219: Underneath the Pectoral Cross | The Heart of Bishop William Joensen
The EquipCast
Today, I talk to Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines, IA. I wanted to step past the formal title so you could get to know the man behind the pectoral cross, and he certainly didn't hold back. Bishop Joensen gives us a transparent look into his life and faith, sharing how a pre-med path in Iowa unexpectedly led to the priesthood and what it was like taking the helm of a diocese just months before the pandemic hit. From some fun banter about Iowa-Nebraska rivalries to his honest reflections on leadership missteps, this episode offers a rare and refreshing look into the heart, humor, and wisdom of a bishop shepherding his flock with humility. Episode Timeline: * [00:00] – Introduction * [04:14] – Pre-Med, Family Roots, and Discerning the Priesthood * [14:07] – Friendly Rivalries and the State of the U.S. Church * [22:09] – Pastoral Planning and 18 Months of Humble Inquiry * [28:40] – Offering the Unvarnished Truth of the Gospel * [34:01] – Respecting Subsidiarity in Parish Renewal * [40:28] – Navigating Demographic Shifts and Rural Reality * [47:56] – Episcopal Leadership, Prayer, and Learning from Missteps Resources Mentioned * Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen Our Trusted Partners Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries (FFLCM) helps Catholic parishes and dioceses transform fragmented faith formation into an integrated, family-centered pathway of lifelong discipleship. Through the Pathways Formation suite, practical resources, leader formation, and ongoing accompaniment, they equip leaders to engage families, build sustainable teams, and cultivate faith that is lived at church and at home. ⭐️ Enjoying the Show? If The EquipCast is helping you navigate the realities of parish leadership, please take 60 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired ministry leaders find these tools and realize they don’t have to walk this path alone! Connect & Take the Next Step: * Grab Your Free Tools: Get the playbook that actually changes lives at EverydayEvangelization.org. * Bring This to Your Parish: Discover strategic training and accompaniment at Anchor Consulting. * Read the Book: Order your copy of A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish. The EquipCast is powered by Everyday Evangelization in conjunction with Anchor Consulting, delivering practical evangelization strategies and parish ministry tools to help you leave your ministry better than you found it. Copyright © 2026 Anchor Consulting. All rights reserved.