When you think about it, didn’t scrubbing the bathroom as kids teach us a lifetime of work ethic? This week on the What a Gift podcast, we're diving into the daily routines and intentional rituals that shaped our lives. We're getting honest, we're getting real, and we're unwrapping the gifts hiding in traditions and chores.

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Chores

We begin by discussing the gifts found in household duties, reflecting on how both our fathers, who had served in the Navy, enforced a strict ethos of chores. Jule unwraps the gift of chores, recalling the family standard of Saturday chore day. Jule shares her resentment over having to clean the hall bathroom used by her two brothers (noting that they somehow can never pee directly into the toilet) while her brothers got to mow the lawn. Sarra recounts her own experience with chores, sharing that while growing up she sometimes felt like an indentured slave to her parents, the duties taught her skills, contrasting her experience with that of a former roommate who, upon finding a lamp bulb had burnt out assumed the entire lamp was broken.

The Gift of Traditions

Sarra unwraps the gift of traditions, stating that traditions help carve out special moments and prevent a week or a year from becoming a "blank homogeneous blob of days". Sarra shares a tradition from her time on a FOCUS team, where birthdays were celebrated with a special breakfast and a personalized song written by her team director and campus minister. Jule visualizes holidays as the "little special squares" on a Candy Land board of life. Jule remembers her mother’s dedication to building traditions, such as lining up in age order before opening Christmas presents, and singing "O come, O come, Emmanuel" during Advent dinners. The conversation focuses on the infamous Coppa Family Easter tradition, which was a highly competitive basket hunt requiring participants to follow a trail of cryptic, rhyming couplets written by Jule's dad. Sarra relates her own traumatic Easter story where her dad hid her solid chocolate bunny in an outrageous location.

* * *

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Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

Do you remember the thrill of your first crush, or the loyalty of your first true best friend? This week on the What a Gift podcast, Jule and Sarra are diving deep into the relationships that shape us: the intense friendships that stand the test of time and the pining that gives life a plot line.

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Best Friends

We unwrap the gift of best friends and what distinguishes them from regular friends. Sarra discusses her philosophy of having a "squad" of best friends (both long-distance and local), sharing her past longing for a singular, "ride or die" best friend, particularly due to moving often as a Navy family kid. Jule recounts the difficult experience of "bestie culture," including the competitive "showboating" and the anxiety around the MySpace Top 8. She shares her feelings of sadness and getting "crazy" when her friend Anna spent time with others. The hosts discuss the defining traits of a best friend, including standing the test of time and being a person with whom you can "just pick up where you left off". We explore how true friendship allows for differences. 

The Gift of Crushes

We explore the gift of the crush and the "electric possibility" of early romance. Sarra introduces her friend Taylor's three-stage crush evolution: starting with a squish, moving to a crinkle, and finally, becoming a full-on crush. Jule shares her story of the crush that defined her early life: Matt McGee, who attended her "eclectic" fifth-grade homeschool group. Hear the full story of the Valentine's Day exchange: Jule recounts praying the most earnest prayer of her life to pull Matt's name, then building a complex, 3D, "Victorian era" Valentine before having an "episode" and ripping it up due to fear of social suicide. She replaced it with a cartoon frog and the rhyme, "Ice is cool and so are you". The true gift was receiving Matt’s card, which featured two porcupines and the message: "Juliana, you make me feel like a fool. You are so smart. You found a way to steal my heart". Jule reflects on the years of unrequited pining and the unique gift of dreaming, concluding that when it's the right person, the relationship is so easy.

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

Are we working to live, or living to work? This week on the What a Gift podcast, where we're trying to go from being yucky to feeling lucky, Jule and Sarra push past the expensive trips and curated events to uncover the "super natural" moments of genuine connection that redefine the "Best Day Ever". We dive into the peak moments that shape us and explore the art form that demands we break into song.

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of the ‘Best Day Ever’

We dive deep into the concept of the "Best Day Ever," defining them not as grand, expensive events, but as ordinary things where the relationships at play make the experience truly supernatural. Sarra shares the story of a weekend she spent at a cabin in Colorado with a random assortment of people, featuring puzzles, making favorite meals, and a legendary night where the parents put the kids to bed only to go downstairs and party. Hear how the energy shifted from twirling to their first dance songs to dancing to the Backstreet Boys. Jule recounts "the great Philly check-in," a planned long weekend that included a PowerPoint presentation for proposed activities, a BYOB dinner, a college football game, and culminated in a house party where she had a moment of contentment—right before she met her husband. We discuss why relationship is the only essential ingredient for a peak experience.

The Gift of Musicals

We get nerdy and unwrap the gift of musicals. Jule discusses her lifelong passion, sharing how she was an ardent fan (a "wicked head") of Wicked, declaring herself an "alphaba". She also shares the childhood ritual of cleaning the kitchen every night with her nine siblings to the soundtrack of Newsies, resulting in full choreography and thick Brooklyn accents. Jule also recounts her theater career, detailing her curse of always being cast as the mom, old lady, or comic relief, until her senior year lead role in Sweeney Todd. Sarra lists her foundational favorites, including Wicked, Lion King, Guys and Dolls, and notes that Sound of Music can never be topped. Plus, we discuss the major impact of Hamilton and Funny Girl.

White Elephant (Closing Segment)

We share hot takes and decide whether to receive, return, or regift items from daily life from Chacos to cold plunge.

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

What happens when you travel across the globe to step out of your comfort zone, only to realize the most profound lessons might be waiting for you back home on your couch? This week on the What a Gift podcast, we dive into the profound gifts hiding in simple pleasures and extreme sacrifice. Jule and Sarra unpack the lessons learned from beloved traditions and transformative, unexpected adventures.

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Movie Nights

We define the crucial role of the Friday night film as a timeless gift. Jule shares the specifics of her childhood movie nights, which featured a ritual of renting two movies from Blockbuster, ordering pizza, soda, and making brownies. Hear about the standouts—like watching Toy Story for the first time—and other favorites, including the animated Anastasia and Newsies (starring Christian Bale). Jule also explores the burdens of modern viewing, such as the paralysis of choice caused by streaming, and how she struggles with "attention fragmenting" while trying to be present during a film. We also discuss the modern necessity of using subtitles for everything (a habit Jule attributes to The Great British Baking Show).

The Gift of Mission Trips

We explore the transformative—and often difficult—experience of relational mission work. Sarra recounts her beginnings as a youth group kid on a service-oriented trip to the Czech Republic. Jule shares her shocking and turbulent experience leading a trip to Tanzania. Hear the story of arriving via luxurious Swiss Air only to face extreme turbulence on a connecting local flight, landing on a red dirt runway at the wrong location, and the month-long experience that pushed Jule and her team to their limits. Plus, Sarra shares the infamous story of her very first mission trip to Chile, where her complaint about being cold led a kind local to post on the parish Facebook page, resulting in #gringothon2015, where locals donated blankets and sleeping bags to the cold "gringo" visitors. Ultimately, we discuss how relinquishing control and comfort opens you up to receive gifts of relationship and profound experiences.

The Gift of Perspective (Closing Segment)

We look back into the archives to unwrap hidden lessons. Sarra shares a May 2015 journal entry written during a road trip, detailing her wrestling match with FOMO and the feeling that she was "forgettable" and "dispensable" after leaving her friends. Then, Jule reveals a 2004 journal entry from age 13 documenting a classic family movie night tug-of-war that resulted in turning off both Mean Girls ("Trashy") and Conspiracy Theory ("Bizarre") before happily settling on A Cinderella Story.

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

Have you ever embraced the spotlight to make a name for yourself? And how formative are the strange, unusual, and sometimes rebellious moments of childhood summer camp?

This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Jule and Sarra go from grasping with their claws to living in awe, diving into the truly formative experiences of Talent Shows and Summer Camp.

They share stories of making legendary memories, seeking friendship through an Adele song, and navigating strict rules at sleepaway camp, leading to a shocking granola bar rebellion.

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Talent Shows & Coffee Houses

Sarra unwraps the gift of Talent Shows, recalling how performing an Adele song at summer training led to her profound friendship with Jule. The hosts discuss how confidence makes anything a talent (even making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich) and Jule details her family's tradition of Coffee Houses, gatherings centered on music and sharing personal gifts. Jule recounts her own infamous comedy song about seminarians that went viral within her family, while Sarra reflects on fulfilling her childhood dream of hosting a talk show.

The Gift of Formative Summer Camp Experiences

Jule explores Summer Camp as a gift, noting how stepping away from family forces self-discovery and navigating new social ecosystems. She recounts attending a strict, religiously Catholic sleepaway camp starting in first grade, where she became a mischief maker, plotting ways to interact with boys via the oatmeal line or the nurse's office. Jule details her later immersive, yet rebellious, experience as a 'child laborer' named Abigail at a colonial village camp. Sarra shares her memories of Girl Scout camp, including learning the skill of shuffling cards.

White Elephant (Closing Segment)

Jule and Sarra play their "famous and controversial final segment", White Elephant, deciding whether to Receive, Return, or Regift various social phenomena and items. Discussed gifts include: Kiss Cam appearances, Chelsea Boots, Square Nails, Flip Phones (and the journey of T9 word), Marshmallow on Sweet Potatoes, Conga Lines, and the Sign/Kiss of Peace at Mass

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSAI for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

This week on the What a Gift podcast, we're diving into love languages and the frivolous treats that make us feel known.

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Love Languages

We rehash and get new perspective an oldie but goodie: the five love languages—and discuss how we relate. Jule unwraps the gift of Love Languages, sharing that her top language is Gift Giving because it proves someone thought of her when she wasn't around. Sarra affirms that her top language is Words of Affirmation because it makes her feel "seen". We discuss how our rankings evolved: Sarra shares her story of overcoming a zero rating in Physical Touch, realizing that her resistance was rooted in believing a "lie" about her size. Jule admits she still needs to work on Acts of Service with her husband, Chris, even after using the languages to overcome a "serious rough patch" early in their relationship. We celebrate the power of timely affirmations, like leaving a note under a roommate's door or Jule’s heartfelt notes to her wedding helpers, one of which she is "so glad" she wrote before her friend David passed away.

The Gift of Margaritas

Sarra unwraps the "sweet, sweet gift of margaritas," noting they are objectively fun and just something special. She explains why she orders hers on the rocks, no salt, no sugar, insisting that she doesn't want "graininess” on the rim of a glass. We agree that the true gift lies in feeling known and loved when friends remember your specific, "frivvil" drink choice and prepare it when you arrive. Jule recounts her misguided "tequila year," where she based her alcohol choices on an article (later debunked) claiming tequila was a stimulant instead of a depressant. Sarra shares a brilliant idea for loving your friends: using a Google form to gather preferences like "loungewear size," favorite snacks, and close contacts, so you can "love them well".

White Elephant (Closing Segment)

We close with our segment where we decide whether to Receive, Return, or Regift pop culture and daily phenomena. This week, we tackle green text messages (Sarra returns them; Jule receives them but asks Apple to be nicer), grapes with seeds (Jule receives them, especially the flavorful Concord grape), and home renovation shows (we both receive, recalling the chaos of Trading Spaces and Extreme Home Makeover).

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

Have you ever reflected on which books, movies, and media literally shaped your personality? And what if the most isolating moments of being an underdog actually equipped you with confidence and social skills? This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Sarah and Jule dive into two crucial sources of personal development: the influential Foundational Texts that informed their personalities and the surprising gift of becoming an Underdog

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Foundational Texts:

In this episode of What a Gift, Sarah and Jule begin their dive into foundational texts, which they define as the crucial books, movies, and media that have truly informed their personalities and shaped their paths.Personal foundational texts are highlighted, such as the Disney princess Belle, whom Jule admired as a bookworm who saw "the charm beneath the layers of the beast". Jule also details the impact of literary adaptations like Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and the five-hour BBC Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth, which she calls "major" other than the Bible.

The Gift of Underdogs

Jule presents the theme of being an underdog, a concept she relates to growing up in a Navy family which required moving every two years. Sarah shares her similar underdog experience of being homeschooled from kindergarten through 8th grade before transitioning to a huge public high school with classes of 400 kids in ninth grade. She had planned for the day for so long, even wearing her new American Eagle polo shirt and boot-cut jeans.

The Gift of Perspective (Closing Segment)

The episode concludes with the segment, "The Gift of Perspective," where the hosts dive into their personal archives. Sarah shares a journal entry from December 2004, the year before she entered high school. Jule offers a short, philosophical Facebook status from October 1, 2011. The status reads: "Pretty is what you are, beauty is what you do with it". The hosts also comment on the reality of the American high school experience for their "overseas gifties," confirming that features like the yellow school bus and the cafeteria rejections are "100% true".

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSAI for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

Have you ever reflected on how your friends’ parents impacted your life? And what if the strangers who leave reviews online are actually heroes among us?

This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Jule and Sarra dive into two unexpected sources of blessing: the parents who raised our friends and the "Heroes Among Us" who leave reviews!

🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁

The Gift of Friends' Parents

We explore the inherent gift of friends' parents. We recall that as kids, going to a friend's house meant observing a different "ecosystem" with a "different climate", "different rules," and "different snacks". As we got older, these figures went from an "exotic thing to visit to such a gift". We discuss the special feeling when "someone else's parent kind of scoops you up and takes you under their wing," often becoming a second parent or mentor. Jule shares how her best friend's mom calls her her "second daughter". Sarra recounts her long-distance roommate experience where the roommate's mother would check on her and even send money for dinner. We conclude that we owe these parents reverence for giving us our "amazing person".

The Gift of People Who Leave Reviews

We dive into the importance of reviewers, whom we call "Heroes Among Us" and "saints" who "should get medals". We celebrate their honesty and helpful hints, noting they provide crucial feedback on everything from food establishments, entertainment, and even churches. Sarra finds that reviews, especially when apartment hunting, have saved her so many times from shacks disguised as high-rises. We discuss the specific gift of women who leave reviews for clothing with photos and their measurements. Jule shares her love for reviewing new local restaurants, supporting people pursuing their "American dream". Overall, these people are truly "angels among us".

The Gift of Recommendations (Closing Segment)

In our closing segment, we share a round of "My Gift to You". Sarra recommends the nail polish brand Olive and June, noting her self-done gel manicure lasted two weeks. Jule recommends having a movie night and watching the 1990s film You've Got Mail, calling it one of her "comfort movies". We also share our gratitude for a recent recommendation to listen to the ABBA discography, which we agree is the "soundtrack of joy". Since leaving reviews helps us in our “fledgling days” as podcasters, we encourage gifties to leave us a good review because it actually helps. Don't forget, life is a gift, so receive it!

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AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSAI for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

In this episode of the What a Gift podcast, we sit down to talk about the unexpected gifts of bars and being single, focusing on how we transition from despair to being fully aware of the life we're living right now.

Whether you're like Jule—who loves finding community with strangers at a dive bar—or like Sarah, navigating the complexities and freedoms of being single in your 30s, let’s pull up a stool for some relatable stories, honest reflections, and perspectives on how life's plot twists can somehow end up being gifts.

🎁 What’s Inside 🎁

• Jule unwraps the gift of bars, especially the neighborhood corner spots where strangers come together seeking community. Hear why she champions the local watering hole over trendy millennial joints (and why a Touch Tunes jukebox is a non-negotiable). We discuss everything from taking over the vibe with the perfect song to the adventure of finding a karaoke bar in a gas station strip mall in Lincoln, Nebraska.

• Sarah unwraps the gift of being single, exploring the mindset shift required to see this season as a gift rather than a setback. She shares how being single allows her to be uniquely available to her friends and family, making a gift of herself in a way she couldn't otherwise. We get vulnerable about the pain of longing, the temptation to compare your life to your friends' or even your own past dreams, and the freedom that comes with trusting the story God is writing for you.

• We discuss the highs and lows of single life, from Jule recounting her fear of commitment when she met her now-husband to Sarah sharing the deep gratitude she feels for being able to support her sister through her engagement and marriage. We both agree that while singleness can be a painful tension, it's also a time filled with possibility, adventure, and the freedom to say "yes" to life.

• Stick around for our closing segment, My Gift to You, where we recommend some things we've been enjoying. Jule shares a must-have seasonal ice cream from Trader Joe's, and Sarah recommends a life-changing lip balm that will save you from chapped lips.

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

In this episode of What a Gift, we sit down to talk about the magical world of sleep and roommates, focusing on how we transition from drama and tea to what's God doing in me? 😂

(Side note, please comment or DM your ___ to ___ intro ideas as ours are getting worse and worse 🤢)

Whether you're like Jule—a light sleeper who needs the temperature exact and feels "scared and sad at night"—or just curious about how shared living spaces teach vital adult skills like communication and honesty, let’s cozy up together for some relatable stories, insights into nighttime rituals, and perspectives on how everyday challenges can somehow end up being gifts.

🎁 What’s Inside 🎁

• Sarra shares her love for being "horizontal" and her recent investment in lush, new bedding, including a burnt orange/brown gingham comforter. Meanwhile, Jule views rest as an "elusive gift" and a "mini death" that requires surrender and trust. Hear why Jule relied on Night Prayer to manage her college anxiety and why we both agree on brown noise supremacy over the aggressive white noise.

• We discuss why roommates are truly a school of life, teaching us vital adult skills. This includes learning communication, honesty, and knowing when to perform an act of service versus drawing necessary boundaries. Jule admits that due to her night owl tendencies getting out of hand, she knows living alone is not for her.

• We recount our harrowing "bonding eras"—from Jule becoming a "comrade in arms" with her former roommate during the "mouse gate" apocalypse in Philadelphia to Sarra surviving the covid lockdown by making late-night cookies and binging the Marvel movies and Grey's Anatomy.

• Stick around for our closing segment, White Elephant, where we decide whether to receive, return, or regift pop culture items like The Kardashians and public proposals.

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠