A Resounding Yes!

Today on A Resounding Yes!, Christina is joined by Dr. Abigail Favale, professor at Notre Dame and author of the new spiritual thriller Our Lady of the Sign.

In this episode:

• Abigail's unlikely conversion journey from secular feminism to Catholicism
• How she wrestled with feminist objections to Catholic teaching on women, priesthood, and sexuality
• The Marian spirituality that centers Abigail's faith and inspired her novel
• Why she chose to write a psychological thriller that explores truth, deception, and spiritual warfare
• The role of fiction in evangelization and reaching readers who might not pick up apologetics
• Balancing motherhood, academic work, and creative writing

Why listen: If you've ever struggled with questions about women's role in the Church, wondered how to reconcile modern feminism with Catholic teaching, or are looking for fresh perspectives on faith and fiction, this conversation offers honest insights from someone who's lived through those tensions.

Resources:

• Our Lady of the Sign by Abigail Favale
• Into the Deep: An Unlikely Catholic Conversion by Abigail Favale
• Paloma&Fig's Review of Our Lady of the Sign
• McGrath Institute for Church Life at University of Notre Dame

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jessie Wiegand, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for The Marriage Group. Christina and Jessie discuss sacramental marriage, online marriage formation, and building joyful Catholic relationships. Jessie shares insights from nearly 30 years of marriage and discusses how The Marriage Group is transforming marriage preparation and ongoing formation for couples worldwide.

Main Topics:

• The difference between marriage prep and marriage formation
• How online experiences are revolutionizing Catholic marriage preparation
• The importance of Natural Family Planning (NFP) education
• Supporting clergy and parish staff with streamlined marriage formation
• Building community among engaged and married couples
• Communication as the foundation of a strong marriage

Links & Resources

• Use code YES26 for 10% off a year's subscription to the Marriage Every Day Community
• The Marriage Group

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

Subscribe to Resounding Yes on your favorite podcast platform and visit palomaandfig.com for more faith-filled content.

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Today, we're joined by Stacey Sumereau, Catholic author, speaker, and host of the Called and Caffeinated podcast. Stacey shares her journey from Broadway stages to discerning religious life, and ultimately to her vocation as wife and mother of five. We discuss her new book, Adventure Awaits: How to Interpret Your Desires and Hear God's Voice, published by Ave Maria Press.

Resources Mentioned:

• Adventure Awaits by Stacey Sumereau 
• Stacey's Website
• Called and Caffeinated podcast and YouTube channel
• Diary of Saint Faustina
• The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin
• 5 Rules for Hosting a Crappy Dinner Party (and Seeing Your Friends More Often) 

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction & Opening Prayer
• 02:17 - Motherhood, Social Media & Finding Pure Motivations
• 06:52 - From Broadway Dreams to Spiritual Emptiness
• 10:30 - The Surrender Prayer & Vision of Exchanging Hearts
• 16:33 - Adventure Awaits: Seeking Relationship Over Answers
• 25:50 - Hearing God's Voice Through Scripture & Imagination
• 35:26 - The Five S's of the Surrendered Heart
• 42:51 - Community, Connection & Catholic Living
• 47:11 - Called and Caffeinated: Ministry as External Processing
• 55:52 - Closing Prayer & Blessing

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

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Director Yelena Popovic stops by the podcast to talk about her new movie, Moses the Black, its start studded-cast and production team, and how her background led her to make this film.

Yelena talks about the life of the real saint, Moses the Black, explains the process that led her to make the movie, and tells us how she partnered with stars like 50 Cent, Quavo, and Wiz Khalifa to bring this story to life.

• Read about Saint Moses the Black
• Read our movie review
• Pre-order tickets to help keep Moses the Black in theaters longer! 

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

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Learn more at www.palomaandfig.com. 

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In this episode of A Resounding Yes!, Christina reflects on the transition from Christmastide to Ordinary Time. This transition can feel difficult as we take down the decorations and move back towards Ordinary Time. However, we're called to live out the joy of Christ all year long! We should carry the spirit of Christmas throughout the year. 

Thank you very much for all of your support in 2025! We've got an exciting lineup of guests for 2026, and we can't wait to share their stories with you!

Enjoy!

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Chapters

00:00 Embracing the End of Christmastide
06:15 The Importance of Year-Round Christmas Spirit
10:46 Reflection and Prayer for the New Liturgical Year

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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios. 

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In this episode of A Resounding Yes!, Christina Sabo interviews Emily Cavins, an accomplished author and archaeologist. Emily shares the journey of her work in archaeology, writing a book about St. Kateri and her experiences leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land. 

Emily holds an MA in Near Eastern Archaeology and Bible History from Veritas International University and is pursuing her doctorate in the same field. She has participated in several excavations in the Holy Land. She and her husband Jeff are tour leaders of annual pilgrimages to Israel and other Bible or Catholic-related destinations.

Resources Discussed in the Episode:

• Lily of the Mohawks
• God's Plan in Scripture (GPS)
• My Heart is a Violin
• Upcoming Pilgrimages

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Prayer
• 03:00 Emily's Journey and Saying Yes
• 09:00 Lily of the Mohawks
• 15:00 Pilgrimages and Faith
• 21:00 The GPS Program for Children
• 27:00 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
• 33:00 Collaborative Work with Jeff Cavins
• 39:00 Conclusion and Reflections

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios. 

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In this episode of A Resounding Yes!, Christina Sabo speaks with Katie Cavadini about the significance of Advent and her book Behold the Wonder. 

Katie shares personal anecdotes about her family traditions during Advent and Christmas, emphasizing the importance of incorporating faith into daily life. The conversation highlights the role of Mary in the Christmas story, gives a teaser into the book and some of its saints, and offers insights on how to find wonder during the Advent season.

• Get Katie's Book Here!

Thanks for listening!

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Advent and the Podcast
• 02:43 Katie's Background and Journey to Theology
• 09:42 Advent Traditions and Family Experiences
• 14:26 Exploring 'Behold the Wonder' Book
• 21:37 The Artistic Process Behind the Book
• 24:07 The Beauty of Maternal Love in Art
• 25:59 Imaginative Prayer and Understanding Scripture
• 28:06 Incorporating Resources into Advent Routines
• 30:11 Saints as Models of Faith
• 32:44 Finding Wonder During Advent
• 35:31 Carrying Advent Spirit Beyond Christmas
• 37:02 Family Traditions During Advent and Christmas

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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios. 

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In this episode of A Resounding Yes!, Christina Sabo speaks with Daniel Bielinski, director of the film Hazel's Heart. They discuss Daniel's journey in film production, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges faced while creating the film. 

As the film's release coincides with the Advent season, Daniel and Christina reflect on the importance of preparation and the beauty of family traditions during this time of waiting for the Lord.

Hazel's Heart will be available to stream on Angel starting December 18th. It will be available on all other major streaming services on December 23rd.

• Watch the Trailer for Hazel's Heart
• Find Hazel's Heart on streaming services on December 23rd 
• Find our review on our blog before the December 23rd release

Thanks for listening!

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resounding Yes Podcast
02:00 Background on Hazel's Heart and Daniel Balinski
03:26 Daniel's Journey to Filmmaking and Faith
10:49 The Importance of Great Plains Stories
15:31 Hazel Minor: A Hero's Journey
18:14 Challenges in Filming Hazel's Heart
21:27 Casting and Characters in Hazel's Heart
24:11 Emotional Experience of Filmmaking
28:07 Reflections on Advent and Sacrificial Love
30:08 Target Audience for Hazel's Heart
30:50 Family Traditions During Advent

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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios. 

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In this episode of A Resounding Yes!, Christina Sabo and Father John Nepil explore the themes of Advent, focusing on Fr. John's newly published guided prayer journal, Illuminate. They discuss personal Advent traditions, the significance of light and darkness, or chiaroscuro, and the role of art in deepening faith. Fr. John and Christina share tangible insights on using the journal in community settings, and Fr. John reflects on the theological inspirations behind it, emphasizing the importance of childlikeness and receptivity in the Christian journey.

Thanks for listening!

• Purchase Illuminate here!

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resounding Yes Podcast
02:04 Advent Reflections and Traditions
05:17 Exploring Illuminate: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation 
10:24 Using Illuminate in Community
12:15 Chiaroscuro: Light and Darkness in Advent
14:00 The Prologue of John: A Spiritual Journey
19:17 The Role of Art in Faith
23:03 Finding Peace and Joy in Advent and Christmas

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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios. 

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Advent is here, and A Resounding Yes! is going to look a little different! We'll be speaking with guests on topics that fit the season of waiting and hope that is Advent.

We'll still be bringing you weekly episodes with amazing guests, but we'll be focusing specifically on how you can journey with the Lord more fully this Advent season.

Please know of our prayers for you and your intentions!

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Advent Resources Mentioned:

Illuminate Guided Advent Journal

Hallow Pray25

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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Paloma & Fig on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn. 

Learn more at www.palomaandfig.com. 

Join in the conversation by joining our  Facebook group, A Resounding Yes!