The Leader’s Way
This podcast is hosted by Executive Director of Leadership Dr. Brandon Nappi ’01 MDiv and guest hosts Misty Krasawski ’26 MDiv and Whitney Kimball Coe ’26 MDiv. It is brought to you by Berkeley Divinity School, the Episcopal seminary at Yale.
Podcast Description
This podcast is hosted by Executive Director of Leadership Dr. Brandon Nappi ’01 MDiv and guest hosts Misty Krasawski ’26 MDiv and Whitney Kimball Coe ’26 MDiv. It is brought to you by Berkeley Divinity School, the Episcopal seminary at Yale.

Yale's Newest Podcast
Join an audio pilgrimage into the heart of human thriving and the spiritual leadership needed to create a world where all of us can come fully alive. The Leader’s Way Podcast convenes inspiring conversation at the intersection of spirituality, innovation, leadership, and transformation from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. We invite deep reflection on what matters most in life by catalyzing innovative action for justice, healing, and compassion. We explore emerging spiritual movements and celebrate visionary leadership in its countless disruptive expressions—in Church and religious institutions, in local communities, and in nonprofits, government, universities, popular culture, and the arts.
Episodes

Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
48 min
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

Jun 30, 2025
57: Forecasting the Future with Rachel Hatch
Jun 30, 2025
Jun 30, 2025
59 min
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.

Jun 2, 2025
56: Wonder and Salvation with Hannah Black
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025
57 min
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

May 26, 2025
55: Flexible Leadership with Jeffrey Mello
May 26, 2025
May 26, 2025
1hr 6 min
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!

May 19, 2025
54: Queer Theology with Linn Tonstad
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
51 min
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

May 12, 2025
53: The Church's Future with Andrew McGowan
May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
1hr 53 sec
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

May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
1hr 3 min
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

Apr 21, 2025
51: Trust in Atonement with Teresa Morgan
Apr 21, 2025
Apr 21, 2025
57 min
Yale Divinity School Professor Teresa Morgan shares her expertise about the Greek word “pistis,” often translated in the New Testament as “faith.” The conversation revolves around faith, trust, and faithfulness and touches on the importance of a nuanced understanding of atonement theology. Brandon challenges Morgan and Black to “Gregory or Gregory?” Tune in for an enlightening discussion that bridges the gap between ancient texts and modern faith.
Hosts: Brandon Nappi and Hannah Black
Guest: Teresa Morgan
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






