The Church Podcast
Each episode features conversations with people from various backgrounds, exploring the real side of ministry. We discuss insights and learnings from the local and national landscape, enriching our understanding of the ministry's impact.
Episodes
June 24, 2025 • 9 mins
In this solo mini-episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher Wesley reflects on three powerful questions that every ministry leader should wrestle with at some point in their journey. These aren't just practical or strategy-based—they’re personal, spiritual, and essential for long-term sustainability in ministry. Sharing from his own experience with burnout, transition, and rediscovering identity, Chris invites listeners to pause a...
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June 17, 2025 • 55 mins
Join me, Christopher Wesley, on The Church Podcast for a profound conversation in Episode 030: Radical Solidarity: Listening, Healing, and Hope with Meghan Fiebelkorn. This episode dives into the crucial topic of supporting survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic leaders. Meghan, from Awake Community, shares her journey from parish ministry to advocating for survivors, emphasizing the importance of radical solidarity and preferential...
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June 10, 2025 • 30 mins
Episode 029 – Reboot: Combating The Issue Of Staff Turnover
In this special Reboot edition, we revisit one of the most relevant and enduring challenges in ministry: staff turnover. Originally recorded as part of The Church Podcast with co-host John Rinaldo, this episode (#115)—first aired at the start of 2020—dives into the systemic and personal reasons why turnover remains one of the most pressing issues in the Church today.
Chris...
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June 3, 2025 • 59 mins
In this engaging and heartfelt episode, Christopher Wesley sits down with longtime Catholic speaker and ministry leader Mike Patin for a conversation that blends wisdom, humor, and real talk about what it means to endure in ministry. From crawfish boils in Louisiana to car rides that double as prayer time, Mike shares how decades in the Church have shaped his approach to leadership, storytelling, and spiritual health.
The two explo...
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May 27, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode, Christopher Wesley sits down with Jason Kidd and Rick Grinstead from Alpha USA for an honest and energizing conversation about what real evangelization looks like today. Drawing on their decades of experience in parish and diocesan ministry, Jason and Rick share how Alpha has transformed their understanding of outreach—not as a program to push, but a culture to cultivate.
Together, they unpack how radical (and eve...
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May 20, 2025 • 60 mins
Join me, Christopher Wesley, on The Church Podcast for Episode 026, where I sit down with Chris Bartlett, president of Ablaze Ministries. In this engaging conversation, we explore the concepts of radical hospitality and shadow optimism within the church. Chris shares his insights on why apathy poses a greater threat to the church than heresy and emphasizes the importance of active evangelization. We discuss how radical hospitality ...
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In this episode of The Church Podcast, titled "Your Podcast Episode Title Here," I sit down with my friend Nick Stein, the international director for Bon Secours Young Adults. We dive into his journey with the Sisters of Bon Secours and explore the global impact of Pope Francis's papacy. Nick shares insights from his international experiences, highlighting the diverse ways the church operates around the world. We also reflect on Po...
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SUMMARY
In this engaging episode, Christopher Wesley sits down with Ray Chang, Executive Director of the TENx10 Initiative, to talk about the future of the Church and the bold goal of reaching 10 million young people over the next 10 years. Ray shares how his global upbringing, ministry background, and work in higher education led him to champion a collaborative movement for youth discipleship.
Together, they explore the urgent cha...
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April 29, 2025 • 58 mins
In Episode 023 of The Church Podcast, I sit down with my friend Noah Gilchrist from Damascus Ministries to explore the transformative power of evangelization through personal encounters. Noah shares his compelling journey from a cradle Catholic upbringing to a life-changing retreat experience that ignited his passion for ministry. We dive into the challenges he faced, including the loss of his father, and how these experiences fuel...
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April 22, 2025 • 49 mins
In Episode 022 of The Church Podcast, I sit down with Laura Roland, a certified Catholic motivation coach, to explore the roots of burnout in ministry and how to reframe our motivations. Laura shares her journey from Catholic educator to motivation strategist, emphasizing the importance of understanding our unique design and calling. We discuss the Motivation Code Assessment, a tool that helps individuals and teams discover what tr...
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April 15, 2025 • 62 mins
In this episode of The Church Podcast, I sit down with Jack and Faustyna Waters to explore the dynamic of navigating marriage and ministry together. As a newly married couple deeply involved with Heart is Nails Ministry, Jack and Faustyna share their inspiring journey from conversion experiences to embracing a life of evangelization. Jack discusses his transformative encounter with faith as a teenager and how it led him to Heart is...
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April 8, 2025 • 65 mins
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Marcia Lane-McGee takes us on her journey from a shy young woman to a bold and confident voice in the Catholic Church. She shares her conversion story, the influence of her cultural background on her faith, and what it was like to co-author her first book.
Together, we dive into themes of identity, community, and cultural expression in worship—drawing from Marcia’s lived experience as a Black...
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April 1, 2025 • 62 mins
In this engaging conversation, Shannon Wimp Schmidt shares her journey into ministry, the impact of youth ministry, and the importance of cultural expressions within the Catholic faith. They discuss the challenges of writing their book 'Fat Luther, Slim Pickens,' including addressing the legacy of slavery and the need for hope in their narratives. The conversation emphasizes the significance of reclaiming ethnic expressions of fait...
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March 25, 2025 • 68 mins
Join me in this episode of the Church Podcast as I speak with Cooper Ray, the director of strategic partnerships for Newman Ministry. We discuss the challenges young adults face when transitioning from high school to college, the importance of parental support in maintaining faith, and the mission of Newman Ministry to connect students with Catholic campus communities. Cooper shares insights on best practices for campus ministers, ...
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March 18, 2025 • 48 mins
Join me, Christopher Wesley, on The Church Podcast as I dive into the world of relational ministry with the next generation alongside Deacon Bob Rice. In Episode 017, we explore the importance of building genuine relationships within youth ministry and how it extends beyond traditional youth groups. Deacon Bob Rice, a professor at Franciscan University and a permanent deacon, shares his journey from youth ministry to teaching and h...
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March 11, 2025 • 49 mins
Summary
In this conversation, Christopher Wesley sits down with Kristen Fisher, the executive director of Enkindle Catholic, to discuss the evolving landscape of family ministry within the Catholic Church. They explore Kristen's journey into ministry, the importance of family in faith formation, and the challenges faced by parishes in engaging parents and creating meaningful community connections. Kristen shares innovative approac...
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March 4, 2025 • 43 mins
Summary
In this episode of the Church Podcast, host Christopher Wesley speaks with Christina Lamas, the Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). They discuss Christina's journey from diocesan ministry to her current role, the vision and initiatives of NFCYM, and the importance of empowering young voices in ministry. The conversation also addresses the challenges faced in youth ministry, th...
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March 3, 2025 • 51 mins
Katherine Angulo invites us into her sacred journey, intertwining personal stories with profound insights into the heart of ministry. This episode isn't just a conversation; it's an invitation into the deeper realms of faith and the challenges of dedicating oneself to a spiritual vocation.
We begin by exploring the transformative power of personal invitation. It's more than just a gesture; it catalyzes spiritual awakening and de...
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March 3, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode, Christopher Wesley and John Rinaldo discuss the reboot of the Church Podcast. They reflect on their previous episodes and their commitment to recording early in the morning. John shares his journey and the shifts he has made in his ministry career.
They discuss the importance of growth and networking in ministry and how to foster community engagement. They also explore the role of education in shaping future lead...
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Summary
Charlotte McCorquodale, co-founder of Ministry Training Source, discusses the challenges and joys of pastoral leaders serving young Catholics. She highlights the need for pastors and ministry leaders to be on the same page regarding expectations and measuring success. McCorquodale emphasizes the importance of listening to the community's needs and sharing the stories of young people to inspire and recruit others. She als...
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