Huntley Leadership Podcast

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 NixonFr. 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.
LinksFr. 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 resourcesRoad 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.
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Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6 Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcSSubscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership   
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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 PellicaanDr. 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 Catholichttps://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
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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.
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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/3vjltcSSubscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership   
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Work with Huntley Leadership!
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Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com
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Connect on LinkedIn ⇥   / huntleyleadership  Follow on Twitter ⇥   / ron_huntley  Follow on Instagram ⇥   / huntleyleadership  Follow on Facebook ⇥   / huntleyleadership  Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥  @huntleyleadership  
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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 Assessmenthttps://huntleyleadership.com
📍 Huntley Leadership Podcast Hubhuntleyleadership.com/podcast
📍 St. Catherine of Siena Parish (Caroline Springs, Australia)https://www.facebook.com/St.Catherine.Siena.CarolineSprings.Australia
Follow Stephanie O'Brien
Instagram: @stephanieeobriennFacebook: Stephanie O'BrienTikTok: @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
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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/3vjltcSSubscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership   
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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
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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  
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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 WengerFr. 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
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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/3vjltcSSubscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership   
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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
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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  
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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 Parishhttps://www.stjohnparish.org
Disciple Up Conferencehttps://www.discipleupconference.com
Road to Renewalhttps://a.co/d/01nH72LP
Be Discples, Make Discipleshttps://www.lorrainecross.media/shop/p/bedisciplesmakedisciples
Mentioned Resources
Be Disciples, Make DisciplesDisciple Up ConferenceThe Rescue ProjectActs XXIXRoad 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
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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/3vjltcSSubscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership   
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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
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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  
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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.comCatholic 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
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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
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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/3vjltcSSubscribe on YouTube ⇥  @huntleyleadership   
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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
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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  
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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_robRoad 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/...
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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