Growing In Greatness

Ellen Twomey and Taylor Black
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Growing in Greatness is a podcast for people called to lead with both greatness and humility in a rapidly evolving world of AI. Co-hosted by Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey, the show explores how the classical virtues—especially humility and magnanimity—shape our work, our relationships, and our engagement with technology, especially Artificial Intelligence. With a lens rooted in Catholic social teaching, each episode features thoughtful conversations about the ethical challenges and spiritual opportunities emerging in the fields of tech, AI, and modern work culture. Growing in Greatness is a podcast for people called to lead with both greatness and humility in a rapidly evolving world of AI. Co-hosted by Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey, the show explores how the classical virtues—especially humility and magnanimity—shape our work, our relationships, schools and our engagement with technology, especially Artificial Intelligence. With a lens rooted in Catholic social teaching, each episode features thoughtful conversations about the ethical challenges and spiritual opportunities emerging in the fields of tech, AI, and modern work culture.

Episodes

  1. 7h ago

    Human In the Loop

    "Don't worry, there's a human in the loop." It's meant to reassure, but which human, and are they ready for that responsibility? Taylor is just back from a conference in Rome on whether AI can be a tool for virtue, and he and Ellen dig into what it really takes to be the person in charge when AI does the work. They talk about why accountability still lands on people, how AI is changing who companies hire, and what happens when one person can direct a thousand AI agents. They also cover why character and formation matter more than ever. Along the way: a teenage client building a business, Jack Dorsey's layoffs at Block, and why our decisions ripple further than we think.

  2. Oct 30

    Beauty Will Save the World

    What did Dostoevsky mean when he wrote that beauty will save the world? Ellen and Taylor start with beauty as one of the transcendentals, alongside truth, goodness and being, and trace it from Samwise seeing a star over Mordor to the face of a five-year-old who wrote a song called “Mommy Is So Special.” Then they turn to AI. Why do AI images feel like a Zillow listing that looks nothing like the house? When can these tools help make something truly beautiful? Their examples include a classical architect finishing unbuilt church facades, a poem riffing on Ginsberg’s “Howl,” and a reading list of 7,000 books woven into everyday emails.

  3. Oct 23

    With a Little Help From My Friends

    Communities don’t just appear. They’re built by invitations sent, tables set and names learned twice. In this episode, Ellen and Taylor talk about why connection requires intentionality: throwing more dinner parties, shaping the people around our kids, and why prayer is where intentionality begins. They also look at what AI can’t replace, from the colleague down the hall to the friends who sharpen us by disagreeing with us.

  4. Oct 16

    Give a Man a Fish

    AI can give you an answer. Can it help you become a better thinker? In “Give a Man a Fish,” Ellen Twomey and Taylor Black explore the foundations of artificial intelligence and what they mean for everyday use. From early computing to the breakthroughs behind today’s AI tools, they unpack how we got here, then explore tools that help us think, create, and act. Along the way, they discuss generative versus agentic AI, tools you may already use without realizing it, and how AI is opening software development to people without coding experience. Grounded in Growing in Greatness’s Catholic perspective, the conversation closes with a practical challenge: use an AI tool to help you make a better decision. Bring your judgment, your curiosity, and a willingness to have your thinking challenged.

  5. Oct 9

    Formation Not Training

    As AI reshapes how we learn and work, how do we prepare for a future we can’t yet predict? Ellen Twomey and Taylor Black explore why formation of the whole person matters beyond technical training. Through a Catholic lens, they discuss education, the changing role of developers, and how families can use AI to strengthen learning while cultivating judgment, virtue, and a love of the good, the true, and the beautiful.

  6. Oct 2

    Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

    AI can help us move faster and do more, but how often do we pause to ask what it’s doing to us? In this episode, we share how we experiment with different tools and evaluate their usefulness, then turn that same scrutiny on ourselves. We talk about prayer, humility, leadership, and the temptation to get swept up in our own capabilities. With honest admissions and a little humor, we explore how to keep our work grounded in love for God and the people we serve.

  7. Oct 2

    SENT Summit Live: Should We Evangelization through AI?

    Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey finally meet in person! Recorded together at the SENT Summit in Denver, this episode brings plenty of joy, a few tears, and a question close to their hearts: How can we use AI to evangelize? Together, they explore what technology might make possible for our parishes and communities, why human connection matters so deeply, and how even small digital habits can pull us away from one another. It’s a personal conversation about faith, friendship, commitment, and using these tools to bring people together.

  8. Oct 2

    Magnifica Humanitas: Initial Reflection

    What does our Catholic faith bring to the conversation about AI, and how can it guide the choices we make at home and at work? In our initial reflections on Magnifica Humanitas, we explore human dignity, the importance of real relationships, and our responsibility to help children develop judgment and find their own voices. With stories from parenting and building technology, we consider what it means to create with humility, keep God at the center, and protect the people entrusted to our care.

  9. Oct 1

    The Unrestricted Desire to Know

    Have you ever loved someone so much that you couldn’t imagine running out of things to discover about them? That curiosity helps us explore a big idea: the unrestricted desire to know. Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey talk about our deeply human longing for truth, what education is meant to cultivate, and how AI can support—or short-circuit—our learning. From marriage and childhood wonder to practical ways of asking better questions, this conversation invites us to keep thinking, stay curious, and take ownership of what we believe.

  10. Oct 1

    Is AI Evil

    Is AI evil? It’s a question worth taking seriously, so we start by unpacking what evil actually means and what AI actually does. From a student asking for help with an essay to the choices developers build into their tools, we explore where human responsibility begins and why we can’t hand it over to a machine. Along the way, we talk about fear, discernment, and how to approach this powerful technology with both curiosity and a well-formed conscience.

  11. Oct 1

    001 Growing In Greatness

    What does it mean to grow in greatness in a world being reshaped by AI? In this first episode, hosts Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey share how a Catholic coding hackathon brought them together and sparked a conversation they couldn’t stop having. They talk about fear, work, parenting, and magnanimity—the virtue behind the podcast’s name. Join Taylor and Ellen as they explore how using technology thoughtfully can help us grow as people, serve others, and live our Catholic faith in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

  • 11 Episodes

About

Growing in Greatness is a podcast for people called to lead with both greatness and humility in a rapidly evolving world of AI. Co-hosted by Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey, the show explores how the classical virtues—especially humility and magnanimity—shape our work, our relationships, and our engagement with technology, especially Artificial Intelligence. With a lens rooted in Catholic social teaching, each episode features thoughtful conversations about the ethical challenges and spiritual opportunities emerging in the fields of tech, AI, and modern work culture. Growing in Greatness is a podcast for people called to lead with both greatness and humility in a rapidly evolving world of AI. Co-hosted by Taylor Black and Ellen Twomey, the show explores how the classical virtues—especially humility and magnanimity—shape our work, our relationships, schools and our engagement with technology, especially Artificial Intelligence. With a lens rooted in Catholic social teaching, each episode features thoughtful conversations about the ethical challenges and spiritual opportunities emerging in the fields of tech, AI, and modern work culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Ellen Twomey and Taylor Black
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ellen Twomey and Taylor Black
  • Show Website
    Growing In Greatness