The Leader’s Way

59: High School Theater to Church Governance with Molly James

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 gleaned from her high school stage manager days and reminds us how real transformation only happens when we work together.
 
Hosts: Brandon Nappi, Whitney Kimball Coe, and Misty Krasawski
Guest: Hannah Black
Production: Goodchild Media
Music: Wayfaring Stranger, Theodicy Jazz Collective
Art: E. Landino
 
Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast
berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast
 
You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

58: The Idolatry of White Nationalism with Jim Wallis

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 Stranger, Theodicy Jazz Collective
Art: E. Landino
Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast
You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

57: Forecasting the Future with Rachel Hatch

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 urgencies of the present.

56: Wonder and Salvation with Hannah Black

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 we know or talk about God? And why is wonder, an antidote to certainty, so important? Listen to find out.
Hosts: Brandon Nappi, Whitney Kimball Coe, and Misty Krasawski
Guest: Hannah Black
Production: Goodchild Media
Music: Wayfaring Stranger, Theodicy Jazz Collective
Art: E. Landino
Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast
berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast
You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

55: Flexible Leadership with Jeffrey Mello

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!

54: Queer Theology with Linn Tonstad

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 with "a little less violence."
 
Hosts: Brandon Nappi and Hannah Black
Guest: Linn Tonstad
Production: Goodchild Media
Music: Wayfaring Stranger, Theodicy Jazz Collective
Art: E. Landino
 
Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast
berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast
 
You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

53: The Church's Future with Andrew McGowan

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 consumer capitalism's effect on church dynamics. After a rich conversation, we play our signature game, Holy Cow!, and learn McGowan's opinion on THE best bread for the Eucharist.
 
See the EPN talk here: https://youtu.be/5MJmTGvn6y4?si=HyfwtXe_nPI0Nmc5
 
Hosts: Brandon Nappi and Hannah Black
Guest: Andrew McGowan
Production: Goodchild Media
Music: Wayfaring Stranger, Theodicy Jazz Collective
Art: E. Landino
 
Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast
berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast
 
You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

52: God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us with Lizzie McManus-Dail

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/contributors/lizzie-mcmanus-dail
Hosts: Brandon Nappi and Hannah Black
Guest: Lizzie McManus-Dail
Production: Goodchild Media
Music: Wayfaring Stranger, Theodicy Jazz Collective
Art: E. Landino
Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast
berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast
You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders