Navigating Friendships with Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett

Has a friend hurt you or left you out?

Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett was just about to leave for a party hosted by a dear friend when she received a text—Mary Ruth’s friend asked her to come a little later, because she was running behind.

Mary Ruth pulled up social media to pass time and was surprised to see a live photo posted by her friend. The image showed the host and many of Mary Ruth’s friends gathered around her friend’s table eating dinner. It turned out that the party was already in full swing.

In reality, Mary Ruth realized she was on the B List and was the only one of all her friends to be invited to the “after party.”

Mary Ruth was crushed.

Yet, while incredibly difficult, Mary Ruth chose to dig deep into this experience to better understand herself, her friendships and God’s hopes for her.

In this Advent Podcast Mary Ruth shares the wisdom she learned about sisterhood in Christ and the healing grace of God.

Learn how God blessed Mary Ruth with a new heart to love and friendships deeply rooted in Christ.

Discover how you can receive the beautiful gift of sisterhood in Christ, too!

From Abuse to Restoration with Lisa Martinez of Little with Great Love

Lisa Martinez was incredibly anxious and fearful as a child, but neither Lisa nor her parents understood why.

When Lisa attended her freshman year of college at Franciscan University—a place Lisa and many others refer to as a "field hospital” for souls—Lisa discovered why she had been consumed by such angst and fear.

Lisa experienced flashbacks of sexual abuse as a young child. She finally knew what she had been carrying.

Listen as Lisa takes us on a sensitive journey of the soul, culminating in Christ’s miraculous healing through prayer, contemplation, EMDR therapy, Catholic retreats and more.

If you or someone you love is the victim of abuse, know that healing is possible! Learn more about Lisa at www.littlewithgreatlove.com (http://www.littlewithgreatlove.com). Reach out to get connected to resources at mamasinspirit@gmail.com.

Let it Be for Christ with Abby Davis

Abby Davis received a call. Within thirty minutes of hanging up the phone, there was a social worker on her front porch holding a baby girl.

Abby and her husband would care for this little girl for many months to follow, not knowing if they would adopt her or just care for her for a little while.

Abby’s heart was filled with love for this precious child, yet was also breaking at the possibility of being separated from her.

Abby would rock the baby and pray:

“Whether you stay or whether you go, let it be for Christ.“

This little girl, as well as two boys, are now the adopted children of Abby and her husband Cameron.

Listen to this mini-retreat in a podcast and imagine how your life can be more fully for Christ, too.

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.

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”

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.

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

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

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.

God Draws Us Close with Kayce Maddux

Kayce Maddux lost her sister when she was in third grade. In their suffering, Kayce's family stopped going to church for a time. Yet God met Kayce right where she was at in the intimacy of her heart and backyard of her home.

Jesus became Kayce's very best friend.

Kayce continued to seek God throughout her adolescence and was blessed to meet her husband at a young age--she was surprised when they sat atop a lifeguard tower and talked about their passionate love of God during their first full conversation.

Kayce converted to Catholicism to get married to her husband in the Church. Kayce talks about how God works through all things, met her as a young bride and drew her closer than she had ever been before.

Kayce continues grow close to God through the Sacraments and prayers she has been blessed with in the Catholic Church.

Kayce recognizes how God draws us near every day in all things. She recognizes the sacred balance between having Catholic friendships centered in the Lord, while also being surrounded with those different from her to discover God more fully and stay ignited with the fire of His love.

Feeling Disconnected in Your Marriage? with Mike and Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project

Michael and Alicia Hernon of The Messy Family Project share how to reconnect with your spouse--even when you are feeling like you have no idea how to be close again.

In this Lenten Podcast, Mike and Alicia explore the choice to be vulnerable with one another, even when they are upset with one another or feeling particularly far apart. Vulnerability is the key ingredient to transformation in marriage.

Love is a choice to be true to one another in every moment and season of a marriage--Mike and Alicia talk about turning to God in prayer and asking for exactly what is needed to heal difficult circumstances and aspects of your relationship with your spouse.

Heartfelt conversations with guests about how god has transformed their LIVES