Shows
Living a Culture of LifeHow God Spoke Through My Desires: Discernment w/ Stacey SumereauDo you know how to discern God’s will in your life? How important are your desires? Should we look for signs? How can you know if you're really doing what He wants?Most Christians have struggled with these questions at some point in their life. Thankfully, God loves to reveal His Heart to us.On this episode, Stacey Sumereau shares her inspiring story of vocational discernment. From a Broadway touring career, to discerning religious life on reality TV, to becoming a wife and mother, her story is one you won't want to miss!...2025-04-101h 25
Called and CaffeinatedI WROTE A BOOK! Introducing "Adventure Awaits" // When You Struggle with God's TimingThe human heart plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. -Proverbs 16:9
I WROTE A BOOK! Introducing Adventure Awaits: How to Interpret Your Desires and Hear God’s Voice publishing soon and available for preorder NOW with Ave Maria Press. Learn how to find the deepest desires of your heart, how they intersect with God’s desire for you, and how to hear his voice.
Have you ever struggled with the timing of a dream and wondered why God isn’t giving you the good desires in your heart? I’m no stranger to that. In...2025-03-1719 min
Mamas in SpiritMy Heart was Broken and Put Back Together with Stacey SumereauStacey Sumereau is on a healing journey. Stacey was pregnant with her third child when she had a placental abruption--Baby Honora (Nora) was born early by emergency C-section. Stacey's heart broke into pieces as she watched her baby go through what seemed like endless life-saving procedures. The final breaking point was when Stacey and her husband were told they needed to say goodbye. Miraculously, Nora survived. Over time, Stacey moved beyond her trauma and into prayerful silence. God created a much stronger heart in Stacey as He put the pieces of her...2024-10-1045 min
Catholic Women LeadS3 Episode 2: Stacey Sumereau on DiscernmentCWIB Presidents Taryn DeLong and Elise Crawford Gallagher’s new book, Holy Ambition: Thriving as a Catholic Woman at Work and at Home, is available for preorder!
Season 3 of Catholic Women Lead will share excerpts from Elise and Taryn’s interviews with 16 Catholic businesswomen. Their stories are included in the book, but there wasn’t room for all of their wisdom, so we’re sharing it here on our podcast.
In episode 2, speaker and podcaster Stacey Sumereau shares her experiences and wisdom when it comes to discernment, including how she discerned her vocation to marriage and how she...2024-07-1645 min
Called and CaffeinatedHoly Body Image: See Yourself As God Does feat. Shannon WhitmoreThank you for tuning in! Please subscribe and share with anyone you know who needs to hear this episode.
In this episode, Shannon and I detail our eating disorders and how scripture and understanding how God sees us freed us from our underlying self-image issues. Packed with practical tips and support for anyone struggling to love themselves.
Resources
Buy Shannon's Book See Yourself As God Does
Hear Dr. Andrew Whitmore's episode on Called and Caffeinated
Join Stacey's Patreon Community here!
Buy Stacey's handmade beeswax prayer candles. They make amazing gifts.
2023-07-031h 22
Called and Caffeinated7 Strategies from Aquinas for Building Virtue feat. Andrew Whitmore, Ph.D.Thank you so much for tuning in! Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut? Can't get out of the same old bad habits (and you're sick of thinking about how you can't just kick them once and for all?) My good friend Dr. Andrew Whitmore will spell out strategies from his new book that are sure to give you tons of motivation and immediate progress. If you listen to my show regularly you know I love actionable strategies, and Dr. Whitmore will not disappoint.
Resources
Buy Dr. Whitmore's Book, Saintly Habits, here!
Stacey's Called...2023-05-021h 03Called and CaffeinatedThe Problem Is Not the Problem: Do You Need HEALING in Your Relationship With The Lord?Happy Feast Day of St. Joseph!! I have a newfound devotion to this incredible Saint and, since I have promised to spread awareness of his amazingness, I'm keeping that promise today. It's been an extremely eventful year for the Sumereau family, and one other Saint has also been instrumental for us. Yes God does answer prayers, and he loves to do it in a way that will blow your mind!
Also in this episode is a concept that's been buzzing around in my brain for YEARS that I've never yet been able to articulate. When we're discerning...2023-03-2020 minCalled and CaffeinatedReviving My Dying Prayer Life...Are you in a phase of life where you lost your motivation to pray? For me, pregnancy is a season where I totally fall off the wagon in my prayer life. Then when I lose the habit of prayer I lose the motivation. And it's really hard to get back into the habit.
Today I'm sharing 5 fail-safe strategies to revive my mostly-defunct prayer life:
Make your busy life a prayer
Make a plan
Tithe your time
Prioritize your best way to connect with God
Recall God's past providence
I've begun making 100% beeswax candles with crackling...2023-01-2019 min
Called and CaffeinatedUsing Your God-Given Temperament to Avoid Pitfalls and Discern Well“Self-knowledge is so important that, even if you were raised right up to the heavens, I should like you never to relax your cultivation of it.” -St. Teresa of Avila
In this episode I'm joined by famed author of many books, including The Temperament God Gave You, Laraine Bennett. If you're like me, you get a little annoyed when someone references the temperaments because it feels just a tad... simplistic. Or you never read a book about them before. Never fear! We break down each temperament into manageable explanations and after hearing them, I think you'll agree with...2022-10-101h 18Called and CaffeinatedHealing Your Heart and Mind after an Eating DisorderMy heart went out to a listener named Victoria, who wrote to me of her eating disorder. Her discomfort with her looks pushed her toward perfectionism and an extreme fear of failure. As I read her words, I knew exactly how she felt, because for years I was there as well.
You can't discern your true purpose when you're living in fear of failure and self-dislike. Even after your body heals and you begin eating normally again, long-term healing of your heart and your outlook is absolutely essential. If you're stuck in that in-between, this one's for...2022-08-0218 minCalled and CaffeinatedHealing Your Heart and Mind after an Eating DisorderMy heart went out to a listener named Victoria, who wrote to me of her eating disorder. Her discomfort with her looks pushed her toward perfectionism and an extreme fear of failure. As I read her words, I knew exactly how she felt, because for years I was there as well.
You can't discern your true purpose when you're living in fear of failure and self-dislike. Even after your body heals and you begin eating normally again, long-term healing of your heart and your outlook is absolutely essential. If you're stuck in that in-between, this one's for...2022-08-0218 min
Called and CaffeinatedChoose Confidently, Live Boldly feat. Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.“So, what then is life about? To what — to whom — will we entrust our heart? There are plenty of suitors, but only one worthy spouse. For, as we’ll find, a human life is a weighty thing, and some goals simply can’t bear the burden of our whole heart’s love.”
If there's one thing I crave in all my decision-making, it's confidence. If I knew for sure what the right thing was, I would be so happy and choose it immediately! Sadly, there's usually no burning bush or angel appearing in a dream to tell me.
Dev...2022-05-231h 02
Called and CaffeinatedDiscerning a Vision for Your Family feat. Leila LawlerThere are a million parenting advice books, homeschooling books, how-to's on organizing, and spiritual books. Much, much more rare is a book helping us parents know when to work and when to put your feet up, how to make your marriage last with boisterous youngsters claiming your every ounce of energy, how to form a philosophy for educating your children, and how to keep one million tasks in balance... or discern when to cut down the list!
Leila Lawler, founder of the popular blog Like Mother Like Daughter and now author of the aptly (and cheekily) named Summa...2022-05-021h 11
Called and CaffeinatedThe Joy of Fasting feat. Dr. Scott HahnAnyone else totally lose steam at this point in Lent? It's not Holy Week yet and the "smells and bells" of special liturgies haven't arrived. And TBH I'm busy and the excitement of growth at the outset of Ash Wednesday wore off weeks ago. If you're like me, you will absolutely LOVE my interview with the inimitable Dr. Scott Hahn.
There's so much more to fasting than giving up: It will increase our JOY. It unites us in brotherhood to the millions of people in our Universal Church who have fasted throughout the centuries. Give this a...2022-04-0542 min
Called and CaffeinatedRestoring Your Heart feat. Sr. Miriam James HeidlandVIEW ON YOUTUBE HERE
"God does not reject the places even we reject within ourselves."
I've never thought of Lent as a time for healing, but my conversation with Sr. Miriam James Heidland changed that. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving: the purpose of these is not to do them for their own sake, but in order to enter into the desert with the Lord. To let him heal the places that most hurt us.
If that scares the living daylights out of you... it should. It will. But only in exposing our wound to...2022-03-1550 min
Called and CaffeinatedHistory of Lent & Fasting Traditions feat. Kristen Van UdenWATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE!
“If you do not know how to feast, you do not know how to feast.” -GK Chesterton
Not gonna lie… as a teen I usually weighed my Lenten resolution options against how good I’d look in a swimsuit by Easter. To be honest, I never “got” fasting. I still don’t know if I do, but this year I’ve received a few great new books that completely transformed my outlook on Lent and fasting and, dare I say, made me look forward to this penitential season!?
Today I’m going way be...2022-03-0132 min
Called and CaffeinatedCaring for Terminal Cancer Patients & Conversion feat. Sr. Diana Marie AndrewsMy dad had aggressive cancer in 2019 that almost killed him. Watching him go through chemo was an extremely intense experience for my whole family. When I heard about Sr. Diana Marie's mission of dedicating her life to caring for terminally ill cancer patients, my first reaction was "How do you DO that?"
Not only does she spend her days loving people in their last days, but she's also young, full of joy, and hilarious (sarcasm is her love language.) We cover a whole range of topics from her conversion from Mormonism to Catholicism in grad school, her...2022-02-171h 21
Called and CaffeinatedVirtues You Need from Saints You Don’t Know feat. Kelly GuestDid you know C&C is a YouTube show too? Watch here!
We discuss the following saints and their virtues:
Faith exemplified by St. Bassa
Courage exemplified by St. Perpetua
Forgiveness and mercy exemplified by St. Gladys
Perseverance exemplified by St. Theneva
Detachment exemplified by St. Frances of Rome
Generosity exemplified by Bl. Marianna Biernacka
Resources
Kelly’s website (Purchase Saintly Moms directly from her for a signed copy!)
Stacey’s workout series Catholic Strong
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Catholic Match! Start your Catholic love story with a FREE profile. Use thi...2022-02-0751 minCalled and CaffeinatedHow We Keep Our Marriage Healthy feat. John and Stacey SumereauWatch on YouTube here!
Well, well, well. My husband John actually asked to come up with the ideas for this episode and I was like 'YES thank you honey.' I always feared as a single person that my husband and I would fall out of love and out of like, and 5 years in, I'm happy to report we're more into each other than when we got married!
We're sharing today our top tips for maintaining a healthy marriage:
The importance of surrendering everything in marriage to God
How to make your suffering fruitful
W...2022-01-1927 min
Called and CaffeinatedMore Joy and Serenity: Draw Close to The Holy Spirit feat. Sr. Mary Ann Fatula
The Holy Spirit is... a dove?? Anyone else feel like the third Person of the Blessed Trinity is just a little inaccessible the way he's usually described?
He's so much more than that. In fact, the Holy Spirit is no less than the ACTUAL antidote to literally everything wrong in the world. A relationship with the Holy Spirit is essential to good discernment, and if you don't know how to get started then this is the perfect episode for you.
For some time I've wanted to delve deeper into understanding this Person. Sr. Mary Ann Fatula is a true scholar and...2021-12-3150 min
Discerning MarriageEpisode 32: Surrender with Stacey SumereauSurrender to his will and God's timing is the beginning to every good discernment - this is so true, but at the same time, so difficult! I'm joined by Stacey Sumereau to discuss this important topic and some tips for implementing it into your life!
On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation.
This podcast is hosted by the Theo...2021-12-1731 min
Called and CaffeinatedHealing Faith in God after Feeling Abandoned in Trials/TraumaWATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE
Faith helps us get through challenges, yes, but when we have extended trials that press on us we can sometimes falter and lose heart. If we can’t hear God speak or feel his comfort, It can leave us questioning “why has God abandoned me? Where was he when I needed him? Does he really love me if he’s letting me go through this?”
I experienced all those things in the trauma and trial an emergency C-section where my daughter almost died, followed by her 126 days in the NICU. It was the...2021-11-1914 minCalled and CaffeinatedQuit Quitting on Your Prayer LifeSo things are opening up again (Yay!) And suddenly you're back to juggling a busy schedule and your prayer life is slipping. You're not alone.
In this episode I'm answering a question from Julie who's feeling frustrated by her lack of ability to maintain the 4-times-daily structure to her prayer life she had in quarantine. I'll be discussing:
The #1 obstacle in your spiritual life (it's NOT faltering in your prayer life!)
How to get back into a prayer routine once you've fallen off the horse
Why quality over quantity is important
Identifying your best style of...2021-11-0918 min
Called and CaffeinatedFinding Dew in the Desert feat. Sonja CorbittWatch on YouTube here!
Show Notes
Day after day, as I tearfully left my baby and away from the NICU, I would cry out to God, “how much longer?” It’s hard to believe that Nora was only in the hospital 126 days. It felt like 126 years. Why do the deserts of our lives feel so long, and what do you do when your faith begins to waver? Are you supposed to just get through it, or can you learn something when you're deprived of legitimate needs?
Sonja Corbitt’s new book, Just Rest, came to m...2021-10-0749 minCalled and CaffeinatedLoving Life When Your Spouse is Nowhere to be FoundI got a note from Kim asking how to keep trusting God in her season of very extended singlehood. I sympathize 1000% with the struggle but I also FIRMLY believe no one has to stay in a place of sadness, loneliness, and scarcity.
Topics Discussed
My 3 hopes for anyone struggling with singlehood
3 strategies for achieving and living those hopes
Resources
Emily Stimpson Chapmans episode on the Called and Caffeinated Podcast on extended singlehood
Fr. Mike Schmitz's episode on the Called and Caffeinated Podcast on the 3 levels of our callings
2-Step plan for entrusting God with y...2021-09-0820 min
Called and CaffeinatedBeauty Inside and Out feat. Nicole CarusoYou know when a woman walks by who looks absolutely fabulous and confident? Is that woman you, or do you wish you could feel more comfortable in your own skin? Until recently, I was the latter. Between years of self-image issues, changing shape constantly from three pregnancies in five years, and hanging on to hand-me-downs I don't like because I feel guilty giving away free stuff, I've rarely felt fabulous in my clothing.
Enter Nicole Caruso, former writer for Verily Magazine and author of Worthy of Wearing. Nicole's worthiness movement is taking the Catholic Instagram corner by...2021-08-2652 minCalled and CaffeinatedBeauty Inside and Out feat. Nicole CarusoYou know when a woman walks by who looks absolutely fabulous and confident? Is that woman you, or do you wish you could feel more comfortable in your own skin? Until recently, I was the latter. Between years of self-image issues, changing shape constantly from three pregnancies in five years, and hanging on to hand-me-downs I don't like because I feel guilty giving away free stuff, I've rarely felt fabulous in my clothing.
Enter Nicole Caruso, former writer for Verily Magazine and author of Worthy of Wearing. Nicole's worthiness movement is taking the Catholic Instagram corner by...2021-08-2652 min
Called and CaffeinatedLife-Changing New Catholic Personality Typing System feat. Brennen and Audra NakaneThe Nakanes couldn't believe it when they discovered a personality typing system that maps not only to reality, but also to scripture! It's not just a fun Facebook quiz; this system is a powerful key to understanding the Triune God, the personality you were given, other people, motivations, and free will. Brennen and Audra Nakane have been researching, developing, and writing about Nakane CAPS for over a decade. This is one of the longest C&C episodes, but it's the audio equivalent of a page-turner. Enjoy!
Topics Discussed
The 7 motivants and how body language expresses them
...2021-08-121h 56Called and CaffeinatedBeat Discernment Overwhelm! Which Religious Communities Should I Visit?Never be overwhelmed by discerning religious life again! In this Q&A episode, follow this simple method to narrow down your search from the entire universe to the communities you're going to visit in person.
Questions for journaling included in this episode:
Do I see myself in a cloistered or an active community? Why?
Is wearing a habit as part of religious life important to me? Why?
Do I want to travel and serve in many places, or would I prefer to stay in one location? (I included this one because certain orders may station you...2021-07-2816 min
Called and CaffeinatedPerception & Contemplation feat. Dony MacManus“Listening with a capital L is the secret to life, the secret to love, because you can’t love what you don’t understand, and you can only understand if you listen.”
What if it were your actual job to contemplate? To perceive deeply? That’s how Dony MacManus sees his calling as an artist. He spent three weeks just drawing Michaelangelo’s Pieta, and he shares how that experience healed and changed him.
Living in our distracted world, I know it’s a struggle to concentrate enough to enter into authentic contemplation. Dony’s artistic perspec...2021-07-1955 min
Called and CaffeinatedI Don't Trust God with My Future...What Now?A little while back I got a message from Kathryn who’s struggling to surrender to God’s will for vocation, career, and living situation. She wrote, “Every time I surrender what I want to God I just get sad, like I’m giving up. How can I surrender my desires God when I don’t even think he cares, when I don’t think he wants to give me what I want?”
My heart went out to Kathryn and I knew right away I wanted to devote an entire episode to her question. During my vocational discernment jo...2021-06-3029 min
Called and CaffeinatedHearing God Through Prayer Doodling feat. Ali Hoffman“The Holy Spirit is moving now- he doesn’t want to wait five years until you’ve got your life together.”
It was my honor to share a beverage with the incredibly down-to-earth and inspiring gal pal Ali Hoffman. From discussing grieving your dreams to awkward parties and how to host them, Ali and I are your cheerleaders in living out today well, whatever God's calling you to right now.
Show Notes
Finding your personal charism
How to get started prayer doodling, especially if you judge your own art abilities
Praying in a time of desol...2021-05-251h 10
Called and CaffeinatedEveryday Discernment feat. Tim FerraraLife is mushy. It’s exhausting living in the gray. That’s why tuning into our inner compass- conscience- and learning what the voice of the Holy Spirit sounds like, are vital in discerning everyday decisions. God doesn’t care what color shoes we choose. But many small decisions are important because they add up to the big moments. The more we’re attuned to the ‘quickening’ of the Holy Spirit, the better we can make each little decision (and the quicker we'll know!)
The nerd in me loved learning Greek words associated with discernment from my guest in thi...2021-05-111h 04
Off The Crutch PodcastBirthday Episode with Stacey SumereauToday is my birthday! And I am so excited to share my interview with Stacey Sumereau. I've only known Stacey for less than a year but her story has ties with my journey living with cerebral palsy. Without giving much away in the description, this hits home for me for so many reasons, especially on my birthday. Here's a little background about Stacey:Stacey Sumereau’s unique journey spans performing in Broadway National Tours of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Beauty and the Beast” to discerning religious life on Reality TV in “The Sisterhood, Becoming Nuns,” to marriage and m...2021-04-2256 min
Called and Caffeinated79 Days in the NICU and Counting feat. John, Stacey and Honora SumereauIt's been the wildest ride of our lives. At publishing time we're on day 93 in the NICU. John and I took listener questions and I think this episode will speak to anyone going through a hard time.
Topics Discussed
How have John and I supported each other?
How have we reconciled the human negative emotions with being a faithful Christian?
How do we deal with the vulnerability of the situation around strangers and sharing this experience?
Will this experience prevent us from having more kids?
How can people support parents of babies in the NICU?
How...2021-04-1442 min
Called and CaffeinatedTrusting through Difficult Times and YouTube Ministry feat. Fr. Mark Goring“People will listen to whoever steps in front of the mic. Why aren’t we proclaiming the Gospel? There’s people who are hungry and thirsty, who want to be spoken words of truth. It takes boldness, courage, and a certain humility to step in front of the crowd and share what’s on your heart.”
This episode is several seemingly opposite things- half my super vulnerable struggles with my premature daughter's NICU journey (which is 2 1/2 months long and counting!) and half Fr. Mark Goring's wonderful YouTube ministry.
Topics Discussed
The charism and community life of Fr...2021-03-301h 14
Called and CaffeinatedKeeping Faith on Broadway feat. Melissa Davies ("Les Miserables") and Madison Mitchell ("Cats")“We have nothing to prove and everything to share.”
Anyone else feel simultaneously like the weird Catholic in their artist’s circle, and also the weird artist in their Catholic circle? I firmly believe people of faith are called to creativity. One of my most commonly asked questions is, “How did you keep your faith during your Broadway career?” I knew immediately I wanted to record an episode on this with the Mitchell sisters. Melissa and Madison are NYC actor friends who not only survived, but thrived in their faith while performing in Les Miserables and Cats on Broadwa...2021-03-161h 28
Called and CaffeinatedWhat You Love is What You're Made For feat. Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.“You might have talents that are weird, like maybe you could work in the Yankee Candle lab to find what scents best induce Christmas cheer. And if you have the best nose, then I say get after it! Get after the candles!”
When I was a kid, I got sculpey clay one Christmas. Sculpting became one of my fun little childhood hobbies. In high school, my mom found a book at the library on making clay caricatures of people. For a 10th grade school project, I made a doll of my teacher and left it on his desk...2021-03-021h 15
Called and CaffeinatedWinning the Spiritual Battle in 2021: 5 Goals for ChristiansThis year I’ve been shadowbanned for being pro-life. I've received dozens of the nastiest comments attempting to shame and insult me for being a conservative and a Catholic. It got me thinking of my visit to Rome a few years ago when I visited the Church of Santo Stephano Rotondo. 34 gory, stomach-turning murals line the walls depicting the most unpleasant torture and death of early Christians. After getting over my initial “ouch ouch ouch” reaction, I began to notice that the martyr’s faces looked serene and even joyful. I'll never forget deeply realizing that, if pain and even dea...2020-12-2927 min
Called and CaffeinatedO Little Town of Bethlehem: Home of Every Christian feat. Khaled JacoubANNOUNCING THE JAN 2022 GOD'S ADVENTURE AWAITS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND! Join me and fellow pilgrims to walk in the places where Jesus walked, discern your God-given mission and purpose, and experience the food and culture of Israel. Celebrate mass afloat on the Sea of Galilee and see Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, the Mount of the Beatitudes, and much more!
“God doesn’t just give you one call…he insists on changing your life and your heart.” As a native of the little town of Bethlehem, growing up just a five-minute walk from where Jesus was born, Khal...2020-12-0852 min
Called and CaffeinatedSex Life and Finding the Right NFP Method feat. Bridget BusackerI was super nervous before my wedding night about sex. I didn’t know how to go about finding the right NFP method, and approaching married people with personal questions was embarrassing. The whole deal felt kinda… gross. John and I were promised a “honeymoon every month” in our marriage prep class, but living the reality was extremely hard. We felt disillusioned and bitter. Anyone else out there?
This is THE exact convo I wish I’d heard in those times. I loved chatting with Bridget Busacker, the founder of Managing Your Fertility, in this share-all, no topics bar...2020-11-161h 17
Called and CaffeinatedHealing from Parents' Divorce feat. Sarah HartOne million children experience their parents’ divorce each year. Two-thirds of them who were regularly attending a Church or synagogue at the time report that no one reached out to them at that time. Parents’ divorce increases their children’s chance of divorce by 40%. And barely any Catholic dioceses have an outreach for it.
My friend Sarah Hart travels to speak at healing retreats and blogs with the ministry Life-Giving Wounds, one of the few Catholic ministry outreaches to adult children of divorced parents. As a graduate of the JPII Institute for Marriage and Family, and herself a chil...2020-11-0452 min
Called and CaffeinatedFind Your Feminine Genius feat. Liv HarrisonWATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE
I admit; I envied other girls in high school terribly. (Hello, insecurity!) Unless I could have that girl’s hair, or that other girl’s confidence or whatever other quality I saw that I wanted, I wasn’t good enough. Ladies, been there? It didn’t occur to my immature teenage brain that I wasn’t supposed to be like anyone else. That there was something unique I had to do in the world. That appreciating other women’s qualities and building them up was much, much better than comparing myself to them. I had so much...2020-10-211h 04
Called and CaffeinatedSpiritual Warfare feat. Sr. Dede Byrne“If the bullets are going away from you, you’re going the wrong way!”
WATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE
I'm fascinated by the life of Sr. Dede Byrne, today's guest. I first encountered her speaking at the Republican National Convention where she literally held up her rosary and called it her 'weapon of love.' Sr. Dede served as a Colonel in the Army for years before entering the community of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. As a physician, she's given medical care to both Mother Teresa and members of the Tal...2020-10-081h 12
Called and CaffeinatedDiscerning Your Catholic Vote feat. Matthew PintoGulp. Politics. Not gonna lie, folks; I’ve been terrified to podcast about voting. Many issues are highly incendiary and in our cancel culture it’s daunting. I know I'm not alone as I wrestle with answers to the hard questions. But as I read Clear Conscience, A Catholic Guide to Voting by Matthew Pinto, CEO and founder of Ascension Press, I gained hope knowing that in this confusing world there can be clarity. The Church and Matthew’s book won’t tell you for whom to vote, but it will empower you to think with the mind of 2,000 years of...2020-09-251h 10
Called and CaffeinatedHow to Be Fundamentally Happy feat. Dominick Albano“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” -C.S. Lewis
Called and Caffeinated is back and better than ever (if I do say so myself!) This conversation with Dominick Albano, author of The Fundamental Theo...2020-09-111h 21
Called and CaffeinatedAnnouncing GOD'S ADVENTURE AWAITS SUMMIT and TRUE NORTH COURSEFREE Virtual Summit July 31-Aug 2 2020! A dream event about discerning ALL vocations featuring 40+ of your favorite speakers: Sr. Bethany Madonna, Jackie and Bobby Angel, Jason Evert, Sr. Helena Burns, Fr. Mark Goring, Joe Melendrez, Mary Lenaburg, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Cameron Fradd, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Matt and Erin Ingold, Katie Prejean McGrady, and MANY more! Also featuring the world's first virtual Meet and Greet for mission organizations and religious communities!
Sign up here: Staceysumereau.com/adventure
True North Course: Staceysumereau.com/true-north
PLEASE be a friend and help spread the word to anyone you know...2020-07-1517 min
Called and CaffeinatedDiscernment for Converts and Rolling with the Punches feat. Kathryn Whitaker“Maybe you should start putting your life into two categories: a no or a hell yes.”
Many times I've wondered, "When do things stop changing? When do I get to stop re-adjusting and just be?" The answer is, never. Kathryn Whitaker, mom of six and author of Live Big, Love Bigger, has incredible perspective on coping when plans change. As a mom of six children, one of whom has dealt with ongoing health issues, and in dealing with health issues herself, Kathryn is a bastion of resilience and hope.
We also dive into her conversion and h...2020-07-0250 min
Called and CaffeinatedRestoring Culture One Latte at a Time feat. Ever and Soren Johnson“All around us we see an impersonal lifestyle trying to invade the family and take away its richness, its culture, its ability to reflect the Trinity in its communion of persons. You’re not alone: you CAN find heaven in your home. It’s not just home base, a place to put your stuff, an entertainment center, or bricks and mortar. It’s a domestic church- a Trinity house!”
Catholicism and coffee are among my favorite things (in case you can't guess from the title of my podcast,) so when I found Trinity House Cafe, a Catholic coffee sho...2020-06-171h 09
Called and CaffeinatedWe Met Online! John and Stacey Sumereau's Journey and Online Dating Advice"I’d encourage you to just enjoy messaging and talking to them and be grateful for every interaction- it’s good to be interacting with other brothers and sisters in Christ. And only good things will come from it if you approach it that way."
Watch on YouTube here!
Are you considering online dating but are a bit weirded out by it? John and I were too, but we ended up finding each other through a dating site. We’re sharing our tips on how to get the most out of your online dating experience, stay me...2020-06-021h 10
Called and CaffeinatedFIRST Cast Reunion: "The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns" Women in Their Own Words“You don’t have to ‘pray.’ Just sit and let Jesus love your heart.”
WATCH SHOW ON YOUTUBE
Apologies, tears, unfiltered opinions...all here. After all, we were on a reality show together....;)
It's the FIRST EVER cast reunion of "The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns!" Christie Porter (Young,) Claire Halbur, Eseni Ellington, Francesca DiPaola, and Stacey Sumereau (Jackson) have had a lot going on in the last five years. Collectively there have been 2 marriages and 4 babies, entering and leaving the convent, appearing on more reality shows, consecrated virginity, liquor sales, public speaking, mission work, and a job wit...2020-05-191h 13
Called and CaffeinatedInnovating Evangelization in Quarantine feat. Matt and Erin Ingold and Joe Condit"What if fear is along for the ride, but doesn't get to sit in the driver's seat?"
CALLED AND CAFFEINATED IS NOW ALSO ON YOUTUBE! WATCH HERE: https://youtu.be/tyEc3PVnUoI
The coronavirus pandemic is hugely limiting our access to in-person events, but ministry is still happening. Today I'm having coffee with three other innovators who heard the Holy Spirit's call as the world seemed to fall apart in March, and responded with creativity. God works fast in hard times, and we're sharing what that call looked and felt like.
In April, Ma...2020-05-0543 min
Mission Driven Podcast with Joe MelendrezKeep Going with Stacey Sumereau I EP 015On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, Joe Melendrez is joined by Catholic Speaker and Host of the Called and Caffeinated Podcast, Stacey Sumereau. They discuss what it means to be resilient and keep going! This episode also features WORD OF THE DAY ( Philippians 1:6) with Staël Dantes. Lastly, Joe and Hannah Schaefer break down their track KEEP GOING. Enjoy
WORD OF THE DAY
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
F...2020-04-221h 01
Called and CaffeinatedBE NOT AFRAID CONFERENCE Announcement!Nothing is normal, including this Spirit-led Conference I'm launching Friday 3.20.2020. BE NOT AFRAID is a wild idea Holy Spirit put in my head last Sunday (yes, that's 3 days ago,) to launch this Friday (yes that's FIVE DAYS to launch an entire conference!!!!) You can get all signed up here.
Today is Wednesday, 3 days after I started reaching out to speakers and 2 days after marketing began.
3,102 people registered for the conference.
Over 30 speakers presenting.
WHAT IS HAPPENING Holy Spirit? I never, ever get to use the word "impossible" as long as I l...2020-03-1910 min
Called and CaffeinatedLet's Talk Sex feat. Arleen Spenceley“If he’s calling us to something, we don’t have to worry about what we lose in answering that call.”
A working theory of mine about discernment is that it leads you to what you really want. Yup, you read that right. You get what YOU really want. I believe this because I believe that when God designed us, he planted desire for his plans deep in our hearts. Our deepest desire and his desire are the same thing. Discernment is the process of sorting through all the lesser, fluffy layers and discovering that core desire, kind of l...2020-03-101h 06
Called and CaffeinatedResponding to Popular Culture and the Church Crisis feat. Patrick Coffin"The woman at the well and Jesus- what did they have in common? A love of cold water on a hot day. Our Lord, in his very tender willingness to come to our level, finds what we have in common and that’s the beginning of the conversation."
I have so many questions about being a Catholic in the USA today. What should guide our decision when choosing a movie? How do we evangelize and communicate effectively when our culture is losing the ability to dialogue? How do we lovingly challenge someone whose values differs from ours? Ho...2020-02-251h 49
Called and CaffeinatedOwning Your Story feat. Emily Stimpson Chapman“God’s primary calls come to you through a combination of opportunity, interest, and talent.”
Have you ever felt as though you're too young, too old, unqualified, overqualified, or in some other way inadequate? The devil LOVES to make us believe that we have to be something other than we are to successfully start tackling God's callings. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God uses every single part of our story for the glory of His Kingdom. Owning your story means accepting your individuality, rejecting comparison, allowing him to redeem your wounds, recognizing how God is working...2020-02-1157 min
Called and CaffeinatedSecrets for Singles feat. Paul J. Kim"Don't persevere in something that's wrong just for the sake of looking like you know where you're going."
What's the physical aspect of a Catholic marriage really like? What does that woman you want to ask out really want? Should you go on a date with that guy you only like as a friend?
Paul J. Kim is one of the most sought-after speakers today and I had the privilege of sitting down with him to unpack all those things single people need to hear that few people will say. We also dove into Paul's vo...2020-01-2837 min
The Catholic MamaEpisode 78: Discernment and Living Out Your Vocation with Stacey Sumereau (January 19, 2020)In this episode of The Catholic Mama, Catholic evangelist Christine Mooney-Flynn discusses Discernment and Living Out Your Vocation with Stacey Sumereau. (January 19, 2020)2020-01-1952 min
Called and CaffeinatedAuthenticity and Surrender feat. Sr. Bethany Madonna“We fear rejection, but living in the mediocrity of being used is painful in a different way because of its emptiness. The Lord wants to free us from that so we can live in authentic joy.”
Walking down a busy New York City street in a flowing blue and white habit and veil would force you to really think about your, your motivations, and what you stand for, eh? I got to sit down in person with Sr. Bethany Madonna for coffee at the National Catholic Youth Conferences where we were both blessed to be speakers. For thos...2020-01-1443 min
The Catholic MamaEP 78: Discernment and Living Out Your Vocation with Stacey SumereauOn this episode, Christine chats with Catholic wife, mother, singer, speaker, and fellow podcaster Stacey Sumereau about the process of discernment and how discerning it's just some "one and done" kind of thing but rather, a lifelong endeavor aimed at bringing us closer to God. Connect with Stacey at StaceySumereau.com! Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a nice review so you don't miss an episode, as well as help others discover The Catholic Mama. ---- Need help answering some basic questions about Christianity and Catholicism? Then b...2019-12-3150 min
Called and CaffeinatedDiscerning New Projects and Avoiding Overcommitment feat. Melissa Grace Tablada“There is such a great joy of missing out. When we say no to something, we’re saying yes to something greater.”
Funny story: I recorded this episode two days before posting my foot-washing post that went viral (over 17.6 million Facebook views so far!) After recording this episode I took a project I wanted to do to prayer and discerned that I'm called to prioritize my marriage, first and foremost. And then 2 days later God used my surrender to reach incredible numbers of people!
She's young but wise- my guest today Melissa Grace Tablada juggles her ca...2019-12-3151 min
Called and CaffeinatedYou Are Enough feat. Mike Tenney“When you truly know yourself, then you truly don’t care what anyone thinks of you.”
This episode was originally supposed to be called “How Should You Spend Your Teen Years?” However, my conversation with Mike Tenney covers issues that extend far beyond our teen years for many of us: insecurity, comparison, self-image problems, fear of commitment, pressure to perform/pick a public image, negotiating attraction and dating, and building your interior castle. Mike is a dynamic speaker and high school teacher, (we went to Catholic U together back in the day!) and he’s the real deal when it...2019-12-181h 04
Holy Hot Mess - Real Christian WomenThe Gift of Yourself with Stacey SumereauTHE GIFT OF YOURSELF with STACEY SUMMEREAU
After many, many a reschedules - I finally got to sit down with the amazing Stacey Sumereau. Former broadway actress, spent a good chunk of her 20's discerning religious life all to come to the conclusion that wife and motherhood was her vocation.
What a cherished soul this one is - so many good tips and advice and just a lot of gal talk.
About the Holy Hot Mess Podcast
The Holy Hot Mess podcast is where we navigate the twists and turns of life as Catholic Christian...2019-12-161h 54
Forte CatholicRelaxation, Frozen 2 and Marriage w/Stacey SumereauThe crew returns from Thanksgiving break chubby and happy. 😊
Allison and Taylor discuss their vacations, relaxation and make fun of each other a lot. 'Tis the season!
Stacey Sumereau returns as our guest this week to discuss what finally meeting Taylor was like and what she posted a couple weeks ago that went viral and has been seen by over 17 million people! (www.staceysumereau.com)
In the final segment, Allison and Taylor share their experience of taking their respective kids to see Frozen 2. They have...thoughts...
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at beth...2019-12-0457 min
Forte CatholicRelaxation, Frozen 2 & Marriage w/ Stacey SumereauThe crew returns from Thanksgiving break chubby and happy. 😊
Allison and Taylor discuss their vacations, relaxation and make fun of each other a lot. 'Tis the season!
Stacey Sumereau returns as our guest this week to discuss what finally meeting Taylor was like and what she posted a couple weeks ago that went viral and has been seen by over 17 million people! (www.staceysumereau.com)
In the final segment, Allison and Taylor share their experience of taking their respective kids to see Frozen 2. They have...thoughts...
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Never miss out on...2019-12-0453 min
Make Room ShowPracticing Discernment for Moms and Teens with Stacey SumereauDo you wish you could hear what God thinks about your life? You can but you first have to learn how to practice discernment. Practicing discernment will help you hear from God more clearly and help you live on purpose. Stacey Sumereau, star of Lifetime’s Reality TV Series The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns and host of the podcast Called and Caffeinated is our guest today.
In this episode:
* How Stacey got to where she is today including her experience on Lifetime’s Reality TV Series The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns.
* How to discern what God wants for you to do with...2019-12-0432 minMake Room ShowPracticing Discernment for Moms and Teens with Stacey SumereauDo you wish you could hear what God thinks about your life? You can but you first have to learn how to practice discernment. Practicing discernment will help you hear from God more clearly and help you live on purpose. Stacey Sumereau, star of Lifetime’s Reality TV Series The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns and host of the podcast Called and Caffeinated is our guest today.
In this episode:
* How Stacey got to where she is today including her experience on Lifetime’s Reality TV Series The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns.
* How to discern what God wants for you to do with...2019-12-0432 min
Called and CaffeinatedExpectations vs. Reality feat. Fr. Mike Schmitz“I might not know the meaning of this moment, but if I am convinced that there is a God who loves me then I know that this moment has meaning.”
The man, the myth, the legend: It's Fr. Mike Schmitz!!! If you’ve ever wanted to know his coffee order, you’ll hear ALL the details right down to his favorite roast here. Also, he shares that he might be Superman. He just might be. And you’ll also hear a fun story from my Broadway National Tour about how the Mayor of Munchkinland got arrested trying to cross t...2019-12-041h 07
Called and CaffeinatedHow to Get an Answer From God feat. Annie Deddens"It’s easy to be hyper-focused on the intention, and to be less focused on what God may want in our life. So we need to make that the right priority in our prayers."
How often have you asked "God, just show me what you want me to do and I'll do it?" Or said, "God, WHY WON'T YOU SHOW ME?" I know I said that to God daily during my discernment of religious life. Today's guest, Annie Deddens, is the founder of Pray More Novenas, a website dedicated to helping Catholics finish their 9 day prayers for sp...2019-11-1945 min
Called and CaffeinatedWanna Make Your Side Hustle Your Main Gig? feat. Mario and Lauren CostabileEvery day, every moment, is a building block of God’s plan. Nothing is ever wasted.
It's Called and Caffeinated's first father-daughter interview! Ever have a dream but think, nobody's going to pay me to do that? Ever wonder how to turn the thing you love to do into the thing you get to do all the time? Want to inspire others with your passion for your Faith? You might tell yourself the market is already saturated with creatives, only the very lucky make it, you've got nothing original to offer, blah blah blah. Put aside that jud...2019-11-0647 min
Called and CaffeinatedOrthodoxy is Not Enough feat. Dr. Edward SriOrthodoxy.
Pro-life.
Mass on Sunday.
Rosary.
Doing allllll the Catholic things.
Not enough.
“The Lord really wants me to make him not just a part of my life, but the center.”
In school we learn in a classroom, taking notes and regurgitating information on tests. But that’s not how people learned in Jesus’s day. Apprentices learned by living with their teacher- imitating not just what he did but how and who he was. The legendary Dr. Edward Sri, author of Into His Likeness (and so much m...2019-10-2328 min
Called and CaffeinatedBuild Faith and Discover Your Unique Gifts feat. Sarah Christmyer“I am going to praise the Lord because of who he is and what he has promised. And when I do it repeatedly, it brings life into me and changes my heart.”
Ladies, if you struggle to believe that you have what it takes, if you are jealous of other women, if you’re angry with God because your life isn’t working out the way you wanted, if you struggle to trust God, if you feel caught between following your heart and following your dreams: This episode is for you.
Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Leah, Rachel...2019-10-0859 min
Called and CaffeinatedHow Should You Spend Your 20s? feat. Jackie and Bobby Angel"If God alone isn't enough, then nothing will be ever."
I don't know about you, but my 20's were HARD- and a lot of that was because of conflicting advice. I was told you don't need to take responsibility or start a family until you're 30. Others said focus on your career. I got FOMO watching my friends in their early 20's who were already married with kids and thought, "what's wrong with me? Have I missed the boat?" Insecurity, confusion, and a general feeling of starring in Hot Mess: The Musical! was my story many days.
2019-09-241h 26
Called and CaffeinatedYour Discernment Frustrations, Answered feat. Fr. Leo Patalinghug“For many years I was scared to share my talents. And it led me to a life of correctness that was not Catholic…the greatest saints were not afraid to live outside of the bubble!”
Fr. Leo is as spicy as the jalapenos he cooks with, and he is serving up lots of sass and loving reality checks in this episode. One of the things I so admire about Fr. Leo, who break dances and karate chops FIVE boards in his presentations for the glory of God, is his incorporation of his many talents into his callings as a p...2019-09-1052 min
Called and CaffeinatedFinding Balance feat. Meg Hunter-Kilmer“I spend serious time in silent prayer every day and then I live my life. And I trust that either God is going to form my heart to desire what he desires, or he’s going to step in and stop me before I do something stupid, or he’s going to fix it afterward.”
The self-proclaimed “hobo for Christ” is here and she’s BRILLIANT and hilarious. Because of living out of her car for the last seven years, relying on the mercy of others to take her into their home, and preaching the gospel wherever possible and i...2019-08-271h 19
Called and CaffeinatedCalled to Service: You've Probably Never Heard of This Before feat. Katherine Mitchell “I have (teenage) girls who are former gang members but who are down for some karaoke and ice cream- and they want to do it, because they’ve never had that before.”
Imagine you have been systematically abused and neglected at home, and the court system says you cannot go home. Instead, you have to live in an unfamiliar environment with strangers. Oh, and you’re also fifteen, with a teenagers’ limited life perspective and hormones like craaaazay.
What if that was your life? Unfortunately, members of our society in every town and city go through this...2019-08-1359 min
Called and CaffeinatedYou Had ONE Job feat. Seminarian Greg Sheffield“If our whole will is to do God’s will, then God’s will is our will. God is not here to crush my will; he’s here to vivify it. Sin shrinks it, and sin dulls it. Sin makes our souls a very dull gray, but sanctity gives it a vibrancy and color.”
I have one job. That's not true right? As a mom I have MANY MANY jobs. Everyone I know is busy as heck. The questions are overwhelming: Where do I work? Whom do I marry? Where should I move? How many kids should I have? Wh...2019-08-011h 13
Called and CaffeinatedMake Perfect Choices: Pray Like Mary feat. Joshua Mazrin“It gives God glory to answer our prayers. So he set all this up for a purpose.”
What if you could make every decision not just well, but PERFECTLY? Well folks, it’s actually been done and cracking open scripture tells us how to do it. The Blessed Mother discerned perfectly, and when we delve into scripture with Joshua Mazrin you will love his insight on how to pray and hear God’s voice like the Blessed Mother did. And if ya love Catholic nerdiness like I do (ever heard the term "quasi-incarnatus" anyone? You're about to find out...2019-07-1658 min
Called and CaffeinatedDiscernment After Death: A Modern-Day Lazarus Testimony feat. Melanie Pritchard“It’s that balance of trying to put things down and simplify and silence the world so that I can pay attention to these beautiful people in front of me.”
“Live every day as if it’s your last.” We’ve all heard this platitude, and it probably sounds stale. But what if you literally died and then got to come back? Discerning your choices now would probably be a lot simpler in light of your death. What would you do differently? What would you let go of?
My guest Melanie Pritchard quite LITERALLY died. She was dead o...2019-07-021h 04
Called and CaffeinatedDiscerning Your Social Media Use feat. Sr. Bethany Davis“It’s a mix of being authentic but also sharing Jesus. If I were just trying to be what people want me to be on the internet I’d lose it! I’m never going to stop being myself.”
Social media is a brand new, evolving frontier in our world. I have real-life friendships that started on social media. I love using it to network and gain ideas and stay connected with family. However, we all know that dark side too: bullied teens taking their own lives, isolation, and comparing our messiness to everyone else's highlight reel. How do we...2019-06-1854 min
Called and CaffeinatedBe Brave in the Scared feat. Mary Lenaburg“In the end, it all comes down to one question: How well did I love in God’s name? And that’s where surrender comes in: in those little, teeny tiny, quiet yeses.”
Life is unpredictable and we often don’t choose the crosses that we carry. Sometimes the things we so desperately want to be fixed, aren’t. Surrender is the most important part of discernment, but how do we surrender when we are scared of being hurt?
Mary Lenaburg, author of Be Brave in the Scared, is here to offer empowering insight and hope. I get v...2019-06-041h 19
Called and CaffeinatedFaithfulness in Small Things feat. Lindsay SchlegelShow Notes
“When little things are hard, it’s not just about this moment. This is my training to be able to do a big thing later.”
Do you feel like you’re sliding through your days without enough intentionality? Do the little moments of frustration make you lose your peace and feel crazy? If you’re a parent, do you feel like your parenting style is best described as: “kind of a mess”? *raises hand*
If you’re a regular listener, you know that my mission on this podcast is to increase awareness of disc...2019-05-211h 06
Called and CaffeinatedWhen You May be Called to Something You Don't Want feat. Taylor SchrollShow Notes
“I was like, ‘God, I don’t want to be a priest,’ but I knew to do good discernment I had to be open to everything. I had to be open to being a priest; I had to be open to being married; I had to be open to whatever God wants for me.”
Every good Catholic boy hears from his parish priest and the Church ladies, “I think God is calling you to a priest.” Run away! Run away! Resist! There are instances in life for all of us where it may feel like God...2019-05-1447 min
Called and CaffeinatedForming a Vision For Your Marriage feat. Dan and Amber DeMatteShow Notes
“He said: ‘I came so that you can have life to the full.’ He didn’t say: ‘I came so you can be stressed to the max, or I came so that you can be stretched totally thin.’”
How is a married couple called to be the person of Jesus in the world? If you’re single, do you worry that the sacrifices that come with marriage will be too hard? If you’re married, do you ever feel like you have to give too much of yourself? Does your marriage feel less joyful than you th...2019-05-071h 13
Called and CaffeinatedIs the Relationship OVER? feat. Lisa Cotter“I would rather not get married than marry into a bad, compromising situation just for the sake of being married because I guarantee it would be more miserable. And that’s so hard to see when you’re single!”
Do you find yourself wondering, “Is this a deal-breaker in our relationship?” Do you fear that, if you break up with your boyfriend or girlfriend, you’ll never find anyone else? Have the rose-colored glasses come off and you realize he or she is not the perfect mate you thought they were? Does it seem like your relationship and personal d...2019-04-2359 minForte Catholic130: Ministry Madness Bracket Results & Stacey SumereauThe Ministry Madness Bracket results are in! We go through some of the best first round matchups and eventually countdown the Top 10 finishers, all the way down to our winner!
Shaun McAfee cohosts to weigh in on the results, share recent travel struggles and once again prove how odd Italy is.
Our guest this week is former Broadway/reality TV star and current Catholic mom, speaker and podcaster, Stacey Sumereau. We have a tremendous and hilarious conversation about social media, discernment, ghost husbands and....toes?!?!?! Connect with her at www.staceysumereau.com
Subscribe...2019-04-1153 minForte Catholic130: Ministry Madness Bracket Results & Stacey SumereauThe Ministry Madness Bracket results are in! We go through some of the best first round matchups and eventually countdown the Top 10 finishers, all the way down to our winner!
Shaun McAfee cohosts to weigh in on the results, share recent travel struggles and once again prove how odd Italy is.
Our guest this week is former Broadway/reality TV star and current Catholic mom, speaker and podcaster, Stacey Sumereau. We have a tremendous and hilarious conversation about social media, discernment, ghost husbands and....toes?!?!?! Connect with her at www.staceysumereau.com
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Never miss out on the craziness...2019-04-1156 min
Called and CaffeinatedThe Two Most Misunderstood Calls in Catholicism feat. Deacon Gerard Anthony“Jesus was a deacon, and also a consecrated single person! Most people don’t think about that- talk about imitation of Christ!” *dies laughing*
Discovering you’re not called to a vocation you're attached to can feel like God is breaking up with you. Deacon Gerard Anthony knows- he thought he was called to marriage, then religious life, then priesthood… until he realized his calling was none of those. He is called to what I believe are the two most misunderstood calls in Catholicism: the Diaconate and Consecrated Virginity.
What are those? Are those real things? Yu...2019-04-0959 min
Called and CaffeinatedExposing My Wound to the Healer: Becoming Who I Really Am feat. Steve Pokorny“Right now God is writing a masterpiece and the story is yours. The question is: will we trust him? Will we allow him to work in us?”
Do you wish you could live free of pornography, body image anxiety, or thinking of yourself as “bad?” Do you struggle to let go of habitual sins and wish you could just stop wanting the things that take you away from God? Steve Pokorny, speaker and author of Redeemed Vision: Setting the Blind Free from the Pornified Culture, uses his powerful testimony, knowledge of Theology of the Body and a scientif...2019-03-271h 14
Called and CaffeinatedDiscerning Your Financial Vision feat. John and Stacie Martinez“I was Catholic on Sunday, in my terms. I would ask God for things that I wanted, not what he wanted.”
Money can be a painful topic. Student debt, inheriting our family of origin’s wounds surrounding finances, and expectations vs. reality can leave us hurting and grasping for control. Stacie and John Martinez were making a good income working in the fashion industry in NYC. They had everything they wanted… until they realized they weren’t fulfilled. In their emptiness they found their fulfillment in the Catholic faith… and almost immediately the economic slump of 2008 hit them hard. W...2019-03-1251 min
Called and CaffeinatedForgiving Yourself and Discerning Marriage feat. Leah DarrowThis episode is sponsored by Serving the Aged Lovingly Today (SALT) Mission Program with the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. Check them out here and consider spending a week in loving service this summer!
“Do you want God’s answer more, or do you want God’s love? If you seek God’s love more than God’s answer, you will find them both.”
How do you know when he or she is “the one?” How do we stop comparing ourselves to our engaged and married friends? Is it shallow to make physical attraction a cri...2019-02-261h 12
Called and CaffeinatedHow God Uses Talents and Ambitions feat. Fr. Aquinas BealeThis episode is sponsored by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm's mission program called Serving the Aged Lovingly Today (SALT). www.carmelitesisters.com/SALT-program It's also sponsored by the Carmelite Monastery of Baltimore: https://www.baltimorecarmel.org/
“(Religious life) was the last thing I would have thought I would have been drawn to. I had all these plans. And God had other plans for me! ”
If reading the above statement made you feel an instinctive cringe because you’re afraid God might suck you in and call YOU, you must listen! Listen to Momma...2019-02-131h 09
Called and CaffeinatedDiscernment for Type A People feat. Stacey SumereauThis episode is sponsored by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm's mission program, Serving the Aged Lovingly Today (SALT). Look them up here and consider giving a week in loving service!
Show Notes
Have you ever felt like your career or life choices just aren’t enough? Has following your dreams disappointed you? Are you worried your control freak or perfectionist personality will hold you back from following God’s will (but you don’t know how to quit those traits)? Do you freak out when you don’t get answers from God? I’ve bee...2019-02-0551 min
Called and CaffeinatedCalled to Creativity feat. Joe Melendrez
“God is the ultimate creator and we should be like him in our creativity. Look at the gifts you have. Produce the best you can for Jesus.”
If you’re a Catholic creative who suffers from creative block or the soul-crushing belief that “it’s all been done before,” this episode is for you. How do we discern our creative call, create free from self-doubt, AND use it to help redeem our culture?
First, we can’t waste time with self-doubt when the Gospel needs to be shared.
Second, it’s been freeing to re...2019-01-2942 min
Called and CaffeinatedDiscerning Family Size and Building Community Feat. Melanie Smith“This is not a sin or something wrong with me; this is my call.”
Why do Catholics have a tendency to judge each others’ family size? What does the Church say (and not say) about the “right” number of children for a Catholic family? Does being “open to life” mean that married couples should always try to conceive a child? What about emotional well-being: is that a good enough reason to delay a pregnancy or would it be selfish? In this episode I discuss some of the ins and outs of discerning God’s plan with my friend Melanie S...2019-01-1749 min
Called and CaffeinatedHealing Your Wounded Past feat. Natalie Stilwell“It’s hard to unlearn some of the messages that you internalize about yourself growing up. There was a little cancer planted in my mind and heart that played out in my life in different ways.”
New Year’s is a time when many of us adopt the motivational motto “new year, new you.” However, sometimes that motivation to recreate ourselves can come from a wounded concept of our true identity as children of God. I mean, guys- we are made in his image. Do we really realize that?
If you’re plagued by self-loathing and wishing yo...2019-01-0142 min
Called and CaffeinatedLife with Christ Is a Wonderful Adventure feat. Sr. Peter Lillian DiMaria and Sr. Mary Donovan“The call of God will never lead you where his grace cannot keep you.”
I’ve heard a looooot of objections from young people about why they can’t possibly be called to religious life. “I couldn’t pray all day.” “I couldn’t give up my family.” “I wouldn’t be suited to taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.” “I wouldn’t be able to do the things I love as a nun.” Even: “Nuns are cranky and unhappy people.”
These myths couldn’t be farther from the truth! If you’re not quite ready to visit a convent/monastery...2018-12-1843 min
Called and CaffeinatedFinding Our Deepest Desires feat. Paul KrenzelokWhen I was discerning my vocation, I remember getting frustrated when I would hear about all this pie in the sky philosophy without getting any answers about how to actually know God’s will and make a decision. I wish I had heard Paul Krenzelok speak then. Enter today’s episode, the perfect marriage of philosophy and practicality! No matter what decision you’re discerning or what stage you’re at, Paul’s episode will give you new insight and effective tools you can use right now.
Hopefully you know that you are inherently important, but I think some...2018-12-0443 min
Called and CaffeinatedDiscernment is a Roadmap for Life feat. Mike CreaveyI remember being so frustrated by the question “What’s THE right choice?” when I was discerning. It’s so easy to think that somewhere there’s an answer sheet that God will show me eventually if I try hard enough. Now I know that that’s looking at discernment entirely the wrong way. I am so excited to share this episode filled with truth bombs with you! I spent 40 straight minutes nodding at everything my guest Mike Creavey said. I wish this episode had been around when I was discerning religious life, but I’m so glad I got to chat wi...2018-11-2045 min