
In the Arena: Conversations of a Lifetime
What makes leaders tick? In the Arena podcast delves into the inner workings and personal dynamics of leadership. We’ll shine a light on the life-shaping experiences and perspectives of leaders who have navigated adversity and moved their organizations and themselves forward. Defining moments, lessons learned, and points of inspiration provide a roadmap for these conversations of a lifetime. The podcast title In the Arena has historical roots. In 1910, a year after leaving the presidency, Teddy Roosevelt gave a rousing address in Paris in which he chastised cynics and grenade-throwing critics who lambasted leaders as they worked valiantly to improve the human condition. Over time TR’s “The Man in the Arena” became indelibly linked to the nobility and struggles of leadership. In the Arena host Brad Rieger is the chief executive officer at Cooper-Smith, a full-service marketing and advertising agency headquartered in Toledo, OH with a satellite office in Stamford, CT. Prior to working in the private sector, Brad enjoyed a meaningful 31-year career in education serving in the roles of teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. He is a student of the complexities and nuances of leadership and admires the strivers, trailblazers, and influencers who lead with conviction, courage, and resilience. Host/Executive Producer; Brad Rieger, Audio Engineer/Production Coordinator; Kerry Schwable, Social Coordinator; Tim McCarthy, Graphic Designers: Stephen Shankster/Jeremy Thomas. Content made possible by Cooper-Smith Advertising LLC 2023
In the Arena: Conversations of a Lifetime
Fr. Jim Bacik – Catholic Priest, Theologian, Professor, Author, and Lecturer
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Brad Rieger
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Season 1
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Episode 11
A renown theologian and lecturer, Fr. Jim Bacik has been a Catholic priest for nearly 60 years. In this far-ranging conversation, Fr. Bacik talks about his family life growing-up, influences and mentors, love of sports, seminary experience, parishioners who taught him how to be a good priest, leadership dynamics of being a pastor, handling criticism, his approach to public speaking, the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal, and what motivates him to keep serving, teaching, writing, and speaking.
Host/Executive Producer; Brad Rieger, Audio Engineer/Production Coordinator; Kerry Schwable, Social Coordinator; Tim McCarthy, Graphic Designers: Stephen Shankster/Jeremy Thomas. Content made possible by Cooper-Smith Advertising LLC 2023