Strength Training for the Soul

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.

S2 E4: Mute Mode for Your Soul

Have you ever noticed how uncomfortable silence can be? I'm the queen of filling every moment with noise—TV in the background, radio in the car, Earth, Wind & Fire while I'm cleaning. But lately, God's been challenging me on this. While reading Luke's Gospel, I stumbled onto something fascinating about Archangel Gabriel's visits to Zechariah and Mary. He asks them both to trust him with impossible news, but his response to their questions couldn't be more different. One gets silenced for nine months, the other gets a beautiful explanation. Why? What I discovered changed how I think about silence completely. It's not what you might expect, and it's definitely not punishment. Join me as I explore what happened to Zechariah and why embracing a little silence might be exactly what our souls need right now.

S2 E3: The ABCs of Mercy w/Jill Fischer & St. Faustina

In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, I sit down with Jill Fischer to talk about St. Faustina, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and why her message matters today. Jill shares the meaning behind the Divine Mercy image and introduces a simple but powerful practice—ABC: Ask for mercy, Be merciful, Completely trust in Jesus. Whether you’re weighed down by conflict, fear, or frustration, this tool helps move you toward compassion, trust, and light.

S2 E2: What Difference Does It Make?

“What difference does it make anyway?” A friend’s question hit me harder than I expected. Was this podcast my midlife crisis? My grief project? Just a hobby? I wasn’t sure, until God gave me an answer in a homily about a girl saving sea stars, one at a time.
In this episode, I share how that moment anchored my why: encouraging souls, building strength, and carrying forward my son Jack’s legacy to change the world one heart at a time.

S2 E1: New Seasons, New Strengths

Season 2 kicks off with my favorite duo, Jill and Claire, and somehow we found ourselves in a whole lot of boat stories! We're talking about stepping into new seasons with new strengths—whether that's casting nets when you're exhausted, resting with Jesus during storms, or navigating new roles with trust and surrender.
Jill shares how humility has become her endurance muscle as she launches the "10 Habits of a Disciple"—a 10-month project for thousands of parishioners. Claire opens up about God's healing work as she prepares for 21 retreats this year. Together, we explore how the basics—prayer, sacraments, and Scripture—keep us anchored.
You'll walk away with practical next steps: trying the Surrender Novena, leaning on friends and saints, and simply showing up even when faith feels ordinary.
If you're ready for a fresh start, this conversation will encourage you to keep lifting your prayers and let God do the heavy work.

Replay 2: Diving Deeper Into the Saints w/Al McCauley

What role do saints play in our spiritual lives? In this episode replay, Director of Adult Faith Formation Al McCauley shares his extensive knowledge about saints and their significance in Catholic tradition. Through engaging stories and examples like Saint Veronica, Al explains how saints serve as spiritual guides, showing us that holiness is achievable despite our human struggles. Learn why saints aren't just figures in stained glass windows, but relatable role models who demonstrate courage, empathy, and humility. Whether you're Catholic or simply curious about saints, this conversation offers fresh insights into how these extraordinary individuals can inspire our own faith journeys today.