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

“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!

The First Armless Pilot's Catholic Faith with Jessica Cox of "Right Footed"

There was silence in the delivery room when Jessica Cox was born—Jessica’s parents and the doctors were stunned to see she was born without arms.

As Jessica’s father held her that morning, a stranger approached and said how special he and Jessica's mom must be to bless them with Jessica-- Jessica's parents not only remembered their faith that morning, but they shared it with Jessica.

Jessica, in turn, has been blessed with supernatural perseverance and determination in her lifetime.

Be inspired in this Easter podcast as Jessica shares almost unimaginable achievements (like Guinness World Record: The Only Pilot to Fly With Their Feet), as well as the moment she gave Pope Benedict her Guinness medal.

Jessica has spent her life swimming, surfing, scuba diving, doing Taekwondo and flying planes. All things truly are possible with God.

Love is Everything with Immaculée Ilibagiza

Immaculée Ilibagiza followed her father’s instructions and ran to her neighbor’s house to hide at the start of the Rwandan genocide. She spent the next three months huddled in a tiny bathroom with seven other women, while extremist members of another tribe tried to find and kill them.

It was in this bathroom that Immaculée gave her heart to God and began to pray in a way she never had before—as she recited the words of the Rosary, peace veiled and healed her from the anger and fear that otherwise consumed her.

When Immaculée finally left the bathroom at the end of the genocide, she learned that her parents, grandparents, siblings, 950 schoolmates and so many more had been murdered.

While Immaculée cried out for her loved ones, she sensed God holding her tight and telling her that her journey on Earth was not over. While her family was in heaven, she still had a mission.

Since that moment thirty years ago, Immaculée continues to wake up every day and ask the same question that echoed in her heart so long ago: How much can you love with what God has given you?

In this Easter podcast, learn that love is everything.

My Greatest Cross with Sister Gianna Junker, O.P.

On Holy Thursday Sister Gianna Junker, a Nashville Dominican, had a conversion of heart in which she learned to accept suffering and discovered what she grappled with most.

“I am my suffering. I am my biggest cross.”

While Sister Gianna, like all of us, found it easy to blame her suffering on other people and circumstances in her life, she realized that the person who most needed healing was her.

As Sister Gianna accepted her own interior struggle she learned a profound lesson: when we sit in a place where we can be in our own weakness and cry out to God, that is when he can reveal his love.

Sometimes we are forced to feel dependent, humiliated or weak--this can be incredibly uncomfortable. Yet, if we can experience these interior struggles to the point of throwing ourselves into the arms of Christ and confessing our full dependence on him, it is then we can receive the gifts of healing and joy.

We must get out of the way and let God work.

Religion and SpiritualityLindy WynneMarch 28, 2024Comment

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.

Christ: The Face of Mercy with Susan Skinner

Susan Skinner discovered she had the gift of discernment of spirits.

Susan’s son had slept over at his friend's home before, but this time Susan felt uneasy; she said yes to playing during the day, but no to the overnight invitation.

Susan dropped her son off and chatted with the friend’s mom, Veronica, in her living room. The next day, Veronica was murdered right where she and Susan had been standing about 12 hours earlier.

Susan's suffering consumed her as she grappled to understand how a loving God could ever let this happen.

Learn how God met Susan as she lay in tears on her bathroom floor. As God's whispered into Susan's heart, she began to heal and love in ways she never knew possible.

Listen to this Lenten podcast and deepen your relationship with Christ, The Face of Mercy.

Mother Cabrini's Empire of Hope with Rod Barr, "Cabrini" Movie Screenwriter

Screenwriter Rod Barr shares how God had a plan for Mother Francesca Cabrini that was not her own.

At the turn of the 20th century, the dream of a better life inspired Italian immigrants to journey to America. Tragically, most found themselves among the poorest of the poor and even homeless--including the children.

While Mother Cabrini had committed her heart to ministry in China, Pope Leo XIII directed her to help these immigrants where they had landed in New York City.

While many build empires for themselves, Saint Frances Cabrini built one for God.

In this Lenten podcast, hear how Saint Cabrini's revolutionary heart for Christ changed Rod's own heart to create this film about The First American Saint. Learn about this nun of supernatural faith, determination and perseverance--and allow her life to change yours.

Go see the movie Cabrini in a theater near you beginning Friday, March 8th!

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.

Hope Even at the Bottom of the Bottle with Tara Nowell

As a young girl, Tara Nowell began to believe the lie that she couldn’t depend on anyone but herself. Eventually, this became anyone but herself and “the bottle.”

Even when she was at her rock bottom with alcoholism, Tara did not deny God’s existence--she just wanted Him to leave her alone.

Yet through the love of Christ and her beloved parents, God pursued Tara. After years of denial and resistance, Tara entered a Catholic Healing Center Cenacolo and God began to chisel away at Tara's hardened heart.

While Tara wanted to leave Cenacolo, she took the advice of a woman who encouraged her to stay until a miracle happened. Tara did just this.

Listen to this inspiring podcast and know that your miracle can happen, too!

From Suspicion To Trust with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer

Our Church family is divided. Yet Christ calls us to communion in Him.

In this Lenten podcast, Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer and host Lindy Wynne explore how the division in our Catholic Church increases our sense of unhealthy suspicion and harms our capacity to love as we are called.

In life there is a healthy, intuitive suspicion we are blessed with that helps to keep us and our children safe. At the same time, there is a suspicion that is not of God and divides us even as we are called to be unified in Christ.

This Lent let’s invite Christ to help us sift through our suspicion and heal what is not of Him. May we grow in trust and become one body in Christ!

Go to mamasinspirit.com to subscribe.

Merry Christmas! with The Wynne Children

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas!

Mamas in Spirit Season 6 will begin on Thursday, February 15th with the Lenten Series.

Host Lindy Wynne will be doing a virtual Lenten Plan for Catholic Moms with John Bosio on Fridays at 11am CST during Lent 2024. Go to mamasinspirit.com and enter your email to get more information.

Can't wait to be with you for Season 6! May God bless you and yours, always.

Merry Christmas!

The Gift of Love with Kathy Tankersley

By the time Kathy Tankersley was 23 years old, she was a single mom of five children.

Kathy vividly remembers being in church and praying on her knees for a someone she could truly trust and confide in. Then she met Rex Tankersley.

The day after their weekend honeymoon, Rex sat her five children down and asked them if they wanted him to be their dad. The children responded with a resounding "Yes!"

The children are now grown and have children of their own. Rex has also passed and Kathy reflects on why she says:

Don't feel sorry for me, because I have been so loved.

Listen to this Advent podcast and allow Kathy's gift of storytelling open your heart to the wondrous gift of God's love.

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.

Saying "Yes" to God's Plan with Brenda Hauk of BrightStone

"You know who's going to have to do this."

The words Brenda Hauk's husband spoke penetrated her heart--she knew she was called by God to something so much bigger than herself.

Even though Brenda was frightened, she said "yes" to a plan that was clearly not her own.

Brenda started BrightStone, a comprehensive work, social support, and residential community for adults with special needs, expanding their potential and helping them develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Let Brenda's "yes" and the tremendous blessing that has come from it inspire your own fiat in this Advent podcast.

Learn more at brightstone.org.

Awe of Advent with Fr. Ed Steiner, Pastor of St. Philip Catholic Church

When Fr. Ed Steiner was just 5 years old, there was a knock on his front door during supper. Fr. Ed excitedly ran to see who it was. What he found he never could have imagined.

It was Santa Claus!

To the day Fr. Ed still finds himself stirred with a similar sense of awe he experienced that very moment he saw Santa as a young boy. Yet Fr. Ed recognizes what he is really waiting for is the coming of Christ.

In this Advent podcast Fr. Ed reflects on our need to remember why Christ came—and how the true meaning of Christmas fills our hearts and homes during this special time of year.

Let us strive to make awe-filled memories and practice the Gospel with our loved ones this Advent Season.

50 Years and Grateful with Ted and Catherine Wynne, Host Lindy Wynne's Parents-in-Law

Be charmed by Ted and Catherine Wynne as they share their gratitude to God and advice to listeners after 50 years of marriage.

Host Lindy Wynne has a heartfelt conversation with her parents-in-law as they reveal the trust and companionship they are blessed to have with one another.

From Catherine’s ’69 Camaro to Ted’s love of football, hear how they revel in both the little and big moments. Their lives are blessed with profound meaning as they companion one another in both the good and difficult times of life.

Let your heart be wrapped in the gift of family this Thanksgiving season.

The Gift of Women with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer

The table is turned on Host Lindy Wynne, as Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer asks Lindy about womanhood and what it means to be a woman.

Lindy explores the gift of womanhood and meaning of Saint Edith Stein's words, "The woman's soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold."

When Lindy was twenty-one and volunteering at an orphanage in Tijuana, she met and developed a maternal love for a young boy named Coco. Coco began calling Lindy "mama." It broke Lindy's heart to have to leave Coco, yet simultaneously revealed God's call for Lindy to be a spiritual mother and shelter souls through adoption.

Womanhood is a complete self-gift in which a woman surrenders her heart for the sake of Love Itself.

Lindy has witnessed such mercy, love and compassion in other women. The gift of a woman is her feminine heart and ability to shelter other souls in a way that hopefully moves others to do the same.

The Kiss of God with Kristi Bentley

After Kristi Bentley experienced pregnancy loss with her first baby, she wondered how something so beautiful could be given and then taken away from her.

Kristi now sees how the hand of God was at work in her life all those years ago.

Kristi’s loss led to a deep understanding of the precious gift of life. While mourning her first child she promised to be open to all the children God might bless her and her husband Patrick with. Seven children and countless prayers later, Kristi shares personal stories about Our Lady of Fatima, many Saints and the “kiss of God.”

Be inspired by Kristi’s openness to life even when others don’t understand—Kristi’s pure heart encourages us to notice all the ways we may experience the kiss of God, too.

My Accident and Conversion with Ryan Penney

The moment Ryan Penney hit the water his life and heart were forever changed.

Ryan was on a performing arts scholarship at Samford University and about to begin his first professional acting job. While on a trip Ryan jumped into a lake off of a high cliff. Ryan landed wrong, broke his back and was immediately paralyzed—doctors said that Ryan would never walk again.

While Ryan wasn’t praying or engaging in the Sacraments at the time of his accident, he cried out to God in the hospital. Somewhere deep within him there was a powerful seed of God's hope—Ryan knew he would walk again.

While Ryan’s body is not the same as it was before the accident, neither are his heart or his life. Hear how Ryan has given his life to God, and learned how saving people is much more important than entertaining them.

Heartfelt conversations with guests about how god has transformed their LIVES