The Leader’s Way

The Reverend Dr. John F. Ross is the Executive Director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he shepherds global engagement with the Saint John’s Bible—the first handwritten illuminated Bible in over 500 years. In this episode of The Leader’s Way, Brandon Nappi asks John to tell the story of how this artistic and beautiful Bible came to be, from the early inspirations of renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to the Bible's commissioning by a Benedictine monastery and its subsequent travels across the world. Explore more of the history and images from The Saint John’s Bible project here: https://saintjohnsbible.org/ Host: Brandon Nappi Guest: John Ross Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

Sean Rowe, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, discusses the evolving role of seminary in spiritual formation and the necessity for the church to adapt in a post-Christendom world. He shares insights on leadership during times of change, highlighting the importance of spiritual groundedness and relational communion. Rowe also addresses the future of faith amid technological advancements like AI and advocates for strategic storytelling in ministry. His personal practices, including centering prayer, further enrich this thoughtful dialogue.

In this heartfelt conversation, Nelba Márquez-Greene, a community scholar at Yale and a passionate advocate for gun violence survivors, shares powerful insights. She discusses her 'Shared Humanity' series, emphasizing the importance of centering survivor voices in healing conversations. Nelba highlights the gap between academia and community needs, advocating for a collaborative approach. She also outlines pressing community projects like the Rispa Project and urges clergy to build trauma-informed practices. Her journey reflects resilience and a deep belief in shared human connection.

In this enlightening discussion, Whitney Kimball Coe, a third-year MDiv student preparing for ordination, shares her journey from nonprofit work to seminary. Misty Krasawski, with a rich background in ministry and family life, reveals her late but transformative application experience. Jae Kirkland-Rice, a PhD candidate and second-year MDiv student, discusses the balance of academia and spiritual formation. Together, they explore the diverse paths to seminary, the significance of community, and the unexpected joys of their spiritual journeys.

What does “community” actually mean? Is community something we achieve or is it something we practice? Claire Brown and Austin Sauerbrei are partners, parents, and community practitioners, living and working in small town rural America. Claire is the rector of a small Episcopal church and Austin is a community organizer with the 50+ year-old statewide nonprofit, SOCM. Their daily lives are a whirlwind of tending to relationships and building muscle for faithful community engagement in their small town. With humor, candor, and wisdom honed by years of deep listening, they offer insights about the tensions and opportunities that arise when we acknowledge how intertwined we are with one another. This episode is worth watching on The Leader’s Way YouTube channel! In this interview, Austin and Claire model what it looks like to engage in thought-partnership and parenthood, passing their youngest child, Ardy, between them as they respond to host Whitney Kimball Coe’s questions about how we do the thing we call “community.” Learn more about The Rev’d Claire Brown: https://www.revclairebrown.com/ Learn more about Austin Sauerbrei’s new graphic novel, Trouble! At Coal Creek: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2529-trouble-at-coal-creek

Joseph Yoo was baptized, raised, and ordained in the United Methodist Church, and is now an Episcopalian priest and the planter of Mosaic Episcopal Church located in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. Joseph is the author of When the Saints Go Flying In: Stories About Faith, Life, and Everything in Between and is known for his dynamic presence on Instagram and TikTok, where he reflects on everything from scripture to social justice to pro wrestling. In this conversation, Joseph and Brandon talk about the curious and winding paths we travel as we follow the spiritual calling of our lives, and the people who, through the unfolding of their lives, teach us about God. Host: Brandon Nappi Guest: Joseph Yoo Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders

Omid Safi was raised in a Muslim family where mystical poetry, particularly “love” poetry, and spirituality, were the currency of daily life. Poetry still “perfumes” Omid's social interactions, intellectual pursuits, and his curiosity about the ways religion, love, and justice intersect. Safi is a professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University. He specializes in the study of Islamic mysticism and contemporary Islam and frequently writes on liberationist traditions of Dr. King, Malcolm X, and is committed to traditions that link together love and justice.  He has delivered the keynote for the annual Martin Luther King commemoration at the National Civil Rights Museum. In this episode of The Leader’s Way, host Brandon Nappi talks with Omid about his own spiritual path, the longings we each carry for community and belonging, and Omid’s forthcoming book on the famed mystic Rumi. Host: Brandon Nappi Guest: Omid Safi Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast  You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders  

We practice meditation because the present moment is the only place where we can truly find ourselves, love others, and be loved by the divine. This is why we gather, why we sit, why we breathe together. We practice surrendering to what lies beyond our control and responding rather than reacting to life's challenges. We cultivate curiosity about what's arising within and around us, learning to do difficult things like changing and growing. Because we trust there's a limitless reservoir of strength, compassion, and resilience flowing through us at every moment.    Host: Brandon Nappi    Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast    You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders 

In this engaging discussion, violence researcher James Kimmel, Jr. shares his unique journey from a near-violent past to studying the complexities of revenge, forgiveness, and addiction. He explains how vengeance can act like a compulsion and the brain's role in this behavior. Kimmel also discusses the cultural influences that spur revenge-seeking and presents forgiveness as a powerful antidote. Listeners learn about practical tools like the Miracle Court app, designed to help process grievances and interrupt destructive cycles of revenge.

Lauren Jackson is a religion columnist for the New York Times where she is the associate editor and writer for The Morning, the Times's flagship daily newsletter. Over the past year, she has been deeply involved in reporting on belief. Lauren developed 'Believing,' a project that explores how we experience religion and spirituality in contemporary times. Lauren's thought-provoking columns delve into the complexities of faith, spirituality, and society. In this episode of The Leader’s Way, Lauren discusses the powerful transformation that is possible when we turn our attention to the people around us, attending to hyper-local needs, longings, and joys within our own community.   Hosts: Brandon Nappi, Misty Krasawski Guest: Lauren Jackson   Instagram: @theleadersway.podcast berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast   You can support our work at https://tinyurl.com/support-transforming-leaders