This year at NCEA, Julie Emory-Johnson and I had the incredible privilege of sharing a session titled “More Connected, Yet Less Present” with a room full of Catholic educators, principals, and diocesan leaders. It was one of those sacred moments where the message in the room matched the longing in our hearts: a longing to pause, reconnect, and remember who we are in Christ.
By Julie Widman, Ed.D | Friendzy Co-Founder
In a world that demands we be constantly available, endlessly productive, and digitally present, the idea of being still feels countercultural. And yet, it is in that stillness where we remember what’s true. That God is God. That we are His. That our worth is not measured by our inbox, our school metrics, or how many plates we can keep spinning at once.
I watched as leaders leaned into the message. We reflected together on how even in our most connected moments, we often feel more distant—from God, from one another, even from ourselves. We talked about what it means to create space in our our lives, our classrooms, and schools where presence is prioritized. Where our staff and students feel seen, known, and spiritually safe.
And we didn’t stop at inspiration—we took it to action. We unpacked a framework to Model, Inquire, Remember and Respond in an effort to disconnect and reconnect. The room felt like a collective exhale.
What struck me most were the hallway conversations that followed. So many principals and diocesan leaders said: “This is what we needed. We all see and experience the disconnect. Our hearts are breaking because we live with what the data is showing–the rise in loneliness, isolation, and weight of depression and anxiety around us. We’ve been craving space to reset. To be still. And a way to lead from a deeper more intentional place.”
It was a reminder to me—and maybe to you too—that stillness isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. It’s what allows us to show up fully, faithfully, and fruitfully.
I’m so grateful to NCEA for the opportunity to pour into Catholic educators this year. If you missed the session or want to bring it to your diocese or school community, let’s connect. We’d love to come alongside you with this message and these tools.
BIO | DR. JULIE WIDMAN, ED.D.
Julie Widman has learned that, fueled by prayer, coffee, and energizing music, anything is possible. By way of a Masters in Science degree from the University of Washington, Julie discovered her passion for supporting whole child development. Drawn into supporting the holistic development and well-being of students, in 2014, Julie co-founded Friendzy, a non-profit organization focused on providing school-wide programming that supports the character development and wellbeing of students through the lens of Scripture. Julie holds advanced certification in SECD leadership through St. Elizabeth University and finished her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership in April 2025.
Julie thrives when working in partnership with Dioceses and schools to provide direct support in fostering a positive campus climate and culture through Friendzy. Julie believes that teaching the biblical pillars of friendship will give students tools that will benefit them for a lifetime. In her time outside of leading Friendzy, Julie is an enthusiastic mother of two children, Shelby and Daniel, wife to Travis, keeper of a mini zoo of two energetic dogs, and an avid supporter of high school ministries.
