"Of Becoming" Catholic Leadership Podcast

Kristen Hew

Welcome to Of Becoming, a Catholic Leadership Podcast. I'm Kristen Hew, a seasoned former youth and young adult minister and communications specialist. I have a passion for walking with leaders who desire to grow in their identity as children of God while furthering the mission of Christ through church ministry. Let's journey from thinking of becoming whole person leaders to the story of becoming whole person leaders.

Episodes

  1. Oct 23

    The Four-Letter Word Every Leader Hates

    Why is "HELP" the hardest four-letter word for Catholic leaders to say? If you are carrying the entire weight of your parish, ministry, or department on your own shoulders, you might be trapped by the Solo Leader Myth. Believing you have to do it all isn’t holiness; it’s an isolation trap that leads straight to burnout and stagnant ministries. In this episode of Of Becoming, host and coach Kristen Hew explores why asking for help isn’t an admission of defeat; it is a direct reflection of God’s relational design. From Moses relying on Aaron to Jesus forming the Apostles, God continuously calls leaders to invite others into His mission. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold Open & Introduction 00:52 – The Solo Leader Myth: Why asking for help feels impossible 01:09 – Created for Relationship: God’s original design and biblical precedent 02:48 – The Two Blockers: Unpacking fear and ignorance in ministry 03:57 – Preparing the Fields: Moving from passive waiting to active stewardship 07:23 – Knocking at the Door (Gateways): How to advocate for resources and development with pastors or boards 09:12 – Knocking at the Door (Fellow Laborers): Calling out charisms and inviting staff/volunteers into real leadership 10:48 – Knocking at the Door (The Fields): Breaking ministry silos and building a peer brain trust 12:55 – Final Reflection & Weekly Leadership Challenge Reflection for the Week:What is one thing you can do this week to grow as a leader? And who is one person you can reach out to with genuine gratitude for how they have helped form you? Connect & Grow: Looking to partner with a coach to take your leadership from where it is to where God is calling it to be? Reach out to Kristen to explore one-on-one leadership coaching. Email her at kristen@ofbecoming.org If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Spotify, and share it with a fellow ministry leader who might be feeling overwhelmed. Keep frequenting the Sacraments; especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Answer God’s call. Ignite your leadership! Website: ofbecoming.org

    The Four-Letter Word Every Leader Hates
  2. Oct 9

    The 5 Step Authenticity Self-Audit for Catholic Leaders

    Have you ever had a conversation where nothing was explicitly wrong, but your internal alarm bells started going off? That’s your authenticity radar at work and as Catholic leaders, people are tuning into ours every single day. In this episode of Of Becoming Catholic Leadership, we take an honest look at the pressure we face as spiritual leaders and how it subtly drives us into two dangerous traps: Imposter Syndrome ("I must pretend") and Main Character Syndrome ("I must control"). Drawing lessons from scripture and the classic film The Devil Wears Prada, we break down how quiet compromises creep into our lives and Kristen offers a grace-filled roadmap to return to authentic, Christ-centered leadership. Scripture References: 1 Peter 2:9 — Your true identity as a chosen race, royal priesthood, and holy nation.Hebrews 8:10 — God's law written on our hearts as the foundation for true alignment.Psalm 139:23–24 — The leader's prayer for heart reflection and guidance. (Grab these steps to use in your personal prayer time this week!) Run a "No Choice" Audit: Track every time you say or think "I didn't have a choice" in your ministry. That phrase is your first red flag that core values are being sacrificed for external demands. Define 3 Non-Negotiable Core Values: Write down three personal values rooted in your identity in Christ. If a project or schedule forces you to violate them, performance culture has taken over. Practice a Leader’s Daily Examen: Adapt Psalm 139:23–24 into a 3-minute evening review asking two questions: Where did I act out of fear or performance today? Where did I lead out of the overflow of God's love?Lean into Intentional Vulnerability: True authenticity means acknowledging limits. Saying "I don't know, but let's pray and discern this together" builds far more trust than pretending to have every answer. Designate an Accountability Partner: Give a trusted colleague or friend explicit permission in advance to call you out if they see you slipping into performance or control. Action Challenge: Don't feel pressured to tackle all five today. Pick just ONE step that speaks to your heart right now and bring it into your prayer time this week. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview00:42 – What is the "Authenticity Radar"?01:56 – The Unique Pressure of Spiritual Leadership (1 Peter 2:9) 03:09 – Imposter Syndrome vs. Main Character Syndrome 04:15 – The Devil Wears Prada Analogy06:11 – Translating the "I Didn't Have a Choice" Trap into Leader Reality 07:46 – The Antidote: Grace Over Grit (Hebrews 8:10) 08:50 – The 5-Step Leadership Authenticity Audit 11:14 – Practical Encouragement: Pick Just ONE Step 11:30 – Closing Thoughts & Final Prayer If this episode touched your heart, please take a moment to rate, review, and share it with a fellow Catholic leader! Host: Kristen HewPodcast: Of Becoming Catholic Leadership PodcastStay Connected: Subscribe for future episodes on authentic Catholic leadership, ministry mindset, and spiritual growth.Ignite Your Leadership: Visit ofbecoming.org to connect with Kristen and start your journey to professional transformation.

    The 5 Step Authenticity Self-Audit for Catholic Leaders

About

Welcome to Of Becoming, a Catholic Leadership Podcast. I'm Kristen Hew, a seasoned former youth and young adult minister and communications specialist. I have a passion for walking with leaders who desire to grow in their identity as children of God while furthering the mission of Christ through church ministry. Let's journey from thinking of becoming whole person leaders to the story of becoming whole person leaders.