Shows
Smuggling HopeThe Best Gift For Your Kids: Your Marriage, A Conversation With Mike and Alicia HernonIn this episode, Dan speaks with Mike and Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project, about the challenges and joys of family life, the importance of encouragement for parents, and the foundational elements of a strong family. They discuss the necessity of prioritizing marriage, the role of community, and the transformative power of getaways for couples. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentionality in relationships and the impact of a healthy marriage on children.Couples Getaway-Travel with Mike and Alicia to Austria or Bahamas! Sign up here! Start Healing Your Marriage and Family...2025-06-2557 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 336: What Would You Say to Your Younger Self? An Interview with Suzanne BilodeauGod has selected you uniquely to be the mother for these children. He will equip you for the work He wants you to do! Summary No one feels prepared to be a parent. Even if you were one of the oldest of 10 kids in a Catholic family (like Alicia or Katie) or a family of 7 (like Suzanne) you can never really be ready! The key to surviving, and even thriving, is stepping fully into your identity as a daughter of God. All the love that we have for our spouse and children needs to come from...2025-06-0958 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 328: Let Your Life Be a Witness, An interview with Chris and Molly McMahon"Never be embarrassed to love your wife." – Chris McMahon Summary What does it take to build a thriving business and a strong marriage at the same time? In this episode, Mike sits down with longtime friends Chris and Molly McMahon—financial advisors, founders, parents of five, and marriage warriors. Together, they unpack the real story behind balancing ambition with family, building a faith-filled home without a perfect blueprint, and making decisions that prioritize your marriage even when the world says otherwise. From the mess of early parenthood and maxed-out credit cards to spir...2025-04-1456 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 322: Dealing with Mouthy TeensA problem with disrespect from a child always goes back to a dysfunction in the parent-child relationship. Summary When our sweet children enter the teen years and adolescence is upon them, something happens that tends to cause parents stress and dismay - back talk and disrespect. Some of this is immaturity on the part of the child and some is simply lack of training in relationships. It is our job as parents to teach our children how to express their feelings, disagree, and even debate while maintaining an attitude of respect towards us and...2025-02-241h 04Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP321: Fifty Years and Going Strong!A husband and wife may disagree on many things, but they must absolutely agree on this: to never, ever give up. Summary When we did our listener survey, you asked for interviews of regular families who have raised children through to adulthood with grace and courage. Well, we have a treat for you! A few years ago we met Brian and Joanna Simpson of London ONT who have run the Family Foundations Institute for the past 25 years. They also have 9 children and over 35 grandchildren and they are a witness to the goodness of God d...2025-02-1759 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 320: Super Habits for the FamilySummary Have you ever wanted to stop yelling at your kids? Be more courteous to your spouse? Or be more orderly at home? Enter Super Habits! These are not just new things for you to learn to do, these are life-changing actions that will make you happier, healthier and more successful in many areas. In this interview, we spoke to Dr. Andrew Abela, author of the book Super Habits and his wife Kathleen who explained to us how to apply this book to family life. They gave us some great insights and showed us how Super Habits can be...2025-02-101h 15Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 319: How Husbands LeadFathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Eph 6:4 In this episode of the Messy Family Podcast, hosts Mike and Alicia Hernon celebrate their 10th year of the podcast and introduce the new studio, setting the stage for a discussion on fatherhood and leadership in the home. They emphasize that while fathers are called by God to lead, many struggle to understand what that truly means in a world that often undermines their role. True leadership is not about domination but about serving, sacrificing, and...2025-02-0349 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 318: Families as MissionariesFamilies don’t just have a mission, they ARE a mission! Summary When we hear “missionary” many of us automatically think of a single person serving in a third world country. Then we think, “not me!” But the reality is that all Catholics are called by their baptism to spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world. We do that first and foremost in our homes, through the pastoral care of our spouse and children, but there are other ways we can spread the Good News to the world. In this podcast, we interview Ti...2025-01-271h 20Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 317: Who are These Messy Families? 2024 Survey SummarySummary Since 2018 we have been doing surveys of our listeners to find out who you are, how we can serve you more, and what your needs are. We have never shared this information with our listeners until now! Over the years we have had thousands of listeners take this survey and it's interesting to see what has remained the same and what has changed. We thought it would be encouraging to you to hear that you are not alone! The struggles that you have told us about are shared by other moms and dads too. Listen in as we...2025-01-2041 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 316: A Manual for Catholic Families“Catholic parenting is above all a work of grace” - Fr. Carter Griffin We often say there is no manual for being a parent, but this book comes pretty close! In this podcast, we interview the author of Forming Families, Forming Saints Fr. Carter Griffin. Fr. Griffin has worked for years forming young men into priests in the seminary setting. In doing so, he saw many similarities between what he was doing with young men and what parents were doing at home. The four pillars of formation in the seminary - human, intellectual, spiritual, and apostolic - can be a...2025-01-1359 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 315: 10 Things to Stop Doing in 2025At the beginning of 2025 we want to challenge parents to step back and reassess their approach to family life by diving into 10 Things to Stop Doing in 2025. Are you focusing too much on your kids? Caught up in the frantic pace of life? Trying to "fix" your spouse or juggle it all? Let us give you some heartfelt encouragement to let go of habits that create stress, disconnection, and overwhelm. We guarantee this episode is packed with insights that will inspire you to parent with purpose and peace. Let’s start the year by simplifying, slowing down, and focusing on...2025-01-0752 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 314: Seasons of Prayer for Parents“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage” - St. Francis deSales Summary What God asks of us as parents is beyond our ability. We are all in need of God’s grace and that comes through prayer! Now, before you think, “I do not have time for prayer….” take a pause and listen to this episode. First, remember, we have been there! We had 3 kids under 3, 7 kids under 10 and then 10 under 16! We know that the crazy pace of li...2024-12-1658 min
The Art of Raising HumansParenting Can Be So Messy, Especially When You Are Raising 10 Kids” - Interview with Mike & Alicia Hernon (Ep 138)In Episode 138, Kyle and Sara, LPC’s, interview interview Mike & Alicia Hernon. They are parents of 10 kids and produce the Messy Family podcast. They share how their parenting and marriage has been messy and imperfect but they have also been able to intentionally created a healthy family culture. Sara and I discuss with them how they connect with and really know each of their kids. Their openness and authenticity is refreshing and encouraging. Alicia also dives into how she helps moms journey with their teenage daughters, during some of the most difficult times. They have so many stories an...2024-12-1641 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 313: Surviving the Holidays with GraceKids will not always remember what you say, they will remember how they felt. Summary We have talked about the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s being the “Momolympics”, a time when there are tons of things to buy, make, prepare, plan, and basically the happiness of your children all depends on you (at least we feel that way!) How can parents embrace the holidays with children with grace and excitement? How can we keep in mind what is truly important for our family? In this episode we give some principles, but also LOTS o...2024-12-0953 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 312: The Well Ordered FamilyGraces can flow into your home when nature is in its proper place. - Connor Gallagher, The Well-Ordered Family Summary Do you yearn for more order and clarity within your family? Is the chaos and busyness of modern life unsettling the harmony of your household? In this podcast, we interview Conor Gallagher, CEO of multiple businesses and father of sixteen, to talk to him about a transformative system that will restore peace and joy in your household. We love using business principles to improve family life, and in the Well-Ordered Family, Conor does jus...2024-12-021h 12Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 311: Family Roots - Mike's Irish ExperienceIn this episode, we dive into the beauty and power of family history. Mike shares the incredible story of his journey to Ireland—a dream rooted in a deep love for his heritage and a promise to pass it on to his children. From the ruins of his grandfather’s cottage to the windswept cliffs of the Aran Islands, the trip becomes a testament to the importance of staying connected to the past while building a legacy for the future. As we reflect on the stories of those who came before us, we’re reminded of the sacrif...2024-11-2543 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 310: Marriage, Teamwork, and Business - an interview with Dan and Brenda Vansteenburg“Guided and strengthened by God’s grace, husband and wife advance their own perfection… and contribute jointly to the glory of God” ~ Gaudium et Spes Summary You should never marry someone with the idea that you can change them, but we do need to help our spouses become the best version of themselves. We all should have a vision, a belief that our spouse can be amazing and then work with them for their good. In this podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Dan and Brenda - a couple from two different families, f...2024-11-181h 04Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 309: How Busy is Too Busy?Show me your checkbook and your datebook and I will show you what you value Summary So much of what we talk about on this podcast really hits home when it comes to how we spend our time. Family dinner, date nights, prayer time, even mass comes down to making time to do it. Four things determine how we run our lives and our family - talent, money, energy and time. Every one has different amounts of energy and talent and money, but we all have the same amount of time! How we use...2024-11-1152 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 308: The Power of Asking for Forgiveness“Genuine humility never disturbs the soul. Rather it is accompanied by peace, joy and calm” St. Theresa of Avila Summary What is the biggest problem in Catholic marriages? Although we appreciate good communication tools, marriage insights, and mentors - at the end of the day the biggest problem is simply a lack of holiness. One essential tool in our quest for holiness is learning how to ask for forgiveness. When we have conflict in our home, we all need to ask ourselves the question - what could I have done differently? When we take owner...2024-11-0453 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 307: Navigating Family Life Challenges: Q&A with Real-Life Struggles and Faith-Filled SolutionsIn this special Q&A episode, we dive into some of the most heartfelt questions from our listeners. From the complex question of whether to expand the family to grappling with grief, boundaries in marriage, and integrating elderly parents into a household, these issues strike at the core of family life. We also tackle how to balance the call to evangelize in a world that often conflicts with our values—especially when raising children in today’s cultural climate. Join us as we explore these tough topics with compassion, real-life insights, and guidance for finding peace, strength, and unity in f...2024-10-281h 01Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 306: What Teens/Tweens Really Need with Mark Hart“It’s important that we remember to talk ‘to’ our kids, not ‘at’ them” - Mark Hart Summary Parents are rightly concerned today about the influence of the culture on their teens. As much as we would like to put our kids in a teflon bubble to shield them from the false fake culture of the world, it is just not possible! What do our kids need from us to prepare them for life? Join us in this podcast for a conversation with Mark Hart of Lifeteen - a speaker, author, and parent himself of teens and adult ch...2024-10-2157 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 305: Should You Correct Your Spouse?It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 25:24 Summary All of us do things that annoy our spouse. Occasionally, we do things that hurt our spouse and vice versa. How do we communicate about these situations? Is it effective to tell them what they have done wrong? Is that what the scriptures tell us to do? In this episode, we discuss what it means to take “extreme ownership” of our own actions and emotions before trying to “fix” your spouse. We be...2024-10-1451 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 304: Enjoying your Toddler “You can learn many things from toddlers! For example, how much patience you actually have.” -Anonymous One blessing of having ten kids is that we have matured and learned enough about kids to appreciate the toddler years of children #9 and 10 much more than those years with children #1 and 2. Our advice to parents of toddlers is to start by enjoying them! It’s hard to do when they are destroying your house and embarrassing you in public, but with a few strategies and consistency on your part, you can begin to see that this little bundle of crea...2024-10-0751 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 303: How to Parent Like a Catholic Pt. 2Other Resources Welcome His Heart: https://welcomehisheart.com/ MFP 165: Forgiveness Brings Freedom and Transformation Videos - Evangelizing Your Kids and Forgiveness in the Family https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/pizza-and-parenting/watch/ Key Takeaways Parents must be very intentional about evangelizing their children and bringing them into a relationship with Christ. Marriage is a sacrament of service to the world. Our marriages are not just for us, they are an office of service. Every mother and father is to act as “priests of the h...2024-09-3059 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 302: A Parent’s Guide to Temperaments“You and your spouse are a team that GOD wants together!” - Art and LaraineBennett Summary The first step in creating a dynamic family is to know the people who are in it! That starts with knowing yourself, then your spouse, and then your children. One of the tools that we love using for this knowledge is the classic four temperaments - choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. The leading Catholic authors on the temperaments are Art and Laraine Bennett, authors of the book The Temperament God Gave You and many other great resources! In this...2024-09-231h 26Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 301: How to Parent Like a CatholicYour authority in the family does not come from perfection, it comes as a grace from your parenthood. Summary There are two kinds of families - those that are frantic and those that are fruitful. As Catholics we have an incredible grace to be fruitful families, but often our families don’t look much different than the secular, frantic families around us! How can we live family life differently? There are so many different parenting philosophies out there. Which ones should Catholics follow? In this podcast, we give an overview of The Catholic Parenti...2024-09-1659 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 300: Loving with Boundaries: Navigating Tough Parenting Decisions & FriendshipsSummary: In this episode, we explore several listener's questions about how to manage friendships when personal values differ, particularly in situations where children are involved. Mike and Alicia are joined by their daughter, Katie to dive into the challenge of maintaining friendships with those whose lifestyle choices may conflict with Catholic teaching, while still modeling love and compassion for others. The conversation focuses on how to love the person, hold true to your beliefs, and balance protecting your family’s moral development. Couple Discussion Questions: How can you love friends or family members who...2024-09-091h 06Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 299: Beauty, art, imagination and your kids with Andrew PetersonBeauty resets our compass. It reminds us of who we are and what we are made for. ~ Andrew Peterson Summary Our children will grow no matter what, but how they grow and what they learn is heavily dependent on their environment. Parents can shape the world of their children to include beauty, freedom of artistic expression, and space to wonder. In this podcast, we talk to Andrew Peterson, singer, songwriter, author, father and now grandfather. Over the last 25 years, Andrew has used his creative talents in the world of music and fantasy books for k...2024-09-0258 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 298: How to Really Love Your Teenager“21% of teens said their #1 concern was not having enough time with their parents. Only 8% of parents said their #1 concern was not having enough time with their kids.” ― Meg Meeker Summary After 13 years of marriage we had six children and were pretty confident in our parenting. But when our oldest daughter became a teenager, we felt like we needed to learn how to parent all over again! This sweet 12 year old seemed to begin changing before our eyes and we had to pivot pretty quickly to learn what it was that she needed and what our...2024-08-261h 02Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 297: Expectations in MarriageHappiness is determined by our expectations…. If our expectations are modest… we will be happy; if our expectations are unrealistic, we end up disappointed. ~Bishop Anthony Taylor, Diocese of Little Rock Summary All of us come into our vocations with expectations. We have dreams and plans, but expectations are more like assumptions. We have our own experience and we expect that things will go a certain way. The problem is, we can’t always articulate these expectations or even realize that we have them until they are unfulfilled and this can cause conflict with our spous...2024-08-1956 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 296: Talking to Your Kids About Sex - an Interview with Jason EvertThe body is not meaningless, but meaningful - Jason Evert Summary Join us for this insightful conversation with Jason Evert, speaker and author. Jason has spoken all over the world and has created numerous resources for preteens and teens to dive deep into what it means to be free to love. Often parents feel under-equipped to talk about sex and chastity, but it is within the home that these lessons need to be learned and it is where they are taught most effectively. The first step is to communicate to your children how muc...2024-08-1245 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 294: Building Families That Last: Insights from the National Eucharistic Congress | Messy Family PodcastJoin us for a special episode of the Messy Family Podcast, recorded live at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis! In this episode, Mike hosts a lively discussion on the joys and challenges of family life. Mike, who flew in from Ireland, shares his family traditions and reflections on building a lasting legacy. Plus, special guests Ennie and Cana Hickman talk about their journey of raising nine children, balancing ministry and marriage, and the importance of regular date nights. Whether you're a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers heartfelt stories and practical advice for...2024-07-2958 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 289: Fr. Mike Schmitz on Parenting and MarriageParenting isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It's about showing up over and over again no matter what. Summary Some may question how a celibate man could have wisdom for husbands and wives, let alone parents. But in this interview with Fr. Mike Schmitz, host of the Bible in a Year podcast, we think everyone will agree that his insights are awesome! Drawing from his own family experience as well as his role as a spiritual father, Fr. Mike shares with us how to love children who have fallen away from the church, the importance of your...2024-06-171h 06Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 288: Sisterhood - an interview with the Doman WomenOur parents made us sisters, but God made us friends. Summary One of the greatest blessings of Alicia’s life is that God gave her 9 brothers and sisters to laugh, play, fight, create, and pray with most of her life! This conversation is from a girls getaway weekend with the five Doman sisters. Now, because all the Doman siblings are practicing Catholics in good relationship with each other and their parents, people may put them in a category of “the perfect Catholic family”. But that is far from true. As you will hear, each one of t...2024-06-1048 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 278: Conversations with KidsSummary In this episode, Mike and Alicia Hernon explore the transformative impact of conversations with children. They emphasize the importance of fostering a family culture centered around meaningful dialogue. From toddlers to teens, discover practical strategies for nurturing curiosity, understanding, and mutual respect within the parent-child relationship. Don't miss out on this engaging discussion that highlights the profound influence of conversations in shaping both children and parents alike. For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ Key Takeaways Conversations form your children, but more importantly, i...2024-03-251h 15Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 275: Where do Bishops Come From? An interview with Bishop Joseph CoffeyJoin Mike and Alicia Hernon on this enlightening episode of the Messy Family Podcast as they sit down for an insightful interview with Bishop Joseph Coffey of the Archdiocese of the Military (United States). Together, they explore the intriguing question, "Where do Bishops Come From?" and delve into Bishop Coffey's personal journey of faith, discernment, and leadership within the Catholic Church. With candor and wisdom, Bishop Coffey shares his unique perspective on the role of bishops in today's world and offers valuable insights into the formation and responsibilities of these spiritual leaders. From his early experiences in...2024-03-0449 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 274: Leaving a Legacy of FaithIn this faith-filled episode of the Messy Family Podcast, Mike and Alicia discuss discuss the significance of authenticity, the power of family traditions, and the impact of a vibrant faith community. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting your family journey, this episode promises valuable insights and practical tools for nurturing a legacy of faith that will endure for generations to come. Tune in to the Messy Family Project podcast today and discover how to build a legacy of faith that withstands the test of time. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation that will empower...2024-02-261h 02Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 272: Disciplining Children without ShameFor a child to learn how to love, they need to first be loved. So many people find disciplining their children to be one of the biggest challenges of being a parent. We look back to the way our parents raised us and often we realize that we want to do things differently, but we just don’t know how. Without a new perspective, many times we just fall back on what we experienced as a child and we react from our own woundedness or our own view of what a father or mother should be. In this e...2024-02-0556 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 270: Do Catholic Wives Have to Obey their Husbands?In this episode, Mike and Alicia keep diving into the complex relationship of man and woman in marriage. It is vitally important that we keep in mind that we need to act according to our nature to have a successful, peaceful marriage! Part of this is realizing that there is a dance that happens between spouses - that is the giving and receiving. So what some fundamentalists may call “headship” we would say this is really men giving to their wives and families because this is what enables them to receive. What others may call “submission” we would say is reall...2024-01-2246 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 269: Headship - Navigating the Beautiful Chaos of MarriageJoin Mike and Alicia Hernon on another insightful episode of The Messy Family Podcast, where they fearlessly delve into the timeless and relevant topic of headship in marriage in reference to the key passages in Ephesians 5. In this episode, the Hernons share the behind-the-scenes of their podcast and video show on YouTube, inviting you to subscribe and become a valuable member of their growing community. They take you on a journey through recent family events, from unexpected hospital visits to the joyous arrival of their seventh grandchild, Declan John. Amidst the chaos, the Hernons ask f...2024-01-1542 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyAngels Watching Over Us with Fr. Wolfgang Seitz🎙️ Dive into a captivating episode of the Messy Family Podcast with Mike and Alicia Hernon! In this edition, titled "Angels Watching Over Us with Fr. Wolfgang Seitz," we explore the fascinating realm of guardian angels and the divine assistance that surrounds our lives. 🌟 Join Mike and Alicia as they welcome Father Wolfgang Seitz from the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, an expert on the Holy Angels. Fr. Wolfgang shares insights into the deep devotion his order has for the angels and provides a unique perspective on the vital role they play in our lives. 👼D...2024-01-081h 02
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 263: A Wise Parent’s Approach to Tantrums“The idea that the family is a democracy and that children and parents have the same responsibility within the home completely ignores the developmental needs of the child ” - Mike and Alicia A child’s temper tantrums are frustrating to parents, but we should recognize that they are often a result of a child’s deficit in communication, understanding, and emotional control. Children simply have immature responses to situations of conflict. Knowing this may help, but parents also need strategies to get through these tricky, volatile, and potentially embarrassing situations. In this podcast, we get practical and give parents...2023-11-131h 01
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 262: Men, Women, and Marriage“You are called to have great hearts here, counter-cultural and brave. You can build something better, freer, more generous, and nobler, beginning in your own home.” - Bishop Thomas Olmstead, Complete My Joy 59 Man and woman coming together to build a home is a natural experience that has happened over and over again since the creation of the world, but we need to keep learning about what marriage is for and how to nourish this essential communion. In this interview with Mike and Sharon Phelan we discuss how marriage can be transformational in the lives of men and wo...2023-11-0657 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 261: When Should Teens Date? Lessons Learned“An important element in forming Christian maturity in teens is creating a ‘Yes’ culture in the home, where a child can take risks, try new things, and find out more about who they are all while under your guidance.” - Mike and Alicia With the advent of the sexual revolution in the 60s and 70s and the subsequent increase in teen sexual activity, the response of the Christian community in the 80s and 90s was to make dating among conservative Christian teens verboten. Among many good Catholic families, there is still a wide range of opinions on when kids...2023-10-301h 04
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 256: Growing Your Family Culture - Questions AnsweredWe need to take a sacramental view of ordinary life - Mike and Alicia Hernon We often say that family culture is the secret weapon of Catholic families. Why is this? Because the culture within your home is more powerful than any written word. It communicates expectations, beliefs, and values to everyone in the family. In this podcast, we tackle some questions that listeners have sent into us about the culture within their homes. We answer questions like “what do I do about kids always fighting?”, “how do I take care of individual kids in a big family?”...2023-09-251h 14
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 253: Mentoring Mothers - Mom of Ten Tells All!Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. - Proverbs 31:30 Back by popular demand, this is another interview that we did with Michele Doman, Alicia’s mom and mother of 10 grown children, grandmother to over 55, and great grandmother to more than 7! In the last interview, we talked about Michele’s life as a young wife and mother. In this conversation, we talk more about being a parent of a large family and how she was able to do that successfully over the last 50+ years of marriage. Listen in and...2023-09-0442 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 252: Managing Relationships - Your Questions Answered!Of course your children don’t get along. They don’t know how to get along! That’s kind of what you are doing as parents, teaching them what they don’t know - Mike and Alicia All of us struggle to live in a community. That is the human condition - we need other people but we also find it hard to live with them! This is true for children, but also for adults. In this episode, we answer some questions that our listeners had about what to do when your kids fight with your friends' kids, how...2023-08-2840 min
Catholic-Link PodcastFamily Board Meeting with Mike and Alicia HernonMike and Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project discuss with Drew and Katie Taylor the details of Catholic family life! The Family Board Meeting not only helps Catholic Couples learn how to create a family mission statement, they intentionally create a Catholic Family Culture! Mike and Alicia Hernon provide incredible resources, especially the Messy Family Podcast! They are passionate about helping Catholic families live out the Catholic marriage and family life in all its glory and messiness.
They provide practical Catholic parenting advice and Catholic Marriage advice. However, they believe each family has a unique and...2023-08-1600 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 250: Catholic Manhood and Brotherhood"Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer God did not create man in isolation, He created man to live in community with others. This is the best path for the full development of the human person! Men need other men to push them, support them, love them, and let them know they have what it takes. In this touching interview, Mike talks to John Doman, Alicia's dad, about his experience as a young Marine in Viet Nam and the...2023-08-1438 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 248: You Need a Family Retreat“When an army retreats on the battlefield, it doesn’t mean that they are giving up. It can mean that they are taking time to reassess and regroup so they can come back stronger. This is the essence of a Family Retreat.” ~ Mike Hernon The concept of a family retreat is something that we have developed over the years for our own family. It grew out of our desire to regroup and reconnect with our kids outside of the daily chaos in our home. To do this, we have taken our children to vacation homes, retreat houses, and occa...2023-07-3147 min
Latte and Laundry: A home for Catholic women, moms, and hearts + encouragement for your mighty motherhood126. Family Living with Mike & Alicia Hernon of The Messy Family Project"But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" - Luke 18:16Do you ever feel weary, rundown, and quite frankly just not good enough? The vocation of of motherhood is one of the most difficult and yet beautiful and profound things we will ever do. Yet, sometimes we just don’t think we have what it takes. But what if the truth of the matter is that God never asked us to be good enough, but r...2023-06-1344 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 239: Getting Kids to ObeyTo become a better parent, I need to become a better person ~ Mike and Alicia One of the subjects we are most often asked about is discipline. We know how hard it is to form the will, heart and mind of a child! Though every child is different and every parent is different, there are some principles that we can give you to help you make a discipline plan that works for you and your spouse. In this episode, we start with the foundational points.. First, we need to get our hearts right and recognize why we are...2023-05-2252 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 233: Getting on the Same Page“Its better to be wrong together than right alone” - Mike and Alicia There are many things that spouses need to navigate in life - finances, educational choices, work issues, in-laws - and for all of these issues there is an “X factor” that makes all the difference - UNITY. Without unity, even the most perfect of scenarios will not bring peace, but with unity there is nothing that life throws at a couple that they will not be able to handle. The question is, how do you forge that unity with each other when you have tw...2023-04-1043 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 232: Dreaming vs. Fantasizing“Dream big, plan simple, act now.” - Mike and Alicia Hernon Dreaming is an integral part of living a life to the fullest. But dreams that take us away from our vocation are fantasies and actually detract from living an abundant life. What is the difference and why is it important? Dreaming in the best sense is an essential skill to have. Not everyone is a natural dreamer, but we can all learn to be! In this podcast, we discuss having a Growth mindset versus a Fixed mindset and how that affects our family life. We also give so...2023-04-0345 min
Mamas in SpiritFeeling Disconnected in Your Marriage? with Mike and Alicia Hernon of The Messy Family ProjectMichael and Alicia Hernon of The Messy Family Project share how to reconnect with your spouse--even when you are feeling like you have no idea how to be close again. In this Lenten Podcast, Mike and Alicia explore the choice to be vulnerable with one another, even when they are upset with one another or feeling particularly far apart. Vulnerability is the key ingredient to transformation in marriage. Love is a choice to be true to one another in every moment and season of a marriage--Mike and Alicia talk about turning to God in prayer an...2023-03-2347 min
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 228: Educational ChoicesSince parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most solemn obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. ~ Pope Paul VI, Declaration of Christian Education Educating children is one of the most important and daunting tasks parents must face. For some parents who have good resources at their disposal, the choice may be easy. For other parents, the choice is agonizing - charter school, Catholic school, hom...2023-03-0652 min
A Reason for HopeGod Bless This Mess! w/ Michael & Alicia Hernon
God Bless This Mess!: In this episode, we hear from Michael and Alicia Hernon, Catholic parents of ten children and founders of the Messy Family Project, an apostolate that seeks to accompany couples to embrace and joyfully live out their vocation to parenthood in the messy realities of life. We discuss Mike and Alicia’s stories and story, how the foundation of a thriving family is putting God and your spouse first, and how God works with and through our “mess” to bring about something beautiful and show forth His glory. --About Michael and Alicia...2023-01-2356 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 221: Just a Kid in a Big Family“The sacrifices our parents made to give us brothers and sisters is one of the greatest things they have done for us.” - Mike and Alicia Hernon We usually talk about family life from the perspective of parents. But for this podcast, we are going to take some time to talk about what it was like growing up in a family of 6 for Mike and a family of 10 for Alicia. We didn’t realize it as kids, but our parents' lives were really hard and they made a lot of sacrifices having the large families that they had. We...2023-01-1059 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 219: The Curious PodcastIf curiosity is a trait that can lead to the development of healthier, deeper, and more intimate relationships, then it could be another vital feature of the life of the child. - Maggie Hernon Did this title cause you to look? Do you wonder what it is about? Is it causing you to click to listen? That is because you are curious and that is a good thing! Curiosity is something we should all be encouraging in our children and there are numerous benefits. People who are curious have better mental health, are more successful in life and...2022-12-1958 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 208: Forming Missionaries - Some Great Craic!“We are witnesses to what the Lord Jesus has done in our lives.” ~ Tony Foy, Executive Director of NET Ministries Ireland Many of you may have picked up that Mike is pretty proud of his Irish heritage. We had a daughter who wanted to be an international missionary at 18 and Mike was hesitant until she said she wanted to be part of NET Ireland. That was a quick sell! NET is an organization that forms missionaries to evangelize junior high and high school students all over the world. Tony Foy and his wife Sheena have been running NET Irel...2022-09-2658 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 206: Why Romance is Essential“If you want to be a great parent, you need to be an amazing spouse” ~Mike and Alicia Hernon Often romance is associated with shallow, fleeting feelings, but really, the romance that we share without spouses is a powerful example to our children of the exclusive intimate relationship that only spouses are to enjoy. A kiss in the kitchen or an embrace in front of your children is not only to make them say, “Dad! Mom! Ewww!” but it is to show them the way they are called to love. It is this intimate exclusive love that is the found...2022-09-1257 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 198: Ask Mike and Alicia - Spiritual Leadership, Surprise Pregnancies, and Gender ConfusionWe love it when our listeners dictate what we talk about! In this episode we tackle some great email questions and voice memos that parents have sent us. A mom asks if its ok that her 2 yr old is wearing his sister’s dress up clothes and another mom is overwhelmed at another child on the way. Does this make her not “open to life” or a bad Catholic? We also had a wife share with us her heartache at her husband’s lack of faith in the home. How can she honor the Lord and honor her husband at the same...2022-07-111h 04Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 196: Ask Mike and Alicia - Sleep, Hazards of Big Families, and Family Fun“You know what my bedtime routine was when I was a kid? Darkness!” ~ Jerry Seinfeld We love our listeners. And we love answering their questions! In this episode, we are joined by our Program Coordinator, Katie (Hernon) Gamboa who represents the “every-mom” and gives us some great topics to talk about. The first issue we tackle is sleep! Since few young parents ever get enough of it, we help out by giving some tips and tricks as well as perspective. One of us is good at getting kids to lay down and one is not. We explain how this happe...2022-06-2748 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 194: A Mother’s Tale: Finding Freedom from Depression and AnxietyAnxiety results from assuming responsibility that God never intended. I need to play the part God meant for me. ~ Michele Doman This is a very special podcast that takes you behind the origins of the Messy Family Project. Many of the ideas, philosophies, and lessons that we teach come from the wisdom of the Church, and also from wisdom we have gained from others. This show is an interview that Alicia did with her mom, Michele Doman, who taught her much of what she knows about parenting! Michele shares some of her story growing up in Manhattan, NYC, living through the...2022-06-131h 09Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP186 : The Role of a Catholic HusbandHost Hijack!! Alicia’s brother Paul joins Mike for some manly conversation (but don’t worry, Alicia jumps in at the end!) This conversation will be helpful to anyone who is looking to have a great marriage - whether you are a husband or wife. It’s clear that there are many roles that men play in our world, some big and some small, but no other role comes close to the significance of being a good husband. Instead of just talking theory, Mike and special guest Paul Doman discuss very real ways that husbands can and must love, serve, pr...2022-04-181h 27Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 185: “I Will Survive!” Life with Toddlers and Infants“Without ideals we are aimless, but never let ideals eclipse the reality of our situation” ~ Mike and Alicia Hernon Living life with infants and toddlers is no joke. And the more you have the crazier your life is! We all know life is more than survival, but there were plenty of times that all Alicia could think when she woke up was “I just have to make it till nap time”. In this MFP classic episode which first aired in 2015, we talk about living life with kids under 5 without losing your mind. We give some practical tips for managing your childr...2022-04-1139 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 180: Monks, Parents and PrayerLent is a great time to take inventory of our spiritual life and ask ourselves, “How am I doing in my relationship with God?” To help us all do that, we decided to interview Mike’s spiritual director of many years, Fr. Boniface Hicks. Fr. Boniface is a director of directors! A Benedictine monk, he runs the Institute for Ministry Formation at St. Vincent Archabbey and is the author of several books on spirituality. But more important than that, he is a spiritual father giving guidance, encouragement, and sharing the Father’s love to many people around the country and even the wor...2022-02-241h 19
The Catholic Money Show from WalletWin#131 Creating a Family Culture ft. Mike and Alicia HernonHow do families respond to today's culture? How can we ensure that our children turn out okay?
In today's episode, the Teixeiras sit down with Mike and Alicia Hernon, founders of the Messy Family Project to chat about creating a strong, authentic family culture.
Learn more about the Messy Family Project at messyfamilyproject.org.
Join Mike and Alicia for the Family Board Meeting Webinar and Workshop!
Join us for "How to Win With Money Without Losing Your Soul" on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30pm Central.
Register at walletwin...2022-02-0851 minMessy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 175: It's All Worth It! an Interview with the Hernon KidsHaving all our adult children along with our grandchildren at our house over the holidays reminded us that all the sacrifices we have made over the years (and continue to make!) are all worth it. We thought our listeners would enjoy hearing from our kids’ perspective what worked for them and what didn’t, what we taught them intentionally or unintentionally, and how these lessons affect them now as adults. We tell parents all the time that is so important to imagine what you want your kids to look like when they are adults, and we have tried to live t...2022-01-121h 05Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 172: The Bible & Your Family with Jeff & Emily CavinsJeff Cavins is the author is the Bible Timeline, the tool behind the hit podcast “The Bible in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmitz. Jeff and his wife Emily have studied, taught, and led thousands of people into a deeper relationship with the Word of God through their books, talks, and guided tours. They have a heart for families and a desire to teach parents how to teach their children! On this podcast, we discuss teaching scripture to our children and learning why it is so important that parents do this. Not only do the Cavins have great insight, but they...2021-11-241h 18Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP 171: Ask Mike & Alicia: Addiction in Marriage, Fun Moms, Laundry Strategies, and Navigating Secular Christmas!We love interacting with our listeners and one way we do this is by taking your questions! Katie (Hernon) Gamboa joins us again to sit in as the “Every-mom” and ask us the questions that our members have sent in to us to be answered. Per usual, there is a variety of subjects that we cover in this episode. One mom is struggling with spiritual desolation and a husband who is agnostic. A dad dealing with addiction reached out for encouragement and advice on relating to his wife during recovery. We also touch on lighter topics such as laundry routines...2021-11-181h 16
DOV Family PodcastMessy Family Interview! With Mike & Alicia HernonHear from "Messy Family Project" founders Mike & Alicia Hernon about what to expect at their upcoming parenting workshop on DISCIPLINE! Part of the online parenting workshops hosted by the Diocese of Victoria on October 13, 20, and 27. Register at https://www.victoriadiocese.org/parents. Learn more about Mike and Alicia at https://www.messyfamilyproject.org. Check out the podcast episodes Alicia mentioned in the interview at https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-113-parenting-essentials and https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-152-first-time-obedience. YouTube version of this episode with video available at https://youtu.be/q0HLtLUBfI42021-09-2924 min
The Catholic Conversation8/14/21 - Mike and Alicia Hernon, Messy Family LifeLiving family life can be messy. It's nice to hear from veteran parents to encourage parents along the way. Mike and Alicia Hernon encourage us to grow in holiness through the day to day of family life. They are the founders of the Messy Family Project. This episode is sponsored by Caritas Press. Find books for the whole family at caritaspress.org. 2021-08-1330 min
Become Who You Are#117: "The Messy Family Project" with Michael and Alicia HernonLove to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”#117: "The Messy Family Project" with Michael and Alicia HernonMichael & Alicia Hernon are on a mission to empower parents, strengthen marriage, and bring families to Christ through their ministry, the Messy Family Project. Parents of ten children and grandparents to three, the Hernon's have traveled around the world to encourage families and spark conversations between spouses on how to be the best parents for their children. Mike and Alicia offer down-to-earth, practical insights into family life through their podcast, which is downloaded over 20,000 times...2021-07-2037 min
Curiously CatholicEpisode 18: Marriage & Family with Mike & Alicia HernonIn this week's episode of Curiously Catholic, we pick the brains of the energetic, fun-filled and inspirational Mike & Alicia Hernon. Founders of The Messy Family Project, a ministry focussed on marriage and the family, and parents to ten children - Mike and Alicia are highly qualified to share their experiences and advice with you, the Curiously Catholic listeners.Speaking to the experience of first-time father and motherhood, being parents to a large family, the vocation of a married couple and so much more - tune in today, you won't want to miss this!2021-06-241h 00Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and FamilyMFP161: Can Kids Use Technology with Virtue?Parenting kids in a tech age; Teaching kids virtue in an age of tech; Is it possible to use tech with virtue? “It is your responsibility to train your child in virtue and slowly move from protecting their innocence to building Christian maturity. This is true for many areas of life, including use of technology” - Mike and Alicia Hernon We have talked about the harm that the overuse of screens can do to kids and especially teens, but in this podcast we give parents some ways that they can be proactive in this world of Bi...2021-06-2458 min
Restored: Helping Children of Divorce#044: Practical Tips for Becoming a Great Parent | Mike & Alicia HernonFor most people, becoming a parent is beautiful but also scary and intimidating. But that is especially true for people from broken families. Often, we didn’t see a great example of parenthood, so we feel lost and unsure how to do it ourselves.In this episode, we talk parenting with Mike and Alicia Hernon, the parents of 10 kids and leaders of a ministry for parents called The Messy Family Project. We discuss:How his parents’ divorce affected Mike as a husband and fatherFears he had about becoming a father, how he overcame them, and how you...2021-05-111h 09Latte and Laundry: A home for Catholic women, moms, and hearts + encouragement for your mighty motherhood19. Marriage Part 3: Interview with Alicia HernonVocation: “A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness.” The Second Vatican Council made it plain that there is a "Universal call to holiness in the Church." Therefore, it is precisely through living out our vocation in marriage that we find our unique path to holiness. This week we are excited to wrap up our Marriage series with an amazing guest. We were honored to talk with Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project out in Steubenville Ohio. She has a fiery passion for the calling of the Chris...2021-05-0447 min