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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Coach's Corner 19: Four Metaphors for a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | April 1st, 2025 | 11 mins 22 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, christian podcast, church ministry, clear path of discipleship, communal faith, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, faith inspiration, faith journey, making disciples, metaphors for discipleship, ministry framework, missionary disciples, podcast, religious education, spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, youth ministry
Have you ever thought about how discipleship is like a school, a training table, or even an operating system? Probably not—but I love a good metaphor (maybe too much!). In this episode, I share four powerful ways to think about building a clear path of discipleship as well as the importance of creating a communal context where people can grow, mature, and ultimately be sent out as missionary disciples. If you're looking for a fresh way to approach ministry—or just love a good analogy—this episode is for you. Give it a listen and let me know: What’s your favorite metaphor for discipleship? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Welcome to the EquipCast
Episode | March 25th, 2025 | 57 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, making disciples
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.
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Episode 179: The secret to getting more volunteers with John Poitevent from Great Catholic Parishes
Episode | March 25th, 2025 | 1 hr 5 mins
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, community building, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, family faith formation, making disciples, parish engagement, parish growth, parish renewal, personal invitations, volunteer recruitment, volunteer strategies
Why is it so hard to get more volunteers? The same 10% of parishioners seem do 90% of the work. The key to changing this isn’t just recruiting more volunteers—it’s making disciples. People step up when they feel seen, invited, and part of something meaningful. That starts with personal relationships. Instead of generic announcements, we need to reach out individually, explain the impact of their involvement, and walk with them on their faith journey. When people feel valued and supported, they naturally want to serve.
In today’s episode, I talk with John Poitevent, founder of Great Catholic Parishes, about how personal invitations and a culture of belonging transform parish engagement. We discuss the power of clear roles, training, and encouragement—because when people know they matter, they show up. Listen in and let’s build a parish where everyone has a role to play. -
Episode 178: Measuring Faith: How Data and Devotion Are Revitalizing Sacred Heart Parish
Episode | March 18th, 2025 | 50 mins 29 secs
archdiocese of omaha, building vibrant parishes, catholic, catholic discipleship, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church growth strategies, church leadership insights, confession habits, disciples, equipcast, eucharist devotion, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith-filled community, father jamie zarse, leadership teams, making disciples, marriage enrichment, mass attendance, measuring spiritual progress, ocia growth, parish generosity, parish leadership, parish renewal, parish success stories, parish transformation, prayer warriors, rosary devotion, sacred heart parish, scriptural prayer, shawnee kansas, spiritual habits, transforming parishes
What does it take to build a thriving, faith-filled parish? In this episode, I sit down with Father Jamie Zarse, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, Kansas, to unpack his vision for renewing his parish—starting with a team of prayer warriors and leaders—and the spiritual habits that are transforming his community. From deeper devotion to the Eucharist and the Rosary to more frequent confession and scripture-based prayer, these simple yet powerful practices are sparking real change. Mass attendance is up by 18%, generosity is growing with an additional $408,000 in tithing, and parishioners are coming alive in their faith. Father Jamie also reveals why measuring spiritual progress and forming strong leadership teams are key to sustaining this momentum. He shares how his leadership team, a mix of staff and dedicated volunteers, meets weekly to ensure they are always working on the most important things. They even use innovative tools like QR code surveys during Mass to track engagement in key spiritual habits.
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Episode 177: How Collaboration and the Temperaments Can Unlock Parish Renewal
Episode | March 11th, 2025 | 1 hr 9 mins
archdiocese of omaha, building a clear path, catholic, catholic coaching, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church leadership, collaboration in ministry, disciples, discipleship, effective ministry teams, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith formation, four temperaments, making disciples, metanoia catholic, missionary disciples, parish renewal, parish support, personal growth, team dynamics
Are you part of a dynamic team that truly leverages each member’s unique gifts? Building cohesive and effective teams is essential for parish renewal and vibrant ministry. When individuals are inspired and equipped to discover, discern, and live out their God-given mission, our parishes thrive. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Ingold of Metanoia Catholic, and he interviews me for his podcast, The Catholic Coaching Podcast. We explore how collaboration strengthens ministry by embracing diverse gifts and temperaments. Whether sanguine, choleric, melancholic, or phlegmatic, each person brings valuable strengths that contribute to a well-rounded, effective team. By recognizing these differences and assigning roles accordingly, we cultivate unity, purpose, and a faith community where everyone feels valued and empowered. Join us as we discuss practical ways to build strong teams that drive renewal and share the Gospel with joy and purpose!
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Episode 176: How Curiosity Transforms Evangelization + A New Resource to Elevate! Your Small Groups
Episode | February 25th, 2025 | 34 mins 24 secs
andy dejka, archdiocese of omaha, building community, catholic, catholic ministry, christian podcast, curiosity in evangelization, deeper conversations, disciples, elevate small group resource, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization tools, faith sharing, making disciples, meaningful relationships, small group discussions, small group evangelization, small group ministry, spiritual growth
What’s the secret sauce to evangelization? Aside from the Holy Spirit, it's curiosity—genuinely wanting to know and understand the person in front of you. When you show sincere interest in someone's story, experiences, and thoughts, you create space for authentic connection. This curiosity builds trust and opens the door to deeper conversations where faith can be shared naturally. Evangelization isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being present, listening, and letting relationships grow organically. To help you do this, our team has developed Elevate!, a new small group resource designed for meaningful conversations with friends who aren’t ready for a traditional Bible study. In this episode, I sit down with Andy Dejka, the mastermind behind Elevate!, to explore how it fosters deeper dialogue. We discuss its unique four-week, four-person, four-question format, leadership requirements, and the heart behind its creation. Andy also shares his personal call to mission, including how running a stand at a local farmer’s market shaped his approach to evangelization. Join us for this insightful conversation on building real relationships and drawing people closer to the Lord.
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Episode 175: From Comfort Zones to Mission: Transforming Parish Mindsets Through Lifelong Learning
Episode | February 18th, 2025 | 1 hr 1 min
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church culture change, church education, church leadership, church mission, continuous learning, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith development, faith growth, fr. dave belt, lifelong learning, making disciples, mission-driven leadership, mission-oriented church, parish community, parish transformation, pastoral council, st. stephen the martyr, team building, transforming parishes
How can we help others shift from a maintenance mindset to a missional one? It starts with prayer and reflection but also requires creating an environment where people feel safe to explore new ideas and take risks. Encouraging continuous learning is key. By embracing new knowledge and experiences, we can deepen our faith and learn to live it out more fully. This journey of growth breaks down silos, builds stronger relationships, and fosters a vibrant, mission-oriented community. Join me as I sit down with Fr. Dave Belt, Pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr in Omaha, to discuss the transformative power of learning. He shares personal stories, effective team-building practices, and insights on fostering a sense of purpose and mission, Discover how helping others see their efforts as part of something larger and more meaningful can inspire a dynamic, responsive, and Gospel-rooted Church—the Church that God is calling us to be.
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Coach's Corner 18: 12 Tips to Revolutionize Your Rosary
Episode | February 11th, 2025 | 10 mins 24 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith inspiration, making disciples, meditation, our lady of lourdes, prayer habits, prayer techniques, praying the rosary, rosary mysteries, rosary tips, spiritual growth, spiritual life
Do you ever get distracted while praying the rosary—or even, dare we say, find it boring? The rosary is a powerful tool to deepen your relationship with Jesus and Mary, a beautiful way to converse with God and invite His grace to transform your life. Join me for a Coach’s Corner where I share 12 practical tips to revolutionize your experience of the rosary and make it more meaningful than ever.
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Episode 174: Experience Miracles: How Alpha Youth Changed the Culture of a School
Episode | February 4th, 2025 | 51 mins 56 secs
alpha program, alpha youth, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic schools, christian podcast, disciples, encountering god, evangelism, evangelization, faith stories, faith transformation, father walter nolte, holy spirit, making disciples, miraculous encounters, prayer in schools, school miracles, spiritual growth, student faith, young people and faith, youth evangelization, youth ministry
Do you expect the miraculous from God? As believers, we are invited to trust in God's power and love, knowing He desires to move in our lives in profound and unexpected ways. Miracles are not confined to biblical times; they are a testament to God's ongoing presence in our world. When we step out in faith, we open the door for the Holy Spirit to work, transforming lives and communities. In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Walter Nolte, Pastor of the Padre Pio Family Parish Group, to discuss the incredible impact of the Alpha Youth program at Archbishop Bergan High School. Fr. Nolte shares inspiring stories of miracles, heartfelt prayers, and the transformative changes in students’ openness to God. We explore how simple acts of prayer and listening have broken down barriers—within students, families, and the broader faith community. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the importance of following the Holy Spirit's lead, connecting authentically with youth, and trusting in the transformative power of God's love.
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Episode 173: The Art of Neighboring with Dave Runyon
Episode | January 28th, 2025 | 51 mins 23 secs
archdiocese of omaha, building relationships, catholic, catholic ministry, christian leadership, christian living, christian podcast, community building, dave runyon, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith in action, local mission, love your neighbor, making disciples, neighborhood connections, neighboring movement, practical faith, social safety net, spiritual growth, the art of neighboring
Is busyness subtly drowning out your ability to love God and love others? When we're constantly rushing from one task to the next, we lose the time and mental space to notice the needs of those around us, let alone build meaningful relationships with them. Our hurried lifestyles often turn our homes into mere refuges from the chaos instead of places of true connection and community. Today’s guest, Dave Runyon, author of The Art of Neighboring, shares how simple acts of loving and connecting with our neighbors can create a profound social safety net – stronger than governmental programs – and foster a deeper sense of community.
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Episode 172: Rethink Religious Ed: Universal Lessons for Faith Formation from People with Special Needs
Episode | January 21st, 2025 | 56 mins 45 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, catholicpodcast, disciples, empoweringfaith, encounterwithjesus, evangelism, evangelization, faithformation, faithjourney, heartoffaith, holyspirit, inclusiveeducation, inclusivefaith, madonnaabilityalliance, making disciples, religiouseducation, sacramentalprep, seedsministry, specialneedsfaith, specialneedsministry
Religious Education is broken, often feeling like a conveyor belt to the sacraments rather than a journey, accompanying individuals as they grow in faith. My guest, Janet Sobczyk, shares how she transformed that reality for her daughter Monica, a person with special needs, so she could receive the sacraments. Sacramental preparation should go beyond rituals and knowledge to create transformative encounters with Jesus and the community. Janet’s approach demonstrates the importance of meeting individuals where they are and helping them build a genuine relationship with God—because true faith formation starts with the heart.
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Episode 171: Transform Your Parish: Fr. James Mallon on Evangelization, Discipleship, and Church Growth
Episode | January 14th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
archdiocese of omaha, breaking barriers, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, church transformation, cultural shift, disciples, divine renovation, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, fr. james mallon, holy spirit, leadership, making disciples, missionary discipleship, missionary focus, parish culture shift, parish evangelization, parish renewal, pastoral activity, personal encounter with jesus, renewing faith, spiritual growth
Pope John Paul II tells us that “evangelization is the cornerstone of all pastoral action, the demands of which are primary, preeminent and preferential.” Yet, let’s be real—how often do we actually see this lived out in our parishes? Evangelization tends to take a back seat, overshadowed by other priorities, rarely making it into budgets or staffing plans. But here’s the truth: holiness and orthodoxy aren’t enough on their own to renew a parish. This week, I sit down with Fr. James Mallon, the author of Divine Renovation, to talk about how we can create parishes that inspire a commitment to Christ and cultivate a dynamic, engaged faith community. We dive into what it takes to make evangelization the heart of parish life, break through cultural barriers, and build leadership teams that lead with purpose.