Catholic Women Now

By Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder

In an easy going conversational style, hosts Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder speak to what is on the hearts and minds of women as if sharing coffee with friends in a coffee shop. We cover all thing... more

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August 13, 2026Behind "A Great Day": Miracles, Mercy & the Making of a Catholic Film with Alex Zuko – 08/13/2026
Actor Alex Zuko pulls up a chair at the coffee table to share how a five-month trip to India turned into a full Catholic reversion, and how that journey eventually led him to play a grieving priest in the award-winning short film "A Great Day." Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder talk with Alex about forgiveness, the sacraments, and the surprising miracle that saved one of the film's most powerful scenes.
From Munchkin to the Big Screen
Alex's acting career started in elementary school, playing a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, and grew through high school theater into a degree from the University of Florida's School of Theatre and Dance, where he graduated with honors before building a career in commercials, student films, and independent features.
A Reversion Story from India
While extending a trip through China, Tibet, Nepal, and India by five months, Alex spent two weeks volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity — caring for handicapped children in the mornings and the destitute and dying in the afternoons. Daily Mass became part of his routine, and a visit to a former Catholic friend's Protestant service helped him realize what set the Catholic faith apart: the Real Presence in the Eucharist. That conviction sparked a ten-year journey back to the fullness of the faith, including a moment of profound healing from addiction during Eucharistic adoration.
Playing Father Zachary in "A Great Day"
In "A Great Day," Alex portrays a priest wrestling with grief and alcoholism who is called to anoint a dying man — the very man responsible for the death of his family. Inspired in part by a homily from Father Mike Schmitz recounting a story tied to St. Faustina, the film explores confession, the anointing of the sick, and the Eucharist as channels of God's mercy.
Preparing for the Role Through Real Loss
Alex shares how walking his aunt through her final days in a Philadelphia hospital — including her reception of confession, anointing of the sick, and Communion — became unexpected preparation for the role, deepening his understanding of a priest's ministry at the bedside.
A Marian Miracle on Set
One pivotal scene wasn't coming together, even after hours of on-set prayer. It wasn't until the production team added music derived from the star pattern on Our Lady of Guadalupe's tilma that the scene finally came alive — a detail Alex says still moves him every time he watches it.
"Only God's Grace Can Bloom Thorns Into Roses"
That closing line from the film sums up its message. Since release, "A Great Day" has been viewed more than a million times worldwide (including subtitled versions) and has prompted numerous priests to reach out to Alex about what it meant to them and their vocation.
What's Next: The Silent Song
Alex is currently filming The Silent Song with Mount Carmel Studios, portraying Father Luis Cancer, one of Florida's first Catholic martyrs, killed near Tampa Bay in 1549. The project was inspired by his bishop after a private screening of "A Great Day."
Watch & Learn More
Watch "A Great Day" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch
Learn more, request a free screening, or find study guides at ourladyfilms.org: https://ourladyfilms.org/a-great-day/
Learn more about Mount Carmel Studios and upcoming projects at mountcarmelstudios.com: https://mountcarmelstudios.com/

#CatholicWomenNow #AGreatDayFilm #CatholicShortFilm #Forgiveness #CatholicFaith #FaithReversion #CatholicMovies #DivineMercy #AlexZuko #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #Sacraments
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More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
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August 06, 2026God's Relentless Pursuit: Jeannine Peters on Reunion, Redemption & Radical Trust – 08/06/2026
Meet Jeannine Peters
Jeannine Peters is a certified spiritual director with an MA in Religion and Religious Education from Providence College and an MA in Theology from The Catholic University of America. She is certified in Theology of the Body through the Theology of the Body Institute, trained in Unbound Healing Prayer through Heart of the Father Ministries, and holds a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Divine Mercy University. Jeannine lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their two daughters.
A Story Shaped by "The Hound of Heaven"
Jeannine opens up about how Francis Thompson's classic poem "The Hound of Heaven" became the lens through which she understands her own faith journey — a soul running from God, only to be relentlessly, patiently pursued by Him until she finally surrendered.
Growing Up in Chaos, Finding God in Lourdes
Jeannine shares candidly about growing up in an alcoholic, emotionally abusive household, and how a spontaneous, unplanned visit to Lourdes, France set the stage for one of the most significant turning points in her life — an unplanned pregnancy in her mid-to-late twenties that ultimately drew her back to God.
Healing Through Theology of the Body and ACA
Jeannine describes how studying Theology of the Body helped her understand her worth and dignity intellectually, while Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) gave her the practical tools to actually live out that healing — teaching her how to be authentically herself with God, her husband, and her children.
A Miraculous Reunion
Thirty-one years after placing her birth daughter for adoption, Jeannine shares the incredible story of how her daughter reached out, and how God orchestrated an unplanned meeting in the same state at the same time — allowing Jeannine to hold her daughter for the first time since birth, on her daughter's birthday.
Her Message of Hope
Jeannine closes with an encouraging word for anyone struggling to trust God: He is faithful, He never gives up on us, and He meets us exactly where we are, even in our smallest steps of surrender.
Learn more about Jeannine and her ministry at jeanninepeters.com
#CatholicWomenNow #JeanninePeters #HoundOfHeaven #TheologyOfTheBody #CatholicAdoption #BirthMother #AdoptiveMother #SpiritualDirector #UnboundPrayer #CatholicFaithJourney #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
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You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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July 30, 2026Seeking the Truth: From Judaism to the Catholic Church with Cindy Burdett - 07/30/2026
In this inspiring conversation, Cindy discusses:
Growing up in a traditional Jewish family

The challenges of exploring Christianity

How God revealed Jesus as the promised Messiah

Baptism in the Holy Spirit and entering the Catholic Church

Family struggles, reconciliation, and God's providence

Her passion for defending life and serving the Church
Whether you're a lifelong Catholic, a convert, or simply curious about the Jewish roots of Christianity, Cindy's testimony is a powerful reminder that God faithfully pursues every heart.
Learn more about Cindy's story in her book, From Kosher to Catholic.
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
LINKS
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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26min
July 23, 2026Forging Authentic Men with Sam Halligan - 07/23/2026
Meet Sam Halligan
Sam Halligan is the city director of Forge in Des Moines, Iowa. A Des Moines native (Saint Pius X and Dowling Catholic) who spent a decade serving with the young-adult mission Damascus, Sam and his wife, Whitney, recently moved back home with their kids. He shares the John 2:5 verse — "Do whatever he tells you" — that has anchored his marriage and their mission-driven family.
What Is Forge?
Forge is an on-the-ground movement of small groups dedicated to strengthening families by focusing on men. Sam breaks down Forge's guiding acronym, TAU (Thriving, Apostolic, Orthodox), and explains why reaching the heart of fathers changes the spiritual trajectory of an entire household. Since launching in late 2023, Forge has grown to 55 small groups across the Des Moines area — open to men of any faith background.
Redefining Authentic Masculinity
Julie and Chris dig into words like authority, dominance, and patriarch — terms the culture often paints as toxic. Sam makes the case for redeeming them, tracing masculinity back to Genesis, where Adam is called to till, keep, and protect the garden. He argues true masculine strength looks like Christ's: powerful, but exercised in humility and service.
How Wives Can Support Their Husbands' Leadership
Drawing on Edward Sri's book Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love, Sam and the hosts talk about the mutual responsibility spouses have to help each other flourish. Sam encourages women to offer affirmation rather than critique as husbands grow in their faith leadership, and Julie and Chris share personal stories of learning to trust their husbands' God-given roles.
Upcoming Forge Events
Forge Hog Roast — Friday, July 31, 2026, at Wills Family Orchard in Adel, Iowa. A couples' night with a spit-roasted hog, cigars, drinks, a bonfire, and live music.

Heart of the Mission Retreat — October 15, 2026, a three-night retreat at Creighton University Retreat Center in Griswold, Iowa, limited to 65 men, featuring extended confession, adoration, and daily Mass.

Forge Men's Conference — February 27, 2027, drawing roughly 1,500 men to Des Moines.
Learn more and register at Forge Events
Catholic Women Now airs on IowaCatholicRadio.com and wherever you listen to podcasts.
#CatholicWomenNow #Forge #AuthenticMasculinity #CatholicMen #CatholicFatherhood #DesMoinesCatholic #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #TheologyOfTheBody #ChristianMasculinity #MensMinistry #CatholicFaith #CatholicMarriage
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
LINKS
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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26min
July 16, 2026Millions of Monicas: How One Prayer Changed Everything with Jane White - 07/16/2026
This week on Catholic Women Now, hosts Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder open with a reflection on the Encounter Conference, a Catholic ministry event in Brighton, Michigan focused on healing, prophetic prayer, and encountering the Holy Spirit. Both hosts share personal healing testimonies from the conference before welcoming their guest.
Meet Jane White
Jane White is a wife, mother of four, grandmother of ten, and co-founder of Millions of Monicas alongside Jane VanHouten and Joan Bellamy. Jane is also an artist who teaches fluid art on her YouTube channel, Jane White Fluid Art.
The Origin of Millions of Monicas
Jane shares how the ministry began during a Zoom call in the early days of COVID-19, when she and Jane VanHouten decided to pray for each other's children instead of their own. That shift in focus led to a shared sense of calling, and the two women — later joined by Joan Bellamy — founded Millions of Monicas.
Who Was St. Monica?
Jane explains the story of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, whose persistent prayer for her son's conversion became the inspiration for the ministry's name and mission.
How the Ministry Works
Millions of Monicas hosts one-hour, parish-based prayer gatherings for mothers, always closing with the Rosary. It is not a support group — there's no discussion of children's struggles, just focused, surrendered prayer for each mother's intention. The ministry is free to join and requires a pastor's permission to begin in a parish.
Growth and Impact
What started with 130 mothers at the very first gathering has grown to roughly 200 active communities, with 25 more forming, and the ministry has expanded internationally to Costa Rica, Australia, Canada, and Mexico.
A Personal Testimony
Jane shares her own story of surrendering her worry for her son, who returned to the practice of his Catholic faith last October — and how the mothers themselves are transformed just as much as their children.
Getting Involved
Mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers interested in starting a Millions of Monicas group at their parish can find more information at MillionsofMonicas.com.
Learn more about the show at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
#CatholicWomenNow #MillionsOfMonicas #SaintMonica #CatholicMoms #PrayForOurChildren #CatholicFaith #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #IntercessoryPrayer #CatholicMotherhood #Rosary #ReturnToFaith #EncounterConference
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
LINKS
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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26min
July 09, 2026Breaking Free from Yoga: A Catholic's Journey with Author Linda Carl – 07/09/2026
After nearly two decades as a certified yoga instructor — including as an Ashtanga teacher — Linda Carl had a conversion moment that changed everything. When she opened Scripture to 1 Corinthians 10, the call was clear: leave yoga entirely. What followed was years of untangling herself from a spiritual web she hadn't fully recognized while she was in it.
What Linda Covers in This Episode:
Why yoga's physical benefits are the entry point — and why that's precisely how its spiritual dangers go unnoticed

The Hindu philosophical foundations of popular yoga styles, including Ashtanga, and what even certified teachers are never told

Her personal encounter with the demonic during a Reiki session — in a gym

Why the "I just pray to Jesus during yoga" objection doesn't hold up spiritually

The Church's position on Reiki and why the USCCB has warned against it
Catholic Alternatives to Yoga:
Pietra Fitness (Pietro = "the rock") — stretching combined with Catholic prayer; offered locally in Des Moines at Fitness by Design

SoulCore — movement rooted in the Rosary and Catholic devotion

Pilates and other non-spiritually-rooted exercise options

Prays Moves — a Christian stretching/flow alternative
How to Heal After Yoga:
Linda emphasizes the treasure of the sacraments — frequent Confession (one major exorcist has said one confession equals one hundred exorcisms) and daily reception of the Eucharist. She also recommends prayers of deliverance after Confession, the Rosary, and intercession through saints including St. Benedict, St. Padre Pio, and St. Joseph, Terror of Demons.
Find Linda Carl's book Yoga Unveiled:
Available at Barnes & Noble, Sophia Institute Press, Divine Treasures in Des Moines, and other online retailers.
Learn more at IowaCatholicRadio.com
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#CatholicWomenNow #YogaUnveiled #LindaCarl #CatholicFaith #YogaDangers #CatholicHealth #SpiritualWarfare #IowaCatholicRadio #PietraFitness #SoulCore #CatholicWomen #RosaryWarrior #ProtectYourSoul #FaithAndFitness #CatholicSpirituality
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
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You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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26min
July 02, 2026A Mother's Prayers Never Wasted: Tim Francis on Faith, Addiction, and Coming Home – 07/02/2026
A Cradle Catholic's Long Road Home
Tim Francis grew up in New Carlisle, Ohio, in a faithful Catholic household — but by the time he reached college at Ohio State, the faith took a back seat to partying and eventually substance abuse. His journey into addiction in his early twenties set him on a dark path that would last years.
The Mom Who Kept Praying
While Tim was drifting, his mother Patricia Ann was praying — rosaries, Mass, Holy Hours, prayer journals, and letter campaigns. She was sending Tim cassette tapes of Scott Hahn's conversion story as early as 1988, even when he wasn't remotely interested. She never pushed, never gave up, and never stopped interceding.
A Slow, Surprising Return
Tim's path back to the Church wound through a megachurch Bible study, debates with Catholic apologists Tim Staples and Father Mitch Pacwa held in his own living room, and a stunning Fox documentary on a woman with the stigmata — a tape his mother sent him. Each thread, years apart, was quietly part of the same answer to the same prayers.
The Book — and What Came From It
Tim is the author of From the Crack House to God's House: The Power of a Mother's Prayer, a raw and honest account of his journey that he says will make you "hate me and love my mom." He also has a new book in the works: The Men Who Knew the Apostles, expected out within the month.
A Message for Moms with Kids Away from the Church
Tim's direct word to Catholic moms: don't stop praying. Use every tool available — including the stigmata documentary his mother sent him, available on his website — and ask the Holy Spirit to go before your children as they watch it.
Learn more and find the stigmata video at ScienceTestFaith.com
#CatholicWomenNow #TimFrancis #PowerOfPrayer #CatholicMom #PrayingMom #RosaryWorks #CatholicFaith #FromTheCrackHouseToGodsHouse #CatholicConversion #IowasCatholicRadio #CatholicSpeaker #MothersPrayer #CatholicTestimony #ComingHomeToCatholic #ScienceTestFaith
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
LINKS
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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25min
June 11, 2026Every Child Deserves a Mom and Dad: Josh Wood of Them Before Us – 06/11/2026
Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder welcome Josh Wood, Executive Director of Them Before Us, a nonprofit giving children a voice in cultural and legislative conversations that too often prioritize adult desires over kids' needs.
What is Them Before Us? Founded in response to the 2012–2015 cultural shift around same-sex marriage, Them Before Us uses social science research to make the case that children consistently flourish best with their married, biological mother and father — and that every departure from that, whether through divorce, surrogacy, or same-sex households, carries real costs for kids that culture has been too quick to dismiss.

Surrogacy vs. Adoption & the viral "Mama" video: Josh draws a sharp distinction between adoption, which tries to heal a child's loss, and surrogacy, which deliberately inflicts it. The conversation also unpacks a viral video of a baby raised by a same-sex couple instinctively crying out "Mama" — and what it reveals about children's biological and emotional needs.

How you can help: Follow and share @ThemBeforeUs on social media, read the blog at thembeforus.substack.com, support their work financially, engage your legislators, and start close to home — model a strong, sacrificial marriage for the children already in your life.
Learn more at thembeforeus.com
Episode Contributors
Julie Nelson, Chris Magruder, Josh Wood
#CatholicWomenNow #ThemBeforeUs #ChildrensRights #ProChild #CatholicRadio #IowaCatholicRadio #FamilyFirst #DefendTheFamily #CatholicMoms #SurrogacyVsAdoption #MarriageAndFamily #CatholicFaith #HolyBoldness #ProtectChildren #NaturalFamily
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
LINKS
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ

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26min
June 04, 2026Hope in the Depths of Suffering: The Story of Michelle Duppong with Stephanie Parks – 06/04/2026
Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder sit down with Stephanie Parks — Director of Campus Ministry at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines and co-author of Michelle Duppong: Hope in the Depths of Suffering (written with Patti Armstrong) — to tell the story of a modern woman whose life and death are captivating the Church.
Who Was Michelle Duppong? Born in 1984 and raised on a North Dakota farm, Michelle was a faithful Catholic who experienced a powerful conversion through FOCUS and Eagle Eye Ministries summer camp. After graduating from North Dakota State University in Fargo, she served six years as a FOCUS missionary — opening campuses and discipling students — before joining the Diocese of Bismarck for adult faith formation. In late 2014, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer and given two months to live. She lived a full year more, transforming everyone around her — hospital staff, nurses, cafeteria workers — through her contagious joy. She died on Christmas Day, 2015, surrounded by her family. Her cause for canonization was officially opened in 2022, and she now holds the title Servant of God.
The Book Stephanie co-authored Michelle Duppong: Hope in the Depths of Suffering with Patti Armstrong, whose connection to Michelle's family in Bismarck perfectly complemented Stephanie's perspective from inside FOCUS. The book covers Michelle's life, her heroic suffering, and the signs of hope her family experienced after her death — including a beautiful account from her sister Lisa.
How to Support Michelle's Cause Prayer cards are available. If you experience a grace through Michelle's intercession, report it to the Guild overseeing her cause.
Also in This Episode — Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 2026
June 11th: The USCCB will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — a first in American history.

Enthronement resources: WelcomeHisHeart.com

Film: Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End — screening in Des Moines, Waukee, and Waterloo on June 9, 11, and 12.

For family consecration guidance, revisit the Catholic Women Now episode with Emily Jaminet from January.
Episode Contributors
Julie Nelson, Chris Magruder, Stephanie Parks
#CatholicWomenNow #MichelleDuppong #ServantOfGod #HopeInThDepthsOfSuffering #CatholicSaints #FOCUS #RedemptiveSuffering #SacredHeartOfJesus #CatholicRadio #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicWomen #NewSaints #CatholicFaith #DowlingCatholic #StephanieParks
Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations
LINKS
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.
If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:
Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos

Liturgy & Devotions
The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John
Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ

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25min
May 28, 2026Types & Shadows: Discovering Christ Hidden in the Old Testament with Barbara Heil - 05/28/2026
How does the Old Testament point directly to Jesus Christ?
This week on Catholic Women Now, Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder welcome renowned Catholic speaker and teacher Barbara Heil for a fascinating discussion on “types and shadows” in Sacred Scripture.
Barbara explains how the people, symbols, events, and imagery of the Old Testament foreshadow the realities fulfilled in Christ and the Catholic faith. From the Passover lamb and Jonah to the tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, and the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt, listeners will discover how the Bible tells one unified story of salvation.
In this episode:
What “types and shadows” mean in Scripture

How the Old Testament prepares us for Christ

Biblical connections to baptism, the Eucharist, and the Mass

The spiritual meaning behind the tabernacle and sacred objects

Why understanding Scripture strengthens Catholic faith

How revelation leads to transformation
Barbara Heil brings Scripture alive in a way that helps Catholics encounter the heart of God through His Word.
Learn more about Barbara Heil and her ministry at:
https://www.fromhisheart.com/
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