Strength Training for the Soul

S2 E14: New Year New Word

This year, my "word" for 2026 found me through three wise men who followed a star instead of a strategy.
The Magi expected a palace. They found a barn. They planned to return to Herod. God warned them in a dream to go home another way. Those moments of surrender they had all along their journey? That's trust.
In this episode, I'm choosing the word that makes me most uncomfortable: trust. Not because I'm good at it (I'm a planner, a strategist, a control enthusiast), but because I'm walking 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago this spring, and it's going to force me to train and strengthen that trust muscle--starting right now.
What's the one virtue God might be inviting you to practice this year? Not admire from a distance but actually practice. Maybe it's the thing you'd rather not choose. That might be the invitation.
Let's go home by another way together.

S2 E13: Called to Write w/Merridith Frediani

Writing can be a skill. It can be a profession. But sometimes it's something deeper than both.
In this episode I sit down with Merridith Frediani, an accountant by day and a writer by charism. We talk about how those two very different worlds live inside one person, how she discovered her charism through the Called & Gifted program and what it really feels like to let God lead the words.
Merridith shares how writing became an act of obedience for her, why vulnerability is unavoidable when faith is part of the story and how God gives just enough encouragement to keep her going without letting pride take the wheel.
If you've ever wondered whether something you love is just a talent or something God is actively inviting you to use, this conversation will give you a lot to pray with.

S2 EP 12: Extraordinary Faith w/Anne Haines

What does extraordinary faith look like in real life? In this episode I sit down with Anne Haines, founder of St. Bakhita House in Milwaukee, a home for women recovering from sexual exploitation. We talk about joy as a sign of true calling, the quiet courage of radical trust and what it means to say yes before the resources appear. Anne's story is a powerful reminder that charisms don't live on paper—they build homes, restore dignity and change lives.

S2 E11: Experiencing the Charism of Music w/Tim Cornell

Tim Cornell cries when he finishes writing a song—not from pride, but from gratitude. "I just hope He likes it," he says. This episode takes you inside the creative process of a Catholic singer-songwriter who sees music as elevated speaking, a way of giving thanks that goes beyond words. We talk about Monday Funeral (his performance name), raising five kids in a loud, musical household, and why embarrassment keeps us silent in the pews. I also share a story about what changes between kindergarten and eighth grade when it comes to singing—and what we lose along the way. It might make you rethink not singing at mass. Plus, Tim wows us with a live performance from his latest original work.

S2 E10: How Do I Know My Charism? Pt 2

Ever wonder how to tell if something you do is a true charism (a gift God gave you to serve others) or just something you happen to be good at? In Part 2 of my conversation with Margaret Rhody, we dig into the real discernment work: the fruit, the feedback, and that unmistakable sense of fulfillment that shows up when God is moving through you.
We talk about why charisms are more than skills, why they point directly to your God-given mission, and why discovering them is less like taking a personality test and more like going on a treasure hunt. Margaret also breaks down the most common roadblocks people hit and how to start experimenting with your gifts in a way that's rooted in prayer and totally doable.
f you’ve ever felt that tug that says, “I think God might be doing something here," this episode will help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
Tune in, take a breath, and let the Holy Spirit surprise you.

S2 E9: What do You Want Jesus to do for You?

I'm hitting pause on the charism series this week because something lined up too perfectly to ignore. At St. Dominic, we're focusing on Habit #3 of our 10 Habits of a Disciple—Repent and Believe—and this week's Gospel brought it all together.
In Luke 18, a blind man cries out to Jesus with two of the most honest prayers in Scripture: "Jesus, have mercy on me," and "Lord, let me see." And Jesus responds with a question that gets right to it: "What do you want me to do for you?"
In this episode, I explore why those simple prayers matter so much for all of us, and why Confession is where real spiritual clarity begins. I share a personal example of how naming the same sin over and over in the confessional actually led to real change—not through willpower, but through grace.
Whether you go to Confession regularly or haven't been in years, I hope this gives you a fresh look at what's really happening in that sacrament.

S2 E8: What's a Charism Anyway? Pt. 1

Ever notice how sometimes you help someone and it feels like… more than you? Like you showed up with almost nothing, but somehow something beautiful happened anyway?
That’s what charisms are all about. My guest, Margaret Rhody, explains them in a way that’ll have you wondering, “Wait, what’s MY charism?”
We talk about the spiritual gifts (yes, gifts) the Holy Spirit gives each of us, why they’re meant to flow through us (not sit on a shelf), and how they move us from followers to something much greater.
If you’ve ever thought, that went better than I could’ve planned, you might just be seeing a charism in action.

S2 E7: Permission to Pause

I'll be honest—last week got the best of me. Between grief, caregiving, and exhaustion, I couldn't record. And for someone who prides herself on showing up, that felt like failure.
Then God reminded me: even Jesus was never in a hurry.
This Check-In Day episode is about giving yourself permission to pause—and why that might be the strongest thing you can do right now.
If you've been running on fumes lately, you're not alone.

S2 E6: Dziękuję and the Strength of Thank You

Ever try saying “thank you” in Polish? Spoiler: it’s harder than it sounds.
Fresh off a trip to Poland, I discovered that “Dziękuję” (jing-koo-yeh… kind of?) is a tongue twister that’ll humble you real quick. My brother-in-law Kurt tried it out a lot and sounded like a kazoo every time. Let’s just say we kept many a Pole entertained.
But somewhere between the butchered pronunciations and airport chaos, I realized something: saying thank you is hard—even in English. Jesus gave thanks seven times in Scripture—often before the miracle, not after. If God Himself paused to say thanks, what’s our excuse?
Gratitude isn’t just good manners—it’s a spiritual reflex, a form of trust, and serious strength training for the soul. So today, even if it feels awkward, try saying thank you. Your heart will catch up eventually.
Dziękuję for listening! 
 

S2 E5: Mission-Ready Friendship w/ Jason Simon

In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, I sit down with Jason Simon, president of Evangelical Catholic and author of Mission Ready Friendship. We talk about what it really means to move beyond surface-level conversations and love people the way Christ loves us: through intentional, Spirit-led friendship. Jason shares how one friend’s persistence changed his life, and how we can all be that kind of friend to someone else. From breaking through the “I’m fine” facade to trusting the Holy Spirit when we don’t know what to say, this conversation reminds us that evangelization isn’t a program—it’s personal. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your faith more relational, this episode will both challenge and encourage you to take one small step toward someone who needs a lifeline of hope.