The Catholic Woman Podcast

Marie Hanson

The Catholic Woman Podcast is where Catholic women find the tools and truth they need to thrive in the modern world. Each episode blends practical advice with the timeless teachings of the Catholic faith so you can live out your vocation confidently and faithfully. If you’re ready to grow stronger in truth and bolder in faith, you’ve found your place.

  1. Aug 3

    When the Cross Feels Too Heavy: A Catholic Guide to Grief, Doubt, and Trust

    We've all been taught that Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light. So why does grief feel like neither? This week Marie Hanson sits down with licensed mental health counselor Samantha Stefaniak, founder of Rooted Soul Grounded Mind, for an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to grieve as a Catholic woman without losing your faith or faking your peace. In this episode: - Why questioning God in grief isn't a lack of faith, it's how He built us - The difference between healthy grieving and grief that's turned spiritually harmful - What to do in the first ten minutes when grief hits and you don't know how to cope  -How to support a grieving friend without having the right words - Why two feelings can be true at once: disappointment and gratitude - What the Glorious Mysteries teach us about grief that isn't final - How to validate grief that isn't tied to losing a person If this episode meets you somewhere heavy today, hit subscribe so you don't miss what's coming. The Catholic Woman: Newsletter and show notifications: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/ Website: https://catholicwoman.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Connect with Samantha Stefaniak: Website: https://rootedsoulgroundedmind.com Instagram and Facebook: @RootedSoulGroundedMind Thank you to our sponsors: Sole Atelier — the first professional planner built for Catholic women, weaving prayer and productivity into one. Get 10% off with code CATHOLICWOMAN10 at https://soleatelier.com Salt and Light by Sami — toxin-free candles, diffusers, and perfume made without carcinogens or phthalates. Use code CATHOLICWOMAN at https://saltandlightbysami.com/CATHOLICWOMAN Raising Well Mannered Children — faith-built resources for forming virtue in your kids. Use code FAMILY5 at https://raisingwellmanneredchildren.com SEARCH KEYWORDS: catholic grief, how to grieve as a catholic, catholic woman podcast, questioning god, trusting god in suffering, catholic mental health counselor, healthy grieving, carrying a heavy cross, catholic guide to grief, glorious mysteries, grief and faith, spiritual grief, catholic women mental health, supporting someone grieving, grief without losing faith

  2. Jul 20

    The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Catholic Wedding

    How to plan a Catholic wedding step by step: what makes a marriage sacramental, how to book a Catholic church for a wedding, what documents you need for a Catholic wedding, and how to navigate convalidation or a mixed marriage in the Catholic Church. Taught by Marie Hanson, Catholic wedding planner of five years. This episode covers: - What is the difference between validity, licitness, and sacramentality in a Catholic marriage - How far in advance to book a Catholic church wedding and why parishes take longer than reception venues - What is pre-cana and how do Catholic marriage prep requirements vary by diocese - What paperwork is needed for a Catholic wedding, including baptismal certificates, letters of freedom to marry, and marriage dispensations - What is convalidation and how to convalidate a marriage in the Catholic Church - Mixed marriage vs disparity of cult in Catholic weddings, and which one requires a dispensation - Full nuptial mass vs rite of marriage outside of Mass, and how to decide which one is right for your wedding - Catholic wedding dress code and modesty guidelines, plus photography and music rules during a Catholic wedding Mass - A complete Catholic wedding planning checklist and timeline, from guest list to reception Grab the free Catholic wedding planning checklist with 350+ to-do’s: https://catholicwoman.co/catholic-wedding-planning-checklist Join Presence for weekly texts and journal reflections with Marie. Code CWP for your first month free at catholicwoman.co/present. Free resources from Marie: - Free Wedding Planning Checklist (350+ to-dos): https://catholicwoman.co/catholic-wedding-planning-checklist - Catholic wedding templates (mass programs, invitations, stationery, and more), code CWP30 for 30% off: https://catholicweddingshop.etsy.com?coupon=CWP30 The Catholic Woman Podcast: - Presence Texts: https://catholicwoman.co/present - Newsletter: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter - Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman - Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/ - Website: https://catholicwoman.co - Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Thank you to our sponsors: - Catholic Sobriety Coach, Sober-ish Summer: https://www.thecatholicsobrietycoach.com - St. Joseph's House of Repose mentorship, mention "The Catholic Woman Podcast" for a free third month: https://stjosephshouseofrepose.com - Salt and Light by Sami, code CATHOLICWOMAN: https://saltandlightbysami.com/CATHOLICWOMAN SEARCH KEYWORDS: how to plan a Catholic wedding, what makes a marriage sacramental, difference between validity licitness and sacramentality, how far in advance to book a Catholic church wedding, what is pre-cana Catholic wedding, Catholic marriage prep requirements by diocese, what paperwork is needed for a Catholic wedding, how to convalidate a marriage in the Catholic Church, mixed marriage vs disparity of cult, full nuptial mass vs rite of marriage outside Mass, Catholic wedding dress code and modesty guidelines, Catholic wedding music rules, Catholic wedding planning checklist, baptismal certificate for wedding, letters of freedom to marry Catholic wedding

  3. Jul 6

    How to Help a Loved One Who Has Left the Faith (with Kristine Bruce of Praying for Our Prodigals)

    Almost every Catholic has someone they love who has walked away from the Church. A sibling, an adult child, a spouse, or the friend who insists she can pray just fine at home. This week Kristine Bruce, founder of Praying for Our Prodigals, shares the four pillars that actually bring people back, and why arguing is almost never the thing that does it. NEW this week!!! Every episode now comes with a free recap you can save and revisit. Sign up once at https://catholicwoman.co/episode-recaps and you'll get the recap for this show plus access to all the past ones, no notetaking required. In this episode: - Why your relatives are usually not the ones you'll convert directly, and what to do instead - The four pillars Kristine built her whole apostolate around: trust, pray, sacrifice, and love - The small daily sacrifice that brought one person home (yes, it involved giving up chapstick) - How to ask better questions so you reach the real reason someone left, not the polite one - What to do when a fallen-away loved one receives the Eucharist anyway - How to hold the line on hard things like cohabitation without breaking the relationship - The prayer from St. Faustina's diary that Kristine prays at every consecration If this one meets you where you are, follow the show so you never miss an episode, and come join Presence. Three short texts a week that find you in the middle of an ordinary day and turn your heart back to what matters. Your first month is free with code CWP at https://catholicwoman.co/present. Connect with Kristine Bruce: - Praying for Our Prodigals: https://prayingforourprodigals.com - Sign up for her Friday email and get a free download on the four pillars The Catholic Woman Podcast: - Presence Texts: https://catholicwoman.co/present (use code “CWP” for your first month free, then it’s just $5) - Newsletter and show notifications: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter - Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman - Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/ - Website: https://catholicwoman.co - Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Thank you to our sponsors: - Salt and Light by Sami: toxin-free candles, diffusers, and perfumes. Use code CatholicWoman at https://saltandlightbysami.com - Mary and the Saints: beautiful, genuinely doable Marian consecration books and more. Use code CWP15 for 15% off at https://maryandthesaints.com - The Catholic Sobriety Coach: join Soberish Summer, 62 days for $62, start anytime this summer at https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com Search keywords: praying for prodigals, loving fallen away catholics, how to bring someone back to the catholic church, catholic conversion, reversion to the faith, prayer for fallen away family members, rosary for conversion, fasting for conversion of souls, st faustina divine mercy, four pillars of conversion, catholic women podcast, how to talk to someone who left the church, evangelizing loved ones, catholic family prayer, loving our prodigals

  4. Jun 22

    Mary Took Me Somewhere I Could Never Reach on My Own with Ruthie Dellasega

    🎉 EPISODE 50 GIVEAWAY (enter before July 6th!) To celebrate 50 episodes, we're giving away a big box of Catholic goodies plus a gift card. Here's how to enter: - Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts (you don't need an Apple device to do this), screenshot it, and either DM @thecatholicwomanpodcast on Instagram or email it to thecatholicwomanpodcast@gmail.com - Bonus entry: subscribe to the show on YouTube, screenshot it, and send it over - Bonus entry: comment on the pinned giveaway post on Instagram, screenshot it, and send it over. The winner is drawn July 6th, the day next week's episode airs. Good luck! Ruthie Dellasega spent years trying to change her life on willpower, and nothing held until she did a Marian consecration she almost stumbled into. In this Episode 50 milestone conversation, we talk about Mary as the real, relatable model of Catholic womanhood, why going to Jesus through her actually deepens your relationship with him, and the five-second prayer that can start it all. In this episode: - Why Mary is the model of Catholic womanhood, and how to stop seeing her as untouchable - Ruthie's conversion story and the consecration she almost didn't finish - The difference between a mountaintop high that fades and a change that actually stays - Our Lady of the Kitchen, and praying "Mary, fill the gap" in the middle of ordinary motherhood - Why we go to Jesus through Mary instead of around her - Why the devil is genuinely afraid of Mary - The simplest possible way to start a Marian consecration this week If this is your first time here, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. And come join Presence for weekly texts, journal reflections, and a monthly live call with me. Use code CWP for your first month free at https://catholicwoman.co/present. Connect with Ruthie Delasega:  Website: https://www.maryandthesaints.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/mary_and_saints  The Catholic Woman Podcast:  Website: https://catholicwoman.co Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast  FREE episode recap library: https://catholicwoman.co/episode-recaps Thank you to our sponsors! - Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy: grab the free download, What the Church Really Says About Sex and Marriage, at https://reclaimingcatholicintimacy.com/cwp - Contemporary Saints: a Catholic family-owned modest fashion boutique with free US shipping over $70 and 15% off when you sign up for emails, https://contemporarysaints.com - Sacred Heart Mental Wellness: Catherine DiNuzzo, author of The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety and its new companion workbook. Use code CWP15 for 15% off her entire shop at https://sacredheartmentalwellness.com Search Keywords - marian consecration, how to consecrate yourself to mary, mary and the saints, 33 days to morning glory, relationship with mary, devotion to mary, catholic women, why go to jesus through mary, total consecration to mary, our lady of the kitchen, marian consecration for beginners, catholic motherhood, consecration to mary prayer, mary model of womanhood, the catholic woman podcast

  5. Jun 8

    The Sex Advice You Didn't Get in Marriage Prep: Real Talk About Theology, Mechanics, and Pleasure

    Most Catholic women were never told that sex is supposed to feel good for them. Ellen Holloway is a Catholic sex and intimacy coach, and she is filling the gaping hole of practical, faithful sex education that the Church has always supported but almost no one has been willing to talk about. This conversation is honest, charitable, and completely in line with Church teaching, and it will change the way you think about intimacy in your marriage. In this episode, we cover: - What the Church actually teaches about sex and marriage and why it is good news, not a rule book - Why desire tends to decrease over the course of a marriage, and the surprisingly simple reason behind it - Why pain during sex is never something to push through and what to do instead - The truth about lubrication: only about 20% of women adequately lubricate on their own, and what that means for you - What JPII called a "justice issue"  and why learning to experience orgasm is not selfish, it's important - How pelvic floor dysfunction and conditions like endometriosis affect intimacy, and what actually helps - Why healing your own sex life is one of the most important things you can do for your daughters and sons Free resource from Ellen: https://reclaimingcatholicintimacy.com/CWP NEW! Never take notes again. Get the FREE one-page listener guide for every episode at https://catholicwoman.co/episode-recaps Connect with Ellen Holloway: Free download: https://reclaimingcatholicintimacy.com/CWP/ Podcast: Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy (on all podcast platforms)  Instagram: https://instagram.com/ellenholloway_ The Catholic Woman Podcast:  Presence Texts: https://catholicwoman.co/present (Use code CWP for your first month free, then it's just $5) Newsletter: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter  Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/  Website: https://catholicwoman.co  Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Thank you to our sponsors!!! Bono the Good Boy Podcast - A podcast your whole family will love. Listen on Fio | Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Mangio Arts - Catholic art for your home. Use code WOMANPODCAST for 15% off: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MangioArtsStore  Contemporary Saints - Modest fashion for Catholic women: https://contemporarysaints.com Search Keywords: Catholic sex and intimacy, Catholic marriage podcast, intimacy in Catholic marriage, theology of the body marriage, how to desire sex in marriage, low libido Catholic wife, painful sex Catholic women, pelvic floor dysfunction marriage, orgasm Catholic teaching, Humanae Vitae explained simply, Catholic intimacy coach, Ellen Holloway podcast, Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy, Catholic women and sexuality, marital intimacy after kids

  6. May 25

    Catholic Productivity Expert: Why Work-Life Balance Is A Myth, And The Truth About Peace And Order

    You've heard it a thousand times: work-life balance. But what if that phrase is actually working against you?  In this episode, Marie Hanson sits down with Carolyn Espinoza, co-founder of Sole Atelier, to have the honest conversation about what it actually looks like to live an integrated life as a Catholic woman; one where your work, your faith, your family, and your interior life aren't competing, they're unified. In this episode, we discuss: - Why "work-life balance" is a myth and the more life-giving framework Catholic women should embrace instead - The critical difference between a distraction and an interruption and how knowing the difference will transform your focus and your peace - How to build a realistic daily schedule that actually works, even in the exhausting seasons of motherhood with little ones - The power of choosing just three priorities for your week and why more goals actually means less gets done - How to set concrete, positive goals in areas that are hard to measure like virtue, patience, and prayer - Why women who work outside the home shouldn't carry shame, and what the saints show us about women, vocation, and work - How to find meaning and spiritual value in tasks that no one sees or celebrates: the laundry, the diapers, the invisible work - The role of goal-setting in sanctity and why Pope Francis says dreaming is a deeply human and spiritual act - Why starting and ending on time is actually a virtue (and the beautiful example of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo at Vatican II) - The one thing Carolyn says to do first when you feel like peace and order are completely out of reach Connect with Carolyn Espinoza: Website: https://www.soleatelier.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/soleatelierllc The Catholic Woman Podcast: Presence Texts: https://catholicwoman.co/presence (Use code CWP for your first month free!) Newsletter & show notifications: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/ Website: https://catholicwoman.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Thank you to our show sponsors! Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy — The honest, faithful resource for Catholic women navigating intimacy in marriage. Get your free download at https://reclaimingcatholicintimacy.com/cwp Contemporary Saints — Modest, feminine fashion rooted in beauty and faith. Shop at https://contemporarysaints.com and subscribe to their emails for 15% off your first order. Those Who Mourn — A monthly Catholic magazine for those walking through grief. Visit https://thosewhomournmag.com Trinity Tree Publishing — Helping Catholic authors write, edit, and self-publish. Visit https://trinitytreepublishing.com

  7. May 11

    Catholic Fashion Creator: How Dressing Like the Saints Changed My Spiritual Life Forever!

    What if your outfit could spark a conversation about the faith? This week I'm sitting down with Sary, the Catholic content creator behind Outfit Diary of the Saints and this episode is exactly the kind of girls-chat-over-coffee conversation I love having on this show. Sary is a third-grade dual immersion teacher, a Franciscan University grad, and a deacon's daughter who went from soccer sweats to saint-inspired style and built a 53,000-follower Instagram account in the process. More than fashion, this is a conversation about evangelization, befriending the saints, and what it looks like to let God use you, even when you're an introvert who would rather not be seen. In this episode, we discuss: - How Sary went from soccer sweats to saint-inspired style and what her dad had to do with it - The story behind Outfit Diary of the Saints and how a conversation with God turned into a 53K following - Her step-by-step process for choosing a saint and building an outfit inspired by her life - How to actually befriend the saints including a simple prayer approach and why novenas are a game-changer - Why Sary recommends starting with your confirmation saint (and how to find one that fits your life) - What happened to Sary's fear of being seen when she said yes to God's call - How dressing like the saints opens doors for natural, non-awkward evangelization conversations - Practical thrift store tips for building a saint-inspired wardrobe without breaking the bank - How she navigates rude comments and difficult conversations online as an introvert and Catholic creator - Her one piece of advice for Catholic women who want to live boldly as the saints they were created to be Connect with Sary: Instagram: @outfitdiaryofthesaints The Catholic Woman Podcast: Be present for your actual life, 3 texts a week that change everything: htps://catholicwoman.co/presence (Use code PODCAST to join for free!) Subscribe to the newsletter & show notifications: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman Join The Catholic Woman Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/ Website: https://catholicwoman.co Instagram: https://instagrm.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Thank you to our show sponsors! Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy: https://reclaimingcatholicintimacy.com/cwp Contemporary Saints: https://contemporarysaints.com Those Who Mourn: https://thosewhomournmag.com Trinity Tree Publishing: https://trinitytreepublishing.com Outfit Diary of the Saints, Catholic fashion creator, dressing like the saints, how to befriend the saints, Catholic modest fashion, saint-inspired outfits, Catholic women podcast, confirmation saint, thrift store Catholic style, Catholic evangelization through fashion, Catholic content creator, novena to the saints, Catholic Instagram influencer, living boldly as a Catholic woman, saints and spiritual life

  8. Apr 27

    The Catholic Woman's Guide to Neurodivergency: Signs, Diagnosis, Spiritual Peace, and Practical Help

    If you've ever sat in the back of Mass wondering why your family can't just hold it together, this episode is for you. Ginny Cochis, Catholic author, educator, and neurodivergent parent coach, joins Marie Hansin to have the honest, compassionate conversation Catholic moms raising "quirky" kids have been desperately waiting for. Spoiler: your child isn't broken, behavior isn't always a discipline problem, and holiness is absolutely still on the table. In this episode, you'll learn: - What "neurodivergent" actually means and which diagnoses fall under that umbrella, including ADHD, autism, OCD, dyslexia, Tourette's, giftedness, and more - The most common signs of neurodivergency in children and adults, and how to tell the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum - How to know when it's time to seek a professional evaluation and the two paths available to you (private practice AND through your public school district, even if you homeschool) - The critical difference between a behavior that is a discipline issue vs. a developmental one, and why confusing the two leaves your child's real needs unmet - What "asynchronous development" means and how to support a child who is advanced in some areas and delayed in others - How the lives of the saints, including St. Thérèse's sister Léonie and Bl. Carlo Acutis, reveal that neurodivergency has always been part of the human story - Practical advice for Catholic moms who suspect their spouse may also be neurodivergent and how to approach it without conflict - Whether neurodivergency is genetic, environmental, or both, and what supplements have actually helped Ginny's family - How to respond when someone at Mass or dance class implies your child just needs more discipline - The message every overwhelmed Catholic mom needs to hear: right now is not forever Connect with Ginny Cochis:  Website & Community: https://quirkycatholickids.com  Book: Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith and Joy  The Catholic Woman Podcast:  Be present for your actual life..3 texts a week that change everything: https://catholicwoman.co/presence  Newsletter & show notifications: https://catholicwoman.co/newsletter  Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman  Facebook Community: https://facebook.com/share/g/1GeKDTt7WA/  Website: https://catholicwoman.co  Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast Thank you to our show sponsors!  Those Who Mourn Magazine — https://thosewhomournmag.com  North Idaho Tallow — https://idahotallow.com | Use code MARIE10 for 10% off  Trinity Tree Publishing — https://trinitytreepublishing.com SEO KEYWORDS Catholic neurodivergent parenting, Raising neurodivergent children Catholic, ADHD Catholic kids, Autism and Catholic faith, Catholic mom overwhelmed, Neurodivergent signs in children, Catholic special needs parenting, Meltdown vs tantrum Catholic parenting, Asynchronous development children, Saints and neurodivergence, Léonie Martin autism, Quirky Catholic Kids Ginny Cochis, Catholic parenting podcast, Neurodivergent diagnosis kids, Catholic homeschool neurodivergent support

4.3
out of 5
197 Ratings

About

The Catholic Woman Podcast is where Catholic women find the tools and truth they need to thrive in the modern world. Each episode blends practical advice with the timeless teachings of the Catholic faith so you can live out your vocation confidently and faithfully. If you’re ready to grow stronger in truth and bolder in faith, you’ve found your place.

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