Beyond the Habit

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview actor, writer, and stand-up comedian, Isabel Thurston. They talk about feeling God's presence in shared joy, the importance of hospitality in comedy, and how any profession can be a ministry. Listen today! Resources: Learn more about Isabel . Find Isabel on Instagram. Learn more about Isabel's comedy club, Goofs.

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, the Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), a national organization working to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing through the practices of restorative justice. They talk about her vocation in social justice work, dismantling the system of death that the death pe...

Sisters Colleen and Erin talk about "Nun Girl Summer," why people seem to be interested in the lives that sisters lead, and share about their own summer adventures. Listen today!  Resources: Read Sister Colleen's article on "Nun Girl Summer." Cosmopolitain's article on TikTok Nuns.

In our first episode of Season Nine, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington. They discuss Bishop Stowe's work and how he came to understand the needs of Lexington and  Appalachia, the substantial change they are trying to make with the Laudato Si' plan through the diocese, and the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusiv...

In our final episode of season 8, Sisters Erin and Colleen once again share their recommendations for the summer! From books and podcasts to things to watch, the sisters talk about what they’re looking forward to this summer, and what you might enjoy too!  Find the full list of the sisters recommendations, including links, at our website here: https://beyondthehabitpod.com/blog/

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview minister, author, producer, and educator, Dr. Ansel Augustine. They talk about the importance of community and mentorship, putting your trust in the path God lays out for your life, and about Ansel's book, Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins. Listen to the full episode today! Resources: Find  Praying with O...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview artist, lecturer, and illustrator of the graphic novel adaptation of Sister Helen Prejean's book, Dead Man Walking, Catherine Anyango Grunewald. They talk about Catherine's creative process, how she works to break open important information in artistic ways, and what inspired her about working with Sister Helen Prejean&a...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. They talk about how his call has evolved over the years, the role of the dicastery and that we are each called to help each other develop, and the importance of listening to each other. Listen to the full episode today! Resources: Learn...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview award winning writer, speaker, and digital creator Laura Kelly Fanucci. They talk about how to live and pray within the tensions of life, the importance of authenticity in writing about faith, and Laura's most recent book, "Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection." Listen to the full episode today!  Resource...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Angelo Martinez, Manager of Faith Based Relations at the The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. They talk about equipping faith leaders with nonviolence training, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King, the importance of spiritual discipline. Listen today! Resources: Learn more about The Ki...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, Executive Director and cofounder of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL). They talk about the importance of relationships in community organizing, that both action and contemplation are important for social justice work, and how CSPL brought a faithful response to those being detained by...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Nancy Uelmen and Christina Wang, who are both members of the international performing arts group, Gen Verde. They talk about how they both came to be in Gen Verde, how they share music in service to the Gospel, and the importance of making space for each other's gifts. Listen today! Resources: Learn more about Gen Verde. Chec...

In our first episode of Season Eight, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview Jesuit priest and author, Father James Martin, SJ. They discuss his path to becoming a Jesuit, how God can work through everyone's lives, and his new book, Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest . Listen today! Resources: Find Father Ja...

In our final episode of the season, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview writer and contemplative in action, Cameron Bellm. They discuss moving through the darkness, how returning to stories can help us find new things in the text, and Cameron's latest book, a devotional entitled Entering the Night of Peace: Reflections for Advent and Christmas. Listen today! Resources: Learn more about Cameron...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Dr. Phyllis Zagano, one of the world's foremost experts in women in the diaconate. They talk about the importance of prayer in all parts of life, if women can image Christ, and what's possible and probable in terms of ordaining women deacons. Listen today!  Resources: Learn more about Phyllis here. Find Phyllis's bo...

In this episode, Sisters Erin and Colleen share "A Portrait of a Sister of St. Joseph" and talk about what it means to them. They discuss the "tiny virtues" they carry as Sisters of St. Joseph in the chaos of the world today, and discuss the question of the future of religious life. Listen today! Resources: Read "Portrait of a Daughter of St. Joseph." Listen to our ep...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Yunuen Trujillo, an immigration attorney, author, and LGBTQ ministry advocate. They talk about creating inclusive spaces, the importance of putting faith in action, and taking breaks as "spiritual healthcare." Listen today!   Resources:  Find Yunuen's book here. Follow her Instagram, LGBT Catholics, for resources he...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Sister Libby Osgood, CND, an associate professor, aerospace engineer, and the editor and contributor of Green Saints for a Green Generation . They talk about what green saints can tell us about the world, being inspired to hope, and consider how we can green our own spirituality. Listen to the full episode today! Learn more about ...

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview Brother Ken Homan, SJ. They discuss his work as a community organizer, the importance of the call to righteous anger, and talk about why history matters. Listen today!  Resources: Learn more about Brother Ken. Check out our first Lightning round with Brother Ken in our highlight real from IFTJ 2024.

In this episode, Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson interview writer Shemaiah Gonzalez. They discuss the transcendence of joy, the importance of being present with others, and Shemaiah's new book, Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight . Listen today! Resources: Find  Undaunted Joy  here. See the Tired Moms at the Met video Shemaiah mentions. 

In our first episode of Season Seven, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview Vatican correspondent, author, and podcast host, Colleen Dulle. They discuss their hopes for Pope Leo’s papacy, balancing faith and journalism, and Colleen’s new book, Struck Down, Not Destroyed . Listen today!  Resources: Check out Colleen’s book. Read some of Colleen’s work for America Magazine. Learn more about Colleen. Wa...

In our final episode of the season, Sisters Erin and Colleen share their recommendations for the summer! From books and podcasts to music and things to watch, the sisters talk about what they're looking forward to this summer, and what you might enjoy too! Find the full list of the sisters recommendations, including links, at our website here: https://beyondthehabitpod.com/2025/06/17/summer-r...

In this episode, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service and former Executive Director of Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. They talk about the communal nature of hope, the need for collective action in addressing societal issues, and why she introduces herself, in part, as a troublemaker. Listen today! 

In this episode, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview José-Arnulfo Cabrera, the Deputy Director of National Policy & Campaign at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. They talk about José's advocacy work, how his faith has influenced his life, and his own immigration story. Listen today! Resources: Learn more about José's  work at CHIRLA. Find more information on the other immigra...

In this episode, Sisters Erin and Colleen once again speak with Eric Clayton, author of the new book Finding Peace Here and Now and co-author of the new children's book Our Mother Too: Mary Embraces the World with Shannon K. Evans . They talk about the importance of peacemaking in an unpeaceful world, why kids books are more fun when they're interesting, and sinking into who God wants us...