In this episode, Kathleen and FOCUS Director of Collegiate Outreach Ben Kelly dive into the spiritual challenges and opportunities that come with heading home for a holiday or break. 

Kathleen and Ben discuss: 

• The importance of having a plan going into a break.
• How breaks can be a time of true growth and maturity in your prayer life. 
• The unique challenges of being at home and out of routine.
• Opportunities for evangelization with family and friends.

Ben Kelly is in his 9th year with FOCUS and currently serves as Director of Collegiate Outreach. He has also served as a missionary at Bowling Green, George Washington University, and Harvard University. Ben and his wife Eliza reside in Rhode Island with their 4 children.

When you say “yes” to something you genuinely believed God was asking of you—a mission trip, graduate school, even becoming a FOCUS missionary—what do you do when later everything feels too heavy, too complicated, or simply not what you expected? 

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Fr. John Ezratty to explore the tension between commitment, freedom, and discernment through the lens of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Together they walk through real situations missionaries and students face:

 • What if I discerned something well, but now I feel overwhelmed and want to step back?
• What if I didn’t pray about a commitment beforehand—am I still bound to it?
• Can difficult circumstances be a sign that God is redirecting me?
• How do I know when perseverance is holy… and when letting go is faithful?

Drawing from Ignatian wisdom, Fr. John offers practical steps, prayerful tools, and spiritual clarity for anyone wrestling with a “yes” that suddenly feels uncertain. Whether you’re tempted to break a commitment or unsure what God is communicating through your current season, this conversation will help you discern with peace, freedom, and maturity.

Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver. He is also a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.

In this episode, Kathleen and Chris Vander Woude reflect on the extraordinary life of Tom Vander Woude — a devoted husband, father, and disciple of Christ. 

As Chris shares personal stories of his father, the conversation honors Tom’s quiet heroism, deep Catholic faith, and unwavering love for his family. Tom gave his life to save his son Joseph, who has Down Syndrome. 

With discussions on fatherhood, faith, and pro-life convictions, this episode also explores the inspiring legacy that has led to early steps toward Tom’s potential canonization. 

Chris Vander Woude is the 5th of 7 sons born to Tom and Mary Ellen Vander Woude. He has worked in Catholic education for 18 years, serving as Dean of Students and Athletic Director. Chris lives in Virginia with his wife of 18 years, Katie, and daughter Zellie. 

It's no secret our world is suffering and under deep spiritual attack. 

In this episode, Kathleen sits down with Brock Martin to dive into a deeply personal and spiritual conversation about the power and beauty of the Rosary. Brock shares his journey from seeing the Rosary as a routine task to embracing it as a vital devotion and spiritual weapon of the Church.

We discuss: 

• Deeper Devotion: Hear Brock's personal story of a renewed love for the Rosary and how it became a powerful part of daily spiritual life.
• From Obligation to Intimacy: Honest reflections on overcoming challenges with the Rosary and moving beyond a “check-the-box” mindset.
• Mission and Prayer United: Why the Rosary is a powerful tool for missionaries — simple, repeatable, and deeply aligned with the heart of evangelization. 

Brock Martin is in his 12th year as a missionary with FOCUS.  He has served in various roles within FOCUS from campus missionary, Team Director, Regional Director, Sr. Director or Regional Evangelization, and currently serves as Vice President of Parish Outreach.  Brock and his wife, Alisha live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with their three daughters.   

Why did Jesus sometimes say things that seem puzzling—or even contradictory—at first glance? 

In this episode, Dr. Edward Sri joins Jessica to unpack some of the most misunderstood sayings of Jesus in Scripture. Together, we explore the deeper meaning behind His words and actions, revealing the wisdom, mercy, and divine intention that underlie them.

In this episode, Dr. Sri explains:

• John 8:6–8 – The Woman Caught in Adultery:
  Why did Jesus bend down to write in the dirt—and what might He have written?
• Matthew 5:39 – Turning the Other Cheek:
  Does Jesus really mean we should never defend ourselves? How do we understand this teaching without confusing it with passivity or enabling abuse?
• Luke 22:36–38 and 22:49–51 – The Command to Buy a Sword:
  Why did Jesus first tell the disciples to arm themselves, then forbid them to use the sword? What was He really teaching about spiritual readiness and His mission?
• John 20:17 – The Risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene:
  Why did Jesus tell Mary not to hold on to Him after the Resurrection? What does this moment reveal about the Ascension and our relationship with Christ today?
• Mark 10:18 – “Why Do You Call Me Good?”
  If Jesus is God and good, why does He ask this question? What truth is He leading the rich young man—and us—to see?

 Dr. Sri helps us see how each passage points us to the heart of Jesus: His divinity, His mercy, and His call to deeper discipleship. 

Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, author, speaker, and FOCUS' Sr. Vice President of Apostolic Outreach. Dr. Sri has written several best-selling books and is also the presenter of several Ascension Press and Augustine Institute faith formation film series. He hosts the acclaimed podcast, "All Things Catholic" and is an adjunct professor at the Augustine Institute. He and his wife Beth reside in Littleton, Colorado. They are blessed with 8 children and one grandchild.

Scrupulosity can feel like a prison—distorting one’s image of God, sowing constant doubt, and making the spiritual life heavy instead of freeing. 

In this episode, Jess sits down with Fr. Denis Nakkeeran, Dean of Men at St. John’s Seminary to explore the roots of scrupulosity and the path toward healing.

We discuss:

• What scrupulosity is and how it differs from OCD
• How scrupulosity distorts our image of God—and what vision of God brings healing
• Practical guidance for confessors, missionaries, and friends accompanying those who struggle

Whether you wrestle with scrupulosity yourself or walk alongside someone who does, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and hope in rediscovering a God of mercy.

Fr. Denis Nakkeeran has been ordained for 5 years and currently serves as the Dean of Men at St. John Seminary in Boston. He is a moral theologian and formator.

In 1965, there were 178,000 religious Sisters. In 2024, there were less than 35,000. In less than 60 years, the landscape of women’s religious life has dramatically changed. Can there be a revival in women’s religious vocations?

In this episode, Jessica talks with Kathleen Calvin and Sr. Jacinta Man about FOCUS’ new project to promote women’s religious vocations. Jess, Kathleen, and Sr. Jacinta discuss:

• The sharp decline in women’s religious vocations and what it means for the Church.
• How FOCUS’ new project is fostering a culture of discernment for young women.
• Practical ways listeners can support women discerning a religious vocation.

Kathleen Calvin is the Spiritual Development Team Manager. She oversees projects such as women religious initiative. Kathleen lives in Philadelphia after serving 6 years as a campus missionary in Boston and Virginia Tech. 

Originally from New Jersey, Sister Jacinta Man, OP, is a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia and currently resides at the motherhouse in Nashville. She served in the apostolate for ten years as a Catholic school elementary teacher in Tennessee, Georgia, and Ohio but now assists with vocation work for her community.  Before entering the convent fifteen years ago, Sister Jacinta participated in FOCUS bible studies while a student at NYU and met the Nashville Dominicans at the 2010 FOCUS conference in Orlando. Providentially, FOCUS missionaries had a profound impact on her spiritual journey, and it is a gift for her to now be a part of the chaplaincy for FOCUS. 

Have you ever wondered if spiritual direction is only for people discerning big decisions — or if lay people can really be spiritual directors?

In this episode of He Leadeth Me, Jess is joined by Fr. Anthony Weick, a spiritual director at Grand Coteau retreat center, and Eve Doran, Program Director for the FOCUS Spiritual Development Team, to answer your top questions about spiritual direction. Together, they discuss:

• Whether lay people can serve as spiritual directors and what the Church says about it
• How to know if you need a spiritual director — and what to expect from the experience
• Practical tips for preparing, going deeper, and discerning when it might be time for a new director

Whether you’re new to direction or looking to make the most of your current relationship with a director, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and practical guidance.

Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. He is the sixth of nine children, and was raised on a farm in Oregon. Fr. Anthony began religious life 31 years ago, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy.  As a Jesuit, he taught in three high schools in the province.  Recently he spent seven years as retreat master at the White House Retreat Center in St. Louis, coupled with spiritual direction and professorial duties at the diocesan seminary there. Now he offers great numbers of directed and preached retreats at the newly-refurbished facility in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.

Eve Doran grew up in Georgia. She is 1 of 5 children, right in the middle of 2 sets of twins. She now lives in New Braunfels, TX with her husband Stephen. This is her 6th year on staff with FOCUS. She spent 2 years on campus in Louisiana, 3 on campus in Texas, and is now the Program Director for the Spiritual Development Team.

Have you ever wished you could hit the “reset button” in your spiritual life? 

In this episode, we explore the wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri and his timeless maxim: Begin Again. Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV, joins Jessica to unpack how this simple but profound counsel can transform the way we approach prayer, failure, and discouragement.

You’ll hear about:

• Who was Venerable Bruno Lanteri? The founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and his vision for a hopeful spirituality.
• Why “Begin Again” still matters today—and why discouragement, not pride, might be our greatest temptation.
• Practical encouragement for missionaries and for you—how this maxim helps us face setbacks, discouragement, and daily challenges with renewed hope.

 Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV, is a priest of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a congregation founded by Venerable Bruno Lanteri to spread hope and mercy through preaching, confession, and spiritual direction. He has served extensively in spiritual formation and retreat ministry and has worked closely with FOCUS missionaries as a spiritual director and retreat master. He is a co-founder of the Ignatian Discernment Institute along with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV. You can learn more about the Ignatian Discernment Institute here: Ignatian Discernment Institute. 

What if the key to growing closer to Jesus is letting His mother into your heart?

In this episode, Sr. Gabriella, Vocations Director for the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, helps us unpack what it means to know Mary not just as a figure of devotion, but as a real, living mother who wants to walk with us. Sr. Gabriella and Jess discuss:

• How Scripture invites us to personally receive Mary as our mother
• Common obstacles to Marian devotion—and how to overcome them
• Simple, meaningful ways to begin (or renew) a relationship with Mary today

Sr. Gabriella serves as the Vocations Director for the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church. She has been a professed religious for 21 years and is originally from Mexico.