The EquipCast

Coach’s Corner 29: A Book Review of Spousal Prayer by Deacon James Keating

Episode  |  April 14th, 2026  |  11 mins 53 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic marriage, catholic ministry, catholic ministry resources, catholic podcast, christian marriage, coaches corner, deacon james keating, disciples, emmaus road publishing, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith and family, jim jansen, making disciples, marital prayer, marriage and prayer, marriage preparation, marriage spirituality, prayer in marriage, relational prayer, sacrament of marriage, spiritual growth in marriage, spousal prayer, staying in love

Can love in marriage really last? I believe it can—and not because we’re strong enough or compatible enough, but because God meets us there. Staying in love isn’t something we just grit our teeth and manage. It’s something we learn through prayer. Prayer with the Lord shapes our hearts, and that same habit of prayer teaches us how to truly behold, listen to, forgive, and love our spouse. In this Coaches Corner, I review the book Spousal Prayer by Deacon James Keating. It’s a small, powerful book that connects marriage and prayer in a way that’s both deep and incredibly practical. We talk about why young people fear staying in love, how prayer brings us into the reality of love, and why marriage itself can become a living, breathing prayer. Whether you’re married, preparing couples, or walking with families in ministry, this episode is meant to equip you—and remind you that lasting love is not only possible, it’s sacramental.

Episode 202: Confronting the Ghost of St. John Vianney: A Vision for Modern Parish Life

Episode  |  December 16th, 2025  |  1 hr 3 mins

apostolic age, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, disciples, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, fr. scott traynor, making disciples, missionary discipleship, parish renewal, parish transformation, priesthood today, st. john vianney

I love the saints—especially guys like St. John Vianney—but trying to imitate their circumstances can leave today’s priests feeling defeated before they even begin. In this episode, Fr. Scott Traynor and I get honest about how different our world is now, and why that’s not a problem to mourn but a mission to embrace. We talk about the heart of priesthood today: prayer, the sacraments, and investing deeply in a few people who can carry the Gospel into a culture that’s drifting away from Christ. And here’s the hope: renewal isn’t about going backward. It’s about priests doing what only they can do—celebrate, preach, shepherd—and unleashing the laity to live their mission with confidence. If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations you can’t live up to or wondered whether your parish can actually flourish in a secular age, this conversation will help you imagine a future filled with purpose and hope.

Coach's Corner 25: Pope Leo's Christmas List: Six Gifts That Could Change the Church

Episode  |  December 2nd, 2025  |  13 mins 39 secs

archdiocese of omaha, archdiocese of omaha podcast, catholic, catholic leadership vision, catholic ministry, catholic mission strategy, catholic podcast inspiration, church unity and mission, dialogue with contemporary world, disciples, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization priorities, loving care for the least, making disciples, missionary conversion, pope leo christmas list, pope leo xiv vision, primacy of christ, sense of the faithful, vatican ii renewal

What’s on Pope Leo’s Christmas list—and can you fulfill it for him? He’s not asking for gifts wrapped in paper and bows. His wish is for a Church renewed in mission, united in love, and bold in proclaiming Christ first. Imagine communities that listen deeply, care tenderly for the least, and engage the world with courage and hope. That’s the heart behind his six desires—and together, we can make them real.

Coach's Corner 23: Why Your Parish's Small Groups Don't Last

Episode  |  September 30th, 2025  |  12 mins 13 secs

archdiocese of omaha, build parish community, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic small groups, culture of accompaniment, disciples, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith that multiplies, grow your faith, lead with purpose, making disciples, mission-driven ministry, spiritual leadership, transformative discipleship

Small groups are both easier—and more challenging—than we think. They’re not sustained by participants or materials alone, but by vision, culture, and structure. In this episode, I share why small groups can be pandemic-proof, recession-proof, even persecution-proof—if they’re rooted in mission, shaped by a culture of accompaniment, and supported by strong leadership structures. Discover how to build small groups that don’t just care for those inside the room, but expand outward to transform your parish and beyond.

Episode 182: Connect Heaven to Earth’s Ordinary Moments with Fr. Micael Voithofer

Episode  |  May 6th, 2025  |  1 hr 13 mins

ablaze house of prayer, archdiocese of omaha, baptismal priesthood, catholic, catholic ministry, connecting heaven and earth, daily worship, disciples, divine daily living, encounter school of ministry, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith and mission, father michael voithofer, healing through worship, living loved, making disciples, poverty of spirit, prophetic call, resting in god's presence, sacred spaces, sons and daughters of god, spiritual identity, spiritual renewal, transforming mundane moments, worship in everyday life

What if everyday moments—like washing dishes or sitting in traffic—could actually connect you to heaven? In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to live into your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God. We’ll chat about the baptismal priesthood—not as some abstract theology, but as a real, lived-out calling to be a bridge between heaven and earth. Whether you’re changing a diaper or heading into a meeting, worship isn’t just for Sunday mornings—it’s for every part of your life. I sit down with Fr. Michael Voithofer, and we talk about how worship shifts our focus, heals our hearts, and draws us into God's presence where we can actually rest. You’ll hear how starting your day with a posture of poverty of spirit—just being honest about your need for God—can transform the way you live, love, and lead.
So grab your coffee, take a breath, and join us as we explore what it looks like to live from a place of sonship, freedom, and joy—bringing God’s presence into every moment.
Are you ready to live like you’re deeply loved and fully sent?

Episode 169: Praying with Purpose: Expect God to Speak About Your Mission with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce

Episode  |  December 10th, 2024  |  57 mins 31 secs

catholic, catholic ministry, catholic parish transformation, church growth, community prayer practices, disciples, divine renovation, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith and mission, hannah von spruce, holy spirit in parish life, intercessory prayer, jim jansen, making disciples, mission-inspired prayer, parish renewal, prayer and mission, spiritual leadership

Have you ever wondered how to bring the Lord into your work, expanding your prayer life beyond personal devotion? In this episode, we explore missional prayer—prayer that aligns our hearts with the Holy Spirit, focusing on the transformation of our parishes and neighborhoods. It's about moving beyond inward devotion to intentional, outward-facing prayer for mission and evangelization. Discover how coming together as a community to seek God's guidance and power can bring about renewal and fruitfulness in our mission. Learn to pray with a purpose, trusting that God wants to work through us to reach those who don’t yet know Him. Join me as I talk with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, Executive Director of Divine Renovation UK, who shares her insights.

Episode 82: Religious Ed that's Tailored to YOUR Needs

Episode  |  March 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 5 mins

archdiocese of omaha, catechumenal model, catholic catechesis, catholic curriculum, catholic discipleship, catholic education innovation, catholic evangelization, catholic family ministry, catholic parenting, catholic parish leadership, catholic podcast, catholic resources for families, catholic sacraments, catholic small groups, equipcast podcast, experiential catechesis, faith and family life, family faith formation, fr. tim donovan, missionary families, parish renewal, pathways formation suite, religious education reform, sacramental preparation, youth ministry transformation

As a director at the Archdiocese, I'm given free stuff all the time. Typically, we're talking sample materials for the latest evangelization or catechetical program. I pass these along to one of my staff to review, and if it's good, I might see it again.

A few months ago, I received a box that looked beautiful like it came out of a pottery barn catalog, and it said "Mend" on the top. I walked it down to Jodi Phillip's office (our Catechetical Specialist) fully intending to hand it off. But when I realized that it was brimming with hands-on activities that could help me teach my son about the sacrament of reconciliation...I took it home.

Transmitting the faith to our children is so difficult with the culture actively working against us, and this box give me some tools to have intentional conversations with my family.

I tell you this today because Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries provide more than boxes for the sacraments. They really understand what it means to accompany families, and they want to help parishes do this well. They are more devoted to the process of catechesis than they are to a particular program. And so, whether you work for a parish or you are parent wanting a great resource for your children/grandchildren, I invite you to check them out!