Of Sound Mind and Spirit - Podcast for Catholic Women

Shrines, Saints, and Summer Break! For our first anniversary of the podcast - and the beginning of summer break - we're highlighting one of our earlier episodes.

Summer vacation doesn’t mean you take a break from your faith! No matter where your family travels, you can still find opportunities to connect with and grow in your faith on the road.

Snippet from the Show: “…what we’re doing is considered a pilgrimage. I never thought of just visiting a church as a pilgrimage before.” - Shelly

 The Spiritual Significance of Historical Sites: "I just sat there and looked and thought, how much did they love you, God, that they built this amazing church? Because everywhere I looked, I felt love for Christ." - Lisa

Places Mentioned:

If this topic makes you curious about other pilgrimage sites in the US – we invite you to check out these two books:

“…truly nothing happens by accident or luck, but everything by God’s wise providence.”  St. Juliana Norwich (Revelations of Divine Love, 1393)

We want to know! Where’s a sacred place you’ve been? Or someplace you’ve always wanted to go? 

We'd love to hear from you!

PS: For a special treat, visit the ⁠Kakawa Chocolate Shop⁠ (Santa Fe, TX) – yeah, we know it’s not a sacred site but you’ll enjoy this stop!

Ever feel hesitant to start something new in your spiritual journey? You're not alone! Join us as we dive deep into the transformative experience of spiritual direction with our guest, Certified Spiritual Director Deanna Bartalini.

In this episode, Deanna shares her rich experience and practical advice on:

Feeling eager to start but unsure where to begin? Deanna has the guidance you need!

SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW: "But my purpose is to listen, to make connections, and to ask questions, to help people figure out what God wants from them." - Deanna Bartalini

"Sometimes people come to me, and they've never prayed with scripture, and when I ask them, how often are you quiet during prayer time? It's like, what? What do you mean, quiet? I have to talk to God. Yes, but when do you listen to him?" - Deanna Bartalini

WHERE TO FIND DEANNA? Live Not Lukewarm

We'd love to hear from you!  

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

Are you in a mixed-faith marriage? How do you navigate the challenges of being married to a non-Catholic? How do you stay strong in your own faith while respecting your spouse's spiritual journey?

In this deeply personal and inspiring discussion, we share our own personal stories, struggles, and successes, offering invaluable insights and encouragement.

Whether you’re married to someone of a different faith or just curious about how faith impacts relationships, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.

SNIPPETS FROM THE EPISODE: "The next thing I had to learn and respect was that we each had our own faith journey. And the way that we live our faith in Christ could be different. It didn't have to be the same to be good." - Lisa

“Lord, take away this desire for me to want him to accept the church. Lord, give me the grace to accept where he is on knowing you better.” - Shelly

FROM THE CATECHISM: This difference between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage. Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion. CCC 1634

We'd love to hear from you!  

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

We need to stop feeling guilty for taking time to take care of ourselves!

As middle-aged women juggling numerous roles, we're discussing our personal self-care strategies, the pervasive guilt associated with taking "me" time, and why it's crucial to overcome these feelings for our mental and spiritual well-being.

From massages to meditation, and from making time for hobbies to embracing silence, join us as we share insights, laugh over misconceptions, and support each other in our quest to prioritize wellness unapologetically. So, tune in, unwind, and let's get inspired together.

SNIPPETS FROM THE SHOW: "What is wrong with doing something that inspires me, works my mind, that helps me grow closer to God, that lights me up and makes me a better person so that I can take care of the things I need to take care of. Why should I feel guilty about that?" ~ Lisa

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you? I say that to remind you that whatever you're going through, whatever anxiety you have, however you are listening to this and thinking, I'm not taking care of myself. Right. Start somewhere!" ~ Shelly

We want to know! What ways do you practice self-care? (Bonus points if you do it without feeling guilty!)

We invite you to⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch!

We'd love to hear from you!  

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

We're gearing up for a significant family trip that involves not just the immediate but extended family members as well, totaling 17 people! From young adults to the eldest in the family, managing such a diverse group brings its unique set of challenges and opportunities for growth.

In this episode titled "Dodging Drama on Family Vacation” Shelly and Lisa share their personal experiences and tips on navigating the complexities of family dynamics during travel. You'll hear about the importance of flexibility—whether it's about mealtimes or dealing with postponed plans—and we'll discuss the essential strategies for mitigating conflicts and ensuring that everyone, across ages and personalities, finds joy and relaxation on the trip.

From setting realistic boundaries to incorporating down-time, practicing forgiveness, and remembering to take moments for personal peace, this episode is packed with valuable advice. Our hosts also highlight the spiritual aspect, emphasizing scriptures that promote patience and love in family relationships.

So, whether you’re planning a small getaway or a grand family expedition, tune in as we explore making the most of these precious moments together, ensuring the vacation is memorable for all the right reasons. And don’t forget, we want to hear from you too—send in your family travel stories and song recommendations for our special vacation playlist!

QUOTE:

Faith and Family Dynamics: "This is going to be a really good exercise in putting into practice all the things regarding faith and surrender and trust that we often talk about. I mean, it's one thing to read these spiritual books and to hear the readings and talk about it. It is another to put it into practice." ~ Shelly on Dodging Drama on Family Vacations

What are your tips for Dodging Drama on Family Vacations?

We love our local neighborhood parish, our priests, and our community. But sometimes our schedule requires that we meet our Sunday obligation by attending Mass away from home - in a different parish! How great is our beautiful Catholic faith! No matter where we attend, the Mass is the same; same structure, same readings, same holy prayers.

This episode is more than a reflection on traditions; it's an invitation to rediscovery. Our individual parishes are part of a magnificent mosaic, where each piece—no matter how distinctly shaped or colored—fits perfectly into the grand design of the Catholic Church.

Discover five benefits of visiting a different parish!

SNIPPET FROM THE EPISODE: "Having that different experience makes you look at your Parish sometimes with different eyes, maybe from the eyes of a visitor, and then, okay, how am I serving in a way to help others have that great experience?" - Lisa

SCRIPTURE: “…for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.” - Ephesians 2:18-20

We Want To Know: What are some of the benefits you've discovered when attending a different parish church?

We invite you to⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch!

We'd love to hear from you!  

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

We recently said goodbye to a beloved aunt and are reminded of the cycle of life and death that touches every family. In this episode we discuss the importance of family bonds, the evolving roles we play as we step into the shoes of those who came before us, and the surprising lessons that grief teaches us about reconnecting with our loved ones.

**Highlights from the Episode:**

- **The 'End of An Era':** The passing of elders, who were central to our childhood, heralds a shift in family dynamics and a poignant reminder of time's swift progression.

- **Step Up, Step Forward:** With the loss of a generation, Lisa and Shelly reflect on the 'passing of the torch' to their generation, a call to become the new guiding force within the family.

- **Gratitude Amidst Sorrow:** Despite the sadness that accompanies loss, there's profound gratitude for the time spent with those who lived full lives.

Snipped From the Show: "...we're celebrating a life, we're honoring a beloved family member, and in that, what do we take away? And part of this, I would say [is] rededication on my part to wanting to be close to cousins and family." - Lisa

We Want To Know: If you've had an experience with death in the family and something positive like reconnecting with family grew out of that, check in with us on social media or send us an email.

We invite you to⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠ to keep in touch!

We'd love to hear from you!  

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

In this episode, we're honored to welcome a very special guest, Allison Gingras, who brings a wealth of experience and insights from her own faith journey, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of prayer and presence with God.

Lisa and Shelly share bits of our own spiritual experiences, discussing how simple practices like praying the rosary have left indelible marks on our family legacies and influenced our understanding of God's profound love. We explore the beauty of tradition and the significance of visual symbols and activities.

Throughout this candid conversation, Allison enlightens us about her favorite saint, Venerable Patrick Payton, and how his advocacy for family prayer can still echo in our lives today. We also touch on the use of sacramentals and the incredible way in which our journey of faith is intertwined with the global church.

So settle in and join us for a heartfelt discussion on the continuous learning, embracing traditional practices, and the importance of good Christian Women friendships.

In this heartwarming episode, we're getting up close with Clara, Lisa’s Spanish exchange student turned family.

From soccer fields to kitchen showdowns, and the bonds formed over shared meals and Young Life meetings, join us as we explore the joys, challenges, and unexpected lessons of welcoming a new culture into the heart of home.

Stay tuned for laughter, a touch of culture shock, and a story that bridges continents right here on Episode 046.

Want to learn more about hosting a Foreign Exchange Student in the US? Visit PAX - Program of Academic Exchange for more.

Would you take a moment and subscribe to our email list? Join our email list HERE to be notified weekly of new episodes and content. 

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

We're embracing Holy Week by sharing our experiences with Palm Sunday and the days leading up to Easter. "Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” – Ven. Fulton Sheen

Snippet from the Show:

"They [the Triduum] were just things that were going on for people more devout and catholic than me. I was busy, you know, being mom, I was busy, like you said earlier, at the Easter dresses and making sure did we have the Easter baskets and what time would we go to church on Sunday? Because Sunday is a holy day of obligation, whereas the triduum is not." – Shelly

"Our real purpose for Lent, for triduum, for holy week, all of this is so that we're changed on Easter morning... The point is to have changed you as a person and grow closer to Christ, like a little step forward of being more holy." - Lisa

HALLOW: Pray joyfully during the Easter season with three months access to Hallow ⁠(three months free for new subscribers)

SONGS:

Thank you for listening to this episode. We invite you to ⁠⁠subscribe to our email list HERE⁠⁠ to be notified weekly of new episodes and content.

We'd love to hear from you!  

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠