Letters to Women - Exploring the Feminine Genius

In this fifth episode of the Letters to Mothers season, we’re talking about mothering our babies who we’ve lost in miscarriage, still birth, and infant loss. Losing a child is heartbreaking and devastating. For mothers who lose a child before or shortly after birth, this grief comes with distinct, sudden, and difficult questions about God, the Church, and who they are now as parents to the child they have lost. If you’re looking for a companion and guide through those har medical, theological, and practical questions, whether you’re a mother who has lost her baby or you’re a friend, family member, or medical professional who supports parents through that loss, this episode of the Letters to Women podcast with Dr. Abigail Jorgensen is for you. Topics we cover: Abby’s story as as Catholic woman The origin story of Abby’s new book, A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss: Compassionate Answers to Difficult Questions A brief overview of miscarriage, still birth, and infant loss, and what the postpartum experiences can look like for mothers in each experience Abby’s favorite question to ask her clients as a bereavement doula What the Catholic Church teaches us about our hope for Heaven for children we’ve lost through miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss How to grieve together and separately as loss parents How to wrestle with the reality that God is all powerful, all good, and yet our babies still die Whether or not you can flush during a miscarriage How Abby lives out the feminine genius in her ordinary life as a mother Resources for you: Pick up a copy of Abby’s new book, A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss If you want to learn more about Abby’s work as a sociologist, explore her website here If you want to learn more about Abby’s work as a Catholic bereavement doula, explore this website To discuss grief ministry training with Abby, reach out to her through Haven Bereavement Doulas Today’s episode is sponsored by Monks Bread - use the code LETTERS10 to save 10% at checkout Become a paid subscriber to Naptime Notes and get early, ad free access to all the Letters to Women episodes for just $5 a month Discussion questions: Have you lost a child through miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss? What has your experience of mothering your child or children who have died look like for you'? How has losing a child through miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss impacted your relationship with the Lord? What are some moments of desolation and consolation you’ve experienced during the grieving process? Have you felt angry at God during your grieving process? Have you felt guilt for feeling anger? How did hearing Abby share about allowing ourselves to grieve and be angry impact you? Today, how are you parenting the child or children you’ve lost? What are some ways you can honor the memory of their short life here on earth while looking forward with hope to What are some ways that you can support friends and family who are grieving the loss of their child? What does it look like as a Church and parish community to support grieving parents?

In this fourth episode of the Letters to Mothers series, Johanna Seagren joins me to discuss emotional regulation, our interior life, and burnout in our motherhood. Parenting is hard work, and sometimes it’s louder, messier, more complicated, and packed with tantrums (yours included) than you expected. So many times, we end up exhausted and feeling like this can’t be the vision that God had for your family. We’re diving into a conversation about what it means to be an emotionally-healthy family without losing your mind. If you’re ready to understand your own emotional triggers, learn how to connect with your kids instead of reacting to their big feelings, and grow closer to each other and God, this episode is for you. Topics we cover: Johanna’s story as a Catholic woman Why Johanna created the Interior Kingdom as an emotional regulation program for her family and what Catholic families will find inside the program What the Catholic Church teaches about emotions and what it looks like to grow in our awareness of our emotions as adults The things that set Interior Kingdom apart from the calm kits and calm down spaces you’ve seen on Instagram How to become curious about the triggers (unmet needs!) in your parenting The reason that Interior Kingdom is for every family, regardless of your kids’ ages, abilities, and temperaments How Johanna lives out the feminine genius in her daily life as a Catholic mother Resources for you: Explore the Interior Kingdom program (and use the code LTW25 for $25 off the program now through April 10, 2024!) Today’s episode sponsor is Rooted for Good! Use the code Letters20 for 20% off your order at checkout Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Questions for discussion: What have been some moments of disregulation in your motherhood? And on the flip side, what have been some moments of peace, regulation, and rest in your parenting journey? When you were a child, what did your parents teach you about emotions? Do you feel confident in your understanding of emotions or is there room for growth? What are some of your triggers (unmet needs) in your motherhood and how can you begin to meet those needs and invite the Lord into those unmet needs? Have you ever felt guilty for anger in your motherhood? How did Johanna’s explanation of anger impact your understanding of emotions you may have labeled as “bad” before? How can learning more about your emotions as a mother impact the way that you parent and live out the feminine genius in your daily life?

In this third episode of the Letters to Mothers series, Kimberly Henkel of Springs of Love joins me to discuss foster care and adoption. We’re talking about how Kimberly and her husband Greg discerned the call to foster care. We’re also busting myths around adoption that might be holding you back from discerning that call as a family, and both of us are sharing our experiences as adoptive mothers.  Whether you’re exploring the possibility of adoption or foster care, you’re already an adoptive or foster mother, or you’re wondering how to better support adoptive and foster families in your community, this letter is for you. Topics we cover: Kimberly’s story as a Catholic woman How Kimberly and Greg discerned the Lord’s call to foster care and adoption The origin story of Springs of Love, Kimberly and Greg’s ministry that encourages, educates, and equips Catholics to discern and live out the call to foster and adopt The differences between foster care and adoption Spiritual maternity and the adoption triad Kimberly’s advice to couples hesitant to discern foster care or adoption because of the cost Why open adoptions can be healthy for everyone involved in the adoption triad Resources for you: Find Springs of Love online Watch the Springs of Love video series Ten Myths about Adoption from the Springs of Love website Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Discussion questions: Have you felt called by the Lord to discern growing your family through adoption or fostering children? What has that discernment looked like for you both as an individual and in your marriage? What myth surrounding adoption that Kimberly mentioned in the show is something you’ve believed to be true before? Romans 8:15 says that “You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we call ‘Abba, Father!’” How does reflecting on this theological reality of adoption in all of our lives as children of God through baptism impact the way you think about adoption and foster care? What are ways that you can accompany birth mothers and families in the adoption triad? Does your parish community support adoptive and foster families well? What are things you can do to encourage a culture of life for families who are called to foster or adopt?

In this second episode of the Letters to Mothers series, Grace Stark from Natural Womanhood joins me to discuss fertility awareness and motherhood. This is a conversation about authentic womens’ healthcare, how to grow in an appreciation of your fertility as a gift, and discerning the size of family that the Lord wants to build with and for you—and what to do if you’re not on the same page as your spouse in that discernment. We also talk about what it means to be mothers to daughters, and how the conversations we have from a very young age shape the way our daughters see their bodies.  If you’re ready to get to know and appreciate your cycle and fertility this letter is for you. Topics we cover: Grace’s story as a Catholic woman The origin story of Natural Womanhood and their mission to help women work with their body, not against it What authentic women’s healthcare looks like and how we can grow as women in accepting our fertility as a gift What the Catholic Church teaches about using Natural Family Planning and family size Grace’s advice for couples in seasons of discerning adding another child to their family What to do when you’re not on the same page as your spouse about having more children How Natural Womanhood is helping mothers of pre-teen girls learn about ther bodies, cycles, and fertility How Shelby lives out the feminine genius as a mother Resources for you: Discover Natural Womanhood online Natural Womanhood podcast Charting Towards Intimacy podcast hosted by Ellen Holloway Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Interior Kingdom! Use the code LTW15 for 15% off the full Interior Kingdom program. Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Discussion questions: Have you ever felt angry or ashamed of your cycle as a woman? What were some messages that you received about your body as a girl, especially around your fertility and cycles? Do you feel pressure to have a certain number of kids as a Catholic woman? Or for your family to look a certain way? What are some ways you can grow in confidence about how the Lord is calling you specifically to mother? Are you and your spouse of one heart and mind when it comes to having children? What advice that Grace shared in this episode about discerning a family with your spouse struck you? If you’re a mother to a daughter, how have you approached conversations with her about fertility and puberty? Are there things you want to change about how you talk about those subjects after listening to this episode? What dreams do you have for your family and your motherhood? How can embracing your fertility as a gift impact those dreams?

In this first episode of the Letters to Mothers season we’re talking about a topic that so many of us are familiar with—body image. It’s a topic we’ve talked about on the show, but I wanted to revisit it with a specific focus on that experience as mothers. Joining me on the show today is Shelby Hirschman. She’s a nutrition therapist who specializes in intuitive eating, body acceptance, and recovery from chronic dieting and disordered eating. We’re talking about postpartum discomfort, the societal pressure to “bounce back” and why that isn’t helpful for us as women, and some actual practical behaviors and tools to put into place that I think can be a huge help.  If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt frustrated, uncomfortable, disappointed, or unattractive, this letter is for you. Topics we cover: Why so many of us feel at war with our bodies as mothers Defining the postpartum season The pressure women feel to “get their body back” or “bounce back” after giving birth What body checking is and why (and how!) to reduce that habit in your life Compassionate closets What is happening on a biological level to our bodies during the postpartum season How to prioritize consistent and adequate nutrition Habits to form in our lives as women during seasons of change to remind ourselves that our body is good How Shelby lives out the feminine genius as a mother Resources for you: Tune into Shelby and I’s first conversation on the Letters to Women podcast, A Letter to the Woman Struggling to Believe Her Body Is Unconditionally Good Visit Shelby’s website to learn about her work as a nutrition therapist Subscribe to Shelby’s substack, Good Body Notes Shop Good Body Nutrition on Etsy Learn more about Catholics Online, the sponsor for today’s episode Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Discussion questions: Have you ever felt at war with your body? What are some moments you’ve noticed postpartum discomfort in your own story as a woman? In what ways has motherhood impacted the way that you view your body? Do you feel a tension between being in awe of what your body is capable of and discomfort or frustration with your postpartum body? As a mother, have you felt pressured to “bounce back” after giving birth? Where have you received those messages from and how have they impacted the way you view your body today?  Do the clothes in your closet honor the reality of your season of life? What would getting dressed in the morning look like if your closet had pieces in it that honored your postpartum experience as a mother? What are some practical ways you can begin to be more gentle and compassionate when it comes to the way you view and talk about your body as a mother? Make one resolution today to help you remember that your body is good. 

Letters to Women returns February 13th with a season dedicated to motherhood. Plus, Chloe shares her favorite part of Saint Pope John Paul II’s original Letter to Women and reveals a few other surprises.  Stay in touch and learn about upcoming episodes by signing up for the email list at naptimenotes.substack.com

A quick update about why there hasn't been a new episode of Letters to Women in your podcast feed lately ... and an announcement about the future of the podcast.

Should we care about what we wear? The short answer is “yes”—but don’t pull out your headphones just yet. There’s more to the conversation than that. What about style? What do you think of when you hear that word? Maybe the pages of fashion magazines or reruns of Project Runway flash through your mind. Or maybe you wonder if style should even be something you think about—how many of us have felt guilty after splurging on a gorgeous dress, wondering how a piece of fabric can capture our imagination and desire. We scold ourselves and say “I should bought something practical.” Or maybe you’ve even wondered if you’re vain if you care about how you look. But what if that pull towards certain items of clothing is actually a sign of being made in the image and likeness of God? What if instead of finding a new “cool,” “fancy,” or “stylish” wardrobe, or becoming a “new” version of ourselves, we focused on how we can grow in an understanding of how we were made?  In this episode, I’m sitting down with Lillian Fallon. She's a Catholic writer with a passion for helping women express their unrepeatability through style. Lillian and I are talking about living life as an affirmed woman and daughter of God, how wisdom from St. Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body relates to clothing, and how to dress in a way that expresses who we are.  If you’ve ever wondered if your love of style is incongruent with your Catholic faith, sister, this letter is for you.  Topics we talked about in this episode: Lillian’s story as a Catholic woman The origin story behind Lillian’s new book, Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You How an epiphany moment in a Theology of the Body class gave Lillian the freedom to pursue her passion for style What Theology of Style is and how it can transform the way we see ourselves and God What an understanding of modesty informed by Theology of the Body looks like—and why it is so much more than the length of a skirt Living life as an affirmed person who is confident in her identity, gifts, and passions How Lillian lives out the feminine genius in her daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Pick up your copy of Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You Saint Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Artists Check out Lillian’s website and connect with her on Instagram Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, CORDA, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

It’s time we get honest with ourselves as women today—we’re being lied to. Today’s cultural beauty standards are messed up. We all know it, and we all think we can resist the pull to look a certain way. But most of us—and our sisters, daughters, and nieces, too—are still striving for a broken kind of beauty while feeling like we’re not good enough. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Melissa Johnson, a marriage and family therapist. The lie of today’s beauty standards eventually led her to battling an eating disorder. Through that experience, she saw that chasing broken beauty breaks us as women in so many ways. And she also realized that true, soul-deep beauty is not impossible—it abounds in us and all around us.  Melissa and I are talking about how to uncover the hidden damage cultural lies about beauty have on your mind and soul, how to reconnect with God, in whose image you are made, and how to walk away from shame and striving. If you find yourself wishing that you were thinner or smaller, have a list of things you wish you could change about your appearance, or compare your body to other women’s bodies, and you’re longing for a more self-compassionate relationship with your body, sister, this letter is for you.  Topics we talked about in this episode: Melissa’s story as a Christian woman The origin story of Melissa’s new book, Soul Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless and what you’ll find when you open the cover The unhelpful (but normalized) beliefs we are buying as women when it comes to beauty What happens when we embrace our bodies as miracles and what it looks like to practice gratitude for our aging bodies What living in loving community with other women looks like How Melissa defines true beauty The ways that Melissa lives out the feminine genius in her own daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Pick up a copy of Soul Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless Visit Melissa’s website, Impossible Beauty and listen to the Impossible Beauty podcast Follow Melissa on Instagram Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, CORDA, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

We’re living in a world of filters and photoshop. Thanks to the constant pull from the smartphone in your pocket, you might be experiencing internet overwhelm and social media fatigue. Is there any relatable women’s media out there that gives an accurate representation of what it means to be a women, reminds you of your belovedness, and encourages you to be authentic? The world needs more of who women ARE. Not a long list of expectations of what we should be doing and what our bodies look like while we’re doing it.  That, and more, is what we’re diving into today in this episode of the Letters to Women podcast. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Mary Rose Somarriba,. Mary Rose is the editor of Verily Magazine. True to their name, Verily sifts through the noise of the world to elevate what is honest, real, and beautiful for the modern woman—facilitating her connection with the things that matter the most to her through our production of original media, curation of quality content across the web, and in-person events. Mary Rose and I are talking about the mission of Verily, what it’s like for them to totally reject photoshop, and why they’re returning to a print magazine in our digital world. If you’re exhausted from a constant barrage of media that tells you what the “ideal” body type, image, or status is and you're ready to be empowered to be more of who YOU ARE, sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Mary Rose’s story as a Catholic woman The origin story of Verily Magazine and what sets it apart from other fashion and lifestyle magazines What has changed and what has stayed the same since the first issue of Verily was published in 2012 Why being a non-profit fits the mission of Verily The false expectations that we’re sorting through as women today and how Verily encourages women to live authentically How editing Verily has impacted Mary Rose as a mother The ways the Mary Rose lives out the feminine genius in her daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Learn more about Verily Magazine Subscribe to Verily’s print magazine Rethinking Sex by Christine Emba Mary Rose’s article at National Review on how the internet has ruined women’s magazines Defend Young Minds and how they can help you chat with your kids about pornography ahead of time Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

Have you ever wished you prayed more with your spouse, but you don’t know where to start? Maybe you’re confident in praying FOR your spouse, but WITH them? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Sarah Bartel and we’re talking about Cana Feast, the marriage ministry she founded with husband, Nathan, and she’s giving some really practical, nitty-gritty ways that they’ve found make a difference in couple’s marriages - from how to get over the awkwardness of praying together to making time for each other in seasons of change and prioritizing your marriage when schedules are tight or babies are little. Or teenagers are up at all hours of the day. Regardless of the season of marriage you find yourself in, there’s something here for you.  Topics we talked about in this episode: The origin story of Cana Feast, an online enrichment community for couples Navigating seasons of change in your marriage with grace Practical, daily practices for couples to strengthen their marriages How Cana Feast makes retreats-in-place possible for couples with busy schedules Sarah’s top advice for women who aren’t married yet but feel God’s call to the vocation of marriage Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Cana Feast Follow Cana Feast on social media and connect with Dr. Sarah Bartel on her personal Instagram account Dr. Bartel mentioned Living in Love, which is now known as EverMore in Love. This is a retreat that Joseph and I lead in our own diocese! We cannot recommend it enough. Learn more about upcoming retreats here! Enter to win a Custom Home Altar with The Catholic Man Show’s giveaway that ends September 14! Subscribe to my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

Have you ever had the experience that life is flying by you at lightning speed and you’re just an observer? The year is already over halfway done, you’re not sure really what you’ve even done for the past six months. You’re just along for the ride. But what if there was a daily practice that helped you grow in your ability to focus, to be grateful, and to be present? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Tsh Oxenreider. I love Tsh—her writing is absolutely fantastic, her podcast is one of the few that I listen to on long drives or as I work through mountains of laundry. And she’s just written a brand new book called First Light and Eventide, which is a daily gratitude journal. When you open up the cover, she guides you through a short, twice-daily thought exercise to help you better focus on gratitude, grace, and greater truth.  If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to bookend your day and you wish someone would just take you by the hand and help you navigate some of life’s uncertainty, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Tsh’s story as a Catholic convert The story behind her new book, First Light and Eventide: A Daily Gratitude Journal Tsh’s advice for building the habit of morning and evening bookends How Tsh has encountered truth, goodness, and beauty on pilgrimage (and how you can join her on upcoming trips!) How stepping away from Instagram has impacted Tsh’s ability to notice, focus, and be grateful Why Tsh curates playlists to pair with all of her books How Tsh lives out the feminine genius in her daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Pick up a copy of First Light and Eventide: A Daily Gratitude Journal Connect with Tsh through her newsletter Find out more about Tsh’s upcoming pilgrimages Join us in bringing the newest Langr home with our adoption fundraiser Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

When Sarah Swafford first started talking to college students about friendship, it was 2007. They were trying to figure out cellphones, dorm life, emotions, and virtue. Sixteen years later, Sarah is still talking about friendship—and it hasn’t gotten any easier with the rise of social media, smart phones, and a world pandemic. Sarah fist came on the podcast way back in 2018 to talk about emotions and virtue. She’s back for another conversation about virtue, a brand new book called Gift and Grit that she just wrote with her husband, Swaff, and a deep dive into the topic of friendship, especially as you navigate changing seasons of life. Whether you’re blessed with an incredible community of friends around you and you want to grow deeper in relationship with them, or you’re starting out in a new season of life and you’re hungry for authentic friendship, sister, this letter is for you.  Topics we talked about in this episode: Sarah’s story as a Catholic woman The story behind Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships and what it was like for Sarah to write a book with her husband What Środowisko is, what it looked like in the life of Saint Pope John Paul II, and what it means for us as Catholic women today Why finding meaning in life isn’t enough and why we need grit, too How to navigate friendship in changing seasons and how to be truly vulnerable with women you trust Sarah’s three ingredients for healthy and holy friendship How Sarah lives out the feminine genius in her daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Pick up a copy of Gift and Grit Connect with Sarah on Instagram and Facebook Visit The Swafford’s website and get a signed copy of Gift and Grit Lisa Cotter’s new book on femininity, Reveal the Gift—and my conversation with her about it on the Letters to Women podcast! Sarah and I’s conversation on emotional virtue from back in 2018 on the Letters to Women podcast Join us in bringing the newest Langr home with our adoption fundraiser Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes. “Throw out whatever image that you think you need to have of yourself. Really ask the Lord to see you and be seen by you. Let the Lord love you. Let him define all the beauty that is within you.”—Sarah Swafford

I’m sitting down with Grace Babineau. She’s a wife and mom of two, and she recently wrote an article on Verily Magazine called “Thrift is the Really Romantic Thing” about why saving money might be the best thing for your marriage. And today we’re talking about thrift and romance, but also the virtue of simplicity, prioritizing creativity in seasons where it’s easy to write it off as a luxury or selfish desire, and how to actually cultivate time in your day for creativity. So whether you are wondering how in the world creativity can fit into your daily life if you barely have time for a shower, or you’re interested in learning about how simplicity and thrift can actually be romantic, sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Grace’s story as a Catholic woman Grace’s recent article for Verily Magazine on what G.K. Chesterton had to say about thrift and romance Finding things to talk about with your spouse when you don’t share interests in common What it looks like for Grace prioritize and cultivate creativity as a woman and mother How witnessing her daughter play reminds Grace of the importance of play in her own life—and what play practically looks like in our lives as women, wives, and moms How to embrace thrift and creativity when it comes to home making How Grace lives ou the feminine genius in her daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Read Grace’s article on Verily Magazine My episode of the Letters to Women podcast with Leila Lawler on her series Summa Domestica Visit Grace’s blog, A Graceful Journal Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

We all know someone struggling with substance use disorder. We might not know it, but since nearly one in five Americans older than twelve reported illicit drug use in 2018, someone in our life is struggling. And those numbers were before a pandemic threw our culture into further isolation. With those kinds of numbers, if you live in the United States, it’s nearly impossible for you to not know someone battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol. It could be your aunt, cousin, neighbor, your high school classmate, or your best friend’s sibling, son or daughter. Or, it might be you. One way or another, substance use disorders impact our society as a whole, and each and everyone of us as individuals. So first, why do so many of us still think that this crisis is someone else’s problem? And how can we shift that mentality and become members of the Church who bring Christ’s love and mercy to the souls most in need of it? Souls in our communities, our parishes, and our families? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Keaton Douglas. She’s the co-author of a brand new book on responding to the crisis of addiction and we’re talking about what sets today’s suffering of addiction apart, what we can learn from St. Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body when it comes to accompanying someone struggling with an addiction, and practical ways that we can grow in our understanding of addiction as Catholic women today. Accompanying those we love who are struggling with addiction is messy, challenging, and unfortunately too often, it’s devastating. But as Catholic women today, we need to do it. And for the sake of those we love, we need to start today. So whether you’re tuning in to learn more about the epidemic of substance use disorders and come to understand it better or you’re wondering how to start making some real change in your family and community, sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Keaton’s story as a Catholic woman The inspiration behind The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction Why it’s tempting to think that addition is “someone else’s problem” and why we have a responsibility as Catholics to move beyond that mentality What makes opiod addiction different from other suffering The important element that’s missing from most resources available for people suffering from addiction—and what the Catholic Church can provide How to tap into St. Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as Catholics accompanying those who are addicted How to communicate the dignity of those who die of substance abuse and how to acknowledge (and eliminate!) social stigmas around addiction Keaton’s advice for how to grow in our understanding of addiction and accompany those we love through this particular type of suffering How Keaton lives ou the feminine genius in her daily life Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Pick up a copy of The Road to Hope by Keaton Douglas and Lindsay Schlegel Learn more about iTHIRST Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

Have you ever wanted to sit down with a woman who is a few season of life ahead of you, settle in on her couch with a big cup of coffee, and pick her brain about all of the joys and challenges of the season of life you’re in now -- and the seasons you’re looking forward to? To hear her advice and learn from the wisdom she’s gained over the years? That’s exactly what today’s episode from the archive is all about. These past weeks have been really full here at the Langr house -- spring weddings, endless little house projects we can tackle now that the weather is getting warmer, and the last steps of our adoption home study before we move into a season where we’re just waiting to be matched. So today, I’m pulling one of my favorite episodes from the archives to share with you — this is a listener favorite too, so there’s a chance you’ve already listened. But it’s so packed full of practical advice that you might discover something you missed the first go-around. Kimberly and I are talking about her brand new Bible study, “Graced and Gifted,”  which is all about how we can tackle the seemingly endless demands of caring for our families and our homes all from the perspective of the woman described in Proverbs 31. She also shares her tried and true tips for things like time management, her secrets for meal planning, and how she creates a peaceful and beautiful home for her family and friends.  If you are looking for not only useful tips but some inspiring help from a woman who has been there done that when it comes to taking care of the domestic church - no matter what season of life you’re in - sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Kimberly’s story of conversion What we can learn from the woman described in Proverbs 31 about marriage and homemaking Why (and how!) to prioritize prayer in your life as a Catholic woman Remembering that marriage (not motherhood!) is a sacrament and making space to encounter your spouse How to create a rule of life and why that matters for our lives as Catholic women Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Graced and Gifted, Kimberly’s Bible Study Chosen and Cherished, Kimberly’s Bible Study on marriage A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul by Holly Pierlot Listen to Kimberly’s podcast, “Beloved and Blessed” Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

There are so many tasks on our to-do lists as women, wives, and moms that are repetitive—and hidden. You plan meals every week and wander the aisle of your grocery store, only to be back again the week after to do the exact same thing all over again. You fold a massive pile of laundry and as you’re putting clean clothes in dressers, you find the laundry baskets are full again and ready for the next load. You make a meal, only to be faced with a pile of dirty dishes and a full dishwasher ready for unloading…again. It can be easy to get discouraged in the monotony of taking care of your home, your family, and yourself. So how do we find meaning in these daily tasks that we’re going to do all over again tomorrow? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Thérèse Desilets. Thérèse is the founder of Lovely Lady Linens, a Marian inspired home textile company. Her and I are talking about how the Blessed Mother can encourage us in our daily chores, the importance of beauty in our domestic churches, and how Thérèse integrates her work and vocation. If you’re exhausted from the constant to-do list of taking care of your home and are needing some encouragement and inspiration, sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Thérèse’s story as a Catholic woman The origin story of Lovely Lady Linens and the beautiful work of handblocking How designing Marian-inspired linen collections has impacted Thérèse’s relationship with the Blessed Mother Why domestic work is meaningful, even though so much of it goes unseen How Thérèse’s business and work as an attorney is at the service of her family (not the other way around) The story behind Mariamante Academy, where Thérèse donates a portion of her business proceeds How Thérèse lives out the feminine genius in her current season as a mother of three kids under five Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Browse the collections at Lovely Lady Linens Follow Lovely Lady Linens on Instagram Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

Every single one of us has a feminine genius -- a particular way that the Lord is inviting us to bring forth new life into the world. But embracing that feminine genius in your daily life can be incredibly challenging if you’re facing something challenging in your life….but you’re pretending everything is fine, that you’re okay, and that you don’t need any help. Maybe it’s hard to admit to a friend that you’re really struggling in your marriage or in your motherhood. You might be experiencing tension at work, or going through a big transition like moving or changing careers. Or maybe you are noticing tendencies in yourself that you’re ready to change -- people pleasing, perfectionism, pessimism. Maybe you’re ready to take the next steps towards healing. Maybe you’re ready to open the door to your heart just a crack to the Lord, to a trusted friend, to a mentor, and share what’s really going on. But what does it look like practically to experience healing from wounds, overcome self-doubt, reignite your faith life, and discover who you are on the journey to wholeness and holiness?  In this episode, I’m sitting down with Crystalina Evert. I remember sitting in the audience at a National Catholic Youth Conference over a decade ago and hearing Crystalina speak for the first time—and then that evening, in the elevator of our hotel, bumping into her and Jason and just being such a Catholic fangirl. What sticks with me from that memory is being struck with the (probably obvious) fact that the Everts, this couple who have very much shaped my ideas around chastity and virtue and relationships, are human beings. And something that is such a gift about hosting this podcast is that I get to sit down one-on-one with women and hear their stories—women who might be sharing their story for the first time, or who have shared their story with millions of people. Crystalina and I are talking about her journey of healing, this incredible resource that she’s put together in a new book for women who are ready to take the first steps in their own healing, and how a heavenly friendship with St. Therese helps remind Crystalina of her mission. If you’re ready to experience healing in your life, sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: Crystalina’s story as a Catholic woman and how Christ brought healing through both adoration and counseling How Crystalina created a resource to help women show up to their own healing process with the help of other women and their ministries Why all of us need to ask ourselves what is keeping us back from becoming the women God created us to be What happens in our culture and in our lives when we share our story—hard parts and all, with those we trust How a heavenly friendship with St. Therese of Lisieux inspired Crystalina on her journey of healing The first step that everyone needs to take on their healing journey Crystalina’s advice and encouragement for women as they ponder those questions and discover who they are and the healing the Lord desires in their lives Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Women Made New!: Reflections on Adversity, Transformation, and Healing by Crystalina Evert Check out Crystalina’s website Women Made New, which is full of incredible resources for your own healing journey Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

It’s an incredible gift to share the beauty of the Catholic faith with the kids in our lives. Whether you’re sharing about Christ in the Eucharist with your toddler, diving into Scripture together, or preparing children for their first reconciliation or first communion, there’s a lot that goes into evangelizing the littlest people in our lives. How can we explain the faith, the realities of sin, and the incredible gift of the Eucharist in ways that resonate with little kids? How do we live our lives so that the children we love know that the sacraments matter and the sacraments change us?  In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jackie Angel. I first saw Jackie speak at a youth conference over a decade ago, and it’s so much fun to sit down with her one-on-one today. Jackie and her husband Bobby are both presenters in the Parent’s Guide for Renewed and Received, a new resource for First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation from Ascension. Jackie and I are talking about her experience preparing two of her children to receive first communion and first reconciliation, what it looks like to create a culture in our homes where conversations about the Eucharist and forgiveness are ongoing, and how teaching children about the beauty of the Catholic faith has impacted her own interior life. If you’re helping children discover Christ mercy and experience his real presence in the Eucharist, sister, this letter is for you.  Topics we talked about in this episode: Jackie’s story as a Catholic woman What sets Ascension’s band new programs, Received: Your Journey to First Communion and Renewed: Your Journey to First Reconciliation apart Jackie’s experience preparing two of her children for First Communion and Reconciliation How to take big concepts like transubstantiation, sin, and forgiveness and explain them in a way that kids understand What it looks like to create a culture in our homes where the sacraments are part of ongoing conversation and our daily lives with our families Jackie’s evangelization advice for mothers of toddlers How Jackie lives out the feminine genius in her daily life through tender motherhood Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Check out Received and Renewed from Ascension Connect with Jackie on social media and through her website and podcast! The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast Visit The Catholic Textbook Project, the sponsor for today’s episode Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.

For 2,000 years, Catholics have been at the heart of the culinary arts. Maybe this shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the sacred feast of the Eucharist and how it gives life to our faith. But, like so many other things in our lives today, our relationship with food has become compromised, cheapened, and robbed of its wholesomeness and purpose. And it’s so easy to lose the sacramental nature of eating and the sense of community that comes from a good meal. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Alexandra Greeley. She’s a convert to Catholicism, a trained chef, and the author of a brand new book, Catholics in the Kitchen. Alexandra and I are talking about sacramental eating, the beauty and diversity of the Catholic Church, and how much we’re looking forward to farmer’s markets this spring. Whether you’re looking for new recipes to add to your meal rotation or you want to discover the connection between food, faith, and farms, sister, this letter is for you. Topics we talked about in this episode: The lightning bolt moment that brought Alexandra home to the Catholic Church The inspiration behind Alexandra’s new book, Catholics in the Kitchen and what you’ll find when you open up the cover What putting together this book taught Alexandra about the universality of the Catholic Church How to rediscover the beauty of sacramental eating The ways that food creates opportunity for evangelization Practical ways we can support farmers and be reminded of the origin of food Resources you should check out after listening to this episode: Get your copy of Catholics in the Kitchen through TAN books (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!)Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!) Check out my monthly newsletter, Naptime Notes Subscribe and Review Letters to Women in iTunes Are you subscribed to Letters to Women? If not, you should subscribe today! You don’t want to miss any of the upcoming episodes. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.