What if the biggest thing parents want from us is to know they belong?

When I listen to parents—really listen—I hear something deeper than frustration about busy schedules or kids who can’t sit still at Mass. I hear an ache. Parents want to engage. They want their kids to love the faith. They want to grow spiritually themselves. But so many of them carry this quiet fear that they or their kids don’t quite fit in. And honestly? I’ve felt that myself. In sports leagues and school activities, parents often feel more welcomed, more supported, more seen than they do at church. That should get our attention.

In this episode, I walk through new data from nearly 200 school and religious ed families across our archdiocese—and the message is striking. Parents aren’t uninterested. They’re not disengaged because they don’t care. Most are hungry for community, for guidance, for help passing on the faith… but they feel unsure, overwhelmed, or out of place. And the good news? We can do something about that. It starts with listening—really listening—so we can respond not with frustration, but with empathy, clarity, and hope.

If you’ve ever wondered how to genuinely draw parents into the heart of parish life, this episode will encourage you. Give it a listen.

[00:34] Understanding What Parents Want

Take a deeper dive into the survey data! And check out our Listening Circle Guide.

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

How can we expect couples to live a sacramental marriage when they’ve never seen one lived?

So many of the couples who walk into our parishes today aren’t rooted in the life of the Church. Nine out of ten aren’t attending Mass, many have simply “slid” into the relationship, and most have never witnessed a joyful, vibrant Christian marriage up close. And yet—we hand them content, classes, and checklists and hope it changes their lives. In this conversation with Ryan Verret, we dive into why that model is breaking down and why the real answer isn’t more information, but more relationship. Ryan shares the deeply human insight at the heart of Witness to Love: that authentic conversion only moves at the pace of a friendship… and that the simplest act—having someone waiting for you in the pew—can open the door for grace to take root.

If you’ve ever wondered how to truly draw couples into the heart of parish life, this episode will encourage you. Take a listen.

[01:13] Ryan Verret's Background and Upbringing

Check out Witness To Love, or connect with Ryan by emailing [email protected].

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

What happens when we start trusting programs more than we trust people?

In part two of this conversation on what really breaks a clear path to discipleship, we talk honestly about why great programming isn’t enough, how over commitment burns out your best leaders, and why accompaniment and simplicity matter more than adding one more initiative.

If you’re longing for a parish that actually helps people take their next step with Jesus, this conversation will challenge how you think about ministry—and invite you to build a clear path that’s relational, sustainable, and truly missionary.

[00:57] Defining a Clear Path to Discipleship

ClearPathBook.com

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

Why do discipleship efforts that start with so much hope sometimes stall—or fall apart?

In this episode, I sit down with coaches from our Parish Support Team to talk honestly about how Clear Paths to discipleship can break down—often before we even realize it’s happening. We walk through five common ways parishes unintentionally derail discipleship—and what faithful leaders can do differently. We talk about slowing down to listen to the Holy Spirit, why conversion has to come before strategy, and how real fruit grows through relationships, not just programs.

If you care deeply about your parish and want to build something that actually helps people encounter Jesus and grow as disciples, this conversation will meet you right where you are. The Clear Path isn’t complicated—but it does require patience, humility, and a willingness to stay rooted in the Gospel. Take a listen—and let’s make sure we’re building with God, not just working for Him.

[00:38] Overview of the Clear Path to Discipleship

ClearPathBook.com

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

How do you keep the Gospel alive and at the center of your work?

Start with the quiet, world-changing truth that Jesus loves you. He gave His life to save you. And He is with you today—right now—to enlighten, strengthen, and free you. When we put that message at the heart of everything—our conversations, our ministries, our families—it changes everything. In this episode, I’ll share why this matters and how you can make it part of your everyday life.

[00:34] Understanding Evangelization

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

Merry Christmas! We are taking a break for the Christmas season. Our next episode will be January 6th!

In the meantime, here's a few of our favorite episodes:

Episode 32: Missional Amnesia

Episode 45: Ministry or Apostolate?

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

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

Is the ideal of priesthood stuck in the past?

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.

01:21 Meet Father Scott Traynor

Books mentioned in this podcast:

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

Feeling stuck and longing for clarity? I invite you to take a moment to pause, pray, and discern where God is calling you. Today’s guest, Lisa Kelly, leadership coach, author of The Spiritual Path, and expert in Ignatian spirituality, shares an Ignatian-inspired process that helps you slow down, notice what’s stirring in your heart, and make choices with clarity and peace. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where is God leading me?” this conversation will give you hope and courage for the road ahead.

[02:29] Lisa's Faith Journey and Education

Check out LaStorta or contact Lisa.

Also, register for the Spiritual Path Retreat.

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

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.

[00:34] Introducing Pope Leo's Christmas List

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

What do you do when silence feels safer than the truth? Rely on God to give you the grace and courage to do what your strength can’t: turn difficult moments into opportunities for honesty, deeper trust, and real healing.

In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with Mari Pablo—a fearless, bilingual evangelist who isn’t afraid to step into the topics most people avoid. Together, we talk about how to build trust, speak truth with compassion, and bridge cultural and generational divides in the Church. Mari shares practical strategies for navigating sensitive issues like mental health and sexuality without fear—and without losing sight of Christ.

If you’ve ever hesitated to start a hard conversation or wondered how to lead with both honesty and hope, this episode will inspire you to lean on Jesus and embrace the mission He’s given you.

[00:58] Meet Mari Pablo: A Multicultural Evangelist

Check out In His Heart Ministries and Mari’s Instagram!

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