When I sat down with Dr. Stephen Doran—a neurosurgeon, deacon, and man who’s walked intimately with suffering—I felt my own fears and assumptions around death get exposed. There’s something powerful about hearing someone who has been at the bedside of so many people say, with deep conviction, that death isn’t just an end… it’s a moment meant to be lived well.

In this conversation, Steve and I talk about the healing that comes when we confront our mortality and the immense dignity that every person deserves at the end of life. Steve shares the story of his father in law’s beautiful passing, the principles every Catholic should understand about end of life care, and the spiritual posture that transforms fear into hope.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to “die well”—or how to accompany someone you love through their final season—this episode will give you courage, clarity, and peace. Take a listen.

[01:22] Meet Dr. Steve Doran
[10:39] Living and Dying Well
[22:06] Ethical Considerations at the End of Life
[29:45] The Role of Advanced Directives and Durable Power of Attorney
[32:55] Evangelization in the Dying Process
[36:31] Accompanying the Dying with Compassion
[41:43] The Meaning of Suffering and Love
[43:51] Daily Sacrifices and Preparing for Death
[47:42] Sharing the Good News at Death's Door
[49:53] Final Thoughts and Resources

For more on this topic, check out StephenDoran.com, his book To Die Well, or Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

When I sit with John 17, I’m struck that He was praying for a unity that’s visible, relational, and compelling—a unity that makes the world stop and notice that He was sent by the Father. That kind of unity shows up in real friendships, in shared service, in conversations where we seek truth together—not to win an argument, but to love each other well and grow together, even when we don’t see eye to eye. It’s messy, but it’s also where the Lord does His best work.

In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman from the More Mercy apostolate to talk about what this looks like in real life. Max shares how praying with John 17 sparked a deep desire in him to build bridges with Christians from other traditions. What started as simple conversations turned into friendships that not only challenged him but also strengthened his Catholic faith. You’ll hear why unity isn’t just an ideal for theologians—it’s something we’re all called to live, one relationship at a time.

[01:36] Meet Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman
[02:46] Max's Journey: From Football to Faith
[06:20] Jeremiah's Path: From Baseball to Theology
[12:50] The Vision for Ecumenical Unity
[22:01] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Ministry
[31:39] Unity in Diversity: Different Catholic Ethnicities
[34:37] Practical Steps for Ecumenism
[37:19] Building Friendships Across Denominations
[41:02] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Work
[46:33] Mobilizing Lay Faithful for Ecumenism
[53:28] Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Don’t forget to check out More Mercy!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)