Episode
Lessons Catholic School Leaders Can Learn From a Hollywood Movie Set
- Published
- Mar 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1511
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Summary
What does a Hollywood film set have to do with leading a Catholic school? More than you'd think. In this episode, John Mihalyo takes us back to 2010 — when he was a Catholic school principal in Weirton, West Virginia, and received a call that still stands out as one of the most unexpected of his career. Paramount Pictures was filming JJ Abrams' Super 8 in town, and they wanted local principals as extras. John said yes — and what happened over the next several weeks became one of the richest leadership experiences of his life. From preparation to buzz-building, from sweating the details to saying thank you, John walks through 8 practical lessons from the film set that apply directly to advancement, enrollment, and community building in Catholic schools. Whether you're a principal, an advancement director, or an enrollment leader — there's something in this episode for you. 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED • Super 8 (2011) — directed by JJ Abrams, produced by Steven Spielberg • Schedule a Discovery Call with John 📣 ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow Catholic school leader who needs to hear it. And if you haven't already — subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast. 📬 CONNECT WITH JOHN • Website: www.elementaryadvancement.com • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnmihalyo • Email: [email protected] Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that stude…