Lent is more than giving something up. It’s about letting God expose what’s underneath.I’m sharing what I gave up for Lent this year, why I chose it, and what it’s already revealing in me. From cutting out Uber Eats and food delivery to being intentional about my words and refusing gossip or unkind speech, this Lent has been confronting in ways I didn’t expect.This is just an honest check-in. No preaching lol just reflection! If you’re walking through Lent right now and feeling stretched, you’re not alone. Let me know in the comments what you gave up and what God is showing you!

today i’m sitting down with Sam AKA CatholicSam, a catholic convert and content creator and his journey into the Church is both thoughtful and bold. We talk about conversion, Protestant objections and what ultimately drew him to Catholicism.we also continue the conversation with an exclusive q&a on patreon, where we answer questions submitted directly by the community.join us on patreon for the exclusive q&a herewww.patreon.com/anamunleyconnect with saminstagram: @catholicsamyoutube: www.youtube.com/@CatholicSamm

Lent has begun, and Episode 1 of 40 Days at the Foot of the Cross starts with the foundation of Christianity: you don’t get to follow Jesus and skip the Cross.

In this reflection, we break down what Jesus actually means when He says, “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). The Cross is not inconvenience. It’s death to self. It’s surrender. It’s allowing God to reorder your loves.

We also look at Peter’s resistance to suffering (Mark 8:31–33), why so much of our struggle in Lent is really about control, and what redemptive suffering actually means in Catholic theology.

If Lent feels uncomfortable this year, that’s not failure. The Cross exposes before it purifies.

If you want deeper discussions, extended Q&A, and exclusive After Mass content, join our Patreon community here:

Are you actually doing Lent well.. or just checking a box?

In this episode, we talk about how to approach Lent the way the Church intends, not the way we've usually approached it, which has historically been as a self improvement challenge or a diet plan.. not as 40 days of random sacrifices, either. But as a season of repentance, discipline, surrender and real interior conversion.

Lent is not about proving something to God. It’s about putting God back in His rightful place and allowing Him to transform you from the inside out.

Let’s stop wasting Lent.

💌 Contact me: theaftermasspodcast@gmail.com

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In this video, I’m reacting to a message shared by James Van Der Beek about identity, fatherhood, purpose and what it means to be worthy of love.

There is so much beauty in what he says about being a husband, father and steward, and I want to unpack why that resonates so deeply. But I also want to gently address the part where he suggests removing the word “God” if it feels too scary or triggering.

As a Catholic, I believe the longing he describes ultimately points somewhere deeper. This is a reflection on identity, love, God and what happens when we try to redefine worth apart from Him.

In this video, I talk honestly about sin. The quiet sins we excuse, normalize and stop noticing over time. The ones that don’t feel rebellious but slowly harden the heart.

This is about learning how to examine our conscience honestly and let God name what we keep protecting.

If you’ve ever felt unsettled in your spiritual life but couldn’t quite put your finger on why, this conversation is for you.

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People ask all the time how I came back to the Catholic faith, and this episode is the full answer. In this reversion story, I share the honest journey of coming back to the Catholic Church, what slowly broke down my resistance, and why returning to the faith wasn’t emotional hype but real conviction. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, distance from the Church, or questions about truth, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, we slow down and step into the night God chose to enter our world. Not in power. Not in spectacle. But in vulnerability, silence and surrender.We talk about what it actually means that God came close. Not symbolically. Not metaphorically. Physically. Historically. Intentionally.This episode unpacks why the Incarnation changes everything. How God entering our mess sanctified ordinary life forever. Why Christmas is not the end of the story, but the moment Heaven collided with earth.If you’ve ever felt distant from God, numb to Christmas, or unsure if He really sees you, this episode is for you.Because the night God came close, He never went back.💌 Contact me: theaftermasspodcast@gmail.com⚡ Powered by Truthly 👉 Download the app: bit.ly/anaXtruthly
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