Girlfriends (A Podcast for Catholic Women)

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.com This is a BONUS episode of the podcast. Full access is available for upgraded subscribers at daniellebean.substack.com... What do you do when God seems distant, and you’re left wondering if he’s even listening? In this Renew & Restore Lenten session , Claire Dwyer helps us understand spiritual dryness —why it h...

Lent is here, and if you’re feeling a little unprepared—or even overwhelmed—you’re not alone! That’s exactly why I invited my son Ambrose to join me for a live Lenten pep talk, and now I’m excited to share the replay with all of you. This discussion was rich with insights on repentance, the role of John the Baptist, and the three key pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We talked about...

This week we get to sit down with Lisa Brenninkmyer, founder of Walking With Purpose , about her new course and book, Heart of Vines . Lisa shares her journey of creating resources for women and young girls to deepen their relationship with God. We discuss the inspiration behind the book, the collaborative creative process with family, and the hopes for young women to engage with their faith. Lisa...

Can you believe it’s almost Lent? This year, let’s approach Lent without feeling overwhelmed. In this week’s podcast, we discuss the importance of simplicity, small intentional sacrifices, and the power of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I encourage you to trust God with your Lenten journey and to focus on personal growth and relationship with God during this sacred season. Takeaways * Lent is a...

Gracie Jagla joins us to share her journey as a Catholic children’s author and the inspiration behind her latest book, When Mary Says Yes . She discusses the importance of teaching children about Mary and the significance of saying yes to God’s call. Gracie also reflects on her personal relationship with Mary, the challenges of balancing motherhood with her writing career, and the launch of her po...

First of all, as requested in the intro to this week’s show, give me your fiction reading recommendations! Leave them here in the comments or email me…thank you! Graham McAleer sits down with us this week to discuss his book Tolkien, Philosopher of War, and explore the philosophical underpinnings of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, particularly in relation to war, beauty, and the human experience. McAleer...

Do you struggle with jealousy and comparison, especially in your relationships with other women? Today’s topic was inspired by a listener question from a few weeks ago: How can we overcome jealousy? We explore the nature of jealousy, its destructive effect on personal well-being and relationships, and share some practical advice on how to overcome it. Through understanding the roots of jealousy, p...

I was thrilled to have the chance to sit down with with Anna Moreland and Tom Smith, authors of The Young Adult Playbook: Living Like It Matters . They discuss the challenges young adults face today, particularly in relationships, work, and leisure. They give paretns hope as they emphasize the importance of guiding students navigating a complex world influenced by technology and societal pressures...

Do you have drama in your life? How did I know? ;-)I’m here to help, sharing six effective strategies to avoid or gracefully handle drama. We emphasize the importance of self-awareness, clear communication, guarding our words, setting boundaries, seeking help, and trusting in God's peace through prayer. Each strategy is rooted in a Catholic perspective, encouraging listeners to reflect on their re...

Go further with the podcast. Join us at Girlfriends After Hours: daniellebean.substack.com What can we offer to God? Today Father James Kubicki joins us to discuss his book, A Year of Daily Offerings , which encourages us to dedicate our lives to God one day at a time. He shares the inspiration behind the book, the significance of daily offerings, and how they can be integrated into family life. W...

Get the full Girlfriends experience when you subscribe today at daniellebean.substack.comThis week, we are looking at a Catholic take on New Year resolutions, emphasizing personal growth through virtue, the liturgical year, and balancing body, mind, and soul. We share practical suggestions for resolutions that align with our faith, including sacramental living, working on our marriages, deepening...

Happy New Year! This week I’m still on break, spending the holidays with my family (and I hope you are too!), so I am re-sharing this episode from 2020, back before we knew the world was about to shut down. :) I’m suggesting 5 spiritual goals you might consider setting for the new year. Whether you are a “resolution” person or not, I hope these ideas inspire you to think about the kind of spiritua...

I’m taking a couple of weeks off to spend the holidays with my family, and so this is a throwback episode of Girlfriends from a few years back. But guess what? The message still applies and I needed to listen to this one as much as anyone! I hope you enjoy it. Wishing you and your family a blessed and holy Christmas season! ANNOUNCEMENTS Go beyond the podcast! For bonus podcasts, weekly columns, e...

Are you in a Christmas frenzy yet? I’m here to help. This week I’m sharing last-minute Advent ideas for kids, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful experiences during the Advent season. We discuss ways to involve children in giving, incorporate prayer, use light as a symbol, prepare treats, and engage with books to deepen children’s understanding of the season's significance. We focus...

This week, Heather Khym joins us to discuss her new Advent journal, Encountering Emmanuel , and the importance of personal encounters with God during the Advent season. She shares insights on how to hear God's voice even in the midst of a very noisy life, the significance of creating quiet spaces, and the necessity of community and connection. Heather also reflects on her journey with the Abiding...

What a thrill to get to sit down with Tsh Oxenreider from The Commonplace and talk all about growing families, changing seasons, and the joy of celebrating Advent! This was a special conversation because Tsh is also sharing it on her podcast, A Drink With a Friend . We discuss changing traditions, how ot slow down in a culture of “busy,” and ways to insert more quiet and beauty in our days during...

This week’s special episode was recorded live at Girlfriends After Hours (daniellebean.substack.com). These live events happen once a month and are usually for paid subscribers only, but going into Advent, we decided to open up this session for everyone. So…welcome! In this episode, we discuss 5 ways you can find peace in Advent, including: 1) Screen your influences2) Read Scripture3) Go to confes...

Embrace a deeper connection with God and find peaceful, reflective moments during the busy Advent season: https://daniellebean.substack.com/p/announcing-look-and-listen Do you worry about how to teach your chldren the beautiful truths about their Catholic faith? This week on the podcast I got to sit down with Mosongo Osong, CEO and founder of Catholic Brain , to discuss the innovative online platf...

Join us for Advent this year! Get daily content that will help you grow in relationship with God, feeling inspired and focused this season: https://daniellebean.substack.com/p/announcing-look-and-listen Do you struggle with self-doubt? This week, we are discussing this pervasive problem many women face. We explore the roots of self-doubt and identify various types of self-doubt, such as imposter s...

Join us! Paid subscribers get access to live events, challenges, and bonus podcasts that help you grow in your Catholic faith. https://daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe Are you a fan of Lego? My guest this week sure is! JM Kraemer is a Catholic artist with a disability, and he joins me this week to share about his annual Lego Church Project and how it showcases the power of God using our talents...

Every couple has disagreements, but the way you handle disagreements can make or break your marriage. As part of this week’s marriage challenge at Girlfriends after hours, this week I’m sharing 7 tips for ways to “Fight Fair” and resolve conflict in a loving way that will draw you closer to your husband and help you both grow in relationship together. Some of the ideas we discuss include the impor...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.com This is a topic we don't hear about enough from a Catholic wife’s perspective! This special BONUS episode, recorded live on October 23, is part of our ongoing 5-Day Marriage Challenge . Dr. Sarah Bartel, a Catholic sex and marriage coach, joins us to take your anonymous questions about marital intimacy. Questio...

Every couple has disagreements, but the way you handle disagreements can make or break your marriage. As part of this week’s marriage challenge at Girlfriends after hours, this week I’m sharing 7 tips for ways to “Fight Fair” and resolve conflict in a loving way that will draw you closer to your husband and help you both grow in relationship together. Some of the ideas we discuss include the impor...

What do you need to let go of? I’m going to make you think a bit with five ideas for stuff you might be holding onto—physically, emotionally, or spiritually— that’s no longer serving you. We discuss the burden of physical clutter, the emotional weight of past hurts, the need to control others, the false virtue of busyness, and the effect of ego on our identity. I promised you this link to the Lita...

Clare Byrne, founder of Imprint Hope , shares her journey of serving children with disabilities in Uganda. Inspired by her sister with a disability, Clare pursued a career in occupational therapy and eventually moved to Uganda to start Imprint Hope , an organization that supports families of children with disabilities through residential training courses, therapy services, counseling, and educatio...