A Priest, a Van, and a Team: Lessons from Buffalo’s East Side

March 20, 2026
00:00 46:27
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Steve welcomes Paul McCarthy, author of Don’t Lose Your Dignity, to share the story of Monsignor Leo McCarthy’s decades of coaching and quiet ministry in Buffalo. From a Depression era upbringing to building teams in the toughest neighborhoods, Father Leo used sports to teach discipline, respect, and a simple guiding rule: don’t lose your dignity, no matter what.

Note: This episode includes discussion of violence, murder, and allegations connected to the wider context of clergy abuse scandals.

Where to buy Don’t Lose Your Dignity: https://a.co/d/8Uxfs4K

#HistoryOfThePapacyPodcast #BuffaloHistory #CatholicHistory #SportsAndCommunity #Coaching #YouthMentorship #UrbanHistory #LocalHistory #Leadership #FaithAndCulture #FootballHistory #BasketballHistory #AmericanCatholicHistory

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Have questions, comments or feedback? Here are ways to contact me:
Email Us: steve@atozhistorypage.com
How to listen: https://www.atozhistorypage.com/podcast
Music Provided by:
"Sonatina in C Minor" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Funeral March for Brass" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Crusade Heavy Perfect Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Agnus Dei X - Bitter Suite Kevin MacLeaod (incomptech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Meet Your Host
Steve Guerra is a historian and podcaster who hosts three different shows. He started with the History of the Papacy Podcast in 2013. In 2017, Steve began Beyond the Big Screen, a podcast that delves into the fascinating stories behind films through lively interviews. His newest show, Organized Crime and Punishment, takes a deep dive into the roots, evolution, and impact of organized crime across different cultures and countries.
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