Living Fearlessly Podcast

🎙️ Pursued: Wrong Turns, Second Chances & the God Who Never Lets Go

A heartfelt conversation with my sister, Debbie.

What if the "not yet" you keep whispering to God is the very thing He's been chasing you for?

In this honest and often funny episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle sits down with her youngest sister, Debbie, a single mom of two who has walked through wrong turns, a difficult marriage, seasons of feeling too far gone, and a nearly three week hospital stay that finally became her wake up call. Debbie shares how she grew up with Jesus at the center, slowly drifted off course, and never once stopped believing, even when she stopped making God a priority.

Together, Michelle and Debbie talk about what it really looks like to come home: letting walls come down, learning that our love cannot change another person but Christ's can, and discovering that God's love is never transactional. As a single mom carrying every bill, every appointment, and every dinner on her own, Debbie also offers practical, relatable tools for the hard days, like handing your spinning plates to God as a little sphere, breaking overwhelming moments into 30 seconds at a time, and swapping "I have to" for "I get to."

If you've been hesitating, feeling unworthy, or wondering whether God would really run after you, this conversation is a reminder that He already is. There is no perfect moment to begin again, and there is so much joy waiting on the other side of saying yes.

💬 Key Takeaways:

God never lets go of your hand, even when you let go of His You cannot love someone into changing, but Christ's love can There will never be a perfect moment to come back to your faith God's love is not transactional and cannot be earned Trusting God is not the same as doing nothing: do what you can, then hand Him the rest When something feels impossible, you can survive anything for 30 seconds Turning "I have to" into "I get to" changes how you see ordinary days The hardest person to forgive is often yourself, and Christ already paid that debt

Resources Mentioned:

• The Sanity Closet (the sisters' podcast)
• "Reckless Love" by Cory Asbury
• The parable of the Prodigal Son
• The parable of the workers in the vineyard

💛 About Debbie

Debbie is Michelle's youngest sister and a single mom of two, who has learned to keep putting one foot in front of the other while trusting that God is carrying her through. She is the heart behind The Sanity Closet, the sisters' podcast, and a self-proclaimed appliance repairwoman apprentice who is quick to laugh, honest about her struggles, and passionate about helping other women know how relentlessly they are loved.

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🎙️ From Meanie Mimi to Little Debbie: Sisters on Advice, Legacy & Loving Well

A heartfelt conversation with my biological sisters of The Sanity Closet.

If you could sit down with your younger self, what would you say?

In this special episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle is joined by five of her sisters for an honest, funny, and deeply moving conversation about what they'd tell their younger selves, and what they hope their own children remember about them. From surrender and anxiety to friendship, faith, and finding your worth in God alone, the sisters open up about the lessons that took years to learn and the ones they're still learning today.

The conversation moves from tender to hilarious in a heartbeat (tumbleweed forts, sumo wrestling card games, and burnt bricks under a meteor shower all make an appearance), but underneath the laughter is a shared thread: every one of them wants to be remembered for loving well, showing up in the hard moments, and pointing their children back to Christ.

This episode is a reminder that legacy isn't built in grand gestures. It's built in the everyday choices to surrender anxiety, to show affection out loud, to apologize when we get it wrong, and to keep choosing love even when we're touched out, tired, or overwhelmed.

💬 Key Takeaways:

Anxiety rarely changes the outcome, cling to peace and surrenderFocus on being intentional with specific friendships instead of trying to be everyone's favorite. Kids remember how we show up for them more than what we sayNever be afraid to apologize to your kiddos, family members or friends.Small, consistent acts of love build a child's first understanding of God's loveLiving fearlessly means loving without fear, because there is no fear in love

Resources Mentioned:

• The Sanity Closet Podcast (Debbie's podcast with the sisters)
• The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown
• "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links. This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

💛 About This Episode

This episode features five of Michelle's sisters in a rare, unscripted conversation about faith, motherhood, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. For more sister conversations, check out The Sanity Closet, hosted by Michelle's sister Debbie.

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🎙️ Standing in the Rain Without an Umbrella: Faith Through Scarcity & Suffering

A heartfelt conversation with Tammi McCarthy.

What do you do when your life looks nothing like the plan you thought you were following?

In this deeply honest episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle sits down with her longtime friend Tammi McCarthy, a Catholic speaker, blogger, and mom of five, for a conversation about walking through years of unexpected hardship after her husband's traumatic brain injury changed the course of their family's life.

Tammi shares what it was like to shift from stay-at-home mom to breadwinner almost overnight, to watch her husband grieve who he used to be, and to learn, slowly and painfully, how to receive help instead of always giving it. Together, Michelle and Tammi talk honestly about scarcity, surrender, the false comfort of the prosperity gospel, and what it means to trust God one small step at a time instead of trying to see the whole path.

This episode is a reminder that God is present even when the path looks nothing like what we expected, and that our wounds can become the very places we use to serve others.

💬 Key Takeaways:

Learning to receive help is just as important as learning to give itScarcity and abundance are both seasons meant to teach us dependence on GodThe prosperity gospel doesn't match the model of Christ's own lifeAsking "Lord, what do you have for me today" can reshape how you meet each dayYour wounds can become the exact place someone else finds healingYou can't protect someone you love from their own testimony

Resources Mentioned:

• Whispers of Love and Faith (Tammi's blog and speaking ministry)
• My Lord and My God: A personal journal - Journey written and created by Tammi McCarthy
• Philippians 4:11 to 4:13
• 1 Corinthians 13

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links. This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

💛 About Tammi

Tammi McCarthy is a Catholic speaker, blogger, and mother of five. She and her husband have spent the last several years navigating the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury, and Tammi now speaks and writes at Whispers of Love and Faith about surrender, service, and finding God in seasons that look nothing like the plan.

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🎙️ Pretty Cups & Puddle Jumps: The Courage to Make Memories

A solo reflection from Michelle.

What if the bravest thing you do this week is dance in the rain?

In this heartfelt solo episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle explores the quiet courage it takes to be intentional about making memories, with our kids, our spouses, our friends, and the people we love most. From dancing in the rain and jumping in mud puddles, to birthday crepes at 5am and special family traditions, Michelle shares the everyday and the elaborate ways her family has chosen connection over comfort for decades.

Turning 50 this year, Michelle reflects on a surprise week her daughters planned in her honor, and what it taught her about the lasting power of being seen and being loved. This episode is an invitation to step outside your comfort zone: to get a little muddy, a little cold, a little inconvenienced, for the sake of a memory that will last a lifetime.

💬 Key Takeaways:

Making memories requires vulnerability and courage, not just timeSmall, everyday moments can become lasting memoriesSaying yes to something because it matters to someone else is its own act of loveTaking pictures helps memories stay alive for years to comeAs kids grow and leave home, memory-making has to be reimagined, not abandonedPouring into friendships deserves the same intentionality as parentingLiving fearlessly often looks like stepping outside your own comfort for someone you love

Resources Mentioned:

Passport to Purity (parent and child weekend program)

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🎙️ Crown of Creation: The Lie of Pornography & the Truth of Your Worth

A heartfelt conversation with Mary Lenaburg.

Some conversations are difficult, but they're also the ones that have the power to change lives.

In this deeply honest episode, Michelle sits down with author and speaker Mary Lenaburg for a conversation about pornography, sexual brokenness, addiction, shame, and the healing power of Christ.

Whether you've personally struggled with pornography, are walking beside someone who has, or simply carry hidden shame from your past, this episode is a reminder that your story is never over.

Mary vulnerably shares her own journey through addiction within her marriage, the long road toward healing, and the practical steps that helped bring lasting freedom. Together, Michelle and Mary discuss how trauma, loneliness, self worth, and fear often lie beneath our deepest struggles, and why bringing them into the light is the beginning of healing.

Most importantly, they remind us of this truth:

You are not your addiction. You are not your shame. You are a beloved daughter of God.

Freedom rarely happens overnight, but every step toward Christ is a step toward healing. If this conversation encourages you, consider sharing it with someone who may need the reminder that hope is never out of reach.

💬 Key Takeaways:

• Pornography addiction affects women and marriages, not just men
• Love seeks the good of the other; lust seeks to use
• Shame convinces us we're damaged goods, and that's a lie
• Healing requires community: counseling, spiritual direction, and accountability
• Kids need honest, age appropriate conversations about pornography, not shame
• Your worth was never tied to your body, your past, or your struggle
• Silence and prayer are where real healing begins
• It takes practice and grace to walk from shame into freedom
• God's mercy meets us every time we fall and get back up
• Living fearlessly means naming the hard thing and doing it anyway

Resources Mentioned:

• Integrity Restored (help for pornography addiction)
• Be Brave in the Scared by Mary Lenaburg
• Be Bold in the Broken by Mary Lenaburg
• Restored and Resilient by Mary Lenaburg (coming to August 2026)
• The Mary and Jerry Podcast

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links. This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

💛 About Mary

Mary Lenaburg is a devoted wife of 38 years, mother of two, and grandmother of two. She is the author of three books: the award-winning Be Brave in the Scared, Be Bold in the Broken, and her forthcoming release from Ascension Press, coming August 2026. Her writing has also appeared in newspapers, magazines and seven additional books. An acclaimed international speaker, Mary leads retreats and delivers keynotes at major conferences, and co-hosts The Mary and Jerry Podcast with her husband, exploring faith, family, and marriage. Known for tackling hard topics with passion and humor, she helps her listeners feel seen, known, and loved by God. She lives by her father's words: "Never quit, never give up, never lose your faith. God chose this time and place just for you, so make the most of it."

The Anima Christi Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within thy wounds hide me.

Suffer me not to be separated from thee.

From the malicious enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me

and bid me come unto thee,

that with thy saints I may praise thee

for ever and ever. Amen.

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🎙️ Still Dancing in the Kitchen: Michelle and Trent on 26 Years of Marriage

A real, honest conversation about what it actually takes to make love last.

This week, Michelle is joined by a very special guest, her husband, Trent, for a conversation that's been a long time coming. Recorded in the middle of a week full of family, festivities, and an upcoming 50th birthday celebration, they sit down to share what 26 years of marriage has actually looked like: the hard seasons, the survival mode, the moments they almost lost sight of each other, and the things that brought them back.

This isn't a fairy tale. It's two imperfect people who chose each other, kept choosing each other, and figured out along the way that a great marriage isn't something that just happens. It's built decision by decision, conversation by conversation, and yes, sometimes dance by dance in the kitchen.

If you're in a season where your marriage feels dry, distant, or just stuck in the routine, this one's for you.

About Trent: Trent Hillaert is Michelle's husband of 26 years and the father of their six children. A former religious order member with a Master's in Theology & Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville, he now serves as Vice President of the Blinds Division at EcoNize Closets & Blinds. A soccer coach and man of deep faith, Trent is the detail-oriented voice of reason to Michelle's big-picture dreaming.

💬 Key Takeaways

Love is a decision — not a feeling. The butterflies are beautiful, but they're not love. Love is the choice you make when he leaves his clothes on the floor - again. It's an act of the will, every single day.

It takes three to be married. God has to be at the center — not just as a couple, but individually. The hardest season of their marriage happened when they let go of that anchor and shifted into survival mode instead of surrender.

Go all in. No hidden stashes. No separate agendas. No walls. When you hold back — financially, emotionally, spiritually — you're telling your spouse they don't get all of you. Marriage only works when both people are fully in.

Don't keep a ledger. Stop tallying what your spouse did wrong. Stop using "always" and "never." The ledger drives you apart — and it's not forgiveness. It's a substitute for a real conversation.

Communicate sincerely — and seek to understand. Learn each other's love languages. The more you understand how the other person is wired, the better you can love them.

Discover your own stride. You came from two different families. Neither one is the template. Create your own — your own traditions, your own culture, your own answer to the question: what does it mean to be us?

Set your boundaries. Who you spend time with matters. Private conversations with members of the opposite sex, couples who talk down about their spouses, influences that pull you away from your values — these are worth paying attention to.

Have house rules for the hard moments. No name-calling. Don't bring up the past. Fight about the present issue. And find a way to pray together — even imperfectly — through the storms.

Never stop dating each other. The kids will grow up and leave. If you've spent 20 years managing the household and forgot to tend the friendship, the empty nest is going to feel very empty. Date nights, dancing in the kitchen, getting dressed up — keep the spark intentional.

✅ Resources Mentioned

📘 Three to Get Married by Fulton J. Sheen — The classic on how God's role in a marriage is what makes it work; the foundation for Michelle and Trent's "it takes three" principle

🎥 The Ledger People — A marriage prep video, findable on YouTube; a (cheesy but effective) illustration of what happens when couples keep score

💛 The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman — Referenced for understanding how to love your spouse the way they receive love, not just the way you give it

💪 CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) — The assessment Michelle and Trent both took to better understand their differences and how they complement each other

🏕️ Marriage Encounter — The retreat where they learned communication tools like "when you do this, it feels like…" — a framework for expressing hurt without attacking

🎙️ Catholic Family Incorked — Michelle and Trent's previous podcast together (one they're hoping to pick back up!)

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🎙️ The Sanity Closet: Forgiveness, Lightning Strikes & Letting Go

A heartfelt conversation with The Sanity Closet sisters.

Warning: This episode contains late starts, turkey-chasing updates, a near-tarantula sighting, a golden doodle brain cell theory, and some of the most tender, hard-won wisdom you'll hear on forgiveness.

The Sanity Closet is back — and this time, Michelle and six of her sisters gather for a conversation that's equal parts laughter and tears. After a chaotic start involving mini earthquakes, a missing Eileen, and Debbie skipping dinner, the sisters dive into one of the most important — and most challenging — topics a person of faith can tackle: forgiveness.

This isn't a polished theology lecture. It's real women, with real hurts, sharing real journeys. From domestic abuse and shattered dreams to a falsely questioned college transcript and a cussing boss, the sisters get honest about the kinds of wounds that don't heal overnight — and the practices, prayers, and hard-won grace that have helped them begin to let go.

If you're holding something that feels impossible to release, this episode is for you. You are not alone.

The Sanity Closet Roll Call (Oldest to Youngest)

• Dolly
• Marianne
• Eileen
• Michelle
• Therese
• Jenny
• Debbie

💬 Key Takeaways

Forgiveness is not for the other person — it's for you. Unforgiveness keeps your cortisol high and your heart hard. Forgiveness is an act of healing, not an act of excusing.

You don't have to invite them over. You just have to let go. Forgiveness doesn't mean restoring a relationship — it means trusting that God is big enough to deal with it.

Forgiving yourself may be the hardest part. Self-forgiveness is real work, and it's holy work. God's mercy is bigger than your mistakes.

Forgiveness isn't a one-time act — it's 70 times 7. Not 490 different people. The same wound, every time it surfaces. You make the act even when you don't feel it.

Look at their brokenness. Seeing the other person through the lens of their own woundedness isn't excusing — it's a doorway to compassion.

When you can't pray for someone, start here. "God, help them become the person you created them to be."

A simple prayer for every day: "Father, you forgive them. I forgive them. I release them." Repeat as needed — for as many people as need it.

Write the name down. There's real science behind writing by hand. Write their name. Pray for them daily. Even when it's hard — especially then.

Unforgiveness is a lamp covered in soot. As you learn to release and forgive, the glass clears — and Christ can shine through you. To forgive is to live fearlessly.

✅ Resources Mentioned

📻 Dr. Lee Warren — Neurosurgeon & host of Self Brain Surgery podcast

📘 The Shack by William P. Young — A deeply moving story about a father's journey toward forgiving the unforgivable; includes a powerful image of what true forgiveness means

📘 Spiritual Combat by Fr. Lorenzo Scupoli — The sisters' current book study; includes the practice of praying and showing charity toward the people who are hardest to love

📘 Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen — Daily meditations following the Church calendar; includes a line about bearing "all my neighbor's defects" without surprise

🙏 Dr. Mike Hutchins — Speaker on PTSD healing and deliverance ministry; teaches the "Father, you forgive them / I forgive them / I release them" prayer; also shared how acts of forgiveness have been linked to physical and spiritual healings

📘 Five Keys to Freedom — Referenced for the role forgiveness plays in deliverance and healing ministry

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🎙️ Giving Christ Our Messy Yes: Abiding, Serving, & Shining

In this heartfelt episode, Michelle Hillaert takes you along on a last-minute weekend away with her sister Eileen, a trip to Global Awakening's Voice of the Women conference that turned into so much more than she expected. Between a preaching workshop she had 10 minutes to prepare for, a powerful panel on hospitality and discipleship, and some honest moments with the Lord, Michelle came home with a fire in her heart she had to share.

She opens up her own testimony - the tantrums, the rock band years, the $60,000 wire scam, and the 5 AM prayer appointments that slowly changed everything - and weaves it together with Scripture, stories from the conference, and a gentle but bold invitation: give Christ your messy yes. Not your perfect yes. Your real one.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• You don't need a perfect house, a polished story, or a platform to share Christ. You just need to show up.
• Bearing fruit flows from abiding; apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5)
• Hospitality - inviting people in, feeding them, making them feel seen - is discipleship in action
• The biggest reason we don't share our faith? Fear of rejection. Living fearlessly means doing it anyway
• Christ isn't waiting for you to arrive. He's booking it to be with you - just give Him your yes
• Your story matters. Someone needs to hear it

📖 Scripture References:

• John 15:5 & 15:7 — The vine and the branches; abiding in Christ
• 1 Peter 2:21 — Following in the footsteps of Christ
• John 4 — The Woman at the Well
• Matthew 6:10 — "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven"

✅ Resources Mentioned:

• 🏛️ Global Awakening — Voice of the Women Conference
• 📘 Appointment With God — Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR
• 📘 Jesus and You, Woman — retreat and reflection on women in the Gospel
• 🎙️ The Sanity Closet Podcast — Michelle's podcast with her sisters

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🎙️ Budgeting, Priorities & Financial Freedom

A heart-to-heart conversation with Melissa Gordon.

Many of us carry fear, stress, or even shame around money. Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck, avoiding your bank account, or simply wondering where your money keeps disappearing, this conversation offers a different perspective: budgeting isn't about restriction, it's about freedom.

In this episode, Michelle sits down with her longtime friend Melissa Gordon, whose journey from a young single mom earning $8 an hour to a financially secure executive was built not on luck or complicated strategies, but on intentional choices, consistent habits, and a simple budgeting system.

Melissa shares how tracking her spending helped her avoid bankruptcy, pay off debt, build wealth, and create a life aligned with her values. Together, Michelle and Melissa discuss why budgets often feel intimidating, how taking agency over your finances can reduce anxiety, and why understanding where your money goes is one of the most empowering things you can do.

They also dive into their family's tradition of "No Spend January," the importance of spending according to your priorities, and how budgeting can become a tool for living more fearlessly—not just financially, but in every area of life.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to regain control of your finances, this episode will encourage you to take the first step.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why budgeting creates freedom rather than restriction
• How tracking your spending can reveal hidden "money leaks"
• The difference between spending, saving, and investing
• How to align your finances with your values and priorities
• Why small, consistent changes often create lasting results
• The concept behind "No Spend January" and financial resets
• How budgeting can reduce stress and strengthen relationships
• Practical first steps for anyone who feels overwhelmed by money

💬 Key Takeaways:

• Budgeting creates freedom, not restriction
• Awareness helps you make intentional spending choices
• “No Spend” months can reset spending habits
• Spending naturally rises with income if you don’t control it
• Allow yourself planned spending so budgeting is sustainable
• Don’t wait for perfection—just start
• Spend in alignment with your values

Resources Mentioned

• The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn — Practical, no-frills money-saving ideas focused on stretching resources and reducing waste.
• The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko — Research-based insights into how everyday people quietly build wealth over time.
• The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley — Explores the habits and thinking patterns behind long-term financial success.
• Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez — A framework for understanding the relationship between time, money, and life energy.

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links.This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

💛 About Melissa Gordon

Melissa Gordon is an executive leader and mom of four who learned how to manage money in a very real-life way starting at about $8 an hour while raising a young child and working her way out of debt. During that season, she built a simple spreadsheet system to track every dollar, bringing structure and clarity to a very uncertain financial picture.

What began as a survival tool gradually became a lifelong approach to budgeting and forecasting that she still uses today. Her system focuses on visibility, consistency, and intentional decision-making.

Melissa’s approach is practical and grounded: know your numbers, stay consistent, and use budgeting as a tool for freedom - not restriction.

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🎙️ Don’t Mix the Play-Doh: Motherhood, Memories & Letting Go

A heartfelt conversation with Jacki Ascough.

What if the very chaos you’re trying to survive today becomes the thing you miss the most tomorrow?

In this heartfelt and deeply relatable episode of Living Fearlessly, Michelle sits down with new friend and fellow mama Jacki Ascough — a Texas native who spent over 30 years raising her family in Ireland before returning to the United States.

Together, they share an honest conversation about motherhood, memories, grief, family culture, launching children into adulthood, screen-time struggles, perfectionism, faith, and learning how to hold each season of life with open hands.

From mixed-up Play-Doh and overflowing laundry baskets to adult children returning home with guitars, grandbabies, and new memories to make, this episode is a beautiful reminder that love matters more than perfection, and that the little moments we rush through today often become the moments we treasure most later.

Michelle and Jacki reflect on:

• The bittersweet transition from raising children to launching them
• Why moms often cling to perfectionism and control
• Creating a home your children actually want to come back to
• The grief that comes when kids leave home - and the beauty that follows
• Raising children in a screen-saturated world
• The importance of apologizing to your children
• Letting go of shame and embracing growth
• Why discipline, warmth, faith, and fun all matter in family culture
• Learning to savor every season before it changes

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by motherhood, discouraged by your imperfections, or afraid you’re “getting it wrong,” this conversation will remind you that love covers far more than you think.

Because someday, you may just miss the noise, the mess, the socks on the floor… and even the mixed-up Play-Doh.

💬 Key Takeaways:

• The seasons of family life change faster than we realize
• Your children won’t remember perfection - they’ll remember love
• A peaceful home is built through connection, not control
• It’s okay to apologize to your children and model humility
• Creating warm memories matters more than maintaining perfect order
• Social media and screens require intentional boundaries
• Grieving changing seasons is healthy and normal
• The goal is to create a home your children want to return to
• God can redeem every imperfect part of our parenting journey
• Living fearlessly means surrendering our children - and ourselves - to God

Resources Mentioned

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• Brené Brown and her work on shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living
• The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena
• Spirit Radio

Some links in these show notes are affiliate links.This means a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

💛 About Jacki

Radio Presenter/Consultant at Mother of Divine Grace School

Jacki met her husband, Tom,  over a game of volleyball in Houston, Texas.  Her “yes” to Tom that day led to her conversion to Catholicism, moving to Ireland, 27+ years of marriage, ten children, and (so far) six grandchildren.  Jacki divides her time between teaching NFP (Natural Family Planning), presenting Saturday Magazine on Spirit Radio, and home-educating their children.  She is also a private consultant supporting Irish families who are enrolled in Mother of Divine Grace School, a Catholic online Classical Curriculum. Jacki speaks publicly on Catholic issues, and has appeared on KTRK-TV Houston, RTÉ, Virgin Media, BBC, and various American, Irish and UK radio programs and podcasts.

You can find Jacki on Instagram at:

@jackilinn67

Stay Connected with Living Fearlessly

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✉️ Contact the Living Fearlessly Podcast at [email protected].