Mamas in Spirit — 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 Mamas in Spirit

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.

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).

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.

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!).

I Shouldn't Feel Like This with Jeannie Ewing

I Shouldn't Feel Like This with Jeannie Ewing

“I’m not supposed to feel like this, because I’m Catholic.”

Jeannie Ewing felt inept in her motherhood when she found out she was pregnant with her fifth child--she wondered why God didn’t just take her in her sleep.

Self-loathing consumed Jeannie as her thoughts intensified.

Then Jeannie was asked to speak to a group of cloistered nuns.

After the retreat, a couple of the nuns invited Jeannie to go with them to The Shrine of the Holy Innocents.

In this wisdom-packed podcast, hear how God transformed Jeannie's heart as she stood in the shrine.

Open your heart to God's invisible grace--let Him change you, too!

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.

Living According to God's Will with Ester Munt-Brooks

Living According to God's Will with Ester Munt-Brooks

Have you ever been blessed with a sense of peace that “was not of this world?”

This is what Ester Munt-Brooks experienced while in a Croatian hospital just miles from Bosnia. It was a Sunday, there was no doctor to be found and no one in Ester's family spoke the local language.

Yet Ester had a very sick child in need of emergency surgery.

In this moment of maternal desperation, hear how Ester accepted God's will with love.

Ester will never forget the following week with her family, as they divided their time between the hospital in Croatia and our Blessed Mother in Medjugorje.

Listen to this podcast and learn how to live according to God’s will.

From Employee to Enemy of the Year with Mayra Rodriguez

From Employee to Enemy of the Year with Mayra Rodriguez

How does a Catholic woman become Planned Parenthood's "Employee of the Year?" And then later become what she termed its "Enemy of the Year?"

This is the life-story of Mayra Rodriguez, a teen immigrant groomed to believe she was helping women, even encouraging them to receive abortions without their husbands knowing.

From becoming director of an abortion facility to witnessing the horrific reality of abortion firsthand, Mayra faced the truth. Her heart changed.

But not before a bitter lawsuit with Planned Parenthood.

Listen to this inspiring podcast and pray for the gift of every human life!

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.

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!

An Eternal Perspective with Rich Peluso of Sony's AFFIRM Films

An Eternal Perspective with Rich Peluso of Sony's AFFIRM Films

Rich Peluso was in a dark place in his early twenties--he was working a job that compromised his values and chisled away at who God created him to be.

While Rich was avoiding time alone with God in prayer, he desperately desired to reconnect.

One night as Rich laid in bed, he called out to God. And even though Rich was not ready to fully amend his life, God was faithful.

Days later Rich unfolded a newspaper that held a ceramic Christmas tree in his car--Rich never could have imagined the pages would hold the gift of new life for Rich. God would transform Rich's heart and provide him with a hope-filled future.

Listen to this final podcast in the Easter Series and behold an eternal perspective!

One Step at a Time with God with Elizabeth Blanke

One Step at a Time with God with Elizabeth Blanke

Elizabeth Blanke never could have imagined she’d be a young widow, on her own with three small children.

Elizabeth’s husband and high school sweetheart passed away unexpectedly from a sudden heart attack.

Hear how God guided Elizabeth one step at a time to face the unimaginable.

From planning the funeral to learning taxes to becoming the sole parent of their three children, Elizabeth leaned into God’s holy presence and supernatural provision—with God, she was able to attend to all the details while God attended to Elizabeth’s heart.

Listen to this newest podcast in the Mamas in Spirit Easter Series and know that all things are truly possible with God.

From planning the funeral to learning taxes to becoming the sole parent of their three children, Elizabeth leaned into God’s holy presence and supernatural provision—with God, she was able to attend to all the details while God attended to Elizabeth’s heart.

Listen to this newest podcast in the Mamas in Spirit Easter Series and know that all things truly are possible with God.

Becoming Who God Dreams Me to Be with Ismael Fierro

Becoming Who God Dreams Me to Be with Ismael Fierro

Ismael Fierro and his wife Vanessa prepared for three years--and even learned French--to move from Mexico to Canada. However, when the time came to go, Ismael's company didn't offer him a job in Canada--they unexpectedly invited him to work in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ismael learned to let go of his own plan and surrender to God's will. He prayed, “Let me be the person you dreamt of when you created me.”

Soon thereafter, Ismael, Vanessa and their two small children landed in the Nashville airport to create a home in a country they didn't know with a language they didn't speak. Ismael sensed God with him in a sacred moment he will never forget.

In this Easter podcast, be inspired as Ismael shares what “Thy Will be Done” in the Our Father means to him, as well as his love for Saint Joseph and the Surrender Novena.

May we, like Ismael, always invoke the Holy Spirit in prayer and surrender our lives to God's will.

Glorifying God While Carrying a Cross with Lorraine Hess

Glorifying God While Carrying a Cross with Lorraine Hess

Lorraine Hess was touring for her new album about glorifying God when she found out that her home had been severely damaged in a house fire.

After returning home she felt drawn to Adoration.

While there, she heard God ask her, “Can you glorify me while you are carrying a cross?”

In this Easter podcast, hear how Lorraine was committed to glorifying God throughout the 20 months her family was displaced while fixing their home.

God sharpened Lorraine to stay in gratitude and recognize how people were watching her living witness.

Hear Lorraine sing about this experience in her song “A Heart That’s Been Purified” at the end of the podcast, and learn more about her at lorrainehess.com.