Girlfriends (A Podcast for Catholic Women)

Advent invites us into a kind of waiting that isn’t empty, but holy. I’m sharing the opening reflection from our second Advent prayer session, where we slow down together and make space for God in the middle of the busy season. We reflect on how God works in the in-between moments, why waiting can be an act of trust, and how Scripture helps steady our hearts when answers feel delayed. This gentle reflection is a small taste of the prayerful gatherings we share as a Girlfriends community.If you’re longing for quiet, grounding prayer as we approach Christmas, you’re invited to join us.daniellebean.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode:* Why waiting is part of God’s loving preparation* How Advent teaches us to trust without having all the answers* Practical ways to remain faithful and hopeful while we waitPaid subscribers receive full access to the complete prayer sessions, guided Lectio Divina, downloadable resources, and live gatherings, including our upcoming Advent prayer session.Settle in. Take a deep breath. Let this reflection be a moment of peace in your day. 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

In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing the guided prayer reflection from our first Advent live session: Let It Be: Mary’s Yes and Our Surrender. This 20-minute reflection gently leads you through Scripture, silence, and a posture of openness as we pray with Mary at the Annunciation.If you’ve been longing for a quiet moment to breathe, reconnect with God, and step away from December’s noise… this is for you.Inside this episode:* A calming reflection to settle your heart* A Scripture meditation on Mary’s courageous “yes”* Time to rest in God’s presence* A reminder that surrender isn’t weakness; it’s trust* Space to welcome Christ into the places you feel stretched or unsureThis is the same reflection I shared live last week with our paid Substack community. I hope it brings peace and clarity to your Advent.Want to join me live for the next Advent prayer sessions?We still have two more evenings of prayer together:Wednesday, December 10Finding God in the WaitingWednesday, December 17Welcoming Christ With JoyThese sessions are quiet, simple, and deeply grounding, perfect for the end of a long day. You’ll receive:* A guided reflection* Scripture-based meditation or Lectio Divina* A quiet space to listen for the Holy Spirit* Optional chat sharing and prayer intentions* A downloadable prayer sheet to carry through your weekMake sure you’re subscribed:That’s where you’ll get the registration links, reminders, and all the new Scripture-centered content coming in the new year. 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 your body feels like it’s failing you, it can be hard to see it as a gift.In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Samantha Stephenson—on faith, healing, and learning to receive both body and soul as gifts from a loving God.Samantha’s honest story of chronic illness and spiritual renewal reveals how God meets us in weakness, prunes us through love, and teaches us to trust Him one small surrender at a time.Inside this paid-only bonus episode, we’ll explore three spiritual lessons from Samantha’s journey:Receiving the Gift of Your BodyHow gratitude, not control, is the foundation of peace, health, and holinessPruning for FruitfulnessWhy saying “no” can sometimes be the most faithful act of loveThe Grace to Surrender DailyFinding holiness in the present moment, one small “yes” at a timePlus, I share personal stories, Scripture reflections, and journaling prompts to help you live these truths in your own daily walk with God.💛 These bonus reflections are available exclusively for paid subscribers of Girlfriends.Your support makes this ministry possible—thank you for helping me keep this space authentic, faith-filled, and grace-centered.

Subscribe for full content at daniellebean.substack.comWhat does it mean to grow where you’re planted—especially when life feels broken?In this honest and inspiring episode, I sit down with writer and bioethicist Samantha Stephenson to hear her powerful story of chronic illness, healing, and rediscovering the grace of being human.What began as unexplained exhaustion and pain turned into years of searching for answers, countless doctor visits, and finally, a slow journey toward real healing, both physical and spiritual. Through it all, Samantha learned what it means to surrender control, advocate for herself, and trust that God can bring life and beauty even out of suffering.Samantha shares:* How her struggle with autoimmune disease affected her faith, marriage, and motherhood* The surprising connection between gardening, healing, and the spiritual life* What she learned about pruning, perfectionism, and letting God do His work* How she found hope when answers were slow and healing seemed impossible* Why caring for her body became a way of honoring God’s gift of lifeThis conversation is heartfelt and deeply hopeful. Samantha’s story reminds us that grace is never wasted, and that God can bring new growth even in the most barren seasons.💛 Whether you’re facing health challenges, burnout, or simply learning to rest in God’s timing, this episode will renew your hope and encourage your heart.Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journalPublishing tomorrow: My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:Culture Apothecary PodcastArticles with health details:How I Healed My Autoimmune Disease and Transformed My LifeI Thought I Was Dying--Here’s What I LearnedAuthor links:Choosing Human SubstackReclaiming Motherhood BookBrave New Us PodcastAuthor WebsiteGrow Where You’re PlantedSamantha’s email for the nontoxic product list in progress: samantha@choosinghuman.org 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 control slips through your fingers, surrender can feel like the hardest thing to do—and yet, it’s the very thing that sets you free.In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Jennifer Thomas—on what it really means to trust God when everything feels uncertain, painful, or out of your hands.Jennifer’s powerful story of sudden illness and unexpected grace reminds us that even when we can’t see the way forward, God is already there—steady, present, and working good through every interruption.

What happens when life suddenly stops you in your tracks?In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with writer and podcaster Jennifer Thomas to hear her story of a medical crisis that changed everything. What began as a stiff neck turned into a terrifying 12-day hospital stay, multiple diagnoses, and months of recovery. But in the midst of fear, uncertainty, and pain, Jennifer discovered God’s presence in ways she had never experienced before.Jennifer shares:* The frightening series of events that landed her in the hospital* How she prayed her way through procedures, loneliness, and fear* The surprising ways her suffering drew her closer to Jesus and Our Lady* What surrender looks like in real life when you have no control* How her health crisis reshaped her faith, her family life, and her daily perspectiveThis conversation is raw and real—but also deeply hopeful. Jennifer’s witness reminds us that grace meets us exactly where we are, even in hospital rooms and moments of helplessness.💙 Whether you’re walking through your own season of suffering or simply need encouragement to trust God more fully, this episode will bless you. 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 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