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 in Religion and Spirituality

Praise in Action with Juliana Stachurski of One Generation Away

Praise in Action with Juliana Stachurski of One Generation Away

Two of Juliana Stachurski’s boys needed service hours for school. Juliana found the perfect non-profit to take them one Saturday that would meet the exact requirement, so they could check it of their list and be done. Little did Juliana know that her life would be forever changed.

Juliana is now on the board of One Generation Away after joining the team every Saturday to distribute food since 2016. She shares stories of heartbreaking joy and the clear call to serve (and receive abundantly in return).

Juliana encourages listeners to do "praise in action" and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Serving another is always a good thing and invites the Holy Spirit to transform and work through us.

One Generation Away helps remove food insecurity through food rescue, food distribution and disaster relief. They pick up good, unexpired food and redistrubute it to families in need. Their vision is "to wipe hunger off the face of America by teaching people to love one another through service." Learn more at: https://onegenaway.com.

I'm A Miracle with Dorris Walker-Taylor of Thistle Farms

I'm A Miracle with Dorris Walker-Taylor of Thistle Farms

Dorris Walker-Taylor is a survivor of sexual exploitation and addiction, as well as a graduate and now employee of the program that helped save her, Thistle Farms. Dorris landed at Thistle Farms after twenty-six years of addiction. She attributes the women at Thistle Farms for loving her back to life.

Dorris grew up with her parents in a lovely neighborhood where everyone knew each other. When she was twelve her world shattered—a troubled family member severely injured her mother and killed her father.

Dorris tried to numb her feelings through marijuana. Once marijuana didn’t have the same effect, she started using cocaine. Dorris was addicted to cocaine, lived on the streets of Nashville and was in and out of jail by the time she was an adult.

Dorris talks of her mom’s home as a praying home. When Dorris returned home at her mother's request to sing in a choir reunion. Dorris obliged and sang, "You're Looking at a Miracle" by Lemmie Battles.

Dorris had no idea that her mother's prayers, coupled with this request for her to sing, would change her life just as the song said: miraculously.

The tagline of Thistle Farms is “Love Heals” and they believe love is the most powerful force for change in the world. Thistle Farms was founded in 1997 by Becca Stevens and helps rescue women from human trafficking, sexual exploitation, addiction and abuse.

"Priests Need Families and Families Need Priests" with Fr. Jon Meyer and Brian Wynne

"Priests Need Families and Families Need Priests" with Fr. Jon Meyer and Brian Wynne

When Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer was about to be ordained as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, he was interviewed regarding his Vocation. One of the things he said has often been quoted from that interview:

“Priests need families and families need priests.”

Marriage and Holy Orders are Vocational Sacraments--both are are lifestyles rooted in Christ and expressed in different ways.

They share a call to holiness, love and total self gift.

May we create relationships with the priests in our churches and dioceses that fortify and enrich one another's Vocations.

From Paralyzed by Grief to Purified by God

From Paralyzed by Grief to Purified by God

Andrea Bear felt paralyzed by grief when her mom passed away five years ago. She refers to this loss as an unplaced love that never goes away.

Andrea has always been a "doer" but discovered there was nothing she could do to escape missing her beloved mother. Andrea listened as God drew her into prayer and to just "being" with Him.

Andrea has experienced profound healing from God through prayer. She refers to this purification as "life-changing" and "a turning point" in her life.

Andrea is the author of “The Grieving Daughter’s Club" and will soon be starting a new podcast called "Mourning Glory."

Loosening My Grip with Tara Roof

Loosening My Grip with Tara Roof

Tara Roof was recovering from a hysterectomy and living paycheck to paycheck when she was invited on a mission trip to China. She learned how many children with special needs filled the orphanages—she was heartbroken and drawn to go.

Tara was told she would offer her professional services as a Speech Pathologist to the children. While Tara never rendered these services, God planted a seed that would change her and her family's lives forever.

When Tara returned to America from China she prayed and asked God what He wanted from her. God answered clearly that He wanted Tara and her husband to adopt a ten-year-old boy with Down Syndrome who was affectionately named, “The Mayor.”

While Tara describes herself as someone who is Type A and likes to be in control, God has transformed her heart and helped her loosen her grip. This has enabled Tara to love more fully than she ever could have imagined.

Totally Dependent on God with Frank of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Totally Dependent on God with Frank of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Five-year-old Frank sat on the steps of his parents' home and couldn't wait to drink like the adults he was watching.

From 16 to 60 alcohol consumed Frank's life--it was an obsession of his mind. Frank would wake up each morning recovering from the night before, eat mid-day and spend the afternoons functioning until he could finally be drinking again.

At sixty Frank found himself hospitalized when he was visiting Memphis, TN. The doctors were concerned he may have a heart problem and required he drive back to Nashville, TN in an ambulance.

Frank's wife trailed the ambulance for three hours of his journey back to Nashville--Frank recounts how the look in her eyes moved from contempt to pity. He couldn't take the look of pity and it broke open his heart.

Frank asked for help that day and has remained sober due to his daily dependence on God for thirteen years. Frank tells listeners that while we may give up on ourselves, God never gives up on us. Frank is now happier than he ever imagined possible.

The Breakup Bible: From Heartbreak to Wholeness

The Breakup Bible: From Heartbreak to Wholeness

The day they broke up, Brian handed Lindy a Bible. With both moving away, it was a moment drenched in emotion and laced with countless unknowns.

It’s jacket now well-worn, its pages heavily noted and highlighted, “The Breakup Bible” proved to be a cornerstone for both Lindy’s faith-journey and Brian and Lindy’s relationship.

In this week’s podcast, Brian and Lindy share how God helped them climb out of the mess they made and firmly root their marriage in Him.

Hear about how a journey of loss, heartbreak and separation led to redemption and commitment. And how a breakup gift became a prized possession.

Every marriage has its brokenness that may seem unfixable. Yet God is hope and offers miraculous healing.

Forgiving When It's Hardest with Rachel Muha of The Brian Muha Foundation and Run the Race

Forgiving When It's Hardest with Rachel Muha of The Brian Muha Foundation and Run the Race

Brian Muha and his beloved friend Aaron were randomly and brutally murdered on May 31st, 1999. Two eighteen-year-olds high on cocaine broke into their college apartment, kidnapped and killed them.

In this podcast Brian’s mom Rachel Muha shares her journey of learning the meaning of forgiveness--she prays daily for Terrell and Nathan, the boys who killed Brian (they are incarcerated).

Rachel attended the court proceedings and learned more about Terrell and Nathan--the boys "were so damaged, because they weren’t loved.”

Rachel felt God's call to care for inner-city children.

Rachel founded The Brian Muha and Run the Race Foundations in Columbus, Ohio in honor of her son, Brian. Rachel spends her days with inner-city children of Columbus, Ohio providing basic needs and sharing the presence, joy and mercy of Christ.

Rachel encourages listeners to open their hearts, forgive and ask for forgiveness—this is a great weapon against darkness. She says, "when we forgive, God gives back a thousand times more."

To donate or volunteer go to brianmuhafoundation.org.

Confident Expectation: Put All Your Trust in God with Michelle McCallum of A Common Life

Confident Expectation: Put All Your Trust in God with Michelle McCallum of A Common Life

"Have confident expectation of God."

When Michelle McCallum's mom spoke these words many years ago, Michelle had no idea they would hold such profound meaning for her when two of her own children were diagnosed with chronic illness (both with rare liver diseases and one with Crohn's Disease).

In this Easter podcast, Michelle talks about her choice to trust God--Michelle recognizes she has very little control over her life or the lives of her children and surrenders everything to Him.

Michelle shares how having a heart of gratitude, being real about both the difficulty and blessings of her everyday life and trusting God's abiding presence helps her to live in the peace and joy only God can give.

Allowing Ourselves to Be Loved with Lisa Canning, The Possibility Mom

Allowing Ourselves to Be Loved with Lisa Canning, The Possibility Mom

Lisa Canning is a Catholic wife, mother and business woman who seems to be able to do it all.

Yet Lisa shares that doing it all herself is impossible--for this "Possibility Mom" all things are only possible with God.

In this Easter Podcast, Lisa shares how she is constantly being sharpened as she re-surrenders her life, business and plans over to God and trusts in a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

One of the greatest gifts Lisa has learned is to loosen her grip of control and open her heart to being loved in ways she never could have imagined.

Women at the Well: The Joy of Sisterhood in Christ

Women at the Well: The Joy of Sisterhood in Christ

Creating and maintaining healthy sisterhood in Christ is essential to our walk as women of faith.

In this Easter podcast, Emily Jaminet and Jennifer Gentile explore The Woman at the Well and the truths this parable has uncovered in their lives.

Before creating holy sisterhood, we must first go to Christ individually for Living Water. Once we understand that we are seen and loved by Christ--and know our identity as daughters of God--we can develop the kind of sisterhood God hopes for us.

Come gather at The Well with host Lindy, Jennifer and Emily and discover the glorious blessing of sisterhood in Christ.

Giving the Gift of You: Dying to Self with Father Jon Meyer, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit

Giving the Gift of You: Dying to Self with Father Jon Meyer, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit

Learn how to give your life away like Christ and live in the profound freedom and joy of the Lord.

In this Easter podcast, Chaplain Father Jon Meyer and Lindy Wynne share personal stories about their experiences of dying to self and discovering the supernatural love of God. Father Jon explores his call into priesthood, while Lindy speaks of the ways she has been sharpened as a mother (Lindy is a mother through adoption and two of her children have special needs).

We are called to self-gift in both our Vocational calls, as well as little dyings to self in our daily lives. May we be emptied of ourselves so that God can fill us with just what we need to love beyond measure.

Religion and SpiritualityLindy WynneMay 4, 2023Dying to Self, Dying, Self, Die to Self, Death to Self, Die, Death, Selfish, Selfishness, Gift, of, You, Jon, Meyer, Father, Fr, Father Jon Meyer, Fr Jon MeyerComment

After Alcohol: Finding Joy with Rachel, Member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

After Alcohol: Finding Joy with Rachel, Member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Rachel'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.

A Passion Sewn in My Heart with Jennifer Orton of Our Next

A Passion Sewn in My Heart with Jennifer Orton of Our Next

Jennifer Orton of Our Next first heard the voice of the Holy Spirit when she stepped on foreign soil in Kisumu, Kenya and discovered a mission for her life.

In this Easter podcast, Jennifer shares how she was drawn to Africa to do mission work with orphaned and impoverished children after experiencing a miscarriage--she returned from Kisumu, Kenya with a passion for Christ that was sewn in her heart during her time in "the bush."

Jennifer not only took on a leadership role doing mission work, but also discovered spiritual motherhood—she and her husband, Chris have spiritually adopted and provided for their son Regan who resides with his grandmother in Africa.

Jennifer is the President of Our Next Ministry. Our Next provides education for 450 primary and 150 secondary students, as well as employment for 50 staff members. Jennifer knows that education provides hope and future for the children she so dearly loves.

Look for the Joy in Life with Deacon John Froning of Saint Philip Catholic Church

Look for the Joy in Life with Deacon John Froning of Saint Philip Catholic Church

Learn how to look for God's joy every day of your life in this Easter podcast!

Deacon John Froning of Saint Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, TN is filled with the joy of the Lord.

Children line up to receive a blessing from him during the Eucharist. Deacon John wants the adults to know the same thing that he tells the children: God smiles when He thinks of you. And He thinks of you all the time.

Deacon John shares stories from his time as a chaplain that helped him learn the gifts of presence and listening, as well as how to trust fully in the promise of Heaven.

Our lives are filled with little triduums (Good Fridays and Easter Sundays). We must always trust in times of trial that God's redemption is coming.

Preparing Myself for Heaven with Kathy McLeroy of Celebrating the Saints

Preparing Myself for Heaven with Kathy McLeroy of Celebrating the Saints

Kathy McLeroy of Celebrating the Saints thinks her life could seem sad at first glance--she has lived through four serious illnesses and corresponding treatments over many decades. Kathy had Hodgkins Disease at twenty-one, breast cancer at forty-one, a massive heart attack at forty-six and now metastasized breast cancer.

While Kathy has faced these trials, she speaks to the wonderful life she has lived due to her faith in God and love of others.

Kathy trusts that when it is her time God will bring her home. Kathy is not afraid of dying; it is most difficult to leave her family.

There is no promise for any of us that we will have tomorrow. Kathy encourages listeners to treat each day as precious and live intentionally with those they love.

Religion and SpiritualityLindy WynneApril 6, 2023Kathy McLeroy, Kathy, McLeroy, Celebrating, the, Saints, Celebrating the Saints, Carol Berry, Carol, Berry, Cullman, Cullman AL, Alabama, Cullman AlabamaComment

Reaching for Relationships with Erin McCole Cupp of Filled with Good

Reaching for Relationships with Erin McCole Cupp of Filled with Good

Erin McCole Cupp shares her journey with food addiction--she began using food as her primary coping mechanism in dealing with childhood trauma.

Erin experienced profound healing through Catholics in Recovery and JP II’s Theology of the Body. It was then that Erin began to reach for relationships rather than food.

In addition to her own food addiction, Erin explores the many things we reach for compulsively that lead to isolation. Erin encourages us to reach to God and safe relationships to satiate the deepest needs of connection that God designed us for.

Erin’s great personal healing has also had a positive impact on her relationships with her family—Erin focuses on engaging in quality time and communication with those she loves.

You can reach Erin at erinmccolecupp.com and learn all about her program, Filled with Good.

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

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.

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.

How My Kids in Addiction Brought me to Our Lady with Carol Berry of Celebrating the Saints

How My Kids in Addiction Brought me to Our Lady with Carol Berry of Celebrating the Saints

As Carol Berry of Celebrating the Saints sat in the silence of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, she felt drawn to an image of a woman she affectionately named "My Girl."

Soon before being initiated into the Catholic Church, Carol learned "Her Girl" was Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Carol discovered a peace that could only be of God as she faced what seemed to be an insurmountable trial: two children suffering from addiction. Tragically, she lost her daughter to addiction last year and experienced God's profound mercy.

Carol created Restoring Women’s Outreach, a 12-step based residential sober living program for women who are in search of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Carol works at St. Bernard’s Abbey in Cullman, Alabama and loves being on “monk time.”