Executive Disciple

Dr. Nolan continues sharing how God's hand has been clearly seen repeatedly in the formation and foundation of Catholic Polytechnic University in Southern California.  Listen as Dr. Nolan shares more of the story, the needs - how you can help, and numerous profound insights into leadership that we as Executive Disciples can take to heart to become more Christ-like, to grow in virtue (magnanimity), and to have an expectant faith in the miraculous.

In surveying the landscape of American colleges and universities, Dr. Nolan and her husband were dismayed at the lack of STEM-focused, authentically Catholic colleges to send their children to.  So, she decided to address this - by starting Catholic Polytechnic University.  Join us as Dr. Nolan shares the vision, goals and passion behind Catholic Polytechnic, and how God has continually placed people and resources in her path to assist in the journey.  Be inspired, and possibly, you may be part of this plan!    

Thank you for an amazing first year at Executive Disciple.  In this podcast, we talk about New Year's Resolutions - when and why they fail.  We shift gears to goals and habits, and your host offers TEN practical and important suggestions to ensure that 2020 does not "repeat" 2019 (unless of course you really want it to!), looking back at the advice and themes from Season 1.  Listen BEFORE the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve!

In this wonderful exchange with Fr. Nathaniel Haslam, LC, we talk about The Four Pillars of Integral Formation - Human, Spiritual, Intellectual and Apostolic.  How leaders need to know 2 core truths that they don't hear enough.  The importance of authentic leisure, and how this differs from escape.  Finally, on Tell Me Something Good, how did Scott Adams find his path to success with Dilbert?

Despite the millions of Google "hits" about "Leaders and Balance," is balance even the right goal? Are most leaders balanced?  The answer appears to be NO, and NO.  Fr. Haslam brings tremendous insight into the "blueprint" for the Executive Disciple leader (which is Jesus Christ), the 4 pillars of Integral Formation, and how this framework can help us develop into authentic, complete leaders.

Tim Dumas shares more great examples of leadership and integrating faith and work, as he talks about leading a bible study for his football team at a public university; the importance of LOVING the people you work with; "Frog and Dog"; great coaches; and leaders who think they are "too nice" when in fact they are being "too selfish."  A rousing and inspiring interview!

Tim Dumas wears many hats, as CEO Forum Leader, Leadership Coach, and Partner at a family-owned large chain of liquor stores.  Listen as Tim shares about how his company introduced Spirituality as a Core Value at their company, and how this has helped increase loyalty and help people feel loved and valued as a "whole person" - mind, body and soul, as a result.  Part 1 of 2.

Christopher Carter, Men Living for Greatness founder, talks about the relationship that is most important and the activities that are central to growing in holiness and living a life of GREATNESS.  Are we succumbing to the worldly view that "I'm a 'good person'" is sufficient?  We also discuss accountability and purpose on this inspiring episode.

Many companies have embraced "Good to Great" principles and concepts.  Do we take this same thinking into our personal lives?  Do we want GREATNESS?  Not "worldly" greatness, but the greatness that our Lord wants us to aspire to?  Christopher Carter is passionate about helping men achieve Greatness, and works tirelessly to provide practical methods and means for men to achieve Greatness.  Hear more on today's episode!

It's a common consulting and business idea to build your own "PBOD" (Personal Board of Directors).  You will find articles in Forbes, HBR, Inc. Magazine all touting the benefits of this idea.  But how should we think about this as Executive Disciples?  What does this mean?  Do I need this? Who should be on my board?  Find out more as our host talks about practical ideas for building your board of "Me, Inc." from an integrated life perspective.

Coach Bob shares tremendous wisdom and insights from his growth spiritually and as a leader in being a positive influence for others; caring for who they become rather than how they perform.  Coach talks about leading IN THE MOMENT vs leading a MOVEMENT, and how EVERYONE can lead where they are.  Coach shares a tremendous "ONE THING...." Don't miss this terrific conclusion with Coach!

Although only 1.5% of youth athletes go on to play in college or professional leagues, 100% of them become citizens.  Meet Coach Bob, who has spent his life coaching the 100%, not to the 1.5%  Themes of faith, football, family, and how an oldest daughter project turned into a blog and book, and a growing faith led to growing expressions of faith to help others to find the right path.  NOTE: THE HOST INCORRECTLY DESCRIBES BOB AS HAVING PLAYED AT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON.  BOB PLAYED AT LAFAYETTE COLLEGE!

On our interview conclusion, Kyle Neilson shares powerful insights on leadership, humility, the importance of seeking advice, and how not giving honest feedback is withholding from another something of tremendous value.  An insightful discussion.  Our host also talks about the power of INFLUENCE, and reminds us to "Be like Satchel!"

How one man's search for answers to questions of faith and truth led him to leave the work world for the world of leadership consulting of two kinds - one for the Church and nonprofits, and one for businesses and leaders.  Kyle is the son of guest Murray Neilson from episodes 22 and 23.  Be inspired by Kyle's search for growing in virtue, faith and learning to lead!

In this inspiring conclusion, Father James Mallon, author of several books including "Divine Renovation: From Maintenance to a Missional Parish," talks about taking a step FURTHER in living our faith.  He addresses the scandal in the Church, how to respond, and also provides us with a challenging "ONE THING" - a reminder to work tirelessly to keep the MAIN THING THE MAIN THING.  

Father James Mallon has authored several books, including "Divine Renovation: From Maintenance to a Missional Parish," and travels the globe supporting pastors and lay leaders in transforming lay leaders.  In this rollicking interview, Father James talks about the "hunger for more" that inspired the mission, how we must not live the "definition of insanity," and how the Paschal Mystery can be the inspiration and hope for the difficult times we are living in. 

Jay Tramonte: seasoned entrepreneur, new venture advisor, business consultant, and host of the Venture With Virtue podcast returns to share POWERFUL insights from his 65 Podcast episode interviews: surprises about how some define "success; practical means to develop habits to grow in virtue; and his "ONE THING."  You will want to listen to the "nuggets" from this episode more than once!

Jay Tramonte: seasoned entrepreneur, new venture advisor, business consultant, and host of the Venture With Virtue podcast shares from his own faith journey, as well as the threads he has drawn from 64 interviews about the intersection of faith and business journeys in the lives of successful executives.  Learn about the "big lie" he has discovered, as well as the "great paradox."

In this practical and insightful interview conclusion, Serviam Partners founder Randy Hain, coach, business leader, consultant, community servant, author and sought‐after speaker, reflects on candor, authenticity, the valuable role of coaching, and bringing the light of Christ to others in the workplace.  Randy leaves us with a powerful "ONE THING" we need to do in order to get to our goals.    

Do you know the meaning of SERVIAM? In this episode, Serviam Partners founder Randy Hain, coach, business leader, consultant, community servant, author and sought‐after speaker, reflects on leading and serving.  Randy talks about his evolution from business leader to executive search to his work at Serviam, along with how his conversion and deepening faith have guided him to the man he has become and work he leads today.  Join us for this insightful and practical conversation with Randy Hain.

We continue our discussion of integrating faith and work seamlessly as Executive Disciples with Murray Neilson of Nicola Wealth Management.  Murray talks about the importance of authentic fellowship, of evangelization (wherever we are at, God can use us!), and leaves us with his "one thing" - to WALK THE TALK, and to remember that no matter what has gone before, the opportunity is what lies ahead.  Join us for this upbeat conclusion with a great Disciple, Murray Neilson.

This episode features part 1 of our conversation with Murray Neilson, Business Development leader for Nicola Wealth Management.  Murray shares his passion for life and faith in this wide-ranging interview, including examples of how he seamlessly and naturally works to weave his faith into his work as CEO Forum Leader as well as in his workplace.  Are we "holding back" from allowing God to shine through us?  

On several episodes of this podcast, guests have challenged Executive Disciple listeners to spend more time in prayer, and/or to increase the priority they place on growing in their faith.  But... HOW?  Are we held back by a "tequila shot" attitude to our faith?  (Listen to discover what this means).  Are we fearful to dive in deeper?  In this episode, our host offers 20 specific ideas to become more like Christ (Romans 12:2... "be transformed by the renewal of the mind.")  Buckle up!

How the influence of leaders along with the Holy Spirit convicted and inspired Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's and Legatus.  How everyone is called to be leaders for Christ in their sphere of influence.  Stephen Henley (Executive Director of Legatus) challenges Executive Disciple leaders to make SURE that FAITH is their top priority, and to carve out time DAILY for ensuring this remains the case.

Legatus - Latin for "Ambassador" - was founded over 30 years ago by Tom Monaghan (Domino's founder) to reach top leaders.  In this episode, we talk about the WHY and HOW of reaching top leaders with Stephen Henley, Executive Director of Legatus - whose stated mission is to "to study, live and spread the Catholic faith in our business, professional and personal lives."

Saint Augustine said "This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections."  On this episode we explore in detail the BEST "life hack" that will help the Executive Disciple course correct on our journey to eternity.  SSML is a powerful technique that used quarterly can help us make the adjustments we need to respond and adapt to a busy, dynamic, ever-changing life.

Figuring out how to be a leader and innovator in television and design, while her family was expanding rapidly, led Lisa Canning to a "minivan meltdown."  Her journey of discovery which led to authoring "The Possibility Mom" is one of grace, power, humor, and POSSIBILITY.  Don't miss the remarkable conclusion of our interview with Lisa Canning.

Lisa Canning had a flourishing, high profile career in design, television and media.  She believed that she could "do it all," managing a growing young family in lockstep with her business ventures.  After her "minivan meltdown," Lisa knew it was time to re-evaluate her motives and look instead for God's plan for her life.  She now shares her experience with others and has authored a forthcoming book, The Possibility Mom: How to Be a Great Mom and Pursue Your Dreams. Part 1 of 2.

Listeners have asked for more concrete / practical suggestions on exactly HOW to bring God into our workday.  On today's episode we discuss a method Fr Thomas Dailey in his book Live Today Well describes as "The Key to Spiritual Perfection."  This method, first described by Saint Francis de Sales in the 16th Century, abbreviated "A - O - A," is disarmingly simple and yet enormously powerful for the Executive Disciple.  

In this powerful conclusion of our interview, Matt Dalton of Marriage Missionaries synthesizes the lessons of twelve years of full time work along with his wife Mindy with married couples.  Matt lists resources to strengthen your marriage, and offers a powerful "one thing" that can drastically lessen the potential for divorce in an executive leader(s)' marriage.

What is the ultimate goal of marriage?  Do we understand more than the "what" of marriage - do we know the WHY and even more importantly, the HOW?  Marriage failures among top leaders can be very high.  Matt Dalton and his wife Mindy work couple to couple on strengthening marriages through Marriage Coaching.  Matt shares his perspective and insights during this beautiful interview.  Part 1 of 2.

For our work, and how we spend our time, what is our "WHY?"  We continue our conversation with Jeff Haanen, CEO and Founder of the Denver Institute for Faith and Work with discussions on gender in the workplace; movements around the world focusing on faith @ work, and seeing our work not as a means to an ends, but as intrinsically valuable and important in and of itself.  Part 2 of 2.

What is DRIVING me? Jeff Haanen, CEO and Founder of the Denver Institute for Faith and Work shares about the Institute's practical, unique and wide-ranging endeavors helping Christians understand how (and why) faith and work are connected, and equipping them for their calling to this vocation, since work will represent 100,000 hours of our lives! Part 1 of 2.

Am I CHASING THE BLESSING?  In this beautiful and powerful conclusion of our interview with Monsignor James Shea, President of the University of Mary, we reflect on the "higher calling" of work as VOCATION (versus job, or career); leisure as CONTEMPLATION (rather than amusement, or even function), and how this affects the INTEGRATION of the two.  "Our work is not about what we do, it's about who we become." Part 2 of 2.

What am I working FOR?  What am I RESTING in?  What am I LIVING for?  These three questions affect our entire lives, and yet, have we stopped to reflect on them?  In today's Podcast, Monsignor James Shea, President of the University of Mary, talks about the meaning of work as vocation, problems with our North American understanding of work, how getting Sunday right connects to getting Monday right, and how we can begin to understand a higher calling for our lives and our work in harmony with God's plan for our lives.  Part 1 of 2.

In this disarming conclusion of our interview with former Desert Storm Flight Leader turned Financial Services Executive turned Not-for-profit leader and small business owner, Randy Hammond talks about his pivot to working for the Church to help address the crisis of our times.  Randy also talks about the essential role of accountability partners and trusted advisors in our lives, and leaves us with a call to grow in humility, a countercultural (and too frequently counter top leader) trait that is essential to leave a lasting impact and to find the path to God.

Randy Hammond went from Desert Storm Flight Leader to top leadership at major financial services organizations around America.  After a series of family circumstances and tragedy caused Randy to reassess what he wanted for himself and his family, Randy executed three major life changes in short order to align his career and vocation with his heart and passion.  Listen as Randy shares what's kept him grounded, and how he navigates his life with daily priorities and focus, to stay connected to Christ, and to serve.

In this powerful conclusion of our interview with Jim Beckman, author of "God, Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer" Jim challenges us to think differently about prayer - how important is it to us?  Are we willing to commit to ten minutes a day for thirty days?  Jim also gives a powerful testimony on the role prayer played in his life and his family's life in navigating a major family move and transition.  

In this episode, Jim Beckman, author of God Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer provides an illuminating perspective on what inspired him to write this book, how he has transformed his own prayer life as a result of what he has learned, how God desires a much deeper level of intimacy with us, and how we need to respond to this to fulfill our call to be missionary disciples, regardless of our profession or vocation.  Part 1 of 2.

In this episode of Executive Disciple, host Doran Oancia walks through Six Lies We Tell Ourselves; why we tell them, and why they are preventing us from happiness and making changes we need to make in our lives TODAY.

In the conclusion of our interview, Tim O'Connor, CEO of Results Canada shares the challenges, risks and rewards of shifting from large corporation to entrepeneurial venture.  He shares the remarkable story of how this shift allowed him to become an organ donor for his cousin.  O'Connor reflects on which of the four pillars of integral formation he believes is most challenging for the Executive Disciple, and why he believes that to be the case.  Finally, Tim provides his "one thing" that leaders need to do in order to see significant progress as Executive Disciples.

In this episode, host Doran Oancia and Tim O'Connor, CEO of Results Canada discuss a blind spot some top leaders have in translating Missions and Strategic Plans to their personal lives.  O'Connor reflects on how your view of your "Endgame" affects what you are doing today, as well as how easy or difficult it is for experienced executives and leaders to "change" in the "Back Nine" of their careers.

In this inaugural episode, host Doran Oancia discusses the following: Why Executive Disciple?  What is an Executive Disciple?  What does it mean to Reconnect Sunday and Monday?  Oancia provides the Top 10 reasons NOT to listen to Executive Disciple.  Can you answer YES to 7 or more of these 10 reasons?