The EquipCast

Coach's Corner 28: Why do we keep trying silver bullets?

Episode  |  March 3rd, 2026  |  13 mins 8 secs

archdiocese of omaha, authentic renewal, catholic, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith journey, god’s mercy, letting go of quick fixes, making disciples, missionary conversion, no silver bullet, parish evangelization, parish renewal, silver bullet myth, spiritual conversion, spiritual dependence, trusting god, turning to god

What do you do when the strategy, the program, or the plan just isn’t enough? Because I’ve been there—and in this episode, I talk about why our “silver bullets” so often fail us. We love quick fixes, big programs, and shiny solutions, but real renewal—personal or parish-wide—only happens when we stop trying to use God and finally turn to Him with honest hearts. In this conversation, I walk through one of my favorite (and most surprising) stories in Scripture and share the uncomfortable but hopeful truth it reveals: God isn’t asking us for better strategies. He’s asking for conversion. If you’ve ever felt discouraged, overwhelmed, or tempted to chase one more magic solution, this episode will help you breathe, refocus, and remember that God has a plan—not a gimmick—waiting for you.

Episode 205: Witness before Wisdom: What Couples Need When Preparing for Marriage

Episode  |  January 27th, 2026  |  56 mins 22 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic marriage, catholic ministry, church community, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, making disciples, marriage preparation, mentor couples, parish renewal, sacramental marriage, trust and relationships, witness to love

Episode 198: The Key to More Vocations: Creating Safe Spaces for Faith to Flourish

Episode  |  November 4th, 2025  |  45 mins 11 secs

archdiocese of omaha, authentic relationships, calling, catholic, catholic community, catholic education, catholic ministry, catholic parents, catholic podcast, catholic schools, catholic storytelling, catholic vocations, discernment journey, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, eucharist, evangelism, evangelization, faith and culture, faith formation, fr. scott schilmoeller, jim jansen, making disciples, mentoring youth, newman center, prayer life, priesthood, religious life, safe spaces for faith, small groups, spiritual growth, vocation discernment, vocational crisis, vocations, young adults, youth ministry

Coach's Corner 20: Healthy Roots Equal Abundant Fruits – Church Growth Explained

Episode  |  May 13th, 2025  |  8 mins 16 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church community, church growth, church leadership, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, fruit tree metaphor, healthy ministries, making disciples, ministry success, missionary discipleship, parish ministry, root and branches, spiritual growth, vibrant church

What’s the one thing that can produce lasting fruit in our parish ministries? If we want to see real growth in areas like attendance, vocations, and community life, we must focus on making and maturing disciples. There are no shortcuts—superficial fixes won’t yield lasting change. True fruitfulness comes from healthy individuals, thriving ministries, and a clear vision rooted in mission. In this episode, I break it all down using the metaphor of a fruit tree—and show why discipleship is the key to everything.

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!

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 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!

Coach's Corner 17: A Clear Path for School Parents

Episode  |  January 7th, 2025  |  12 mins 38 secs

catholic, catholic community, catholic education, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic schools, church engagement, clear path of discipleship, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith development, faith formation, faith journey, family faith, making disciples, parental involvement, parish support, religious education, school parents

One of the largest opportunities for evangelization is in our Catholic schools. But breaking into this mission field comes with its own struggles. Many parents are juggling so many responsibilities and pressures. They're dealing with work, family, and all the demands of modern life, which can make it hard to prioritize their faith journey. Plus, the church's efforts to engage them might not always resonate or fit into their busy lives. But the key is to meet them where they are. Join me today for a discussion about how to engage school parents in the clear path to discipleship.

Episode 167: Our Mission to Love: How to share your faith without being pushy

Episode  |  November 12th, 2024  |  56 mins 6 secs

authentic conversations, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, community, compassion, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith sharing, holy spirit, kindness, love, making disciples, mission, mission to love, outreach, parish life, personal testimony, relationships, service, sharing faith, spiritual growth, transformative love

I was recently asked, "How do you share your faith without coming across as pushy?" It’s a big question—how can we invite people into a relationship with Jesus without making it feel manipulative? The answer is simple: We love. The core of the Great Commission—"go and make disciples"—is the call to love because God is love. If we let that love shape and transform us, we become agents of love in our communities. This means nurturing our relationship with God first and letting that love overflow into our relationships with others. In this episode, I talk with Peter Andrastek, Senior Consultant at Evangelical Catholic. We explore how to share our faith through genuine connections and meaningful conversations. It’s about finding a balance: reaching out with urgency, yet having the wisdom to do it gently. Join me as we dive into what it means to be a missionary disciple, sharing the love we've been given in a way that feels authentic and true.

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.