WELSTech Audio
WELSTech explores the use of technology to further the spread of the gospel. This show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
All Episodes
748 – Lori Ehlke Art
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/04/17/748-lori-ehlke-art/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>Welcome to Holy Week 2025, and a warm WELSTech welcome to art educator Lori Ehlke. Lori shares her path from art and Spanish teacher through Covid shutdown to YouTube fame, and how she benefitted from learning as she went and being consistent with her work. BONUS: Lori’s work isn’t confined to the K-12 classroom. We have a ministry resource idea that may resonate with adults in your community and congregation. Grab your brush, and tune in.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Dude Perfect and art collide – Art educator Lori Ehlke chatted with Martin and Sallie about how she, with her easy-to-follow art tutorials, became a YouTube star with 560+ videos and over 11,000 subscribers, and her best advice for your similar efforts.</p> <p>Follow Lori at …</p> <ul> <li>Website – <a href="https://ehlkeart.com/" rel="nofollow">EhlkeArt.com</a></li> <li>YouTube – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/EhlkeArt" rel="nofollow">youtube.com/EhlkeArt</a></li> <li>Facebook – <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loriehlkeart" rel="nofollow">facebook.com/loriehlkeart</a></li> </ul> Ministry resources <ul> <li>Fellowship/Outreach event idea <ul> <li>Peace in North Mankato, MN (ELS) hosted a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/peacemankato/posts/1122217266598431" rel="nofollow">Painting to Gogh class</a> featuring Lori Ehlke’s <a href="https://www.paintingtogogh.com/products/wildflower-meadow?variant=42385298063542" rel="nofollow">Wildflower Meadow</a></li> <li><a href="https://PaintingToGogh.com" rel="nofollow">PaintingToGogh.com</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/what-happened-at-canva-create-2025/" rel="nofollow">10 Highlights from Canva Create</a></li> <li>AI for meeting notes, summary, and action items <ul> <li><a href="https://Otter.ai" rel="nofollow">Otter.ai</a></li> <li><a href="https://Fireflies.ai" rel="nofollow">Fireflies.ai</a></li> <li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQecYkpQE9vBR0_pT6k4NroQD4lMomNIoQOHqVZObYwS3rk8t2ER7PRUe7FBrLRNjobAyoFNlpC3ik0/pub" rel="nofollow">Comparing the two</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> Next time <p>Attendance tracking</p> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> X conversation</li> <li>Follow us on X – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>762 – Llamas in the Machine
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/10/30/762-llamas-in-the-machine/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>This episode of WELSTech opens with an overview of the recent WELS Artificial Intelligence (AI) survey. The AI theme continues throughout the show, featuring details on the new Hour of AI initiative, a powerful prompt designed to help organize scattered thoughts, a WELS-centric GPT tool, and the latest edition of the <em>TAAFT (There’s an AI for That)</em> newsletter. And yes—watch out for AI llamas!</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>The survey says – Martin shares preliminary insights from the recent AI survey distributed to WELS called and lay workers. While analysis is ongoing, the results will guide and prioritize the efforts of the AI Task Force. Notably, information on ethical considerations and ministry-specific use cases of AI emerged as top desired resources.</p> Ministry Resource <p>Updated Google Calendar lectionaries for</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_61a4543308e7c7934308c604ba699109b31aa7429a5e386457b9e8cdd72b62bb%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FChicago" rel="nofollow">Christian Worship 2021</a></li> <li><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=6ce0g3p8472ot0i5l4kmlt2ct4%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FChicago" rel="nofollow">Christian Worship 1993</a></li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://csforall.org/en-US/hour-of-ai" rel="nofollow">Hour of AI</a></li> <li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sZIVZuMDn2yaCla-2bK2Ii-JeKaSWUjdRYljAfGGkfs/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">The Prompt that Organizes Your Chaos</a> – featured in Jeff Su’s <em>Workplace Essentials</em> newsletter (<a href="https://www.jeffsu.org/newsletter/" rel="nofollow">Subscribe</a>)</li> </ul> Community feedback & events <ul> <li><a href="https://chatgpt.com/g/g-685ca3ef68dc8191ac0f7247a4ece363-clc-chatbot" rel="nofollow">WELS GPT</a> by Mark Salzwedel from Christ Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN – Shared in the <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech/c/XDzBWnHIXJA" rel="nofollow">WELSTech Google Group</a></li> <li><em>TAAFT (There’s an AI for That)</em> newsletter – <a href="https://newsletter.theresanaiforthat.com/p/ai-video-creates-itself-live" rel="nofollow">Sample</a> | <a href="https://newsletter.theresanaiforthat.com/subscribe" rel="nofollow">Subscribe</a></li> </ul> Next time <p>John Rathje shares a bit about his <a href="https://lutheranleadership.com" rel="nofollow">Lutheran Leadership Conference</a> session on planning that works. <a href="https://lutheranleadership.com/2026-registration/" rel="nofollow">Register early</a> to secure your spot and take advantage of discounted pricing.</p> Get involved <ul> <li> <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> X conversation</li> <li>Follow us on X – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul>764 – NotebookLM: The Godzilla of AI
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2025/11/25/764-notebooklm/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>This week on WELSTech we take a deep dive into Google’s NotebookLM. Discover how this AI tool uses <i>only</i> your uploaded documents to create everything from video and audio overviews, flashcards, and summary documents, plus learn about other innovative AI tools like Hume Voice AI and the Plaud audio recorder that are changing the way we work and communicate.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>I wonder …. – Martin and Sallie are joined by Dr. Rachel Renno, Director of Academic Computing for <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu" rel="nofollow">Martin Luther College</a>, and Jason Schmidt, Director of Technology for <a href="https://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/" rel="nofollow">Oshkosh (WI) Area School District</a> to discuss Google’s NotebookLM and how it leverages AI <em>only</em> on the documents you upload. Use NotebookLM to generate video and audio overviews of your content as well as summary documents, flashcards, and quizzes. Plus, it integrates easily into Google Classroom!</p> <ul> <li>Sample NotebookLM – <a href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/72750c3b-f737-43e5-87c2-b466ba2b5404" rel="nofollow">WELSTech SAMR Season Overview</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/72750c3b-f737-43e5-87c2-b466ba2b5404?artifactId=9c8167f2-200b-4442-9144-093a31fef4e7" rel="nofollow">Video overview</a></li> <li><a href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/72750c3b-f737-43e5-87c2-b466ba2b5404?artifactId=7dfca3c7-9cc5-4e73-b24d-8ae946103267" rel="nofollow">Audio overview</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> Ministry resource <ul> <li><a href="https://churchtechtoday.com/10-ways-a-pastor-can-use-google-notebooklm-for-work-ministry-and-beyond/" rel="nofollow">10 Ways A Pastor Can Use Google NotebookLM for Work, Ministry and Beyond</a></li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://www.hume.ai/" rel="nofollow">Hume</a> – Voice AI</li> <li><a href="https://www.plaud.ai/" rel="nofollow">Plaud</a> – AI audio recorder</li> <li><a href="https://www.auctria.com" rel="nofollow">Auctria</a> online auctions – <a href="https://event.auctria.com/850c137a-63c0-41f2-830c-92aca0056746/a780d600ec2e11e9ae081db830846aa5" rel="nofollow">Sample auction</a> by Risen Savior Lutheran School, Mankato, MN</li> <li><a href="https://www.nomatic.com/collections/shop-all-best-sellers/products/the-nomatic-travel-pack" rel="nofollow">Nomadic Travel Pack</a></li> </ul> <p><span><b>Community feedback</b></span></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.komando.com/news/security/icloud-google-drive-are-not-backups/" rel="nofollow">iCloud and Google Drive are NOT Backups</a> from <a href="https://www.komando.com/" rel="nofollow">Kim Komando</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=166620&clientkey=8C7EC27E66B8E44D82FD7F25E9526B76" rel="nofollow">HubSpot Specialist needed</a> in WELS Technology</li> <li>From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/717434395054874" rel="nofollow">WELS Intersections on Facebook</a> <ul> <li>Thanksgiving Social Media post ideas</li> <li><a href="https://get.tithe.ly/blog/church-technology-in-2025-and-beyond" rel="nofollow">Church Technology in 2025 and beyond</a> from <a href="https://tithe.ly" rel="nofollow">Tithe.ly</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://nextdoor.com/" rel="nofollow">Nextdoor</a> – local community communication</li> <li><a href="https://www.reachtheapp.com/" rel="nofollow">Reach app</a> – group email and text</li> <li><a href="https://businessconnect.apple.com/" rel="nofollow">Apple Business Connect</a> – control your church or school display on Apple Maps and more</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>768 – Many Hats, Many Cats
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2026/01/22/768-many-hats-many-cats/" rel="nofollow"></a> <p>Tune into this episode of WELSTech for a master class in herding cats as we navigate a lively discussion of the MLC degree and certificate offerings for technology directors. There’s also a broad range of picks of the week, Martin’s Screens and Souls presentation from Leadership Conference, and some free Google training to discuss.</p> <p></p> The discussion <p>Technology director – Martin and Sallie welcome our semi-regular edtech co-hosts, Dr. Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt, along with yet another friend in the ed tech space, Dr. Bob Martens, Martin Luther College (MLC) Director of Information Technology. The discussion centers on the MLC <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/technology-director/" rel="nofollow">Technology Director graduate degree program</a> (a <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/06/MSEdAdmin-TechDir-6-23-2025.pdf" rel="nofollow">30 credit MS Education Administration</a> program) as well as two new certifications also offered by MLC in <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/06/Ed-Tech-Leader-Cert-PP-6-30-2025.pdf" rel="nofollow">Education Technology Leadership</a> and <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/06/Technology-Integration-Specialist-Cert-PP-6-30-2025.pdf" rel="nofollow">Technology Integration</a>, each requiring 9 credits.</p> <p>Summed up as learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, the three share how the program teaches edtech leadership skills needed to manage the many facets of the ever-changing edtech learning environment.</p> Ministry resource <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cosn.org/edtech-topics/driving-k-12-innovation/hurdles-accelerators/" rel="nofollow">CoSN K-12 Innovation</a> <ul> <li>Notebook LM summary – <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/EHHXawHqFKupGLmK7" rel="nofollow">Infographic</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iFEAORYQqW6mx6koAxjoPrKVcpPPjvtC/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">Audio</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/dZsWZDu5as8" rel="nofollow">Video</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Martin’s Leadership Conference presentation on <a href="https://bit.ly/screensandsouls" rel="nofollow">Screens and Souls</a></li> </ul> Picks of the week <ul> <li><a href="https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/accessories-modules-fiber/collections/accessories-pro-single-mode-optical-fiber/products/uacc-om-qsfp28-lr4?variant=uacc-om-qsfp28-lr4" rel="nofollow">100G LR4 Single-Mode Optical Module</a></li> <li><a href="https://a.co/d/73Vd2OS" rel="nofollow">Water Reminder Smart Light</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2391819?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#zippy=%2Copen-tabs-and-links-in-split-view" rel="nofollow">Google Chrome Split View</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.pirateship.com/" rel="nofollow">Pirate Ship</a></li> <li><a href="https://bookofconcord.cph.org" rel="nofollow">Book of Concord</a></li> </ul> Community feedback <ul> <li><a href="https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_us/learning-center/certifications/" rel="nofollow">Free Google Certifications</a> – Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 as well as Gemini Certified Educator and Gemini Certified student</li> </ul> Get involved <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:welstech@wels.net" rel="nofollow">welstech@wels.net</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" rel="nofollow">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" rel="nofollow">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" rel="nofollow">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&src=typd" rel="nofollow">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter – <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs" rel="nofollow">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper" rel="nofollow">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech" rel="nofollow">welstech</a></li> </ul>