In today’s episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, I’m wrapping up my little series on the lessons God has been teaching me while working in my yard. What I thought would be one episode turned into three because—just like in our gardens—God never stops showing us new ways to grow.

This time, I’m sharing three final reflections that connect the work of tending soil, pulling weeds, and pruning plants to the deeper work of tending our hearts, minds, and souls. We’ll talk about:

🌱 How the “weeds” of negative thoughts keep popping up (and how to take them captive in Christ).

✂️ Why pruning can feel harsh, but actually leads to new, healthier growth.

🌸 How blooming comes in different seasons—and how God often surprises us with new life just when we think we’re done.

It’s real, it’s honest, and it’s a reminder that whether you’re in a season of blooming, pruning, or quiet rest, God is always at work in you.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose.

A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives.

Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.

This week, I’m back in the garden—literally and spiritually.

What started as a fun project to tidy up my yard and grow a few vegetables turned into a rich space for God to teach me deep truths about my heart, my faith, and the way I live. As I worked with my hands in the dirt, pulling weeds and planting seeds, I began to notice how God was using every little task—especially the frustrating ones—to speak to my soul.

In this episode, I share the story of my tomato plants that looked beautiful above ground, but below the surface, they were struggling. The soil was rocky, and the roots couldn’t go deep. It reminded me so vividly of Jesus' parable in Matthew 13—the seed sown on rocky ground that springs up quickly but withers just as fast because it has no root.

I began to ask: Where in my own life do I appear to be thriving, but deep down I’m dry, overextended, or disconnected from God? And more importantly, how many of us are trying to produce fruit without first tending to the soil of our hearts?

Throughout the episode, I talk about the ways we all try to "fake the fruit": smiling at church while feeling spiritually empty, saying yes out of guilt or performance, trying to be the perfect Catholic mom or wife while burying our own pain. I’ve done it. I’ve coached women through it. And I know how exhausting it can be.

We explore the four anchors that help us cultivate good, deep spiritual soil:
🕊️ Silence
✝️ Sacraments
💔 Suffering
🤲 Surrender

These aren’t glamorous. They don’t always feel productive. But this is where God does His most beautiful work. When we allow Him into our hidden, rocky places—into the pain, the dryness, the places we’d rather keep covered—He begins to till the soil. He prepares us to grow fruit that isn’t just impressive, but lasting and life-giving.

I also talk about how to recognize rotten fruit in our lives: the habits, actions, or even ministry roles that look holy but aren’t bearing real joy, peace, or love. And I remind you (and myself!) that God doesn’t just want us to be busy. He wants us to be rooted.

So if you’re feeling worn out, spiritually dry, or unsure whether the fruit of your life is real or just for show—this episode is for you.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose.

A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives.

Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.

Over the past six months, I’ve spent a lot of time working in my yard—not because it’s beautiful or easy to care for, but because it’s where God unexpectedly met me. Between the weeds, the rocky soil, and a hose that never cooperates, I began to experience God as a gardener. What started as a to-do list to improve my yard became a sacred space for healing and connection with the Lord. I realized that working in the dirt became deeply spiritual. It taught me how God speaks through the most ordinary things—soil, sun, weeds, and even a leaky hose.

One of the first powerful lessons I learned was about the garden hose. If there's a kink, the water won’t flow—just like our spiritual lives. We can be doing all the right things—going to Mass, praying, reading Scripture—but if we’re holding onto fear, shame, sin, resentment, or busyness, the grace of God can't flow through us fully. Leaks in the hose reminded me of trying to give to others while running on empty, leading to burnout, irritability, and emotional exhaustion. God used that leaky hose to show me that healing comes first—before we pour out to others, we must allow His grace to fill and restore us.

Another lesson: not all weeds are ugly. Some look like good plants, even beautiful, but they choke out real growth. Spiritually, that means not everything that appears “good” is of God. I’ve had to discern what’s life-giving versus what’s distracting. Sometimes, good things—like serving in ministry or taking on new responsibilities—aren’t meant for this season. As midlife women navigating change, it’s vital to pause and ask: is this drawing me closer to Christ or pulling me away? By slowing down, praying, journaling, and inviting the Holy Spirit in, I’ve started to recognize the weeds I need to release in order to grow a more fruitful and grace-filled life.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose.

A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives.

Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.

In this week's episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, Jennie Guinn invites you to see your current struggles through a new lens—the lens of fire. But not a fire that destroys—a fire that purifies, transforms, and reignites your God-given purpose. Whether you’re walking through grief, facing the ache of an empty nest, struggling in your marriage, or simply feeling lost in midlife, Jennie reminds you that you are not being burnt out—you’re being lit up. With wisdom drawn from scripture, the Blessed Mother, and the lives of the saints, this episode is an invitation to see your pain not as a punishment, but as a sacred path toward holiness.

Jennie shares insights from a recent morning of reflection where she explored how fire shows up in our lives—not just in the dramatic crises, but in the quiet ache of change, in unanswered prayers, and in the slow burn of transition. Drawing on her own experience and the stories of women she walks with in ministry, she gently guides you to reflect on how God might be using your fire to strip away what is false and fill you with what is holy. You'll also hear how the Blessed Mother walked through the fire with silent surrender and unwavering faith—and how she walks beside you, too.

Through encouraging stories, journaling prompts, and spiritual practices, this episode will help you recognize the fire in your life, surrender it to God, and allow it to become the spark that ignites your light—and someone else’s. You were born to sparkle, not just survive. Let Jennie remind you that holiness is often forged in the heat, and that your small flame, lit by God, can shine brightly in a weary world. If you're longing for purpose, hope, and healing in the fire you're facing, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

In this episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, I sit down with my dear friend of 15 years, Mona Overstreet. Mona is a convert to the Catholic faith, and her story is one of incredible resilience, deep faith, and a heart fully surrendered to God. After caring for her adoptive mother for eight years and walking through tremendous personal loss and illness, Mona now lives in an assisted living facility where she sees her life as a mission field. She calls this season her “fourth quarter,” and she’s committed to using every moment to glorify God and bring others closer to Him. Mona shares how her suffering has shaped her—not as a burden, but as a path to holiness. From quieting the noise by removing distractions like TV to spending time in daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, Mona is intentional about hearing God’s voice and acting on it. She reminds us that even in weakness, pain, or isolation, God can use us powerfully. Whether she’s praying for strangers in the grocery store or sharing her faith with staff at her facility, Mona is a shining example of what it means to live your faith out loud. Her story is a beautiful witness to the strength that comes from Christ alone. If you’re walking through suffering, loss, or uncertainty, I pray that Mona’s words encourage you to keep talking to God, to stay rooted in the sacraments, and to trust that He is working—even when you can’t see it. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

I had the honor of talking with Fr. Wade Menezes from the Fathers of Mercy, and let me tell you—it was rich, deep, and so full of truth. Fr. Wade shared his journey from dairy farming to the priesthood (a path I totally relate to!), and we dove into what people today are truly hungry for: a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Trinity. We talked about how life gets messy—hurt, sin, unforgiveness—and how God wants to take those roadblocks and turn them into stepping stones toward Him.

One of the biggest takeaways was the power of living a sacramental life, especially through frequent Confession and Eucharist—the two sacraments we can receive over and over again. Fr. Wade reminded us that sanctifying grace actually helps us participate in God’s divine life and gives us strength to face the fire (whether it’s a raging one or just a little campfire). We also talked about living “eternity-minded”—not in a heavy or morbid way, but in a joyful, daily pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful. And yes, even rest and leisure matter! Fr. Wade encouraged us (especially busy women!) to seek daily balance in prayer, work, and recreation—because holiness is found in that rhythm. I hope this episode encourages your heart as much as it did mine!

Register for the Nashville Magnificat Breakfast with Father Wade on July 26, 2025

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered when your sparkle faded? When did the light of joy, confidence, and divine purpose get buried under the weight of motherhood, marriage struggles, or midlife transitions?

In this episode, I invite you to rediscover the truth you may have forgotten: you were born to sparkle. Inspired by a simple moment with my granddaughter and a sparkly Walmart hat, I unpack what it really means to shine—not with worldly glamor, but with the radiant light of Christ that lives within you.

You’ll hear stories of three powerful saints—St. Monica, St. Rita of Cascia, and St. Hildegard—who each found their divine sparkle in prayer, suffering, and late-blooming purpose. And you’ll be reminded that your most meaningful chapter might still be ahead, even if it doesn't look the way you imagined.

✨ Feeling lost in the middle of your story?
✨ Wrestling with grief, broken relationships, or purpose in midlife?
✨ Longing to reclaim your God-given radiance?

This episode is a holy permission slip to start sparkling again—right where you are.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

As we close out the beautiful month of May, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, join me this week, as I reflect on Mary's Fiat—her courageous and wholehearted “yes” to God—and how it continues to inspire Catholic women today.

Through personal stories, scripture, Marian devotion, and insights I unpack the obstacles we face when trying to say yes to God—fear, control, suffering, and doubt—and how, like Mary, we can find the grace to trust even when the path is painful or uncertain.

Whether you're navigating a difficult season, questioning your next steps, or longing to grow deeper in faith, this episode offers gentle encouragement and powerful reminders that:

Saying yes is not a one-time moment—it’s a daily mindset.

Surrendering to God isn’t giving up—it’s claiming your victory.

Even in suffering, God walks with you—and will equip you for the path ahead.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

In this episode, I’m inviting you into something that feels almost impossible in today’s fast-paced, noisy world: silence. Real, soul-nourishing, God-soaked silence.

Recently, I attended a silent retreat with the Dominican Sisters at the Bethany Retreat House in Dickson, TN—a retreat I wasn’t even supposed to attend. But God made a way, and He used that quiet weekend to open up a space in my heart I didn’t even realize was closed.

I’ve always thought I was pretty comfortable with silence—no TV during the day, no radio in the car—but the retreat showed me something deeper. It wasn’t just the silence that changed me; it was disconnecting from my phone, the world, and all the distractions that keep me busy and numb. In the quiet, I began to hear God again… and also myself.

What surprised me most was what came up when the noise stopped—feelings I had pushed down, especially resentment I didn’t even realize I was holding. Even though I thought I was doing the work of forgiveness after the deep betrayal in my marriage, God gently revealed that I was still clinging to resentment. And He met me there—not with shame, but with healing.

In the silence, I stopped doing and started being. I sat with God in the ashes of pain, and He began lifting the weight off my heart. It was uncomfortable, but it was also holy.

If you’ve been longing for clarity, healing, or simply a break from the constant noise, I invite you to pause with me today. Let’s talk about how silence can become a sanctuary—where we meet God, where we meet ourselves, and where real healing begins.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation that left you shaken—your heart racing, your voice tense, and your peace completely gone?

Maybe it was a disagreement about politics, morality, Church teaching, or even a family decision that matters deeply to you. In those moments, it’s so easy to react instead of respond... and before you know it, the tension turns into division.

In this episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, I’m opening up about something we all face: how to stay kind, calm, and Christlike when you deeply disagree with someone. Whether it's a heated conversation in your family, a debate at work, or a clash in your parish, this episode will give you tools to handle it with grace and strength.

We’ll talk about:

Why disagreements feel so personal and triggering What’s really happening in your brain and body when you’re in conflict.

Four practical, faith-filled steps to help you pause, ground yourself, and speak with love while making sure your voice is heard—without losing your peace or your witness.

And how saints like St. Catherine of Siena and St. Monica can guide us in today’s polarized world!

If you're a Catholic woman who wants to speak truth, stand firm in your values, and still radiate Christ in every conversation—you’re in the right place. You don’t have to sacrifice your voice to stay peaceful, and you don’t have to sacrifice your peace to be heard. 

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.