Visit https://www.magnified-ministries.org/ Take the Parish Missional Health Assessment:  https://huntleyleadership.com ___ Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___

If you're carrying too much of your parish on your own, this conversation is for you! Parish renewal doesn't happen because one pastor works harder. It happens when the right people are raised up, equipped, and entrusted with the mission. In this episode of the Huntley Leadership Podcast, Ron Huntley sits down with Fr. Michael Nixon to talk honestly about the challenge of recruiting staff and volunteers who don't simply fill a role, but genuinely share the mission of the parish. ➡️ Read "Road to Renewal," featuring Fr. Michael's chapter on recruiting, for a deeper look at this topic: https://a.co/d/04ELO9S9 About this episode: Fr. Michael Nixon has spent years building a parish culture at St. Dominic Catholic Parish where mission, structure, leadership, and giftedness work together. In this conversation, he shares what he has learned through both successful hires and difficult ones—including why he looks first for people who are joyful, generous, and passionate about the mission. But this conversation goes much deeper than hiring. Ron and Fr. Michael explore the temptation pastors can face to do everything themselves, the importance of building a team of people who are better than you at certain things, and the responsibility of creating the structures that allow those people to thrive. They also talk candidly about difficult conversations, mismatched hires, onboarding, past wounds that can shape leadership decisions, and the spiritual foundation underneath it all. For Fr. Michael, recruiting isn't ultimately about finding people to make the pastor's life easier. It's about inviting people into what God is doing and helping them discover how their gifts can serve something bigger than themselves. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why there is no such thing as a truly “well-rounded” leader—and why pastors need people who complement their gifts. - How to identify the cultural values you want every staff member and key volunteer to embody. - Why Fr. Michael looks for people who are joyful, generous, and passionate about the mission. - How clarity about your parish mission can make recruiting dramatically easier. - Why prayer, curiosity, and asking better questions are essential to discerning the right people. - How to have the difficult conversations that protect both the mission and the people involved. - Why pastors need to create structures that support, develop, and onboard the people they recruit. About Fr. Michael Nixon Fr. Michael Nixon is pastor of St. Dominic Catholic Parish in Pensacola, Florida, where he has served for more than a decade. He has led the parish through significant rebuilding and renewal, including the recovery following Hurricane Michael and the development of a clear mission, discipleship pathway, leadership structure, and ministry framework. He is also the host of the Made for Glory video and podcast series. Links Fr. Michael Nixon / St. Dominic Catholic Parish: https://www.saintdominicpc.com/ Made for Glory video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_iiI_0LVffrPA6dJTpC2oLfmopfWsq4-&si=L1aprG3Fv9E2DEdJ St. Dominic Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaintDominicMedia Mentioned resources Road to Renewal — Ron Huntley's book on the journey from maintenance to mission, featuring a chapter by Fr. Michael Nixon on recruiting for parish renewal. https://a.co/d/04ELO9S9 If this conversation was helpful, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this episode with a pastor, parish leader, or team member who needs the encouragement—and perhaps the permission—to stop carrying the mission alone. ___ Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

Many Catholics love the Church but struggle to explain what they believe—or to confidently invite others into it. In this conversation, Ron Huntley welcomes Dr. Peter Pellicaan for a thoughtful discussion on evangelization, parish renewal, Catholic identity, and Peter's new book, The Secret Catholic. Together they explore how leaders can cultivate missionary cultures, learn from other Christian traditions without compromising Catholic teaching, and form disciples who are confident in both their faith and their mission. If you're a priest, parish leader, or Catholic seeking to lead others more intentionally, this episode offers both practical wisdom and renewed hope for the Church's mission. ➡️ Take the free Parish Missional Health Assessment at HuntleyLeadership.com to discover where your parish is on the journey of renewal. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why healthy parish leadership begins with a missionary heart - How formation equips Catholics to share their faith with confidence - What Catholics can learn from Protestant evangelization while remaining deeply Catholic - Why style and tradition are often confused in parish life - How Peter's new book The Secret Catholic helps answer the questions many people are afraid to ask - Why disciple-making—not simply maintaining programs—is the Church's primary mission - Practical encouragement for creating parishes where newcomers can genuinely encounter Christ About Dr. Peter Pellicaan Dr. Peter Pellicaan serves as Executive Director of Archdiocesan Ministries for the Archdiocese of Brisbane and is an ordained deacon, theologian, musician, husband, and father. Holding a PhD in theology, Peter is passionate about evangelization, Catholic formation, and helping parishes become vibrant missionary communities. His latest book, The Secret Catholic, introduces the Catholic faith through engaging conversations designed for both seekers and lifelong Catholics. Relevant Links Peter Pellicaan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peter_pellicaan/ Catholic Christianity Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/catholic-christianity/id1574281148 Peter's Music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1P87qGZUJnQ2wlxmQM4bUw Mentioned Resources The Secret Catholic https://www.connorcourtpublishing.com.au/The-Secret-Catholic-by-Peter-Pellicaan_p_687.html Amazon listing: https://amzn.asia/d/01brKU2X Free Parish Missional Health Assessment: https://huntleyleadership.com -------- If conversations like this encourage and equip you in your leadership, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this episode with another priest, parish leader, or friend who is passionate about the renewal of the Church. ------- Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

Can a parish really become missionary? What if the answer begins with just one transformed life? If you're longing to see your parish become a place where people truly encounter Jesus, this conversation will encourage and challenge you. Many parish leaders wonder how to move from maintenance to mission. Others wonder whether evangelization actually works. In this episode, you'll hear two remarkable testimonies that answer those questions—not with theories or strategies, but with lived experience. 👉 Take the Parish Missional Health Assessment at HuntleyLeadership.com to discover where your parish is on the path to renewal. For years, Ann O'Brien prayed that her daughter would come to know Christ—not simply return to church, but encounter Jesus personally. After decades away from the faith herself, Ann experienced a profound conversion that led her into parish leadership and missionary renewal. Her daughter Stephanie wanted nothing to do with Christianity, mocked her mother's faith, and resisted every invitation to Alpha—until one unexpected encounter changed everything. Together, they share two deeply personal stories of God's patient pursuit, the power of testimony, and how creating intentional spaces for encounter has transformed not only their own family, but the culture of their parish. This conversation is ultimately about far more than Alpha. It's about what happens when ordinary Catholics discover that evangelization isn't about having all the answers—it's about making room for the Holy Spirit to work. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why authentic testimony is one of the Church's most powerful tools for evangelization. - The difference between inviting people to church and inviting them into a relationship with Jesus. - How patient, faithful leadership can slowly transform parish culture over time. - What happens when people experience the Gospel in a way that moves from the head to the heart. - Why creating intentional spaces for encounter is essential for missionary renewal. - How perseverance through resistance can eventually bear unexpected fruit. - The prayer every parent and grandparent should consider praying for loved ones who have drifted from the faith. About Our Guests: Ann O'Brien spent most of her career in the corporate world before encountering Jesus in 2019 in a way she never knew was possible. That experience transformed her life and led her into parish leadership, where she now serves as Evangelisation Coordinator and a member of her parish leadership team. She has helped lead Alpha, develop leaders, and foster a culture of missionary renewal within her parish. Stephanie O'Brien experienced a dramatic turning point after crying out to Jesus during one of the darkest moments of her life. Renewed through prayer, the sacraments, and Alpha, she now serves on her parish's Alpha team and passionately shares her testimony to help others discover the same hope, healing, and love she encountered in Christ. Links: 📍 Parish Missional Health Assessment https://huntleyleadership.com 📍 Huntley Leadership Podcast Hub huntleyleadership.com/podcast 📍 St. Catherine of Siena Parish (Caroline Springs, Australia) https://www.facebook.com/St.Catherine.Siena.CarolineSprings.Australia Follow Stephanie O'Brien Instagram: @stephanieeobrienn Facebook: Stephanie O'Brien TikTok: @oooobrien Mentioned in this Episode: - Alpha - Missionary Parish Renewal - The Five Systems of a Healthy Parish - RCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) - Revelation 3:20 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

Healthy parishes don't happen by accident. They are led by men and women who are continually growing, learning, and helping others discover their place in God's mission. In this conversation, Fr. Sean Wenger reflects on more than three decades of priestly ministry, sharing the mentors, leadership lessons, and practical frameworks that have shaped his approach to building healthy parish culture and forming missionary disciples. Take the free Parish Missional Health Assessment at HuntleyLeadership.com to discover where your parish is thriving—and where there may be opportunities for greater renewal. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why leadership formation begins long before someone receives authority. - How great mentors shaped Fr. Sean's vision for parish renewal. - Why clarity is one of a leader's greatest responsibilities. - How healthy ministry structures unleash creativity rather than limit it. - What it means to move from collaboration to genuine co-responsibility. - Why discipleship pathways matter for every parish. - Why transformed lives—not successful programs—remain the true measure of ministry. About Fr. Sean Wenger Fr. Sean Wenger has served as a Catholic priest for more than thirty years in parish, diocesan, and national ministry. Passionate about leadership formation and missionary discipleship, he has spent decades helping Catholics discover their gifts and use them to bear lasting fruit for the Kingdom. He currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ottawa. Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

Many churches are busy. Few are truly making disciples. In this conversation, Fr. Sammie Maletta and Khalil Hattar share the leadership principles that helped shape a culture of discipleship, mission, and renewal at St. John Parish—and the lessons they learned through mistakes, setbacks, and deep dependence on the Holy Spirit. If you're serious about parish renewal, pick up a copy of "Be Disciples, Make Disciples" and begin evaluating how these principles could shape your own ministry: https://www.lorrainecross.media/shop/p/bedisciplesmakedisciples For more than two decades, Fr. Sammie Maletta has been leading renewal efforts at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indiana. In this episode, he and Khalil Hattar unpack the core leadership convictions behind their new book and explain why renewal begins with personal conversion, trust in the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to forming disciples who make disciples. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why parish renewal always begins with the leader • The difference between building a ministry around preferences and building around mission • How the Holy Spirit guides difficult leadership decisions • Why multiplication is essential to effective leadership • What leaders can learn from mistakes, failures, and setbacks • How healthy parish cultures create disciples who make disciples • Why collaboration across parishes matters more than ever About the Guests Fr. Sammie Maletta has served as a priest for more than 40 years and is the pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in St. John, Indiana. Trained in both Canon Law and Civil Law, he is passionate about parish renewal and helping leaders build healthy missionary cultures. Khalil Hattar serves as P.A. for Vision and Mission Integration and Chief of Staff at St. John Parish. After seminary formation in both Chicago and Rome, where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Khalil now helps translate vision into practical ministry that forms disciples who make disciples. Relevant Links St. John Parish https://www.stjohnparish.org Disciple Up Conference https://www.discipleupconference.com Road to Renewal https://a.co/d/01nH72LP Be Discples, Make Disciples https://www.lorrainecross.media/shop/p/bedisciplesmakedisciples Mentioned Resources Be Disciples, Make Disciples Disciple Up Conference The Rescue Project Acts XXIX Road to Renewal If you found this conversation helpful, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this episode with a priest, parish staff member, or ministry leader who is working toward renewal in their community. Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us? ___

If prayer feels dry, lifeless, or stuck—listen to this episode! Many Catholics are faithful in prayer but still feel stuck. The discipline is there, but the sense of relationship, expectation, and transformation can begin to fade. In this episode, André Regnier shares a practical framework for conversational prayer that helps believers move beyond simply saying prayers and into a deeper, more personal relationship with God. 👉 If you want to build the kind of vibrant discipleship discussed in this conversation, start by taking the Parish Missional Health Assessment at HuntleyLeadership.com. Episode Summary: What is prayer really for? For many Christians, prayer becomes routine. We know we should pray, but over time the experience can feel dry, mechanical, or disconnected from everyday life. In this conversation, Ron Huntley sits down with André Regnier, co-founder of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) and author of Hearing God's Voice, to explore a simple but powerful approach to conversational prayer. Together they discuss how friendship, worship, Scripture, honesty, and daily action work together to create a prayer life that is personal, transformative, and deeply rooted in relationship with God. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why prayer is meant to be a conversation, not merely a religious obligation - What causes spiritual dryness and how to move through it - How honesty with God creates deeper intimacy - Why worship is foundational to hearing God's voice - How to read Scripture for transformation rather than information - A practical framework for daily conversational prayer - How to carry the fruits of prayer into everyday leadership and discipleship About André Regnier: André Regnier is the co-founder of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO), one of Canada's most influential Catholic evangelization movements. Through decades of ministry, leadership formation, and discipleship, André has helped countless people develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in missionary discipleship. He is the author of Hearing God's Voice: A Guide to Daily Conversational Prayer. Relevant Links: Parish Missional Health Assessment: https://huntleyleadership.com Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO): https://cco.ca/ Mentioned Resources: Hearing God's Voice: A Guide to Daily Conversational Prayer: https://store.cco.ca/products/hearing-god-s-voice-a-guide-to-daily-conversational-prayer-1 ----- If you're a priest, parish leader, ministry leader, or serious disciple seeking practical wisdom for parish renewal and leadership, subscribe for future conversations on evangelization, discipleship, leadership, and renewal. Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/newsletter-sign-up ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6  Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership    ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking  ⇥  https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley   Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership   Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership   ___ QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

What happens when ministry becomes driven more by pressure, exhaustion, and self-reliance than prayerful discernment? In this deeply practical and spiritually grounded conversation, Fr. John Riccardo joins Ron Huntley to explore surrender, leadership, discernment, and why renewal begins when leaders stop trying to control the story and “give Jesus back the pen.” If you’re longing for healthier leadership, clearer discernment, and a renewed vision for mission in the Church, this episode is for you. 👉 Get your copy of Road to Renewal: https://a.co/d/0fVLAlBp ----- Fr. John Riccardo shares hard-won wisdom from parish ministry, leadership formation, and his work with Acts XXIX. Together, he and Ron unpack what it means to restore the initiative to God, discern decisions as a team, and lead from trust rather than fear. This is a conversation for priests, parish teams, diocesan leaders, and anyone serious about renewal in the Church. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why discernment must become a leadership habit The meaning behind “Give Jesus back the pen” How Alpha transformed parish culture in Fr. John’s ministry Why leaders cannot lead alone The difference between prayer before work and prayer to discover the work How fear and self-reliance block renewal Why friendship and trust are essential for mission ----- About Fr. John Riccardo: Fr. John was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded ACTS XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live. Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. Relevant Links Acts XXIX: ActsXXIX.org Facebook:   / actsxxixmission   Instagram:   / acts.xxix   YouTube:    / actsxxix   Mentioned Resources Road to Renewal by Ron Huntley and collaborators: https://a.co/d/08k2fAPx Alpha: https://alphausa.org/ Acts XXIX Leadership Intensives: https://www.actsxxix.org/leadership-i... If this conversation served you, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast for more conversations on renewal, leadership, discernment, and mission in the Church. ---- Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/... ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6 Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥ @huntleyleadership ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking ⇥ https://www.huntleyleadership.com/con... Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥ / huntleyleadership Follow on Twitter ⇥ / ron_huntley Follow on Instagram ⇥ / huntleyleadership Follow on Facebook ⇥ / huntleyleadership Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⇥ @huntleyleadership ___

Feeling stuck trying to move your parish from good intentions to real mission? Listen to this podcast. Get your copy of Road to Renewal here: https://a.co/d/05iLF4Rm In this episode, Ron Huntley sits down with Bishop Gerard Bergie and Fr. Patrick Gilmurray from the Diocese of St. Catharines to talk about their new diocesan pastoral plan, Light from Light: Setting Hearts on Fire with God’s Love. Together, they explore what it takes to create a diocesan vision that is rooted in prayer, discernment, leadership, collaboration, and missionary purpose. Bishop Bergie shares the heart behind his episcopal motto and why the Road to Emmaus has shaped his vision for the diocese. Fr. Patrick shares what this looks like on the ground in parish life, including the hope, challenges, and fruit that come when ordinary parishioners begin to encounter Christ and step into mission. This conversation is for bishops, priests, parish leaders, and lay Catholics who want to see their parishes become dynamic communities where hearts are set on fire with God’s love. Learn more about the Diocese of St. Catharines: https://www.saintcd.com/ Take the Parish Missional Health Assessment: https://dpc4olay0gt.typeform.com/MissionalHealth?typeform-source=www.huntleyleadership.com Learn more about Huntley Leadership: https://www.huntleyleadership.com Get Road to Renewal: https://a.co/d/05iLF4Rm ___ You can also listen to the podcast weekly on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6 Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥ @huntleyleadership ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking ⇥ https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com ___ Connect with Huntley Leadership! Connect on LinkedIn ⇥ / huntleyleadership Follow on Twitter ⇥ / ron_huntley Follow on Instagram ⇥ / huntleyleadership Follow on Facebook ⇥ / huntleyleadership Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⇥ @huntleyleadership

Many leaders today are being drawn into end-of-life conversations they were never trained to navigate. In this episode, Ron Huntley sits down with David Maginley—psychospiritual specialist, hospital chaplain and author of Early Exits—to explore what’s really happening beneath requests for medical assistance in dying. 👉 Start with your free Parish Missional Health Assessment: https://dpc4olay0gt.typeform.com/MissionalHealth?typeform This conversation reframes dying not simply as a medical event, but as a deeply human and spiritual process—one that calls for presence, discernment, and a renewed understanding of suffering, dignity, and love. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most MAID requests are driven by existential—not physical—suffering What “ego deconstruction” means at the end of life How to respond when someone raises MAID as an option The difference between empathy and true compassion What patients really mean when they talk about “losing dignity” Why presence—not solutions—is the most powerful form of care How pastors and caregivers can accompany people through dying with wisdom and courage About David Maginley For 25 years, David Maginley provided psycho-spiritual care to the cancer, palliative and intensive care units of the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Now in private practice, he is the award-winning author of Beyond Surviving: Cancer and Your Spiritual Journey and Early Exits: Spirituality, Mortality and Meaning in an Age of Medical Assistance in Dying. He has been featured in the documentaries Here Right Now, When You Die, and The Universe is Unfolding as it Should. David has also survived cancer four times, which resulted in a profound near-death experience and explorations in the connection of body, mind and spirit. He knows cancer from both sides of the hospital bed, and this life from both sides of the veil. Relevant Links Parish Missional Health Assessment: https://dpc4olay0gt.typeform.com/MissionalHealth?typeform davidmaginley.com Mentioned Resources Early Exits by David Maginley Research on nearing-death awareness and end-of-life consciousness If this conversation served you, consider subscribing and sharing it with a fellow leader navigating these questions.

If you want your parish to actually reach people beyond your parish walls in 2026, listen to this podcast! In this episode, we unpack why evangelization is often the first thing leaders abandon—and what it actually takes to build a culture that brings people to Christ. 👉 To go deeper, grab a copy of Road to Renewal—a practical guide built from real parish transformation stories: https://a.co/d/05iLF4Rm ___ Most pastors and parish leaders believe evangelization is essential. But in practice, it’s often crowded out by more immediate demands. In this conversation, Ron sits down with leadership coach Rob McDowell to explore why that happens—and what it actually takes to build a parish culture where reaching people becomes normal. Drawing from real ministry experience, research, and hard-won lessons, this episode offers a grounded and practical vision for evangelization that leaders can begin applying immediately. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why evangelization is often the first priority leaders abandon The difference between valuing evangelization and building a culture for it What “conversion communities” are—and why only a small percentage of churches become them Why most people are more open to faith conversations than we assume How to normalize evangelization without making people feel awkward or forced The role of leadership in modeling—not just teaching—mission Practical ways to begin shifting your parish culture toward outreach About Rob McDowell: Rob McDowell is a leadership coach who works with pastors and ministry teams across North America. He served on the senior leadership team at Saint Benedict Parish and has worked in churches in Wisconsin, Maine, and Nova Scotia. He now coaches leaders around the world and lives in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia with his wife Julie and their three sons. Relevant Links: Rob on X: https://x.com/mcdowell_rob Road to Renewal (Book): https://a.co/d/05iLF4Rm   Mentioned Resources: You Found Me – Rick Richardson DivineRenovation.org Cornerstone Windgate Be the first to get updates on our new course by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/huntleyleadership/... ___ Work with Huntley Leadership! Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking ⇥ https://www.huntleyleadership.com/con... Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com