Every year when Advent comes around, I’m always at a loss as to how to live the season well. It arrives on the heels of Thanksgiving where I’m stuffed with good food and gratitude, and right before Christmas, forcing me to slow down when I want to rush right into decorating and snapping my fingers to “Jingle Bells”.

This is why I was so thrilled to read Derek Rotty’s new book, “Praying with Sacred Art: Pondering the Mystery of Salvation through VISIO Divina”. Through this book, he walks through each of the liturgical seasons, beginning with Advent, using historic paintings as a form of prayer.

It was a unique experience placing myself in these classic works of art and seeking to encounter Christ in the process.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good resource to help you fruitfully enter into the Advent season and beyond.

Derek’s love of art and history is contagious, and I think you’ll enjoy listening to his description about certain artwork. This is one episode where you’ll want to watch the video so you can see the paintings we’re referencing.

Episode Resources:

• Praying with Sacred Art: Pondering the Mystery of Salvation through VISIO Divina

• EWTN The Journey Home - Derek Rotty

This post includes affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, please note that I only recommend books or programs that I personally believe in and have had made an impact on me.To watch this episode on YouTube, click: https://youtu.be/pEORSJd0u7w

To connect with Valentina, visit fiatcareercoaching.com.

Have you ever read a book that stopped you in your tracks? A book that provided clarity and yet made you question past and present decisions? Even a book that left you with more questions and a greater yearning for truth than when you started?

This was my recent experience after reading “Spiritual Warfare Q&A” by Dr. Dan Schneider and Jesse Romero. I underlined, Googled, texted my spiritual director, spoke extensively with my husband and prayed continuously about the topics in this book during and after reading this book. It was that impactful!

Written in question-and-answer form, this book outlines topics such as exorcisms, deliverance ministry, the laying on of hands during prayer ministry, the occult, magic, horror films, yoga, haunted houses, Freemasonry, and much more.

It is well researched and filled with anecdotes from real exorcisms. However, the book is not meant to glorify the work of the enemy, but to give readers a clear understanding of the reality of the spiritual realm and the battle for our souls.

I know that might sound dramatic, but if you have ever been involved in any form of healing and deliverance prayer ministry or plan to be, I recommend you read this book. It will challenge what you know, enlighten you on what you may not know, and will leave you wanting to learn more.

Dr. Schneider is a wealth of knowledge on these topics, and it was a joy to speak with him about this book. He regularly assists with exorcisms and is a founding member of Liber Christo, a movement in conjunction with Fr. Chad Ripperger, SMD which provides tools and resources for priests and laity working in the apostolate of exorcism.

I’ll be honest, I’m still processing what I read in this book and discerning next steps and will continue to take it all to prayer. But this episode is for you if you want to learn more about the:

• Role of authority in spiritual warfare

• How to pray for healing (prudently)

• Importance of spiritual order in the home

• Power of the priesthood and the anointed hands of a priest

• Impact of mental prayer on spiritual combat

Episode Resources:

• The Liber Christo Method: A Field Manual for Spiritual Combat

• Holy League Institute

Did you know you can also watch this episode on YouTube? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/@fiatcareercoaching.

To connect with Valentina, visit https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

“Live in the mess.”

This is my favorite lines from my conversation with Jamie McAleer, the author of the new book, "I Will Come to You: A Story of Adoption and the Relentless Love of God”.

The book chronicles Jamie and her husband Jack’s journey to adopt their third child, Alexender, from Russia.

It is a journey filled with twists and turns and many steps forward and backwards. I love Jamie’s honest sharing of her struggles to trust God in the process and how her faith was stretched throughout the experience.

It is a heart-warming and encouraging read that will leave you feeling desired, chosen, wanted and loved by God.

One fun fact that plays into the story is that Jamie and her husband Jack were major players in the growth of the Krispy Kreme dynasty! I won’t be mad if you feel like eating a donut after reading this book ;).

Speaking to Jamie felt like sitting down to a warm cup of coffee with my grandmother.

I think you’ll find her endearing and a pleasure to listen to.

To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/

I don’t know your situation as you read this, whether you’re in good health or in poor. Whether you’re overflowing with peace or barely getting through the day.

Wherever you find yourself, I want you know that Jesus is with you. I’ve seen broken bones restored, shortened legs extended, vertigo lifted, and painful memories healed. Not just once, but over and over again.

I’ve also experienced when physical healing doesn’t happen, even after many prayers and much time has passed. It is hard to wrestle with that and understandable to question where God is in the midst of that.

I had the supreme privilege of speaking with bestselling author and international speaker, Dr. Mary Healy about this topic of healing. Dr. Healy is a Professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and a woman I greatly admire!

She has a gift of preaching the Gospel in relatable ways and desires to bring everyone into a deep encounter with Christ.

In this episode we spoke about:

• How to experience more of the power of the Holy Spirit in your life

• Modern miracles and healings

• The purpose of healing

Be sure to listen to the end where Dr. Healy prays for healing for all listeners. If you receive a healing after the prayer, please send me an email ([email protected]) so we can celebrate your healing!To learn more about Dr. Healy, visit https://www.drmaryhealy.com/.

To connect with Valentina, visit https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

Exercising on a consistent basis is hard. For years I’ve told myself that I couldn’t possibly squeeze in any time to exercise while juggling life as a stay-at-home-mom to an active two-year old and managing our home and small business.

Plus, I reasoned, isn’t going up and down the stairs with a load of laundry considered cardio? Or hauling our son in and out of his car seat resistance training? Alas, the answer is no. I’ve come to see that I need to prioritize my physical health and the more I make it a priority the greater the ripple effects.

I’ve noticed the days that I run, I am more energized throughout the day, I have increased patience and charity, and I carry a spirit of gratitude during my time of prayer.

This is why I was so thrilled to read Chase Crouse and Dan Burke’s new book, “The God of Endurance: A Practical Guide for Incorporating Exercise and Nutrition into your Spiritual Journey”.

This very concrete book demystifies how to build a solid exercise routine that you can actually stick to and enjoy, the science behind building muscle and losing fat, and why taking care of the body God gave you is actually good for your soul.

It was fun speaking with Chase about what led him to start his company Hypuro Fit and what led him to integrate Theology of the Body with fitness.

So, tune into this episode if you want to learn more about:

• The best kind of food to fuel your body

• How exercising can help you combat habitual sin

• What happens to your muscles after age 40

• Why sleep is critical when trying to build muscle

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a reset on exercising or if you could use some ideas on how to improve your current exercising routine.This post includes affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, please note that I only recommend books or programs that I personally believe in and have had made an impact on me.

- To purchase the book visit: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-god-of-endurance/?oid=784&affid=188

- Visit Chase's website: https://www.hypurofit.org/

- To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/

Many women I know have at one time or another felt at odds with their bodies.

Whether it has done things we wish it wouldn’t do, like get too wide or too thin, or presented symptoms we didn’t understand, our bodies oftentimes feel like a mystery.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Leanne Jarvis who is on a mission to equip every woman with the knowledge, community, and natural care she needs to live her dignity fully so she can flourish in her body.

Leanne is a certified fertility awareness and hormone coach and is the founder of RoseFem, where she provides holistic, science-based solutions for every stage of a woman’s reproductive journey, from adolescent to the post-menopausal years.

In this episode we dive into the world of women’s wellness, as Leanne describes why it’s important to understand our hormonal cycles, the effect of stress on our bodies, and how to have a greater appreciation for our body.

Although this episode is geared towards women, we talk about the invaluable role that men have in these discussions as they support their spouses, sisters or female friends along this journey.

You can watch this episode on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Resources Mentioned Today:

You are called to be a saint.

You are not called to be a saint like Thomas Aquinas or Mary Magdelene, but you are called to be you, uniquely you.

I write this, and yet I sometimes fall into the trap of reading the lives of the saints or of some holy person and thinking, “Well, I can’t fast 10 hours a day like that person,” or “My perfectionism and natural playfulness is out of place in the spiritual life.”

And yet, I am reminded after conversations like this one with Rosemary McGuire Berry that God uses the messy and brilliant aspects of our nature to make as holy. Our weaknesses are not a hinderance to our holiness, but stepping stones to encountering Him.

Rosemary is the author of a new book titled, “Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints”. In it she shares stories of common and not-so-common saints who wrestled with aspects of their personality and used it all for the glory of God.

Tune into this episode if you’re curious about:

• The 4 temperament styles and what yours might be

• Why understanding the temperament styles of others might help improve your relationships

• How each temperament style can overcome depression

• Why joy is so important

To connect with Rosemary, visit her Substack: Tea, Talk & Tattered Pages: https://www.RosemaryMcGuireBerry.substack.com

Or follow her on Instagram @rosemary.writer.

To connect with Valentina, visit ⁠Fiat Career Coaching, LLC.

One person whom I would love to meet one day in heaven is Nathan Raun.

He was a 13-year-old boy from Lincoln, Nebraska who died of brain cancer in 1998. He loved sports and God and had a natural sense of humor that put others at ease.

Although Nathan died over 27 years ago, many people, (me included), have been recipients of answered prayers through his intercession in heaven.

I had the honor of speaking with his mother, Teresa Raun, whose mission is to share Nathan’s inspiring story with the world.

In this episode, Teresa shares about Nathan’s 10-month journey through cancer and the many miraculous stories of people whose lives he has changed, many years after his death.

To connect with Valentina, visit Fiat Career Coaching, LLC.

What can a 15-year-old videogame loving Italian boy teach us about living and dying well?

That was my question when I began reading the book, “God's Influencer: Holy Advice from St. Carlo Acutis,” by Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, the parents of Carlo.

I began the book skeptical as to how I could possibly learn from him (prideful I know), to getting a few pages into the book and realizing the tremendous gift and example of Carlo’s life.

He was a humble and normal athletic boy who was in love with God. He was compassionate towards the poor, an effective and natural evangelizer, and someone I hope our son can one day emulate.

Reading his journal entries and various accounts of his life from his parents helped me to see why he is considered by many to be “the greatest saint of the century,” and why he was nicknamed “a Thomas Aquinas in blue jeans.”

I had the great joy of speaking with author Mary Beth Bracy, about the book and to share the stories that most touched us about his life.

If you would like to learn:

• How to grow in sanctity one day at a time

• How to guide your kids or friends to heaven

• Why the Eucharist is so integral to our faith

• Why Carlo Acutis is a boy worth emulating

Then this episode is for you.

To connect with Valentina, visit Fiat Career Coaching, LLC.

What if I told you that it was possible to experience the sacraments in a deeper way? That the sacraments of baptism and holy communion could heal deep-seated wounds of rejection or abandonment respectively?

My guest for today is, Dr. Bob Schuchts, author of the book, “Be Transformed: The Healing Power of the Sacraments,” and founder of the John Paul II Healing Center in Tallahassee, Florida.

In his book, Dr. Bob provides insight into how each of the seven sacraments (baptism, holy communion, confirmation, holy orders, matrimony, reconciliation, and the anointing of the sick) heal specific wounds we all face.

These wounds of rejection, abandonment, powerlessness, confusion, fear, shame, or hopelessness hinder us from recognizing our true identity and block us from living out our true mission. However, God in His mercy, has provided the 7 sacraments as antidotes to these wounds.

If you would like to experience a greater release of the power of the sacraments in your life, I highly recommend this book and this episode.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• John Paul II Healing Center

• Restore the Glory Podcast- Episode 122: Faith that Heals w/ Fr. Mathias Thelen

• “Saints Who Raise the Dead: True Stories of 400 Resurrection Miracles” by Fr. Albert Hebert

• “Trusting Our Father’s Provision” by Dr. Bob Schuchts

  
  

  To connect with Valentina, visit Fiat Career Coaching, LLC.