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.
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).
Read MoreLisa 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.
Read MoreRachel's husband was going to leave here and take their children with him. While Rachel had been deceiving her husband and hiding the extent of her drinking for some time, her recent car accident couldn't be explained away. She was caught.
In this Easter podcast, Rachel looks back on this moment as a gift from God--this was the "rock bottom" she needed to finally get help.
As Rachel engaged in the work needed to become and maintain sobriety, she discovered a greater joy than she could have ever imagined possible.
Rachel has been an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for five years.
Read MoreJennie Guinn, Life Coach at Catholic Moms in the Middle, shares her struggle with shame and unworthiness. For many years these feelings were deeply tied into her battle to lose weight.
Jennie realized her weight loss was a spiritual matter that couldn't be fixed with things of the world alone. Jennie began to lose weight as she spent more time in solitude with the Lord and was honest about what was unfolding in her heart. Jennie found an eating program that works great for her and is now close to her weight loss goal.
Jennie discoverd the most significant part of her weight loss journey was “losing the weight of the lies she had been telling herself.”
Jennie's time of solitude and weight loss has been part of what she calls a “Season of Grace." Jennie has created an acronym for the world "Grace" that reflects her personal journey with God:
God’s Mercy
Rest
Awareness
Connection
Epiphany
Jean Heaton knew something was wrong with her son and asked God to show her what it was. Two days later she discovered her family needed help with substance abuse.
Jean talks about how drug and alcohol addiction is a family disease. Jean, her husband and their son all sought help. They "tackled it from every front they could."
What Jean learned was this meant surrendering her son and the circumstances they faced to God.
Jean shares numerous pearls of wisdom she has learned through the years it took for son to become sober.
Jean is the author of, "Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing and Healing through 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality."
Read MoreDr. Kimberly Aguillard had some vision until she was ten years old--one of the surgeries Kimberly had in fourth grade resulted in total blindness.
Afterwards, Kimberly found that she was more isolated being disabled in a world that isn’t made for people with disabilities. Kimberly tells stories and shares ideas to help people who are blind feel more included in the Catholic Church community.
Kimberly has received invaluable resources from Xavier Society for the Blind, which "delivers faith and inspiration in braille and audio." Learn more about these resources at xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
Read MoreAmy D'Ambra of My Saint My Hero shares the story of accompanying her beloved sister, Judy as she prepared for Heaven.
Amy is the youngest of five sisters. Judy was diagnosed with a rapid-progressing form of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) almost two years ago.
This diagnosis took Amy and those dearest to her on a journey of the soul. One of the greatest lessons: to use our voices courageously to share the love of God while on Earth and keep our hearts fixated on spending forever with Him in Heaven.
Amy is one of the creators and compilers of Mother Mary, Mother Me, a devotional journal found at mysaintmyhero.com to help you grow closer to the heart of our Blessed Mother.
Read MoreCatholic Psychotherapist Dana Nygaard talks about her personal eperience learning how to better date, love and reflect Jesus to her husband, David.
Dana shares best prayer and communication practices to help you and your spouse heal and attain a God-centered marriage. Learn how to let go of ego and pride in order to grow in virtue.
Dana is the author of 365 Dates to Renew Your Christian Marriage.
Read MoreTracy Hill shares about the effect of alcoholism on her family. Tracy discovered her rock bottom was the call from her husband telling her that he was arrested due to his drinking. Learn how Tracy surrendered her life to God, let go of trying to control everything and allowed Jesus to transform her heart.
Read MoreFather Jon Meyer, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit and Host Lindy Wynne share six practices they personally use during significant times of change.
Read MoreMarianne Ayala has worked throughout her career as a nurse and nurse manager in Palliative Care and Hospice. Learn how to help yourself and your loved ones prepare for a "good death."
Read MoreAngel and Grace Garcia share the desperate moment God changed their lives and taught them to cling to Him in prayer. Learn how to have a God-centered marriage and healthy communication.
Read MoreThis Pentecost, Father Jon Meyer shares how Christians are called to be on fire with the Holy Spirit--no exceptions. Father Jon Meyer is the Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit.
Read MoreThe moment Jackie's husband was severely injured by their boat's spinning propeller changed their lives forever. Hear how Jackie's husband's miraculous survival led to the adoption of their son and renewed understanding of the preciousness of life.
Read MoreRetired nurse Dane DeLuca talks about her group of friends called the “carpool family” and their experience as one of the beloved members died of cancer.
Read MoreWhile leading a team of nurses in ambulatory care during Covid, Phyllis Jones lost two loved ones. Be inspired by Phyllis' steadfast faith and hear the miraculous story of how Phyllis was allowed to hold her brother's hand as he left this world to be with God eternally.
Read MoreMelissa Romanelli shares how her experience facing leukemia as a fifth grader planted a seed in her heart to become a nurse as an adult. Hear how the nurses that helped Melissa inspired her to be the hands and feet of Christ to the patients she cares for today.
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While on a college immersion trip in Jamaica, Analise Gammariello met a little boy being treated at the children’s hospital. The time she spent coloring with this boy helped Analise discover her calling to help children facing long term illness and traumatic injury as a Child Life Specialist. Hear stories of how Analise has discovered Christ through her work.
Brian and Lindy Wynne share the Christmas miracle they experienced when they adopted their baby girl after waiting ten years to fulfill this dream of their hearts. Themes explored are Advent, glimmers of hope, waiting in joyful hope, Jesus Christ, Mary, suffering, adoption, foster care and private adoption.
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