• 79. Evangelizing Through Beauty with Jimmy Mitchell
    Sep 30 2024

    Description

    In Dostoevsky’s novel, the Idiot, the character Prince Myshkin declares “Beauty will save the world”, This truth and goodness behind this compelling statement has animated such prominent Catholic theologians as Cardinal Hans urs von Balthasar, Bishop Robert Barron, and many others in our day.

    And if can be so bold “beauty” might just save our talks too. And in my conversation today with Jimmy Mitchell we not only consider the ways in which this may be true in our preparation AND delivery of talks, but also the unique way beauty transforms us and invites us to be all that God has created us to be.

    BELIEVING DEEPLY IN the power of beauty to evangelize culture, Jimmy Mitchell’s gifts of storytelling and piano-playing have brought him to every corner of the world. On top of being the founder of Love Good, he’s the director of campus ministry at Jesuit High School in Tampa, FL, which has repeatedly made national news for its growing culture of conversion.

    Between his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and his masters in moral theology, Jimmy has always enjoyed the cross section between faith, artistry, and entrepreneurship. Whether he’s mentoring young people in virtue or interviewing award-winning artists in his studio, he loves nothing more than helping others fall in love with God.

    Connect with Jimmy and his book “Let Beauty Speak”:

    www.letbeautyspeak.com

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

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    42 mins
  • 78. The Power of Words with Taylor Schroll
    Sep 23 2024

    Description

    It says in James chapter 3 and I’m gonna paraphrase “If a man is able to control his tongue, he can control his whole life.”

    And in my conversation with OG Catholic podcaster Taylor Schroll, the theme woven throughout is how powerful the spoken word can be - both in a really funny story about one of his ‘worst’ talks, but also in Preaching in general. And more to the point, which WORDS or WORD do we emphasize when we preach. And do we bring the most powerful WORD to bear every time we speak to Catholic audiences.

    His conviction in this area has stuck with me like a pebble in my shoe…ever since we talked! I hope it has the same impact for you!

    Taylor Schroll is the President of the evangelization and media ministry, Forte Catholic. He is a highly regarded speaker, worship leader, podcaster and producer. He has traveled the country the share the joy of the gospel through his speaking and worship leading for retreats, diocesan conferences and more. He hosts one of the top Catholic podcasts in the world and has helped over 20 other creators launch their podcasts to share the good news online. He lives in Bryan, Tx with his lovely wife Sam and their three children.

    Connect with Taylor:

    his website: fortecatholic.com

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

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    46 mins
  • 77. Simple + Visual = Memorable with Ryan O'Hara
    Sep 16 2024

    Description

    Your talks for Catholic audiences are too complicated, And mine are too!. Ha!

    Whether it’s for teenagers, adults, or little kids we are packing way to much information into too tight spaces.

    So, as I’ve been asked to speak to Catholic Leaders about “How to Give a Good Talk”, I’ve developed four principles - CLEAR, COMPELLING, APPLICABLE and ACTIONABLE. These correspond to four questions every Catholic speaker should ask themselves as they are developing and delivering a talk: Is it Clear? Is it Compelling? Is it Applicable? and Is it Actionable?

    Today I am addressing Principle #1 - “Is it Clear”. And for that question, I’ve come up with an equation:

    SIMPLE + VISUAL = MEMORABLE

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

    I made this podcast with help from Riverside FM. Want to try it out for your podcast? Here’s a link to get you started.

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    21 mins
  • 76. The Power of Preparation & Practice with Katie Hartfiel
    Sep 9 2024

    Description

    Katie Hartfiel is a ‘speakers speaker’. She was called to speak, has many years of experience, is a mentor to others *and* works really hard on each talk BEFORE she steps on stage. It was the combination of hours of PREPARATION *and* PRACTICE that I think sets Katie apart. Her process is inspiring and super practical…something for each of us to learn from and imitate.

    Katie Hartfiel received her theology degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and spent the following seven years serving as a youth minister in Houston. She now feels blessed to spend her days with her husband, Mark, and their four children, while still getting to travel to speak about Jesus. For more on Katie, her books, and your first chapters free, visit womaninlove.org.

    Connect with Katie:

    her website: womaninlove.org

    And “She Shall Be Called Woman” - for more info: https://paradisusdei.org/she-registration-opens/

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

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    41 mins
  • 75. Generational Impact with Jim Beckman
    Sep 2 2024

    Description

    Jim Beckman has seen it all. From being a part of the onset of Steubenville Conferences spreading nationally to ministering to Columbine High School students in the wake that tragedy to launching Y Disciple and so much more…he truly has had a generational impact on the Catholic Church in America. But that “impact” has a cost too…and we dig in to the mark that lifelong ministry can have - and the need for new ways of supporting people giving their lives to serve the Church.

    Jim Beckman serves as the Executive Director of ImpactCenter, a Catholic apostolate dedicated to ministering to ministry leaders in the Church. He is the former Executive Director of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Jim has been involved with Diocesan and parish ministry, evangelization and leadership development for many years. A graduate of Franciscan University and the Augustine Institute, Jim has served in various roles of leadership for national, regional and local ministry. He is a dynamic and passionate speaker and has a great love for the Catholic Church. He has built solid and thriving ministry programs in numerous parishes and Dioceses over the years. He and his wife, Meg, live in Littleton, CO with their five children.

    Connect with Jim:

    At the Impact Center website: https://impactcenter.com/

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

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    52 mins
  • 74. Do You Moralize or Evangelize with Ryan O'Hara
    Aug 26 2024

    Description

    Today’s episode is a new kind of episode. I plan during Season 3 to add Article Reviews and Book Discussions. Today is a solo episode where I share my three main takeaways from an article by Christian Smith, Sociologist at University of Notre Dame, on “Improving Catholic Homilies”.

    Here’s a link to the Article: Improving Catholic Homilies, Part 2: Less Moralism, More Gospel

    (00:27) Introducing the New Episode Format

    (00:53) Discussion on Christian Smith's Article

    (02:32) Key Takeaways from the Article

    (15:08) Applying the Article to Personal Experience

    (19:21) Conclusion and Listener Engagement

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

    I made this podcast with help from Riverside FM. Want to try it out for your podcast? Here’s a link to get you started.

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    20 mins
  • 73. Asking God for the Words with Chika Anyanwu
    Aug 19 2024

    Description

    When it comes to speaking to Catholic audiences where does one BEGIN when preparing a talk? Where do you begin? I know too often I begin with: “have I given a talk on this topic before?” or “whats inspiring me lately?”. Again, nothing wrong with either of these, but are either of these the most important place to start? Well my guest today has some convictions around this question, and you’ve got to stick around to hear all about it.

    Chika Anyanwu is a Catholic evangelist, former Confirmation coordinator/youth & young adult minister, and the author of "My Encounter: How I Met Jesus in Prayer" Her love of God and neighbor enthuses her to share the gospel through testimony, scripture, and honest conversations about the difficult realities of faith and life. She’s had the opportunity to evangelize at NCYC, Given, Steubenville youth conferences, FOCUS SEEK conferences, and The Catholic Feminist France pilgrimage. She’s also a contributor to Blessed Is She as well as “Connected” and “Venture: the Bible Timeline” by Ascension Press. Chika is a part of a beautiful Nigerian family, loves her coffee black, and desires sainthood for herself and you, although bad drivers challenge her sanctity!

    Connect with Chika:

    At her website: www.chika.church

    On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chikasworld?igsh=ZndkMXRycW9odWZo

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

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    43 mins
  • 72. The Power of the Pivot with Brian Greenfield
    Aug 12 2024

    Description

    A powerful theme emerged throughout this conversation which was “how do you know when to pivot” from what’s been planned. AND HOW EXACTLY do you do it? This is one of the hardest skills to master for people new to giving talks in Catholic settings…and there are no hard/fast rules. In each instance…there is a judgment call made, sometimes in just a few seconds to STAY the COURSE or to PIVOT.

    Brian Greenfield and I dig deep into this question. As you’ll see, it takes a whole lot of prayer, preparation, and humility to be confident in making a bold move in the middle of a talk - to go a different direction. Stick around..this is a good one.

    Brian Greenfield was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and attended Seton Hall University and then attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. Brian later returned to Seton Hall to finish his studies in theology, receiving his MA in theology and another master’s degree in education leadership. Brian currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Genevieve, and three beautiful children. In addition to giving talks around the country at conferences large and small He serves at Jesuit High School, where he is the assistant principal for Discipline.

    Connect with Brian’s speaking page here - https://willingevents.com/?profile=brian-greenfield

    And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mission116/?hl=en

    And X: https://x.com/mission116

    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.

    Better Preach is a proud member of Spoke Street, a Catholic Podcast Network that amplifies the voice of the Creator through fostering content that invites.

    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.

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    56 mins