Hearing With The Heart: Conversations Over Coffee

This was a challenging episode to research and record.  The world has, in many ways, desensitized itself to violence.  We watch movies, play video games, take a momentary pause when we hear about another mass shooting, and, when we think about the Passion and death of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Janet and Bridgett discuss some of this, as well as finding ways for each of us to draw strength from Jes...

Janet and Bridgett begin the journey through the Sorrowful Mysteries with the realization that, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus truly had a choice.  We sometimes lose sight of His humanity and the real struggle and anguish He experienced, and how that can strengthen us when we too face the challenges in our own lives.  Baby Step:  Pray with the Agony in the Garden. Surrender our own trials and...

Bridgett and Janet introduce the 2026 Lenten series Living our Sorrowful Mysteries.  As our Lenten journey has prayer, almsgiving, and fasting as a traditional part of the Catholic/Christian experience, the Sorrowful Mysteries become more and more a part of our daily lives.  Janet and Bridgett lay the groundwork for how we can learn from the Sorrowful Mysteries to strengthen our own lives. Send us...

Janet and Bridgett finish the final five letters of  The Practice of the Presence of God.   What Brother Lawrence emphasizes is that offering our suffering to God and, even praising Him for it, makes the suffering we face more bearable.  We cannot avoid suffering in this world, but we can learn how it is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with the Lord. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining u...

This week, Bridgett and Janet share their reactions and insights to letters 5-10 of The Practice of the Presence of God.    The relationships in our lives deepen and become more lasting when we choose to spend time together and truly learn to listen and share thoughts, struggles, joys, and sorrows.  Why do we think our loving Father desires anything less from us, His beloved sons and daughters?  ...

Janet and Bridgett begin exploring the first four of the fourteen letters included in The Practice of the Presence of God.   Brother Lawrence's life, like ours many times, was not easy.  For him, journeying with the Lord at all times was not an overnight process.  It had to become a habit, just like it can for us.  Let's discover what we can learn from Brother Lawrence so that we too can...

The Practice of the Presence of God  is a short but powerful book that tells of how Brother Lawrence (c. 1614 - 1691) lived a life in the presence of God.  Janet and Bridgett begin to unpack what this really meant for Brother Lawrence, but, more importantly, what it can mean for us today.  Brother Lawrence has found a way to live out 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceas...

Life changes, and so does how we need to look at it.  This week, Bridgett and Janet explore how the changes in their lives have allowed them to reexamine what it means to  Slow Down to the Speed of Joy.   Using Matthew Kelly's book,  Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy , they share how their experiences in the past six months have caused them to change how they try to live the lessons shared in...

Bridgett and Janet welcome in 2026 by exploring their words from last year, Open and Enough, respectively.  They also share what their words will be for this year.  Join them and ask the Lord to reveal what your word should be for 2026 and see how God uses that word throughout this coming year! Baby Step:  Choice a Word for 2026 Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining us. Have a blessed day!

As a Christmas bonus, Janet and Bridgett explore which of the Nativity "characters" they each relate to the most.  It's a fun practice Janet started in her journey with those seeking initiation into the Catholic Church.  Enjoy listening to who they each selected and why; then try it with your own family and friends.  Janet and Bridgett thank you for being a gift that they receive ev...

Janet and Bridgett explore the Catechism of the Catholic Church's explanation of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.  Knowing why Jesus came into the world helps all of us understand what Christmas is all about.  God's love for us is the gift we each receive through the Incarnation.  What a beautiful gift!!! Baby Step:  Read and Pray with one or all of the four reasons for the Incarnation....

Have you ever really taken the time to think about what our world would be like if Jesus had never been born?  Janet and Bridgett take some time this week to ponder that very thought and then ask you to do the same as the Baby Step for this week.  Try to imagine a world where Jesus was never born.... Baby Step: Ponder and pray about where your life would be if Jesus was never born? Send us Fan Mai...

Janet and Bridgett start this Advent season by discussing how we may or may not be keeping Christ in Christmas.  With all the secular attractions and busyness of the season, we can lose sight of the real reason for the season.  Join them as they explore this reality and how to slow down and recognize Christ in this season of preparation. Baby Step:  The Litany of Letting Go by Father Josh Johnson...

Janet and Bridgett take a look at what all those numbers in the Bible actually symbolize.  From the number one to the number one thousand, certain numbers carry different Biblical meanings than you might think.  Enjoy this informative but light-hearted episode!   BABY STEP: Prepare your heart for Advent  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining us. Have a blessed day!

Janet and Bridgett finish their discussion on the Beatitudes by talking about the 'Woes' mentioned in Luke and Matthew's Gospels.  The Beatitudes have shown us that we are called to do more than live by the letter of the law.  We are called into a relationship with the Lord.  Jesus wanted to tell us that there are certain 'woes' for us to avoid when living in union with Hi...

Jesus saved a very challenging one for last.  Janet and Bridgett explore how Jesus demonstrated for us how we can fully live our faith, which may lead to persecution.  We may have some tough choices to make as believers in God.  We are given the grace to face those challenges.  We must each ask ourselves, "What are we willing to do to live out our belief in God?" We will face challenges!...

Bridgett and Janet discuss what it means to be a peacemaker in our world today.  Jesus, as with all the Beautitudes, is the ultimate example of what a peacemaker is.  They share how synodality is a way to approach being a peacemaker by speaking without fear, listening without judgment, and then asking the Holy Spirit what he is trying to tell you.  We are given the grace of peace at our Baptism bu...

Janet and Bridgett continue their deep dive into the Beatitudes.  As with all the Beatitudes, Jesus is our perfect example.  Being pure in heart is "simply" doing the will of the Father.  Easier said than done!  We are faced with so many things that can distract us from the Father's will.  Join Bridgett and Janet as they share their thoughts on being pure in heart. Baby Step:  Ask G...

Bridgett and Janet explore the bond between mercy and forgiveness.  Mercy is so interwoven with forgiveness that one cannot really have one without the other.  Jesus Christ is mercy, and He seeks us out to offer us mercy and forgiveness, while filling us with grace!  The mercy we receive from God is an expression of His love and humility!   BABY STEP:  Look in the mirror and see that you are forgi...

In today's world, so many of us don't really know what it means to hunger or thirst in the physical sense, yet too many of us don't know what it is like to hunger or thirst for righteousness.  Jesus, our model for all the Beatitudes, He thirsts for a relationship with us and longs for us to hunger and thirst to know God better.  Join Janet and Bridgett as they explore this often ove...

Meek is NOT weak !  Janet and Bridgett try to break down the Biblical meaning of the word 'meek' and how Jesus exemplified what being meek really looks like.  The truth is, meekness requires more strength than simply allowing your reactions to go unchecked.  Learn how you can find your inner meekness! Baby Step:  Spend time in prayer to ask God to show you how to live a life of meekness....

Bridgett and Janet share some of the discoveries they made about what this Beatitude really means.  We often think it is mourning for those we have lost, which is true, but it is so much more than that.  The Beatitudes really do reveal how we should live and follow in Christ's example.   Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining us. Have a blessed day!

This Beatitude is the foundation upon which all the others are built.  Janet and Bridgett begin with this first Beatitude and share how Jesus is the ultimate example of how to live our lives through the lens of the Beatitudes.  Being poor in Spirit goes beyond what we normally think.  Join them as they dig deeper into the first of eight Beatitudes. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining us. Have a bl...

Before beginning the deep dive into the eight Beatitudes from Matthew's Gospel, Janet and Bridgett lay the foundation for the series.  They discuss the terms, their initial thoughts, and, surprise, go on a slight tangent.  You don't want to miss it!! Baby Step:  Read Matthew 6: 1-12 Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining us. Have a blessed day!

Janet and Bridgett share time catching up, laughing, and just in amazement of the fact that they are starting Season 3 of Hearing with the Heart, Conversations Over Coffee!  They also introduce the first topic for this season, The Beatitudes. BABY STEP:  Reflect on your relationship with the Beatitudes (Matthew 6: 1-12) Eight Promises of God: Discovering Hope Through the Beatitudes by Father Mark-...