On a Mission: Season Two Is Back!

We’re back, y’all! It’s time to listen to another season of inspired and inspiring people who are living their missions in the world.


Today I’m talking with Brian Stanley, an education nonprofit executive living in Oakland. He’s a Black Catholic man raising two Black boys, along with his amazing wife, Celeste. He talks about his time at Saint Mary’s College, a school run by a Catholic order of brothers called the Christian Brothers. We talked about his experience at the one and only St. Columba Parish in North Oakland, where Black heritage and Catholicism come together every day.

Our conversation covers his work in the educational nonprofit world, the ways his faith influences his quarantine, and why he thinks White people are waking up to racist policies in the U.S. NOW.

Episode 33: Episode 33: Preaching Hope with Kayla August On a Mission

Kayla August is a vibrant, up-and-coming leader in the U.S. Catholic community. Maybe you heard her preach on Christmas Eve 2020 on Catholic Women Preach. Maybe you heard her speak at the 2021 FutureChurch Feast of St. Mary of Magdala. Maybe you heard her just last month at Saturdays with the Saints at Notre Dame University speaking about Thea Bowman. Like I said, she’s all around. Currently, Kayla is pursuing a doctorate in Religious Education with an emphasis in preaching. You might find yourself asking *why* would a Black, Catholic, U.S. woman pursue such a degree? You’ve got to hear her answer to that question. She is flying on faith, and she reminds us that journeys are one step at a time. Listen for Kayla’s distinction between evangelization and proselytization, the importance of sitting in gratitude, and how to love a Church that doesn’t always love you back. Links we talked about in the episode:Boston College School of Theology and MinistryDr. Sr. Jamie PhelpsKayla August preaches for Christmas Eve Kayla August at Notre DameDiscerning DeaconsSister Thea BowmanKayla speaking at Saturdays with the Saints on Thea BowmanKayla’s bio page on Boston CollegeSupport the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/molleen
  1. Episode 33: Episode 33: Preaching Hope with Kayla August
  2. Episode 32: Episode 32: Catholic Climate Covenant with Anna Robertson
  3. Episode 31: Episode 31:: Priestess with Erin Duffy-Burke
  4. Episode 30: Episode 30: Modern Catholics with Maureen Day
  5. Episode 29: Episode 29: Beauty in Broken Places with Elizabeth Bowler

Brian recommended:

Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom
James Baldwin’s books
Toni Morrison’s books

Also, are you listening to Nice White Parents? So many more good reflections on the role of White parents in public education.

Y’all! Subscribe to the podcast, and don’t forget to leave a review on Apple podcasts. It helps more people who like this type of stuff find us.

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