Podcast Summary: Redefiners — "Leading with Faith and Purpose with His Eminence Cardinal Dolan"
Russell Reynolds Associates, January 28, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of “Redefiners” features His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, in conversation with host Clarke Murphy. The discussion centers on leadership, faith, trust, and service, drawing powerful parallels between spiritual leadership in the Catholic Church and the challenges faced by secular leaders in business and society. In an era of eroding trust in institutions, Cardinal Dolan shares reflections on building community, making difficult choices, confronting moments of doubt, and leading with humility during times of rapid technological and social change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Nature of Spiritual Leadership

02:22–04:21

• Cardinal Dolan emphasizes that, unlike traditional career paths, religious leaders are guided by obedience to God and the Church hierarchy. He recounts being unexpectedly called to serve in New York after being content in Milwaukee—a vivid illustration of trusting in vocation and embracing unexpected changes.

  “The Lord never gives us a call to do something without giving us the grace to do it and the mercy when we fall.” (Cardinal Dolan, 03:58)

Humility and Collaborative Leadership

04:21–06:59

• Dolan dispels the notion of bishops as autonomous monarchs, emphasizing humility and collective decision-making. The Church mandates councils at every level—finance, parish, religious, deacons, and more—to advise and hold leaders accountable.

  “Those days of autonomy, autocracy, one-man shows are mostly over... I’m blessed with a great group of leaders who advise me.” (Cardinal Dolan, 05:22)

Building and Earning Trust

06:59–09:13

• Addressing institutional distrust, Dolan argues that leaders must first place trust in God, which then empowers them to trust others and to be trustworthy themselves. Trust, now more than ever, must be consciously earned.

  “Work first on trusting in God. If we've got that trust, that's going to give us the confidence to trust other people, which will then earn their trust in us. We can’t take that trust for granted anymore.” (Cardinal Dolan, 08:28)

The Selection of a Pope: Parallels with CEO Succession

09:13–12:57

• Dolan offers a rare peek into the Conclave process, highlighting its balance of candid conversations, avoidance of overt campaigning, and ultimate reliance on spiritual discernment.

  “The Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. Your job is simply to find out who the Spirit has chosen... There’s a lot of human stuff that goes on at the Conclave, but there’s also a lot of grace there.” (Cardinal Dolan, 11:25)

• Clarke Murphy draws direct links between selecting a Pope and the search for a corporate CEO: define the organization’s needs, consider options carefully, and reach consensus through both data and intuition.

The Redefiner Moment: Personal Crisis and Growth

13:13–15:20

• Dolan shares the defining moment of his leadership—his young niece’s battle with cancer—which tested his faith and trust at the deepest level. Her survival filled him with gratitude, but he reflects on how even had she died, his faith would have remained, albeit challenged and matured.

  “There were times that I doubted my faith.... But ultimately I would say that simple prayer that we often say, ‘Jesus, I trust in thee,’ and darn it, it paid off. Shannon is now 35, happily married.... That was kind of a defining moment for me and that would help me in times of my own trauma and the difficulties that as a leader we all have to bear.” (Cardinal Dolan, 13:55–15:13)

Faith, Technology, and Modernity

18:20–20:44

• As technological progress accelerates, Dolan insists that the role of faith is more crucial—not less—urging society to see science and technology as morally neutral tools. It is ethical discernment, guided by faith, that determines whether they serve or harm humanity.

  “Almost everything in life is morally neutral. The morality comes in how we use it... I hope the more we see these miracles of science and technology, the more we're moved to praise the God who gave them to us.” (Cardinal Dolan, 18:40)

When to Speak Up as a Public Leader

20:44–22:59

• Dolan addresses how he navigates requests for public commentary: he is willing to speak on principles and the common good, but purposely avoids partisan or personal political statements to preserve trust and unity.

  “I will speak on issues. I will speak on principles... I will not become partisan and I will not become personal in ever opining about a particular person or a particular political party.... They want us to speak on principles, policies. They don't want us to get particular and partisan.” (Cardinal Dolan, 21:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Collaboration and Humility:

  “I presume that’s one of the things you would coach business leaders to do as well—they like a leader who collaborates and who trusts other people. I try my best to be that.” (Cardinal Dolan, 06:06)

• On Trust in Leadership:

  “Trust has to be earned and cultivated and never taken for granted.” (Cardinal Dolan, 09:08)

• On Surviving Crises:

  “You cannot prepare for the crises and they come more frequently than we want. I think that experience [his niece’s illness] was defining, a normative for me.” (Cardinal Dolan, 15:07)

• On Principles over Partisanship:

  “Speak on principles and policies, not partisan comments.” (Clark Murphy, 22:59)

• On The Role of Faith in a Fast-changing World:

  “As technology and science advance, the necessity and role of faith [do not] diminish. I think the opposite is true.” (Cardinal Dolan, 18:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:41] Cardinal Dolan on podcasting and connecting with audiences
• [02:22] The vocational nature of Catholic leadership – obedience and unexpected assignments
• [04:46] Church governance: councils, collaboration, and humility in leadership
• [06:59] Trust: Building, earning, and the link between faith in God and faith in others
• [09:39] Behind the scenes at the Conclave: electing a new Pope
• [13:13] Cardinal Dolan’s redefining moment: family crisis and sustaining faith
• [18:20] Faith and technology: Ethical leadership in an age of AI and social change
• [20:44] Navigating media requests and staying above the political fray
• [22:59] The wisdom of focusing on principles over partisanship
• [23:18] Rapid-fire questions: favorite team, Olympic dream, comfort food, and life advice

Rapid-Fire, Personal Insights

• Favorite Sports Team: St. Louis Cardinals (23:18)
• Dream Olympic Sport: Snow skiing (23:34)
• Influential Book: Lincoln by Jon Meacham (24:03)
• Comfort Food: Chili, bacon cheeseburger, Budweiser (24:34)
• Enduring Advice: “God will never ask you to do something without giving you the grace to do it.” (24:48)
• Key to a Good Life: “To have it grounded in the Lord. Our hearts are restless, Lord, and they're restless until they return to you for all eternity.” (25:01)

Takeaways for Leaders

• Leadership, even in the Church, is no longer a solitary endeavor—it must be collaborative, accountable, humble, and consultative.
• True trust is built upon personal and spiritual integrity and must be constantly earned.
• The process of choosing a leader, whether a Pope or a CEO, involves rigorous discernment, candid conversation, and an openness to “gentle whispers” of intuition or the Holy Spirit.
• Crises test but also refine leadership and faith. The most profound lessons often come from personal hardship.
• In a noisy, tech-driven world, ethical leadership is essential and must be grounded in faith and human dignity.
• Public leaders serve best by speaking on principles and resisting the pressure to be partisan.

In Cardinal Dolan’s words:

“We can never take trust for granted. It has to be cultivated, and it starts with something bigger than ourselves.” (08:36)

This episode is a testament to the enduring resonance of faith-driven, humble leadership—and its remarkable relevance in every corner of modern society.