Girlfriends (A Podcast for Catholic Women)

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comFree preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.comWhen gratitude feels impossible, that’s often when it matters most.In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Sarah Christmyer—on finding peace, hope, and grace even when life feels uncertain and hard.Sarah’s story of loss, trust, and transformation offers a powerful reminder that God’s grace doesn’t always calm the storm…

Exclusive for paid subscribers: Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!What happens when your teen tells you she’s gay?This week on Grace Unfiltered, I sit down with Catholic mom, writer, and editor Erin Broestl, who bravely shares her family’s journey through one of the hardest seasons of parenting: walking alongside a child battling depression, suicidal thoughts, and questions of sexual identity.As a mom of eight, homeschooler, and faithful Catholic, Erin thought she knew what to expect from family life. But when her teenage daughter revealed both a struggle with suicidal thoughts and an attraction to other girls, Erin and her husband were shaken to the core. What followed was a season of silence, prayer, and learning to love without having all the answers.In our conversation, Erin shares:* The shock and grief of hearing her daughter’s struggles for the first time* How prayer, sacramentals, and the Rosary became lifelines in the middle of fear and uncertainty* Why sometimes the most faithful response is to listen and wait, rather than preach and correct* The pain of feeling shunned in her homeschool community—and the unexpected support that carried her through* What she’s learned about perfectionism, parenting, and trusting God with the children we cannot control💙 Erin’s story is raw, vulnerable, and filled with grace. If you’ve ever felt powerless in the face of your child’s suffering or unsure how to love when the culture feels overwhelming, you’ll find hope and encouragement in her witness.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comFree preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.comWhen gratitude feels impossible, that’s often when it matters most.In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Sarah Christmyer—on finding peace, hope, and grace even when life feels uncertain and hard.Sarah’s story of loss, trust, and transformation offers a powerful reminder that God’s grace doesn’t always calm the storm…

Exclusive for paid subscribers: Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!How do you find grace when your baby is in the NICU?This week on Grace Unfiltered, I’m joined by my friend Stacey Sumereau—author, speaker, podcaster, and mom of five—for a raw and deeply moving conversation about what it means to parent a child with special needs.Stacey shares the dramatic story of her daughter Nora’s birth, a terrifying medical crisis that led to multiple surgeries, months in the NICU, and a lifelong disability diagnosis. With honesty and courage, she opens up about the trauma, the loneliness, and the daily battles, but also the unexpected gifts of grace, resilience, and joy that God has brought through her daughter’s life.In this conversation, we talk about:* Facing fear, trauma, and isolation during a long NICU stay—especially during COVID lockdowns* Learning to surrender control when parenting looks completely different than you imagined* The hidden struggles of navigating the medical system as a special needs parent* Finding community and healing in unexpected places* The gift of seeing God’s love and strength revealed through Nora’s determination and joy💙 Stacey’s story is both heartbreaking and hope-filled. If you’ve ever wrestled with surrender, struggled to trust God in suffering, or wondered where He is in the middle of your hardest moments, you’ll find so much encouragement and light here.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comFree preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.comWhen gratitude feels impossible, that’s often when it matters most.In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Sarah Christmyer—on finding peace, hope, and grace even when life feels uncertain and hard.Sarah’s story of loss, trust, and transformation offers a powerful reminder that God’s grace doesn’t always calm the storm…

Exclusive for paid subscribers: Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!How do you save your marriage when you aren’t sure what a healthy marriage looks like?This week on Grace Unfiltered, I’m joined by writer, speaker, and dear friend Roxane Salonen. Roxane shares her powerful testimony of God’s redeeming grace in the midst of family brokenness, addiction, and the struggles of marriage.From growing up in a dysfunctional home to bringing her own wounds into marriage, Roxane opens up about the very real challenges she and her husband faced—seasons of doubt, conflict, and even despair. And yet, through prayer, surrender, and God’s faithful presence, their story is one of redemption, healing, and unexpected grace.We talk about:* What it’s like to grow up without a healthy model of marriage and how that affects your own family life* The ways God shows up in the darkest, most broken places when we surrender to Him* How the Surrender Novena, Eucharistic adoration, and the Litany of Trust became lifelines in her marriage* Why it’s never too late for God to bring new life and hope into your family story💙 Roxane’s story is honest, raw, and deeply encouraging. If you’ve ever felt powerless in your relationships or wondered if God could really bring healing out of hurt, you’ll find so much hope here.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comFree preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.comWhen gratitude feels impossible, that’s often when it matters most.In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Sarah Christmyer—on finding peace, hope, and grace even when life feels uncertain and hard.Sarah’s story of loss, trust, and transformation offers a powerful reminder that God’s grace doesn’t always calm the storm…

Exclusive for paid subscribers: Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!What do you do when life falls apart—again and again?In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah Christmyer shares her story of walking with God through repeated storms: financial collapse, faith crises, the pain of addiction, raising a child with a life-threatening illness, and eventually, the loss of her husband to cancer.Sarah speaks vulnerably about loneliness, disappointment, and fear—and how God has met her each time with unexpected peace. From clinging to scripture verses in her early marriage to discovering the Sacred Heart devotion in her sixties, she shows us what it looks like to keep trusting when the waves don’t stop.In this episode, you’ll hear:* The practice of gratitude that shifted Sarah’s perspective in desperate times* How praise—even in sorrow—can lift our hearts to God* What her husband taught her about “looking through the door” to heaven as he neared death* Why remembering God’s past faithfulness matters in today’s struggles* Simple practices that can anchor us in God’s presence when storms rage💙 Sarah’s story is honest, tender, and full of hard-won hope. If you’ve ever felt lost in a storm, her witness will remind you that Christ is in the boat with you—bringing peace that surpasses understanding.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comFree preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.comSometimes it’s easier to cover up the cracks than to face what’s really broken. In this week’s Grace Unfiltered bonus episode, we’re talking about the hard—but holy—work of letting God heal what we’d rather hide.In this bonus reflection following my conversation with Laura Phelps, I share the first of three key takeaways from her powerful and unfiltered…

Exclusive for paid subscribers: Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!Is it sometimes harmful to keep the peace?In this candid and deeply honest conversation, Laura Phelps opens up about the quiet healing work God is doing in her life right now. Together we talk about the hidden struggles behind codependency, the temptation to “spackle” over wounds instead of addressing them, and what it really means to let go of control.Laura shares stories from her own childhood, her battle with an eating disorder, the ups and downs of nearly three decades of marriage, and yes—even what chickens have taught her about slowing down, paying attention, and letting God work.If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism, keeping the peace at all costs, or defining yourself by productivity, this episode will resonate with you. Laura’s unfiltered witness is full of humor, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom that reminds us we’re never alone in the mess.What you’ll hear in this episode:* The surprising spiritual lessons Laura has learned from raising backyard chickens * How childhood coping mechanisms can quietly shape adult relationships* Why “keeping the peace” isn’t always the loving choice* The role of codependency in so many of our hidden struggles* What nearly three decades of marriage has taught her about love, respect, and letting God lead* The prayer practice that’s grounding Laura’s healing journey today💙 Laura’s story is unfiltered, vulnerable, and full of grace. If you’ve ever wrestled with control, codependency, or the pressure to keep everything “just fine,” her witness will remind you that God meets us in the mess and gently leads us toward healing and freedom.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comFree preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.comWhat does it really mean to be resilient? In this week’s Grace Unfiltered bonus episode, we’re talking about the difference between self-reliance and God-reliance—and how grace meets us when our strength runs out.In this bonus reflection following my conversation with Mary Lenaburg, I go deeper with the first of three takeaways from her powerful story:…

Exclusive for paid subscribers: Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS epsiode!What does it mean to get back up when life knocks you flat?In this episode of Grace Unfiltered, I sit down with my dear friend Mary Lenaburg—wife, mom, speaker, and author—whose life has been shaped by both tremendous sorrow and unexpected grace. Mary shares the story of raising her daughter Courtney, who lived with profound disabilities for 22 years, and how that journey changed everything about her faith, her marriage, and her understanding of resilience.We talk about:* What resilience really means (hint: it’s not doing it on your own)* How to find God’s presence in suffering and grief* The cultural lies that discourage women from leaning on Him* Why nothing is wasted with God—even our biggest mistakes* Practical habits that help Mary stay rooted in hope💙 Mary’s story is raw, real, and filled with hope. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep trusting God when you don’t have the answers—or how to love right where you are—you’ll find encouragement here.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS epsiode!Subscribe now at daniellebean.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Real women. Real stories. Real grace.In the upcoming special Girlfriends series, I'll be sitting down with women who have faced heartbreak, loss, doubt, and transformation—and found God’s grace right in the middle of it all. These honest, hope-filled conversations will remind you that you’re never alone and that God is always at work, even in the messiest parts of life.New episodes release weekly beginning October 15.💛 For paid subscribers, I’ve created some special resources to help you connect more personally with each story:The Companion Journal — Weekly Scripture, reflection questions, and prayer prompts that tie directly to each woman’s story.Bonus Podcast Episodes — My own personal takeaways and insights following each interview, so you can process right alongside me.These extras are only for paid subscribers—and the first one drops when the first episode airs. Upgrade now to experience the full journey.Don't miss a thing! Subscribe today: daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit daniellebean.substack.comDo you ever feel like peace is just out of reach—buried under all the pressure to do it right and hold it all together? In this (bonus podcast!) Girlfriends Live session for paid susbcribers, we got honest about how perfectionism steals our joy, and how God invites us into something better: His peace that “guards our hearts and minds” (Phil 4:6–7). Free subscribers can listen to a short clip. Paid susbcribers get access to the whole recording. Subscribe here --> daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Hi friends,After more than 500 episodes of Girlfriends (I still can’t believe that number myself!), it feels like the right time for something new. I’ll be taking a short break from the podcast—but on October 15, I’ll be back with a brand-new series: Grace Unfiltered.This is going to be different from what we’ve done before. Instead of weekly advice or short interviews or reflections, Grace Unfiltered will be an 8-part series of longform interviews with women who’ve walked through really hard, messy, and very real life experiences. Together we’ll discover the ways God’s grace showed up right in the middle of it all.Their stories are raw and powerful, but also deeply relatable. You’ll find yourself nodding along as they share both the extraordinary and the ordinary moments of grace that remind us we are never alone.Here’s how it will work:* 🎧 Audio: Beginning October 15, episodes will drop weekly in the Girlfriends podcast feed, just like always.* 🎥 Video: Full episodes will also be available on Substack.daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe* ✨ Bonus for paid subscribers: A companion journal + bonus podcast episodes where I dive deeper into the themes we’re uncovering together.The main series will always be free. But if you’ve been blessed by Girlfriends and want to support me in creating meaningful content for Catholic women, becoming a paid subscriber is a beautiful way to do that. Your support means this work can continue—without ads—and with even more depth and value for you.I can’t wait to share Grace Unfiltered with you, starting October 15. Until then, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the first episode.Sign up now at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

What does adoption teach us about the way God loves? How can the Eucharist draw us closer to heaven even while we’re still on earth? In this week’s episode of Girlfriends, I’m joined by Jamie McAleer—wife, mom, grandmother, and author of I Will Come to You: A Story of Adoption and the Relentless Love of God.Jamie shares her powerful conversion story, beginning with her very first Mass as a college student, and how God used that moment to plant seeds of faith that would grow over decades. She also opens up about the journey to adopt her son from Russia, the challenges and joys of raising a child through adoption, and the way that experience deepened her understanding of our own adoption as children of God.We also talk about:* The connection between the Eucharist and Heaven* How Mary interceded for Jamie’s family in a time of great need* What it’s like to be a grandmother to fifteen grandchildren* Practical ways busy moms can deepen their Eucharistic devotion* Why sharing your personal story can open the door for others to share theirsLinks and Resources:* I Will Come to You * Learn more about Jamie’s work in media: 4pmmedia.com* Subscribe to the Girlfriends newsletterIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and leave a review wherever you listen. Your support helps more women discover the hope, joy, and encouragement they need to live their faith in the middle of real life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

What does it really look like to raise children in the faith—not in a perfect Pinterest-ready way, but in the messy, ordinary moments of family life? In this week’s episode of Girlfriends, I’m joined by Colleen Pressprich, author of Real Moms of Real Saints, Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children, and The Women Doctors of the Church.A former missionary and Montessori teacher turned homeschooling mom, Colleen shares how her faith journey, her teaching background, and her passion for the saints come together in her vocation. We talk about weaving faith into everyday family life, finding confidence as a parent, and the surprising and inspiring stories she’s uncovered about the mothers of saints—real women who faced brokenness, challenges, and ordinary struggles, yet raised children who became holy.In this episode, you’ll hear:* How to grow the domestic church in small, daily ways* Why authenticity matters more than perfection in family faith life* The surprising real story of Lucia of Fatima’s mother—and why it matters* What researching saints’ mothers taught Colleen about courage and grace* Practical ideas for helping your children encounter the faith in natural, memorable waysLinks and Resources:* Connect with Colleen* Subscribe to the Girlfriends newsletter for weekly encouragementIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and leave a review wherever you listen. Your support helps us reach more women with hope, encouragement, and real-life faith stories. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

A single encounter with God can change everything. In this week’s episode of Girlfriends, I’m joined by Bobby Frederickson, a former missionary and co-host of The Catholic Couple Podcast, whose journey to the Catholic faith began with an unexpected invitation to midnight Mass. That night set him on a path from skepticism to wholehearted discipleship.Bobby shares his powerful conversion story, the role of confession in his ongoing growth, and the ways he and his wife are building a family mission statement that keeps Christ at the center. We talk about the importance of intentional family life, how to live your faith in a culture that pushes against it, and why evangelization starts at home.What you’ll hear in this episode:* The surprising moment that sparked Bobby’s conversion* Why the Sacrament of Reconciliation remains central to his spiritual life* How to create a meaningful family mission statement* Practical tips for living your Catholic faith in daily family life* The importance of keeping evangelization simple and authenticLinks and Resources:* Listen to The Catholic Couple Podcast* Connect with Bobby Frederickson* Subscribe to the Girlfriends newsletter for weekly encouragementIf you enjoy Girlfriends, please share this episode with a friend and leave a review wherever you listen. Your support helps us reach more women with hope, encouragement, and truth. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Forgiveness is never simple—but it is always transformative. In this week’s episode of Girlfriends, I’m joined by Los Angeles-based screenwriter, filmmaker, and speaker Erin Dooley. Erin’s work focuses on what she calls “the good F words”: forgiveness, family, and faith.Erin shares the personal story behind her raw, heartfelt documentary A Way to Forgiveness, filmed during her pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago after a painful divorce. She opens up about what it was like to document her own healing journey, the surprising ways God used her story to help others, and why forgiveness is a gift you give yourself as much as to someone else.We also talk about her latest short film, Adopting Faith, which shines a light on the joys and challenges of foster care. Erin draws on her own experience as a former foster mom and current advocate to address common misconceptions, practical ways to support foster families, and how churches can step up to meet the needs of vulnerable children.What you’ll hear in this episode:* How Erin’s love for storytelling began and why she’s drawn to themes of reconciliation* The unexpected encounter on her pilgrimage that shaped her understanding of forgiveness* Why she decided to share her divorce journey on film—and the response she’s received* The realities of foster care and how anyone can help, even if they’re not fostering* How faith fuels Erin’s work in the entertainment industry and her commitment to telling hopeful, truth-filled storiesLinks and Resources:* Watch A Way to Forgiveness* Watch Adopting Faith on YouTube* Connect with Erin Dooley* Subscribe to the Girlfriends newsletter for weekly encouragementIf you enjoy Girlfriends, please share this episode with a friend and leave a review wherever you listen. Your support helps us reach more women with hope and encouragement. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Girlfriends, I’m diving into a super timely conversation about social media with my friend Amy Cara — a Catholic mom, entrepreneur, and content creator. Amy has built a vibrant Instagram presence as @CaliforniaCatholicMom, and today she’s sharing the wisdom she’s gained from years of trial, error, growth, and discernment in the online world.We talk about:* Amy’s journey from fashion business owner to Catholic evangelizer online* What made her finally go “all in” on her faith-based content* Her personal list of social media rules that keep her grounded* How she handles criticism, “rage bait,” and boundaries around family privacy* Why she’s passionate about sharing what’s eternal, not just what’s trending* And how to know if it’s time to step away (or step back in)This episode isn’t a “social media is bad” takedown. It’s a real, encouraging conversation about discernment, prayer, and staying rooted in who you are, whether you’re posting daily or quietly stepping back.💬 Want to keep this conversation going in a healthier space than Instagram comments? Join me over at daniellebean.com and subscribe to my Substack. That’s where I love hearing your thoughts, sharing real updates, and building our offline/online community.🎧 Listen in and then let me know: What are your social media rules? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe