Catholic Momcast

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss how worry shows up in every season of motherhood, from sleepless nights with newborns to the silent prayers for grown kids, and how to find peace and purpose through it all. Maria and Allison discuss how worry is a constant companion in motherhood. In this heartfelt episode, we explore how anxiety shifts across each season of raising children and ho...

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about their special prayer devotions and pray for Catholic Momcast and Prayercast listeners. Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of  Stories of the Eucharist   (OSV) and  The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers   (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide thei...

David and Mercedes write and speak from a faith perspective as parents of a child with autism. They are available to speak, and have appeared on radio and other media. Visit  DavidAndMercedesRizzo.com  to learn more. Follow them on Facebook at  Autism With The Rizzos . Authors of  Praying For Your Special Needs Child , (Word Among Us Press) and  Spiritually Able  and  The Adaptive First Eucharist...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews CatholicMom.com contributor, Jennifer Thomas. As a Catholic wife and mom to three children, Jennifer earned her masters degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and recently reverted back to her Catholic faith. Jennifer is an avid stationery enthusiast who enjoys finding unique and beautiful stationery to send to her friends and family. She also enjoys researc...

Listen to the podcast playback or watch the video from Week 3 of the Catholic Mom Book Club featuring  A Beautiful Second Act  by Maria Morera Johnson. Maria and host Allison Gingras discuss Chapters 9 and 10 of our Book Club selection, chatting about the fascinating women profiled in this book and what we can learn from their successes and their difficulties. You have plenty of time to catch up o...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Cheryl   Hughes , mom, convert, and author of  Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Convert Maker. Cheryl C. D. Hughes  holds a Ph. D. in historical theology from Durham University in England. Her books include  Katharine Drexel: The Riches-to-Rags Story of an American Catholic Saint  (2014) and  Crossing Boundaries and Confounding Identity: Chinese Women in Literature, Art,...

Listen to the podcast playback or watch the video from Week 3 of the Catholic Mom Book Club featuring A Beautiful Second Act by Maria Morera Johnson. Maria and host Allison Gingras discuss Chapters 7 and 8 of our Book Club selection, chatting about the fascinating women profiled in this book and what we can learn from their successes and their difficulties. You have plenty of time to catch up on t...

Maria Johnson interviews Nancy Smith, O.F.S., Director of Holy Cross Retreat House in North Easton, Massachusetts.   from the Holy Cross Retreat House intro: Launched in 1964 in a converted cow barn, the Retreat House has been a spiritual haven for thousands who have passed through its welcoming doors. It is located in Easton, Massachusetts, adjacent to  Stonehill College , also founded by the Con...

The March 2025 Book Club features Catholic Mom media editor Maria Morera Johnson and her new book,  A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters who Taught Me to  Be a Badass  Age with Grace ,  published by Ave Maria Press. What's the book about? In  A Beautiful Second Act , bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life's second half, drawing inspiration from twenty sai...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholicmom.com contributor Meg Herriot at the Catholic Mom Contributor retreat. Meg Herriot is a veterinarian and Third Order Dominican. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and pets and blogging at All Creatures Great and Crazy  about being a veterinarian, mother, wife and most of all a Catholic trying to grow closer to God in a chaotic world. Link in Sh...

The March 2025 Book Club features Catholic Mom media editor Maria Morera Johnson and her new book, A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace , published by Ave Maria Press. What's the book about? In  A Beautiful Second Act , bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life's second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints...

Maria Morera Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz interview Elizabeth Varga, founder of At Elizabeth's Table, a recipe blog that exolores the intersection of food and the Catholic faith. Elizabeth Varga is the founder of At Elizabeth's Table, a plant-based recipe blog that explores the relationship between food and the Catholic faith. With a passion for healthy living, she is a full-time food blogger and...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Walking with Purpose (WWP), a Catholic women's ministry, and the new book for young women, Heart of Vines. Lisa Brenninkmeyer is the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Walking with Purpose (WWP), a Catholic women's ministry. Lisa has authored 19 WWP Bible study courses, two devotionals, BLAZE and Sisters of...

Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson interview Joan Watson, author of Opening the Holy Doors: Hope-Filled Scripture Reflections from St. Peter's Basilica. In  Opening the Holy Door , scripture teacher and seasoned tour guide Joan Watson takes you on a journey through the sixteen panels of the Jubilee Holy Door. With her knack for storytelling and love for scripture, she invites you to pause,...

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss Ash Wednesday and practices for Lent. Allison and Maria dive into the traditions of Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, exploring both time-honored devotions and some non-traditional practices that can deepen our faith. Their lively banter mixes humor and heart while sharing stories and dipping intpo the Catholic Mom vault to rediscover articles. L...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Meigs Sturgeon, Special Assistant to the President at Holy Cross Family Ministries. Meet Meigs Sturgeon, Special Assistant to the President, Fr. Fred Jenga, C.S.C., at Holy Cross Family Ministries. Meigs joined HCFM from Austin, Texas where he most recently served as Assistant Director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward's University and Adjunct Professor of C...

  Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson interview Morella Carta, founder of St. Jospeh's Little Stars in Jinga, Uganda. Morella Carta is the founder of "St. Joseph's Little Stars" in Jinga, Uganda. Born in Venezuela and educated in New York City, Morella retired from corporate life in order to dedicate her life to service, most recently abused and abandoned children. In three years of operati...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews CatholicMom.com contributor Tami Urcia. Tami is a Western Michigander who spent early adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her bachelor's degree in Western Kentucky. She loves finding fun ways to keep her five kiddos occupied and quiet conversation with the hubby. Tami works at D...

Looking for faith-filled ways to celebrate Valentine's Day? Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras have a fun conversation about love languages and romantic love, and being God's beloved. And you get a peek at A Beautiful Second Act (Ave Maria Press), which will be featured in the March Catholic Mom Book Club. Love isn't just for one day—it's a call we live daily as Catholic moms.   Links Discussed in...

Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson discuss the transitions in the second half of life  and how praying with the saints accompanies us in that change. Maria Morera Johnson is an award-winning author, speaker, and digital missionary passionate about encouraging women to embrace the beauty and purpose of midlife and beyond. Her books, including A Beautiful Second Act and My Badass Book of Sai...

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholic Mom contributor Kimberly Novak, author of Bella's Beautiful Miracle. Kimberly Novak is a wife, mother, author, and spiritual director. Her passion for inspiring and motivating those on a spiritual journey has bloomed into various ministries. Kimberly's mission is to enhance each journey by guiding others where the light of strength is…God's love. Find out m...

Maria Morera Johnson, and guest Inés Huber Mersch sit down for a chat about the busy-ness of our lives and living for God's will in our lives. Links for Today's Show:  The Grace of Yes by Lisa Hendey

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras open up about their personal journeys as caregivers, sharing the joys, struggles, and unexpected graces they've encountered while caring for their loved ones. Drawing inspiration from articles in the Catholic Mom archives, they explore practical tips, spiritual insights, and the unique challenges that come with this loving responsibility. Links in Show: The...

Maria Morera Johnson and CatholicMom.com contributor Karen Estep talk about the joys and challenges of snow days. Karen Estep is a Catholic speaker and writer who brings wisdom and humor to her reflections on faith, life, and the unexpected moments in between. Today's conversation reminisces about snow days, eating snow cream, and avoiding cabin fever. Links in Show:  - Instagram: Stand, Kneel, No...

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Beth Sri, co-author of The Good, the Messy, and the beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life. Beth Sri is a Catholic speaker, author, and mentor passionate about helping women embrace the joys (and chaos) of marriage and motherhood. She and her husband, Dr. Edward Sri, co-authored The Good, the Messy, and the Beautiful: The Joys and...