Catholic Mom Calm

You know you beat yourself up in your mind. A lot. In this episode, you're going to find out why you do that and why it's powerful to give this voice a name.   You are not your thoughts. You are the watcher of your thoughts. Befriending the mean girl is the best way to change your thinking and take control of how you show up in your life.

Are you exhausted from worrying about things that haven't even happened yet? You lie awake at night running through worst-case scenarios. You plan for disasters that may never come. You carry the emotional weight of problems that don't even exist yet — and wonder why you're so tired all the time. In this episode, I share one of the most life-changing truths the Lord has taught me: God gives us grace for the problems He asks us to carry — but He gives us no grace for imaginary ones. We talk about: * Why your brain loves to create problems that don't exist * The difference between planning and spiraling * How to recognize when you're borrowing tomorrow's trouble * A prayer practice for releasing imaginary burdens to God If you liked this episode, you'll also enjoy: Why You're Worrying About Things God Never Gave You           Listen in your browser here Tired from Overthinking? Mental Rest for Catholic Moms           Listen in your browser here  Finding Peace When You Can't Control Everything           Listen in your browser here If worry has become your default setting, you don't have to stay there. Inside Mary's Heart Martha's Order, we teach Catholic moms how to break free from anxiety and walk in the peace God designed for you. Learn more at catholicmomcalm.com/marysheart  

I'm pulling back the curtain today and sharing what real mom life actually looks like for us right now — in the middle of winter, in the middle of the school year, in the middle of everything. Sometimes the most encouraging thing is just knowing you're not the only one figuring it out as you go. In this episode, I share a peek behind the scenes of our Catholic family life right now. We talk about: * Teen life and having a daughter who's about to start driving * How ski season shapes our family rhythm (and our budget) * What homeschool actually looks like day-to-day this winter * My current favorite things — including a Cookies and Cream equip I'm obsessed with If you liked this episode, you'll also enjoy: Being a Working Catholic Mom: Balance, Guilt, and Grace           Listen in your browser here Our New Family Pet: A Real Catholic Mom Life Update  What I've Been Doing Lately           Listen in your browser here If you love these real-life peeks and want to be part of a community of Catholic moms who share honestly about all of it — the beautiful and the messy — that's what Mary's Heart Martha's Order is all about. Come join us at catholicmomcalm.com/marysheart  

Are you constantly worried — even about things you can't actually control? You're carrying the emotional weight of your kids' futures, your marriage, your finances, the decisions you haven't even had to make yet. And you wonder why you feel so heavy all the time. In this episode, I share a simple but powerful analogy I gave a client that completely changed how she thought about stress, responsibility, and interior peace. We talk about: * Why Catholic moms often carry weight God never asked them to hold * A powerful analogy for understanding what's yours vs. what's His * How to practically hand things back to God (not just say you're going to) * The freedom that comes when you stop worrying about things that aren't yours If you liked this episode, you'll also enjoy:  God Gives You No Grace for Imaginary Problems           Listen in your browser here Finding Peace When You Can't Control Everything           Listen in your browser here  Managing Fear as a Catholic Mom with Lorissa Horn (Pt 1)           Listen in your browser here If this resonates with you — if you're ready to actually let go of the worry — Mary's Heart Martha's Order is where we practice this together, week after week, with real tools and real community. Join us at catholicmomcalm.com/marysheart  

Most moms are walking around all day with a quiet — or not-so-quiet — thought running in the background: I'm a bad mom. You replay the moment you yelled. You fixate on the thing you forgot. You scroll through other moms' lives and assume they have it all figured out. And the voice in your head gets meaner and meaner. In this episode, I gently but firmly challenge that inner critic — because mama, you would never talk to a friend the way you talk to yourself. We talk about: * Why your inner critic is so loud (and where it actually comes from) * The difference between healthy conviction and destructive self-talk * How to replace harsh thoughts with truth — not toxic positivity * What Christ actually says about you as a mother If you liked this episode, you'll also enjoy: How to Stop Thinking You're a Bad Mom When You Feel Like a Failure as a Mom           Listen in your browser here  Hey Mama, You're Doing a Good Job            Listen in your browser here If you're ready to stop beating yourself up and start treating yourself with the compassion Christ offers you, that's exactly the work we do inside Mary's Heart Martha's Order. Come be part of it at catholicmomcalm.com/marysheart  

In today's episode, I share what I believe are two of the biggest keys to interior peace—especially for moms who feel tired, overwhelmed, or stuck in resistance to their daily lives. First, I talk about how to have a bad day well: how to recognize what's happening in your body, care for yourself with compassion, and decide what kind of day you actually need. Then I share the second key—learning to see the work and responsibilities of your life as missions given to you by the Lord, which changes everything about how they feel. In this episode, we talk about: What to do when you wake up already having a bad day "Bunny slippers days" vs. days where you still have to show up How biology, thoughts, and emotions work together Why willingness is often closer to peace than happiness How clarity about what God is asking you to do creates calm and purpose At the end of the episode, I also share an important announcement about the future of the podcast and Catholic Mom Calm, including what's coming next and how you can help me reach more moms. If you want to feel calmer, more grounded, and more aligned with what God is asking of you—this episode is for you.

In today's episode, I talk about what it really means to feel well taken care of — and why that feeling isn't created by our circumstances, but by our thoughts. I share the powerful story of Corrie ten Boom and the fleas, along with real examples from my own marriage, motherhood, and Christmas experiences, to show how the story we tell ourselves shapes how we experience our lives. In this episode, we talk about: Why feeling well taken care of is a state of mind, not a fact How the "I'm not well taken care of" story creates resentment and loneliness Why complaining can feel like connection (and how it often backfires) What changes when you choose to believe, "I am so well taken care of" How this mindset helps you care for yourself, your kids, and your marriage with more peace I also share an invitation to join Mary's Heart, Martha's Order, a six-week challenge starting in January to help you build real interior peace — no matter what's happening around you. Join us at www.catholicmomcalm.com If you're ready to walk into the new year feeling calmer, more supported, and more at peace in your own body, this episode is for you.

eeling stressed, tired, or disheartened this Christmas season? You're not broken — you're carrying a lot. In this episode, Sterling talks about why so many moms feel disappointed at Christmas (even when they "did everything right"), and how to prevent that disappointment before it hits. In this episode, you'll learn: The 4 common places Christmas disappointment shows up (and why) What to do when you feel like you have to do everything How to handle kids being disappointed without shaming them How to deal with disappointment around gifts (giving and receiving) Why it's okay to feel sad — and how to be at peace while you do The most important plan: putting YOU into Christmas (24th, 25th, or 26th) A practical, compassionate pep talk for the mom who's trying to hold it all together — and wants a calmer, more meaningful Christmas.      

Come see how often our good intentions accidentally make our lives more complicated — from elaborate birthday cakes to overfull calendars and holiday expectations. She walks through practical, real-life examples of choosing the simple option on purpose so you have more room for peace, prayer, and presence with your family and with the Lord. Learn about: Why our excitement often pushes us toward complex plans How "just as special" simple choices can be (like a basic chocolate cake) What to do when your schedule is packed and something has to give Letting kids be disappointed instead of over-performing as a mom Simple ways to approach holidays, gifts, activities, and home life A peek at the new Mary's Heart, Martha's Order Planner and how it supports a simpler, more prayerful rhythm A gentle but clear invitation to step out of the circus, choose the simpler path, and make more space for Jesus in your actual daily life.

Light in the Darkness - My Advent Book on Amazon Jesus, I Trust You by Sr. Faustina Maria on Amazon (Book I'm reading for Advent) A No Disappointment Christmas episode EPISODE SUMMARY Thankful for Husbands (Even When It's Hard) In today's episode of the Catholic Mom Calm Podcast, Sterling shares a deeply honest reflection on gratitude — especially gratitude for our husbands, even in seasons of struggle. She also talks about the unexpected moment when your podcast reviews brought her to tears in the bathtub (in the best way!). Sterling explores: How culture has programmed us to view men negatively Why so many husbands are carrying invisible wounds How disrespect slowly erodes connection Simple ways to rebuild safety, kindness, and appreciation in marriage How to speak life into your husband — even if things feel hard right now A beautiful, heartfelt episode to help you enter Thanksgiving with a softer, more grateful heart.

Integrating Faith into Everyday Life with Raquel from The Little Rose Shop Sterling sits down with Raquel, founder of The Little Rose Shop, to talk about her powerful conversion story, choosing life as a 21-year-old college student, and how that journey led her to create beautiful, practical Catholic products for moms and families. They also dive into the Examen, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and simple ways to bring prayer into ordinary moments like coffee time, bedtime, and the carpool line. In this episode: Raquel's story of crisis pregnancy, scheduling an abortion, and encountering Jesus in the Eucharist How The Little Rose Shop started with a DIY quiet Mass book and grew into a full-time business Using blankets, mugs, and pouches as everyday reminders to pray A simple explanation of the Examen (for moms and kids) Why the gifts of the Holy Spirit (especially wisdom, fortitude, and fear of the Lord) matter for overwhelmed moms Encouragement for supporting Catholic small businesses and living with real Christian hope Find Raquel's beautiful things at: The Little Rose Shop: TheLittleRoseShop.com Instagram & socials: @thelittleroseshop

Feel the holiday pressure mounting? This is your annual permission slip to opt out of what drains you and lean into what truly matters. In this episode, Sterling walks through setting calm, faith-filled boundaries so November–January don't steamroll your peace. What you'll learn How to choose holiday plans by time, money, and emotional energy—on purpose The difference between a clean, joyful "yes" and a guilt-driven "should" A simple way to make your holiday list now (so last-minute guilt doesn't decide for you) Loving scripts for saying no to events, gift exchanges, and long travel Low-stress grandparent gifts (hello, one family photo book for all) Why it's holy to let kids feel disappointed (RIP, Elf on the Shelf) Discernment check: does this draw us closer to Jesus—or just add noise? 🎁 Join us for Less Stress for the Holidays here.

Feeling like you're failing at everything? You're not. In this episode, Sterling shares a gentle, Catholic way to move through those heavy moments: calm your body, separate your worth from your to-do list, and let Jesus tell you the truth about who you are. You'll learn: How to calm your nervous system when "failure" thoughts hit Why "I am a failure" is never true The 4-step reset to find peace again How to stop carrying shame over small mom moments Tasks can fail. Daughters of God don't. 💜 👉 Mentioned: Less Stress for the Holidays mini-course (coming next week!)

You're doing a good job. Really — you are. In this heart-to-heart episode, Sterling reminds every Catholic mom that even when the house isn't perfect, the kids are wiggly at Mass, and the laundry's taking over the couch... you're still doing holy, meaningful work. She shares what it looks like to pause, breathe, and actually believe that you're a good mom — not because everything's done, but because you keep showing up in love. We'll talk about: ✨ The spiritual and cultural forces that make moms feel "not enough" ✨ Why you should celebrate yourself (without pride!) ✨ How to find gratitude in ordinary chaos ✨ A simple mindset shift to end the day with peace If your heart's been whispering "I'm failing," this episode will wrap you in truth, laughter, and grace. 💜 Share this one with a mom who needs to hear, "You're doing a good job."

We're all chasing a feeling... and it's a feeling that only comes from the Lord. Find out how you can slow down your thinking to see where you're seeking this feeling and how you can turn to the Lord instead.

One of the most peace-stealing thoughts is when we think, "They shouldn't do that!" Let's open up this thought and see how it leads us to parent from anger.

Today, we continue our two-part series on fear. If you find yourself feeling scared about your kids, or the future, this is the perfect episode to bring peace to your heart. 

A two-part series on managing the emotion of fear. The Lord does not want us to live in fear. He wants us to have peace and yet few of us know how to actually do that. Find out how in these next two episodes. Learn more about us at www.catholicmomcalm.com

We're going to talk about how the brain tells us we needs lots of things... but the truth is that we only need one thing: Christ. Join us for the Mary's Heart, Martha's Order Challenge here: https://catholicmomcalm.com/marymartha

When we start to feel stressed, it's helpful to ask the question, "How will I feel about this ten years from now?" This question helps us slow down and make intentional action steps instead of spinning out in worry.