EquipCast

Archdiocese of Omaha
  • 4.8 (26)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Sharing your Catholic faith with family and friends can sometimes feel daunting. Where do I start? How do I make an impact? Welcome to EquipCast, a weekly podcast from the Archdiocese of Omaha. We want to support your faith journey and equip you with the tools to express your faith authentically in your everyday life. Each week, we’ll discuss practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world. Each episode is filled with encouragement and inspiration so you can make an impact and make disciples in your own faith community. For more information and to stay connected with us, head to equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

  1. Can you afford to say yes to God? How to fund the mission.

    APR 28

    Can you afford to say yes to God? How to fund the mission.

    Can you afford to say yes to God? I know that question might make you uncomfortable—because it’s made me uncomfortable. We talk a lot about trust, about saying yes to the Lord, about living on mission… but when it comes to finances, security, and taking care of our families, it can feel like the cost is just too high. In today’s episode of The Equip Cast, I sit down with Peter Levesque Xavier to talk honestly about what happens when we stop asking, “Can I afford this?” and start asking, “Lord, do I trust You?” This conversation is about freedom, healing our relationship with money, and discovering that God is already providing a way for His mission—and your yes—to be possible. [02:55] Peter’s faith journey [04:15] Facing support raising [06:03] Providence and stewardship [10:11] Trust dividends in mission [13:11] Healing through partnership [16:47] Economic downturn resilience [19:10] Biblical roots of support [22:19] Church history and laity [28:11] Apostolic times today [28:57] Why start Xavier Mission Fund [31:49] Spotting the Need [33:08] Launching Xavier Mission Fund [33:55] Growth and New Partnerships [35:29] Catholic Schools Vertical [38:09] Fair Pay for Teachers [42:25] Parish Roles and Admin Hurdles [46:14] Success Stories Fight Club Catholic [50:51] New Ministries and Priest Support [57:50] What Church Leaders Should Know [01:01:18] Call to Mission and Next Steps [01:03:58] How to Connect and Closing Check out Xavier Mission Fund. 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)

    1h 6m
  2. What Would You Do for Your Child? The Story of Tom Vander Woude

    APR 21

    What Would You Do for Your Child? The Story of Tom Vander Woude

    What would you do if the person you loved most was in danger—and there was no time to think? Today on the Equip Cast, I sit down with Chris Vander Woude to tell the story of a quiet, faithful father who answered that question with his life. Tom Vander Woude wasn’t famous. He wasn’t flashy. He was a husband, a dad, a farmer, a Navy pilot—and a man who spent his life showing up in ordinary ways. Until one extraordinary moment, when he gave everything to save his son Joseph. In this conversation, you’ll hear how a hidden life of prayer, love, and fatherhood prepared Tom for heroic sacrifice—and why his story is stirring hearts around the world today, even to the point that the Church is considering opening a cause for canonization. This is a story about love, courage, faith, and what it really means to live your life as a gift. [01:45] Chris’s faith journey [04:23] Introducing Tom Vanderwoude (Chris’s father) [09:00] Joseph is born (Down syndrome) [11:59] How Joseph changed the family [15:32] Cultural reflection on special needs & abortion [16:22] Tom’s philosophy: no limitations on Joseph [17:34] Tom gives his life for Joseph [23:20] Community response & funeral [26:17] Long term impact of Tom’s story [29:21] Possible cause for canonization [39:52] The Tom Vanderwoude Guild [44:21] How Joseph has been affected [45:51] Tom’s hidden life: prayer & marriage [50:44] Encouragement to take a leap of faith [51:41] How to connect & learn more Check out the Tom Vander Woude Guild. 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)

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

    APR 14

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

    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. [00:13] Book - Spousal Prayer [01:05] Why This Book Works [02:09] Three Chapters Overview [03:06] Behold Listen Repent [03:36] Prayer Depth and Beauty [04:34] Practical Art Prayer [06:11] Love Prayer and Reality [08:44] Forgiveness and Healing [09:25] Appendix ARRR Method [09:44] Who Should Use This [10:33] Final Quote and Wrap [11:29] Share Your Thoughts Check out the book Spousal Prayer. 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)

    12 min
  4. Life as an Evangelization Coordinator: How Accompaniment Transforms a Community

    MAR 24

    Life as an Evangelization Coordinator: How Accompaniment Transforms a Community

    Today, we begin a series where I talk to Evangelization Coordinators from across our archdiocese. You’ll hear the honest stories, hard-won wisdom and quiet ways God is moving through the people helping to lead parish renewal from the ground up. In this first episode, Renee Eames of the St. Joseph Family of Parishes, shares what the role looks like day-to-day. Her warm wisdom reminds us that evangelization isn’t about big programs or perfect strategies—it’s about people. It’s about staying close to Jesus in the small moments, letting your heart be softened, and choosing unity when division would be easier. Her story reveals how simple everyday faithfulness—prayer, presence, and quiet accompaniment—can quietly renew a community. This conversation is a reminder that God works through every relationship, every interruption, and every act of love toward the person right in front of you. [00:00] Meet Renee Ames [01:20] Renee Background Story [06:52] Small Town Life [11:10] Family Of Parishes [13:20] New Evangelization Role [22:49] Keeping Eternity First [28:08] Prayer As The Root [32:08] Launching Alpha Locally [35:48] Teamwork and Formation [38:23] Back To The Fundamentals [41:41] Workplace Evangelization [46:04] Unity Through Hard Talks [49:53] Patience For Long Fruits [51:21] Practical Advice And Sendoff 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)

    54 min
  5. Inside Jim’s Inbox – Q&A 1

    MAR 17

    Inside Jim’s Inbox – Q&A 1

    Welcome to the very first episode of Inside Jim’s Inbox, a new Q&A series where I open up the real questions you send—about faith, fear, evangelization, ministry, and everything in between—and we walk through them together. In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing the questions I hear most often: What even is evangelization? Do I know enough to share my faith? How do I deal with the fear of rejection? Along the way, I’ll offer simple, hopeful ways to see evangelization not as expert level work, but as sharing what God has done in your life one honest, hope-filled conversation at a time. We’ll also look at the questions parishes ask all the time: how to invite volunteers in a way that honors their gifts, and how to set healthy boundaries so that ministry strengthens you instead of draining you. My prayer is that this first episode feels like a welcoming doorway into a series where your questions guide the journey. [00:51] What is evangelization? [02:23] Do I know enough to share my faith? [04:00] How do I overcome the fear of rejection? [07:49] How do I get volunteers for our ministry? [09:56] How do I keep healthy boundaries in my ministry? [11:51] Next steps 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)

    12 min
  6. OCIA - Rediscovering the Heart of Parish Life

    MAR 10

    OCIA - Rediscovering the Heart of Parish Life

    What if the ancient way of welcoming seekers is exactly what we’re missing? When Dr. Chris Burgwald, Chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, and I dug into the roots of OCIA, it struck me how much wisdom we’ve left sitting on the shelf. The early Church knew how to walk with people—slowly, personally, lovingly—and somewhere along the line, we traded that for efficiency. Dr. Burgwald shows why returning to this ancient, relational way of forming disciples isn’t nostalgia; it’s the key to helping people truly encounter Jesus and find a home in His Church again. And what’s amazing is that this shift doesn’t just change the journey for newcomers—it transforms the entire parish. When we implement OCIA the way the Church actually envisions it, gifts surface, people step forward, and a culture of prayer and hospitality begins to grow. Communities rally around seekers, and in the process, everyone gets formed. One person’s “yes” becomes an invitation for an entire parish to rediscover its mission. [01:15] Meet Chris Bergal [12:23] Why People Are Converting [17:16] What Is OCIA? [22:34] Vatican II and Mission [25:22] Doing OCIA Well [30:20] Three Pillars of OCIA [37:50] Practical Parish Implementation [41:41] Parish Renewal and Activation [45:13] Handling Hard Situations [48:46] Not Assembly Line Discipleship [52:20] Model for All Formation [56:25] Teamwork and Leadership Models 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)

    1h 4m
  7. Coach's Corner 28: Why do we keep trying silver bullets?

    MAR 3

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

    *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. [00:00] Welcome to Equip Cast [00:34] Silver Bullet Problem [01:42] Ark as Shortcut [04:50] Why It Failed [06:06] Modern Silver Bullets [07:43] Repentance and Conversion [08:37] Missionary Conversion Quotes [10:56] Trust the Mystery [11:51] Prayer and Sendoff 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)

    13 min
  8. The Shift That Revives a Parish: A Great Catholic Parishes Webinar

    FEB 24

    The Shift That Revives a Parish: A Great Catholic Parishes Webinar

    What if everything changes when people finally feel seen, known, and accompanied? In this republished conversation from the Great Catholic Parishes podcast, I join host John Poitevent to unpack why this simple shift lies at the very heart of parish renewal. People don’t grow because we tell them to—they grow because someone offers friendship, listens without judgment, and walks with them patiently. I unpack how accompaniment transforms not just individuals but the entire culture of a parish, unlocking a sense of belonging that leads people to recognize that God sees them the same way. Together, John and I try to paint a hopeful picture of what becomes possible when a parish truly commits to walking with people in love…and how everything can change from there. [03:31] Defining Missionary Disciples [08:43] Why Write Clear Path [13:14] Four Stage Pathway [16:44] Safe Questions Culture [20:06] Belong Believe Become [22:53] Clarity Over Programs [27:37] Ministry Mapping Method [30:24] Ministry Mapping Epiphanies [32:16] Change Management Basics [33:15] Thresholds Game and Trust [34:59] Discernment Rosary Method [38:12] Adult Formation Priority [43:45] Making Formation Accessible [49:08] Rapid Fire Q and A [50:09] Sports Sidelines Mission Field [55:05] Listen to Parents Needs [57:18] Final Encouragement and Sendoff Don’t forget to check out Great Catholic Parishes. To watch the original interview, check out John’s YouTube channel. 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)

    1 hr
See All (258)

Trailers

4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Sharing your Catholic faith with family and friends can sometimes feel daunting. Where do I start? How do I make an impact? Welcome to EquipCast, a weekly podcast from the Archdiocese of Omaha. We want to support your faith journey and equip you with the tools to express your faith authentically in your everyday life. Each week, we’ll discuss practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world. Each episode is filled with encouragement and inspiration so you can make an impact and make disciples in your own faith community. For more information and to stay connected with us, head to equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

Information

  • Creator
    Archdiocese of Omaha
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Archdiocese of Omaha
  • Show Website
    EquipCast

You Might Also Like