The EquipCast

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

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.

Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  October 8th, 2024  |  55 mins 5 secs

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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.

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.

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.