In The Middle-Divorce Healing For Catholic Women

In this podcast, Catholic Moms in the Middle founder, Jennie Guinn talks about the needed to belong. As she works with moms in mid-life, many women struggle to find where they belong as the transition into this new phase of life. Belonging refers to the sense of connection and acceptance within a group or community. It involves feeling recognized, understood, and valued by others who share a common identity, purpose, or set of values. Belonging provides a feeling of security, support, and connectedness, making individuals feel at home and understood. It can manifest in various aspects of life, such as family, friendships, social groups, organizations, and cultural or religious groups.

Belonging is important for emotional well-being, providing positive emotions like happiness, fulfillment, and contentment. Jennie offers several personal stories about belonging that most people can relate to. Belonging offers support, acceptance, and validation, allowing individuals to share their experiences and seek help when needed. Belonging also provides a sense of security, stability, and protection within a larger community, reducing feelings of uncertainty or isolation. Furthermore, the need for acceptance and inclusion is inherent in humans, and belonging fulfills this need by allowing individuals to feel accepted and included in social settings.

Belonging can have a transformative effect, as seen in examples like the stories of Zacchaeus and the Woman at the Well in the Bible. In these cases, belonging came before changes in beliefs and behavior, highlighting the power of belonging to open the door for transformation and redemption. Society often labels people based on their lifestyle. By reaching out to others with a sense of belonging, it is possible to bridge divisions and create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Jennie is a Catholic Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, Speaker and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. She equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can embrace midlife with joy and confidence.

In May, Jennie and Gary celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary and reflected on the challenges and transitions they experienced over the past year. It was a year filled with major life transitions. They became empty nesters as their youngest son graduated and went off to college. They also lost Gary's mother, who had been in assisted living and passed away after a major stroke. When she went into assisted living they began cleaning out Gary's childhood home which was full of memories and lots of stuff. Clearing out her house proved emotionally and physically demanding. On a positive note, Jennie and Gary became grandparents to a baby girl, which brought them immense joy.  At the end of 2022, Jennie's parents sold their house and moved in with them. 

Throughout these ups and downs, Jennie and Gary emphasized the importance of their faith in navigating the challenges. They relied on prayer and their relationship with God to find guidance and strength. They both acknowledged that sometimes the right words or actions might elude them, but through prayer, they believed that things would work out. Attending Mass regularly became a non-negotiable for them, as it provided grounding and nourishment for their lives. Jennie and Gary found solace in receiving the Eucharist and felt that it fueled them to be better parents, grandparents, friends, and caretakers. Their faith was what kept them grounded as they experienced the highs and lows of each transition.

Here is the link about Jennie's grandfather that is referred to in the podcast. 

#14 A Legacy of Love

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

Living in the past can prevent you from fully experiencing and embracing the present moment. When you dwell on past mistakes, missed opportunities, or hold onto grudges, you rob yourself of the blessings and opportunities that exist in your daily lives. As a Catholic Moms in the Middle, it's normal to think about the past, but when you constantly replay past events or compare the present to an idealized version of the past, you become stuck in a cycle of regret and nostalgia. To live in the present, you can practice gratitude by focusing on the blessings of the current moment, trust in God's provision and guidance for the future, and let go of past hurts and resentments through forgiveness.

Cultivating gratitude is a powerful way to shift your focus to the present moment. By expressing gratitude for even the smallest blessings, you can redirect your thoughts away from the past or future worries and find joy in the present. Jesus encourages you not to worry about tomorrow but to trust in God's provision. As a midlife mom, it is important to surrender your anxieties and trust in God so you can experience peace and live more fully in the here and now. Letting go of worries and regrets allows you to embrace the present moment and experience the goodness that surrounds you.

In addition, the apostle Paul in Romans, reminds you to forget what is behind and strive towards what lies ahead. Dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities hinders your personal growth and prevents you from reaching your goals. Instead, you should press on towards the prize God has for you by focusing on the present and the future with hope and determination. By releasing regrets and embracing the present moment, you free yourself from the burden of negative emotions and open yourself up to healing, growth, and healthier relationships.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

In this podcast, Catholic Moms in the Middle founder, Jennie Guinn talks with Ann Vucci about their recent pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Ann was in Medjugorje with her family when the apparitions started over 40 years ago. She has dedicated her life to sharing the Medjugorje messages around the world. Ann tells each group of pilgrims that they traveled to the tiny village, not by chance, but because the Blessed Mother has called them. Many priests have traveled to Medjugorje and received their call to the priesthood while many others have had their calling strengthened and confirmed.

Ann shares that lay people are also strengthened in their call to share their faith. On their pilgrimage they receive the GRACE of COMMISSIONING to take the messages from Medjugore and their conversions of heart back home to share it with family and friends. 

Here are 5 key points from the podcast with Jennie and Ann.

Abundant Graces: Medjugorje is considered a place where abundant graces are poured out upon pilgrims. These graces include spiritual transformation, deepening of faith, healing, and encounters with the Lord. The messages and experiences in Medjugorje aim to fill the hearts of pilgrims with what they were made for, sharing the love of Christ with all those that they encounter.

Transformation and Joy: Many pilgrims report experiencing profound transformation and joy during their time in Medjugorje. Despite bringing personal suffering and wounds, the encounter with the Lord and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fill them with joy and enable them to carry their burdens in a new light. The resulting fire within them continues to grow and impact their lives.

God's Plan for the World: The messages from Medjugorje emphasize that God has a plan for the world. Our Lady's presence and interventions in Medjugorje are part of this plan, bringing about a message from heaven and guiding humanity toward deeper intimacy with God. The messages serve as a reminder that the world needs divine intervention, and Medjugorje is one manifestation of that intervention.

Priestly Vocations: Medjugorje has been instrumental in fostering priestly vocations. Many men have reported receiving their calling to the priesthood directly from their experiences in Medjugorje. The number of testimonies collected so far indicates that at least 640 men attribute their vocations to Medjugorje, and it is believed that the actual number could be higher. These priests bring their passionate love for the Lord and devotion to Our Lady into their ministries, contributing to the renewal of the priesthood.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

Are you a negative person?

Did you know that 80% of the thoughts you think each day tend to be negative and that 95% of your daily thoughts are repetitive thoughts? Okay!! So let's think about this, if 80% of what you think is negative and 95% of your thoughts are repetitive that means that your brain is swimming or better yet drowning in negative thoughts.

So,stop for a minute and think about your thoughts, like really think about them. Do you see how your thoughts tend to be more negative than positive? Can you recognize thoughts like these?

It isn't going to work.

She's a much better mom.

I'm probably going to get fired.

My kids don't need me anymore.

I bet they are talking about me.

Life is so hard.

The world is falling apart.

Can you relate to these thoughts or do you have similar negative thoughts bouncing around in your head? Negative thoughts may seem true on the surface, but they overlook the positive things that are also happening underneath. But even more importantly, those negative thoughts are usually not true.

When you take a look at them, they are usually not the truth. Now, you may be wondering why your brain leans towards the negative more than the positive. It is because negativity bias has been around for thousands of years. Until modern times, humans had to worry about immediate threats, like a lion waiting to devour them. They had to survive by hunting for food and protect themselves from other dangers that threaten their survival. The human brain and body adapted to these threats and the result is the brain is constantly searching for anything that might go wrong. It is your brain's job to be on the lookout for things that could hurt or harm you.

You can say that our ancestors develop negativity bias to simply survive. We now live in a world where there isn't a wild beast hiding behind the bushes, ready to pounce on us and most of us have access to plenty of food to survive, but your brain continues to focus on the negative for survival.

It is crucial to have an awareness that you tend to think many more negative thoughts than positive thoughts.

Can you relate this to the Israelites wandering around the desert. They had just been saved from slavery yet they found themselves stuck. As they wandered around the desert, all they were able to see were they things that appeared to be going wrong, they complained about everything. They worried about their food.

Even though, each day, God allowed bread to rain down from heaven in the perfect amount for them. God told them to take exactly what they needed and to take a double portion on the Sabbath. This happened day after day, yet each day, they worried and complained about what they were going to eat the next day.

Instead of allowing themselves to see the abundance of bread and God's love, they only saw a lack and focused on what might go wrong tomorrow or next week or the next month. So my friend, why is it important to know that your brain tends to be negative? Because negativity bias, significantly impacts how you make decisions, how you motivate yourself and it impacts your interactions with others. 

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about how the negativity bias shows up in your life!

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.

In this podcast, Catholic Life Coach Jennie Guinn,  shares insight and lessons that she has learned reading The Story Of A Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese the Little Flower. St. Therese's desire to become a saint inspired her to depend on Christ for everything. It was in her littleness that she was able to become a GREAT saint. Jennie shares three takeaways from the book and how you can apply them to your daily life. 

All or nothing thinking can keep you stuck and unhappy because it only allows you to see the ways that you are failing. This type of thinking wants you to believe that your actions have to be big, bold, and showy or else it isn't enough.

Using words like always, never, should, and shouldn't close you off to seeing things any differently. It can pile up responsibilities on your shoulders, hold you back from making progress, and prevent you from doing what God has called you to do.

It's easy to look past the gifts in the ordinary because we're constantly seeking the extraordinary. However, God is present in both the extraordinary and the ordinary moments of our lives. It's important to celebrate the small wins, which can add up to huge progress, and to be present in our daily lives.

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry as a Catholic Life Coach, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.