Better Preach

Ryan O'Hara

A podcast focused on developing and delivering great Catholic talks.

  1. 6d ago

    122. Military Wisdom for Catholic Speakers with Colleen Vermeulen

    Description Being in the US military affords many unique work and life experiences. Adhering to the chain of command, moving around the world, maybe many times at the drop of a hat, and jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. These are all experiences that shape those in the military in a variety of unique and powerful ways. And today, my guest and I talk about this overlap of the lessons learned while serving in the US military in active duty and now in the reserves, but also particularly how that applies to teaching and preaching the gospel. There are some really powerful lessons that we can take away there. We also get into this question around testimonies for Catholics. The relationship between evangelization and catechesis, and also why it's so important to have live presentations and not just turning on a video in our work in ministry. Great stuff all around today. Colleen Vermeulen is now a leader in the Catholic Biblical School Ministry but she spent her first six years after college on active duty in the U.S. Army. The U.S. military thrives on being an organization that seeks to develop leaders. Today we discuss how embracing the leadership inherent in speaking can motivate us to step out of our comfort zones as a teacher, catechist, or speaker… And just a quick note, because Colleen is actively serving in the military, know that her views today are hers alone and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Army, Department of Defense, or the US government. Check out Catholic Biblical School Ministry website right here: www.catholicbiblicalschool.org Links For more information about the Better Preach Podcast visit: www.ryanohara.org/betterpreach Better Preach Podcast is now on YouTube. Here’s a link to the channel. Check out Ryan’s FREE course on “sharing your faith as a Catholic.” Follow Ryan on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook Join the Better Preach email list.

  2. Jul 6

    120. Meeting Pope Leo, Church Growth, and What's Next with Julianne Stanz

    Description A shift I am making in the podcast is NOT only to speak with speakers about the art and science of preaching, I am also looking to interview thought leaders ADJACENT to preaching and teaching. Well today, my guest Julianne Stanz, is both! She is a gift to the Church and I’m so grateful to get a chance today to hear beautiful stories from the heart of the Church: from her first time meeting Pope Leo to sharing what, in her opinion, has led to such growth in the Church, and also where ‘the puck is headed’, if you will. Julianne Stanz is a storyteller, bestselling author, and encourager whose heart for ministry has inspired and equipped audiences across the globe. With more than two decades of distinguished service in church leadership, both nationally and internationally, she has partnered with dioceses, bishops, clergy, and lay leaders to advance the mission of the Church. She currently serves as the Director of Outreach for Evangelization and Discipleship at Loyola Press and as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), providing strategic guidance on evangelization, missionary discipleship, and pastoral leadership. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including her latest: The Catholic Parent’s Survival Guide: How to Answer Your Children’s Toughest Questions about Faith (all published by Loyola Press). Julianne is married to Wayne, a Catholic school teacher, and together they are raising three children. Check out Julianne’s website right here: www.juliannestanz.com And here’s the ink to her latest book, “Catholic Parents Survival Guide.”  Check it out! Links For more information about the Better Preach Podcast visit: www.ryanohara.org/betterpreach Better Preach Podcast is now on YouTube. Here’s a link to the channel. Check out Ryan’s FREE course on “sharing your faith as a Catholic.” Follow Ryan on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook Join the Better Preach email list.

  3. Jun 1

    116. Merit Badges for Catholic Speakers with Pete Burak

    Description It is an incredible honor to be invited to a Parish or a Conference or a Retreat Center to give a talk (or multiples talks) to a Catholic audience. Whether it is across town or across the country, it is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. And along the way - the more times you are entrusted with a microphone and a message - the more opportunities you have to level up, or better yet to be humbled, to learn, and to grow. And today is an episode to celebrate some of those unusual, hard, and/or joyful milestones along the journey. Merit Badges for Catholic Speakers - the brain child of my guest today Pete Burak. He and I share our Top 5 Merit Badges for Catholic Speakers and stick around to the end for a couple doozy Honorable Mentions. As Pete says in the episode - we are just making stuff up here, but all of it is “based on a true story”, if you know what I mean. And we want to hear from you - What Merit Badges have you earned? Which obvious ones (or not so obvious ones) did we miss? Hit me up on Instagram @betterpreach or on my website www.ryanohara.org/betterpreach - there’s a contact form there. Also, if you want to connect with Pete online, check out www.renewalministries.net Pete Burak is the vice president of Renewal Ministries, a ministry dedicated to Catholic renewal and evangelization around the world. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and has a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship and evangelization and the co-director of Pine Hills Boys’ Camp. He is a monthly columnist for Faith Magazine and the host of two podcasts: Spirit-filled Leadership and The Hour. Pete and his wife, Cait, have five children. Links For more information about the Better Preach Podcast visit: www.ryanohara.org/betterpreach Better Preach Podcast is now on YouTube. Here’s a link to the channel. Check out Ryan’s FREE course on “sharing your faith as a Catholic.” Follow Ryan on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook Join the Better Preach email list.

5
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49 Ratings

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A podcast focused on developing and delivering great Catholic talks.

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