Strength Training for the Soul

Season 2 kicks off with my favorite duo, Jill and Claire, and somehow we found ourselves in a whole lot of boat stories! We're talking about stepping into new seasons with new strengths—whether that's casting nets when you're exhausted, resting with Jesus during storms, or navigating new roles with trust and surrender.

Jill shares how humility has bec...

What role do saints play in our spiritual lives? In this episode replay, Director of Adult Faith Formation Al McCauley shares his extensive knowledge about saints and their significance in Catholic tradition. Through engaging stories and examples like Saint Veronica, Al explains how saints serve as spiritual guides, showing us that holiness is achievable despite our human struggles. Learn why saints aren't just figures in stained g...

Join me for the Season 1 finale as I sit down with my good friend and retreat regular, Bernadette Trucco, to take the mystery out of spiritual retreats.

Bernadette calls them her “spiritual reset sessions,” essential soul maintenance that keeps her on God’s path and helps her show up as her best self. From the nerves of her very first retreat to now scheduling them as non-negotiables, she shares how these sacred pauses have carried...

What happens when Scripture suddenly feels like it was written just for you?

The responsorial psalm at a recent Mass I attended hit different; it seemed so special and personal to me. Then I noticed it was Psalm 66, and I was born in 1966. Coincidence? There’s no such thing. When I got home to dig deeper, what I discovered just clicked with me and helped me better understand my path and the role of God's word.

Those verses became m...

What happens when a brand-new college grad walks away from the “safe” career path to take a year of service with no teaching degree, a modest stipend and a classroom full of teenagers who think he’s ancient at 22?

In this special episode closing out my Gen Z series, I sit down with my son, Ben Kujawa. Fresh out of Iowa State with a forestry degree and a minor in wildlife ecology, he’s back at his old high school teaching environmen...

Pope Leo totally changed my episode plans when he delivered an incredible homily to a million young people at the Jubilee of Youth in Rome. They're calling it a "Catholic Woodstock," and honestly, that energy comes through even in a foreign language. His message made me want to share it: aspire to something more, find joy in what you give (not what you get), and stop settling for less than the holiness you were made for. Sure, he w...

At just 26, Kylie Flores has lived a story marked by deep wounds—an abortion she was pressured into, and the devastating loss of her father to suicide. But through RCIA, confession, and community, she discovered that the Catholic Church had what she needed: mercy, healing, and a way home. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too far gone or too broken for faith—this conversation will meet you right where you are. Trigger warning...

You probably already evangelize—without even realizing it. You recommend books, share songs, rave about restaurants, and invite friends to your favorite workout class. So why do we clam up when it comes to our faith?

In this episode, I explore what everyday evangelization really looks like, what’s holding us back, and how Gen Z Catholics are modeling a bold, beautiful way forward. And yes—we’ll even talk about how to share Jesus li...

What does a real relationship with Christ look like when you're 15? Meet Sami Jones—a Gen Z Catholic who's choosing adoration over scrolling, and kindness over judgment. Sami shares her journey from outright skepticism to baptism, her devotion to St. Veronica (patron saint of kindness), and how she's learning to "do her part" in building her faith. With wisdom that puts most adults to shame, Sami reminds us that spiritual strength ...

Meet Hadley Mueller—23 years old and sparking a spiritual movement that's bringing dozens of young adults to Christ through running, community, and contagious joy. 

As founder of Run With Christ Chicago, Hadley has grown her faith-fueled run club from 8 people to 70+ in just six months. But this isn't about the numbers—it's about tearing down walls, b...

On Day 7 of my 150-mile pilgrimage along the Wisconsin Way, I found myself on a narrow, rain-soaked stretch of the Ice Age Trail—with no alternate routes and limited cell service. That day became a powerful metaphor for another time in my life when the only way forward was God’s way. In this episode, I share what it was like to surrender control during my son Jack’s mental health journey and how I discovered that even the hardest c...

What do a glass of water, homemade lasagna, and a hug from a 110-pound Bernese Mountain Dog have in common? They were all unexpectedly given to me by Trail Angels during my 150-mile Wisconsin Way pilgrimage. Discover how ordinary people (and a dog) with extraordinary hearts showed up at exactly the right moments, and learn to recognize the angels in your own life—while remembering that you might be someone else's unexpected blessin...

What do you get when you mix Mass, a tailgate, and a Brewers game? For Bob Simi, it turned into a 15-year apostolate that's expected to bring more than 1,300 people together under one giant tent on June 15, 2025.

In this episode, Bob shares how Ballpark Day of Faith started with a simple invitation to head to the ballpark with some brats and beer—and ...

What do a Scottish hymn, a 150-mile walk, and the feast of St. Rita have in common? This episode. I’m diving into The Summons—a song that hit me straight in the heart at Mass—and sharing why it’s the perfect companion for the pilgrimage I’m about to begin. I’ll talk about feeling unworthy, walking with saints (and blisters), and how one line from my son Jack has become a mission I carry every day: to change the world, one heart at ...

Fasting isn’t about punishment—it’s about love. In this episode, Peter Andrastek, from Evangelical Catholic breaks open the deeper meaning of fasting and how small, intentional sacrifices can transform your daily life and unite you more closely with Christ. Whether you’re giving up cream in your coffee, your scrolling habit or intentionally being the first to do the dishes, this conversation will help you fast with purpose, not pri...

Join me as I share my preparation for my first-ever pilgrimage on the Wisconsin Way! From treadmills to trails, I'm getting ready to walk from the National Shrine of Our Lady, in Champion Wisconsin to Holy Hill Basilica over 10 days. Between physical setbacks, logistical curveballs, and moments of doubt, I'm learning to surrender my worries and let God carry the weight. This pilgrimage is more than a test run for my future Camino d...