For this conversation, we are sharing a favorite from the Leadership Conference archives. This is Nicky’s conversation with Cardinal Luis Tagle from 2017. In this podcast, Cardinal Luis Tagle discusses not taking yourself too seriously, the power of storytelling & what helps him hold leadership lightly.

For today’s conversation, we are sharing a favorite from the Leadership Conference archives. This is Nicky’s conversation with Cardinal Luis Tagle from 2017.

To grow in love and respect for Cardinal Tagle, you need only watch him speak for a few moments. The audio of this interview doesn’t quite do justice to showing the joyful man he is. Cardinal Tagle is profoundly emotional – easily caught with an ear-to-ear smile on his face, or empathetic tears in his eyes. And in this conversation, Nicky brilliantly draws wisdom from the deep well of this experienced Christian leader.

Nicky begins by asking Cardinal Tagle how he was able to organize an event with Pope Francis that hosted over 6 million people. The Cardinal laughs his way through a response, explaining the complexities of such an endeavour, ultimately bringing focus to the Holy Spirit as the one who orchestrated it. With the Cardinal’s laugh and grin as his prompter, Nicky asks why the Cardinal maintains such a humorous and light disposition with such great responsibility on his shoulders. Cardinal Tagle responds thoughtfully with an answer grounded in the gospel. “I am not the saviour of the world. The Savior has already come. So, I can laugh at my own mistakes. I take Jesus seriously, but I take myself and other things lightly,” he says.

Cardinal Tagle goes on to talk about the difficult duty of pastoring people in the midst of suffering. He honestly explains his inclination to try and solve people’s problems, and with great empathy, shares that most people don’t need that. “Problems need solutions, but dilemmas require the finding of meaning. Most people come with dilemmas” says the Cardinal. He exhorts those who are in a position of helping the sufferer, to help them find meaning in their hurt, instead of pining only after solutions.

The remainder of the interview contains a tear-jerking story that Cardinal recounts about the Pope in the Philippines, the challenge he often gives to the business leaders he encounters, and the importance of looking for Jesus’ presence and hope in suffering. From start to finish, this interview brims with practical wisdom, deep theological insight and emotive stories making it a must listen for any leader looking to put Christ at the centre of their leadership.

We hope you enjoy Nicky’s conversation with Cardinal Luis Tagle.

Show Notes

Leadership Conference

Caritas Internationalis

Catholic Biblical Federation

Biography

Cardinal Luis Tagle is currently living in Rome working as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He was the 32nd Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2020. Today he also serves as the president of Caritas International, a federation of Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations, and of the Catholic Biblical Federation. More recently in 2021, he has become a member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.

In this episode, Nicky and Pippa are joined by multi-award winning rap artist and author Isaac Borquaye – more widely known as Guvna B to discuss the power of words, what the younger generation really wants & the best response to issues of inequality.

For today’s conversation, Nicky and Pippa sit down with multi-award winning rap artist and author Isaac Borquaye – more widely known as Guvna B.

The interview begins with Isaac sharing about how growing up on a council estate in East London shaped his life. Though the community was tight-knit and embracing, Isaac describes how easy it would have been for him to have ended up in a life of crime and violence. “It was guns or Jesus,” said Issac. But due to the influence of his family, friends and an encouraging primary school teacher, Isaac instead chose to live what he calls “a more positive life.” Nicky and Pippa highlight with gratitude the primary school teacher who saw more than a playground-rap-battler in Isaac, but the positive and creative influence he is today.

The conversation pivots to the topic of the next generation – how to connect with young people, and what they really long for. All of Isaac’s responses to Nicky and Pippa’s questions about youth resound with one key theme – authenticity. “Young people are getting so good at sniffing out when something isn’t authentic” said Isaac. The three of them discuss how the “put together” expert at the front is no more, and how a young person is just looking for someone who is willing to humbly journey alongside them.

The interview closes with the three of them confronting the sad reality of inequality inside and outside of the church. Isaac truthfully recounts his experience with unequal treatment, while still maintaining a loving and hopeful disposition. He asks people not to externalize issues of inequality, but to give space for healthy introspection; to honestly evaluate, with the help of the Spirit, how one might be contributing to the problem and how one can be a part of a fresh wave of healing. Isaac makes a specific call for the Church to be a leader in this – he says “Imagine if the world reflected what the church is leading in and not the other way around.”

Throughout each portion of the conversation – whether talking about how to influence the next generation, issues of inequality or the music industry – Isaac exudes a refreshing message of hope for the future. We hope you experience that sense of hope as you listen to Nicky and Pippa’s conversation with Isaac Borquaye.

Show Notes

Unspoken by Isaac Borquaye

Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko

Biography

Isaac Borquaye (Guvna B) is an author and multi award-winning, record-breaking urban rap artist from London. He has carved out a unique place for himself in the music world, and his other artistic endeavours draw on his personal experiences of life in London, bringing together themes of faith, masculinity and identity.

Since winning his first MOBO Music Award at just 20 years old, Guvna’s journey has been one of breathless success and cutting-edge creativity. In a world often plagued by negativity, Guvna B hopes that he can be a beacon of light. His work is intended to demonstrate the strength and inspiration faith can bring.

He lives in London with his wife and son.