WELSTech Audio

By WELS

WELSTech explores the use of technology to further the spread of the gospel. This show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).... more

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FAQs about WELSTech Audio:

How many episodes does WELSTech Audio have?

The podcast currently has 510 episodes available.

WELSTech Audio episodes:

March 20, 2026736 – Desk Talk
On WELSTech this week we talk about the tech at our fingertips as we reveal our office setups. Additionally, we share gift ideas for welcoming church visitors and new members, an overview of the latest version of Logos which introduces AI into the Bible software, and where to find that wonderful smell of leather.

The discussion
Desk setup – Martin and Sallie share their workspaces and highlight their favorite tools for getting work done.

Martin’s work desk
Standing desk

SSD backup

Apple Magic Trackpad

Logitech G915 keyboard

Dell monitor

Magnetic cord holder

Lamp

Sallie’s work-from-hone desk
Logitech K380 keyboard

Logitech M340 silent mouse

Laptop stand

Purple Royal seat cushion

Martin’s work-from-home desk
Monitor

Webcam

Moniter arm

Desk lamp

Drawers

Desktop

Computer stand

Chair & chair wheels

Cable management

Microphone & microphone arm

Keyboard

Ministry resources
16 Unique and Thoughtful Church Welcome Gifts

Guest gift table at St Paul’s, North Mankato, MN

Picks of the week
Windows/Start + V for Copy history on PCs

Pandora background music for your workday

Nomad Magnetic Leather Back for iPhone

Community feedback & events
WELS National Teen Bible Study

The latest iteration of Logos Bible Software

Next time
Dr. James Carlovsky from Martin Luther College joins the AI conversation.
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43min
March 20, 2026734 – Frameworks, Leaves & Llamas
WELSTech meets edtech meets ministry this week as we talk tech integration steps for learning and building the infrastructure to support it. We also include details on upcoming classes and webinars of interest, AI image generation, and a surprise new DIY podcast method that gives AI a voice!

The discussion
Framing it with SAMR – We welcome back to WELSTech Director of Academic Computing for Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld and Director of Technology for Oshkosh (WI) Area School District Jason Schmidt. This season our episodes with Jason and Rachel will include references to the technology integration framework SAMR, which stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. After a bit of a SAMR crash course, we learn more about how the basics of tech infrastructure in a school affect the implementation of SAMR.
Ministry resource
Coming Soon from MLC
Enhancing Ministry with Technology taught by Martin Spriggs – Spring 2025

Open Learning webinar presented by Dr. James Carlovsky – AI Power Hour: Boost Your Productivity with Creative Tools – November 4 at 7 pm Central

There’s still time to nominate for the WELSTech AI Summit

Picks of the week
The Teachers Guide to Tech 2024

Padlet

MidJourney

Miro

Community feedback & events
MyLens AI creates teaching visuals
NotebookLM from Google can generate a podcast
Upcoming Women’s Ministry Webinar: Little Lives with Jesus – October 10 at 7 pm Central

FCC Cyber Security Pilot Program

Next time
WELSTech will be back in a few weeks, and we’ll all be surprised by the discussion topic!
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52min
March 20, 2026757 – Cybersecurity Tips
How vulnerable is your church or school to hacking? On this episode of WELSTech learn why vigilant training on threat avoidance is important in ministry settings and find links to available (and many times free) resources to assist with those efforts. Sallie shares a family friendly YouTube channel and Martin has some hardware to detect those pesky leaks.

The discussion

“The single most hackable piece of any computer system is, unfortunately, the people.” – Cybersecurity Basics for Churches from Concordia Technology Solutions

The weakest link – Martin and Sallie share ideas regarding church and school digital security and ongoing training.
WELSTech Google Group discussion
KnowBe4

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE)

SANS Institute

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – free content

Infosec

CyberNut

Identity Theft Sermon Introduction

Picks of the week
Ryan Trahan’s 50 States in 50 Days family-friendly YouTube series

Third Reality Water Leak Sensor

Next time
A new season of WELSTech begins
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40min
March 20, 2026769 – AI for the Assist
This episode of WELSTech features an interview with Ryan Kirchoff where he shares an overview of his recent Leadership Conference presentation on our favorite topic – Artificial Intelligence. Are You an Influencer is the topic of an upcoming webinar. Sallie has a new favorite song, and Martin has a new favorite gadget. Which one will be your favorite?

The discussion
Assist versus lead – Instructional coordinator and consultant Ryan Kirchoff shares highlights from his recent WELS Leadership Conference session on AI and the Church (presentation resource). Since late-2022 when AI was first shared, Ryan’s work at Fox Valley Lutheran High School and with Blueprint-Schools.com has taken on an element of educating others about what and how AI can serve ministry.
Ryan’s latest course, AI for Impact, is specially priced at $99 per school during February

Ministry resource
You Are an Influencer webinar
February 19 – 7 to 8 pm Central

Hosted by WELS Women’s Ministry

Christmas coloring revisited
Shout out to the upper grades at St. John Lutheran School in Fox Lake, WI and Principal Tom Rosenow

Download their AI generated Christmas coloring book

Picks of the week
Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow – Melody and chorus by Pastor Caleb Schmiege and Melanie Bourman

KeySmart SmartCard

Community feedback
PBX is all the talk in the WELSTech Google Group

Next time
Managing a strategic plan with Trello
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44min
March 20, 2026739 – Building Better Forms
WELSTech this week features a discussion of the online form creation process. There’s also mention of WELS Youth Night resources, a free online edtech conference, and a nifty set of bits that could make the perfect Christmas gift. Plus, the listener mailbag is full of interesting items. Time to tune in!

The discussion
It all starts with a plan – Martin and Sallie discuss best practices when designing forms for online data collection, including understanding the goals before you start designing, keeping questions consistent, and security and privacy of the data collected.
Ministry resources
WELS Youth Night

Picks of the week
Sign up for the (FREE) Ditch Summit – December 16 to January 10
Join AI for Admins

64 precision bits from iFixIt.com

Community feedback & events
How do you streamline church attendance data entry? Share your experience!

Beware of “porch pirates” from Kim Komando

EANS funded device management, a WELSTech Google Group discussion

Next time
Joshua Peterman from WELS Benefit Plans joins the Christmas conversation.
Get involved
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Send us an e-mail [email protected]

Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group

WELSTech on Facebook

WELSTech on Pinterest

WELSTech on Instagram

Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net

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43min
March 20, 2026738 – Aviation & Overalls
We’re back at the intersection of technology and ministry with another episode of WELSTech. The topic of the day is elementary tech integration, and it features a lively conversation with WELSTech semi-regular co-hosts, Jason & Rachel. We also pack in news of an Advent devotional resource, transcription where you least expect it, and the new and improved Call Report. Don’t miss it!

The discussion
Elementary tech integration – Joining Martin and Sallie for an education-focused discussion are Director of Academic Computing for Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld and Director of Technology for Oshkosh (WI) Area School District Jason Schmidt. This season we’re letting the tech integration framework SAMR be our guide as we look at various edtech topics, and that leads to some interesting points when we consider the early elementary students who thrive on routine. Spoiler alert: They do best when the tech is boring! And don’t even bring up their need to learn typing. :-)
Ministry resource
Martin Luther College (MLC) Advent Devotional

Tune in – or better yet, attend – one of these special Christmas concerts ….
Martin Luther College
December 7 at 7:30 pm

December 8 at 4:00 pm

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
December 8 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Picks of the week
Apple Notes audio recording and transcribe

Google Vids

Ditch That Textbook eBooks

Dell XPS9425

Community feedback & events
Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) Faith Footnotes Podcast featuring Pastor Andy Schroer discussing his book, 364 Days of Thanksgiving

Check out the new and improved WELS Call Report

Get involved
Add comments

Send us an e-mail [email protected]

Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group

WELSTech on Facebook

WELSTech on Pinterest

WELSTech on Instagram

Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net

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...more
50min
March 20, 2026724 – Getting Started with AI
On this episode of WELSTech we finish our book discussion of The AI Classroom with a focus on school leadership’s role in shaping AI policy, curriculum, and usage. Along with edtech gurus Rachel and Jason, we share oodles of AI tools, events, and news, plus some non-AI tech topics including cybersecurity, end of school-year activities, and iPads.

The discussion
Leading School AI – We wrap up this season’s WELSTech book discussion of The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education, looking at Part 4 of the book – The AI Horizon. Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt join the conversation and agree on way more than normal!
Ministry resource
AI Guidance For Schools Toolkit from TeachAI.org
Should K-12 Leaders Make AI Education Mandatory in Schools?

Bringing AI To School: Tips for School Leaders from ISTE

Picks of the week
SchoolAI.com Assistants

CyberSecurityRubric.org

Monday, May 13 is DayOfAI.org

End of the Year THRIVE-al (Not Survival) Guide – from Ditch That Textbook
Apple iPad

Press and hold YouTube for 2x speed

Community feedback & events
Recent AI in Education headlines
Is It Fair and Accurate for AI to Grade Standardized Tests? – from EdSurge

Newark Public School awards $12M contract for new AI camera system aimed at keeping schools safe – from Chalkbeat

Los Angeles School District Launched a Splashy AI Chatbot. What Exactly Does It Do? – from EdSurge

Why AI celebrities are teaching kids math and physics – from Freethink

Next time
We’ll celebrate Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Assignment Day with Senior Seminarian Silas Dose discussing his thesis topic – Here Be Dragons: Fantasy, Escapism, and a Christian Response.
Get involved
Add comments

Send us an e-mail [email protected]

Join the WELSTech community:
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WELSTech on Facebook

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WELSTech on Instagram

Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net

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56min
March 20, 2026740 – Chatting with Josh Peterman
The WELSTech Christmas tradition continues as we bring you an interview with a synod administrator. This year the microphone is pointed at WELS Benefit Plans Office and Director Josh Peterman. We also send our best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful Christmas celebration!

The interview
All things benefits – Get an inside look at the work of WELS Benefit Plans (BPO) as Director Josh Peterman visits with Martin. From health insurance and prescription coverage to pension and defined contribution benefits, BPO is the central hub for WELS benefit administration for those covered across the country and worldwide.
WELSBPO.net

Next time
Our annual “best of” look back at all things WELSTech in 2024.
Get involved
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Send us an e-mail [email protected]

Join the WELSTech community:
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WELSTech on Facebook

WELSTech on Pinterest

WELSTech on Instagram

Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net

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17min
March 20, 2026766 – Christmas Conversation with Melanie
Merry Christmas from WELSTech! We’re continuing our holiday tradition of sharing a special Christmas interview with our listeners. This year, we’re excited to welcome Melanie Giddings from the Lutheran Schools Office to talk about the important work underway to develop a new religion curriculum.
The interview
A new curriculum in development – Melanie Giddings, Curriculum Coordinator from WELS Lutheran Schools, joins Martin and Sallie to share an inside look at the work being shared by many hands on a new Pre-K to 12 religion curriculum being developed to succeed Christ Light.
Christmas Coloring Book Collab
There’s still time to submit your AI-generated Christmas coloring page for inclusion in a WELSTech crowd-sourced coloring book. Send your entries to [email protected], and we’ll choose a random contributor to receive some sweet WELS swag!

Try this prompt:

A black and white coloring page for kids of [YOUR TOPIC], thick lines, white background, no shading, no grey scale, simple vector style.
Microsoft Designer

Adobe Express Coloring Page Generator

ColorBliss.art

Crayola Color Camera

Next time
Join us in January for our look back at WELSTech 2025!
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Send us an e-mail [email protected]

Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group

WELSTech on Facebook

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Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net

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25min
March 20, 2026741 – 2024 Year In Review
WELSTech starts 2025 with a look back at 2024, our 17th year of podcasting! Listeners will likely agree that the theme of the year was AI, and Artificial Intelligence weaves its way into many of Martin and Sallie’s “best of” picks for the year.

Events
Summer Tech Talks series

Best Show title – 733 – Silent Mice – Bonus: AI graph

The WELSTech song from Suno AI

Ministry resources
Printify

AI Tool Repository

2024 Ministry Resources

Interviews
Pastor Silas Dose – 725 – Here Be Dragons

Sarah Krause & Eileen Rosenow – 730 – Summer Tech Talks

2024 Interviews

Picks of the year
Midjourney

Apple Air Pods Pro

The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray

Givebutter

Canva Pro – Free for Non-Profits & Education

Perplexity AI

Honorable Mention: Notebook LM from Google (especially the podcasts!)

2024 Picks of the Week

Next time
Join us in a few weeks as we dive into our 18th year of tech-in-ministry conversations.

Get involved
Add a comment

Send us an e-mail [email protected]

Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net

Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation

Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper

Share with the Diigo group welstech

Join the WELSTech community:
WELSTech Google Group

WELSTech on Facebook

WELSTech on Google+

WELSTech on Pinterest

WELSTech on Instagram
...more
43min

FAQs about WELSTech Audio:

How many episodes does WELSTech Audio have?

The podcast currently has 510 episodes available.