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Queer TheologyAffirming Parenting: How To Do It Right
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This episode is all about the simple actions parents can take to show their affirmation. We encourage you to have age-appropriate conversations with your kids about sex, introduce your child and expand your circle to include queer folks who are thriving at all stages of life, and hold space for complexity and nuance in your kids. But the number one action you can do to lead the way on being an example and affirming ally? Don’t take your kids to a homophobic church! Tune in as we...
2022-07-1724 min
The Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastTCC Rosary Pray-Along: The Sorrowful MysteriesPray along with Nicole as she prays a Rosary, meditating on the Sorrowful mysteries to calming background music. Go find a quiet place and spend this time alone in prayer with God. Lift up any intentions you have prior to the start of the episode and trust in Our Lady's intercession.
The Sorrowful Mysteries are typically said on Tuesdays & Fridays. Below are the bible meditations. Should you decide to pray your rosary at different points in the day, see the following reference times for each decade:
3:09 - The Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:44-45)
7:44 - T...
2020-04-1027 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastTCC Rosary Pray-Along: The Glorious MysteriesPray along with Nicole as she prays a Rosary, meditating on the Glorious mysteries to calming background music. Go find a quiet place and spend this time alone in prayer with God. Lift up any intentions you have prior to the start of the episode and trust in Our Lady's intercession.
The Glorious mysteries are typically said on Sundays & Wednesdays. Below are the bible meditations for each decade:
The Resurrection; Matt 16:6
The Ascension; Matt 16:19
The Descent of the Holy Spirit; Acts 2:4
The Assumption; Judith 15:9-10
The Coronation; Revelation 12:1
For more information on How to Pray t...
2020-03-2927 min
Ruah Storytellers LentTara NicolsonTara is a Catholic convert living in New Jersey with her daughter, Lilly and husband Ben. During the day she lives out her dream of working as a therapist and clinical social worker. You can find her over on her blog at www.atvillagepark.comand Instagram page using the handle @atvillagepark She can also be found chatting away with her friend on the podcast ‘The Cravert Chronicles’.
Music for Today's Episode:
"In Need of a Savior (feat. Andrea Thomas)". Words and Music by Andrea Thomas and the Vigil Project.
© 2016 Papercastle Records Publishing (ASCAP), VIGIL...
2019-12-2109 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 28: All About WorshipNOW Publishing - featuring Gabriel Wanous & Chris NolinIn this week's episode, Nicole and Tara had not one - but TWO wonderful guests, Gabriel Wanous and Chris Nolin with WorshipNOW Publishing company! Over the summer Nicole met these two at the National Association of Pastoral Musician's (NPM) annual conference that was sponsored by WorshipNOW. The event featured several christian artists, including well-known Matt Maher! WorshipNOW is a new Catholic music publisher that was created with the intention to help parishes integrate modern worship music into their liturgies through hymnals, custom arrangements, digital downloads, music planning, and training - all of which has been approved by the Church for...
2019-12-1136 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 27: Time, Emotions, & Weathering the StormThis week Nicole hosts another minisode, pondering how time flies. With every passing day, we are constantly running toward something new. We might derive happiness from getting to a new goal, but it leaves us back at the beginning looking toward the next chapter. Life is full of seasons, emotions get the best of us, and in the midst of that - we are in the middle of a storm. Sometimes a storm generated by US. Reflecting a few bible verses, there are ways to be still in the Word of God. It is great to dream. It is...
2019-11-2720 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 26: Being Spiritual vs ReligiousThis week, Nicole and Tara reflected on the age old question of what it means to be spiritual versus religious. It was hard to find clear articles stating either sides to this phenomenon as most of them catered toward the spiritual direction (fitting, especially seeing how society operates today). After some digging they agreed on an article to reference covering 6 fundamental differences between religion and spirituality from the MindValley website. In addition, Tara shares some of her personal experiences prior to converting to Catholicism and how she sought out to be a good person solely through spiritual being. As a...
2019-11-1343 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 25: Yeezus to Jesus? On Kanye West's New AlbumAnother Wednesday means another episode! In this one, Nicole and Tara chat about Kanye West’s new album - Jesus is King, that was released this past week! It has since been declared a new age gospel album, still holding onto that mainstream andsecular sound. A lot of controversy and questions have stirred following the release, but interestingly, the catholic community has provided a different reaction. With the world that we live in, celebrities have a huge influence and platform that reaches millions of people every day. Is it possible that Kanye might start a new wave of evangelization to c...
2019-10-3033 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 24: The Moral Issue of PornographyThis week, Nicole and Tara tackle the issue of pornography! More specifically, what makes it wrong in accordance with the Catholic faith. In the Catechism, Pornography is defined as “removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties”. With this information, they viewed a documentary available on Formed.org called Hope Undimmed: Is Porn Naked and Unashamed? In this episode of his interview series, host Steve Bollman talks with a former pornography producer, former porn actress, and a couple who struggled in their marriage. Nicole and Tara break down...
2019-10-2335 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 23: What is RCIA? The Rite of Christian Initiation of AdultsThis week Nicole and Tara talk about RCIA -better known as, The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults! Both have been through this process, one as an actual catechumen and the other as a sponsor, the ladies delve into their personal takes on the program through their parishes. The typical levels of an RCIA program follows four periods: the Period of Inquiry, Period of Catechumenate, Period of Purification and Enlightenment and the Period of Mystagogy. The three official steps of the process are the Rite of acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, The Rite of Election and ultimately the...
2019-10-1635 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 22: Experiences with Youth MinistryThis week, Nicole and Tara talk about youth ministry! While to some, they might immediately think of the 'mega church', concert strobe lights extravaganza, the education and fellowship of teens and college students is so important in faith formation. It is a critical age group going through so many life transitions and worldly influences. It seems there is no perfect way to run the right program, but they are out there, and they can surely impact one's experience with Christ! The ladies discuss different catholic parish ministries through personal experiences and compare to the non-catholic youth ministry programs around...
2019-10-0943 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 21: A little look at "Through the Eyes of Jesus" by Alan AmesIn this episode, Nicole flies solo in our first 'minisode', because normally our episodes are typically a LITTLE bit longer! This week she decided to talk about a trilogy of books she has been engrossed in, Through the Eyes of Jesus by Alan Ames. An incredible testimony, Alan started experiencing visions from Jesus in the 1990s, where he would vividly experience some of the daily happenings while Jesus and his Disciples were traveling the Holy Land a few months prior to the crucifixion. All of these visions, conversations, and thoughts from Jesus were ultimately validated by the Archbishop B.J...
2019-10-0220 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 20: The Pursuit of Happiness...?This week we discuss a topic that humans have been wrestling with for a very long time - a topic that has been studied extensively by psychologists, philosophers, and theologians alike. It also happens to be a popular subject within the new age movement and it seems to be that our culture is always pushing to obtain it. The topic is... Happiness! And no, we will not be referencing the Will Smith movie! We begin this episode by defining the worldly view of happiness and talk a bit about our own experiences with trying to achieve it. We look at t...
2019-09-1839 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 19: What is Minimalism, Really?Nicole and Tara decided to delve into the concept of minimalism and what that means in our current culture. To most it is a way of life in which we can better our environment, live with less unused material items and remain present. However, like any good movement it can certainly start to feel like a religious following. When too much energy is placed on the cultural appeal of minimalism and not enough on God, we get distracted from what really matters. Nicole and Tara chat a bit about the concept of spiritual minimalism with a soul centered approach...
2019-09-1142 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 18: Emmanuel Gonzalez on Same Sex AttractionThis week, Nicole and Tara had the honor of speaking with Emmanuel "Manny" Gonzalez, a young man who has been courageous enough to share his story and experience with same sex attraction (SSA). Manny was born and raised in Dallas, Texas to a devout Puerto Rican Catholic family and is one of seven children. He is currently a sophomore at Franciscan University of Steubenville, studying Clinical Psychology. He is fully dedicated to being a daily light of Christ's love to each and every soul he encounters. Manny hopes to one day be able to travel the world spreading the good n...
2019-09-0449 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastS2 Episode 17: Hitting the Reset ButtonWe're BAAAACK! After a much needed hiatus, Nicole and Tara discuss how they are glad to have the opportunity to step back and build up the faith and prayer life! It is the time of year where everyone is starting over: end of summer, school, and ahhh, almost fall! Sometimes changing up how we approach our daily prayer and conversation with God can help rekindle that relationship. It is important to re-center your goals and glorifying God at the same time! Here's to a new and exciting season, and for all of us to be looking toward where God is t...
2019-08-2838 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 16: Reflecting on Voluntary DistractionThis week, Tara and Nicole discuss a topic inspired by Fr. Mike Schmitz’s podcast, titled, "How do we spend our time?" and, ultimately, distractions in our life. Distraction can become an issue and get in the way of our vocation, jobs, running a household, acts of service, and most importantly, in our faith! We suffer from something called voluntary distraction where we are choosing not to do what we are supposed to on purpose, out of the desire for personal pleasure and satisfaction (even if not the intention). Unfortunately, succumbing to distractions that consume us is also giving in...
2019-06-1248 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 15: Guest Featuring Leah MolerAfter another week off, don't worry - we made up for it with a little bit of a longer episode! Nicole and Tara were blessed with the opportunity to have a conversation with Leah Moler, a faith and lifestyle blogger who runs her social media brand 'Life As Leah Knows'. As a convert from a Protestant household, she spent a large part of her teens as an Agnostic. However, she refers to her conversion as being from what she refers to as christian relativism.
The story of her conversion and RCIA experience from a few years ago was inspiring to...
2019-06-051h 01The Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 14: Dealing with Stress & AnxietyThis is the time of year where emotions and anxiety tend to be high! It prompted Nicole and Tara to talk about ways in which you can approach your mental health as a Catholic when dealing with stress and anxiety. Going through difficult times can help us to grow in our faith, as well as bring some unexpected graces into our lives. Looking to saints for intercession as well as looking for fellowship can really help engaging a real support system when we are feeling emotional. Ultimately, God wants us to be happy, but it is good to understand w...
2019-05-2248 min
The Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 13: Guest Featuring Alli ShoemakerThis week Nicole and Tara had the pleasure of talking with fellow Instagrammer, Alli Shoemaker (@allilshoemaker). Alli is a work-from-home mom of two little boys and is mostly known as the older sister of Zach Sobiech, a childhood cancer advocate and musician who died of bone cancer at age 18 and wrote the song that went viral called, "Clouds." A film about their family is anticipated to come out in 2020 from Warner Bros. She's also freelance content marketer and writer for childhood cancer nonprofits and private education, and she has recently taken up her more creative passions of writing poetry and...
2019-05-1539 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 12: Confidence in the FaithThis week Nicole and Tara reel it back in after a week's hiatus, having launched new Instagram page for The 'Cravert' Chronicles! Looking at a broader topic, confidence in the catholic faith felt like something to chat about this week. They spoke on personal experiences from not knowing everything in the faith to exuding a confidence in everyday life.
2019-05-0842 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 11: Our First Guest Feature with Blogger Cecilia PappasThis week Nicole and Tara decided to take things up a notch by debuting a special guest episode, featuring cradle-catholic, fashion blogger, Cecilia Pappas, on the show. Cecilia is an online student living in Chicago, runs a fashion blog through her own brand, Cecilia Jean, and is co-founder of the 'Modish Movement'. She also works full time and does marketing for the Catholic Match dating website, all the while keeping a fresh (and fashionable) perspective of the faith and what it means to be relatable, relevant, and confident as a catholic in 2019.
2019-04-2448 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 10: Holy Week or Holy Weak?In this episode Nicole and Tara unravel the article titled, "5 Ways to Make Sure Your Holy Week Isn’t a Holy Weak" by Marge Fenelon on the National Catholic Register website in preparation for Easter Sunday.
2019-04-1736 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 9: Lent Series - Our Catholic Identities & EvangelizingIn this episode, Nicole and Tara get into what having a catholic identity might mean to us all personally versus how we may be representing catholicism as a whole to those who are not religious. They then chat about evangelism in modern day and what seems to stick based on faithful interests and identities.
2019-04-1043 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 8: Lent Series - Overcoming Spiritual DrynessOn this week's episode, Nicole and Tara readily admit that they have experienced 'spiritual dryness' at times while at mass, during prayer routines, or even simply lacking the motivation in an everyday faith. They talk about ways to overcome this, referencing an online article written by Fr. Joseph M. Esper on the Catholic Exchange website.
2019-04-0348 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 7: Lent Series - Reflections on Confession*REPUBLISHED* Moved by recently going to confession, Nicole and Tara reflect on the holy sacrament of reconciliation while also delving into the most recent gospel reading in Luke 13:6-9. They then relate the parable to how often times, the world wants us to see God as vengeful and angry as opposed to loving and forgiving.
2019-04-0143 min
The Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 6: Lent Series - Living By Godly ExamplesNicole and Tara dive into this week's episode inspired by Philippians 3:17, how they feel it is to learn to live by a Godly example versus a worldly one during the season of Lent.
2019-03-2049 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 5: Lent Series - TemptationIn this episode, Nicole and Tara reflect on the first week of lent so far, situations of temptations they have encountered and come to recognize, relaying it back to Matthew 4:1-11 when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert.
2019-03-1346 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 4: Ash WednesdayNicole and Tara kick off Lent with their Lent Series, delving into a take on Ash Wednesday. They discuss goals they have for this liturgical season as well as the difficulties they've struggled with in the past.
2019-03-0630 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 3: Living IntentionallyNicole and Tara talk about ways they have found they may have struggled with learning to live intentionally in the faith, and ways to fix that. They go through and have a commentary on the five steps of "Forming Intentional Disciples" by Sherry Weddell as discussed per an article on the OSVNews catholic site!
2019-02-2728 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 2: Pride & Choosing CatholicismIn this episode, we tackle how we both combat pride and choosing catholicism in our cradle and convert perspectives!
2019-02-2049 minThe Cravert Chronicles Catholic PodcastThe 'Cravert' Chronicles Episode 1: Prayer Life Evolution@NotoriouslyNicole and @AtVillagePark's Tara host their first podcast for the weekly Cravert Chronicles segment! This episode is about prayer life evolution from both cradle and convert catholic perspectives.
2019-02-1328 min