Beautiful Depths: The Podcast

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens... He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 11). In today's podcast, we explain why we'll be saying farewell to Beautiful Depths (for now). Dear friends, it has been an honor to share with you, journey with you, and serve you. This ministry and your presence have been such gifts! In this season, however, God is calling us to let go of something beautiful in order to follow Him wherever He leads. It's time for us to practice what we've always taught here at Beautiful Depths: Holiness consists in abandoning ourselves completely to God, trusting that His will is our greatest good, even if it goes against what we may want. So while it is certainly difficult to say farewell (for now), we trust in the loving guidance of the Lord. We love you, are praying for you, and hope you will keep in touch! From the depths of our souls, Josie, Kaylee & Samantha ... Resources: Seeking Excellence Blessed is She Abiding Together Father Mike Schmitz What in the Dang Heck Let Love by the Sisters of Life The Burrowshire Podcast Catholic Answers The Council of Trent Samantha's Shop: Bloom Design Studio

The path to sainthood is not easy. Don't worry, we're right there with you, friends! This week, we are joined by special guest Nathan Crankfield, a former Army Infantry Officer and founder and president of Seeking Excellence. Nathan shares about the importance of cultivating spiritual endurance for the challenging journey to sainthood, offers practical tips to help you grow in discipline, and encouragement for embracing suffering. Join us as we talk all about striving to be a whole saint - mind, body and spirit. Click HERE to read this week's related blog post! Click HERE to subscribe and receive future blog posts and podcasts to your inbox every Monday! Nathan's Ministry: Seeking Excellence Recommended Resources: (Book) Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (Book) Fortitude by Dan Crenshaw (Book - please note that this book contains strong language and is graphic) Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins (Book) Witness to Joy by Chiara Corbella Petrillo (Song) Show Me by Audrey Assad

Election season is right around the corner, and as always, tension can seem to be running at an all time high. We can barely even go on social media without feeling like we are entering a war zone! How can we, as Catholics, strive to act faithfully during any election, no matter who the candidates are? Join us this week as we discuss the great guidance the Church has given to help us face voting with a clear conscience, a peaceful heart, and the gift of faith. Click HERE to read this week's blog about voting as Catholics! Click HERE to subscribe and receive the blog and podcast to your inbox every Monday morning! Recommended Resources: (Website) USCCB - Forming Consciences (Website) EWTN - Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters (Website) CatholicVote (Website) USCCB - Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching (Website) Catholic Relief Services - Catholic Social Teaching 101 (Website) USCCB - Faithful Citizenship

You are the beloved. As Catholic Christians, we probably say this often... But do we actually believe it? Do we let this penetrate our hearts? Why are we so quick to put this truth aside? Know this, friend: The foundational truth about each of our lives is that we were made by Love for Love. Join us this week as we talk about receiving the truth that each and every single one of us is God's beloved. Recommended Resources: (This week's blog post) You are the beloved (Podcast) Blessed is She's The Gathering Place ep. 54: Open Your Sails (Song) Belovedness by Sarah Kroger (Book) Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen Subscribe to receive the blog and podcasts to your inbox every Monday!

We so often get caught up in hoping and waiting for the extraordinary, we forget that God is still giving us graces in what we consider the mundane. Let's face it: most of our lives will be made up of ordinary days. And that's ok! In fact, we were made for the ordinary. Let's stop running away from it and embrace it because God is always calling us and providing us with the graces to be saints - we just need to allow Him in. Join us as we talk all about centering our hearts on Christ in the very ordinary, mundane moments of life - from cheering on your baby when he finally burps to doing the laundry. Click HERE to subscribe to our blog and newsletter! Click HERE to access this week's blog post! Recommended Resources: (Book) The Way of Trust and Love by Fr. Jacques Phillipe (Book) Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux (Blog Archive) Making the Ordinary Extraordinary (App) iBreviary - iOS | Google Play

This week on the podcast, we welcome Amanda Livermore, Vice President of Mission Effectiveness for Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, Florida. Join us as we chat about Amanda's journey from retail management to leading a diocesan Young Adult Ministry and now heading campus ministry on a High School Campus, all while being a rockstar wife and mother. Amanda's story reveals that a life dedicated to Ministry is truly a vocation of continual yes to God's promptings. Recommended Resources: (Book) Searching For and Maintaining Peace by Father Jacques Philippe (Book) Discernment of Spirits by Father Timothy Gallagher (App) Discerning Hearts (Apple Store) (Google Play) (Scripture) Romans 1:16 (Scripture) Matthew 28:19 (Book - Samantha's grace) Prayer Primer by Father Thomas Dubay Subscribe to get the blog posts & podcasts in your email every Monday!

Our society tells us that vulnerability is weakness. We often let ourselves believe that we have to be tough or perfect all the time, never letting any one into our hearts. But that's not toughness or perfection, that's isolation. We were not made to live on an island, but for love and community. Join us this week as we talk about the importance of vulnerability in all our relationships and how we can cultivate the grace of openness. Recommended Resources (Scripture) Jesus & the Hemorrhaging Woman in Mark 5:24-34 (The Blog) Behind the Mask (The Blog) An Athlete's Guide to Vulnerability (Bonus Homily from Fr. Joseph Kuhlman - Kaylee's grace for the week) The Church Has Entered Her Passion

Naturally Family Planning methods can be used to achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, or simply monitor a woman's health. The Church recommends NFP as a family planning method because it never inhibits the gifts God has given us through our bodies, but rather encourages us to learn about our bodies and cooperate with its natural cycles. Join us and our special guest, Melissa Grace Tablada, as we dive into the great topics of love and NFP for NFP Awareness Week! Recommended Resources: (Website) Creighton South Florida (Website) Managing Your Fertility (Website) Facts About Fertility (The Blog) What's The Big Deal With NFP (Papal Encyclical) Humanae Vitae (Website) Natural Womanhood (Website - Medical Professionals) My Catholic Doctor

Are you a people-pleaser? Do you struggle to unashamedly live as the person God created you to be? Are you always wondering what people think of you? This week, learn how to become a Jesus pleaser > people pleaser. Recommended Resources: (The Blog) I'm Done Caring What You Think ; (The Blog) Leave It Behind ; (Podcast) Just Own It, Blessed is She ; (Video) Being Unoffendable, Father Mike Schmitz ; (Song) Belovedness, Sarah Kroger

Our culture tells us we have the rights and freedoms to do basically whatever we want (as long as it's within the law), but why don't we feel free? Why is there so much division, anxiety, depression, and lack of purpose in peoples' lives? This week, we chat about how to live TRUE freedom and joy by embracing who we were created to be. Recommended Resources: (Blog) Living Catholic Freedom ; (Blog) Gaining Interior Freedom ; (Book) Interior Freedom ; (Song) Freedom in the Spirit

Many singles feel this pressure to find their spouse while balancing surrender to divine providence. This week, Samantha and her husband, Luke, share their love story and show how prayerful patience and trusting in the intentionality of God's plan led them to each other. Resources Mentioned: (Blog) Samantha & Luke's Story ; (Podcast) He's In the Waiting—Abiding Together ; (Novena) Novena of Surrender ; (Book) Emotional Virtue

We've alllll heard the chastity talk and how we should set physical boundaries while dating, but what about emotional boundaries?! We've all let our thoughts and daydreams get way ahead of our actions, leading to drama and heartbreak. Learn why setting physical AND emotional boundaries is essential to loving to the fullest. Resources Mentioned: (Book) Who Am I to Judge by Dr. Sri ; (Book) Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ; (Book) Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West ; (Book) Emotional Virtue by Sarah Swafford ; (Book) Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love by Dr. Sri ; (Series) Beloved on formed.org ; (Learning) Theology of the Body Institute - tobinstitute.org (seminars, retreats, classes, etc.) ; (Podcast) How to Quit the Emoti-coster of Dating

We all have an innate desire to please our dads—but we have to recognize that this ultimately stems from a desire to please our heavenly Father. With Father's Day approaching, we're chatting all about how we can live into our identity as daughters and sons of our heavenly father, rather than seeking to please our earthly dads. Resources mentioned: (Song) Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin ; (Book) St. Joseph Consecration by Fr. Donald Calloway ; (Bible) Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32

Are you in a season of desolation? Do you struggle to feel anything in prayer and wish God would just give you some consolation? This week, we chat all about prayer, spiritual dryness, and how to refocus our prayer during tough seasons. Resources mentioned: (Blog) Beautiful Depths The Blog ; (Podcast) Blessed is She: Consolation/Desolation ; (Podcast) Catholic Stuff You Should Know: Dependence ; (Website) Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius ; (Book) My Sisters, the Saints

Productivity should be rooted in mission, but our mission is NOT productivity. Learn how to live a balanced life between work, leisure, and quality time. Related Resources: (Blog Post) Why Productivity Isn't Everything ; (Blog Post) Why Leisure is Essential for the Soul

Learn how to develop a relationship with the 3rd Person of the Trinity and follow His promptings if your life. Resources Mentioned: (Video) Bishop Barron on the Holy Spirit ; (Video) The Wild Goose Series ; (Podcast) Abiding Together on the Holy Spirit ; (Book) Theology & Sanity by Frank Sheed

Special guest (and Josie’s brother!) John Paul Kuhlman joins the gals in chatting about how we can be a witness and evangelize to those who know the faith and grew up in it, but aren’t living it out. Resources Mentioned: (Book) Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis ; (Book) Forming Intentional Disciples, by Sherry Widdell ; (Book) Rome Sweet Home, by Scott Hahn ; (Website) Formed.org

The secret to holiness isn't really a secret... It's discipline! Learn how to practically prioritize the right things in life so you can order your days around the big goal—holiness and heaven! Resources mentioned: (Podcast): How to Schedule Part 1 ; (Podcast): How to Schedule Part 2

Are you making a big decision in life or going through a transition? Or maybe you're wondering if you need to discern making a big (or little) change in life. We got you!! This week, we talk all about making decisions big and small, how to hear God's voice in your life, and how to transition well. Resources mentioned: (Podcast) Father Mike: The Source of Security ; (Book) Pray, Decide, and Don’t Worry by Jackie Angel, Bobby Angel, and Fr Mike Schmitz ; (Book) Consecration to Jesus through St. Joseph, by Dr. Gregory Bottaro & Jennifer Settle Signup for our weekly email list here.

Special guest Annie Richards shares her story of sexual assault (April is Sexual Assault Awareness month) with Kaylee and Josie—revealing a special travel companion that God sent her to help her in her healing process. Related Resources: (Blog Post) Behold Your Travel Companion by Annie Richards ; (Website) Catholic Online Counselors ; (Website) Catholic Psych Institute ; (Prayer) Angel of God Prayer ; Psalm 91: Safe Beneath Their Wings ; Catechism of the Catholic Church—Guardian Angels

Ever wonder what Divine Mercy is all about? The Sunday after Easter is called Divine Mercy Sunday, but do you truly know the Church's teaching on mercy? You won't want to miss this episode talking all about how we can receive the mercy of the Lord and extend it on to others! Check out related resources below. (Prayer) Divine Mercy Chaplet ; (Meditation) I Thirst For You ; (Video) 3 Tips for Extending Mercy ; (Book) 33 Days to Merciful Love ; (Book) The Way of Trust and Love ; (Encyclical) Dives in misericordia (Rich in Mercy) by JP2

We're back for more!! In this Season 2 premiere, we chat all about how to live out the Easter season to the fullest and become the Easter People we are called to be!! Check out the related resources below! (Blog Post) Being a Living Tabernacle ; (Video) Father Mike on Easter ; (Book) BIS RISEN: 50 Ways to Live Easter ; (Book) Living the Mysteries: a Guide for Unfinished Christians ; (Podcast) How To Easter ; Saint JP2: We Are An Easter People

Need some ideas for Lent this year? Don't just settle for the same thing you did last year. Or the year before. Or the year before that. Learn how to choose a Lent plan that will best prepare your heart for the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord so you can make the most of this season! Link to related blog post here. Related Resources: (Blog) Beautiful Depths: Lent Ideas ; (Video) Father Mike Schmitz: The Purpose of Fasting ; (Podcast) Do Something Beautiful: Spiritual Aestheticism ; (Resource) Memento Mori Journal ; (Resource) Fiat40: For more information on this, email us at contact@beautifuldepths.com and we'll send you all the information!

Do you know someone struggling with the loss of a loved one or seeking healing in their life?! We're all hurting from something, which is why we're talking about it!! Josie & Kaylee chat with Drew Decker, a graduate student who is pursuing a master's degree in clinical social work and who has a passion for helping those struggling with mental health issues in the Church. Drew shares his story of loss and how he was able to see God's Hand throughout his healing process—and how it doesn't stop! You can find Drew's full reflection and learn more about his story here. Episode disclaimer: What is discussed in this episode with Drew should not be considered professional mental health advice. If you're seeking medical help or consultation, we advise you to reach out to a certified professional! Related Resources: (PODCAST) The Do Something Beautiful Podcast: Integrating Faith & Psychology with Dr. Greg Bottaro ; (PODCAST) Father Mike Schmitz: Silence is Not Absence ; (BOOK) The Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis ; (YOUTUBE VIDEO) Ascension Presents: Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times

Kaylee & Matt share their vocation story and how God surprised them in a big way when He led them to each other in marriage. They share how God used their respective stages of singleness to prepare their hearts for each other, and offer encouragement and tips for singles searching for their spouse and couples striving for holiness. Learn all about how God wants to surprise YOU!! Related Resources: (Beautiful Depths Blog) Let Jesus Surprise You ; (Book) Men, Women, & the Mystery of Love

Want to learn how to live your single days joyfully? Josie shares her story with dating and why strong singles make the strongest couples. Learn practical tips to live singleness to the fullest so you can prepare for your future vocation—whatever that may be. To read the blog post associated with this episode, click here. Recommended Resources: (PODCAST) The Lila Rose Show: Dating, Single Years, and Being a Strong SIngle ; (PODCAST) Discernment 101: Dating, vocation, career, and making other big decisions in life ; (YOUTUBE) Emily Wilson YouTube Channel ; (BOOK) The Moment is Now: Do More Than Just Survive Your Single Years, Practical Tips to Live Them for God's Glory ; (BOOK) Emotional Virtue, by Sarah Swafford (PRAYER) Be Satisfied, by St. Anthony

Part 4 of the Virtues Series, talking all about self-mastery and the virtue of temperance. The gals chat about how this virtue prevents us from becoming slaves to our own desires, and how we can practice temperance daily in four areas: food/drink, boundaries, modesty, and silence. To read the blog post associated, click here. Related Resources: (VIDEO) Father Mike Schmitz: 4 Reasons to Fast ; (PODCAST) Leah Darrow: Spiritual Asceticism ; (PODCAST) She Believed Podcast: How to Find Personal Style Without Compromising Modesty ; (BLOG) Blessed is She: Making Lent About God

Part 3 of the Virtues Series is all about the virtue of prudence and how it relates to social media consumption. Josie, Samantha, & Kaylee discuss ways to set limits, cultivate your social media feed, engage prudently online, and have fun on the 'Gram without compromising virtue. For links to life-giving accounts to follow click here. Resources mentioned: Blog Post-Beautiful Depths Blog ; FOCUS Catholic- Questions to Ask Yourself About Social Media ; Ascension Presents Video- Do You Need a Break from Social Media? ; Ascension Presents Video- Creating an Environment that Supports Virtue ; Living the Good Life: A Beginner’s Thomistic Ethics by Stephen J Jensen

Part 2 of the Virtues Series focusing this week on Justice! Josie & Samantha chat with podcast guest Mary Kate Knorr, executive director of Illinois Right to Life and host of the LifeChat podcast, about what it means to be an advocate for justice today. You can learn more about Mary Kate and her work at Illinois Right to Life here. To follow her on Instagram, click here. More Resources: The Life Chat Podcast ; Father Mike Schmitz—What it Means to be Pro Life

Part 1 of our 4-part series on the cardinal virtues, starting with Fortitude. What is Fortitude? How can we practice it in our daily lives? What are some practical ways to build virtue through habit? Find answers to these questions and more in this week's episode. Resources Mentioned: (Book) Go Bravely by Emily Wilson Hussem ; (Book) Choosing Beauty by Gina Loeher ; (Podcast) How to Handle Spiritual Setbacks, Father Mike Schmitz ; (Podcast) Practical Ways to Overcome Obstacles in Prayer, She Believed Podcast

The gals chat about how we can factor our personal call to holiness and individual mission into the goals and resolutions we set for 2020. They also offer practical tips to plan and dream with God in the new year. To sign up for Beautiful Depths email list click here. Resources mentioned: Related Blog Post: Beautiful Depths Blog ; Among the Lilies Podcast: Make 2020 Your Best Year EVER! ; Abiding Together Podcast: I Choose You ; Abiding Together Podcast: A Call to Holiness ; Book: The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly ; Book: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

How can we rest in the knowledge that we are already loved infinitely if we don't always feel that love? As we approach Christmas, Josie & Kaylee chat with special guest and friend, Grace Carroll, on the one thing all our hearts truly desire and how we can resist the temptation to let fleeting feelings of happiness consume us. You can read Grace's blog post and learn more about her here. Resources Mentioned: To subscribe to our email list: click here ; Related Blog Post: The One Thing I Want (Beautiful Depths: The Blog) Do Something Beautiful Podcast: On Self-Denial & Practicing Sacrifice ; Abiding Together Podcast: I Choose You ; Book: Chiara Corbella Petrillo

Ever wonder what the heck the feast of the Immaculate Conception is about? This week, Kaylee, Samantha, and Josie dive deep into the Church's teaching on the Immaculate Conception, common misperceptions on Church dogma, and why this Truth should impact all our lives. Resources mentioned: Related Blog Post: Beautiful Depths the Blog ; World's First Love by Fulton Sheen ; 33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Michael Gaitley ; Totus Tuus: A Contemplative Approach to Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary by Fr. Nathan Cromly ; Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary by Fr. Hugh Gillespie Signs of Life by Scott Hahn; Rosarium Virginis Mariae by Pope John Paul II

Josie shares with Samantha & Kaylee what has been inspiring her to live more confidently in all aspects of life: dating, career, and daily actions. Listen up for some honest conversations about struggles we all encounter. Resources mentioned: Blessed is She Reflection ; Every Sacred Sunday Mass Journal ; Litany of Trust

It's Thanksgiving week, so what better time to reflect on how we can open our hearts to love and accept the gifts of the Father more readily? Samantha & Josie chat with podcast guest, Anna Tabone, about her story, why we struggle to receive love, how we can be more receptive to the graces God gives us, and ways to get better at letting ourselves be loved. Link to Anna's blog post: click here. Resources mentioned: Reimagining the Examen App ; The Book of Psalms

In this last installment of the November Saint Series, Kaylee, Samantha, and Josie chat about saints who were small, but mighty. They discuss how these saints give us practical ways to be holy in our everyday lives, and that we don't need to do anything revolutionary. Resources mentioned: Prayer- The Magnificat Prayer ; Book- Man of the Beatitudes (Pier Giorgio Frassati) ; Movie- For Greater Glory

Part 2 of the saint series, Kaylee, Josie, and Samantha chat about two great saints who were overlooked and disregarded by their peers, yet persevered in faith. Take encouragement from this relatable discussion and check out the resources below.  Resources mentioned:  Book- The Power of Silence (Against the Dictatorship of Noise) ;  Book- I Believe in Love ;  Video- For Everyone Doubting Themselves ; Litany of Humility

Part 1 of a month-long "saint series." The gals discuss Josie's "Top Lessons from the saints" and chat about why praying through the intercession of the saints is so valuable to our spiritual lives. Resources mentioned: The Confessions of St. Augustine ; My Sisters the Saints ; How-To-Catholic Podcast- The Saints

Josie, Samantha, and Kaylee discuss why we must properly prepare our hearts for the reception of the Eucharist, why non-Catholics or non-practicing Catholics cannot receive, and how to prevent sacrilege to this great Sacrament. They offer practical tips for how each of us can take responsibility to protect what is Sacred. To learn more about the Eucharist and the requirements for proper reception, see some of the resources below.  USCCB: Basic Questions About the Eucharist ;  Act of Reparation Prayer ;  Father Mike Video: Why Non-Catholics Can't Receive Communion

In this episode, we welcome our very first special guest: Natalia Matamala! Incredibly, Josie, Kaylee, and Samantha met Natalia separately, but all three have been blessed by her friendship. This week, Natalia shares her experience as a recent college graduate with Kaylee and Samantha. She reminds us what it means to live radically like Jesus in the present day, how to lean into suffering, and how to remember the ultimate goal of all of our lives: reunion with the Father. Thank you, Natalia, for sharing your time and your heart with us! ABOUT NATALIA:  A graduate of the University of Florida, Natalia’s deepest desire is to live an ordinary life with extraordinary grace. She has an unwavering devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, and even got engaged on her feast day! Phone calls and Marco Polos are her primary love language, and she has the uncanny ability of being able to eat Mexican food everyday if necessary. Resources: Love Does by Bob Goff Abiding Together Podcast Season 6, Episode 1: Call to Holiness Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales

Kaylee opens her heart and shares about her miscarriage. She discusses with Josie and Samantha ways to honor life and help friends and family who are grieving the loss of their child. Resources: USCCB Blessing of Parents after Miscarriage or Stillbirth Grieving Together: A Couple's Journey Through Miscarriage by Laura and Franco Fanucci Elizabeth Ministry International

Join the conversation all about FOMO (Fear of missing out). Josie, Samantha, & Kaylee discuss why millennials have such a hard time with commitment and settling down and how we can learn to dig roots in the present and not give into FOMO.  Resources mentioned: Father Mike Schmitz Podcast (Episode: FOMO 8/26/16) ; Litany of Trust ; Interior Freedom (book)

Samantha & Josie discuss why reading the Bible is so important and offer practical tips for how to dive into the Word in our daily prayer lives. Resources Mentioned: Bible in a Year ; USCCB Daily Readings ; Walking With God

Josie, Samantha, & Kaylee enter into a discussion about the modern-day spiritual epidemic: Cultural Catholicism. "Cultural Catholicism" refers to Catholics who profess to believe what the Church teaches, but live a life contrary to the faith. They chat about why this is so harmful, how to fight it in the world, and offer tips on how to live an unapologetically Catholic life. Resources Mentioned: Book: Introduction to the Devout Life ; Book: Forming Intentional Disciples ; Book: Into His Likeness ; Reference: Catechism of the Catholic Church

Josie & Kaylee chat about feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities and how to practically take a step back and invite Jesus into daily work so we don’t lose our peace. Resources mentioned: Book: Interior Freedom App: Reimagining the Examen

Josie & Kaylee chat about big life changes, taking a leap of faith, and the doubt and fear that comes along with being in an uncomfortable season of life. They offer practical tips and resources for those going through similar life phases! Resources mentioned: Book: He Leadeth Me ; The Father Mike Schmitz Podcast: The Homesick Series

Get to know us—the 3 women behind the mic! Josie, Samantha, and Kaylee discuss the inspiration behind their ministry, their personal life stories, and even share who’d be in their “saint squad”!