The EquipCast

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

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 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

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 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

Don’t forget to check out Great Catholic Parishes.

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 if your home isn’t just messy… but actually pulling you away from God’s call?

Here’s another one:

And maybe the biggest surprise:

[00:00] Meet Katie Sciba: Simplicity Consultant

For more from Katie, check out KatieSciba.com or email her at [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 does it mean to face death well?

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

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

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