Catholics on Campus

Grief touches every heart—but what does faith look like in the midst of deep loss?

In this moving conversation, Virginia interviews Kevin Carey, hospice chaplain, bereavement counselor, and author of The Grief Guide: Discovering the Reality of Continuing Bonds.

They explore what healthy grieving looks like for Catholics, how to support a friend who’s mourning, and why the “ministry of presence” often speaks louder than words.

Kevin offers timeless wisdom from Scripture and his years of hospice work—showing that love truly is stronger than death.

If you or someone you love is navigating loss, this conversation will help you rediscover comfort, community, and Christ’s promise of resurrection.

Resources Mentioned:

• Kevin's book: The Grief Guide: Discovering the Reality of Continuing Bonds
• GriefShare Support Groups: https://www.griefshare.org
• Compassionate Friends for parents who have lost a child: https://www.compassionatefriends.org

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

Every expert was once a beginner — but what does it mean to begin again with faith, humility, and trust in God?

In this inspiring conversation, newly ordained priest Fr. Chris Holcomb joins Virginia to explore the beauty and challenge of new beginnings.

They talk about what it means to start fresh spiritually, how to embrace being a beginner, and the power of patience, beauty, and love in building a life rooted in Christ.

Whether you’re a student stepping into a new season or someone discerning your next step, this episode will remind you that every beginning is sacred when you let God lead.

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

What does it mean to walk where saints once walked?

After a 10-day pilgrimage through Poland, Virginia reflects on the nation’s incredible story of resilience, devotion, and grace.

From visiting the sacred sites of St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. John Paul II, and St. Faustina Kowalska, to kneeling before the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, this episode captures how faith can thrive even amid persecution and suffering.

You’ll hear about:

• The heroic faith of the Polish people through centuries of war, occupation, and oppression.
• Powerful moments of prayer and healing at various places
• The stories of three great Polish saints—their courage, witness, and lasting influence on the Church and the world.
• The beauty and meaning of pilgrimage as a journey of transformation and mercy.
• Lessons from Pope Francis and Pope St. John Paul II on traveling light, letting go of fear, and allowing grace to renew the heart.

As Virginia reminds us, a pilgrimage isn’t about reaching a destination—it’s about being transformed along the way.

Whether you’ve traveled abroad or are walking through your own spiritual journey, this episode invites you to rediscover the power of faith, compassion, and hope.

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

What happens when pain becomes your constant companion—and no doctor can explain why?

In this episode, Virginia interviews Heidi Kennedy, a Catholic mindset coach whose 13-year battle with chronic back pain, anxiety, and depression led her to a breakthrough that changed her life.

After years of failed treatments, Heidi discovered the mind-body connection and the healing power of faith, mindset, and self-compassion.

Heidi shares about overcoming perfectionism, learning to “just be yourself,” and finding wholeness by integrating mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Whether you’re struggling with illness, stress, or self-doubt, this episode offers real hope, practical insights, and a deeply Catholic perspective on what it means to heal from the inside out.

Connect with Heidi Kennedy

• Email: [email protected] (NOT .com)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholiclifecoaching
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidi.spateholts/
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-kennedy-catholic-coaching
• Heidi's free class "Overcome Anxiety"
• Join Heidi for a free 30-minute coaching call to gain clarity in your life, or work through your own chronic pain, anxiety, or depression

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

Can what you wear shape how you feel, think, and even witness your faith?

Catholic life coach, mother of seven, and former model Heather Siekierski joins the show to share how modesty and style can beautifully coexist.

Discover how to dress with dignity, confidence, and grace—reflecting your identity as a beloved child of God in a culture that often forgets what true beauty means.

Heather also discusses how men can dress with dignity, how fashion can be a quiet form of evangelization, and how social media trends can be navigated with discernment and grace.

Plus: Hear her message to every Catholic college student—“You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Reflect that in who you are and how you present yourself.”

Resources Mentioned

• Students, Stop Dressing Like You Just Rolled Out of Bed! — Minding The Campus
• Contact Heather: [email protected]
• Worthy of Wearing by Nicole Caruso

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

In this episode of Catholics on Campus, we will meet Jacob Lombardo. He's a senior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in political science.

Earlier this fall, Jacob attended a workshop that I facilitated where he learned the results of his Working Genius assessment.

In this episode, we discuss how Jacob's results have given him new insights into his contributions to a team and his role as a leader, through his personal geniuses, competencies, and frustrations. 

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

When tragedy shakes our campuses, how do we respond with both truth and love?

In the wake of the shocking campus assassination of Charlie Kirk, our hearts are heavy. But this moment also calls us to reflect: How can we, as Catholics, be instruments of peace, truth, and dialogue in a world where division often dominates?

This episode offers:

• Four virtues to cultivate when listening across differences
• Conflict styles for each temperament—and practical strategies to engage well, no matter your personality.
• Biblical insights and wisdom from Catholic teaching on free speech, dialogue, and peacemaking.
• Five practical tips for approaching controversial conversations with courage, compassion, and faith.

Whether you’ve struggled to speak up, feared making things worse, or longed to bring hope into hostile spaces, this conversation will equip you to witness Christ’s love through both words and listening.

Let’s pray for healing, unity, and the courage to embody Christ’s peace on campus and beyond.

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

Resources

• Sustained Dialogue Institute

Artificial Intelligence is shaping our world faster than most of us can keep up with—but what does that mean for our faith, our choices, and the way we live as Catholics?

Today, I revisit the topic of AI, sharing what’s changed in the past year, what the Church is saying, and how you can stay grounded in virtue in the age of rapid technological change.

I explore the moral and spiritual challenges we face, and how to navigate them with wisdom and grace.

You’ll hear:

• The 10 vices AI can lead us into,
• The 5 virtues that can help us resist temptation, and
• 8 concrete ways to live faithfully in an AI-driven culture.

If you’ve ever wondered how to discern your use of AI, protect your spiritual life, and build strong human connections in a digital age, this conversation will equip you with hope, clarity, and practical steps forward.

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Visit my Website

Resources

• Don’t Be Fooled by AI-Generated Videos by Bishop Robert Barron
• The Center for Human Technology
• The Social Dilemma
• The AI Dilemma
• Pope Francis’ remarks to the G7 Leaders
• Students for Humane Technology
• Rome Call for AI Ethics
• Humanity2-0.org

Book recommendations:

• Artificial Humanity: An essay on the philosophy of artificial intelligence (2019) Philip Larrey, IF Press
• Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence (2024), Gaudet, Jerzfeld, Scherz & Wales, Eds., Pickwick Publications

As the fall semester begins, I invite you to pause and ponder some big questions about the new season ahead.

In this episode, I am sharing personal stories of discernment and the journey of aligning our lives more fully with God’s purpose by examining what might be holding us back.

Whether you’re navigating busy schedules, developing your talents, or managing your finances, I unpack the Catholic concept of “time, talent, and treasure” and how each can be used to serve God and others more courageously.

This episode will help you start your academic year intentionally, make the most of your gifts, and embrace new opportunities with hope.

Contact Virginia

• Contact Virginia at [email protected]
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Visit my Website
• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment

Get ready to pack your spiritual bags for a “Roadtrip with the Saints.”

Virginia takes us on a remarkable 25-day journey across Italy, celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary while exploring the sacred sites and stories of some of the Church’s most influential saints.

Along the way, you’ll hear tales of St. Padre Pio, St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena, and even the soon-to-be canonized Carlo Acutis - a reminder that sainthood isn’t just for the distant past.

Whether you’re dreaming of a pilgrimage or seeking inspiration to deepen your faith journey this summer, this episode is filled with spiritual insights and the enduring wisdom of the saints.

Buckle up for a road trip that promises to nourish your body, mind, and soul!

Contact Virginia

• By Email
• On LinkedIn - Virginia Albaneso Koch, Ph.D.
• Sign up for the Knots Untied Coaching eNewsletter
• Visit my Website

Resources

• Take my free Catholic Faith Journey Assessment
• Catholics on Campus: Episode 47
• Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena, Italy – APOSTOLATE OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION