EquipCast

Episode 123: How to Teach Your Kids to Pray

Episode | September 5th, 2023 | 44 mins 44 secs

discipling children, model prayer, personal relationship with jesus, prayer, praying as a family, teach children to pray

Raise your hand if you feel confident that you can help your children develop a personal relationship with Jesus. If I could see you all, I bet there would not be many hands in the air. We know how to teach rote prayers, but helping our children truly connect with Jesus feels a tad outside of a parent’s control. The reality is that the Lord gives us everything that we need to model a real and personal relationship with Jesus. Today’s guest, Becky Deaver, teaches us from her experience as a wife and mother of eight.

Coach's Corner 6: How the Mass and the Eucharist Can Help You Evangelize

Episode | August 29th, 2023 | 9 mins 23 secs

eucharist, eucharistic community, evangelism, evangelization, jesus, mission, missional, source and summit

Why is sharing the source and summit of our faith rarely the first step to take when evangelizing? I want others to know and love Jesus. I know and love Jesus in the Eucharist, so why shouldn’t I jump straight to inviting non-believers to mass or adoration? While the Eucharist isn’t our opening act, we should by no means forget it entirely. The Eucharist is our headliner! On today’s Coach’s Corner, I make the case that the Eucharist is in fact missional. It is missional because it is the source of our life, because we are sent on mission from Eucharistic communities, and because the mass itself commissions us to, “Go out and proclaim the gospel with your lives!”

Episode 122: Why Small Groups for Men are so Powerful in the Catholic Church

Episode | August 22nd, 2023 | 44 mins 11 secs

accompaniment, bible study, catholic, catholic men's group, evangelize men, ministry for men, sharing faith, small groups

We are all called to evangelize, but have you ever felt limited, feeling like you don’t have much to give? Perhaps you only have 1-2 free hours a week. Or you are only around “hard cases”, people who seem unlikely to want to talk about faith. Perhaps, you feel like your only sphere of influence is your own parish. But those people don’t need evangelizing…do they? This week, I talk to Greg Doring, a personal friend who used small groups as a tool to reach other men. In this episode, we’ll discuss how to evangelize wherever the Lord plants you and how miraculous things can happen even when you only have a few hours to give.

Episode 121: Where You Can Find Hope & Joy in Pastoral Planning

Episode | May 23rd, 2023 | 41 mins 27 secs

catholic pastor, disciples, family of parishes, hope, hope for the catholic church, journey of faith, making disciples, pastoral planning

July 1st is just around the corner, and with that comes a new experience of parish life for every person in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Many of us will experience a reduction in mass times at our parishes, new uses for our parish structures, and interruptions to the routines that many of us hold precious. This disruption can be difficult to process, so today, we welcome Fr. James Keiter, a pastor who has shepherded his people through these changes already. Fr. Keiter shares his experience of how, again and again, the Lord has provided everything he and his parishioners need to manage their new reality, despite the upheaval. He also provides some surprising advice on how to rediscover the joy of being Catholic while continuing to grow the Church. If you’ve been feeling uncertain about the changes in your parish, this episode is here to offer you a bit of reassurance in the Lord.

Episode 120: How (and Why) to Evangelize Friends and Family Who Have Fallen Away

Episode | May 9th, 2023 | 46 mins 19 secs

adult evangelization, catholic christian outreach, cco, evangelizing family, faith conversations, fallen away catholics, invitation

All of us have someone in our lives who has left the faith: a friend, sibling, son, daughter, or grandchild. If you are like me, this person (or let’s be honest, people) weighs heavy on your heart. So how do we evangelize adults like this? Today’s guest, Andre Regnier, gives insights from his years of experience as a missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach, Canada’s version of FOCUS. In particular, he says you should never underestimate the importance of a clear and simple invitation to follow Jesus.

Episode 119: Find Your Spiritual Compass: Navigating Change Using Discernment - Featuring Tod Bolsinger

Episode | May 2nd, 2023 | 49 mins 57 secs

adaptive leadership, canoeing the mountains, discernment in leadership, leadership development, leading through uncertainty, mission and vision, navigating change, resilient leadership, spiritual leadership, transformational leadership

Are you completely satisfied with every aspect of your life? Most people dream about changing some aspect of their life, but we’re often held back by the fear and anxiety that come along with doing so. Change often marks the end of something, and so it brings feelings of loss and uncertainty about the future. Not to mention, living in a time of transition between the old and the new can be disorienting. So how do we keep our sense of stability and direction when the world seems to be shifting under our feet? Today, I welcome Tod Bolsinger, author and experienced leader, to share his experience navigating through the unknown. He emphasizes the importance of discerning one's mission, not being confined to tradition, and understanding that change is inherently accompanied by resistance and even sabotage. He offers valuable advice, urging leaders to form connections with others, embrace learning, and let go of what holds them back.

Coach's Corner 5: Pruning for Abundance: Nurturing Growth in Your Life and Ministry

Episode | April 25th, 2023 | 11 mins 26 secs

abundance, adaptability, biblicalwisdom, christianity, christianliving, churchcommunity, divineguidance, lifetransformation, ministry, personaldevelopment, productivity, pruning, purposefulliving, selfimprovement, spiritualgrowth

Do you feel like the Lord is calling you to something new, but you simply don’t have the space or time in your schedule? Or are the good and restful parts of your life being neglected because you are hanging on to old habits or commitments? Cutting back to the most essential things can be difficult. This is why in today’s Coach’s Corner I focus on the art of pruning—shedding what no longer serves us to make room for growth and abundance. By drawing parallels between the natural world and our lives, I help you recognize the signs of when it's time to prune, discover the wisdom in knowing what to cut, when to cut, and how to cut. And, I’ll give practical tips for navigating this process. Join me as I explore the biblical foundation of pruning, and with the help of the Holy Spirit let’s prune with reckless abandon so as to make way for new life that is healthier and stronger than it’s ever been.

Episode 118: Freedom of Body, Mind, and Soul: Integrating Faith through Movement with Christina Diers

Episode | April 18th, 2023 | 43 mins 45 secs

catholic wellness, christian wellness, faith and fitness, holistic health, integrative faith, mind body soul, physical prayer, prayer in motion, rosary meditation, soulcore

I know so many of you who are listening, like me, are trying to serve the kingdom. But how often do our own health concerns keep us from doing the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Sometimes, I feel weak intellectually, spiritually, and even physically. And when I stop to ponder how my physical health affects my mental/spiritual health and vice versa, I’m not surprised. I mean, God made us integrated beings, body and soul. So, let’s talk about what Jesus wants for our health, and let’s find true freedom to live as God wants us to. Today’s guest, Christina Diers, talks about two programs, SoulCore and REFORM, that integrate physical exercise with prayer, specifically the rosary. In SoulCore, the movement is tailored to empathize with the themes of each mystery, creating a unique worship experience engaging all senses. REFORM emphasizes holistic nutrition and physical activity while integrating faith into daily choices. Both the daily practice of praying the rosary, fostering a deeper understanding of the mysteries, and advocating for a lifestyle where faith and health are intertwined, guiding individuals to honor their bodies as sacred gifts from God.

Episode 117: Resurrection Amidst Decline: The Church's Hope Revealed in the Easter Mystery

Episode | April 11th, 2023 | 39 mins 34 secs

archbishop insights, catholic beliefs, christian spirituality, easter, embracing faith challenges, faith journey, paschal mystery, reflections on easter, resurrection, season of hope.

This year has brought a lot of ups and downs for the Archdiocese of Omaha. We, like many dioceses, are facing the reality of a declining number of people in our pews and a culture that is less and less Christian. With this desolating reality in mind, I keep coming back in prayer to one major consolation: Jesus is risen! The victory is ours! In this Easter episode, I sit down with Archbishop Lucas for our yearly reflection and ask about his hope. We discuss the significance of Easter, delving into the profound mystery of Jesus's resurrection and its impact on faith and life. The archbishop highlights its role in bolstering hope especially in the face of ongoing changes within the Church. He offers an invitation to embrace the entire Paschal mystery, recognizing that both the cross and the resurrection are integral to the Christian journey.

Coach's Corner 4: St. Thomas & The Power of Belonging

Episode | March 28th, 2023 | 11 mins 30 secs

belonging in faith, catholic church teachings, christian community engagement, christianity, discipleship, evangelization, faith transformation, religious inclusivity, spiritual encounter, st. thomas the apostle, welcome

Why wasn’t St. Thomas with the other apostles when Jesus appeared? I used to imagine that he was doing some mundane task like buying groceries. But, if we read the passage carefully, it’s likely he was absent because he didn’t want to be with the other apostles. Jesus could have appeared at any time; if Thomas was only “gone to the store”, he could have waited. Additionally, Thomas’s response to the news of the resurrection is stubborn (and maybe a tad obnoxious) disbelief. In today’s Coach’s Corner, I ask the question: How do we help those in the same place as St. Thomas, the stubbornly disbelieving? Tune in to hear how helping a person belong can also help them to believe. The goal is to make non-believers feel accepted and engaged in the community, creating a path toward embracing faith and living a life of discipleship.

Episode 116: The Power of Charisms in Evangelization: The Archdiocese of Omaha Mentorship Program

Episode | March 21st, 2023 | 54 mins 57 secs

accompaniment, adult evangelization, charisms in christianity, christian spiritual growth, discerning opportunities, effective evangelism strategies, encouragement in faith, evangelization, holy detachment in ministry, mentor, mentorship in faith, mentorship program, personal prayer life, relational prayer, sharing faith

What keeps you from sharing your faith with others? Not enough time, knowledge, or energy? Perhaps it’s a fear of failure? Or maybe you imagine someone who evangelizes as having a skillset that you don’t. We know Jesus wants us to “go and make disciples”, so it stands to reason that he wants us to go just as we are. Today, I talk with Kelly Peklo and Matt Keller, graduates of the Archdiocese Mentorship Program. They share their journey to understand God’s call to evangelize and how they made that call fit into their lives. They talk about learning to pray and to hear the Lord’s voice. And he wasn’t asking them to share their faith like a famous tele-evangelist or door-to-door salesman. He was calling them to use their unique strengths, to share His love with others, by simply being themselves.

Fr. Flanagan: Lessons in Love and Kindness from Boys Town

Episode | March 14th, 2023 | 43 mins 6 secs

advocacy for vulnerable youth, boys town, catholic, child care revolution, compassionate caregiving, educational reforms, father flanagan, father flanagan's legacy, historical child care practices, inspirational leadership, social justice advocate

Father Flanagan, a Catholic priest, defied the norms of his time, founded Boys Town, and challenged the conventional approach to child care. His dedication and vision led to the creation of a space where children could come to live as a family, receive education, and be guided with love and compassion. The impact of Boys Town reverberated across America and the world, influencing child care systems and emphasizing kindness, equality, and love. This episode not only recounts Father Flanagan's journey but also explores the ethos of Boys Town and its transformative effect on the lives of children. From facing societal opposition and standing up against racial discrimination to advocating for the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II, Father Flanagan exhibited extraordinary compassion and resilience.

Episode Archive