Called to Lead Podcast

In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo welcomes Denise Utter, M.A., a freelance consultant, author, ICF trained coach with Vibrant Faith, and the Coordinator of Family Faith Formation for the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL). Drawing from her deep experience at both the parish and diocesan levels, Denise tackles the hard truth facing modern ministry: the transmission of faith to the next generation depends entirely on how we form and accompany adults, not just children.

Together, they discuss how to "flip the script" on traditional religious education models. Denise shares concrete tools for coaching parents through doubt, managing the anxieties of parish staff transitions, and moving away from a program-first mentality to a people-first, accompaniment model that addresses the reality of the unchurched and disaffiliated.