Do Something Beautiful

The self proclaimed "man-made feminist", Destiny Herndon de la Rosa is a force to be reckoned with.... and not just because she sports fabulously purple hair that gives the illusion she possesses unicorn magic. This lady is fierce and outspoken with it comes to speaking out about being consistently PRO LIFE on ALL matters. All lives matter - she'll tell you, regardless of age, race, creed, or social ranking. She states on her website: "It's a belief that all human beings should be free from violence for the duration of their lifetime. That means we're anti-war, anti-death penalty, anti-torture; and we extend this philosophy to our earliest moments of existence by also being anti-abortion." Destiny is the President and Founder of New Wave Feminist (https://www.newwavefeminists.com/) and recently has participated in the Secular ProLife Documentary, "Pro Life Feminist". You can rent or buy it here: https://lifefem.com/?v=7516fd43adaa 

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"No one grows up wanting to work in the abortion industry." –Abby Johnson.  Abby Johnson has always had a fierce determination to help women in need. It was this desire that both led Abby to a career with Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest abortion provider, and caused her to flee the organization and become an outspoken advocate for the pro-life movement. During her eight years with Planned Parenthood, Abby quickly rose in the organization’s ranks and became a clinic director. She was increasingly disturbed by what she witnessed. Abortion was a product Planned Parenthood was selling, not an unfortunate necessity that they fought to decrease. Still, Abby loved the women that entered her clinic and her fellow workers. Despite a growing unrest within her, she stayed on and strove to serve women in crisis. All of that changed on September 26, 2009 when Abby was asked to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion. She watched in horror as a 13 week baby fought, and ultimately lost, its life at the hand of the abortionist. At that moment, the full realization of what abortion was and what she had dedicated her life to washed over Abby and a dramatic transformation took place. Desperate and confused, Abby sought help from a local pro-life group. She swore that she would begin to advocate for life in the womb and expose abortion for what it truly is. Planned Parenthood did not take Abby’s exodus sitting down. They are fully aware that the workers who leave are their greatest threat. Instantly, they took action to silence Abby with a gag order and took her to court. The lawsuit was quickly seen as the sham it was and thrown out of court. The media was, and continues to be, intensely interested in Abby’s story as well as her continued efforts to advocate for the unborn and help clinic workers escape the abortion industry. She is a frequently requested guest on Fox News and a variety of other shows and the author of the nationally best-selling book, Unplanned, which chronicles both her experiences within Planned Parenthood and her dramatic exit. Today, Abby travels across the globe sharing her story, educating the public on pro-life issues, advocating for the unborn, and reaching out to abortion clinic staff who still work in the industry. She is the founder of And Then There Were None, a ministry designed to assist abortion clinic workers out of the industry. To date, this ministry has helped over 300 workers leave the abortion industry. Abby lives in Texas with her husband and seven precious children.  

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He was the first "Tele-Evangelist", Emmy award winner, a master of catechesis and the new evangelization, had an intense love for the Our Lady and is on his way to sainthood,. AND ... he also happens to be my Holy Crush. Enter the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. While I'd love to claim to be his biggest fan, I'd have my work cut out for me with Ms. Alexis Walkenstein. Alexis, like Sheen, works in media, they BOTH have earned an Emmy, and she has literally written the book on Fulton J. Sheen. For those of us who are familiar with Sheen, we couldn't be happier to have at our fingertips the book, Ex Libris: Fulton J. Sheen, by Alexis Walkenstein. (Grab your copy here: https://store.pauline.org/english/books/fulton-j-sheen#gsc.tab=0) This gem of a book takes some of Sheen's greatest pearls of wisdom, and places them in together for our spiritual benefit. Ex Libris: FJS  is a fantastic addition to your evening reading or morning prayer. The short, quick excerpts from Sheen will surely give you enough to mediate on, pray with and contemplate throughout the day. Alexis Walkenstein is an Emmy award-winning journalist turned public relations pro working to evangelize the culture with positive media. With over 20 years combined media experience in major markets such a Washington D.C., New York, and Atlanta, Alexis' career began in Boston at WHDH-TV (NBC), where she managed story assignments and editorial content managing the stations coverage of historic events such as the 9/11 Terror Attack, the death of John Kennedy Jr., the crash of TWA #800, the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church and the death and funeral of now Saint John Paul II. Alexis went on to serve the Diocese of Palm Beach as director of communications and chief spokesperson, a position she held for five years under Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. Alexis led communications endeavors for the Maximus Group in Atlanta ,GA and Schneider Associates in Boston, MA where she placed stories with the Associated Press, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Bloomberg, New York Daily News as well as national broadcast such as TODAY, Good Morning America, Nightline, FOX News, CNN, CNBC, MSBNC and more. Alexis currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and runs her own media and marketing firm AWE! specializing in campaigns for film, television, publishing and personalities. Alexis is from Framingham, MA where she was raised in the faith at St. Bridget's Catholic Church. He contemporary heroes are Saint John Paul II and Ven. Fulton J. Sheen. Alexis earned a BA in Communication from Regis College in Weston, MA and attended a prestigious Washington Semester in Journalism at American University. You can stay connected to Alexis via: Twitter @Walkesntein Instagram @lexiwalkenstein https://lexicaliblog.com/ Book Giveaway! FIVE (5) lucky winners will receive signed copies of Ex Libris: FJS *and* The Other Side of Beauty. Winners will be chosen via Instagram only on May 8, 2018. Contest ends at 12pm midnight CST on May 8, 2018. To Enter the contest, head on over to Leah's Instagram page for the rules and entry. 

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You can support the Do Something Beautiful Podcast NOW on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leahdarrow

How did God make me to love? Why do women struggle with God's love and acceptance for them? What's my vocation? Sr. Bethany Madonna answers these questions and more in our recent chat about the woman's role in the world and how the power of Christ can heal, renew, and transform us. 

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Christ in the City missionaries don't just drop off food or blankets, but create friendships with the homeless in Denver, Colorado. These missionaries go out and spend time with the homeless, eat meals with them, and get to know them as persons with inherent dignity. Christ in the City is a Catholic non-profit dedicated to forming missionaries, volunteers and communities in knowing, loving and serving the poor. In this episode, we talk with Blake, a Christ in the City missionary who "walks with the homeless" and helps us do the same in our own life with the people Christ brings into our life. We discuss: -Why is there so much homelessness in America? -Why are some homeless resistant to help? -How does a Christ in the City missionary "walk with the homeless"? -Is it okay to give money to the homeless we meet? -What can we do for the homeless in our own city? Make sure you check out how YOU can become a missionary or help a missionary out at www.christinthecity.co

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She's the President of the March for Life. She's a wife. A mother. And one amazingly strong woman facing the culture of death head on. Meet Jeanne Mancini. In this episode, I chat with Jeanne about the March for Life, the history of it, its future and the crazy connection to the Women's March and the March for our Lives. We mention a ton of websites and resources during our chat, so here they are for you to get involved, get more information and do your part in the fighting against the culture of death! Text MARCH to 73075 to receive live updates on all pro-life matters at the State and Federal levels. 

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Half of America is single. People are frustrated in love, but does anyone really know how to connect in today’s virtual world? THE DATING PROJECT follows five single people, ages 18-40, as they search for authentic and meaningful relationships. There is no script. There are no actors. These are real people trying to find love and happiness in an age of swiping left or right. #TheDatingProject - In Theaters April 17 - Get Your Tickets Today! >>> https://www.thedatingprojectmovie.com/

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You can support the Do Something Beautiful Podcast NOW on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leahdarrow

In light of Valentines Day, I decided to do a podcast on the funny and unforgettable moments of dating. I am joined by Christina Jaloway, Sarah Swafford, Lisa Cotter, Jackie Francois Angel and our lone male contributor, Chris Stefanick. We share with you our dating stories, the ones that left us running for the hills and those that left us with some pretty big life lessons - we hope you enjoy them and laugh with (or at) us. My guests, as usual, are amazing and have given us, throughout this podcast episode, so many good resources, so here you go. You're welcome. ;) BOOKS: Forever: A Catholic Devotional For Your Marriage by Jackie & Bobby Angel (https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Catholic-Devotional-Your-Marriage/dp/0819827436/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518465190&sr=8-1&keywords=forever+a+catholic+devotional+for+your+marriage) Emotional Virtue by Sarah Swafford (http://emotionalvirtue.bigcartel.com/product/emotional-virtue-signed-hardback) Dating Detox: 40 Days of Perfecting Love In An Imperfect World by Lisa & Kevin Cotter (https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Detox-Perfecting-Imperfect-World/dp/099720379X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1518465249&sr=1-1&keywords=dating+detox) The Other Side of Beauty:Embracing God's Vision of Love and True Worth by yours truly (Leah Darrow) (https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Beauty-Embracing-Vision/dp/0718090667/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0718090667&pd_rd_r=9GQKD61CWMP2A56RW25W&pd_rd_w=HI1bH&pd_rd_wg=g3za9&psc=1&refRID=9GQKD61CWMP2A56RW25W) BLOGS: The Natural Progression  by Sarah Swafford What Not To Say To Your Single Friends by Christina Jalloway Stop Guarding Your Heart And Start Paying Attention To Reality by Christina Jalloway Websites: Jackie Angel: www.jackieandbobby.com Sarah Swafford: www.emotionalvirtue.com Lisa Cotter: www.madetomagnify.com Christina Jaloway: www.theevangelista.com Chris Stefanick: www.reallifecatholic.com

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You can support the Do Something Beautiful Podcast NOW on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leahdarrow

Avera Maria Santo is a 21-year-old Alabama native and part time college student. When she's not in school, she's working on her blog titled Inside My Holy of Holies, where she writes about her life as a practicing Catholic living a chaste life with same-sex attractions. ​In this conversation, we talk about her struggle of same-sex attraction and its connection to her Catholic faith, along with her blog post (that went viral) addressing Fr. James Martin. Feel free to check it out after listening here: http://bit.ly/2DzKAL0 You can connect with Avera Maria Santo here: http://bit.ly/2BY3Mli *Dutifully so, it should be noted that this topic needs MUCH MORE unpacking than just one interview. Please know that Leah Darrow and the DSB Podcast in no way are attempting to simplify this topic to one, one hour, convo. That is plain ridiculous. This is just a start, an attempt to talk about topics that are challenging in the face of faith and culture. We welcome your charitable thoughts and comments. ​

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