A Game-Changer for Catholic Schools: What You Need to Know About the New Federal Tax Credit with Brian Jodice, Press Secretary, American Federation for Children 📌 Episode Summary: In this must-listen episode, John Mihalyo welcomes back Brian Jodice—Catholic school dad, advocate, and Press Secretary for the American Federation for Children—to break down one of the most impactful pieces of legislation Catholic education has seen in decades: the new federal tax credit for K-12 scholarships. This n...
Jul 22, 2025•51 min•Ep. 66
🎙️ Catholic School Leaders Podcast Episode Title: Mid-Summer Check-In: Budgeting, Staffing, and Setting the Tone Host: John Mihalyo In this episode, I dive into what’s keeping Catholic school leaders up at night in July—and what you can do about it. From budget shortfalls and open teaching positions to enrollment follow-ups and planning a meaningful faculty work week, I break down key priorities and offer practical steps you can take right now to set your school year up for success. 🔑 Key Take...
Jul 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 65
Host : John Mihalyo Guest : Thomas Boles, Founder of I Love My Tech Team Episode Summary : In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Boles, Catholic educator and founder of I Love My Tech Team , to talk about one of the most overlooked (and overspent) areas in Catholic schools: technology. We explore the four stages of tech maturity in schools—from “everything is broken” to true innovation—and dig into what it really takes to support teachers, avoid wasted purchases, and build a plan that actually...
Jun 19, 2025•51 min•Ep. 64
🎙️ Episode Title: Trust-Based Observations 🎧 Host:John Mihalyo, Founder of Elementary Advancement Solutions 🎙️ Guest: Craig Randall, Author and Developer of Trust-Based Observations 🧭 Episode Summary: In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , John is joined by Craig Randall, a longtime educator and the mind behind Trust-Based Observations —a model that reimagines how we approach teacher observations in Catholic schools. Rather than using outdated “check-the-box” models that of...
Jun 05, 2025•50 min•Ep. 63
What if we treated our sports fields and courts like classrooms—where faith, character, and Catholic values are just as important as the final score? In this episode, I sit down with Patrick McLaughlin , Principal of St. Francis Prep—the largest private Catholic high school in the country—to talk about the transformative power of athletics in Catholic schools. Patrick shares how his team created a program to align athletics with Catholic mission—working with students, coaches, parents, and even ...
May 27, 2025•50 min•Ep. 62
Catholic School Leaders Podcast: Show Notes Episode Title: Expanding Catholic Education for All with Martha Murray Host: John Mihalyo Guest: Martha Murray, National Director of the Tom & Terri Murphy Foundation Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, John is joined by Martha Murray, a passionate Catholic educator and advocate for inclusive education. Martha shares the powerful and personal story of her son Philip, whose journey through Catholic education sparked the creation of inclusive...
May 09, 2025•42 min•Ep. 61
Episode Title: How to Get the Most Out of the NCEA Conference Host: John Mihalyo Episode Summary: Are you heading to the NCEA Conference in Orlando this year? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been to several, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you get the most out of the experience. In this solo episode, John shares what he learned during his first NCEA Conference last year in Pittsburgh—from how to navigate the jam-packed session schedule to why the Whova app might just be...
Apr 15, 2025•19 min•Ep. 60
Guest: Will Parker Host: John Mihalyo, Elementary Advancement Solutions In this episode, John is joined by author and leadership coach Will Parker , whose book Messaging Matters was featured in John’s list of 11 School Leadership Books Every Principal Should Read. The focus of this episode is on one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of school leadership: communication . Whether it's with students, faculty, parents, or the greater community, communication can either build momentu...
Apr 04, 2025•40 min•Ep. 58
🎙 Guests: Julie Capirchio & Dr. Shannon McMahon 📅 Host: John Mihalyo Episode Overview In this inspiring episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , John Mihalyo welcomes Julie Capirchio, Principal of St. Joseph’s School (RI), and Dr. Shannon McMahon, Director of the EAGLE Program , to share how they are transforming Catholic education through inclusion. The EAGLE Program ( Educating All Abilities in a God-Centered Learning Environment ) is breaking barriers by making Catholic schools ...
Mar 28, 2025•40 min•Ep. 57
Episode Title: The Power of a Coach’s Mindset in Education 🎙 Guest: Coach Carlos Johnson 📅 Host: John Mihalyo Episode Overview In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , John Mihalyo sits down with Coach Carlos Johnson , an educator, consultant, and author of Power Engage , to discuss the transformative impact of a coach’s mindset in teaching and leadership . Carlos believes that every teacher should be a coach —not just an instructor, but a mentor who builds relationships, foste...
Mar 21, 2025•33 min•Ep. 55
Episode Title: Rethinking Tuition – A Cost-Based, Need-Based Model 🎙 Guest: Donna Moss 📅 Host: John Mihalyo Episode Overview In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , John Mihalyo sits down with his former colleague and friend, Donna Moss , to discuss a game-changing approach to tuition: the cost-based, need-based model . Many Catholic schools set tuition arbitrarily—raising rates by a small percentage each year without truly analyzing their financial needs. Donna shares her exp...
Mar 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 54
Catholic School Leaders Podcast: Show Notes Episode Title: Unlocking Literacy and Math Strategies with Linda Ryan (Part 2) Host: John Mihalyo Guest: Linda Rhyne, Literacy Consultant and Founder of Linda Rhyne Consulting Episode Summary: In this follow-up conversation with literacy expert Linda Rhyne, we continue our deep dive into effective literacy strategies for Catholic schools. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, check out Episode 47, where we laid the foundation for literacy success. In this...
Mar 07, 2025•33 min•Ep. 52
Episode Summary In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , I sit down with Jethro Jones—an award-winning educator, consultant, and host of the Transformative Principal Podcast . Jethro has been a leader in school innovation for over a decade, and today, he joins me to discuss a hot topic in education: artificial intelligence (AI). We explore how AI is transforming the way schools operate, the practical benefits it offers to Catholic school leaders, and the fears surrounding its use...
Feb 28, 2025•42 min•Ep. 53
Episode Title: Prioritizing Professional Growth as a Catholic School Leader 🎙 Guest: Anne Marie Maw 📅 Host: John Mihalyo Episode Overview In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , John Mihalyo welcomes back Anne Marie Maw to discuss one of the most critical aspects of Catholic school leadership— professional growth . Anne Marie shares her passion for continuous learning and how prioritizing professional development not only benefits school leaders personally but also strengthens...
Feb 21, 2025•39 min•Ep. 51
Episode Summary: Have you ever had someone walk into your office with an exciting new idea for a school event, and you felt the pressure to act on it immediately? Before you rush into planning, press pause. In this episode, we discuss the common pitfalls of rushed event planning and how Catholic school leaders can create well-planned, mission-aligned, and impactful events. Whether it’s a fundraiser, community gathering, or student-centered activity, taking the time to plan with intentionality an...
Feb 14, 2025•18 min•Ep. 50
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , we dive into one of the most critical factors in a school’s success: branding and communication . In today’s competitive educational environment, Catholic schools must develop a strong, clear, and compelling brand to attract families, engage alumni, and secure donor support. John shares actionable strategies for Catholic school leaders to refresh their brand , create high-quality marketing materials, and develop a budget-f...
Feb 07, 2025•20 min•Ep. 49
Description: In this episode of The Catholic School Leaders Podcast , host John Mihalyo chats with Barb Flowers, a Life and Leadership Coach, about actionable time management strategies for Catholic school leaders. From auditing your schedule to setting boundaries and avoiding unnecessary meetings, discover how to free up hours in your week and focus on what truly matters. 🌟 Tune in for insights that can transform how you lead and manage your time effectively. Show Notes: What You’ll Learn: Pra...
Jan 22, 2025•33 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast, John Mihalyo delves into the essentials of creating a strong literacy program with Linda Rhyne, owner of Linda Rhyne Consulting and founding president of the Reading League of North Carolina. Together, they explore actionable strategies for integrating faith and academic growth, explicit and systematic instruction, and the effective use of technology in literacy education. The episode also highlights Linda's experience and passion for liter...
Jan 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 47
In this episode, host John Mihalyho explores the intersection of faith and scouting with guests Fr. Gerard Gentleman, National Chaplain for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and John Anthony, Chair of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. They discuss how the principles of Catholic education align with scouting, the history and mission of Catholic Scouting, leadership development in scouts, and unique activities and experiences within the organization. Key topics include: the i...
Dec 23, 2024•48 min•Ep. 45
In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders podcast, John Mihalyo discusses leadership in Catholic education during the festive season, urging school leaders to also prepare for the return to school in January. From maintaining normalcy to effective communication and self-care, John shares practical tips to ensure a smooth transition back to school after the holidays.
Dec 16, 2024•17 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, John Mihalyo and John Mariucci discuss the differences between leadership and management in educational settings. They explore the challenges and strategies for transitioning from managerial roles to leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of vision, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement. The conversation touches on practical tips for new leaders, the significance of building trust and relationships, and the essential qualities of effective leadership.
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 44
In this episode, John Mihalyo is joined by Dr. Brett Salkeld, an archdiocesan theologian and the founder of Making Every Class Catholic. The discussion revolves around integrating Catholic identity in the classroom, practical ways to achieve this, and the significance of permeating Catholic values across various subjects in education. Brett shares insights from his book, 'Educating for Eternity,' and emphasizes the importance of framing education within a Catholic worldview for both teachers and...
Dec 02, 2024•54 min•Ep. 43
In this episode, host John Mihalyo talks with Tanya Sheckley, an innovative educator and leader. They explore what it means to challenge the status quo in education, the importance of community engagement, and how to facilitate meaningful change in schools. The discussion delves into fostering a culture of learning and innovation, the role of fear in resisting change, and the significance of having a clear vision and communicating it consistently.
Nov 25, 2024•53 min•Ep. 42
This episode features the second part of John's interview with Leanne Nicol. Leanne shares her extensive experience in leading school improvements in faith-based schools and offers valuable advice on creating a strong school culture, building trust, and inspiring leadership. This discussion dives into the Paschal mystery of life, death, and resurrection as a metaphor for cultural change in schools, addressing common challenges leaders face and providing practical strategies for navigating transi...
Nov 18, 2024•41 min•Ep. 41
In this episode, John Mihalyo interviews Leanne Nicol about the importance of school culture, leadership, and the role of core values in Catholic education. They discuss how school culture is defined, its critical role in creating a great Catholic school, and the fundamentals of aligning core values with everyday practices. Leanne also shares insights from her experience with the Sydney Catholic Schools and her upcoming book, The Fierce Hearted Leader. Tune in next week for part two.
Nov 11, 2024•49 min•Ep. 40
In this episode, John Mihalyo chats with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, the founder of Dr. Karen LLC. They discuss executive functioning, language literacy, and how therapists and educators can design impactful interventions. Dr. Karen shares invaluable insights and practical strategies for Catholic school leaders, teachers, and parents to support student success both in and out of the classroom. 01:58 Discussing Executive Functioning 02:30 Importance of Reviews and Sharing 03:46 Keys to a Successful ...
Nov 04, 2024•47 min•Ep. 39
In this episode, John discusses the importance of performing an annual 'physical' or check-up for Catholic schools. He covers key areas including enrollment, fundraising, and budgeting, offering practical advice and strategies to ensure schools are set up for success. 00:22 The Seasonal Shift 00:44 Annual Physical for Your School 08:13 Fundraising & Advancement 13:05 Budgeting
Oct 28, 2024•23 min•Ep. 38
In this episode, John discusses the importance of identifying and promoting the unique qualities of each Catholic school. He challenges listeners to think beyond the expected answers and highlights strategies for honest and accurate representation of their schools' strengths. Additionally, the episode offers a free resource, 'The Keys to a Successful Catholic School', to help schools engage in meaningful conversations about their unique attributes. 00:36 The Question: What Makes Your School Uniq...
Oct 21, 2024•20 min•Ep. 37
In this episode, John Mihalyo offers valuable insights into enhancing the enrollment process at Catholic schools. This episode addresses the importance of evaluating current enrollment strategies, engaging parents for feedback, and ensuring a welcoming school environment. John also discusses the significance of continuous improvement and provides actionable tips to streamline the enrollment process for the upcoming school year. 04:54 Importance of Reviewing Enrollment Processes 06:33 Tip 1: Enga...
Oct 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 35
In this episode, John Mihalyo interviews Alex Jones, founder of the Hallow app, to discuss the journey and impact of the app on people's prayer lives. They dive into topics like the Hallow Summit, the diversity of prayer leaders on the app, and the incredible stories of how the app has transformed lives. They also touch on the role of the app in Catholic schools, how it's helping children and families pray together, and plans for future updates, including exciting Advent content. 05:41 Prayer an...
Sep 23, 2024•56 min•Ep. 34
