In this episode, Chad Etzel, host of the podcast "Catholic, Single, and Flourishing", joins Jessica to talk about how we can enter into the liturgical season of Advent. Chad and Jess discuss:

• The historical context of Advent's readings from the Book of Isaiah about proclaiming the "Good News" of the Messiah's birth
• Advent has traditionally been a penitential season. Is it still?
• Practical advice for how to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus at Christmas

Chad Etzel has worked for FOCUS for 6 years and currently serves in Staff Care as a Talent Coach. He is a Certified Professional Coach from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and hosts the "Catholic, Single, and Flourishing" podcast. You can listen to Chad's podcast here

In 1997, readers voted that the greatest book of the 20th Century was "Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien. In this episode, John Zimmer, FOCUS' Vice President of Apostolic Development, joins Jessica to talk about spiritual lessons we can learn from Lord of the Rings. This episode contains spoilers!

John and Jess discuss:

• Tolkien's emphasis on never losing hope, even in impossible circumstances
• The importance given to friendship throughout the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the necessity of friendship in the Christian life
• Why Tolkien didn't have Frodo choose to destroy the ring at the end of the novels and what this can teach us about how God uses our failures and weaknesses

John Zimmer serves FOCUS as Vice President of Apostolic Formation. Since joining FOCUS in 1999, he has served in a variety of roles –including serving as a campus missionary, directing the national campus apostolate, overseeing the training and formation of staff, and leading the effort to bring the mission of FOCUS into parishes and non-campus environments. John speaks and teaches throughout the country on leadership, evangelization, and apologetics, and lives in Colorado, with his wife, Barbara, and four of their seven children.

It can be easy to become anxious about the turmoil present in the Church and in the world. In this episode, Fr. James Brent breaks open St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy to show the Biblical answer to turmoil in our times. Fr. James and Jess discuss:

• Resentment against the mystical Body of Christ is never of the Holy Spirit
• How we must avoid listening to teachers who are filled with negativity towards the Church
• The importance of filling your mind with Scripture and living the Gospel without anxiety

Fr. James Brent, O.P., is a priest in the St. Joseph Province Dominican Friars. He is a professor at the Dominican House of Studies and a popular retreat master and preacher.

You can listen to Fr. Brent’s homilies at his soundcloud site here

Fr. James Brent joins us again to talk about Purgatory. November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls, and Fr. James believes there is a crisis of faith in the truth of purgatory among the faithful today. Fr. James and Jess discuss:

• The current lack of faith in purgatory today
• Why souls in purgatory need our help
• How we can help souls in purgatory
• How indulgences can help souls in purgatory, and why some indulgences have a number of days attached to them

Fr. James Brent, O.P., is a priest in the St. Joseph Province Dominican Friars. He is a professor at the Dominican House of Studies and a popular retreat master and preacher.

You can listen to Fr. Brent’s homilies at his Soundcloud site here: Fr. James Brent on Soundcloud

In this episode, Fr. Richard McNeillie joins Jessica to talk about "The Art of Loving," a series of conferences given by Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare movement. 

Fr. Richard and Jessica discuss 4 key principles from Chiara's teaching on how to love others the way God loves us, including:

• Love everyone- not just those who are similar to you
• Be the first to love
• Make yourself one with others
• See Jesus in others

Listen to this episode and learn how to fulfill Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you."

Fr. Richard McNeillie was ordained in 2015 and currently serves the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston as Director of Vocations.

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens joins Jessica to unpack the theology of the wedding Mass. 

Jess and Chris discuss:

• The first thing a couple should remember when planning their wedding Mass is that it's not about them!
• Should the dad walk the bride down the aisle or should the couple walk down the aisle together?
• Why Catholics get married in a Church rather than on the beach
• Understanding vows and consent
• And much more!

Chris Carstens is the Director of Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, a visiting faculty member of the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL, and the Editor of Adoremus Bulletin. Chris lives in Soldiers Grove, WI, with his wife and children.

In this second episode of our series on engagement, Angela Schnieders joins Jessica to talk about the theological symbolism and practicals of shopping for a wedding dress. Angela and Jess discuss:

• The symbolism of the wedding dress as clothing for liturgy
• Standards for modesty
• Practicals for wedding dress shopping

Angela Schnieders is a wife, mother, FOCUS alumna, and Certified Strategist with The Wholeness School, a human formation program for women. She is also an internationally recognized speaker and Co-Founder of New Eden Strategies. Angela resides with her husband and children in Montana. You can check out her website here: https://billandangela.com/

Angela Schnieders was also a guest on He Leadeth Me for an episode on the virtue of modesty. You can check out that episode here: Modesty Matters: Communicating Inner Grace and Dignity

In this first episode of our engagement series, John and Katelyn Bishop join Jessica to offer some spiritual advice for engaged couples. 

John, Katelyn, and Jess discuss:

• How a dating couple can know when they are ready to get engaged
• What to do if one person in the couple is ready to get engaged and the other is uncertain
• How to have positive interactions with parish staff when planning for the wedding ceremony
• Advice for spiritual growth during engagement

John Bishop currently serves FOCUS as Director of Formation. He has been with FOCUS for 9 years, serving on the Missions Team and Formation Team. John holds a doctorate in Moral and Systemic Theology from the Catholic University of America. John recently founded a new ministry called Forge, an organization that fights for the family. Forge conducts research and offers education and discipleship. John serves as Forge's Executive Director.

Katelyn Bishop worked for FOCUS for 3 years and now serves as a spiritual director for FOCUS missionaries. Katelyn is the Executive Director of the Bishop household and is expecting their 3rd baby.

FOCUS Director of Formation Travis Todd joins Jessica today to talk about his discernment to transition from being a campus missionary to working at the FOCUS Headquarters (DSC). Travis and Jess discuss:

• How do you know when it's time to leave campus?
• Ways to experience divine intimacy and live mission in an office setting
• Advice for those transitioning from being a student or a campus missionary into the workforce

Travis Todd is a convert to Catholicism and has worked for FOCUS for 17 years. Travis served 9 years as a campus missionary and team director before accepting a role at the FOCUS Denver Support Center. He currently serves as Director of Formation. Travis resides in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife, Rebecca, and 7 children.

As part of our series on sanctifying daily work, Jess sits down with FOCUS alum and small business owner Joe Henkels to talk about the spiritual lessons God has taught him through entrepreneurship. 

Joe and Jess discuss:

• How fundraising as a FOCUS missionary increased his trust in God's providence and prepared him to take the risk of starting a small business
• The 4 benefits of business activity according to Pope Pius XII
• The moral qualities necessary for an entrepreneur
• And much more!

Joe Henkels is a former FOCUS missionary and owner of Lady Blue Coffee, a retail and wholesale coffee company. You can check out Lady Blue's website here: Lady Blue Coffee