Catholic — Episodes — Mamas in Spirit Catholic Podcast and Ministry for Women

A Mini-Retreat in a Podcast

Heartfelt conversations with guests about how god has transformed their LIVES

Posts tagged Catholic

Surrendering My Perfectionism with Colleen Carroll Campbell

Surrendering My Perfectionism with Colleen Carroll Campbell

Still reverberating in Colleen Carroll Campbell’s heart are an older mom’s words of wisdom from 15 years ago: “I don’t know if there is room for perfectionism in any other part of life, but I know this: there is no room for it in motherhood.”

Colleen had done her best to achieve flawlessness during her ambitious career, including a job as the American president’s speech writer. But it wasn’t until hearing the wise mom’s words about motherhood that Colleen realized her own struggle with perfectionism.

God began changing Colleen that morning and continues to transform her to this day. While she strives to do her best for the greater glory of God, Colleen has learned to let go and trust she is in God’s hands.

And she has discovered that there is no better place to be.

Listen to this inspiring “mini-retreat in a podcast” and allow yourself to surrender into the arms of Merciful Jesus, too.

Love in Action with Caroline Graham

Love in Action with Caroline Graham

After raising four boys, Caroline Graham’s husband shared that he felt called to adopt a daughter.

Soon thereafter, Caroline received a call from a dear friend about a toddler girl needing a home.

Caroline figured that she and her husband knew how to love children and said “yes.”

Caroline realized that the call to love her precious daughter would demand more of her than she ever could have imagined. Loving her daughter would require her entire self and more—it would require daily and full dependency on Christ.

Caroline’s daughter suffers from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).

Hear Caroline share about how she has learned that while we come to the end of our own ability to love, God’s love is endless. Be inspired by how Caroline has opened herself to the supernatural love of God to care for her daughter and family—just as she is called.

Lord, Teach Us How to Think with Fr. Jon Meyer, Mamas in Spirit Chaplain

Lord, Teach Us How to Think with Fr. Jon Meyer, Mamas in Spirit Chaplain

Chaplain Father Jon Meyer was in his early twenties when his mother passed away.

In his grief, Father Jon faced the dark thought of needing to earn love, as well as the fear of being unloveable.

Father Jon was in the seminary at the time and chose to be honest about the thoughts he struggled with. He shared with his Spiritual Director and Formation Advisor, as well as some family and close friends. Over time, Father Jon was blessed with the transformation of his mind by God.

This podcast will help you explore your own thoughts and how they may be separating you from self, God and others. Learn tools of transparency and vulnerability to open yourself to the glorious “renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

My Heart was Broken and Put Back Together with Stacey Sumereau

My Heart was Broken and Put Back Together with Stacey Sumereau

Stacey Sumereau is on a healing journey.

Stacey was pregnant with her third child when she had a placental abruption--Baby Honora (Nora) was born early by emergency C-section.

Stacey's heart broke into pieces as she watched her baby go through what seemed like endless life-saving procedures. The final breaking point was when Stacey and her husband were told they needed to say goodbye.

Miraculously, Nora survived.

Over time, Stacey moved beyond her trauma and into prayerful silence. God created a much stronger heart in Stacey as He put the pieces of her heart back together.

Listen to this inspiring story of surrender and let God heal any broken pieces of your heart, too.

My Mission of Love with Becca Bumm

My Mission of Love with Becca Bumm

Becca Bumm’s family members were struggling and her very own heart was, too. She felt alone and close to despair.

Until a wise friend encouraged Becca to attend a women’s retreat called “Cursillo.”

God healed Becca’s heart and poured in His holy love throughout the weekend.

And then God sent Becca on a mission of love.

Hear how Becca re-entered her life after the retreat with only one thing having changed: her very self.

Be inspired by how this holy change in Becca helped transform those around her in God’s love. Learn how God wants to do this for you, too!

Holy Balm on My Injured Heart with Jennifer Calabretta

Holy Balm on My Injured Heart with Jennifer Calabretta

Jennifer Calabretta’s childhood and early marriage were perfect in so many ways. But Jennifer never could have imagined what was to come.

Jennifer lost her second baby weeks after delivery to a rare muscle disorder. Doctors told her this would never happen again.

However, during one of Jennifer’s subsequent pregnancies, she learned that her daughter wouldn’t survive the very same disease.

Jennifer carried her baby throughout the remaining months of her pregnancy—and she and her husband were blessed with ten minutes with their daughter.

Jennifer experienced God deep within her throughout it all. God’s love was like holy balm to her injured heart.

In this vulnerable and joy-filled podcast, learn that God’s grace is sufficient. You will be blessed with God’s holy balm of the heart, too!

God Grabbed my Hand with Lisa DiPietro

God Grabbed my Hand with Lisa DiPietro

Lisa was in a hole she never thought she'd get out of.

Lisa struggled with insecurity since her childhood. As an adopted child, Lisa felt like she was given up. Even though her adoptive parents lavished her in love, Lisa worried that if she wasn't good enough that they might give her up, too.

Lisa turned to drinking. When Lisa hit the depths of the hole she was in, God reached in and helped Lisa climb out. Lisa learned a life-changing lesson through this.

“You have to bring God into your life to heal that hole in your soul.”

Listen to this vulnerable story of how a beautiful woman grew to greater confidence and love as she was touched by the mercy of God.

My Divine Purpose with Molly Verdier of Morgan's Place

My Divine Purpose with Molly Verdier of Morgan's Place

On her birthday in 2018, Mollie Verdier wrote a letter asking God to reveal her divine purpose to her.

Soon thereafter, Mollie and her husband Nathan experienced infant loss. Mollie went into a dark place. Compounding her loss, Mollie and Nathan didn't know how to grieve together and were distant from one another.

One night, as Mollie watched Nathan pray at the foot of her bed, she asked God to soften her heart.

Mollie awoke at 3am the next morning and knew what God was calling them to—Mollie and Nathan created Morgan's Place.

"Morgan's Place was established to assist families through the grieving process when experiencing the loss of a baby. We aid this process by memory-making, birth planning, funeral and burial services, and post-partum support groups for parents."

Listen to this healing podcast and be inspired to discover your divine purpose, too!

The Gift of Christ-Centered Community with Anna Hurd of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)

The Gift of Christ-Centered Community with Anna Hurd of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)

"You’ve been trained to heal my body physically as a nurse, but what I’m inviting you to do is heal my body spiritually as a missionary."

Christ spoke these words into Anna Hurd’s heart when she was discerning what God was calling her to after completing her nursing degree.

Anna’s own life had already been transformed through FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at Western Kentucky University.

Now God was calling Anna to be a FOCUS missionary herself.

Like nurses who go out to battlefields during war to care for the wounded, Anna could see how God was calling her to care for spiritually wounded students--Anna would invite college students into personal relationship with Christ and Catholic fellowship.

Listen to this inspiring story, as well as Anna's wisdom about how to help encourage your own teenage and young adult children in their faith.

Proclaiming God's Love in the Rain with Tammi McCarthy of Whispers of Love and Faith

Proclaiming God's Love in the Rain with Tammi McCarthy of Whispers of Love and Faith

As Tammi McCarthy sat at Mass and listened to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, God revealed to her that she was the person in the story she didn’t want to be: the older brother.

God whispered into Tammi's heart:

“You have sat at my banquet table for years and you have dined on my abundance, but you have never invited anyone to dine with you.”

Tammi made a commitment that day to invite others to prayer and relationship with Christ. Yet Tammi didn't know that even when her life became difficult, she would still be called to share the love of Christ with others.

Tammi would learn to "stand in the rain and profess God's faithfulness soaking wet."

Listen to this podcast and be inspired as you hear this story of God as the Way Maker!

Good for the Body, Good for the Soul with Beth Bubik, Catholic Fasting Coach

Good for the Body, Good for the Soul with Beth Bubik, Catholic Fasting Coach

Do you struggle with your body?

“The Catholic Fasting Coach” Beth Bubik understands and can help you.

As a child, Beth thought that her worthiness was tied to her weight. By the time she was in fifth grade she was dieting.

It wasn’t until Beth discovered spiritual fasting—fasting that incorporates both the body and soul—that she was transformed.

Beth knows we have to fast for a deep spiritual purpose in order for it to be life-changing.

Listen and discover how to care for both your body and soul.

Stay Alert and Sober with Amy Cara

Stay Alert and Sober with Amy Cara

“Stay alert and sober”

As Amy Cara heard these words while in church, she knew God was speaking directly to her.

Soon thereafter, Amy fell asleep early one evening after drinking and heard the distant cries of her toddler.

The next morning Amy flipped through the phone book and found Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

After nineteen years of sobriety, Amy has learned:

“We don’t need to live with these particular inclinations we may have that are outside of God’s will. There is help. God is the Restorer. He’s the Healer.”

Listen as Amy shares about addictions, stigmas, masks and ultimately the miraculous healing work of God. And learn about a whole new level of restoration God may just have in store for you.

Should Our Faith be So "Heady?" with Ellie Hiller

Should Our Faith be So "Heady?" with Ellie Hiller

While Ellie Hiller was raised in a beautiful home of faith and memorized Scripture, she wondered if her faith should be so much in her head. Something was missing.

Until God converted her heart.

When Ellie’s husband became Catholic and they lost their shared non-denominational practice, Ellie struggled. She armored herself in defensiveness and even listened to Matt Fradd’s podcast “Pints with Aquinas,” just so she could gain intellectual ammunition to defend her non-denominational viewpoints.

Only God changed her.

Ellie was touched by Saint Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, the Sacraments and physicality of the Catholic faith.

Listen to this joy-filled podcast and allow God to help you move out of your head and into your heart, too.

Jesus' Love Letter with Anne Trufant of Mission on the Mountain

Jesus' Love Letter with Anne Trufant of Mission on the Mountain

Anne Trufant was sixteen and only went to Catholic summer camp to find the “cute boy in the room.”

However, when Anne finally got the chance to dance with the cutest boy at camp, she looked up and didn’t see the boy—she saw Jesus. This moment changed her life forever.

Anne went home and couldn’t get enough of what a seminarian referred to at camp as “Jesus’ Love Letter.” She soaked Scripture in daily and, about 50 years later, continues to do so.

Anne’s personal relationship with Christ has led her to create a home for women who are pregnant and in crisis, do missionary work in Kenya, establish a Catholic summer camp in North Carolina and develop an online ministry centered in the Bible.

Anne pours out Scripture passages embedded in her heart, personal stories of God’s supernatural blessing of peace and phenomenal mama wisdom in this inspiring podcast.

Learn all about Anne’s summer camp and ministry at themissiononthemountain.com.

The Great Cry with Kathy Schmugge of the Diocese of Charleston

The Great Cry with Kathy Schmugge of the Diocese of Charleston

When Kathy Schmugge found out her baby didn’t have a heartbeat at about twelve weeks, she went out to her car and cried “The Great Cry.” In that moment Kathy mourned her baby in her womb, as well as previous babies lost.

Kathy felt held--she knew she was in the arms of God.

Kathy offers grief support through the Office of Family Life in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. Yet what makes her work so effective is that Kathy is a living witness to how to navigate grief close to God.

Kathy says, "A lot of people run from grief. Do it the way you need to do it. But don’t run away from it."

In this joy-filled and inspiring podcast, Kathy shares specific pieces of advice to help you grieve in the way you most need to with God. From stories of pregnancy loss to elder care to the death of her parents, Kathy will bless you with understanding, healing and hope.

Learn more about Kathy's work at charlestondiocese.org.

Make Your Life a Beautiful Offering to God

Make Your Life a Beautiful Offering to God

Heidi Hess Saxton taught her children that their guardian angels only leave them once each week--it is during the Eucharist that they gather around the throne of Heaven and make their offerings of prayer.

Like our guardian angles, our lives are meant to be beautiful offerings to God.

In this podcast, listen to Heidi as she shares stories of her conversion and from her experience of motherhood, as well as wisdom that she has learned throughout her lifetime. (Heidi's children are all adopted and now adults!)

Learn how to open your heart to the merciful touch of Christ and make your life a beautiful offering.

Heidi’s newest book “Stories of the Eucharist: A Family Treasury of Saints and Seekers" is available now!

Creating a Legacy of God's Love with Karen Gambino

Creating a Legacy of God's Love with Karen Gambino

At 36 years old, Karen Gambino was surprised she felt like an orphan when she lost her mom--it was like she was missing a significant force in her life.

As Karen grieved, she sensed the importance of remembering and choosing to share the goodness of her mom with her family.

At first, Karen and her five sisters visited their mom's graveside. Soon all the family wanted to join in their annual ritual of remembrance.

In this moving podcast, hear how many generations gathered around Karen's mother's graveside on blankets, shared stories and sang songs to remember Karen's mother. As they raised their voices they discovered they were knit together eternally as family.

Listen and create a legacy of God's love in your family, too.

A Holy Prescription with April Mascola

A Holy Prescription with April Mascola

As twelve-year-old April Mascola sat in her school desk she wondered what things would be like when she got home. Her mom had gone away for psychiatric care—April was doing her very best to fill her mom’s shoes and care for her three younger siblings while her mom was gone.

While April’s family wasn’t praying or attending church during this time—or any of the first twelve years of April’s life—April was graced with a supernatural peace to persevere though this difficult season.

Hear how April’s mom was not only reunited with her husband and children months later, but also her Catholic faith. And how April’s mother began to share the gift of Our Blessed Mother with April.

In this podcast, learn how Mother Mary has continued to draw April close. On a trip to Medjugorje in 2011, April discovered A Holy Prescription of The Five Stones of Medjugorje. April prays the Rosary daily, fasts two times per week, attends Confession monthly, reads Holy Scripture daily and attends Mass weekly.

Listen and be inspired to make your own promises to Mary!

A Hug from Heaven with Lisa Morris

A Hug from Heaven with Lisa Morris

This podcast contains sensitive content, including discussion of suicide.

Lisa Morris stopped going to Reconciliation as a teenager. She figured she could just go to God herself.

Lisa now recognizes her turn away from God was the beginning of many choices that resulted in immense suffering, including an abortion, eating disorder, poor relationship with alcohol and divorce.

Lisa went to church on an impulse the morning she signed her divorce papers--she had a full circle moment when Confession was available and she attended about fifteen years after she stopped going.

Lisa was touched by the unfathomable mercy of God in the confessional and began a healing journey of the soul. Lisa wants you to know this gift is awaiting you, too.

Extraordinary Hope with Sue Simms

Extraordinary Hope with Sue Simms

Sue Simms got down on her knees and prayed in her hospital room. She awaited the test results revealing if her second daughter would have the same fatal birth defect she lost her first daughter to.

Sue told God that she trusted His plan and would follow—she just asked to know if her baby would live or die.

As soon as Sue stood from her time of prayer, the doctor returned to tell Sue that her baby girl was healthy and would go home with Sue and her husband.

Many years later, this baby would become a mama and experience the same heart-wrenching loss with her first baby as Sue did.

Grace-filled lessons abound in this story that captures the power of surrender, the gift of steadfast faith and the blessings of holy motherhood.

Listen and be filled with the extraordinary hope that only God can provide!