Modern Catholic Family

Jim Schubert
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Modern Catholic Family empowers families to anchor in the fullness of Catholic living. It is the only platform designed specifically for Catholic families, offering guidance and community that unite the ancient wisdom of the Catholic Church with the dynamic needs of today’s family.

  1. 2d ago

    You Were Made for This: The Family on Mission

    Send us Fan Mail "Your family has a mission." That's what Julie Liotta's priest told her in confession one ordinary Wednesday morning, and the words changed everything. Jim and Meghan sit down with Julie, a former Marine Corps company commander now serving as coordinator for adult faith formation and evangelization at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, to talk about what it means to live as a family on mission. Drawing from her years in the Marine Corps, her work walking converts through OCIA, and story after story of God pursuing hearts in unexpected ways, Julie shows how ordinary moments, from chicken tenders to confession, become the mission field. What’s in this episode: The moment a priest told Julie her family has a missionLessons from the Marine Corps on leadership and missionThe atheist midshipman who asked, "Am I invited?"A stranger's 40-year journey away from the Church and backEncouraging a man wrestling with frustration in his conversionWhy pausing before speaking opens space for the Holy SpiritThe surprising origin story behind Teams of Our LadyJulie's work leading OCIA at the Shrine of the Most Blessed SacramentWhy being fully yourself is key to sharing your faithA call to be brave in living out your Catholic identityOne resource every Catholic family should know: Teams of Our LadyBook she is currently reading: 60 Days to Becoming a Missionary Disciple by Fr. John BartunekFavorite book: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'DellAdvice to her younger self: Be present exactly where you are, because that's where God is pursuing youFinal wisdom for listeners: Be brave. The world needs brave people who aren't afraid to be who they're called to be.Resources Mentioned: Teams of Our Lady – A lay apostolate that helps married couples grow closer in faith and community 60 Days to Becoming a Missionary Disciple by Fr. John Bartunek – A 60 day guide to living as a missionary disciple Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell – A classic novel that ignited Julie's love of reading as a child Camp Wojtyla – A Catholic summer camp for kids in Colorado Mustard Seed Communities – A Catholic community in Jamaica serving people with disabilities Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    You Were Made for This: The Family on Mission

  2. Aug 4

    Why Our Family Escapes Every Summer and What We Find There

    Send us Fan Mail Why does one family return to the same small island every summer, and what do they find there? Jim and Meghan step away from their usual guest format to reflect together on nearly two decades of summers in Jamestown, Rhode Island, the place where Meghan grew up and where their family has built a second, deeply rooted community. From an unexpected turn on the altar to conversations that stretch late into the night in a favorite corner of the house they call the cupola, they explore how leaving routine behind draws them closer to each other and to God. It is a conversation about slowing down, showing up in a small parish, and discovering that a place, like a person, can become an unexpected gift. What’s in this episode: The origin story of summering in Rhode Island as a family traditionCommunity as an extension of what it means to be CatholicEncountering God's beauty in nature, from sunsets to ocean wavesJim's unexpected turn as lector the day the bishop visitedGetting out of routine to slow down and rediscover morning prayerMultigenerational memories with great-grandparents, cousins, and familyHow their daughter's first Communion came together at the island parishEvening conversations in "the cupola" as a nightly family ritualWhy family rules and priorities shift when routine is left behind Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    Why Our Family Escapes Every Summer and What We Find There

  3. Jul 28

    Regaining the Peace of the Interior Gaze

    Send us Fan Mail Pope Saint John Paul II once described how Adam and Eve, before the fall, could look at one another with total peace, free of shame or doubt. Jim and Meghan sit down with Catholic evangelist, author, and speaker Tanner Kalina to talk about what it means to reclaim that same peace today. A former actor and comedian who left Hollywood behind, Tanner shares how baseball, acting, and finally Christ became the true search of his heart. With honesty and humor, he opens up about surrender, authenticity, and the daily choice to make God first. What’s in this episode: The meaning behind Tanner's masterclass title, Regaining the Interior GazePope Saint John Paul II's teaching on Adam and Eve's original peaceTanner's journey from baseball and Hollywood to full conversionSaint Augustine's reminder that our hearts are restless until they rest in GodWhy today's youth crave authenticity in a culture of noiseThe origin story behind the Saints Alive podcast on HallowHow saints' stories differ from Hollywood's celebrity narrativesLessons in humility from Tanner's time as an older FOCUS missionaryThe theme of surrender running through Tanner's whole storyAdvice for young Catholics who want to evangelize through new mediaOne resource every Catholic family should know: Ascension PressBook he is currently reading: The Fulfillment of All Desire by Dr. Ralph Martin, his own book All Your Heart, and a novel called LaurusAdvice to his younger self: Do the hard thing and trust the long, slow game; the Lord's goodness will prevailFinal wisdom for listeners: Regaining the peace of the interior gaze is a lifelong process that begins with a firm commitment to the LordResources Mentioned: Saints Alive (podcast on Hallow) – Radio dramas that bring the stories of the saints to life for kids Ascension Press – Faith formation resources and video series for Catholic families Tanner Kalina's website – Personal site with links to his resources, videos, and speaking The Fulfillment of All Desire by Dr. Ralph Martin – A study of the mystics of the Catholic faith All Your Heart by Tanner Kalina – Tanner's own book on how the heart is transformed in Christ Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    Regaining the Peace of the Interior Gaze

  4. Jul 21

    The Power of the Family Board Meeting

    Send us Fan Mail What if the secret to raising a thriving Catholic family looked a lot like running a well-led company? Jim and Meghan sit down with Mike and Alicia Hernon, co-founders of The Messy Family Project, to unpack the Family Board Meeting, a structured practice of stepping back from the daily grind of parenting to intentionally lead as a couple. Drawing on business principles like EOS and Traction, along with decades of raising ten children, Mike and Alicia share how this yearly practice built unity in their marriage and helped form seven adult children who are now faithful, practicing Catholics. With candor and humor, they invite Catholic families to see their homes as the most important work happening in the Church today. What’s in this episode: The origin and purpose behind the Family Board Meeting conceptWhy the meeting belongs to spouses only, not the whole familyThe five steps: assess, envision, define goals, discern, and actLessons borrowed from EOS and the book Traction by Gino WickmanThe greatest fruit: raising evangelizing disciples of ChristPreparing teenagers for the freedom of college and adulthoodWhy unity between spouses matters more than checking off goalsA look inside The Messy Family Project's course and communityOne resource every Catholic family should know: Mike: The Family Board Meeting course and podcast. Alicia: Father John Riccardo's The Rescue Project videos with Acts XXIX.Book they are currently reading: Mike: A collection of fantasy novels by Stephen Lawhead, including one on Byzantium. Alicia: Christy, read with her well read moms group.Advice to their younger selves: Mike: Don't get so stressed trying to get everything right, focus on what matters most. Alicia: Enjoy your children more and don't worry about things that aren't important.Final wisdom for listeners: Mike: Build a rule of life around your identity as a child of God, spouse, and parent. Alicia: Real change starts within you, you are a beloved son or daughter of God.Resources Mentioned: Messy Family Project – Home of the Family Board Meeting course, podcast, and free downloads Father John Riccardo's The Rescue Project – Evangelization videos through Acts XXIX The Chosen by Chaim Potok – A novel on fatherhood and different parenting paths that moved Alicia to tears Ways of Imperfection – A book Alicia calls life changing on being loved by God in imperfection Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead – A novel Mike recently finished, part of his ongoing collection by the author Buy Back Your Time – A business book Mike often returns to Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    The Power of the Family Board Meeting

  5. Jul 14

    The Road to Hope: The Church's Response to the Crisis of Addiction

    Send us Fan Mail Addiction is messy, addiction is sometimes bloody, and it's a place holy people haven't always gone, until now. Jim and Meghan sit down with Keaton Douglas to explore how the Catholic Church can become a true resource for those struggling with addiction and the families who love them. Drawing from her own story of loss, healing, and an unexpected call to ministry, Keaton shares how her book The Road to Hope and new series Unshackled are helping families find their way back to hope. With honesty and deep faith, she reminds listeners that no one is meant to walk the road to recovery alone. What’s in this episode: Keaton's journey from a career on Wall Street to Catholic ministryThe reach of iTHIRST across parishes, prisons, and reservationsThe meaning behind the name iTHIRST and its acronymThe launch of Unshackled, a new series on Shalom World TVInsights from her book The Road to Hope, written with Lindsay SchlegelWhy family members need as much support as their struggling loved oneHow trained spiritual companions walk with families through addictionA mother's story of hope while raising a son battling addictionCatholic in Recovery as a faith-centered community and fellowshipOne resource every Catholic family should know: Catholic in RecoveryBook she is currently reading: The Plantagenets by Dan JonesFavorite book: The Seven Storey Mountain and The Long LonelinessAdvice to her younger self: be unabashed in following the Holy SpiritFinal wisdom for listeners: while there is breath, there is hope Resources Mentioned: iTHIRST Initiative – Training and support for the Church's response to addiction, spanning 47 states and 13 nations  Unshackled – A 12-episode series on addiction and faith streaming on Shalom World TV Catholic in Recovery – A Catholic fellowship and community for those in recovery  The Road to Hope: The Church's Response to the Crisis of Addiction – Book on faith and addiction recovery, co-written with Lindsay Schlegel The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton – A memoir that shaped Keaton's spiritual life The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day – A memoir that shaped Keaton's spiritual life The Plantagenets  by Dan Jones – A history of the medieval English royal dynasty Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    The Road to Hope: The Church's Response to the Crisis of Addiction

  6. Jul 7

    Surrendering to God's Sense of Humor

    Send us Fan Mail From a place of deep darkness and silence, one woman's journey through abortion, sterilization, conversion, and healing became a witness that proclaims the mercy and humor of God. Jim sits down with Brice Griffin, Catholic mother of five, pro-life activist, and pilgrimage leader, to walk through a story of radical surrender and the grace that waited on the other side of it. With candor, warmth, and a healthy dose of laughter, Brice shares how God used confession, community, and even a saint's feast day to restore what was broken and multiply what was given back. What’s in this episode: Brice's story of abortion, silence, and the journey toward healingThe moment an ultrasound changed everything during her first pregnancyA talk by Father Larry Richards that brought her to her knees in confessionThe priest who smiled warmly and said, "Jesus is so glad you're here"Rachel's Vineyard and the power of healing retreats for post-abortive women and menThe Saint Clare miracle that led to the birth of her youngest daughter, ZayleeWhy children at abortion facilities always recognize the baby in the ultrasoundHow Brice's daughter spoke truth to pro-abortion protesters at the 2012 DNCThe pregnancy resource center she opened near the abortion facility in CharlotteAdvice for young women on comparison, the sacraments, and staying close to JesusHow men are often excluded from the grief of lost fatherhood after abortionWhy sanctity of marriage and sanctity of life are deeply connectedBrice's Italy pilgrimages and how she leads women and couples into deeper faithOne resource every Catholic family should know: Beginning Apologetics seriesBook she is currently reading: Days of Love and Rage (a story set in northern Syria during the revolution)Advice to her younger self: "Whatever you think you wanna do, don't do it" and do not compare yourself to othersFinal wisdom for listeners: Stay close to the sacraments, pray the rosary, and go on a pilgrimage to Italy Resources Mentioned: Rachel's Vineyard - Catholic healing retreat for those suffering after abortion, with confession and Scripture-based recovery Beginning Apologetics - A 10-volume workbook series offering clear, concise answers to common faith questions for Catholics @thesejoyfulmysteries - Brice's travel Instagram featuring photos and stories from her Catholic pilgrimages to Italy Days of Love and Rage - Book Brice is currently reading about a town in northern Syria during the revolution Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    Surrendering to God's Sense of Humor

  7. Jun 30

    Raising Neurodivergent Kids with Faith and Joy

    Send us Fan Mail Raising a neurodivergent child in the Catholic faith can feel isolating, but Ginny Kochis is here to remind parents they are not alone. Jim and Meghan sit down with Ginny, founder of Quirky Catholic Kids and author of over a dozen books, to explore what it truly means to embrace neurodivergence with faith and joy. Drawing from 20 years of lived experience as a neurodivergent mom raising neurodivergent children, Ginny offers honest, practical wisdom for families navigating this unique and beautiful path. What’s in this episode: What neurodivergent means and the wide range of conditions it coversThe difference between a meltdown and a tantrum, and why it mattersPractical sensory tips for helping neurodivergent kids get through MassWhy typical and holy are not the same thing, and never wereA look at Ginny's library of books for kids, teens, and momsThe Leonie Circle: a monthly membership community for Catholic momsAssuming competence as the key to faith formation for all childrenHow Catholic schools and parishes are growing in inclusionAbout 100 saints in Ginny's book who may have been neurodivergentOne resource every Catholic family should know: Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence With Faith and Joy by Ginny KochisBook she is currently reading: A Call to a Deeper Love – the letters of St. Louis and Zelie MartinAdvice to her younger self: Stop chasing normalFinal wisdom for listeners: Typical and holy don't mean the same thing – you don't have to fit inside that box to raise unique and unrepeatable saints Resources Mentioned: Quirky Catholic Kids – Ginny's ministry hub with books, resources, visual schedules, and social stories for Catholic families ginnykochis.com -– Ginny's author website for fiction and nonfiction Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith and Joy – Ginny's latest book, a primer for Catholic families raising neurodivergent children A Call to a Deeper Love – The letters of St. Louis and Zelie Martin, recommended especially for parents of neurodivergent kids Accepting the Gift by Kelly Mantoan – Ministry and adaptive curriculum for families of children with significant support needs Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    Raising Neurodivergent Kids with Faith and Joy

  8. Jun 23

    How to Not Just Survive But Thrive in Suffering

    Send us Fan Mail Suffering is not a detour from God's plan for your family. It is the path. Jim and Meghan sit down with Megan Hjelmstad, Army veteran, author, speaker, and women's mentor, to explore the theology and practice of redemptive suffering. Drawing from years of chronic illness, surgeries, and pregnancy loss, Megan shares how suffering united to Christ becomes a doorway to freedom, joy, and deep purpose. Her book, Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, grew from her own story and the gaps she saw in resources for women navigating real, everyday pain. What’s in this episode: The theology of suffering and why it is not God's fault or punishmentMegan's personal story of chronic illness, surgeries, and pregnancy lossThe turning point when she realized God was intimately present in her painA powerful quote from Jesus to Saint Faustina on the value of sufferingWhy feelings of repugnance toward suffering actually increase its spiritual valueThe morning offering as a daily practice for uniting suffering to ChristMegan's redemptive routine of assigning intentions to each day of the weekThe story of Saint Therese offering laundry for her bishop and its surprising fruitBuilding muscle memory for offering so it becomes second natureOne resource every Catholic family should know: The Catechism of the Catholic ChurchBook she is currently reading: Soul of the ApostolateAdvice to her younger self: Communion over contentFinal wisdom for listeners: Brutal honesty in prayer is the way to go Resources Mentioned: Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering – Megan's book on hope and redemptive suffering; includes a free digital companion. Audiobook also coming this summer meganhjelmstad.com – Books, speaking, and mentorship The Soul of the Apostolate – A compelling case for why interior prayer life is more powerful than all activity  Blessed Is She – Catholic women's ministry Megan contributes devotions to  The Catechism of the Catholic Church – The most underutilized resource for Catholic families, recommended for family holy hours Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

    How to Not Just Survive But Thrive in Suffering
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About

Modern Catholic Family empowers families to anchor in the fullness of Catholic living. It is the only platform designed specifically for Catholic families, offering guidance and community that unite the ancient wisdom of the Catholic Church with the dynamic needs of today’s family.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Schubert
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Modern Catholic Family
  • Show Website
    Modern Catholic Family

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