Strength Training for the Soul

EP 31: Oops, I Messed Up My Lent (And Why That's Totally Okay)

Feeling like your Lenten commitments might be slipping? Host Patty Kujawa has you covered in this quick check-in episode. She gets real about her own Lenten journey (spoiler: it's not going perfectly!) and shares why that final stretch feels just like those last brutal miles of a marathon. Patty reminds us that God isn't some scorekeeper watching our every slip-up – He's more like that parent ready to dust us off when we fall. Whether you're crushing your Lenten goals or stumbling along the way, this episode is your permission slip to ditch the guilt and keep moving forward. Perfect for anyone needing a spiritual pep talk as Easter approaches!

EP 30: The Good We're Searching For

Are you living a good life but still feeling like something's missing? Join me as I chat with Sarah Daszczuk about why being a "good person" isn’t as satisfying as it might seem, and discover the deeper purpose God has for your life. We're breaking down misconceptions about faith, exploring what true happiness looks like, and uncovering why a relationship with God is worth pursuing. If you’ve ever wondered, Is God really worth it?—this conversation is for you.

EP 29: Saying Yes--The Epic Adventure of Lent

What happens when God disrupts your carefully planned Lent journey? In this episode, I share how a last-minute trip to Universal's Epic Universe theme park with our daughter Kate revealed powerful spiritual truths about answering God's unexpected calls. Learn how embracing spontaneity during Lent can lead to profound moments of connection and joy. Discover practical ways to say "yes" to God's invitations, even when they're inconvenient or uncomfortable. This Lenten reflection will inspire you to keep your spiritual bags packed for whatever adventure God has in store.

EP 28: How to Pray With & For Others

Join host Patty Kujawa as she welcomes Leo Vitangcol, who shares his journey of developing a deep prayer life. Leo explains the difference between intercessory and intentional prayer while demonstrating practical approaches to praying with others. Through personal stories—including his daily ritual of leaving a chair open for Jesus at his kitchen table—Leo reveals how making yourself available to God can lead to extraordinary moments of divine connection. Discover simple yet powerful practices to develop your own prayer routine and learn to recognize God's voice in your daily life.

EP 27: Keeping Your Racquet Up: A Spiritual Lesson from Tennis

In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, Patty Kujawa shares how a simple tennis drill became a powerful metaphor for seeing Christ in everyday life. Just as staying in the "ready position" on the court improves your game, keeping your heart ready helps you improve becoming present to see Christ in real time, everyday moments. Through a charming story of a young girl's joyful wink, Patty illustrates how practicing awareness can draw us closer to Jesus—especially as we prepare for Lent. Tune in for inspiration on how to keep your racket up and your soul open to God’s grace!

EP 26: Stop Standing on the Edge: Jump into Your Faith w Fr. Dennis Saran

Join me for an insightful conversation with Fr. Dennis Saran, pastor at Saint Dominic Parish in Brookfield, WI, as we explore the difference between simply reading about faith and truly living it. Fr. Dennis shares his personal journey from "spiritual A.D.D." and the "compulsion to achieve" to finding deeper connection through simply being present with God. Discover how to switch from constant "transmit" mode to "receive" mode in your relationship with God, and learn why sometimes the most spiritual growth happens not when we add more practices, but when we have the courage to let things go.

EP 25: Feeling Spiritually Hungry? Me too!

What happens when you return from a once-in-a-lifetime trip—only to realize something still feels off? In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, I share my personal struggle with spiritual hunger—that restless feeling when prayer feels routine, faith feels distant, and nothing seems to satisfy.
Drawing from my recent trip to Antarctica (and my new experience with intermittent fasting!), I explore how physical hunger and spiritual hunger are surprisingly similar—and what we can do when we feel spiritually empty.
If you've ever found yourself searching for more in your faith life, jumping from one book to another, or feeling disconnected despite doing all the “right” things, this episode is for you. Join me as we name this hunger, reflect on its deeper meaning, and prepare to fill our souls in the way only God can.

EP 24: A Father’s Wish, A Daughter’s Mission

In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, I sit down with Sue Knutson, founder of My Father’s Wish, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering impoverished communities through vocational education and sustainable change. Sue shares how a conversation with her father in his final days led her to embrace a life of service, following God's call in a profound way. We explore her journey of faith, the challenges of starting a nonprofit, and the incredible moments where God revealed His presence along the way.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about listening to God's call, taking leaps of faith, and finding fulfillment in serving others.
 

Ep 23: Lightening Our Load

What happens when a 50-pound luggage limit leads to spiritual insight? In this episode, host Patty Kujawa shares how preparing for a challenging trip sparked deep reflection on the unnecessary burdens we carry - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Drawing from Matthew 11:28-30, she explores how letting go of what weighs us down can create space for God's grace. Through personal stories and practical questions for reflection, Patty guides listeners to examine their own lives and discover what truly matters. Join us for this intimate conversation about trust, simplicity, and finding rest in Christ's promise of a lighter load

Ep 22: Diving Deeper Into the Saints with Al McCauley

Join host Patty Kujawa for Part Two of her enlightening conversation with Al McCauley, host of "Fish on Fridays" and Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Anthony on the Lake Parish. Discover the profound meaning behind the Communion of Saints and how it connects us to both the living and those who have gone before us. Al explains the fascinating history of religious relics - from their ancient origins to their modern significance - and demystifies the three different classes of these sacred objects. The conversation then explores how patron saints can profoundly impact our spiritual journey and the beautiful ways devotions naturally develop in our lives. Through warm and accessible dialogue, this episode offers rich insights into cherished Catholic traditions while showing how saints can inspire and strengthen our relationship with Christ.