Guest Episodes

This Father's Day, we're welcoming a very special guest to the podcast for the very first time—our dad, Arthur.

In this episode from "Of Sound Mind and Spirit," the focus is on the Sacred Heart devotion—a centuries-old Catholic practice that is more relevant than ever for anyone yearning for faith-filled comfort and a deeper sense of purpose in a hectic, disconnected world.

Ever feel like finding time for prayer or a real connection with Jesus just isn’t possible with your busy, everyday life—even though you crave it? You're not alone! A lot of us are searching for a way to make faith part of more than just Sundays, but we get stuck in the grind and routines. This episode from Of Sound Mind and Spirit is all about how you can bring Jesus into your day-to-day, with special guest Lisa Hendey, creator of Catholic Mom and author of Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way. Li...

Hosts Lisa and Shelly sit down with Domenic Bettinelli, the CEO of StarQuest Media (SQPN), to explore how a unique network of Catholic podcasters is tackling the challenge of bringing positivity, meaning, and connection to both faith-filled and searching audiences—right in the middle of modern media’s landscape.

Lisa and Shelly are joined by Mary Beth Eberhard—a mom of eight and master of authentic gatherings—who shares personal stories and honest confessions about letting go of entertaining pressure, embracing the “holy mess” of family life, and finding Christ in every guest at your door. If you’re longing for deeper community, more spiritual meaning in your home, or just some encouragement to invite others in as you are, this is the perfect listen.

Are you seeking a deeper spiritual connection with your friends while growing in your faith journey? This episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit" dives into the concept of creating personal retreats with your friends, blending fun and spirituality for a meaningful experience. In today’s fast-paced world, carving out intentional time with close friends to explore and deepen your spiritual lives together can seem like a challenging goal.

Are you ready for your beautiful second act? Join sisters Shelly and Lisa on Of Sound Mind and Spirit as they welcome back their first encore guest, Maria Johnson, for an invigorating conversation about navigating life's transitions.

Have you ever wondered how unexpected blessings can transform your life and lead you to your true purpose? In this episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit," we delve into the inspiring journey of Maria Riley, a Catholic wife, mom, and author, as she shares her story of trusting God's timing and discovering joy through faith.

In today's episode we dive deep into the world of women's ministry with our wonderful guest, Kelly Wahlquist. Kelly, the founder of Women In the New Evangelization (WINE), brings a vibrant mix of humor, faith, and community spirit to our discussion.

Join Shelly Kelly and special guest host Cameron Kelly, as they unravel the miraculous story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Juan Diego, and the glorious apparitions that transformed faith and culture in the Americas.

Ever wondered how praying with Saints could help you achieve virtues and positively transform your life? In today's episode, Belinda Terro Mooney, joins us to discuss the transformative power of intercessory prayer and her latest book, "Pray with Us, A Saint for Every Day."

In this episode, we'll delve into the vital importance of praying for our priests, guided by our guest Tina Jost’s personal experiences and the profound insights in her book, “One Hour for My Priest, A Prayer Companion.”

In this episode you’ll learn how to discern God’s voice amidst the noise of daily life as Julie Storr walks us through the four ways God communicates with us, with practical examples and biblical references that make these concepts relatable and easy to understand.

Hey Moms, we know it’s difficult to find good Catholic based teen fiction for our middle grade and older teens. That’s why we’re so excited about our conversation with Leslea Wahl, an award-winning author renowned for her Catholic teen mystery novels. In this episode, you'll discover resources for finding adventurous mysteries with elements of humor, faith, and clean romance, making them perfect for young adults seeking engaging and faith-based stories. Leslea is one of seven contributors to S...

Welcome back to another episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit." Today, we dive into an enchanting tale that will whisk you away to the timeless city of Rome with our special guest, Rebecca Martin. Rebecca, a talented author and passionate lay Dominican, joins us to discuss her delightful new romance novel, "Love in the Eternal City." This "romcom" explores themes of love, faith, and personal growth against the backdrop of the Eternal City's stunning landmarks. Rebecca shares her unique journey t...

Are you feeling stuck or in need of direction? Maybe you need a Life Coach! What is a life coach? How does it differ from spiritual direction? How do you find a life coach? What does a life coaching session look like? In this episode, Certified Life Coach, Marge Steinhage Fenelon answers all our questions – as she shares her expertise on getting unstuck, setting goals, and finding possibilities in life. SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW: "I love the way you describe that, Marge, as helping you to get uns...

We're honored to welcome Maria Gallagher, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro Life Federation. Listen as we discuss the challenges and triumphs of the pro-life movement post-Roe v. Wade, the importance of personal involvement, and how leveraging your talents can make a significant impact in education, advocacy, and community based approaches to counter the misinformation in the abortion debate. SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW: As many as 60% of abortions are coerced, meaning women are being pr...

Ever feel hesitant to start something new in your spiritual journey? You're not alone! Join us as we dive deep into the transformative experience of spiritual direction with our guest, Certified Spiritual Director Deanna Bartalini. In this episode, Deanna shares her rich experience and practical advice on: The Role of a Spiritual Director Overcoming common challenges in prayer and finding stillness Understanding what to expect from spiritual direction sessions Practical advice on...

In this episode, we're honored to welcome a very special guest, Allison Gingras, who brings a wealth of experience and insights from her own faith journey, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of prayer and presence with God. Lisa and Shelly share bits of our own spiritual experiences, discussing how simple practices like praying the rosary have left indelible marks on our family legacies and influenced our understanding of God's profound love. We explore the beauty of tradition and the sign...

In this heartwarming episode, we're getting up close with Clara, Lisa’s Spanish exchange student turned family. From soccer fields to kitchen showdowns, and the bonds formed over shared meals and Young Life meetings, join us as we explore the joys, challenges, and unexpected lessons of welcoming a new culture into the heart of home. Stay tuned for laughter, a touch of culture shock, and a story that bridges continents right here on Episode 046. Want to learn more about hosting a Foreign Excha...

As the Texas wildflowers color the sides of our highways, it's time to tend not only to our gardens but also to the growth of our inner faith. Join us as our special guest, Margaret Rose Realy, explores the parallels between tending to your garden and enriching your spiritual life. The author of "A Garden Catechism", Margaret helps us discover how to create meaningful spaces for prayer and contemplation through the language of plants. SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW: "But I had realized that I could no ...

We get by with a little help from our friends! What to do when Lent arrives and you need some extra motivation? For this episode, we invited seven friends (and family) to offer their own perspectives on how this liturgial season helps them forge a closer relationship with Christ! Thank you to our Special Guests! Cameron Kelly from Holy Spontaneity Marge Steinhage Fenelon from Simply Holy Coaching Andrea Bear from Mourning Glory Marie Murray Linda Kueter Maria Gallagher Deanna Bartalini from ...

Who says you can't know and grow in your faith while reading Young Adult Fiction? It might be just as heaven intended! In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of Young Adult (YA) historical fiction with the wonderfully talented Amanda Lauer, author of the award winning "...As Heaven Intended" Civil War era novels. You'll love Amanda's joy and positivity as she recounts her journey bringing teens and young adults good fiction with characters whose everyday faith guides them! SNIPPET FR...

We're thrilled to introduce our friend and guest, Amy Connell - a certified personal trainer who wants you to take a rest day and nutrition coach who wants you to enjoy dessert. Amy joins us for an enlightening conversation as we look at how to move with the grace of both the body and the spirit, learning to trust in our paths, and empowering ourselves in this season of life. All Things Amy and Graced Health! -Visit https://www.gracedhealth.com/health/ and receive “31 Ways to Take Care of Yours...