Of Sound Mind and Spirit - Podcast for Catholic Women

Who says you can't know and grow in your faith while reading Young Adult Fiction? It might be just as heaven intended! In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of Young Adult (YA) historical fiction with the wonderfully talented Amanda Lauer, author of the award winning "...As Heaven Intended" Civil War era novels. You'll love Amanda's joy and positivity as she recount...

We're thrilled to introduce our friend and guest, Amy Connell - a certified personal trainer who wants you to take a rest day and nutrition coach who wants you to enjoy dessert. Amy joins us for an enlightening conversation as we look at how to move with the grace of both the body and the spirit, learning to trust in our paths, and empowering ourselves in this season of life.  All Things Amy a...

We're not perfect - no matter what you see on social media. Feedback from a listener inspires us to talk - honestly - about our sister relationship and give you a behind the scenes look at how hard it can be to maintain a healthy sister relationship. We discuss the challenges of working closely as sisters, sharing the importance of understanding, giving grace, and embracing each other's strengths...

In this episode, "Setting Spiritual Resolutions," co-hosts Lisa and Shelly delve deep into crafting meaningful spiritual goals and resolutions to help you grow closer to Christ. With an understanding that these commitments need not adhere strictly to a calendar year, we'll talk about utilizing the natural rhythms of the Church’s seasons, like Advent and Lent, as opportunities for spi...

Happy New Year! In this episode we tackle popular New Year Social Media trends such as updating our Goodreads Challenge, choosing a Word of the Year, and Inviting a Saint of the Year to walk with us. And what would be your Scripture of the Year? Snippet from the Show : " So last year I got the word minister and I thought, that is just a horrible word. Why would I get the word minister? What d...

It's been a year of laughter, learning, and introspection. We've shared our hearts openly, discussing deeply personal topics like our family's battle with dementia, and Alzheimer's and we've been inspired by our first-time guest speakers. From laugh-out-loud moments during reverse charades to the profound impact of books like "The Dazzling Light of God", Lisa & Sh...

It's almost Christmas! In this episode, we reflect on the Christmas Story and invite you to imagine yourself in that story, to picture yourself watching as a participant. Who would you be? How does encountering God in the manger change you and how you live your life? SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW : " But if you don't see the angel, if you don't hear the call, if you don't go and kneel...

As the holiday hustle bustles around us, your hosts Shelly and Lisa delve into the real spirit of the season—giving in a way that truly honors the essence of Christmas. In this episode, we discover the most meaningful gifts are not found in stores. Join us as we explore the novel idea of presenting gifts to Jesus, Himself. What would the King of Kings cherish most? Snippet from the Show: "We...

We couldn't have an episode about family traditions without inviting a very special guest to join us! (It's our mom!!) When we started talking about our family traditions, it surprised us how many revolve around food! But we love that they all include spending time together as a family making memories. Discover the profound impact of family traditions on our sense of belonging. Snippet fro...

Do you find Advent peaceful or does the thought of preparing for Jesus at Christmas stress you out? This season is an invitation to quiet our hearts and prepare for the joyful fulfillment of God's promise. In this episode we explore we offer four simple ways to experience Advent that doesn’t mean adding to your to-do list. Snippet from the Show: “We've received an invitation to know God an...

Dive into the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness during this special holiday with a special (short) Thanksgiving episode! Uplift your spirits with our Thanksgiving Good Morning Spotify playlist. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day with your own Seven Quick Takes. And don't miss our special family Thanksgiving prayer you'll want to use around your o...

This episode promises to bring a dose of calm amid the flurry of the holiday season, allow your spirits to stay bright, and relieve you from the joy-stealing stresses that can often creep in.   In this episode, listen to us, Shelly and Lisa, as we trade stories about our different approaches to holiday planning and preparation. While Lisa loves to add decorations everywhere, Shelly's stress le...

Are you looking for ways to enhance your prayer life? In this episode, Barb Szyszkiewicz, author of "The Handy Little Guide to Prayer" shares insights on the power and importance of prayer in our daily lives, and how we can find inspiration for our own prayer practices. We discuss different methods of prayer, including the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary, and the significance of comm...

In this episode, we delve into a topic that holds immense significance for us - honoring the dignity of every human life, particularly among the elderly and infirm. During this heartfelt discussion, we reflect on the beautiful life of our beloved Granny, who was the epitome of selflessness, love, and care. This prompts us to question society's view on suffering and highlights how we can find m...

Why do we call the saints our friends? In this episode we delve into the fascinating world of saints with our special guest, Maria Morera Johnson. Together we explore the idea of finding saints in our everyday lives and how saints serve as role models for us in navigating our spiritual journeys. Snippet from the Show: “…because what do these saints do if not show us, like, a game plan for our live...

Adoration. What is it? Why should you go? What can you expect when there. And what do you do while there? In this episode, we share our own journeys from apprehension and uncertainty to developing a devotion for this dedicated way of spending time with Christ, in prayer and worship. Snippet from the Show: “ Well, the simplest form of telling you what is adoration is that we're spending time wi...

Join us as we explore the importance of supporting pregnant women in our communities. Whether it's unexpected pregnancies, crisis situations, or just the challenges of motherhood, it's crucial that we come together as a community to offer love, assistance, and support to those in need. Snippet from the Show:  “I think it's really important that we understand that we're called to of...

We’ll give you three reasons you don’t want to miss this episode with special guest Paula Perry! First, is her passion for proclaiming the Word and the profound impact it has on our faith communities. Second, a “Sister Story” that will leave you laughing. Third – well – you’ll have to listen to discover that one for yourself! Snippet from the Show: “I've been a lecturer for 42 years now. And I...

You’ve just read a great book – now what? Today we discuss practical steps you can take to support Catholic authors and continue to discover a wide range of Catholic books, both fiction and non-fiction. Snippet from the Show: “We keep meeting these wonderful men and women who write Catholic based books, either spiritual books or fiction books….” Quotes: “Reading has made many saints.” - Saint Jose...

Let’s face it, being married is hard! Join us as two couples married over 55 years share their secrets for a long, lasting marriage. Thanks to our parents & Lisa’s in-laws, for being such great role models! Also, Congratulations to Lisa & her husband for reaching their Silver Wedding Anniversary this week! Snippet from the Show: “Everyone thinks marriage is, “Oh they lived happily ever aft...

Consider what kind of impact we could have if each of us made an effort to live our Christian calling amidst the negativity and ugliness found on Social Media? In this episode, we offer three ways you can spread God’s love on Social Media. Shameless Plug: If you have young adults or older teens, invite them to listen to the Holy Spontaneity podcast. Snippet from the Show: “As Christians, we defini...

Join us as we talk about a holy mother who inspires us: Mary, the mother of Jesus. While we both honor her (not worship), we hold different perspectives on how we relate to Mary and her significance in our spiritual journey! Snippet from the Show: " I think her whole role is to show us Christ, to bring us to her son. She turns us to Jesus, and she leads us to the cross, because it is on the c...

Did you know that YOU have a vocation – or calling – to be holy! In this episode we explore the profound idea that each of us has a purpose and a mission, and how we can find fulfillment and holiness in the ordinary aspects of our lives. Join us as we dive deep into the concept of finding our true purpose and answering God's call in our lives. Snippet from the Show "…the work we do is imp...

All moms desire for their children to know and love God. With belief in God on the decline, we worry that our teenage and adult children will pull away from their faith. What’s a mother to do? In this episode, we look at lessons learned from St. Monica, a mother who sets a beautiful example of persistent prayer for their children. Snippet from the Show "...when we struggle as a mother... we c...

It’s mid-August and our kids are going back to school! What a great time to create new schedules and build new habits! In today’s episode we’ll talk about the importance of routine, and offer questions to ask before starting a new goal or schedule, whether it’s for yourself, your family, and your spiritual life. Snippet from the Show The simple act of having a plan or goal can keep us going in our...