Living LIT

When you hear “St. Francis of Assisi,” do you picture a statue tucked in a garden? While that’s a common image, St. Francis was so much more—a radical follower of Christ, a lover of creation, and a man whose joy and simplicity still speak powerfully to us today. In this episode of Living LIT, we’ll explore: Who St. Francis really was beyond the garden statue. Why the Church celebrates his feast on...

On October 2, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels—a beautiful reminder that God loves us so much, He gave every single one of us a personal guardian angel. In this episode of Living LIT we celebrate this feast, the Scripture behind it, and how we can teach even our littlest ones to love and pray to their guardian angel (set to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!). Pl...

September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels—St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. These mighty messengers of God remind us that we are never alone in the spiritual battle and that heaven is always close at hand. In this episode of Living LIT, Robyn explores who the archangels are, why the Church celebrates them, and how St. Michael in particular powerfully defends and protects us. You’ll le...

In this episode of Living LIT—for the Little Church You Call Home, we celebrate the life and feast day of St. Padre Pio, a beloved saint known for his deep holiness, stigmata, gift of confession, and constant call to prayer. Padre Pio’s simple but powerful words—“Pray, hope, and don’t worry”—still speak straight to our hearts today. Together we’ll learn who St. Padre Pio was, why the Church holds...

On September 14th, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—a day that reminds us of the central mystery of our faith: that through the Cross came our salvation. In this episode, we look at the history of this feast, from the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena to the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and why the Cross is not a symbol of defeat but of...

In this episode of Living LIT, I’m joined by Dann Aungst, Catholic speaker, author, and founder of Road to Purity, a ministry dedicated to helping men and women break free from addiction and live lives rooted in God’s mercy and grace. Dann shares his powerful testimony of redemption and healing from addiction, and we talk about the hope and freedom that comes when we surrender our struggles to Chr...

In this episode of Living LIT, we’re kicking off the LITurgical Living side of the podcast—where we’ll explore the beauty of living the Church year in your home, the little church you call home. We’re starting with a beloved saint whose feast day is September 5: St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Join me as we reflect on her simple yet profound call to holiness, creative ways to celebrate her feast da...

In this episode of Living LIT, we’re celebrating a very special birthday — the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Join me as we talk about why the Church honors Our Blessed Mother on September 8, how her “yes” changed everything, and simple, meaningful ways you can celebrate her birthday in your own Domestic Church. From prayerful traditions to joyful little touches for your family, let’s make t...

Suffering is something every one of us will face, but what if, instead of running from it, we learned how to unite it with Christ for something greater? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Megan Hjelmstad , author of the brand-new book Offer It Up , to talk about her journey through painful suffering and how it led her to a deeper embrace of redemptive suffering. Megan shares her person...

In this episode, I’m joined by Catholic author Shaun McAfee to dive into his newest book—Saint Dominic and the Rosary, the first in his new Saints & Sacramentals series. We explore: The inspiring life and mission of Saint Dominic How the rosary came to be and why it remains such a powerful spiritual weapon What exactly a sacramental is—and how it differs from a sacrament Practical ways to weav...

How do we help our children see every person—regardless of abilities—as a beloved child of God? In this episode of Living LIT , Robyn is joined by Maggie Price, Special Needs Coordinator for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD. She shares about the beautiful work of her ministry: creating camps, retreats, and opportunities for those with special needs and disabilities to encounter Christ and belong in...

What if faith formation for children could be both deeply contemplative and joyfully hands-on? In this episode of Living LIT—Living In Truth, Robyn welcomes Jodi Reel, a coordinator and catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), to explore this beautiful, Montessori-based approach to Catholic catechesis. Together, they dive into what CGS is, how it nurtures a child’s personal relationshi...

In this powerful episode of Living LIT—Living In Truth, Robyn sits down with Fr. Carter Griffin, rector of the Saint John Paul II Seminary in Washington, D.C., to explore how the four foundational pillars of seminary formation—human, spiritual, intellectual, and apostolic—apply beautifully to forming strong, faith-filled families. Drawing from his new book, Forming Families, Forming Saints, Fr. Gr...

In this episode of Living LIT—Living In Truth , Robyn sits down with Catholic author Rosemary McGuire Berry to talk about her newest book, Piety & Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints . Together, they explore how understanding the four classic temperaments—choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic—can help us grow in holiness, parent with more peace, and live with greater self-awa...

In this special episode, I sit down with Fr Scott Traynor to explore the profound meaning of the Jubilee Year — a time of renewal, mercy, and pilgrimage deeply rooted in Scripture and Jewish tradition. Together, we unpack why the Church celebrates Jubilee Years, what it means to embark on a pilgrimage, and how these sacred experiences invite us to encounter God’s abundant grace. Whether you’re pla...

Catholic author Katie Warner joins us for a lively and joy-filled conversation about the power of children's books in shaping faith-filled homes and families. We chat about how she got into writing, what makes Catholic children's books unique, and how stories can spark conversations. Katie shares her #1 tip for creating a strong Catholic culture in the home, practical advice for family prayer and...

We Have a Pope! Talking with Kids About the Papacy, the Conclave & the Chair of St. Peter with Katie Bogner of Look to Him & Be Radiant Author, educator, and beloved friend of Living LIT— Katie Bogner —returns to the podcast for a timely and thoughtful conversation on the papacy, the Conclave, and how to bring these sacred realities into the heart of our homes and classrooms. As the Church...

Have you ever wondered what really happens inside the Sistine Chapel when a new pope is elected? In this episode of Living LIT—Living In Truth , Robyn is joined by Dr. Chris Burgwald, diocesan theologian, to unpack the sacred and fascinating process of papal elections. From conclaves and cardinal ballots to white smoke and divine guidance, we explore how the Holy Spirit moves in the heart of the C...

In this special Holy Week episode of Living LIT , Robyn invites listeners into her family’s cherished Holy Thursday celebration—a prayerful and meaningful meal that ties Scripture to symbolic foods. For years, this tradition has shaped her children’s understanding of the Last Supper, and now it’s something they look forward to each year. Robyn shares: The special menu and what each food represents...

What do forgiveness, Divine Mercy, a crooked jester, the Last Rites… and Babe Ruth have in common? A whole lot more than you might think! In this lively and truth-packed episode, Robyn is joined by the one and only Susan Joy Bellavance—Catholic author, storyteller, and joyful evangelist—to talk about her brand-new children’s book, The Crooked Court Jester and the Last Knight. This fictional tale,...

In this episode of Living LIT—Living In Truth , Robyn welcomes the ever-creative and faith-filled Megan from One Festive Mama to share how her family celebrates Holy Week in a way that is both meaningful and doable. Megan has created an incredible Holy Week booklet—a thoughtfully curated guide that brings together everything you need to walk through the holiest week of the year with your family. I...

In this special episode, I sit down with Fr Scott Traynor to explore the profound meaning of the Jubilee Year — a time of renewal, mercy, and pilgrimage deeply rooted in Scripture and Jewish tradition. Together, we unpack why the Church celebrates Jubilee Years, what it means to embark on a pilgrimage, and how these sacred experiences invite us to encounter God’s abundant grace. Whether you’re pla...

What if fasting could transform not only your body but also your soul? In this episode of Living LIT—Living In Truth, I sit down with Beth Bubik, the Catholic Fasting Coach, to discuss her powerful Delay and Pray method of spiritual fasting. Beth shares insights from her new book, explaining how this approach integrates biology, neurology, and theology to help Catholics (or anybody) grow in virtue...

Have you ever wondered if Mary had other children? Why do Catholics believe you must be a member of the Church to receive Holy Communion? And what’s the deal with faith and works when it comes to salvation? In this episode, Dr. Chris Burgwald, Doctor of Theology, joins me to tackle some of the most commonly debated Catholic questions. We dive into Scripture, Church teaching, and historical context...

Betsy Hoyt--the Integrated Catholic Woman is back on Living LIT to chat about what it means to live fully integrated with our Faith in every aspect of our life--mind, body and soul. She uses her charism of knowledge to bless others in showing, leading and teaching women how this lifestyle truly is possible and leads to holiness. Betsy also brings a Lent flair to our chat--as she is part of the pow...