EquipCast
Encouragement and inspiration for sharing your catholic faith
About the show
Sharing your Catholic faith with family and friends can sometimes feel daunting. Where do I start? How do I make an impact? Welcome to EquipCast, a weekly podcast from the Archdiocese of Omaha. We want to support your faith journey and equip you with the tools to express your faith authentically in your everyday life.
Each week, we’ll discuss practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world. Each episode is filled with encouragement and inspiration so you can make an impact and make disciples in your own faith community. For more information and to stay connected with us, head to equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.
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Episodes and Blog Entries
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Step 3: Faith Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 15th, 2024 | 58 mins 22 secs
catechesis, catholic, catholic ministry, clear path, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, live lent together, making disciples, mentorship program, missionary disciples, small groups, spiritual growth
Most parishes form their people in the faith, but do they truly teach individuals how to pray, help them understand and actively engage with the sacraments, and guide them in making practical, moral changes in the daily lives? Developing the habits of a disciple can be challenging, and it happens most effectively within a community where people support and challenge one another to grow as followers of Jesus. In today’s conversation, Jodi Phillips and Michelle Zuhlke join me to discuss the faith formation step of building a clear path for discipleship. We explore the importance of small groups in fostering spiritual growth, emphasizing the role of personal relationships and mentorship.
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Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 8th, 2024 | 55 mins 5 secs
alpha course testimonials, alpha program, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, christian conversion, church community building, church outreach programs, conversion moments, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith journey, hospitality in church, making disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish life, personal transformation stories, religious education, small groups, spiritual growth, st. columbkille parish
Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision to follow Him by offering a clear proclamation of the Gospel. My guest, Marlo Monico, shares her experience building and sustaining a Conversion Moment. She shares stories of significant personal transformations and emphasizes the importance of hospitality, community, and continuous invitation in evangelization efforts.
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Step 1: Relational Outreach – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 1st, 2024 | 59 mins 26 secs
building authentic friendships, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic retreats, college ministry, community building in parishes, creating welcoming environments, disciples, effective parish events, engaging non-practicing catholics, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization techniques, faith community, faith formation, hospitality in ministry, intentional outreach, jpii newman center, making disciples, missionary discipleship, overcoming outreach challenges, parish outreach strategies, personal stories of faith, relational outreach, small group bible studies
Do you have a way to introduce your non-practicing friends and family members to your faith community that doesn’t involve inviting them to Mass or other gatherings that might make them feel isolated? Does your parish offer a space where you can meet and build trusting relationships with those distant from their faith? The Clear Path step Relational Outreach is designed for just that. My guests, Katie Winkler and Beth Carlson, share their experience at the JPII Newman Center, where they’ve created spaces for authentic friendships to flourish. They discuss the importance of intentionality in outreach, creating welcoming environments, and the role of personal stories and experiences in building genuine connections. Katie and Beth also highlight the challenges and learning opportunities in outreach efforts, emphasizing the need for patience and persistence in forming meaningful relationships.
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Coach's Corner 15: Embrace Jesus’s Pace: How to Rest
Episode | September 24th, 2024 | 10 mins 49 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, christian encouragement, christian reflection, christian work-life balance, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and productivity, isaiah 30:15, jesus’ pace of life, making disciples, repentance and renewal, ruthless elimination of hurry, sabbath rest, spiritual discipline, work from rest
Do you believe that God continues to work even when you don’t? In my own life, I’ve struggled with the idea that rest has to be earned, that I can only rest once everything on my to-do list is checked off. But the Christian vision is different. God’s work doesn’t stop when we rest. In fact, our rest is a testament to our trust in His ongoing work. Join me as we explore the beauty of working from rest, drawing examples from Jesus’s life, and discover practical ways to incorporate this principle into your daily routine.
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Episode 161: Grow a Healthy Small Group Movement with Michael Hall
Episode | September 17th, 2024 | 56 mins 1 sec
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic christian outreach, catholic ministry, cco, church community, church growth, community building, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, faith journey, healthy small groups, intentional accompaniment, jim jansen, making disciples, michael hall, missionary mindset, parish ministry, parish renewal, podcast, small group coaching, small group dynamics, small group leadership, small group movement, small group multiplication, small group strategies, small groups, spiritual growth
Small groups are vital for parish renewal—you might even be part of one yourself. But is your small group thriving and growing, or is it feeling a bit stagnant? Do you find it challenging to reach beyond the usual participants? And most importantly, are your small groups truly helping people grow in their faith journey? Today, I chat with Michael Hall, author of Intentional Accompaniment and a seasoned leader with Catholic Christian Outreach of Canada. Michael has a wealth of experience building and sustaining healthy small group movements, and he’s here to share some of the strategies and mindsets that can transform your small group from a stagnant gathering into a dynamic, missionary force. Whether you’re leading a small group, coordinating them for your parish, or simply a passionate member of one, this conversation is full of insights that can help you breathe new life into your small group ministry and make a real impact in your community.
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Episode 160: When to Listen and When to Advise: Lessons from a Live Coaching Conversation
Episode | September 10th, 2024 | 47 mins 54 secs
active listening, asking the right questions, building relationships, catholic, catholic church, catholic ministry, clergy support, coaching, coaching techniques, collaboration, disciples, effective communication, empowering others, encouraging growth, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, friendship, lay leaders, leadership, making disciples, mentorship, nurturing vocations, personal growth, professional development, supportive conversations, transforming friendships, vocations
Have you ever been asked for help but then felt like you were just giving unwanted advice? It’s tough to know how to make your words count. On my team, we use an approach called coaching that focuses on active listening to really support and empower the clergy and lay leaders we work with. We’ve also found that this method can make you a better friend. Today, I bring you a live coaching session with Fr. Scott Schilmoeller, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha. We explore how coaching principles like active listening, asking the right questions, and encouraging growth can transform not only professional roles but also personal friendships. You will also hear Fr. Schilmoeller share his experiences and strategies for promoting vocations. Whether you’re interested in coaching, vocations, or simply becoming a better friend, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to support and uplift those around you more effectively.
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Episode 159: Why Setting Boundaries Matters to Your Ministry
Episode | September 3rd, 2024 | 49 mins 52 secs
balancing family and ministry, burnout prevention, catholic, catholic ministry, community building, disciples, effective ministry, equipcast., evangelism, evangelization, faith and boundaries, forgiveness and healing, god’s plan, holy name parishes, humility in ministry, john gencarelli, making disciples, ministry insights, ministry podcast, ministry tips, ministry work, omaha parishes, personal limits, prayer routine, rest and recovery, self-care in ministry, setting boundaries, spiritual well-being, st. phillip neri-blessed sacrament, sustainable ministry, work-life balance, youth and adult evangelization
Is it okay to set boundaries in ministry work? How do we balance being “all things to all people” (1 Cor 9:22) with the need for personal limits? Today’s guest believes that not only is it okay to establish boundaries—it’s essential. Join me as I sit down with John Gencarelli, Director of Youth and Adult Evangelization at St. Phillip Neri-Blessed Sacrament & Holy Name Parishes in Omaha. John opens up about his experience with burnout and shares how setting boundaries transformed his approach to ministry. By tracking his work hours, taking regular days off, and weaving prayer into his daily routine, John discovered how to protect his well-being while still serving effectively. He also highlights the importance of balancing family time with ministry and how thoughtful planning plays a key role in this. Ultimately, John reminds us that it’s God who saves, not us, and setting boundaries allows us to trust in His plan, ensuring that we serve effectively without burning out.
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Episode 158: Turn Fatigue into Flourishing: Reignite Your Passion for Evangelization with Fr. John Riccardo
Episode | August 27th, 2024 | 55 mins 39 secs
acts xxix, biblical worldview, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, christian encouragement, christian podcast, church leadership, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and hope, faith-based podcast, family on mission, fr. john riccardo, gospel proclamation, lay leadership, making disciples, ministry renewal, overcoming burnout, parish renewal, prayer and mission, religious inspiration, spiritual growth, the rescue project
Do you find it hard to maintain enthusiasm for evangelization? You’re not alone. Many of us in ministry face moments of profound fatigue and discouragement. But let me share something with you: the key to reigniting that passion lies in rediscovering the love and hope gifted by God which first called us to this mission.
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Episode 157: Trade Perfection for God’s Plan: A Conversation with Colleen Carol Campbell
Episode | August 20th, 2024 | 53 mins 21 secs
catholic, catholic ministry, catholicauthors, catholicparenting, christianliving, colleencarolcampbell, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faithjourney, making disciples, parenting, perfectionism, saints, spiritualgrowth, spiritualmemoir, theheartofperfection
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by trying to be perfect? I mean, Jesus did tell us to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48), and Paul certainly took this seriously as he gladly “spent and consumed himself for souls” (2 Cor 12:15). But sometimes, I think the pursuit of perfection leaves behind God’s plan for our lives. In fact, living a holy life might mean embracing the imperfection around us. Today’s guest, Colleen Carol Campbell, former journalist and presidential speechwriter and author of The Heart of Perfection tells us what she has learned on this topic.
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Episode 156: The Culture Project: How to Talk to Teens about Sex and Identity
Episode | August 13th, 2024 | 50 mins 11 secs
authentic living, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic teachings, catholicism, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith journey, identity in christ, making disciples, missionaries, podcast episode, spiritual growth, theology of the body, young adults
Theology of the Body has the power to deeply impact how we approach sexual identity and self-worth. As a father, I understand how tough it can be to navigate these complex topics with today’s youth. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to two amazing missionaries, Marshall and Reese, from The Culture Project. In this episode, they share their personal mission to spread the gospel and promote sexual integrity among young people. We dive into the importance of recognizing human dignity and how to have meaningful conversations with youth about challenging issues like sexual identity and social media. Plus, Marshall and Reese offer practical advice for parents, teachers, and mentors on how to support and guide young people in their faith and moral growth. This episode is packed with hope and encouragement, giving you the tools to better connect with and support the young people in your life.
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Episode 155: ChristLife: How to Make Disciples and Change Lives
Episode | June 18th, 2024 | 56 mins 11 secs
catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, christlife series, dave nodar, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith sharing, gospel message., making disciples, missionary work, parish community building, personal conversion story, relational evangelization, spiritual journey
Have you ever had a moment that completely turned your life around? In a heartfelt conversation with Dave Nodar, founder of ChristLife, he opened up about that pivotal moment when Jesus’ love washed over him, sparking a deep, personal transformation and setting him ablaze with the desire to spread the Good News. Together, we dive deep into why evangelization isn’t just a task for the few but a calling for all of us. Dave puts it powerfully, saying, “If you’re baptized, no exceptions. It’s not just for missionary orders. This is for all of us. That means all the diocesan clergy and the laity, all of us are called to be missionaries.” Dave didn’t stop at just words; he brought ChristLife to life to empower parishes to echo the Gospel’s core message loud and clear. ChristLife helps individuals mature in their faith and equips them to share their faith with others.
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Episode 154: Alpha in the Catholic Context
Episode | June 11th, 2024 | 1 hr 4 mins
alpha course, catholic, catholic evangelization podcast, catholic ministry, catholic youth ministry, disciples, effective catechesis strategies, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith conversations, making disciples, parish engagement, power of questions in evangelization, recreate church culture, youth faith engagement
How would you transform your parish if you had a proven strategy to reignite faith and build a vibrant community? Today, I’m excited to share a piece of that strategy with you—a way to create a sense of belonging before we expect people to believe or behave like us. It’s all about fostering a communal approach to faith, where everyone feels included and can directly experience the love and power of God. In this episode, Monica Martinez and Rick Grinstead from Alpha in the Catholic Context join us to discuss how to spark interest and engagement in our faith communities. They emphasize the importance of asking questions and truly listening. Plus, they share practical advice and real-life examples from Alpha, a powerful tool for introducing people to the basic tenets of Christianity.