Catholic Women — 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 Women

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.

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!

Mass and Meals with Shana Blayney

Mass and Meals with Shana Blayney

Throughout her entire life Shana has gone to Sunday Mass and shared Sunday meals with her family.

So simple, yet so powerful.

From the time Shana was small she's experienced the living witness of her parents, who have religiously attended Mass and hosted family dinners on Sundays.

Shana now has a family of her own and they, along with her siblings and their families, spend Sundays at Mass and at Shana's parents' home sharing meals.

In this encouraging podcast, Shana shares how she has experienced the fruit of obedience: love. Her family has gathered throughout all seasons of life, both the joyful and sorrowful, just to be together.

Listen to Shana share and be inspired to root your own life in the Eucharist and family meals (even if this means friends who become family!).

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!

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.

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!

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!

Hope Even at the Bottom of the Bottle with Tara Nowell

Hope Even at the Bottom of the Bottle with Tara Nowell

As a young girl, Tara Nowell began to believe the lie that she couldn’t depend on anyone but herself. Eventually, this became anyone but herself and “the bottle.”

Even when she was at her rock bottom with alcoholism, Tara did not deny God’s existence--she just wanted Him to leave her alone.

Yet through the love of Christ and her beloved parents, God pursued Tara. After years of denial and resistance, Tara entered a Catholic Healing Center Cenacolo and God began to chisel away at Tara's hardened heart.

While Tara wanted to leave Cenacolo, she took the advice of a woman who encouraged her to stay until a miracle happened. Tara did just this.

Listen to this inspiring podcast and know that your miracle can happen, too!

Thy Will be Done with Courtney Siebring, Author of "Little Spark of Life"

Thy Will be Done with Courtney Siebring, Author of "Little Spark of Life"

"In her life, Lord, be glorified."

These are the words Courtney Siebring sang as she cuddled and prayed over the baby girl Courtney and her husband were fostering.

Courtney had experienced infertility and longed to be a mother more than anything--yet the department of social services told Courtney and her husband they would not be keeping the baby girl that they already loved so dearly.

Courtney learned the meaning of "Thy will be done" in a way she never had before.

What unfolded was completely unexpected and clearly God's plan: Courtney and her husband learned this baby would become their daughter through adoption.

Listen to this Advent podcast and be inspired to loosen control in your life, offer your very heart to the Lord and experience the peace and joy that can only come from Christ.

Courtney is the author of Little Spark of Life: A Celebration of Born and Preborn Human Life. Learn more at www.littlesparkoflifebook.com.

The Gift of Women with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer

The Gift of Women with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer

The table is turned on Host Lindy Wynne, as Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer asks Lindy about womanhood and what it means to be a woman.

Lindy explores the gift of womanhood and meaning of Saint Edith Stein's words, "The woman's soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold."

When Lindy was twenty-one and volunteering at an orphanage in Tijuana, she met and developed a maternal love for a young boy named Coco. Coco began calling Lindy "mama." It broke Lindy's heart to have to leave Coco, yet simultaneously revealed God's call for Lindy to be a spiritual mother and shelter souls through adoption.

Womanhood is a complete self-gift in which a woman surrenders her heart for the sake of Love Itself.

Lindy has witnessed such mercy, love and compassion in other women. The gift of a woman is her feminine heart and ability to shelter other souls in a way that hopefully moves others to do the same.

The Kiss of God with Kristi Bentley

The Kiss of God with Kristi Bentley

After Kristi Bentley experienced pregnancy loss with her first baby, she wondered how something so beautiful could be given and then taken away from her.

Kristi now sees how the hand of God was at work in her life all those years ago.

Kristi’s loss led to a deep understanding of the precious gift of life. While mourning her first child she promised to be open to all the children God might bless her and her husband Patrick with. Seven children and countless prayers later, Kristi shares personal stories about Our Lady of Fatima, many Saints and the “kiss of God.”

Be inspired by Kristi’s openness to life even when others don’t understand—Kristi’s pure heart encourages us to notice all the ways we may experience the kiss of God, too.

Healing Anxiety and Depression with Melissa Maleski of the Diocese of Harrisburg

Healing Anxiety and Depression with Melissa Maleski of the Diocese of Harrisburg

“Just take a step. Don’t worry about the next step. Just take one step towards healing.”

This is Melissa Maleski’s advice, mirroring her experience when her anxiety and depression reached a breaking point almost two decades ago. Melissa found herself hyperventilating with a panic attack on her shower floor.

God spoke into the quiet of Melissa’s heart—Melissa realized she didn’t have to live like that anymore.

Melissa chose to be vulnerable, share with loved ones and seek professional support.

Melissa is amazed by how she has received blessing upon blessing from God since she sought help so many years ago--Melissa wants the same for you and any of your loved ones struggling with their mental health.

God Draws Us Close with Kayce Maddux

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.

The Miracle Of Going Home with Elaine Drabik

The Miracle Of Going Home with Elaine Drabik

Elaine Drabik was rushed to the hospital after an unexpected seizure. Unknowingly, she had a virus resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that left Elaine's family uncertain if she would survive.

Elaine and her family were blessed with a miracle. While doctors were uncertain if Elaine would ever be well enough to go home, Elaine miraculously returned home on her youngest child's first birthday. She'd healed more than her doctors had even hoped.

In this Lenten podcast, Elaine shares about the months of recovery in which she spent most of the time alone sleeping and resting due to severe headaches. Throughout these long months Elaine clung to Scripture, as well as the word she heard God speak to her in the hospital: "Okay." Somehow, Elaine knew she would be "okay."

Hear Elaine share how God transformed her heart throughout this tremendous trial.

Struggling with Your Reality? with Fr. Jon Meyer, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit

Struggling with Your Reality? with Fr. Jon Meyer, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit

Are you struggling to accept the crosses you carry? This Lenten podcast explores how difficult it can be to face long-term suffering due to circumstances such as death, addiction, broken relationships, illness, mental illness and more.

Father Jon Meyer (Chaplain) and Lindy Wynne (Host) delve into Luke 22:42 when Jesus asks God, "if you are willing, take this cup away from me."

We all have "cups of suffering" we want taken away. Father Jon and Lindy share situations in their own lives that left them wondering how they could possibly get through.

Yet they have learned through their suffering that when we open our hearts, surrender to the will of God and trust Jesus fully that God touches and transforms us with the completeness of His love.