The Next Class 2.0

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Fabrice Gautrat

This inspiring episode highlights leadership lessons relevant to school leaders: add outrageous value, build unparalleled environments, and meet people where they are. Coach Gautrat emphasizes clear vision, extreme ownership, communication, and culture-building. He champions self-awareness, joy, coachability, and developing others. His leadership approach—rooted in humility, discipline, growth, and care—offers a strong blueprint for transforming school culture and inspiring teams.

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Peter Stokes

The Future of Higher Education:  What Catholic School Leaders Need to Know   Higher education is confronting major demographic and financial challenges. This is essential information for Catholic school leaders advising students on higher education.  Join President Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey in a compelling conversation with Peter Stokes, Managing Director at Huron Consulting Group on how shrinking birth rates, falling college enrollment rates, and oversupply are driving widespread higher ed closures that derail 75% of affected students. We will present innovative approaches to consider—three-year degrees, dual enrollment, and AI-driven support—that can redefine the value and stability of higher education for families and schools.

Season 6 - Episode 6- Steve Cheeseman

Join Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano in an inspiring dialogue with Dr. Steve Cheeseman, President of NCEA. Dr. Cheeseman shares encouraging insights on the future of Catholic education, noting renewed hope and mission‑driven energy across schools nationwide. School communities are strengthening Catholic identity, embracing growth, and responding creatively to teacher and leader shortages. He highlights NCEA’s shift toward becoming a strategic partner through actionable data, leadership development, and operational vitality initiatives, including a new national data dashboard. Nationally, enrollment remains stable with growth in several regions, especially early grades. Cheeseman also emphasizes the importance of responsible technology and AI integration, ensuring students develop digital literacy while preserving the humanity at the heart of Catholic education.

Season 6 - Episode 5 - School Board best practices

Join this thought-provoking podcast as Erin Barisano talks with Catholic Education Services President Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey on the transformative power of Catholic school boards. They explore why today’s governance challenges demand spiritual grounding, intentional culture‑building, and true discernment—not business‑as‑usual decision‑making. Learn what makes an effective board “apostolic,” how communication protocols strengthen the president–board relationship, and why cultivating a “thick,” mission‑driven culture leads to healthier schools and holier leadership. Packed with practical insights and inspiring stories, this conversation reframes board service as sacred work in service of the Church.

Season 6 - Episode 4 - John Reyes & Angela Mitchell

Join Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano in this episode as they engage in a thought-provoking dialogue with John Reyes, Director of Research and Program Evaluation, and Angela Mitchell, Director of Leadership Formation Programs, both representing the Roche Center for Catholic Education. This conversation explores critical themes shaping Catholic education today as reflected in Pope Leo’s recent Apostolic Letter "Drawing New Maps of Hope”.