Welcome back to another episode of Of Sound Mind and Spirit.

This week, we’re setting aside our regular plans to address the news that’s been on everyone’s hearts—the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Like so many Catholics around the world, we woke up to this news with shock and sadness and felt called to pause and reflect on what his life and papacy have meant to us.

In this special episode, we revisit the day Pope Francis was elected and share our own stories and memories from that historic moment.

We talk about how his messages of mercy and joy shaped not only the universal Church but our own journeys of faith—challenging us to serve others, live with hope, and really embrace what it means to “go out and get messy” for Christ.

We also discuss the unique ways Pope Francis engaged the world—how he modeled humility, simplicity, and accessibility; how he sometimes challenged us to think deeper and seek understanding beyond the headlines; and how he constantly reminded us of our mission to extend Christ’s mercy to everyone, especially the marginalized.

As we mourn and honor Pope Francis during this Easter season, we invite you—as our community—to join us in prayer for him, for the cardinals gathering in Rome, and for whoever God calls to be the next shepherd of the Church.

Most of all, we hope this episode brings comfort, hope, and a moment to reflect on how we can continue to carry Pope Francis’s legacy forward in our own lives.

Thank you for joining us for this special tribute. We’d love to hear your memories and reflections too—what did Pope Francis mean to you, and what message will you carry in your heart during this year of hope?

Thank you for listening to this episode. We invite you to ⁠⁠⁠subscribe to our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠ to be notified weekly of new episodes and content.

We'd love to hear from you!

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

What Does Holy Week Mean for Our Daily Lives?

In today's fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, even during Holy Week. How can we find moments of peace and reflection amid our busy schedules? This episode dives deep into embracing Holy Week as a layperson navigating the demands of modern life.

Whether you're juggling work, family, or personal commitments, discover how to cultivate a sense of spirituality and connection during this sacred time.

Listeners will uncover three incredible insights:

1. The significance of the Triduum and how even small, intentional moments can deepen your faith journey.

2. Practical ways to incorporate prayer and reflection into your hectic schedule without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Heartfelt stories and experiences from Lisa and Shelley that illustrate the beauty and transformative power of Holy Week.

Press play now to transform your understanding of Holy Week and find serenity and purpose during this sacred season.

In light of the "watchful anticipation" Shelly and Lisa discuss,how do you personally reflect on or prepare for the joy of Easter Sunday?

HALLOW: Pray joyfully during the Easter season with three months access to ⁠Hallow ⁠⁠(three months free for new subscribers)

SONGS MENTIONED:

⁠There Will Be Joy In the Morning⁠ (Tauren Wells / Elevation Worship)

⁠Sunday Is Coming⁠(Phil Wickham)

Thank you for listening to this episode. We invite you to ⁠⁠⁠subscribe to our email list HERE⁠⁠⁠ to be notified weekly of new episodes and content.

We'd love to hear from you!

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

[This Episode is a Replay from Holy Week 2024]

How does watching a TV series about the life of Jesus help deepen your understanding of the Gospels and possibly transform your spiritual journey?

In this episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit," Lisa and Shellyexplore the phenomenon of The Chosen and delve into howthis unique portrayal of Jesus and his disciples can resonate with viewers on a personal faith level.

This episode speaks to those looking for a deeper connection with their faith through storytelling. As a visual retelling of the Gospels, The Chosen offers context and emotional depth to biblical events, making it an engaging tool for both personal reflection and group discussions.

Listeners will discover:

1. How The Chosen brings the Gospels to life, offering afresh perspective through storytelling that enhances understanding and emotional connection.

2. The potential of the series as a resource for family bonding and community gatherings, sparking conversations and exploration of scripture.

3. Insights from the press junket and premiere for season five, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series and its impact on viewers globally.

Curious about how The Chosen can enrich your Lenten experience or transform your view of scripture? Hit play now and join Lisa and Shelly on this insightful exploration of faith through film.

We'd love to hear from you!

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠⁠⁠

#OfSoundMindAndSpirit #TheChosen #FaithJourney #CatholicPodcast #StorytellingInFaith

Ever Wonder How Retreats Can Strengthen Community Bonds?

In this episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit," Lisa and Shellyshare their experiences from a recent retreat with fellow writers of CatholicMom.com.

They explore how retreats can be a profound way to deepen faith, create lasting community bonds, and provide clarity and inspiration in one's mission.

Whether you're seeking spiritual rejuvenation or struggling to balance life's demands with faith, this conversation provides relatable insights and valuable takeaways.

You will discover:

1. The transformative power of retreats in strengthening spiritual community and personal faith.

2. Real-life stories illustrating the challenges and blessings of being a digital missionary in today’s world.

3. Practical advice on finding inspiration and support through community, even when facing struggles or uncertainty.

Tune into the episode to rediscover the joy and motivation to walk in faith with others, united in mission and spirit.

Retreat Experiences: Both hosts talk about their retreatexperiences with CatholicMom.com. What was your most memorable retreat experience, and how did it impact your faith?

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠

Are you seeking a deeper spiritual connection with your friends while growing in your faith journey?

This episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit" dives into the concept of creating personal retreats with your friends, blending fun and spirituality for a meaningful experience. In today’s fast-paced world, carving out intentional time with close friends to explore and deepen your spiritual lives together can seem like a challenging goal. Imagine the joy and fulfillment of not only nurturing lifelong friendships but also encouraging each other in your faith walk.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. The art of forming deep, trusting relationships focused on spiritual growth before embarking on a shared retreat.

2. Practical steps to blend recreation and reflection, creating a balanced experience that strengthens bonds and faith.

3. Insight into how personal retreats can rejuvenate your soul and provide transformative insights, helping you to live a more Christ-centered life.

Tune in now to learn how Ellen and her friends turned their retreats into lifelong spiritual journeys, inspiring you to create your own faith-filled adventures.

Finding Sisterhood in Faith: Ellen emphasizes the importance of building trust with friends. How do you cultivate trust and spiritual connection within your own circle of friends?

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠⁠⁠

#SpiritualFriendship #FaithJourney #CatholicPodcast #OfSoundMindAndSpirit#EllenMongan #FriendshipInChrist

Curious about how to make this Lent truly transformative for your spiritual journey?

In this episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit," hosts Lisa Jonesand Shelly Kelly dive into the complexities and joys of observing Lent, a significant time in the Christian liturgical calendar aimed at deepening one's faith and relationship with God.

Whether you're overwhelmed by the clutter of daily life or striving to reconnect with your spiritual core, this conversation provides guidance on embracing Lent as a personal retreat for spiritual renewal and connection.

You will discover:

1. Insights on embracing Lent as a spiritual retreat to rid your life of distractions that pull you away from God.

2. Real-life experiences shared by Lisa and Shelly, providing relatable examples and actionable ways to live out Lent meaningfully amidst chaos.

3. Tips to identify what stands between you and your spiritual growth, offering inspiration to act towards a more focused, faith-driven life.

Join us for an engaging discussion on how Lent can leave a lasting impact on your spiritual journey by tuning in now for a practical and heartfelt guide to a more meaningful Lent.

Letting Go for Lent: Inspired by the quote mentioned about tearing out what's between us and God, what are some things you're considering letting go of this Lent?

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠⁠⁠

#Lent2025 #FaithJourney #CatholicPodcast #SpiritualGrowth#OfSoundMindAndSpirit #LentenJourney

Are you ready for your beautiful second act?

Join sisters Shelly and Lisa on Of Sound Mind and Spirit as they welcome back their first encore guest, Maria Johnson, for an invigorating conversation about navigating life's transitions. As we often find ourselves facing the second (or even third) acts of our lives, this episode is a beacon for anyone feeling the push or pull of change. Whether you're stepping into a new career, facing an empty nest, or simply embracing new opportunities, Maria's insights will resonate with your journey.

You'll explore the inspiring concept of a "second act" and learn how to:

1. Recognize and embrace the opportunities for growth and change, no matter your stage in life.

2. Find guidance and mentorship from extraordinary women of faith who have charted similar paths before you.

3. Cultivate a sense of companionship and community by acknowledging that you're not alone in facing life's transitions.

Don't miss this opportunity to reframe your perspective on life's transformations and fuel your own path of discovery—press play and dive into Ep 075, Exploring Second Acts with Maria Johnson: Faith, Badass Women, & New Beginnings.

Maria Morera Johnson writes books, tells stories, and drinks way too much coffee. She’s passionate about faith, bold women, and finding joy in the second act of life. You can find her sharing laughs, wisdom, and the occasional hot take on social media, but she is currently all about her new book, A Beautiful Second Act.

Exploring Second Acts: Maria Johnson described a "secondact" as new opportunities and expressions of vocation, oftenpost-retirement. How do you envision your own second act? Have you already experienced a significant transition that you consider a new act in your life?

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes! We'd love to hear from you!

Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠⁠⁠

#ABeautifulSecondAct #CatholicPodcast #Faith #MariaJohnson #SecondAct #FaithJourney

Have you ever wondered how unexpected blessings can transform your life and lead you to your true purpose? In this episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit," we delve into the inspiring journey of Maria Riley, a Catholic wife, mom, and author, as she shares her story of trusting God's timing and discovering joy through faith.

Whether you're seeking to strengthen your faith or navigate a challenging season, Maria's experiences offer valuable insights into finding joy and purpose, even in uncertainty.

You will discover:

1. How Maria's book series, "Adventures with the Saints," aims to fill a gap in Catholic children's literature with stories of faith and life lessons.

2. The significance of recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit's promptings in your life, leading to unexpected paths and growth.

3. Ways to cultivate joy and resilience through faith, even during life's most difficult times, with practical examples from Maria's life journey.

Tune in to uncover how aligning with God's plans can bring joy and fulfillment to your everyday life.

Discussion on Joy: Maria Riley talks about finding joy amidst life's challenges. What are some ways you've found joy in difficult times, or how do you aim to recognize joy in your everyday life?

Maria Riley is a passionate Catholic author and speakerwho loves volunteering or playing board games when she’s not writing or mom-ing around with her four daughters. Her Catholic children’s chapter book series, Adventures with the Saints, has won awards and is endorsed by her bishop. Visit her at MariaRileyAuthor.com or on social media @mariarileyauthor. She and her family live in Kansas.

**Find the full video of this episode on our ⁠YouTube channel ⁠ and don’t forget to subscribe!** 🎥

Drop us a line, leave a review, or connect with us on social media. Your engagement means the world to us and helps shape future episodes!We'd love to hear from you!

• Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠soundmindandspirit@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our webpage at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Of Sound Mind and Spirit ⁠⁠#CatholicAuthors #FaithJourney #OfSoundMindandSpirit #MariaRiley #AdventuresWithTheSaints #JoyfulLiving #TrustInGod