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

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.

Saying "Yes" to God's Plan with Brenda Hauk of BrightStone

Saying "Yes" to God's Plan with Brenda Hauk of BrightStone

"You know who's going to have to do this."

The words Brenda Hauk's husband spoke penetrated her heart--she knew she was called by God to something so much bigger than herself.

Even though Brenda was frightened, she said "yes" to a plan that was clearly not her own.

Brenda started BrightStone, a comprehensive work, social support, and residential community for adults with special needs, expanding their potential and helping them develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Let Brenda's "yes" and the tremendous blessing that has come from it inspire your own fiat in this Advent podcast.

Learn more at brightstone.org.

Awe of Advent with Fr. Ed Steiner, Pastor of St. Philip Catholic Church

Awe of Advent with Fr. Ed Steiner, Pastor of St. Philip Catholic Church

When Fr. Ed Steiner was just 5 years old, there was a knock on his front door during supper. Fr. Ed excitedly ran to see who it was. What he found he never could have imagined.

It was Santa Claus!

To the day Fr. Ed still finds himself stirred with a similar sense of awe he experienced that very moment he saw Santa as a young boy. Yet Fr. Ed recognizes what he is really waiting for is the coming of Christ.

In this Advent podcast Fr. Ed reflects on our need to remember why Christ came—and how the true meaning of Christmas fills our hearts and homes during this special time of year.

Let us strive to make awe-filled memories and practice the Gospel with our loved ones this Advent Season.

50 Years and Grateful with Ted and Catherine Wynne, Host Lindy Wynne's Parents-in-Law

50 Years and Grateful with Ted and Catherine Wynne, Host Lindy Wynne's Parents-in-Law

Be charmed by Ted and Catherine Wynne as they share their gratitude to God and advice to listeners after 50 years of marriage.

Host Lindy Wynne has a heartfelt conversation with her parents-in-law as they reveal the trust and companionship they are blessed to have with one another.

From Catherine’s ’69 Camaro to Ted’s love of football, hear how they revel in both the little and big moments. Their lives are blessed with profound meaning as they companion one another in both the good and difficult times of life.

Let your heart be wrapped in the gift of family this Thanksgiving season.

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.

My Accident and Conversion with Ryan Penney

My Accident and Conversion with Ryan Penney

The moment Ryan Penney hit the water his life and heart were forever changed.

Ryan was on a performing arts scholarship at Samford University and about to begin his first professional acting job. While on a trip Ryan jumped into a lake off of a high cliff. Ryan landed wrong, broke his back and was immediately paralyzed—doctors said that Ryan would never walk again.

While Ryan wasn’t praying or engaging in the Sacraments at the time of his accident, he cried out to God in the hospital. Somewhere deep within him there was a powerful seed of God's hope—Ryan knew he would walk again.

While Ryan’s body is not the same as it was before the accident, neither are his heart or his life. Hear how Ryan has given his life to God, and learned how saving people is much more important than entertaining them.

Fully Rely on God with Mary Margaret Lambert

Fully Rely on God with Mary Margaret Lambert

Mary Margaret Lambert vividly remembers chatting with her dad while he painted a ceramic frog the night before she lost him.

The next day Mary Margaret was devastated to learn her father and his wife died in the Nashville flood of 2010.

Little did Mary Margaret realize that the frog her father held in his hands would come to mean so much--F.R.O.G. means "Fully Rely on God."

Mary Margaret struggled with grief and got tired of hurting. She sought the Lord through writing and help through counseling to heal her broken heart.

The ceramic frog sits on Mary Margaret’s porch to this day, reminding her of her beloved father and our eternal reliance on God.

A True Love Story with John Bosio of Happy Together

A True Love Story with John Bosio of Happy Together

John Bosio and his wife share a love story worthy of a movie.

In the 1960s, eleven-year-old John entered pre-seminary in Italy. Meanwhile, an American girl from a military family was praying for him in a school chapel in Thailand--she and her friend would run into the chapel during recess to pray for their future spouses every day.

After fifty years of marriage John knows he and his beautiful wife are on the last leg of their pilgrimage together on Earth.

Since his wife no longer has memories, John creates precious moments with her each day.

It is critical to John that his wife knows she comes first. After authoring numerous books on marriage and family life and leading countless retreats, John has stepped away to care for his beloved.

John shares timeless wisdom in this podcast that will touch your soul by his witness to true love.

God Sought Me in My Sorrow with Emily Adams of The Little Souls

God Sought Me in My Sorrow with Emily Adams of The Little Souls

When Emily and her husband went to a routine sonogram appointment seventeen weeks into her pregnancy, the technician struggled to find a heartbeat.

They were told they’d have to wait two hours for an ultrasound technician to take a closer look in the hope their baby was okay.

Emily knew she needed to go somewhere she felt safe—they were close to The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Emily and her husband headed to the noon Mass to wait.

While Emily felt wrapped in the sacredness of the Mass, she also was overwhelmed with worry and sorrow. Deep down she knew there would be no heartbeat as she prayed the Angelus “Be it done to me according to Thy word.”

Once it was confirmed the baby had no heartbeat, Emily knew she would deliver baby John David. She and her husband wanted to hold him.

Hear how God sought Emily through sorrow as she experienced His consolation and call to help others heal from sorrow.

The Heart of Mary with Kim Derrick

The Heart of Mary with Kim Derrick

“This is a story God wrote.”

God planted a seed in Kim's young heart to accompany and care for the sick and dying as an adult.

Kim was raised in a family in which the members surrounded one another in all the joys and sorrows of life, including death. She didn't realize until adulthood that this was not every person's experience.

As a hospice nurse it broke Kim's heart that there were so many people poor and dying who had nowhere to go.

With the help of Saint Edward Church in Nashville, TN and others who shared in her desire to help the poor and dying, Kim created "The Heart of Mary House" to love God's children during their final days as Our Blessed Mother would want.

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.

Rosemary Thérèse: The Little Flower of Nashville with Hayley Robinson Shovlin

Rosemary Thérèse: The Little Flower of Nashville with Hayley Robinson Shovlin

When Rosemary Thérèse Robinson (affectionately known as “Rosie") was diagnosed with childhood cancer, her five older siblings returned home to support her. Little did they know that Rosie would not only carry her own cross of suffering, but would help carry theirs and their parents' crosses, as well.

Rosie never complained. She laughed and loved with her family and retreated to the quiet of her bedroom when in pain. She also wrote letters to God.

These letters were so filled with the faith and joy reminiscent of Saint Thérèse that they moved the heart of a local Dominican nun to nickname Rosie “The Little Flower of Nashville.”

Listen to Rosie’s sister Hayley share about the gift of Rosie, as well as the witness of her parents as they accompanied their beloved daughter as she prepared to go home to Jesus at just 19.

This is a witness of the bonds of a family deeply rooted in prayer, faith and the supernatural love of God. But it is most of all the story of a young girl who reflected Our Blessed Mother as she said, “Let it be done to me according to thy word.”

Living For God with Joy Pinto of "At Home with Jim and Joy"

Living For God with Joy Pinto of "At Home with Jim and Joy"

Joy Pinto lives for the "audience of one" every day--she lives for Christ.

At 48 Joy was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. As she faced her painful illness and mortality, her faith was tested in a way she would never change.

One day Joy was in bed for 17 hours and she asked God when the "fire" would be over. God responded, "When you can dance with me in the fire." Joy got up from bed and slowly danced with Jesus.

This intimacy with Christ and the conviction of her belief has continued to carry Joy and helped her to share her love of God with others.

Joy shares this love through her work with Her Choice Birmingham Women's Center and the At Home with Jim and Joy show on EWTN, as well as personally with her home parish, friends and family.

A Beautiful Offering with Holly Moore

A Beautiful Offering with Holly Moore

Holly was raised in a wonderful Catholic family. Her chastity was of prime importance to her.

When Holly went away to college and attended Mass, she noticed there weren’t many college students there. Holly fell away from the Sacraments.

Holly learned “when we fall away from the Sacraments we stop receiving the graces that help us make good choices.”

Holly met a guy she thought she could fix. He was handsome, charming…all the things.

Just a few months into their relationship Holly was pregnant. Soon thereafter she became a single mom.

In addition to carrying her precious son, Holly was carrying unforgiveness in her heart. Hear Holly’s story of God’s forgiveness and redemption—she describes it as “beauty from ashes.”

Holly says, “We can still make a beautiful offering from the mess, we just have to be open to it."

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.

Seeking God with All My Heart with Natalie Hanemann

Seeking God with All My Heart with Natalie Hanemann

For many years Natalie Hanemann's prayer life was one of routine and came from a place of obedience. But her heart longed for more. Natalie was struck when she heard about "the interior life," as well as Saint Catherine of Sienna's words about the “interior cell.”

At around the same time Natalie's family was experiencing significant brokenness--this inspired Natalie to seek God with all her heart and soul.

Natalie's heart was opened and soul touched as she found God in everything, from Adoration to hikes to runs in nature.

Natalie realized she had been trying to fix her family herself. She discovered Christ walking with her and not only offering to carry her "backpack of burdens," but holding her hand as she proceeded forward in these relationships that mattered most.

Natalie experienced profound healing and sharpening--she was healed from a judgemental spirit and learned to be more loving and merciful.

Natalie wants listeners to know that God is speaking intimately and personally to each of us. May we seek God with all of our hearts.

Natalie is an editor and ghostwriter. Learn more at nataliehanemann.com.

God Works Outside the Box with Julieanne Bartlett of Passion of Hope

God Works Outside the Box with Julieanne Bartlett of Passion of Hope

“Maybe God doesn’t have anybody for you or God has called you to be single."

These were the types of heartbreaking responses Julieanne Bartlett heard from loved ones when she was struggling with prolonged singleness.

Yet, Julieanne knew God was calling her to the Vocation of marriage and discovered she needed to let God work outside the box for her—nothing was going to go the “perfect way” or “the perfect Catholic way.”

Julieanne chose to put herself out there in spite of her fear of rejection, especially in regards to her weight (she had always struggled with this). She was willing to face rejection, because Julieanne wanted marriage more than she wanted to protect herself.

Julieanne's greatest hope came true and she met and married her husband at 42. Julieanne continues to experience God's profound healing and hope within her marriage.

We have to stay open to the way that God may get us to our dreams.

Children of God Behind Bars with Dr. Cynthia Stewart of Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (TPOM)

Children of God Behind Bars with Dr. Cynthia Stewart of Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (TPOM)

Dr. Cynthia Stewart grew up in Vidor, Texas. Vidor has historically been known as one of the last “sundown towns” in the United States.

Cynthia discovered very young that people are complex--people carry within them the spark of God, as well as the ability to be so perfectly against what God tells us at the same time. No one is beyond the love of God and no one is perfectly what God envisions.

Cynthia has spent a number of years as a volunteer, chaplain and employee in prison ministry. Cynthia came to understand that she has been working out what she experienced in her family history and childhood community—prison ministry has been a way for her to “give something back.”

Cynthia wants listeners to understand that "every single person in prison is a beautiful child of God."

Cynthia is the Director of Operations for Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (TPOM). TPOM strives to transform life behind bars, trade recidivism for restoration and end generational incarceration. You can learn more at https://www.tpom.org/.

Religion and SpiritualityLindy WynneAugust 10, 2023Tennessee, Prison, Ministry, TPOM, Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry, Dr. Cynthia Stewart, Dr., Cynthia, Stewart, Cynthia StewartComment

A Fresh Cup of Hope with Rainer Lowman of Hearts Together Nashville

A Fresh Cup of Hope with Rainer Lowman of Hearts Together Nashville

Rainer Lowman and her husband Mitch put their hearts on the line for God--they adopted three children with special medical needs from China.

Each time Rainer and Mitch sat down to discern their adoptions they would ask themselves how God had equipped them to potentially help a child and what their lives would look like if they said “yes.”

Rainer talks about the call to adoption and the beauty of the "yes." Rainer has had to turn to and depend on God in ways she never could have imagined—she says there is no where she would rather be than in full surrender and total need of Jesus.

Rainer reminds us that God always offers us, "a fresh cup of hope."

Rainer founded “Hearts Together Nashville,” a ministry for foster and adoptive moms to gather monthly to share, support and provide resources. You can reach out to Rainer to learn more at rlowman1100@yahoo.com.