Our Book Club selection for Fall 2024 is Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace by Julianne Stanz, published by Loyola Press. This week, author Julianne Stanz and our own Allison Gingras discuss the concept of a "thin place" and how that relates to our spiritual life, as well as what nourishes us as women and how being t…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton David G. Bonagura, Jr. about his new book, Jerome's Tears (Sophia Institute Press). from our guest's website: David G. Bonagura, Jr. is an adjunct professor of classical languages at St. Joseph's Seminary, New York, and adjunct professor of theology at Catholic Distance University. He serves as Religion Ed…

Maria Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Gretchen and Bill O'Brien from Room Two Productions, for a lively conversation about sound editing, music, and Fr. Patrick Peyton. Room 2 Productions helps Catholic Mom bring our stories to life through expert podcast production, audio storytelling, and digital media services. They offer personalized supp…

Maria Johnson is joined by Andrew MacDonald, Director of Mission Advancement for Holy Cross Family Ministries, to interview Chris and Michael Flood, co-founders of Family Rosary Rallies. Chris and Michael Flood are co-founders of FamilyRosaryRallies.org. Links for the Show: Family Rosary Rallies Fr. Patrick Peyton Rallies Instagram-- Family Rosary …

Maria Johnson and Catholic Mom contributor, Kristina Talbot interview the mother and son filmmakers behind the powerful film about Boys Town, Blue Baby. Matters Media announces the new feature documentary film BLUE BABY that follows eight boys through Fr. Edward J. Flanagan’s Boys Town, a prison alternative established in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917. W…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton discuss praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Pray the Seven Sorrows of Mary Learn about this powerful devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary and pray the mysteries along with meditations from the Family Rosary team. Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Euchar…

Maria Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz are joined by Catholic Mom contributor and author, Karen Estep, for a fun conversation about Fall memories and traditions. Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at CatholicMom.com, is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her pari…

Maria Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Catholic Mom contributor Kathryn Swegart for a lively conversation in our series show-casing our contributors. Kathryn Griffin Swegart is an award-winning author of Catholic books for children. Kathryn and her husband raised three children on a small farm in rural Maine. She is a professed member of the S…

Maria Morera Johnson interviews authors Leslea Wahl and Antony Kolenc about their newly released anthology, Shadows: Visible and Invisible. Shadows: Visible & Invisible is a collection of short stories by 7 different authors, Leslea Wahl, Carolyn Astfalk, Corinna Turner, Antony B. Kolenc, Theresa Linden, Marie Keiser, T. M. Gaouette. and is centere…

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholicmom.com contributor, Janelle Peregoy, Associate Director in the Office of Family Life & Spirituality at the Diocese of San Diego for an important discussion on separation and divorce. Janelle Peregoy, M.Div, is an Associate Director in the Office of Family Life & Spirituality at the Diocese of San Diego. So y…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton discuss praying for others as a beautiful act of love. Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide the…

Maria Morera Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Catholicmom.com contributor Rebecca Martin, author of Love in the Eternal City. Rebecca W. Martin, a trade book Acquisitions Editor for Our Sunday Visitor and Assistant Editor at Chrism Press, lives in Michigan with her husband and too many cats. A perpetually professed Lay Dominican, Rebecca serve…

Maria Morera Johnson and Margaret Dwyer Hogan welcome Catholicmom.com contributor, Deanna Bartalini, editor of the Sunday Gospel Activities, host of Not Lukewarm Podcast, and a spiritual director. Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. She is the founder of the LiveNotLukewarm.com…

This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families. And w…

Maria Morera Johnson and Bayleigh Marquis welcome Catholicmom.com contributor, Karen Estep, for a lively conversation about motherhood. Karen Estep is the host of the podcast Stand, Kneel, Now What? In coming home to the Catholic faith as an adult she hopes to share her love of the Church on a daily basis. Karen has been shown many graces through t…

This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families. And w…

Meet the Catholic moms who work behind the scenes at Catholicmom.com: Allison Gingras, Margaret Dwyer Hogan, Barb Szyszkiewicz, Bayleigh Marquis, victoria Hassan, and Maria Morera Johnson. In this special 300th episode of Catholic Momcast, we meet the women who work to bring over 140 contributors, podcast guests, and special events to our readers a…

Maria Morera Johnson and Gabriella Ribeiro discuss novenas with Allison Gingras, author of The Handy Little Guide to Novenas. Allison Gingras (ReconciledToYou.com) considers herself a new media evangelist. Authoring The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press) and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Wo…

A Catholic Mom Book Club for the Whole Family This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey …

Maria Johnson interviews Ann Koshute, co-founder and Executive Director of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic infertility ministry. Ann Koshute holds a Master of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic infertility …

A Catholic Mom Book Club for the Whole Family This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey …

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholicmom.com contributors Amy J. Cattapan and Sherry Hayes-Peirce from the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. A.J. Cattapan, DM, Ed.D., is an award-winning author, speaker, and teacher. Her YA novel Angelhood and her middle grade book Seven Riddles to Nowhere have won multiple awards. She is also the a…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton have an animated conversation about their experiences at the 2024 Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Links in Episode: - Heidi's Author Page - Stories of the Eucharist - Maria's Author PageKirjoittanut Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton

Maria Morera Johnson Interviews Chris A. Sariego, PR & Marketing Director at Family Theater Productions, at the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta. Chris Sariego is the award-winning PR & Marketing Director at Family Theater Productions. Over a 30-year career, Chris developed deep experience in documentaries, feature films, and TV production, as …

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton have an intimate conversation about faith and prayer around St. Catherine of Siena's writings, particularly on the subject of light. Links in Episode: - Heidi's Author Page - Stories of the Eucharist - Maria's Author PageKirjoittanut Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton

Marie Miller is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose music has played on both Christian and pop radio through the years. Among her accomplishments, she has played for Pope Francis, opened for the Backstreet Boys, and toured with Five For Fighting. Her new album The Way of Love dropped on May 31st. The album includes a total of five songs. Four s…

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Cecilia Cicone, award-winning author of Jesus in Space: A True Story That's Out of This World, from the floor of the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta. Cecilia Cicone is the award-winning author of Jesus in Space: A True Story That's Out of This World, the true story of astronaut Tom Jones and his journey into spa…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Inés Huber Mersch, a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother in love with the Lord and sharing her joy. Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited …

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Paulina Kuzik, international editor for OSV, about her work as a journalist from the floor of the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta. Paulina Guzik, is an award-winning journalist and a professor at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow. she is currently the international editor for Our Sunday Visitor…

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholic Mom contributor Sr. Margaret Kerry, FSP, about vocations, writing for Catholic Mom, and praying through her painting. A Daughter of St. Paul for 50 years, Sr. Margaret continues to pursue new ways to proclaim the Gospel: sharing the Pauline Charism with the laity, writing books (St. Anthony of Padua: Fire & …

Theoni Bell has been fascinated with Our Lady of Champion for a decade. Her historical fiction novel The Woman in the Trees: a novel about America's first approved Marian apparition was published in 2021 by TAN Books. In 2024, Theoni was added as a “witness” to the Libellus requesting permission from the Vatican to initiate the cause for the canoni…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Emily Jaminet, author of The Secrets of the Sacred Heart. Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children and Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network (www.welcomeHisHeart.com) and co-founder of www.InspiretheFaith.com. She co-…

Hosts Maria Morera Johnson, Sarah Reinhard, and Barb Szyszkiewicz make an exciting announcement about Lisa Hendey's new role as Catholic Mom Ambassador, and then go all fan-girl. Lisa Hendey founded Catholic Mom in 1999 when she discovered there were few resources for Catholic Moms on the internet. She created a website where she could post activit…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Oscar Delgado, actor, producer, and philanthropist, at the red carpet premiere of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist. Oscar Delgado is a distinguished Hollywood producer, philanthropist, and former NBC war correspondent whose career showcases a commitment to storytelling and humanitarian…

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Deacon Steve Greco, permanent deacon of the Dioces of Orange at the red carpet premiere of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist. Deacon Steve Greco is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Orange and Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Orange. He is founder of …

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Tim Moriarty, actor and founder of Castletown Media, at the red carpet premiere of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist. Tim Moriarty, founder of Castletown Media, earned his Master’s degree in Philosophy from Boston College and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Louisiana State Universi…

Maria Johnson sits down with Liz Lantigua, founder of Good News! Book Fair, a wonderful alternative to the conventional book fairs in schools today. Good News! Book Fair for an Agenda-Free Alternative Good News! Book Fair started in 2014. They are headquartered in Florida with a second distribution center in Ohio and are now a program of Literacy A…

Maria Johnson welcomes podcaster Katie Ruvi, host of “Is This for Kids?” for an important conversation about internet safety for our children. Katie Ruvi is a Catholic convert, a wife and mother of five. She lives in Indiana where she makes a couple of podcasts and is hopefully making the world better a little at a time. Welcome Katie – and we’re g…

Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson sit down with Erica Tighe Campbell to chat about her new book Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith throughout the Year. Erica Tighe Campbell educates readers of all ages and stages – from kids to single young adults to grandparents – on Church seasons and Saints. She also offers …

Lisa Hendey sits down with noted children’s author Katie Warner to discuss her latest projects for families. Katie Warner is a Catholic homeschooling mother of five and bestselling children's book author with a graduate degree in theology. You can find her many children's books and free resources for Catholic children at FirstFaithTreasury.com. One…

Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Mike Aquilina, author of St. Joseph and His World(Scepter Press). Mike Aquilina is a Catholic author and journalist working in the area of Church history, especially patristics. He is executive vice-president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Catholic research center based in Steubenv…

Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson welcome journalist and mother Stephanie Clary for a conversation on caring for our natural world and our families. Stephanie Clary is the environment editor at the National Catholic Reporter. EarthBeat is the faith and environment project of the National Catholic Reporter. Their content includes news, opinions, …

Lisa Hendey and Barb Szyszkiewicz talk storytelling with novelist Amanda Lauer, author of the newly published novel A Faith Such as Heaven Intended, the fifth installment in Lauer’s young adult Civil War series. An avid reader and history buff since childhood, Amanda Lauer is the author of the award-winning Heaven Intended Civil War series, and the…

Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Theresa Kiser, author of Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server (OSV). Theresa Kiser is a children’s book author in South Carolina. She is the author of the “Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server” series (OSV). Her debut picture book is A Little Catholic’s Book of Liturgical Colors (Holy Heroes, 2019). Her award-…

Lisa Hendey welcomes to the podcast Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Roma Downey. Roma Downey joins us today to discuss her wonderful new project The Baxters, launching very soon on Amazon Prime. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series by Karen Kingsbury, The Baxters: Based on the worldwide best-sellin…

Join author Kelsey Gillespy for the final session of our 4-week Book Club and nurture your spiritual life amid the chaos and beauty of raising littles. We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy for our Winter 2024 Book Club! This week, we hosted the final session of our Winter 2024 Book Club! We're read…

Heidi and Maria have an intimate conversation about their memories of the Easter Vigil, and practices for Holy Week as they lead up to Easter. Links for this Episode: The Ave Prayer Intentions Journal Pre-order Heidi's new book: Stories of the Eucharist: A Family Treasury of Saints and Seekers Sign up for Maria's newsletter and get some exciting ne…

Lisa Hendey is joined by guests Lisa Brenninkmeyer and Laura Phelps to discuss their new "Hope for Right Now" podcast from Walking with Purpose. Lisa Brenninkmeyer is Founder and CEO of Walking with Purpose, ap apostolate that develops and delivers Catholic Bible studies for adult women, young women, and girls. Laura Phelps is a Catholic author, sp…

Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson discuss the story of Heidi's conversion to Catholicism and the first time she received the sacraments, 30 years ago at the Easter Vigil.

Cohosts Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson catch up with “Cabrini” producer Leo Severino to learn all about this new release from Angel Studios. Leo Severino is a 20-year Hollywood veteran and a founding partner of Metanoia Films. Angel Studios will release “Cabrini” exclusively in theaters nationwide Friday, March 8 About Cabrini: From Alejandro…