There are certain conversations I know I will remember for the rest of my life. This podcast episode is one of them.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dan Burke, the President of the Avila Institute, about his new book, “Finding Peace in the Storm: Reflections on St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with God’s Will”.

Dan and I first spoke last year about how to live an abundant life, and it was great to have him back on the show. His new book is a page-by-page reflection on a treatise first written by St. Alphonsus Liguori, an 18th century bishop and moral theologian in 1755.

Our conversation had a profound effect on me for two reasons: Dan’s vulnerability and the topic of God’s will. As you will learn from this episode, Dan lives with a life-threatening illness, and his growth and acceptance of God’s will in and through it is remarkable.

Secondly, like most people, I hate suffering. It’s easy for me to accept God’s will when things are going well. However, my inclination is to throw an internal temper tantrum when difficult things happen and to wonder if God has abandoned me.

Reading this book has changed that pattern. I am learning to see how suffering can be for my good and God’s glory, and how seeking God’s will in all things is my fast track to heaven.

Dan said it best- “There will be a day that the things that used to ‘wreck’ you will instead propel you to heaven.”

If you would like that to be your perspective, take a listen to this episode.

To purchase Dan's book, visit

To connect with Valentina, visit fiatcareercoaching.com.

What was the last good book you read? The kind of book that you couldn’t put down and you gave a satisfying sigh when you were done?

If it has been a while since you’ve read good literature that tickled your imagination and inspired you to reflect on the good, true, and beautiful, then this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Marcie Stokman, Founder and President of the international movement and book club, Well-Read Mom. Marcie, a nurse practitioner by trade with a focus in mental health, started this 501(c)(3) out of a desire to combat the loneliness she experienced as a new mom and to find a meaningful way to connect with other women on a deeper level through reading good literature.

Fast forward 12 years, and Well-Read Mom has expanded to groups all over the world, fostering friendships and encouraging women to grow intellectually, spiritually, and personally through deepened thought and conversation.

In today’s episode Marcie and I talk about:

I hope you’ll join us and also pick up a good book soon.

Have you ever had a plan and then watch things go in a completely different direction?

That’s how I felt with today’s interview. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and I had planned to talk about discernment (which we did), and the next thing we knew, the Holy Spirit led us in a different and richer direction.

We covered topics such as identity and how to stay rooted and grounded in who you are, how to build a solid marriage and raise well-adjusted children, and also race and his upcoming book, “Building a Civilization of Love: A Catholic Response to Racism.”

I had so much fun speaking with Deacon Harold and felt like I was talking to my big brother in the faith. For those who don’t know who he is, Deacon Harold is a national and international speaker, an award-winning author of 6 books, with a varied professional career in law enforcement and television.

He is affectionately known as the “Dynamic Deacon” and after watching this episode you’ll see why!

To learn more about Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, visit https://deaconharold.com/.

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

ps. I will begin maternity leave June 16th, 2023, and communication will be limited over the summer. Feel free to read past blog posts or watch past podcast episodes to stay connected with all things Fiat. Also, if you haven't already done so, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter on my website so you can stay in the loop of new content.

I feel incredibly blessed to know so many amazing people. One such person is Katie Patrick who lives in my favorite town of Lincoln, Nebraska (yes I’m biased).

Katie is the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, and the Founder of Totonga Bomoi, a non-profit educating artisans and entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

She is an exceptional leader and was recently awarded the “Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year,” due to her outstanding contribution to the Lincoln community. Katie is also a wife, a mother of twin girls and one of the calmest women I know.

I wanted to interview Katie as she is an excellent example of someone who is living out of their charisms. She inspires me and so many others to step out in faith and use the gifts we’ve been given.

I believe you will truly be inspired to give your own “yes” to the world and bless those around you after listening to Katie’s story.

To learn more about Totonga Bomoi, visit https://www.totongabomoi.com/. To learn more about Catholic Social Services, visit https://csshope.org/.

To connect with Valentina, visit www.fiatcareercoaching.com.

We each yearn to be seen, loved and accepted. We value when others acknowledge our strengths, our contributions, and even our presence. That desire to be loved and received as we are, is stamped in our DNA.

Can I propose that God wants to meet that desire for intimacy and fill you to the brim with His love?

If that has not been your experience and if instead you experience God as distant and disinterested, I invite you to take a listen to today’s episode.

I’m joined by Fr. Boniface Hicks, a Benedictine monk and the Director of Spiritual Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary.

I first learned of Fr. Hicks through my classes with Encounter Ministries and through a book he co-authored titled, “Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love.” It started as an optional reading assignment that I wasn’t planning to read (I’ve read a lot of books on prayer and couldn’t imagine how this could be anything new- prideful I know!), to being a book I couldn’t put down and now recommend to everyone!

In our conversation, we talk about how:

It was a true joy to speak with Fr. Boniface and I know you will be encouraged through our conversation.

To connect with Valentina, visit www.fiatcareercoaching.com.

Have you ever wanted to be a writer?

I remember being a child and sitting on our back step, scribbling reflections and stories on mini notepads as I overlooked our neighbors’ yards. Writing was a gateway to another world and a way to make sense of the jumbled thoughts in my head.

Fast forward several years, and I am still enamored by the art of writing and crafting a good story.

This is why I was thrilled to interview today’s guest, Claire Dwyer. She is a best-selling author of the book, “This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity,” the Marketing Manager of the Avila Foundation, and co-founder of PraiseWriters, a new writing community for Catholic writers.

In our conversation, we talk about:

I was so inspired to write after speaking with Claire and I know you will be too!

To learn more about Claire's writing community, visit www.writethesewords.com.   

To connect with Valentina, visit fiatcareercoaching.com.

In AD 516, the Rule of Saint Benedict was written by St. Benedict of Nursia. This book of precepts details how monks living communally should live their lives in virtue and with order. What is shocking is this same rule is still being used in Benedictine communities today, 15 centuries later.  

Why does a book of “rules” carry so much appeal?   

Could it be that at the core, we all crave structure and stability? That knowing our boundaries and living with intentionality can actually lead to greater freedom and growth?  

My guest today is Amber Ezeani. Amber is a wife, mom to five children and a business owner whose life illustrates this concept well. Several years ago, her and her husband embarked on a journey to live life with greater intentionality and order.   

After much research and trial and error, they now operate under a rule of life, individually and as a family. This means they have a daily and weekly schedule they aim to live by, and monthly and yearly goals they plan around.   

However, the goal is not to just have a streamlined life schedule, but instead to orient their entire lives around the love of God and neighbor and to live out their purpose.   

I encourage you to listen to today’s episode if you desire:  

I was so inspired after speaking with Amber and I know you will be too!   

To learn more about Amber's ministry, visit amberezeani.com.  

To connect with Valentina, visit fiatcareercoaching.com.

What does God’s voice sound like? Does He still speak today? What if I can’t hear Him?

These are the questions my guest, Fr. Stephen Graeve, and I discuss on today’s episode. Fr. Graeve is a priest in a country parish in Nebraska and someone I have known since I was a wee lass in high school.

He is wise, hilarious, and the kind of priest that inspires you to live an authentic life in Christ.

In this episode, we discuss:

Get ready to laugh and smile throughout this episode.

Some of the resources we talk about on this episode are:

You can also enjoy today’s episode on YouTube.

Lastly, today is the final day to register for my upcoming Called & Gifted Workshop. Sign up today!

Diane Reiber is an artist and author residing in Lincoln, Nebraska whose paintings immediately took my breath away the first time I saw them.  

I have always been fascinated by artists. Their freedom with medium such as oil and watercolor that seem to transcend space and reality has always inspired me.  

However, unlike other artists whose paintings leave you merely appreciating the subject at hand, Diane’s paintings draw you upward and outwards towards God.  

If you have ever desired to be an artist or are curious about how art can heal, take a listen to today’s conversation.  

You can find copies of Diane’s work on her website or take a peek into her studio through Instagram.  

To connect with Valentina, visit fiatcareercoaching.com.

In honor of American Thanksgiving this week, I wanted to share my 10 things with you, regarding this business- Fiat Career Coaching, that God gifted me with almost 3 years ago. These are the 10 things I am grateful for over the last year, in no particular order. 

What are your 10 things for a specific area of your life? I would love to hear it. Please send me a message at [email protected] to let me know.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!