The Catholic Feminist

By Claire Swinarski

What's The Catholic Feminist about?

The Catholic Feminist is a podcast for strong Catholic women who want to be inspired, informed, and intentional. Each week, we interview Catholic women on topics like poverty, refugees, eating disorders, mental health, and women's rights.

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The Catholic Feminist episodes:

03.24.2021
Introducing FOLLOW: Logging Out and Leaning In
Follow: Logging Out and Leaning In, a serial non-fiction book available only to Letters subscribers. You’re probably reading this on your cell phone. And just before you read this, you probably saw something else that made you mad. A controversial...
11.25.2020
176: The Catholic Feminist Finale
Oh, my sisters—it has been the absolute joy of a lifetime. May we continue to believe in Christ, in the church, and in ourselves. I just wanted to chat with you today about how to walk forward as a Catholic...
11.18.2020
175: The Plight of the Persecuted Christian ft. Gia Chacon
This spring, when many of us were unable to attend Mass, we felt the ache for normalcy and the sacraments. Personally, it reminded me that all around the world, millions of Christians are being persecuted for their faith--that the ability...
11.11.2020
174: The Grace of Motherhood and Art ft. Ann Vaeth
Juggling motherhood + business as an artist isn’t easy for anyone, and today’s guest is no exception. Ann Vaeth of Paper Monestary is helping us understand how motherhood can HELP our art, not hinder it, and how she thrives as...
11.04.2020
173: Rekindling Our Catholic Faith ft. Mallory Smyth
You’ve heard it constantly: the “nones” are the fastest growing religion in the world. Why are we hemorrhaging Catholics? Author, wife, and mama Mallory Smyth breaks down why she spent time away from the Catholic faith and what brought her...
10.28.2020
Holy Exhaustion vs. Burnout ft. Emily Linn
It's one of the joys of the podcast that I get to sometimes sit with my besties and do deep dives over their life decisions--ha! On today's show, we're chatting with Emily Linn, a young adult minister within the Diocese...
10.21.2020
171: Finding Freedom From Sexual Abuse and Pornography ft. Bella Bryant
Did you know that 1 in 5 women use the Internet for sexual activity every single week?! My mind was blown when I learned that statistic. When you know it’s THAT large a number, you know it has to be...
10.14.2020
170: Faith, Fitness and Feminism ft. Rebecca Dussault
Here’s the tricky part about being a feminist: I want every woman to feel confident and empowered…and I also want every woman to be healthy. And I know that right now, especially in America, we’re not. So how can we...
10.07.2020
169: Accepting Change and Unexpected Gifts ft. Danielle Noonan
Danielle Noonan is a singer, songwriter, speaker, and mama with a passion for following God’s call—even when it meant moving her family out to a farm! I loved chatting with Danielle today all about the beauty of art within the...
09.30.2020
168: The Bioethics of Catholic Feminism
In today's episode, we're talking with writer and podcaster Samantha Stephenson all about egg donation, surrogacy, and other troubling bioethics developments that the world accepts and the church refuses. Why is that? Isn't egg donation just #womenhelpingwomen? Isn't surrogacy just...
09.23.2020
167: Talking About Racial Justice in a God-Honoring Way ft. Danielle Brown
Today, I’m bringing YOUR questions to Danielle Brown, the Associate Director of the USCCB’s Committee Against Racism. We’re talking everything from Black Lives Matter to talking to your specific priest about racial justice to how to have conversations about race...
09.16.2020
166: Marriage Therapy and Pre-Cana ft. Jessica Barboza
A few months ago I heard one of my favorite podcasters mention that she went to marriage counseling sometimes with her husband, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I was a bit…scandalized. I know! I stink. But in my mind,...
09.09.2020
165: Covering the Catholic Sex Abuse Crisis ft. Karna Lozoya
In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Karna Lozoya, a veteran Catholic reporter with a nose for news and a passion for the truth. We talk all about her new podcast, Crisis, which explores the origins and reforms of the sexual...
08.26.2020
163: Intimacy No Matter Your Season
Amanda Vernon grew up singing hymns passed down from generations before her since her father told her if she was singing, she might as well be praying. And she never stopped doing either! Today, Amanda is an accomplished musician with...
08.19.2020
162: Reading and Writing Catholic Fiction ft. Lindsey Todd
This ones for my book nerds: where you at?
08.12.2020
161: Authentic Intimacy and Racial Justice ft. Sr. Desiré Findlay
When I first read Sister Desiré's public letter on being the only black Felician sister, I was struck by one line in particular: that she felt invisible. As Catholic feminists, we know that we don't want a single one of...
08.05.2020
160: Conversion and Personal Development ft. Claudine Noel
Are you a cradle Catholic or a loud & proud convert? Today's guest, Claudine Noel, shares her story of falling in love with the Catholic faith and being baptized with zero family present. Her vulnerability and strength were so inspiring...
07.29.2020
159: Capitalism, Networking, and Career Transitions ft. Elena Nunez Murdock
Jesus hung out with the poor. But you know who funds Catholic Relief Services, builds the churches, donates the food, influences the culture? The rich, friend. If you have greater than $4,000 in property or your bank account, congratulations—you’re in...
07.22.2020
158: Online Discourse and Finding Community ft. Sam Povlock
During COVID, are you spending a lot more time online than usual? If so...who are you paying attention to? Your IRL friends? Popular Catholic speakers? Are they diverse in thought and culture? Are they intelligent? Are they funny? Do they...
07.15.2020
157: Affirmation Therapy and Activism Burnout ft. Maribel Rodriguez Laguna
We're told that we can't look away from problems of the world: we must be knee-deep in activism at all times, constantly aware...but is it okay to step back? To let things sink in before responding in a flash? Heck...
07.08.2020
156: Bravery and Real Restoration ft. Heather Khym
Real healing is not a passive process. It’s active. It requires bravery. It requires leaning in. It requires vulnerability. These are things we know but fail to act on. We’d rather drown our sorrows in #hustling, in alcohol, in social...
07.01.2020
155: Difficulties Within Physical Intimacy ft. Dr. Monique Ruberu
Let’s talk about sex, baby
06.24.2020
154: Changing Course and Chasing Dreams ft. Marie Miller
Can I be honest for a sec? Sometimes, when I hear about people leading entire marches or writing important policies or starting non-profits, I start to wonder if what I do is insignificant. I know that’s not a very feminist...
06.17.2020
153: The Sexual Revolution and False Feminism ft. Sue Ellen Browder
If you’re a feminist, you’re probably familiar with Betty Friedan’s “Problem That Has No Name.” This was the idea that “housewives” of the 50s and 60s and widespread unhappiness that stemmed from their oppression. While some of that is certainly...
06.10.2020
152: Finding Truth as a Journalist ft. Kara Dixon
The past couple of weeks have taught us more than ever that the media plays a fundamental role in our screwed-up society. Love 'em or hate 'em or somewhere-in-between-'em-because-they-are-varied-humans, reporters are still very much a gatekeeper in between the public...
06.03.2020
151: Giving Thanks and Letting Go ft. Danielle Bean
My name is Claire + I’m a control-aholic. It’s true! I love control like the Julia Child loved butter. And although parenting is basically one long exercise in letting go of control, the truth is, I do have some control...
05.27.2020
150: Q & A: Reading Books, Raising Boys, and More! ft. Claire Swinarski
After 150 episodes, it is a true joy to sit + chat with you all 1-on-1 today. I would say “I can’t believe we’re here!” but to be honest…I knew how phenomenal Catholic women were when I started this. I’m...
05.20.2020
149: Becoming Well Read ft. Marcie Stockman
If you’re a busy Catholic feminist, you probably feel like you’re juggling 19 balls in the air. Maybe you have kids, or a career, or both, or a graduate degree, or you’re trying to get in shape, or you’re volunteering...
05.13.2020
148: Embracing Culture Within Liturgy ft. Shannon Schmidt
When someone states their skin color or culture--"I'm a Black Catholic." "I'm a Polish Catholic." "I'm a Hispanic Catholic." It can be tempting to want to wave it off. We're all *one family*, right? Why do these differences matter? But...
05.06.2020
147: Finding Hope in Unexpected Seasons ft. Monica Aberle
What's it like to go to a Catholic college and find yourself unexpectedly...expecting? Today's guest, Monica Aberle, knows all about it. Monica is joining us to talk about how we can find hope in unexpected seasons: when times of chaos...
04.29.2020
146: Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption ft. Victoria Ray
Talk about turning your mess into your message. Today's guest, Victoria Ray, is a speaker, a podcaster, a student, and a Certified Addiction Empowerment Specialist. She's also in recovery and a big ole fan of Jesus. Victoria is here on...
04.22.2020
145: Pursuing a Classical Education ft. Jeremy Tate
OK, time to admit my stress + beef with the modern day education system. I went to public school. Did not have a great experience. Krzys went to public school. Did have a great experience. I don’t want to pay...
04.15.2020
144: Finding Your Fiat ft. Karianna Frey
We all know Mary gave the ultimate fiat. But what about ours? Our “yes” to a new grad school degree. Our “yes” to donating an extra $10 instead of buying that second wine at girls night. Our “yes” to a...
04.08.2020
143: Sacrificial Love and Adult Caretaking ft. Katie Pyles
Anger. Shame. Boundaries. These are the parts of care taking we *don’t* often talk about. But the truth is, these are all too common when imperfect people are trying to attempt perfect love. Today’s guest, Katie Pyles, has experience as...
04.01.2020
142: Capital Punishment and the Catholic Church ft. McKenna Smith
The death penalty is a topic I’ve been interested in for a long time, and I’m so pleased to be discussing it today with McKenna. McKenna is a grad student who comes to us with a passion for capital punishment...
03.27.2020
Saint Spotlight: Sr. Thea Bowman
Hear from Sr. Thea Bowman's best friend about what she was like, what she was passionate about, and why she deserves to be a canonized saint!
03.25.2020
141: Economic Justice ft. Beth Knobbe
When you have money to give, should you give it to your literal neighbors, or the neighbors on the other side of the world? Today we're chatting with Catholic Relief Services' Beth Knobbe to discuss economic justice and what it...
03.20.2020
Saint Spotlight: St. Zelie Martin
Learn all about St. Therese's mom, St. Zelie, and why Catholic feminists in particular should care about her!
03.18.2020
140: Inclusion + Birth Mothering a Teenager ft. Marcia Lane-McGee
When it’s time to put together a Catholic event, are you putting diversity on your list of goals? In today’s episode, speaker Marcia Lane-McGee and I are talking about how to embrace diversity in Catholic speaking circles without falling into...
03.13.2020
Saint Spotlight: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Layna Maher from the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine is here to help us learn about the life and legacy of this inspiring indigenous saint!
03.11.2020
139: Healing After Abortion ft. Gracey
#ShoutYourAbortion. That’s what we’re told, right? That abortion is a powerful, important procedure. It empowers women. It gives them strength. It gives them autonomy. Today’s guest says hell no. Gracey is a wife, mother, and post-abortive woman. She’s...
03.06.2020
Saint Spotlight: Dorothy Day
Learn about the life and legacy of "almost-saint" Dorothy Day, a Catholic feminist we should all admire, to celebrate Women's History Month.
03.04.2020
138: Catholic Feminism and the Military ft. Brianna Hughes
When we hear “the troops”, we probably all have things pop into our head. From Colin Kapernick to WMD to Dorothy Day’s pacifism, how Catholics interact with “the troops” can be fraught with confusion. Today’s guest, Brianna Hughes, is a...
02.26.2020
137: The Sacrifice of Being a Birth Mother ft. Martha Farnsworth
When we’re engaging in pro-life discourse, we often hail adoption as a beautiful, healthy choice—which it is. But it’s easy to forget that adoption at its core *begins* with a loss, with grief, and with suffering. Today’s podcast guest, Martha...
02.19.2020
136: Thriving as a Special Needs Mama ft. Vania Deeney
Parenting is hard, no matter who you’re parenting. But parenting a child with special needs is a task that some people hold up as the most heroic act of them all. Not so, says today’s guest—and she explains why. Vania...
02.12.2020
135: Overcoming Pornography to Find Uncompromising Purity ft. Kelsey Skoch
Pornography has been a “men’s issue” for as long as I’ve been involved in ministry. Anti-porn talks are for the men. The accountability apps are aimed at men. The speakers willing to Go There are men. I am so, SO...
02.05.2020
134: Are Mission Trips Beneficial? ft. Ellen Courchane
Our first guest of season 4? My own sister! Ellie Courchane is a nurse, a fiancee, and a frequent attender of mission trips to developing nations. Ellie and I are chatting about what makes a GOOD mission trip, why so...
11.27.2019
133: Pelvic Floor Postpartum Recovery ft. Chelsea Harkins
Things I learned during this episode: most people do kegals wrong, having issues with peeing yourself at ALL is not considered normal postpartum, and what a pelvic floor even is. Dr. Chelsea Harkins is a physical therapist here to walk...
11.20.2019
132: Embracing Global Sisterhood ft. Gail DeGeorge
There are only 2️⃣ episodes left in season 3 of the Catholic Feminist Podcast!
11.15.2019
MINISODE: How I Advent!
Honestly, just a fun mini episode on the books I'm reading, my prayer routine, and how I'm trying to impart the feeling of "joyful anticipation" onto my kids!

What's The Catholic Feminist about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Catholic Feminist episodes:

Introducing FOLLOW: Logging Out and Leaning In

176: The Catholic Feminist Finale

175: The Plight of the Persecuted Christian ft. Gia Chacon

174: The Grace of Motherhood and Art ft. Ann Vaeth

173: Rekindling Our Catholic Faith ft. Mallory Smyth

Holy Exhaustion vs. Burnout ft. Emily Linn

171: Finding Freedom From Sexual Abuse and Pornography ft. Bella Bryant

170: Faith, Fitness and Feminism ft. Rebecca Dussault

169: Accepting Change and Unexpected Gifts ft. Danielle Noonan

168: The Bioethics of Catholic Feminism

167: Talking About Racial Justice in a God-Honoring Way ft. Danielle Brown

166: Marriage Therapy and Pre-Cana ft. Jessica Barboza

165: Covering the Catholic Sex Abuse Crisis ft. Karna Lozoya

163: Intimacy No Matter Your Season

162: Reading and Writing Catholic Fiction ft. Lindsey Todd

161: Authentic Intimacy and Racial Justice ft. Sr. Desiré Findlay

160: Conversion and Personal Development ft. Claudine Noel

159: Capitalism, Networking, and Career Transitions ft. Elena Nunez Murdock

158: Online Discourse and Finding Community ft. Sam Povlock

157: Affirmation Therapy and Activism Burnout ft. Maribel Rodriguez Laguna

156: Bravery and Real Restoration ft. Heather Khym

155: Difficulties Within Physical Intimacy ft. Dr. Monique Ruberu

154: Changing Course and Chasing Dreams ft. Marie Miller

153: The Sexual Revolution and False Feminism ft. Sue Ellen Browder

152: Finding Truth as a Journalist ft. Kara Dixon

151: Giving Thanks and Letting Go ft. Danielle Bean

150: Q & A: Reading Books, Raising Boys, and More! ft. Claire Swinarski

149: Becoming Well Read ft. Marcie Stockman

148: Embracing Culture Within Liturgy ft. Shannon Schmidt

147: Finding Hope in Unexpected Seasons ft. Monica Aberle

146: Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption ft. Victoria Ray

145: Pursuing a Classical Education ft. Jeremy Tate

144: Finding Your Fiat ft. Karianna Frey

143: Sacrificial Love and Adult Caretaking ft. Katie Pyles

142: Capital Punishment and the Catholic Church ft. McKenna Smith

Saint Spotlight: Sr. Thea Bowman

141: Economic Justice ft. Beth Knobbe

Saint Spotlight: St. Zelie Martin

140: Inclusion + Birth Mothering a Teenager ft. Marcia Lane-McGee

Saint Spotlight: St. Kateri Tekakwitha

139: Healing After Abortion ft. Gracey

Saint Spotlight: Dorothy Day

138: Catholic Feminism and the Military ft. Brianna Hughes

137: The Sacrifice of Being a Birth Mother ft. Martha Farnsworth

136: Thriving as a Special Needs Mama ft. Vania Deeney

135: Overcoming Pornography to Find Uncompromising Purity ft. Kelsey Skoch

134: Are Mission Trips Beneficial? ft. Ellen Courchane

133: Pelvic Floor Postpartum Recovery ft. Chelsea Harkins

132: Embracing Global Sisterhood ft. Gail DeGeorge

MINISODE: How I Advent!

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