Catholic Momcast 415: Off to College

In this episode, Maria Johnson has a fun conversation with author Claire Swinarski about her new book series, Fiat Girls from Ascension Press. Links: Fiat Girls (Ascenion Press)

In today's episode, Kristina Talbot and Maria Johnson discuss the gift of friendship and share some hacks for helping along making that first move in finding a new friend. Links: Read all articles by Kristina Talbot and Maria Morera Johnson

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Erica Eschler, who has portrayed Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Shrine's Academy Alive living history program and serves as director of Back from the Dead, an immersive cemetery walk where saints and other figures from Catholic tradition share their stories and invite participants to reflect on faith, mortality and eternal life. Today's guest, Erica Eschler, has helped bring the lives of the saints to life in unique ways. She has portrayed Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Shrine's Academy Alive living history program and serves as director of Back from the Dead, an immersive cemetery walk where saints and other figures from Catholic tradition share their stories and invite participants to reflect on faith, mortality and eternal life. These experiences have given Erica a unique perspective on the struggles, choices and moments of faith that shaped the saints' lives. She could discuss how looking beyond the saints' halos can help Catholic mothers and families find encouragement in their own faith journeys, particularly through the example of Mother Seton, the first native-born saint to be canonized, who navigated motherhood, loss and tremendous personal change. Links: The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Back from the Dead   

In this episode, Kristina and Maria have a conversation about our loving presence in our children's lives during those turbulent years of growing pains and discovery on the way to young adulthood. Links: Read all articles by Kristina Talbot and Maria Morera Johnson

Maria Morrea Johnson and Margaret Dwyer Hogan talk about the beauty of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the upcoming Global Rosary for Peace, a global Rosary prayed by faithful from many of the Holy Cross Family Ministry centers throughout the world. In 1942 Father Peyton C.S.C. Asked God for 10 Million Rosary Homes on the earth. He went on to introduce the world to Rosary Rallies and prayed in person with over 28 Million people for world peace. 84 years later his work continues… We urge you to take 10 seconds to register below and unite the world in prayer. Links: Visit Holy Cross Family Ministries Sign up to pray with us at Pray for Peace

Maria Johnson interviews Catherine fowler Sample, writing and producer of The Dating Project, a documentary on the state of dating in modern times. Catherine Fowler Sample is a filmmaker, author, and mom of three. She wrote and produced The Dating Project with the producer of Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ (now being re-released on EWTN). She is also the author of Gather Together (Ave Maria Press) and the creator of My Advent Angel, a handmade doll and gift set that helps families keep Advent about Jesus. She lives in Arizona with her husband and children.   Links: Watch The Dating Project here www.thedatingprojectmovie.com  Check out Dating Decoded: Beyond The Dating Project here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR-TZdNbrabg Family theater Productions  

Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras have an intimate conversation about the calm that comes after Summer, and the soothing season of Ordinary Time. Allison Gingras (ReconciledToYou.com) considers herself a new media evangelist. Authoring The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press) and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (Our Sunday Visitor), which includes a new title in 2025, Jesus Heals. Allison is Director of Digital Evangelization for Holy Cross Family Ministries.  Maria Morera Johnson, author of My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too. Links: Read all articles by Allison Gingras Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

Maria Morera Johnson and co-host Kristina Talbot discuss the distractions that pull at us, calling them silent strings. In this episode, Maria and Kristina have a conversation about distractions that us away from the present and those things that are important to us, such as faith and family. Links: Read all articles by Kristina Talbot

Maria Morera Johnson and Liv Harrison, host of The LIVing Room, discuss all-the-things, from the re-release of The Passion of the Christ to the upcoming Genius Conference. Liv Harrison is a Catholic speaker, podcaster, and emcee known for her humor, storytelling, and ability to create honest, meaningful conversations. She is the host of The LIVing Room, a podcast where authentic Catholic faith meets real life, culture, and creativity. Liv brings warmth, vulnerability, and a fearless curiosity to conversations about faith, identity, fear, calling, and what it means to follow God when life gets messy. Based in Houston, she is passionate about helping people recognize that they are seen, known, and deeply loved by God. Links: Liv Harrison Website The LIVing Room podcast Genius Conference Passion of the Christ Re-release information

Maria Morera Johnson interviews John Cuddeback, author of The Intentional Household (Ignatius Press). Dr. John A. Cuddeback is a professor of philosophy at Christendom College, where he has taught for nearly 30 years. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America and writes and speaks on virtue, friendship, fatherhood, and the philosophy of the household. He is the founder of LifeCraft, a resource dedicated to applying timeless wisdom to family and home life, and is the author of True Friendship and The Intentional Household: Living as if People Matter. He and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have six children. Links: Life Craft website The Intentional Household