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 unstuck, because I think a lot of women, and I'll say our age, Lisa and I, you know, we're in the transition of life, and we get stuck, and we don't know where to go next." - Shelly "...Life coaching is most definitely self care, and it's something that we should grow and learn and take care of ourselves so that we can do what we're called to do." - Lisa

The Impact of Life Coaching: "The fact that they entrust to me their dreams and goals is just phenomenal. And I just love seeing when a client gets to that goal or the light bulb goes on and they see something that they had never seen before, and you just see their face light up, and you just know they have just. They got it and they're ready to move on." - Marge Fenelon

CONNECT WITH MARGE

• Marge Fenelon
• Simply Holy Coaching

ITEMS MENTIONED

• Know Thyself: The Game of Temperaments
• The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett

CONNECT WITH US:

We invite you to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch! We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

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 pressured by boyfriends, husbands, parents, even grandparents to abort their children." – Maria Gallagher

"How many times is the message being promoted that if you have a child, it will derail your career and your life? And that is a falsehood?" – Shelly

"And we hope that you enjoyed this topic and that you will take Maria's suggestions and find ways to be involved in the pro-life movement and also to pray for all pregnant women and their children." - Lisa

CONNECT WITH MARIA:

• Website, Books, Speaking
• Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation

CONNECT WITH US:

We invite you to⁠⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch! We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

Shrines, Saints, and Summer Break! For our first anniversary of the podcast - and the beginning of summer break - we're highlighting one of our earlier episodes.

Summer vacation doesn’t mean you take a break from your faith! No matter where your family travels, you can still find opportunities to connect with and grow in your faith on the road.

Snippet from the Show: “…what we’re doing is considered a pilgrimage. I never thought of just visiting a church as a pilgrimage before.” - Shelly

The Spiritual Significance of Historical Sites: "I just sat there and looked and thought, how much did they love you, God, that they built this amazing church? Because everywhere I looked, I felt love for Christ." - Lisa

Places Mentioned:

• ⁠Mother Cabrini Shrine⁠ (Golden, CO)
• ⁠Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament⁠ (Hanceville, AL)
• ⁠Bread of Life Mural⁠ (Houston, TX)
• ⁠Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception⁠ (Washington, DC)
• ⁠The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion ⁠(New Franken, WI)
• ⁠National Shrine of our Lady of La Leche⁠ (San Augustine, FL)
• ⁠The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown⁠ (Libertyville, IL)
• ⁠Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower⁠ (San Antonio, TX)
• ⁠The Loretto Chapel⁠ (Santa Fe, NM)
• ⁠The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi⁠ (Santa Fe, NM)
• ⁠Painted Churches of Texas⁠ (Schulenburg, TX)
• ⁠Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine⁠ (Oklahoma City, OK)

If this topic makes you curious about other pilgrimage sites in the US – we invite you to check out these two books:

• ⁠My Queen, My Mother A Living Novena. A Marian Pilgrimage Across America by Marge Steinhage Fenelon⁠
• ⁠A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History: People and Places that shaped the Church in the United States by Kevin Schmiesin⁠

“…truly nothing happens by accident or luck, but everything by God’s wise providence.” St. Juliana Norwich (Revelations of Divine Love, 1393)

We want to know! Where’s a sacred place you’ve been? Or someplace you’ve always wanted to go?

We'd love to hear from you!

• Email us at ⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠

• Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠⁠

PS: For a special treat, visit the ⁠Kakawa Chocolate Shop⁠ (Santa Fe, TX) – yeah, we know it’s not a sacred site but you’ll enjoy this stop!

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 choosing the right spiritual director

Feeling eager to start but unsure where to begin? Deanna has the guidance you need!

SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW: "But my purpose is to listen, to make connections, and to ask questions, to help people figure out what God wants from them." - Deanna Bartalini

"Sometimes people come to me, and they've never prayed with scripture, and when I ask them, how often are you quiet during prayer time? It's like, what? What do you mean, quiet? I have to talk to God. Yes, but when do you listen to him?" - Deanna Bartalini

WHERE TO FIND DEANNA? Live Not Lukewarm

We invite you to⁠⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch!

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

Are you in a mixed-faith marriage? How do you navigate the challenges of being married to a non-Catholic? How do you stay strong in your own faith while respecting your spouse's spiritual journey?

In this deeply personal and inspiring discussion, we share our own personal stories, struggles, and successes, offering invaluable insights and encouragement.

Whether you’re married to someone of a different faith or just curious about how faith impacts relationships, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.

SNIPPETS FROM THE EPISODE: "The next thing I had to learn and respect was that we each had our own faith journey. And the way that we live our faith in Christ could be different. It didn't have to be the same to be good." - Lisa

“Lord, take away this desire for me to want him to accept the church. Lord, give me the grace to accept where he is on knowing you better.” - Shelly

FROM THE CATECHISM: This difference between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage. Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion. CCC 1634 We invite you to⁠⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch!

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

We need to stop feeling guilty for taking time to take care of ourselves!

As middle-aged women juggling numerous roles, we're discussing our personal self-care strategies, the pervasive guilt associated with taking "me" time, and why it's crucial to overcome these feelings for our mental and spiritual well-being.

From massages to meditation, and from making time for hobbies to embracing silence, join us as we share insights, laugh over misconceptions, and support each other in our quest to prioritize wellness unapologetically. So, tune in, unwind, and let's get inspired together.

SNIPPETS FROM THE SHOW: "What is wrong with doing something that inspires me, works my mind, that helps me grow closer to God, that lights me up and makes me a better person so that I can take care of the things I need to take care of. Why should I feel guilty about that?" ~ Lisa

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you? I say that to remind you that whatever you're going through, whatever anxiety you have, however you are listening to this and thinking, I'm not taking care of myself. Right. Start somewhere!" ~ Shelly

We want to know! What ways do you practice self-care? (Bonus points if you do it without feeling guilty!)

We invite you to⁠⁠⁠ sign up for our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠ to keep in touch!

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

We're gearing up for a significant family trip that involves not just the immediate but extended family members as well, totaling 17 people! From young adults to the eldest in the family, managing such a diverse group brings its unique set of challenges and opportunities for growth.

In this episode titled "Dodging Drama on Family Vacation” Shelly and Lisa share their personal experiences and tips on navigating the complexities of family dynamics during travel. You'll hear about the importance of flexibility—whether it's about mealtimes or dealing with postponed plans—and we'll discuss the essential strategies for mitigating conflicts and ensuring that everyone, across ages and personalities, finds joy and relaxation on the trip.

From setting realistic boundaries to incorporating down-time, practicing forgiveness, and remembering to take moments for personal peace, this episode is packed with valuable advice. Our hosts also highlight the spiritual aspect, emphasizing scriptures that promote patience and love in family relationships.

So, whether you’re planning a small getaway or a grand family expedition, tune in as we explore making the most of these precious moments together, ensuring the vacation is memorable for all the right reasons. And don’t forget, we want to hear from you too—send in your family travel stories and song recommendations for our special vacation playlist!

QUOTE:

Faith and Family Dynamics: "This is going to be a really good exercise in putting into practice all the things regarding faith and surrender and trust that we often talk about. I mean, it's one thing to read these spiritual books and to hear the readings and talk about it. It is another to put it into practice." ~ Shelly on Dodging Drama on Family Vacations

What are your tips for Dodging Drama on Family Vacations?