Strength Training for the Soul

It’s my longest episode ever… and totally worth every blessed minute. Jill and Claire are back (yes, they're officially regulars now—and honestly, who wouldn’t want to hang with these two?!). 💁‍♀️🙋‍♀️💁‍♀️
We're talking post-Lent game plans, spiritual plateaus, fasting beyond chocolate (gasp!), and why silence might just be your soul’s new best friend.
If you're trying to figure out how to "Keep the Faith" after 40 days of Lent, Jill and Claire offer ideas, support and a lot of laughs, so come join us! 

Ever caught yourself saying Our Lord's name without thinking twice? In this eye-opening episode, I talk about how our (yes, mine as well) casual speech habits might be more damaging to our faith than we realize. Learn why taking the Lord's name in vain matters, how to break this common habit, and the surprising spiritual benefits of cleaning up your everyday language.

Have you ever wondered what it really sounds like to hear God’s voice—and trust it enough to follow?
Join me in this second episode with Sarah Daszczuk, as she shares her deeply personal story of discerning a call to becoming a Consecrated Virgin, and what it looked like to say yes—even when the path wasn’t clear. Her story isn’t just inspiring—it’s something we all can learn from, whether you’re facing a big decision or simply trying to grow in your relationship with God.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.