Karol's Coffee House

Welcome back to the coffee house! We're excited to bring back our good friend Nick to talk about platonic friendships. Can men and women really be only good friends? How important are platonic friendships anyway? And how can we maintain these friendships without making things awkward? We talk about all these things and more, so grab a seat and let's go!   Espresso Shot: "We are all one family in the world. Building a community that empowers everyone to attain their full potential through each of us respecting each other's dignity, rights and responsibilities makes the world a better place to live." ~ St. John Paul the Great   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Find Nick on Twitter! @nicksterwixter Email us your thoughts or topic ideas! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura is out this week, so Kyle steps in to chat with Sarah about everything and nothing. From life updates to simp woes to crazy news headlines, this episode is full of lighthearted fun and chaos.

Welcome back to the Coffee House! Our friend Kyle joins us for this episode as we talk about young adult life and some of our wins (and struggles) of participating in Catholic young adult ministry. Also find out what holiday Kyle would like to institute, Sarah's favorite kind of pie to make, and Maura shares a new life update! Pull up a chair and let's get chatting!   Espresso Shot: "Are you suffering a great deal? Don't lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God." ~ Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, as relayed by Sr. Lucia of Fatima   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Find Kyle on Twitter! @TheChefKyle Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Welcome to Karol's....Book Club?! This week Maura and Sarah share some of their favorite books they've read! Catholicism, mystery, classics, romance, it's a wide variety. If you're looking for something new to read, check out some of our faves, and please send us your favorites too!   Sarah's: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill; Jane Eyre; The Girl You Left Behind; The Light of Christ: An Introduction to Catholicism Maura's: Witness to Hope; When Christmas Comes; Love and Responsibility   Espresso Shot: "Prayer can truly change your life, for it turns your attention away from yourself and directs your mind and your heart towards the Lord. If we look only at ourselves, with our own limitations and sins, we quickly give way to sadness and discouragement. But if we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, then our hearts are filled with hope, our minds are washed in the light of truth, and we come to know the fullness of the Gospel with all its promise and life." ~ Saint John Paul the Great   Find us on Twitter! karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura and Sarah are back in the coffee house after a holiday hiatus! This episode talks all about finding balance in life and how we try (and sometimes fail) to successfully meet our needs from day to day. Grab your favorite cup of coffee or tea, and join us for a chat!   Espresso Shot: "It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so that they end up not being able to do anything. The spirit of God urges one gently to do the good that can be done reasonably, so that it may be done perseveringly and for a long time." ~ St Vincent de Paul   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

An Advent episode all about this holy and joyful season, and what Maura and Sarah are doing to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth!    Espresso Shot: "Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men." ~ St Ambrose of Milan   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts or topic suggestions! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

This week, Maura and Sarah sit down to talk about a particular novena and devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots. Maura has experience with this novena before and has some background information about it, and Sarah is praying through the novena for the first time, hear all about their experiences at the Coffee House!   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Our friend Peter is back in the Coffee House! Together with Maura and Barista Joe, they all sit down to talk about their jobs and the different ways they have answered the Lord's calling through their work.    Espresso Shot: Prayer to St Joseph for Workers: "St. Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary, and had the Son of God as your fellow worker. Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support. Teach me to see in my fellow workers the Christ who desires to be in them, that I may always be charitable and forbearing towards all. Grant me to look upon work with the eyes of faith, so that I shall recognize in it my share in God's own creative activity and in Christ's work of our redemption, and so take pride in it. When it is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it. And when it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world."    Join the fun with Peter and friends on Game of Favorites every Friday night at 8pm/7c on Twitch! https://t.co/0UUo1bF5PZ?amp=1 Find Peter on Twitter! @ivoteforpatches Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

You know him as Brother Theresa, but we know him as Kyle, our good friend who joins us in the coffee house this week! In our time together, Kyle shares about his experience discerning and transitioning out of the seminary. We also get to hear how Maura has made an awesome adulting accomplishment, how Kyle likes to publicly troll Sarah on a daily basis, and we answer your questions and give a few shoutouts! Come hang out with us!   Espresso Shot: "God's love does not impose burdens upon us that we cannot carry, nor make demands of us that we cannot fulfill. For whatever He asks of us, He provides the help that is needed.” ~ Saint John Paul the Great   Follow Kyle on Twitter! @BrotherTheresa Follow us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Our friend Tim stops by the coffee house this week to give us some great insight and advice on dating and discerning marriage. We sent him some questions asked by a few of our male listeners, and he did a great job answering them with clarity, wisdom, and good humor!   Tim is a husband and father of three. After years in parish youth ministry, Tim became a stay at home dad. That's when he and his wife Jess developed Love Worth Chasing, a ministry dedicated to promoting the dignity of every person. Tim is a big fan of superheroes and hopes to be one if he ever grows up. He loves cheesecake, although it doesn't always love him back. And after more than a decade in ministry, Tim is convinced that most of the world's problems are caused by people not understanding their own dignity or the dignity of others, and by not enough people wearing comfy pants.   Check out more from Tim at Love Worth Chasing Contact Tim at loveworthchasing@gmail.com Find us on Twitter! karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

In this special bonus episode of Karol's Coffee House, Sarah and Maura are together in real life for the first time! Barista Joe and Nick join in as well as they all talk about meeting each other for the first time. Tune in to hear about complicated late-night McDonald's orders, what pre-coffee Sarah is really like, and all the fun this great group of friends had during their time together!

A sleep-deprived Maura and an over-caffeinated Sarah get together in the Coffee House this week to talk about surprises, birthdays, and how excited they are to be meeting in person for the first time! They also talk about sin and the wounds we carry from them, how to move forward from past sin, and what helps them to turn away from sin when they're tempted.    Espresso Shot:  “All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God; even if a person's sins were as dark as night, God's mercy is stronger than our misery.” ~ St Maria Faustina   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura and Sarah bring a little positivity into the Coffee House this week as they discuss gratitude, even when times are difficult. Maura drops a BOYFRIEND REVEAL (and it's someone we know!) and updates us on her new job! If you need a little lightheartedness in your life, come sit with us!   Espresso Shot: "Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that. Because you have been despised. Because you haven't what you need or because you have. Thank him for everything, because everything is good.” ~ St Josemaria Escriva   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Continuing Marc's story from last week, he talks about entering the seminary, obstacles he encountered along the way, and how he continued his discernment during his time in seminary. It's a great end to his story, and a beautiful beginning to his vocation :) Please pray for Deacon Marc as he prepares to be ordained a priest in 2022!   Find Marc on Twitter! @Duke_of_Pizza Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com  

He's been ordained a transitional deacon since this recording, but our good friend Marc hangs out with us in the coffee house this week! Marc is a seminarian in Canada and a delightful human being who loves pizza, coffee, photography, and Jesus. He has an incredible story about how the Lord has called him to the priesthood! Part 2 of Marc's story will be following very soon, stay tuned! *Content warning: suicide During this episode, Marc briefly speaks of a tragic event in which a family member takes their own life, as is relevant to his story. If this is something you would prefer not to hear, we suggest you skip this section of his story, which takes place between the 36-40:51 minute mark. Let's also pray for those who struggle with depression, mental illness, and thoughts of suicide.   Espresso Shot: "Father, I am seeking. I am hesitant and uncertain, but will you O God watch over each step of mine and guide me." ~ St. Augustine   Find Marc on Twitter! @Duke_of_Pizza Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your feedback! karol'scoffeehouse@gmail.com 

Welcome to Karol's.....Kitchen! Maura and Sarah joke all the time about having a cooking podcast, so this week's episode is dedicated to one of their favorite hobbies: Cooking! They share some tips on how to prepare food for a busy work week, some ideas for meals to pack for lunch, as well as a few of their favorite recipes! Happy Cooking! (and eating)   Sarah's favorite salad dressing: 3/4 c Extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 c apple cider vinegar, 1 tbs dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1-2 tsp italian seasonings. Whisk together and serve, store in fridge in airtight container   Sarah's favorite cooking book: Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat.    Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your feedback! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

We have a special listener topic request this week! Our friend John came to us with a quote that he found, and was kind enough to stop by the Coffee House to join us in our discussion! Tune in to find out the unique way Maura is fasting, Sarah's opinion on salmon patties, a little Roman Circus podcast and Bible in a Year love, and the challenges of dating as a Catholic.   Espresso Shot: “When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more noble her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness; the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women.” ~ Archbishop Fulton Sheen “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ~ Philippians 4:8 Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com  

Our good friend Perry joins us in the Coffee House this week for some great conversation! Perry has previously worked as a diocesan advocate for those seeking annulments for their marriage, and she enlightens us on the process and what the Church teaches about it. We also talk a little about school, weddings, and the ever-wonderful world of dating. Join us in the fun!   Espresso Shot: “Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need, He will stretch out His saving hand.” ~ St Angela Merici   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Do you feel like things in your life are a little low? Maybe you aren't feeling like your best self? You've found yourself in a bit of a slump and not sure how to get out of it? If so, come on over to the Coffee House and sit with us, because SAME BOAT.  This week Maura and Sarah talk about those temporary slumps in life: How you feel, what might cause them, things you can do to try to pick yourself up, and things you should avoid in the meantime.    Espresso Shot: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble. But take courage, I have conquered the world.” ~ Jesus (John 16:33)   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your ideas! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura and Sarah have a chat with their good friend Erin, who is an absolute delight! Erin is in the process of discerning her vocation with the Dominicans, and she shares her incredible discernment story: When she first felt the call to religious life, how she discerned her vocation over time, and how she grew to know and love the Dominican religious order. As always, lots of laughs and fun over at the Coffee House!   Espresso Shot: "I see that God never tries us beyond what we are able to suffer. Oh, I fear nothing. If God sends such great sufferings to a soul, He upholds it with an even greater grace, though we are not aware of it. One act of trust in such moments gives greater glory to God than whole hours passed in prayer filled with consolation." ~ St. Faustina   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

This week in the Coffee House, Sarah and Maura share some of their struggles in finding balance in managing their time. Barista Joe gives us some insight on gifts for men, Maura shares all the fun she had at her birthday party, and we find out how much of a morning person Sarah is NOT.    Espresso Shot: "It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so that they end up not being able to do anything. The spirit of God urges one gently to do the good that can be done reasonably, so that it may be done perseveringly and for a long time." ~ St Vincent de Paul   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura and Sarah are reunited this week in the coffee house! They sit down to discuss brownies, Dads, having purpose in life, and mostly: jobs. Knowing when to move forward, how to trust in the Lord when it's time, trying to challenge yourself in your work, and other various tips and ideas are all involved. 

Sarah is out this week, so Maura invites her in-real-life friend Joe to come hang out at the coffee house! Behind the coffee house scenes, Joe is the one who offers Maura a quiet space for recording the podcast and kindly refills her tea as needed. He's a great barista and friend, and in this episode he gets a chance to join in the conversation! He and Maura have a light-hearted chat about family and how they like to spend time with their own families.  Espresso Shot: "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." ~Mother Theresa

Our good friend Jenna stops by the coffee house this week to talk with us about being satisfied and finding beauty in life, even if it's not what we expected. Life is beautiful, and we only get one! Learn how to live every day fully in this uplifting episode!   Espresso Shot: “And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.” ~ St Catherine of Siena   Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura is out this week, so Sarah invites her good friend and fellow coffee and wine enthusiast Tyler to hang out in the coffee house! Find out how Tyler and Sarah know each other, why Sarah is afraid to hang a Rosary in her car, and the small ways Tyler shares the joy and love of Christ to people he encounters.    Espresso Shot: “God desires the salvation of man, He desires that humanity find that fulfillment to which He Himself has destined it, and Christ has the right to say that His yoke is easy and His burden, in the end, light.”  ~ John Paul II, Crossing the Threshold of Hope.

We've all experienced moments when God has called us to trust in Him, but sometimes it's easier said than done! Maura and Sarah talk this week about times where they've had to put their trust in the Lord, and how they encounter obstacles that come up.   Espresso Shot: "Those whose hearts are enlarged by confidence in God run swiftly on the path of perfection. They not only run, they fly; because having placed all their hope in the Lord, they are no longer weak as they once were. They become strong with the strength of God, which is given to all who put their trust in Him." ~ St. Alphonsus Liguori    Find us on Twitter! @karol_podcast Email us your thoughts! karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com   

We love to see the loved ones in our lives getting married and starting families! But what happens when you start to feel left behind? Maura and Sarah share a couple of their experiences and how they handle life's growing pains.   We'd love to hear from you! Find us on Twitter at @karol_podcast or email us at karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Maura and Sarah's good friend Peter stops in this week to share his words of wisdom and experience in navigating those tricky conversations with people who hold different beliefs and opinions. And learn what exactly this Game of Favorites thing is all about from the creator and host himself!    We love Peter and you can too!  Twitter: @ivoteforpatches Catch Game of Favorites live on Fridays at 7pm CT here: https://t.co/0UUo1bnurp?amp=1 Watch previous episodes of Game of Favorites here: Game of Favorites - YouTube Instagram: ivoteforpatches 

Oh, the places you could go! Maura and Sarah sit down and discuss one of their favorite things to do: Travel! They share stories, travel tips, and their favorite places they've visited, and you can join them without having to book a flight or pack a bag! Enjoy this lighthearted episode and maybe get inspired to plan your next big trip!

Our friend Kevin stops by the coffee house this week to talk with us about spiritual life: how to establish one, how to maintain and progress it over time, and how to overcome obstacles that may come up along the way. This episode is full of wisdom wherever you might find yourself on your spiritual journey!    You can find Kevin on Twitter! Kevin of Our Lady of Sorrows (@RomanThomism) / Twitter You can find Kevin's book on Amazon! Reality: Volume 1-Natural Theology: of Our Lady of Sorrows, Kevin: 9781677949779: Amazon.com: Books

This week our friend Jake is back to talk with us about the struggles we face when dealing with disappointment in life. Join us for a lot of laughter, a few tears, and sharing how we handle the curve balls life throws at us.   We'd love to hear from you! Share your topic ideas, give us some feedback, or just say hi! Twitter: @karol_podcast Email: karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com      

This week, Maura's IRL friend Jenna sits down with us to share her story of the many times she has experienced conversion on her spiritual journey. Check out Jenna's Instagram page, The Advent Scripts, for daily inspiration for the soul!   If you'd like to reach out to us about topics or ideas, we'd love to hear about it! You can find us on Twitter at @karol_podcast or send an email at karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

This week Maura and Sarah sit down to discuss the highs and lows of spiritual life, ways they implement prayer into their day, and saints they like to ask for help along the way. And to everyone's shock: Sarah is NOT drinking coffee.   Book referenced by Sarah: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers   We'd love to hear from you! Find us on Twitter: @karol_podcast or email us at karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com    

This week Maura and Sarah sit down with their good friend Nick to discuss all things Nickelodeon, single life, the joys and (mostly) struggles of dating, growth and healing from long term relationships, and more!    If you want more great takes from Nick, you can find him on Twitter at @nicksterwixter.    If you'd like to reach out to Maura or Sarah, you can find them on Twitter at @karol_podcast, or at karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

How do we live a life with purpose while in a single vocation? Maura and Sarah have a few ideas! Check out this week's episode for inspiration such as learning new skills,  building a solid spiritual life, traveling, and helping others.   Book references: Witness to Hope by George Weigel  ~ "You will laugh, you will cry, you will learn Polish." ~ Maura Larkin   John Paul the Great: His 5 Great Loves by Jason Evert   We'd love to hear from you! Catch us on Twitter at @karol_podcast, or email us at karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com

Mental health is more important than ever these days, so this week Maura and Sarah have a lighthearted conversation about the importance of leisure time and share how they like to relax with some of their favorite hobbies.    We'd love to hear from you! If you like what you hear or have ideas about what you'd like to hear, you can find us on Twitter at @karol_podcast, or email us at karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com. 

This week Maura and Sarah discuss the importance of having community in the Church and life in general. Special appearances by essential oils, tea, extrovert/introvert batteries, and more! 

This week we have our first guest host, our good friend Jake! He shares his personal story about a difficult breakup and struggling with loneliness in a pandemic....and how he stumbled into the Weird Catholic Twitter world. Does Jake grow from this experience? Did a pandemic lockdown actually open doors to friendship? Do we ever stop talking about chili????? Tune in to find out :) You can find more of Jake on Twitter and YouTube!

Maura discusses her discernment journey. @karol_podcast Karolscoffeehouse@gmail.com Books: "Discerning the Will of God" by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V.  "Saint and Other Powerful Women in the Church" by Bob and Penny Lord.  "Saint and Other Powerful Men in the Church" by Bob and Penny Lord "33 Days to Morning Glory: Marian Consecration" by Michael E Gaitley

In this episode we discuss being a forgotten demographic and some of the struggles we encounter and deal with in this phase in our lives. 

This episode gives a description of what this podcast is about. Aimed at Catholic singles in the late 20s-30s to discuss our joys, struggles and how we navigate life and provide community.