The Next Class 2.0

Episode 11 - Ashling Preston

In this special unedited edition of The Next Class, hosts Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano welcome Ashling Kelly Preston, Associate Director of Government Relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Recorded just days after the House passed historic federal school choice legislation, Ashling unpacks what this landmark moment means for Catholic schools nationwide. She details the structure, reach, and next steps of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), its impact on families in every educational setting, and how Catholic institutions can prepare for what's ahead. A must-listen for diocesan leaders and school administrators navigating policy and funding strategy.

Episode 10 - Kirsten Oates

In this episode of The Next Class, Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey sit down with spiritual leadership coach Kirsten Oates. With a background spanning law, consulting, and executive strategy at the Center for Action and Contemplation, Kirsten brings a unique blend of intellect and introspection. She shares how mysticism offers not just personal transformation, but practical, grounded tools for school leaders and educators navigating today’s complex educational landscape. From honoring the inner lives of teachers to integrating contemplative practice into leadership, Kirsten's insights offer a rare look at what it means to lead with depth, humility, and purpose.

Episode 9 - Kerry Robinson

In this powerful episode, hosts Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano sit down with Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, to explore the vital role of faith, leadership, and service in today’s world.

Kerry shares her personal journey—from growing up in a legacy Catholic philanthropic family, to her work expanding Catholic life at Yale, and now leading one of the largest social service networks in the U.S. With a focus on crisis response, advocacy, and the empowerment of women in Church leadership, Kerry offers heartfelt wisdom and hope for the future of Catholic education and humanitarian work.

Hear how Catholic Charities USA is responding to disasters, uplifting families in need, and creating meaningful leadership opportunities—especially for women in the Church.

Learn more about Catholic Charities: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Episode 8 - Jeff Thielman

In this episode of Next Class 2.0, hosts Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey welcomes Jeff Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England. Jeff shares his unique journey from his Jesuit volunteer experience in Peru to leading one of the nation’s oldest immigration and refugee service organizations. The conversation dives deep into how faith, mission-driven leadership, and education shape our approach to serving immigrants and refugees. Jeff reflects on his time with Cristo Rey and how Catholic schools can play a powerful role in helping students understand immigration, social justice, and their own family histories. With real stories and policy insights, Jeff offers a thoughtful perspective on the current challenges and opportunities facing immigrant communities in the U.S.

Episode 7 - Ed Jennings

In this episode, hosts Rob Birdsell, and Kent Hickey sit down with Ed Jennings, CEO of Quick Base, for an insightful conversation about leadership, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

The discussion covers the mindset and habits that fuel long-term success, leadership lessons from Ed’s personal and professional journey, how to balance high performance with team collaboration, time management strategies for busy professionals, and the impact of lifelong learning in business and education.

Ed shares personal stories, including leadership wisdom from his father, insights on building a thriving company, and reflections on what he wishes he knew 20 years ago. If you’re an aspiring leader, educator, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways you won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow leaders and learners.

Episode 6 - Lannie Davis

In this enlightening episode of The Next Class, hosts Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano sit down with Lannie Davis, a trailblazer in inclusive education, to discuss her transformative work at the Julie Billiart Schools. From their humble beginnings as a single campus to their current multi-campus model in Ohio, Lannie reflects on her decade-long journey of serving students with special needs and her visionary approach to leadership. She delves into the "JB Way," the challenges of recruiting and retaining educators, and her dreams of expanding outside Ohio to states like Florida, which offer robust special needs scholarship programs.

Join Rob and Erin for an inspiring discussion that celebrates education, faith, and the transformative power of community.

Episode 5 - Lori Stanley

Join Rob Birdsell, Erin Barisano, and Lori Stanley in a thought-provoking discussion on faith and leadership in today’s world. From exploring Ignatian spirituality to leveraging technology for deeper connections, they share personal stories and insights that inspire and empower Catholic school leaders. Lori’s moving reflections on inclusion and belonging highlight the ongoing work for unity within faith communities. A conversation packed with wisdom, innovation, and heartfelt lessons you won’t want to miss!

Episode 4 - Kelby Woodard

In this episode of The Next Class, hosts Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey chat with Kelby Woodard, CEO of The Cristo Rey Network. From his start in corporate security to his unexpected pivot into politics and education, Kelby shares how his diverse background fuels his vision for Cristo Rey’s mission. Learn about his first year as CEO, the network's expansion, and the incredible impact on students across the U.S.

Episode 3 - Fr. Belmonte & Dr. Rigg

In this insightful episode, host Rob Birdsell and co-host Dr. Erin Barisano engage with Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. John Belmonte, superintendents from Miami and Sarasota. They explore Florida’s universal school choice and its benefits for Catholic education amid Miami’s cultural diversity. Fr. Belmonte shares the archdiocese’s rich history of supporting immigrant families and highlights scholarships that enhance access to quality private education for all families. Tune in for this insightful episode!

Episode 2 - Dan Porterfield

In this episode, Rob Birdsell, Kent Hickey, and Dan Porterfield explore the transformative power of education, diving into how mentorship and growth mindsets shape student success. They discuss Dan's new book, "Mindset Matters", and how Catholic schools and higher ed can foster lifelong growth. A powerful conversation for educators everywhere!