Called and Caffeinated

ANNOUNCING THE JAN 2022 GOD'S ADVENTURE AWAITS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND! Join me and fellow pilgrims to walk in the places where Jesus walked, discern your God-given mission and purpose, and experience the food and culture of Israel. Celebrate mass afloat on the Sea of Galilee and see Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, the Mount of the Beatitudes, and much more! 

“God doesn’t just give you one call…he insists on changing your life and your heart.” As a native of the little town of Bethlehem, growing up just a five-minute walk from where Jesus was born, Khaled Jacoub was imbued with a sense of mission from his earliest days. He's the founder of Nativity Pilgrimage, the company I'm proud to partner with for the God's Adventure Awaits Pilgrimage in 2022. Jacoub hosts more than 200 groups from the USA to visit his beloved native Holy Land.

Since I began this podcast it's been on my heart to do an episode on pilgrimages. They're not just a vacation; they're a time-honored tradition recommended by the Church since the Middle Ages as a way to discern your personal mission and purpose. I'm delighted to speak with Jacoub about what it was like growing up in the Holy Land, and how to make an effective pilgrimage.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE

Topics Discussed

• What is a pilgrimage and how it’s different from a vacation

I was super nervous before my wedding night about sex. I didn’t know how to go about finding the right NFP method, and approaching married people with personal questions was embarrassing. The whole deal felt kinda… gross. John and I were promised a “honeymoon every month” in our marriage prep class, but living the reality was extremely hard. We felt disillusioned and bitter. Anyone else out there?

This is THE exact convo I wish I’d heard in those times. I loved chatting with Bridget Busacker, the founder of Managing Your Fertility, in this share-all, no topics barred, totally honest episode. She details the three different types of NFP and how to know which one will work best for you. We don’t sugar-coat it: NFP is hard requires sacrifice. The conversation needs way more nuance than can fit in an Instagram post or pre-Cana retreat talk. But we also don’t skimp on sharing the depth of love, communication, joy, and intimacy that’s made possible.

I have a favor to ask: Can you please pass this on to a single friend who’d benefit from it? And would you mind taking 1 min to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? Thank you!!

Topics Discussed

• The three different types of NFP

Resources

• Managing Your Fertility, Bridget's website

This episode is sponsored by Stacey Sumereau’s shop. FREE shipping on every single USA order! Buy beautiful handmade earrings, hand-designed apparel and prints, durable vinyl stickers, and digital access to inspirational talks by clicking here.

This episode is also sponsored by the Hallow Prayer app. Try a 30-day FREE trial of the premium version by clicking here! Find out why it’s the #1 Catholic prayer app in the USA.

One million children experience their parents’ divorce each year. Two-thirds of them who were regularly attending a Church or synagogue at the time report that no one reached out to them at that time. Parents’ divorce increases their children’s chance of divorce by 40%. And barely any Catholic dioceses have an outreach for it.

My friend Sarah Hart travels to speak at healing retreats and blogs with the ministry Life-Giving Wounds, one of the few Catholic ministry outreaches to adult children of divorced parents. As a graduate of the JPII Institute for Marriage and Family, and herself a child of divorced parents, Sarah has helped many people give voice to their pain and find healing. If you or someone you love has lived through the trauma of parental divorce, this discussion is for you.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE

Topics Discussed

• Why divorce is a “primal wound,” and the healing power of discovering your deeper God-given identity

Resources

• Life-Giving Wounds website:

This episode is sponsored by Hallow Prayer App. It’s the #1-rated Catholic app in the USA, and it’s free to download. Click here to download a FREE 30-day trial of the premium version including over 500 guided meditations for sleep, peace, discernment, and much more. (There’s always a free version too.) I use Hallow daily and I invite you to give it a try!

This episode is also sponsored by my shop! New stickers, prints and handmade clay earrings have just been released in addition to beautiful apparel. Enjoy FREE shipping on all US orders, plus save 25% on 5-item collections. Please consider purchasing a hug from God and supporting my ministry this Christmas!

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I admit; I envied other girls in high school terribly. (Hello, insecurity!) Unless I could have that girl’s hair, or that other girl’s confidence or whatever other quality I saw that I wanted, I wasn’t good enough. Ladies, been there? It didn’t occur to my immature teenage brain that I wasn’t supposed to be like anyone else. That there was something unique I had to do in the world. That appreciating other women’s qualities and building them up was much, much better than comparing myself to them. I had so much learning to do about how to be a woman. I never knew that my Catholic Faith had so much truth to offer about womanhood.

If you’re like me, you’ve heard the term “feminine genius” for years but never found out exactly what that means. I knew Liv Harrison, founder of the Genius Women’s Conference, would be the perfect person to talk about this beautiful concept coined by Pope St. John Paul II. Liv showed me the feminine genius in action back in March when I desperately needed help coordinating the massive Be Not Afraid Conference in just five days. She stepped in to volunteer and cheerlead me. So when I thought of who I’d like to have on the show to talk about the feminine genius, I knew there’d be no one better than Liv! She’s hilarious and wise- enjoy and be inspired! (p.s. Gentlemen, I think you'll get a lot out of this episode too!

Topics Discussed

• What is the feminine genius?

Resources

• Strength Finders Book

This episode is sponsored by Hallow Prayer App. For a 30-day free trial of the premium version of the app click here!

Join the Called and Caffeinated Patreon Community starting at just $5/month! Not only is your support meaningful for the continued provision of this unique, meaningful content, but you'll also get access to monthly video chats with me and the community members, as well as my bi-monthly secondary podcast Coffee Sips. Click here to learn more!

“If the bullets are going away from you, you’re going the wrong way!” 

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I'm fascinated by the life of Sr. Dede Byrne, today's guest. I first encountered her speaking at the Republican National Convention where she literally held up her rosary and called it her 'weapon of love.' Sr. Dede served as a Colonel in the Army for years before entering the community of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. As a physician, she's given medical care to both Mother Teresa and members of the Taliban, and she served in the immediate aftermath of the Sep 11th attacks. Not only that, but she helps women who regret their decision to abort reverse the abortion pill and serves poor immigrants with free healthcare.

Enjoy this rich discussion. (Plus, I'll be sharing how quoting her got me Insta-banned...apparently being pro-life is hate speech...) Sr. Dede says, “the ultimate call is to be all for Jesus," and in these tumultuous days you'll love the inspiration she offers.

Topics Discussed

• Speaking truth in love: How Sr. Dede lovingly encourages her patients to change sinful habits and accompanies them to change

Resources

• Sr. Dede’s order- Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Join the Called and Caffeinated Patreon Community starting at just $5/month! Not only is your support meaningful for the continued provision of this unique, meaningful content, but you'll also get access to monthly video chats with me and the community members, as well as my bi-monthly secondary podcast Coffee Sips. Click here to learn more!

Gulp. Politics. Not gonna lie, folks; I’ve been terrified to podcast about voting. Many issues are highly incendiary and in our cancel culture it’s daunting. I know I'm not alone as I wrestle with answers to the hard questions. But as I read Clear Conscience, A Catholic Guide to Voting by Matthew Pinto, CEO and founder of Ascension Press, I gained hope knowing that in this confusing world there can be clarity. The Church and Matthew’s book won’t tell you for whom to vote, but it will empower you to think with the mind of 2,000 years of the Catholic Church's wisdom.

I think you’ll think, as I often did through the interview, "Wow, that just makes so much sense!" You don't often get clarity with politics, amen?? We didn’t get to cover every issue so you’ll just have to buy the book, but our convo is a great starting point!

Topics Discussed

• Prudential judgement and absolute moral imperatives: Which are which? (Hint: we generally have staggering freedom to form our own opinions!)

Resources

Wanna see that Insta-banned post? Come on over to @staceysumereau on IG (and follow if you like what you see!)

Buy Clear Conscience: A Catholic Guide to Voting by Matthew Pinto and Ascension Press editors

Join the Called and Caffeinated Patreon Community starting at just $5/month! Not only is your support meaningful for the continued provision of this unique, meaningful content, but you'll also get access to monthly video chats with me and the community members, as well as my bi-monthly secondary podcast Coffee Sips. Click here to learn more!

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” -C.S. Lewis

Called and Caffeinated is back and better than ever (if I do say so myself!) This conversation with Dominick Albano, author of The Fundamental Theory of Happiness, was recorded all the way back in February. However, releasing now it seems more relevant than ever after a tumultuous Spring and Summer 2020. 

Have you ever wondered why some people just don't seem to get bothered by, well...anything? Do you ever find yourself discontented, wondering, "Is this all there is?" Lockdown gave many of us ample time to think about our purpose and why we're here. The stillness has spurred many people I know to discern their choices anew and desire an authentic life. Today's episode dives into the secrets of fundamentally happy people and how to begin living like them starting now. Your hungry heart was made to be filled, and I believe to the depths of my soul that God wants happiness for you. 

Topics Discussed

• The five levels of awareness and how to live at the highest, the level of purpose

Resources

• Buy The Fundamental Theory of Happiness- use code CALLED for 15% off the book! 

Have you discerned joining the Called and Caffeinated Patreon Community? Starting at just $5/mo you get access to my secondary podcast Coffee Sips as well as monthly video chats and lots of other perks! Plus it supports my unique ministry to keep producing content you won't find anywhere else. Click here to learn more!

FREE Virtual Summit July 31-Aug 2 2020! A dream event about discerning ALL vocations featuring 40+ of your favorite speakers: Sr. Bethany Madonna, Jackie and Bobby Angel, Jason Evert, Sr. Helena Burns, Fr. Mark Goring, Joe Melendrez, Mary Lenaburg, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Cameron Fradd, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Matt and Erin Ingold, Katie Prejean McGrady, and MANY more! Also featuring the world's first virtual Meet and Greet for mission organizations and religious communities!

Sign up here: Staceysumereau.com/adventure

True North Course: Staceysumereau.com/true-north

PLEASE be a friend and help spread the word to anyone you know who could use this smorgasboard of wisdom. Nowhere else will you find an event or a course like this, designed especially for discerning life choices :) Thank you so much!

“Maybe you should start putting your life into two categories: a no or a hell yes.”

Many times I've wondered, "When do things stop changing? When do I get to stop re-adjusting and just be?" The answer is, never. Kathryn Whitaker, mom of six and author of Live Big, Love Bigger, has incredible perspective on coping when plans change. As a mom of six children, one of whom has dealt with ongoing health issues, and in dealing with health issues herself, Kathryn is a bastion of resilience and hope. 

We also dive into her conversion and how she learned to hear God's calls as a Protestant youngster. I feel like Catholics can learn so much from the way many of our Protestant brothers and sisters listen for God's voice as though he wants to speak to them personally....because he does!

Topics Discussed

• “Attitude readjustment hour:” How-to

Resources

• Live Big, Love Bigger by Kathryn Whitaker

This episode is sponsored by Guadalupe Roastery, a family-owned Catholic coffee company whose mission is to produce exceptional coffee and support fair wages for South American coffee farmers (most only make $5-7 per day!) You can score 10% off the most delicious coffee using code CAFFEINATED10. Visit www.guadaluperoastery.com and be an agent for positive change!

“All around us we see an impersonal lifestyle trying to invade the family and take away its richness, its culture, its ability to reflect the Trinity in its communion of persons. You’re not alone: you CAN find heaven in your home. It’s not just home base, a place to put your stuff, an entertainment center, or bricks and mortar. It’s a domestic church- a Trinity house!”

Catholicism and coffee are among my favorite things (in case you can't guess from the title of my podcast,) so when I found Trinity House Cafe, a Catholic coffee shop in Leesburg VA, I told my husband, "it's essentially what Heaven will be like for me!" Nothing could be more apt, because "Heaven in Your Home" is the tagline of Trinity House Founders Soren and Ever Johnson. Their masters degrees in theology inform the menu, atmosphere, ethos, and decor of their cafe to cultivate culture... starting with great sandwiches and coffee. Whatever your walk of life, you'll love our discussion about making your home a "trinity house."

We're not all called to be online entrepreneurs, start awareness movements, or be thought leaders. But all of us are called to love our neighbor, starting at home. Soren and Ever witnessed a poverty of family love and this is their initiative to make a difference, starting in their community. I think you'll be empowered by their "think globally, act locally" mindset, and you'll love the richness of the discussion. We get pretty theological in discussing Trinitarian relationships, so pour a good strong cup of coffee and enjoy!

Topics Discussed

• Moving from a cerebral faith into a familial, communal, cultural, “lived” faith.

Resources

• Trinity House Café’s Website- If you live near Leesburg VA, go! (They are now reopened after coronavirus quarantine!)