What a Gift Podcast

FOCUS Catholic
  • 5.0 (39)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What a Gift is a podcast by two friends who are not, by nature, the kind of people who look at life’s chaos and chirp, “What a gift!” But maybe we should be. So we’re practicing — one conversation at a time. Join us as we talk (and laugh, and sometimes complain) about the little things, the big feelings, and the weird in-between moments that make up life… and maybe figure out how to mean it when we say: “What a gift.”

  1. 5D AGO

    Crying & Fresh Starts (The New Years Ep)

    This week on the What a Gift podcast, we’re moving from the "Book of Job" chapter of our lives into a fresh start. We're getting honest about grief, work-life boundaries, and why a good cry is the ultimate New Year's detox. Plus, we keep tabs on Jennifer Aniston’s "love hypnotist" boyfriend and the medical kinship we share with her. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Fresh Starts We dive into what it means to begin again, especially after a year that felt like a "hermit year". Jule reflects on the "hard but good" reality of 2025, navigating her first year of marriage while grieving the loss of her best friend, David. Jule launches the “Jule Gets Her Spark Back Challenge" for 2026, committing to leaving the house after dark, sweating daily, and returning to open mic nights where she can use her gifts. Sarra discusses the heavy weight of a new promotion and her goal to stop being her own slave driver. We realize that "busy" is no excuse for failing to be a whole, flourishing person. Jule officially challenges Sarra to a dating challenge: hit the apps and message a million people "Coffee?" so we have more to talk about on the pod. Sarra is officially looking for a "joyful young lumberjack". The Gift of Crying Sarra unwraps the gift of crying, which Jule calls "very cleansing" and essential for a fresh start. Sarra shares her office "cry count tally" and how she transitioned from not crying for years to being moved by a "gentle breeze". Jule admits to being a "kryptonite" for scenes involving unconfident young boys, from Dustin at the Snow Ball in Stranger Things to random teenagers at stop signs. We discuss "gratitude tears" and how being overcome by the goodness of humanity—like TikToks of people being given new houses—is a deeply penetrating experience for the soul.

    49 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    The Christmas Episode

    Help us ring in our SECOND SEASON with a journey through all things Christmas! You'll be feeling warm and cozy in no time—just time your coffee sips carefully 😂 What if a muppet provided the most Oscar-worthy performance of all time, and why do we keep listening to a song about dying moms during the most wonderful time of the year?This week on the What a Gift podcast, we’re going from "Grinchy to glorious" as we celebrate all things Christmas. From Mrs. Claus making a surprise guest appearance to the launch of an "Off-Duty Santas" Instagram account, we’re unwrapping the gifts of holiday media, traditions, and the great LED light debate. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Christmas MediaWe dive into the songs and stories that define the season, starting with a breakdown of holiday music into three essential categories: the nostalgic oldies, the religious classics, and the contemporary hits. We debate our top tracks, from the full body chills of "O Holy Night" to the wedding dance floor energy of Mariah Carey. Jule expresses a Scrooge-like hatred for the song "Christmas Shoes," arguing it should be stricken from the public ear, while Sarra reflects on the beauty of the classics her dad used to sing in the kitchen. We discuss what actually qualifies as a Christmas movie (yes, Die Hard counts!) and why Michael Caine in The Muppet Christmas Carol is peak holiday cinema. Jule shares why It’s a Wonderful Life remains her favorite movie of all time, highlighting its powerful message that "life is so precious" and every individual matters. The Gift of Christmas TraditionsSarra unwraps the gift of holiday festivities, from organized caroling to the specific "aesthetics" of a home during December. Sarra describes her legendary hometown ugly sweater parties, where her parents acted as judges, awarding sashes for "ugliest" and "cheeriest" before the whole group piled into cars to go caroling at random houses. Jule mourns the tragedy of blue LED lights, declaring that Thomas Edison is "rolling in his grave" and calling for a return to the warm, incandescent glow of old-fashioned colored bulbs. We compare our Christmas styles: Sarra’s "pub in Scotland" look with plaids and low lights versus Jule’s "whimsical DIY" aesthetic featuring hand-cut snowflakes and multicolored velvet bows. Sarra shares the heartwarming reason her sister Emma booked a flight home: a video of the family playing kazoo songs found in Christmas crackers._*Like* and *subscribe* for more unfettered hilarity and wholesomeness!_ Look for new episodes on Thursdays wherever you listen! Don't forget to go to seekreplay.com for episodes a week ahead of everywhere else!

    52 min

  3. 12/11/2025

    Talking It Out & Social Media

    What if your greatest strength is your biggest flaw, and what if your phone knows you better than you know yourself? This week on the What a Gift podcast, We dive into the skills of talking it out and the blessing and curse that is social media. We get honest, real, and unwrap the gifts hiding in healthy communication, online identity, and why letting go of unspoken shame is the ultimate relief. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Talking It Out We begin by discussing the human need and necessary skill of addressing conflict. Jule, an external processor, shares that she must instantly talk it out if she senses that the "vibe is off". She admits that she tends toward being an "anxious people pleaser" and has learned patience from her introverted husband, Chris, who needs time to process conflicts. Sarra reflects on learning healthy conflict resolution as an adult and her past tendency to keep conflict to herself, believing, "I'm just a burden. I'll just keep it to myself". They discuss the profound power of speaking shame aloud, noting that when hard things are "locked up inside of us, it's so easy to believe that it's our identity". As soon as something is spoken aloud, "it's separate from us". Confession and therapy are named as powerful places to speak the "unspeakable," allowing light to shine on problems and helping them find the truth. The Gift of Social Media Sarra unwraps the gift of social media, stating that she sees it as a tool that can be wielded in a healthy way. Jule shares how early social media (AOL Instant Messenger and MySpace) fundamentally rewired her brain chemistry, especially as a homeschooler. This era created an obsession with crafting her "brand," asking herself: "what color am I and what buddy icon am I". We discuss the constant pressure of being perceived, noting that social media changes brain chemistry to make users think all the time about how we are being perceived. Jule notes that TikTok has served as a mentor, teaching her new recipes and techniques like how to do her eyebrows. We stress the importance of gut checks to ensure we’re not measuring ourselves against fake curated lives. * * * Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: 🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/ Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/ ✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/ ✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/ Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    40 min

  4. 12/04/2025

    Chores & Traditions

    When you think about it, didn’t scrubbing the bathroom as kids teach us a lifetime of work ethic? This week on the What a Gift podcast, we're diving into the daily routines and intentional rituals that shaped our lives. We're getting honest, we're getting real, and we're unwrapping the gifts hiding in traditions and chores. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Chores We begin by discussing the gifts found in household duties, reflecting on how both our fathers, who had served in the Navy, enforced a strict ethos of chores. Jule unwraps the gift of chores, recalling the family standard of Saturday chore day. Jule shares her resentment over having to clean the hall bathroom used by her two brothers (noting that they somehow can never pee directly into the toilet) while her brothers got to mow the lawn. Sarra recounts her own experience with chores, sharing that while growing up she sometimes felt like an indentured slave to her parents, the duties taught her skills, contrasting her experience with that of a former roommate who, upon finding a lamp bulb had burnt out assumed the entire lamp was broken. The Gift of Traditions Sarra unwraps the gift of traditions, stating that traditions help carve out special moments and prevent a week or a year from becoming a "blank homogeneous blob of days". Sarra shares a tradition from her time on a FOCUS team, where birthdays were celebrated with a special breakfast and a personalized song written by her team director and campus minister. Jule visualizes holidays as the "little special squares" on a Candy Land board of life. Jule remembers her mother’s dedication to building traditions, such as lining up in age order before opening Christmas presents, and singing "O come, O come, Emmanuel" during Advent dinners. The conversation focuses on the infamous Coppa Family Easter tradition, which was a highly competitive basket hunt requiring participants to follow a trail of cryptic, rhyming couplets written by Jule's dad. Sarra relates her own traumatic Easter story where her dad hid her solid chocolate bunny in an outrageous location. * * * Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: 🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/ Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/ ✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/ ✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/ Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    41 min

  5. 11/27/2025

    Crushes & Best Friends

    Do you remember the thrill of your first crush, or the loyalty of your first true best friend? This week on the What a Gift podcast, Jule and Sarra are diving deep into the relationships that shape us: the intense friendships that stand the test of time and the pining that gives life a plot line. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Best Friends We unwrap the gift of best friends and what distinguishes them from regular friends. Sarra discusses her philosophy of having a "squad" of best friends (both long-distance and local), sharing her past longing for a singular, "ride or die" best friend, particularly due to moving often as a Navy family kid. Jule recounts the difficult experience of "bestie culture," including the competitive "showboating" and the anxiety around the MySpace Top 8. She shares her feelings of sadness and getting "crazy" when her friend Anna spent time with others. The hosts discuss the defining traits of a best friend, including standing the test of time and being a person with whom you can "just pick up where you left off". We explore how true friendship allows for differences.  The Gift of Crushes We explore the gift of the crush and the "electric possibility" of early romance. Sarra introduces her friend Taylor's three-stage crush evolution: starting with a squish, moving to a crinkle, and finally, becoming a full-on crush. Jule shares her story of the crush that defined her early life: Matt McGee, who attended her "eclectic" fifth-grade homeschool group. Hear the full story of the Valentine's Day exchange: Jule recounts praying the most earnest prayer of her life to pull Matt's name, then building a complex, 3D, "Victorian era" Valentine before having an "episode" and ripping it up due to fear of social suicide. She replaced it with a cartoon frog and the rhyme, "Ice is cool and so are you". The true gift was receiving Matt’s card, which featured two porcupines and the message: "Juliana, you make me feel like a fool. You are so smart. You found a way to steal my heart". Jule reflects on the years of unrequited pining and the unique gift of dreaming, concluding that when it's the right person, the relationship is so easy. * * * Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: 🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/ Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/ ✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/ ✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/ Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    42 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    Best Days Ever & Musicals

    Are we working to live, or living to work? This week on the What a Gift podcast, where we're trying to go from being yucky to feeling lucky, Jule and Sarra push past the expensive trips and curated events to uncover the "super natural" moments of genuine connection that redefine the "Best Day Ever". We dive into the peak moments that shape us and explore the art form that demands we break into song. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of the ‘Best Day Ever’ We dive deep into the concept of the "Best Day Ever," defining them not as grand, expensive events, but as ordinary things where the relationships at play make the experience truly supernatural. Sarra shares the story of a weekend she spent at a cabin in Colorado with a random assortment of people, featuring puzzles, making favorite meals, and a legendary night where the parents put the kids to bed only to go downstairs and party. Hear how the energy shifted from twirling to their first dance songs to dancing to the Backstreet Boys. Jule recounts "the great Philly check-in," a planned long weekend that included a PowerPoint presentation for proposed activities, a BYOB dinner, a college football game, and culminated in a house party where she had a moment of contentment—right before she met her husband. We discuss why relationship is the only essential ingredient for a peak experience. The Gift of Musicals We get nerdy and unwrap the gift of musicals. Jule discusses her lifelong passion, sharing how she was an ardent fan (a "wicked head") of Wicked, declaring herself an "alphaba". She also shares the childhood ritual of cleaning the kitchen every night with her nine siblings to the soundtrack of Newsies, resulting in full choreography and thick Brooklyn accents. Jule also recounts her theater career, detailing her curse of always being cast as the mom, old lady, or comic relief, until her senior year lead role in Sweeney Todd. Sarra lists her foundational favorites, including Wicked, Lion King, Guys and Dolls, and notes that Sound of Music can never be topped. Plus, we discuss the major impact of Hamilton and Funny Girl. White Elephant (Closing Segment) We share hot takes and decide whether to receive, return, or regift items from daily life from Chacos to cold plunge. * * * Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: 🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/ Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/ ✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/ ✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/ Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    40 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    Movie Nights & Mission Trips

    What happens when you travel across the globe to step out of your comfort zone, only to realize the most profound lessons might be waiting for you back home on your couch? This week on the What a Gift podcast, we dive into the profound gifts hiding in simple pleasures and extreme sacrifice. Jule and Sarra unpack the lessons learned from beloved traditions and transformative, unexpected adventures. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Movie Nights We define the crucial role of the Friday night film as a timeless gift. Jule shares the specifics of her childhood movie nights, which featured a ritual of renting two movies from Blockbuster, ordering pizza, soda, and making brownies. Hear about the standouts—like watching Toy Story for the first time—and other favorites, including the animated Anastasia and Newsies (starring Christian Bale). Jule also explores the burdens of modern viewing, such as the paralysis of choice caused by streaming, and how she struggles with "attention fragmenting" while trying to be present during a film. We also discuss the modern necessity of using subtitles for everything (a habit Jule attributes to The Great British Baking Show). The Gift of Mission Trips We explore the transformative—and often difficult—experience of relational mission work. Sarra recounts her beginnings as a youth group kid on a service-oriented trip to the Czech Republic. Jule shares her shocking and turbulent experience leading a trip to Tanzania. Hear the story of arriving via luxurious Swiss Air only to face extreme turbulence on a connecting local flight, landing on a red dirt runway at the wrong location, and the month-long experience that pushed Jule and her team to their limits. Plus, Sarra shares the infamous story of her very first mission trip to Chile, where her complaint about being cold led a kind local to post on the parish Facebook page, resulting in #gringothon2015, where locals donated blankets and sleeping bags to the cold "gringo" visitors. Ultimately, we discuss how relinquishing control and comfort opens you up to receive gifts of relationship and profound experiences. The Gift of Perspective (Closing Segment) We look back into the archives to unwrap hidden lessons. Sarra shares a May 2015 journal entry written during a road trip, detailing her wrestling match with FOMO and the feeling that she was "forgettable" and "dispensable" after leaving her friends. Then, Jule reveals a 2004 journal entry from age 13 documenting a classic family movie night tug-of-war that resulted in turning off both Mean Girls ("Trashy") and Conspiracy Theory ("Bizarre") before happily settling on A Cinderella Story. * * * Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: 🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/ Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/ ✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/ ✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/ Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    40 min

  8. 11/06/2025

    Summer Camp & Talent Shows

    Have you ever embraced the spotlight to make a name for yourself? And how formative are the strange, unusual, and sometimes rebellious moments of childhood summer camp? This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Jule and Sarra go from grasping with their claws to living in awe, diving into the truly formative experiences of Talent Shows and Summer Camp. They share stories of making legendary memories, seeking friendship through an Adele song, and navigating strict rules at sleepaway camp, leading to a shocking granola bar rebellion. 🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁 The Gift of Talent Shows & Coffee Houses Sarra unwraps the gift of Talent Shows, recalling how performing an Adele song at summer training led to her profound friendship with Jule. The hosts discuss how confidence makes anything a talent (even making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich) and Jule details her family's tradition of Coffee Houses, gatherings centered on music and sharing personal gifts. Jule recounts her own infamous comedy song about seminarians that went viral within her family, while Sarra reflects on fulfilling her childhood dream of hosting a talk show. The Gift of Formative Summer Camp Experiences Jule explores Summer Camp as a gift, noting how stepping away from family forces self-discovery and navigating new social ecosystems. She recounts attending a strict, religiously Catholic sleepaway camp starting in first grade, where she became a mischief maker, plotting ways to interact with boys via the oatmeal line or the nurse's office. Jule details her later immersive, yet rebellious, experience as a 'child laborer' named Abigail at a colonial village camp. Sarra shares her memories of Girl Scout camp, including learning the skill of shuffling cards. White Elephant (Closing Segment) Jule and Sarra play their "famous and controversial final segment", White Elephant, deciding whether to Receive, Return, or Regift various social phenomena and items. Discussed gifts include: Kiss Cam appearances, Chelsea Boots, Square Nails, Flip Phones (and the journey of T9 word), Marshmallow on Sweet Potatoes, Conga Lines, and the Sign/Kiss of Peace at Mass Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSAI for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: 🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/ Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/ ✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/ ✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/ Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    37 min
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5
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

What a Gift is a podcast by two friends who are not, by nature, the kind of people who look at life’s chaos and chirp, “What a gift!” But maybe we should be. So we’re practicing — one conversation at a time. Join us as we talk (and laugh, and sometimes complain) about the little things, the big feelings, and the weird in-between moments that make up life… and maybe figure out how to mean it when we say: “What a gift.”

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