Episodes — Mamas in Spirit Catholic Podcast and Ministry for Women

A Mini-Retreat in a Podcast

Heartfelt conversations with guests about how god has transformed their LIVES

The Virtuous Life with Sr. John Dominic, OP of Disciple of Christ-Education in Virtue

The Virtuous Life with Sr. John Dominic, OP of Disciple of Christ-Education in Virtue

God had a virtuous plan for Sr. John Dominic Rasmussen, OP.

Sr. John Dominic grew up in a non-religious household. Her life transformed when she began attending a Christian school and reading the Bible as a child.

Eventually, Sr. John Dominic converted to Catholicism and joined the Nashville Dominicans. Fifteen years later, she and three other Sisters established the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Join us for the inaugural episode of the Mamas in Spirit “Women of Wisdom” series! Be inspired by Sr. John Dominic as she explores themes such as conversion, prayer, patience, trust in the slow work of God, and ultimately, how to lead a virtuous life.

St. Gregory of Nyssa said, “The goal of living a virtuous life is to become more like God.” May we—by the grace of God—do just this!

"Disciple of Christ, Education in Virtue” provides easy-to-use resources and materials developed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, and based on St. Thomas Aquinas' teaching on the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit. These resources provide a framework that helps all ages understand how to live a more virtuous life. Learn more at https://openlightmedia.com.

Lindy WynneJune 12, 2025Comment

God Prepared Us For The War with Valeriia Cherednychenko of Catholic Charities

God Prepared Us For The War with Valeriia Cherednychenko of Catholic Charities

On a February morning about three years ago, Valeriia Cherednychenko and her family woke up to explosions outside their home in Ukraine. When Valeriia looked out, she saw missiles exploding.

Valeriia and her husband immediately hid with their four daughters in an interior room of their home. Once there was a break in the missile attacks, they fled the country.

Listen to this Easter podcast to hear Valeriia’s moving story about how strangers helped meet her family’s basic needs and get them to safety during the most threatening time of their lives.

Learn to reflect on your life and recognize how God was at work even when you didn’t realize it, too.

Once in Nashville, Tennessee, Valeriia and her family received assistance from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, through their “New Americans” program. Following Christ’s example, Catholic Charities recognizes the dignity of all people and serves our neighbors. Learn more at: https://cctenn.org.

Run to God with Maddie de Aquino

Run to God with Maddie de Aquino

While praying, Maddie de Aquino heard God speak to her heart as a young girl:

"You are mine, and I am yours."

Maddie thought she was being called to religious life.

However, everything shifted when Maddie was 15 and her beloved mother passed away from a stroke. Consumed by anger, Maddie distanced herself from God.

She could not have imagined how God would pursue her and transform her heart.

Now, Maddie is a consecrated virgin. She has made a vow of perpetual virginity and offers her spiritual motherhood in service to the Church.

In this Easter podcast, learn how to run to God, even amidst great sorrow.

Maddie is a digital missionary and works under Monsignor Lucio Ruiz, Secretary of the Dicastery for Communications of the Holy See.

God, Please Tell Me What to Do with Patty Magid

God, Please Tell Me What to Do with Patty Magid

At 47, Patty Magid discovered two things: she was pregnant and she had a lump in her breast.

Overcome with concern for her husband, her children and the baby she carried, Patty prayed to God to tell her what to do.

As she drove by her church in Jersey, God revealed the answer.

Patty faithfully obeyed and for 9 months did not know if her baby would survive—or if cancer would take her from her older daughters and husband.

Learn the miracle Patty discovered when she delivered her youngest daughter on December 22, 1999.

And discover how to make Easter decisions--choices that are made in tiny moments but have an eternal impact.

My Easter Miracle with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer and Host Lindy Wynne

My Easter Miracle with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer and Host Lindy Wynne

Host Lindy Wynne experienced the grace of Easter when she was baptized at 21 years old.

Join Lindy and Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer in this Easter "mini-retreat in a podcast," as they explore God's transformational love--a love that is pure gift.

Remaining in God's love can be challenging for us, especially in difficult seasons. Increasing our awareness of God's abundant blessings helps us accept and abide in this eternal love.

God always wants to penetrate our hearts and bless us with new life.

Listen and learn how!

Saints are Working for Us with Christine Rich

Saints are Working for Us with Christine Rich

Christine Rich has learned the Saints are working for her in a very real way.

A number of years ago, Christine didn't understand why she felt drawn to choose Saint Valentine as her Saint of the Year.

Months later, God caught her attention when she realized that the morning she signed papers to leave the large, Catholic company she co-founded was Valentine’s Day.

After signing the papers, Christine went to pray at a local convent where Venerable Patrick Peyton had spent his final years. Christine even sat and prayed in his chair.

Years later, Christine's daughter and son-in-law would name their first child Peyton. Peyton was born on Valentine’s Day.

Listen to this Easter podcast and learn how the Saints are working for you, too!

Christine Rich is a contributor to Clouds of Witnesses: 25 Stories of Saintly Inspiration and Intercession.

Faith First with Alicia Bell of GraceWorks Ministries

Faith First with Alicia Bell of GraceWorks Ministries

Alicia Bell’s word for this year: Surrender.

When Alicia was promoted to her dream job of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at GraceWorks Ministries, she was shocked to have a cancer scare at the same time. Uncomfortable ambiguity was amplified when Alicia was faced with unexpected challenges in her family.

While Alicia was blessed to have Jesus in her heart since she was young, this time required even greater trust. Alicia began to let go of her expectations, plans and very self in order to live the will of God and allow the Holy Spirit to do miraculous work.

Alicia experienced how God’s grace reaches to the innermost details of her heart and life.

In this Easter podcast, learn how God’s grace really does work.

GraceWorks’ mission is to share God’s grace, through food, shelter and support. It does this by neighbor serving neighbor. Learn more at: https://www.graceworkstn.org.

Live Loved with Jared Geesey of Angel Studios and the King of Kings Film

Live Loved with Jared Geesey of Angel Studios and the King of Kings Film

When Jared Geesey was a boy, he remembers his Sunday School teacher telling him that faith wouldn’t just happen because he was the son of a pastor. Jared needed to have a personal relationship with Christ.

Jared discovered the meaning of her words when he became a missionary and was forever changed. He now shares about the light of Christ as the Chief Distribution Officer and Executive Producer of King of Kings at Angel Studios.

Most important to Jared, is that his sons know "the greatest story ever told." Jared and his wife have prayed their sons would know the profound love of God and "live loved" since they were small.

In this Easter podcast, embrace the life of Christ in a new way and discover how you, too, can share the greatest story ever told.

See the film The King of Kings in a movie theatre near you now! In The King of Kings "a father tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice. The King of Kings invites us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child."

How God Gets You Through the Worst Kind of Suffering with Angela Perez Baraquio

How God Gets You Through the Worst Kind of Suffering with Angela Perez Baraquio

Content Warning! This podcast is not suitable for children and contains sensitive content. Please read the entire description.

The last time Angela saw her brother, Albert, he kissed her belly. Angela was nine months pregnant and had just asked Albert to be the Godfather of her baby.

That was the last time Angela saw Albert alive.

Weeks later Angela traveled from California to her homeland of Hawaii (she had been crowned Miss America, Hawaii years earlier). As Angela stood at the security gate holding her new baby, she prepared to board a plane to attend her late brother’s funeral.

Angela’s brother died much too young when he took his own life. Angela now understood the sacred value of life “from womb to tomb” in a profound way. She was caught between the glorious joy of new life and the indescribable agony of sudden and tragic death.

In this final Lenten Podcast, learn how Christ meets us when we are on our knees and have no idea how to stand. Be blessed with new life by the grace of God, even when you think it may be impossible.

Lindy WynneApril 17, 2025Comment

Surrendering My Wife to God with Kevin Wells

Surrendering My Wife to God with Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells had a failed brain surgery. Then his wife, Krista secretly started binge drinking red wine to cover her hidden shame.

This began years of a long, dark night in Kevin and Krista’s home and marriage.

At first Kevin’s spiritual practices left him frustrated-until Kevin learned to grip onto Christ in a way he had never before and completely surrender his wife, marriage and family to God.

Hear this profound story of redemption and how one man--by the grace of God--goes to the ends of the earth for his wife and children. Be blessed with a sacred blueprint of how to let God save when everything seems lost.

Kevin Wells is the author of “The Hermit: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family.”

Honestly Healing with Brya Hanan of Hanan Hope and Healing

Honestly Healing with Brya Hanan of Hanan Hope and Healing

Honesty leads us to deeper healing—and ultimately to a greater ability to love and be loved.

In this Lenten Podcast with Brya Hanan, LMFT, discover how Lent is the perfect time to experience the healing touch of God.

Brya experienced trauma as a child that left her feeling that there was something wrong with her--she just wasn't enough.

When Brya's mom and stepfather started exploring Catholicism, God’s grace simultaneously began pouring in.

A single moment in Adoration changed Brya's life. Jesus invited Brya into a personal relationship.

Hear how Brya continued to experience the healing touch of the Divine Physician through therapy and her Catholic faith.

Like Brya, sit in Christ's presence and know you are His beloved daughter.

Brya is the author of Befriending your Inner Child: A Catholic Approach to Healing and Wholeness.

When Your Suffering Seems Too Much with Chaplain Fr. John Meyer

When Your Suffering Seems Too Much with Chaplain Fr. John Meyer

What do you do when you are suffering and want nothing more than to avoid it?

The holy mystery of “Jesus is the Garden” is the sacred blueprint to follow when what we are facing seems too much to bear.

Learn how to go to God, even in the times you want to run away.

This Lent, allow the Divine Physician to hold and propel you forward to new life.

Wrestle Close to Christ with Roxie Beckles of That Black Catholic Chick

Wrestle Close to Christ with Roxie Beckles of That Black Catholic Chick

"Quitting the Christian Life. It's Too Hard...."

This is the title of a YouTube video Roxie Beckles, "That Black Catholic Chick" filmed a year ago. Roxie awakened in the very early morning hours and was having a "dark night of the soul."

Roxie's depth of vulnerability about her personal struggle with the demands of an authentic Christian life was untouched before Roxie pushed "publish." The video has over 30K views.

There is no mistaking that Roxie knows suffering.

In this Lenten podcast, Roxie revisits where she was at a year ago when she filmed this video. She then takes a deep dive into what she has learned from God ever since.

We can't be lukewarm in our Catholic faith--we must make a complete surrender and be "all in." This includes sharing barrenly about our struggles with our faith and wrestling close to Christ.

Roxie encourages listeners with this: If you aren’t wrestling in some way with your faith, you need to go deeper this Lent.

You can find Roxie on YouTube @thatblackcatholicchick or @TheologyOfFitness, as well as at https://www.roxiebeckles.com.

God Stopped Me from Leaving with Nicole Berlucchi of "Magnify Love"

God Stopped Me from Leaving with Nicole Berlucchi of "Magnify Love"

“You’re going to stay in this marriage.” This was the message Nicole Berlucchi heard from God.

Before this, Nicole was convinced she was doing most of the work at home and in her marriage. Her friends told her she was a “saint” for putting up with her husband. To top it off, Nicole’s husband was unwilling to go to therapy.

Nicole was sure God was on her side.

Nicole left her husband for four days to discern if she was going to leave him. While Nicole entered this time of discernment relatively certain she was headed for divorce, God made it clear that Nicole needed to change and give her marriage a chance.

Nicole engaged in a very difficult season of healing that resulted in the transformation of her heart and marriage.

Listen to this mini-retreat in a podcast in Mamas in Spirit’s Lenten Series: HEAL. Allow God to help you remove barriers to love and be loved.

Nicole Berlucchi is the author of “Magnify Love: Unlocking the Heart of Jesus in Your Marriage and Your Life.”

HEAL with Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center

HEAL with Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center

“Healing happens organically as love is being expressed,” says Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center

In this mini-retreat in a podcast, Dr. Bob shares how important it is to listen and be attentive to what spiritual practices the Holy Spirit is drawing you to this Lent--so the Divine Physician can bless you with healing.

As we look at our patterns of sin and chronic wounds we have carried with us for a long time, we must remember God sees us in our wholeness. And remember that we cannot fix our own brokenness; however, we can name it and bring it to Jesus for healing.

Dr. Bob shares stories, including when he had a panic attack and realized his own need for healing. As Dr. Bob engaged in the healing process, he learned that beneath his anxiety was abandonment from his parents’ divorce. The pain in his heart began to heal through the love of God and he forgave his parents. Healing is a life-long journey that we all need to engage in.

Pope Benedict XVI said, “Whoever truly wishes to heal man must see him in his wholeness and must know that his ultimate healing can only be God’s love.”

May we bring all of ourselves to God this Lent, to discover the healing touch of The One who loves us completely.

Learn more about Dr. Bob Schuchts, the John Paul II Healing Center and additional opportunities for healing at https://jpiihealingcenter.org.

Merry Christmas to YOU! with Host Lindy Wynne and Her Youngest Daughter

Merry Christmas to YOU! with Host Lindy Wynne and Her Youngest Daughter

Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas!

Mamas in Spirit will return on March 6th, 2025 for Season 7.

Subscribe now!

May God bless you and yours, always.

Navigating Friendships with Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett

Navigating Friendships with Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett

Has a friend hurt you or left you out?

Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett was just about to leave for a party hosted by a dear friend when she received a text—Mary Ruth’s friend asked her to come a little later, because she was running behind.

Mary Ruth pulled up social media to pass time and was surprised to see a live photo posted by her friend. The image showed the host and many of Mary Ruth’s friends gathered around her friend’s table eating dinner. It turned out that the party was already in full swing.

In reality, Mary Ruth realized she was on the B List and was the only one of all her friends to be invited to the “after party.”

Mary Ruth was crushed.

Yet, while incredibly difficult, Mary Ruth chose to dig deep into this experience to better understand herself, her friendships and God’s hopes for her.

In this Advent Podcast Mary Ruth shares the wisdom she learned about sisterhood in Christ and the healing grace of God.

Learn how God blessed Mary Ruth with a new heart to love and friendships deeply rooted in Christ.

Discover how you can receive the beautiful gift of sisterhood in Christ, too!

Beauty Begins Within with O'Maria Akpati of Beauty Unbound

Beauty Begins Within with O'Maria Akpati of Beauty Unbound

What is beauty?

This is the question O’Maria Akpati answers in this week’s Advent Podcast.

As a former celebrity makeup artist, O’Maria discovered that beauty had nothing to do with the exterior. She found that when celebrities used makeup to become more beautiful, their self-esteem decreased.

O'Maria left her job and discerned becoming a Discalced Carmelite for two years. During this time, God revealed to O'Maria her personal mission: to help women become “Godfident” in their God-given beauty.

Listen to O’Maria’s personal story of conversion--and discover how God is calling you to embrace your God-given beauty, too!

Cradled by Christ with Dr. Mildred Chen

Cradled by Christ with Dr. Mildred Chen

Do people see me? Do people hear me? Do they love me?

These are the questions that ten-year-old Mildred Chen, feeling lost in the middle of five daughters, asked herself.

When the sixth child was born into her family, Mildred was asked to clean his dirty diapers--a chore she felt terrible about. One day while she was completing this task, she heard a dark voice telling her to jump into the nearby water well.

And Mildred did.

As she fell into the well, Mildred found herself in a deep sleep and sensed herself being cradled.

Instead of drowning, she awoke standing in a small amount of water, a miracle because it was typhoon season with heavy rains.

Mildred survived to tell this miraculous story, as well as her discovery of the spiritual world and her spiritual charism.

Mildred's professions are also healing ministries: she is both a pediatrician and spiritual director.

Listen to this Advent mini-retreat in a podcast and ponder your spiritual charism, too!

Gratitude: A Path to God with Megan Lynch

Gratitude: A Path to God with Megan Lynch

Megan Lynch couldn’t believe it when she felt a lump in her breast. With four young children and no risk factors, Megan was sure it wasn’t cancer.

Yet it was.

Then the doctor told Megan the cancer may have spread into her bones. If it did, she would have a year to live.

Megan waited three weeks for test results to see if she would survive the year. During that time, Megan prayed:

Lord, if this is the last year of my life please keep me open to you. Please keep the door of my heart open so your love shines through me.

In this Thanksgiving podcast, hear how Megan surrendered to God’s will and practiced gratitude while facing the unknown.

Listen and learn how to live in gratitude and God’s will, too!