Mamas — 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

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One Step at a Time with God with Elizabeth Blanke

One Step at a Time with God with Elizabeth Blanke

Elizabeth Blanke never could have imagined she’d be a young widow, on her own with three small children.

Elizabeth’s husband and high school sweetheart passed away unexpectedly from a sudden heart attack.

Hear how God guided Elizabeth one step at a time to face the unimaginable.

From planning the funeral to learning taxes to becoming the sole parent of their three children, Elizabeth leaned into God’s holy presence and supernatural provision—with God, she was able to attend to all the details while God attended to Elizabeth’s heart.

Listen to this newest podcast in the Mamas in Spirit Easter Series and know that all things are truly possible with God.

From planning the funeral to learning taxes to becoming the sole parent of their three children, Elizabeth leaned into God’s holy presence and supernatural provision—with God, she was able to attend to all the details while God attended to Elizabeth’s heart.

Listen to this newest podcast in the Mamas in Spirit Easter Series and know that all things truly are possible with God.

Becoming Who God Dreams Me to Be with Ismael Fierro

Becoming Who God Dreams Me to Be with Ismael Fierro

Ismael Fierro and his wife Vanessa prepared for three years--and even learned French--to move from Mexico to Canada. However, when the time came to go, Ismael's company didn't offer him a job in Canada--they unexpectedly invited him to work in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ismael learned to let go of his own plan and surrender to God's will. He prayed, “Let me be the person you dreamt of when you created me.”

Soon thereafter, Ismael, Vanessa and their two small children landed in the Nashville airport to create a home in a country they didn't know with a language they didn't speak. Ismael sensed God with him in a sacred moment he will never forget.

In this Easter podcast, be inspired as Ismael shares what “Thy Will be Done” in the Our Father means to him, as well as his love for Saint Joseph and the Surrender Novena.

May we, like Ismael, always invoke the Holy Spirit in prayer and surrender our lives to God's will.

Glorifying God While Carrying a Cross with Lorraine Hess

Glorifying God While Carrying a Cross with Lorraine Hess

Lorraine Hess was touring for her new album about glorifying God when she found out that her home had been severely damaged in a house fire.

After returning home she felt drawn to Adoration.

While there, she heard God ask her, “Can you glorify me while you are carrying a cross?”

In this Easter podcast, hear how Lorraine was committed to glorifying God throughout the 20 months her family was displaced while fixing their home.

God sharpened Lorraine to stay in gratitude and recognize how people were watching her living witness.

Hear Lorraine sing about this experience in her song “A Heart That’s Been Purified” at the end of the podcast, and learn more about her at lorrainehess.com.

A New Heart: Imagine the Impossible with Don and Barb Weller

A New Heart: Imagine the Impossible with Don and Barb Weller

“I’m here for a change of heart.”

Don Weller spoke these words as he began the intake process for his heart transplant surgery.

When Don woke up from the surgery, the doctor handed him a stethoscope and Don listened to his replacement heart's beat for the first time. A little while later, his wife Barb, their son and two daughters were able to do the same.

But Don wasn't the only one in the hospital room receiving the miraculous gift of new life that day. As Don and Barb’s daughters listened to Don’s new heart, two tiny hearts were beating within them—they were both pregnant.

Don and Barb never could have imagined the gift of new life for Don and their new grandchildren. Listen to this Easter podcast and imagine what may seem impossible for your life, too!

Radical Empathy with Tim Forbes, Judge Dinkins Educational Center

Radical Empathy with Tim Forbes, Judge Dinkins Educational Center

Tim Forbes scored a goal at his college lacrosse game and looked up to see who was cheering loudly--Tim will never forget spotting his friend, Santis, as well as a young, homeless man they had befriended, Thomas.

Tim learned "radical empathy" through his encounters with Thomas.

Tim was touched by Thomas' humanity and saw Christ residing in him--Thomas also ministered to Tim.

Through this experience in his young adulthood, coupled with many years of ministry and a career in Catholic school administration, God has taught Tim to practice empathy with those he serves, as well as those he disagrees or struggles with.

Tim senses God's call to hope and serve in all circumstances--he is now working at the Judge Dinkins Educational Center, which "provides juvenile vocational training in Davidson County for adolescents who might be at risk or engaged with the juvenile or criminal justice system. The Center’s programs are supported by social and emotional learning and focused on sustainable, hands-on education for long-term employment." Learn more at jdecnash.org.

A Death and Birth at Dawn with Megan Nix

A Death and Birth at Dawn with Megan Nix

The dawn of each day is a precious time for Megan Nix--her youngest daughter was born at the start of a new day and her beloved mother later went home to God in the early morning hours.

Megan came to learn that not only was dawn the start of these soul-touching days, but also new seasons in her life. Seasons in which Megan would come to know the depth of grief and boundlessness of love.

Megan's daughter was was born into silence due to deafness caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Megan's heart was met with great sorrow as she processed the impact, learned the avoidable cause she was never told about and advocated for her daughter.

Megan discovered Aquinas’ Remedies for Sorrow as she attended to her grief. Listen as Megan weaves personal stories of sorrow and healing with Aquinas’ Remedies for Sorrow.

Learn more about Megan and her book “Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth” at megannix.com.

Thy Will be Done with Courtney Siebring, Author of "Little Spark of Life"

Thy Will be Done with Courtney Siebring, Author of "Little Spark of Life"

"In her life, Lord, be glorified."

These are the words Courtney Siebring sang as she cuddled and prayed over the baby girl Courtney and her husband were fostering.

Courtney had experienced infertility and longed to be a mother more than anything--yet the department of social services told Courtney and her husband they would not be keeping the baby girl that they already loved so dearly.

Courtney learned the meaning of "Thy will be done" in a way she never had before.

What unfolded was completely unexpected and clearly God's plan: Courtney and her husband learned this baby would become their daughter through adoption.

Listen to this Advent podcast and be inspired to loosen control in your life, offer your very heart to the Lord and experience the peace and joy that can only come from Christ.

Courtney is the author of Little Spark of Life: A Celebration of Born and Preborn Human Life. Learn more at www.littlesparkoflifebook.com.

God Sought Me in My Sorrow with Emily Adams of The Little Souls

God Sought Me in My Sorrow with Emily Adams of The Little Souls

When Emily and her husband went to a routine sonogram appointment seventeen weeks into her pregnancy, the technician struggled to find a heartbeat.

They were told they’d have to wait two hours for an ultrasound technician to take a closer look in the hope their baby was okay.

Emily knew she needed to go somewhere she felt safe—they were close to The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Emily and her husband headed to the noon Mass to wait.

While Emily felt wrapped in the sacredness of the Mass, she also was overwhelmed with worry and sorrow. Deep down she knew there would be no heartbeat as she prayed the Angelus “Be it done to me according to Thy word.”

Once it was confirmed the baby had no heartbeat, Emily knew she would deliver baby John David. She and her husband wanted to hold him.

Hear how God sought Emily through sorrow as she experienced His consolation and call to help others heal from sorrow.

God Draws Us Close with Kayce Maddux

God Draws Us Close with Kayce Maddux

Kayce Maddux lost her sister when she was in third grade. In their suffering, Kayce's family stopped going to church for a time. Yet God met Kayce right where she was at in the intimacy of her heart and backyard of her home.

Jesus became Kayce's very best friend.

Kayce continued to seek God throughout her adolescence and was blessed to meet her husband at a young age--she was surprised when they sat atop a lifeguard tower and talked about their passionate love of God during their first full conversation.

Kayce converted to Catholicism to get married to her husband in the Church. Kayce talks about how God works through all things, met her as a young bride and drew her closer than she had ever been before.

Kayce continues grow close to God through the Sacraments and prayers she has been blessed with in the Catholic Church.

Kayce recognizes how God draws us near every day in all things. She recognizes the sacred balance between having Catholic friendships centered in the Lord, while also being surrounded with those different from her to discover God more fully and stay ignited with the fire of His love.

Seeking God with All My Heart with Natalie Hanemann

Seeking God with All My Heart with Natalie Hanemann

For many years Natalie Hanemann's prayer life was one of routine and came from a place of obedience. But her heart longed for more. Natalie was struck when she heard about "the interior life," as well as Saint Catherine of Sienna's words about the “interior cell.”

At around the same time Natalie's family was experiencing significant brokenness--this inspired Natalie to seek God with all her heart and soul.

Natalie's heart was opened and soul touched as she found God in everything, from Adoration to hikes to runs in nature.

Natalie realized she had been trying to fix her family herself. She discovered Christ walking with her and not only offering to carry her "backpack of burdens," but holding her hand as she proceeded forward in these relationships that mattered most.

Natalie experienced profound healing and sharpening--she was healed from a judgemental spirit and learned to be more loving and merciful.

Natalie wants listeners to know that God is speaking intimately and personally to each of us. May we seek God with all of our hearts.

Natalie is an editor and ghostwriter. Learn more at nataliehanemann.com.

I'm A Miracle with Dorris Walker-Taylor of Thistle Farms

I'm A Miracle with Dorris Walker-Taylor of Thistle Farms

Dorris Walker-Taylor is a survivor of sexual exploitation and addiction, as well as a graduate and now employee of the program that helped save her, Thistle Farms. Dorris landed at Thistle Farms after twenty-six years of addiction. She attributes the women at Thistle Farms for loving her back to life.

Dorris grew up with her parents in a lovely neighborhood where everyone knew each other. When she was twelve her world shattered—a troubled family member severely injured her mother and killed her father.

Dorris tried to numb her feelings through marijuana. Once marijuana didn’t have the same effect, she started using cocaine. Dorris was addicted to cocaine, lived on the streets of Nashville and was in and out of jail by the time she was an adult.

Dorris talks of her mom’s home as a praying home. When Dorris returned home at her mother's request to sing in a choir reunion. Dorris obliged and sang, "You're Looking at a Miracle" by Lemmie Battles.

Dorris had no idea that her mother's prayers, coupled with this request for her to sing, would change her life just as the song said: miraculously.

The tagline of Thistle Farms is “Love Heals” and they believe love is the most powerful force for change in the world. Thistle Farms was founded in 1997 by Becca Stevens and helps rescue women from human trafficking, sexual exploitation, addiction and abuse.

Forgiving When It's Hardest with Rachel Muha of The Brian Muha Foundation and Run the Race

Forgiving When It's Hardest with Rachel Muha of The Brian Muha Foundation and Run the Race

Brian Muha and his beloved friend Aaron were randomly and brutally murdered on May 31st, 1999. Two eighteen-year-olds high on cocaine broke into their college apartment, kidnapped and killed them.

In this podcast Brian’s mom Rachel Muha shares her journey of learning the meaning of forgiveness--she prays daily for Terrell and Nathan, the boys who killed Brian (they are incarcerated).

Rachel attended the court proceedings and learned more about Terrell and Nathan--the boys "were so damaged, because they weren’t loved.”

Rachel felt God's call to care for inner-city children.

Rachel founded The Brian Muha and Run the Race Foundations in Columbus, Ohio in honor of her son, Brian. Rachel spends her days with inner-city children of Columbus, Ohio providing basic needs and sharing the presence, joy and mercy of Christ.

Rachel encourages listeners to open their hearts, forgive and ask for forgiveness—this is a great weapon against darkness. She says, "when we forgive, God gives back a thousand times more."

To donate or volunteer go to brianmuhafoundation.org.

Confident Expectation: Put All Your Trust in God with Michelle McCallum of A Common Life

Confident Expectation: Put All Your Trust in God with Michelle McCallum of A Common Life

"Have confident expectation of God."

When Michelle McCallum's mom spoke these words many years ago, Michelle had no idea they would hold such profound meaning for her when two of her own children were diagnosed with chronic illness (both with rare liver diseases and one with Crohn's Disease).

In this Easter podcast, Michelle talks about her choice to trust God--Michelle recognizes she has very little control over her life or the lives of her children and surrenders everything to Him.

Michelle shares how having a heart of gratitude, being real about both the difficulty and blessings of her everyday life and trusting God's abiding presence helps her to live in the peace and joy only God can give.

Allowing Ourselves to Be Loved with Lisa Canning, The Possibility Mom

Allowing Ourselves to Be Loved with Lisa Canning, The Possibility Mom

Lisa Canning is a Catholic wife, mother and business woman who seems to be able to do it all.

Yet Lisa shares that doing it all herself is impossible--for this "Possibility Mom" all things are only possible with God.

In this Easter Podcast, Lisa shares how she is constantly being sharpened as she re-surrenders her life, business and plans over to God and trusts in a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

One of the greatest gifts Lisa has learned is to loosen her grip of control and open her heart to being loved in ways she never could have imagined.

Preparing My Husband for Heaven with Kendra Tierney of Catholic All Year

Preparing My Husband for Heaven with Kendra Tierney of Catholic All Year

Kendra Tierney's husband Jim was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma sixteen years before he passed away last summer. Kendra faced great ambiguity beginning the day Jim was first diagnosed--that very morning Kendra chose to "wait to worry."

God carried and consoled Kendra each day as she trusted in the Lord and radically surrendered to His plan, rather than her own.

The rich tradition, prayers and Sacraments of our Catholic faith blessed Kendra as she prepared Jim for Heaven, processed all that was unfolding and walked with her children (ages 3-19) through the passing of their father.

Kendra shares intimate moments she witnessed God at work: Jim's last conversation before dying was "a good Confession" and the final thing he saw and ate was the Eucharist.

Kendra is a Catholic homemaker, homeschooler and mother of ten children. She created Catholic All Year (CAY) to use food, prayer, and conversation based around the liturgical calendar to share the lives of the saints and the beautiful truths and traditions of our Catholic faith.

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Loving Others Where They Are with Fr. Jon Meyer, Chaplain

Loving Others Where They Are with Fr. Jon Meyer, Chaplain

In this Advent podcast, Fr. Jon Meyer and Lindy Wynne explore how to meet and love others where they are.

Fr. Jon and Lindy talk about self-awareness of one's own internal experience, as well as personal intimacy with God. Loving and meeting others where they are begins with us allowing God to love and meet us where we are first.

Fr. Jon and Lindy also delve into the intricacies of loving others, especially when it's difficult.

Listeners are reminded that every Christmas is a new Christmas to love--Christ invites us to experience God's love reborn in our hearts time and time again.

Vessels of the Holy Spirit with John Angotti

Vessels of the Holy Spirit with John Angotti

John Angotti reaches out and connects others to God by creating and telling stories with his music for worship and liturgy.

In this Advent podcast, John shares about his experience as an adopted son and journey of healing with both his adoptive and biological parents. John discovered that separation anxiety has been a core struggle thorughout his life, due to being removed from his birth mother and kept in the hospital for months after his birth.

John shares how we all experience separation anxiety in some way due to our separation from God while on Earth. Yet, John reminds listeners that, ultimately, “we dwell in God and God dwells in us.” We are meant to be vessels of the Holy Spirit to share the love of God throughout our lifetimes.

John sings his new song, "There's Life After Hell."

Combatting the Crisis of Masculinity with Father Jon Meyer and Brian Wynne

Combatting the Crisis of Masculinity with Father Jon Meyer and Brian Wynne

Father Jon Meyer, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit and Brian Wynne explore the current crisis of masculinity in our culture. They share how manhood is a total gift of self with Saint Joseph as a model and Christ as the ultimate model.

Father Jon and Brian also talk about ways to combat the crisis of masculinity with specific suggestions: building men and boys up, encouraging men and boys to identify role models they can spend time with, encouraging men to attend men's retreats and small groups, praying for our men and encouraging them to pray with and for one another.

Weight, Shame and Grace with Jennie Guinn of Catholic Moms in the Middle

Weight, Shame and Grace with Jennie Guinn of Catholic Moms in the Middle

Jennie Guinn, Life Coach at Catholic Moms in the Middle, shares her struggle with shame and unworthiness. For many years these feelings were deeply tied into her battle to lose weight.

Jennie realized her weight loss was a spiritual matter that couldn't be fixed with things of the world alone. Jennie began to lose weight as she spent more time in solitude with the Lord and was honest about what was unfolding in her heart. Jennie found an eating program that works great for her and is now close to her weight loss goal.

Jennie discoverd the most significant part of her weight loss journey was “losing the weight of the lies she had been telling herself.”

Jennie's time of solitude and weight loss has been part of what she calls a “Season of Grace." Jennie has created an acronym for the world "Grace" that reflects her personal journey with God:

God’s Mercy
Rest
Awareness
Connection
Epiphany

The Holy Path with Lori Stanley

The Holy Path with Lori Stanley

Lori Stanley, Executive Director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality talks about the practice of Ignatian Spirituality. She shares how God is always present and at work in our lives.

Lori created a way to examine her heart and help her to align her will with God's holy will. Lori utilizes the acronym PATH.

P: What principles are guiding my life right now?

A:Who am I associating with and how are they impacting my relationship with God?

T: What thoughts are going through my mind? What am I feeding myself by thinking about myself?

H: What habits am I aware of that are obstacles to listen to God? How can I be more disciplined to respond to God’s call in my life?

Lori also shares about forgiveness and tells an intimate story in which God guided her to ask for forgiveness when she was wounded by two people she loves.