One Heart, One Mind: Relational Leadership Lessons from Adèle and Marie Thérèse with Sr. Laura Leming, FMI, and Jessica González Uhlig

While history often focuses on the “visionary spark” of Father Chaminade, the Marianist charism was equally forged in the practical, gritty leadership of two remarkable women: Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous. In this episode, Sr. Laura Leming, FMI, and Jessica González Uhlig return to discuss how these women embodied a “relational leadership” that still speaks to our modern world.From the aristocratic châteaus to the streets of Bordeaux, Adèle and Marie Thérèse faced rampant illness, social condemnation, and meager resources. Rather than retreating, they engaged through “innovative accompaniment”—whether that meant rolling cigars to sustain a ministry or writing hundreds of letters to bridge the gap of isolation. Their story is a timeless model for anyone looking to lead with joy, purpose, and a “quiet revolution of love.”What You’ll Learn:Practical Resourcefulness: How Marie Thérèse used “meager resources” and “boots-on-the-ground” tactics to meet urgent community needs.The “Patron Saint of Email”: Why Adèle’s 700+ letters are a nineteenth-century blueprint for using technology to build community and fight isolation.Leadership as Accompaniment: How to choose “accompaniment over judgment” in a polarized world.The Power of the Pause: Lessons from Adèle on self-care, mindfulness, and the “Examen” in the midst of a crisis.View a full transcript of this podcast episode here.Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.Recorded December 3, 2025. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)Other ambient music from freesound.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.