Living Fullness

How do we discern God’s call for our lives? In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre explore what it means to hear and follow a vocational calling—marriage, priesthood, religious life, or single consecrated life. They discuss immediate “no’s” and incompatibilities, the resources available in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, and how Christians everywhere can look for authentic guidance in the...

Is The Chosen leading us closer to Christ or further from the truth? In this episode, Stina and Padre offer a thoughtful Catholic reflection on the hit series The Chosen and respond to critiques like those of Leila Miller, who reject any portrayal of Jesus being taught or experiencing emotion. They explore how artistic expression can be a tool for evangelisation—if we place it in its proper contex...

Brendan McCauley from Humanum Project speaks with Stina about his ministry work, Theology of the Body, and building a healthy sense of identity, truly knowing who we are and establishing beliefs and truths about our existence contrary to the devil’s lies.   Timestamps: 00:00:00 - 00:00:40 - Introduction 00:00:41 - 00:01:30 - Introduction of Guest: Brendan McCauley 00:01:31 - 00:03:55 - Getting to...

Can a faithful Christian still struggle with addiction? What role do virtue, grace, and community play in the journey toward freedom? In this powerful episode, Stina and Padre unpack the tension between addiction as a moral fault and addiction as a psychological or chemical dependence. They explore the reality that addiction, while not always mortally sinful, is always a moral problem that hinders...

What does Jesus’ Great Commission mean for us today? In this foundational episode, Stina and Padre explore the roots of Virtue Ministry and its connection to Christ’s command to "go and make disciples of all nations." They break open how lay people—not just priests—are called to evangelise, live their baptismal priesthood, and take their role in the Church seriously. This episode is both a reflect...

What makes a true friendship? In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre explore the classical categories of friendship—utility, pleasure, and virtue—and how they manifest in everyday life, relationships, and even marriage.   00:00:00 - 00:04:00 - Introduction and Catching Up 00:04:01 - 00:04:37 -  Friendship and Marriage: Recap of 3 Types of Friendship 00:04:38 - 00:05:54- A Friendship o...

Stina and Padre delve into one of the often-overlooked Fruits of the Spirit: Kindness - as an essential sign of the Holy Spirit’s work in a Christian's life and explain how kindness differs from mere 'niceness'.   Timestamps: 00:00 – 00:52 = Introduction to the Episode and Season Finale. 00:53 – 02:03 = What Are the Fruits of the Spirit? Setting the Stage for Kindness. 02:04 – 03:30 = Why Kindness...

Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting or excusing harm—it’s about freedom. In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre dive into what true forgiveness looks like, why it’s essential to the Christian life, and how it differs from reconciliation.   00:00 – 01:14 = Introduction – What Is Forgiveness? 01:15 – 03:19 = Forgiveness Is Not the Same as Apologizing or Forgetting 03:20 – 06:15 = Memory...

Charbel Raish shares his journey from Catholicism to Islam and back to Christ. Charbel discusses the challenges he faced understanding his faith and the significant role his friends played in his spiritual journey. He discusses interfaith dialogue, focusing on Mary's role as a bridge between Christianity and Islam. Timestamps: 00:00:41 - Episode Introduction   00:02:06 - Can you share your story,...

Stina and Padre explore the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined in Isaiah 11:1-3. These gifts aren’t just general blessings but are specifically given by God to help us become more docile to the movements of the Holy Spirit.    Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction – Understanding the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 01:11 – 03:50 = What Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? Origins in Scripture (I...

Peta Evans is the founder of Esencia Life Centre, and serves on the board of Pregnancy Help Australia. Peta talks about her story and providing hope, help and healing for women, advocating supporting women and families in challenging life circumstances, and providing security in unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy loss.   Timestamps: 00:00 – 00:52 = Introduction – Welcoming Peta Evans. 00:53 – 03:25...

In this final installment of our study of St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God, Stina and Padre dive into the practical wisdom. They explore how to embrace God’s will in external events, personal struggles, sickness, and even spiritual desolation.   Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:14 = Introduction and Overview of Final Three Chapters. 01:15 – 03:39 = Chapter 5: Special Practices of Unif...

In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre continue their study of St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God, exploring Chapters 3 and 4. They discuss the depth of true happiness found in perfect unity with God’s will and the challenges of trusting that God always wills our good.   Timestamps:  00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction and Recap of Part 1. 01:11 – 03:20 = Chapter 3: “Hap...

Book Study - St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God - Part 1 – Chapters 1 & 2 In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre begin a deep dive into St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God. Written in 1755, this timeless work speaks directly to the heart of Christian discipleship today.   Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction and Book Overview. 01:11 – 0...

In this episode, we discuss the delicate balance of fraternal correction, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating the challenges of family relationships with charity and wisdom.   Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:30 - Introduction to Fraternal Correction and the Fourth Commandment 01:31 - 04:15 - The Spiritual Weight of Honoring Parents 04:16 - 08:20 - When Parental Actions Conflict With Their Teachings...

Stina and special guest Jill Simons talk about charism, discerning charisms and the workings of the Holy Spirit.   Check out Many Parts Ministries https://www.manypartsministries.com/   00:00 – 01:30 = Introduction and Guest Introduction (Jill Simons). 01:31 – 05:45 = Jill’s Background and Journey Into Many Parts Ministries. 05:46 – 10:20 = What Is a Charism? Is It Just a Natural Talent? 10:21 – 1...

Stina and Padre reflect on the profound moments of Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and the personal meditations that arise from them – including the powerful reflection on the Washing of the Feet, drawing from the Salt & Gold Collection, and how Jesus’ act of humility extends even to those we might find controversial. 00:00 – 01:30 = Introduction and Easter Greetings. 01:31 – 05:45 = Easter Ac...

As we enter into Holy Week, we reflect on the purpose of fasting and its role in our Lenten journey.   00:00 – 01:20 = Introduction and Overview (Lent and Holy Week). 01:21 – 05:00 = What is Lent? Origins and Meaning. 05:01 – 08:45 = The Significance of 40 Days in the Bible. 08:46 – 12:30 = The Three Pillars of Lent: Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving. 12:31 – 16:15 = Personal Experiences and Challen...

Discipline isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. In this episode, Stina and Padre dive into the virtue of discipline, and by using the inspiring example of Br. Anthony Freeman, they explore how it shapes our moral, mental, and physical lives.    00:00 – 01:15 = Introduction and Overview (The Virtue of Discipline). 01:16 – 04:00 = The Meaning of Discipline: Learning vs. Punishment. 04:01 – 07...

Are great relationships built on compatibility or commitment? In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre break down the modern myths surrounding compatibility and explore why commitment is the foundation of lasting relationships.   Timestamps for questions/topic changes in Episode 2 (Compatibility vs. Commitment): 00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction and Overview (Compatibility vs. Commitment). 0...

Honesty isn’t just about telling the truth—it’s about living truthfully. In this episode of the Living Fullness Podcast, Stina and Padre explore the virtue of honesty through St. Joseph’s example - the Silent Knight.   00:00 – 01:15 = Introduction and Overview (Virtue of Honesty). 01:16 – 03:50 = Honesty and Its Connection to Justice and Fortitude. 03:51 – 07:00 = The Challenge of Honesty in a Cul...

In this episode, Stina and Padre recap their year, the difficulties, the trials and the graces received and reveal their word of the year and how that played out.   Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction and Context (Christmas and New Year). 01:11 – 04:00 = Sharing Christmas Traditions and Celebrations. 04:01 – 07:15 = Reflecting on Last Year’s Christmas and Its Challenges. 07:16 – 10:30 = The J...

Join Stina and Padre as they dive into the wisdom of living in the present, inspired by the words of Mother Teresa: “Each moment is all we need, not more.”    Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:20 = Introduction and Overview (Living in the Moment). 01:21 – 04:30 = The Cultural Shift: From YOLO to Authentic Presence. 04:31 – 08:00 = The Danger of Losing the Moment While Capturing It. 08:01 – 11:15 = Mother Ter...

In this episode, Stina and Padre tackle the challenging notion of “God gives his hardest battles to his toughest soldiers.” They explore the complexities of suffering and what it truly means to carry our crosses.    Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:20 = Introduction and Context (Exploring the Popular Quote). 01:21 – 05:00 = Initial Reactions to the Quote and Its Sentiment. 05:01 – 08:45 = The Theology of Ca...

In this thought-provoking episode, Stina and Padre delve into the delicate balance between selflessness and people-pleasing.   Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:15 = Introduction and Overview (Selflessness vs. People Pleasing). 01:16 – 03:50 = Defining Selflessness and People Pleasing. 03:51 – 07:00 = The Core Difference: Intention and Identity. 07:01 – 10:15 = Biblical Insights: Jesus’ Example of Selflessne...