In Goodfaith

What might the Church look like if we took Mary Magdalene’s witness seriously? In our 50th(!!) episode of In Goodfaith, Maggie Smith and Stephanie Peddicord share the story behind the Magdalene Circle, Goodfaith’s intergenerational giving circle for women of faith. Stephanie takes us back to its founding in 2017 and shares how women came together to pool their giving, invest in young leaders, and build friendships rooted in faith and a commitment to justice. Then writer, theologian, and founder of Mothering Spirit Laura Kelly Fanucci returns to the podcast to help us get to know the woman who inspired the Circle. We talk about how Mary Magdalene came to be remembered as a repentant sex worker, what the Gospels actually tell us about her, and what it means that Jesus entrusted her with the news of his resurrection. Laura reflects on Mary’s courage in staying close to Jesus through the crucifixion and what her example offers us when it’s hard to stay rooted in faith. Laura also gives us a preview of this year’s Magdalene Circle retreat. We’ll make time to pray with Scripture, talk in small groups, and reflect on what Mary Magdalene’s story has to say to our own lives as we head into Advent. Join us in Princeton. Laura will lead the Magdalene Circle’s annual retreat on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chauncey Conference Center in Princeton, New Jersey. If you’re new to the Circle, we’d love to see you there. Explore Magdalene Circle membership and retreat details. A limited number of tickets to the retreat with Laura Kelly Fanucci are available here! Listen next. For more with Laura, look for Episode 33, Practicing Resurrection with Laura Kelly Fanucci, in the In Goodfaith feed. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Until next time, friends, remember we walk together In Goodfaith.

Maggie and Tim welcome Katie Holler and Rita Houlihan of the Dorothea Project to explore the Catholic Social Teaching Voter Guide, a resource from Dorothea Project Action. Grounded in the seven themes of Catholic social teaching, the guide offers questions for evaluating candidates, examining our own priorities, and discerning how our votes can serve human dignity and the common good. Together, we discuss why moral character matters alongside policy positions, what forming our consciences asks of us, and how to make thoughtful choices when every candidate is imperfect. Katie and Rita share practical ways to use the guide with friends, small groups, and parishes—and to hold elected officials accountable long after the ballots are counted. With the midterms approaching, this conversation invites us to know our neighbors, seek the truth, protect vulnerable people, and approach faithful citizenship as an ongoing commitment. Resources and ways to participate Explore the Catholic Social Teaching Voter Guide, including resources for personal reflection and candidate assessment. Share the USCCB Preaching Guide with your priest to encourage parish conversations about faithful citizenship. Register for the Catholics in Communion Virtual Novena, November 1–9 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, for prayer and election-related updates. Share this episode and the voter guide with someone discerning how to vote this election season!

What does it mean to follow a call to ministry when that calling must coexist with family life, financial realities, and institutions that do not always support the people serving within them? Maggie and Tim welcome Shannon Wimp Schmidt for a conversation tracing her journey from a parish-centered Catholic childhood to youth ministry, interfaith formation, writing, podcasting, and ecumenical leadership. Shannon reflects on the adults who accompanied her as a teenager, the experiences that helped her encounter Christ, and why effective ministry begins by recognizing young people as protagonists in their own lives—not problems to solve or numbers to count. The conversation also explores the tensions lay ministers often carry: serving the Church while earning a sustainable living, responding faithfully to injustice without building a vocation around other people’s suffering, and balancing a desire to protect one’s children with the call to form them for courageous discipleship. Shannon shares how the murder of George Floyd and the movement for racial justice expanded the reach of Plaid Skirts and Basic Black, the Black Catholic podcast she cohosts with Marcia Lane-McGee, and eventually led to writing, speaking, and ministry consulting. She also discusses her work compiling Praying with the Popes and the consistent thread of human dignity running through modern Catholic social teaching. The episode closes with Shannon’s work at TENx10, an ecumenical collaboration helping churches practice relational discipleship radically focused on Jesus. Her experience offers a hopeful picture of Christian unity: not uniformity, but communion built slowly through humility, trust, honest disagreement, and a shared love for Jesus and young people. About Shannon Wimp Schmidt Shannon Wimp Schmidt is the content director of TENx10, cohost of the Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast, and coauthor of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity. She also helped compile Praying with the Popes: Words of Hope and Peace from Leo XIII to Leo XIV. Shannon has served in youth ministry, adult faith formation, interfaith ministry, Catholic education, and diversity formation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and Italian from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union. Episode highlights 00:05 — Welcome and introduction Maggie and Tim welcome Shannon and begin with the hidden labor behind making a podcast. 01:44 — A Catholic childhood centered on parish life Shannon describes growing up in suburban Chicago and how youth ministry transformed inherited faith into a personal call to discipleship. 05:17 — What meaningful accompaniment looks like Retreats, service, sacraments, honest questions, and adults who consistently showed up helped Shannon recognize young people as essential members of the Church. 09:23 — Studying theology and discerning a vocation Shannon recounts attending Notre Dame, discovering theology as a discipline, and choosing youth ministry. 13:16 — Ministry, parenthood, and the cost of answering a call The group discusses practical concerns about ministry careers, the tension between courageous faith and parental protectiveness, and the realities facing lay ministers with families. 21:08 — When Church structures do not reflect Church teaching A conversation about fair wages, benefits, parental leave, sustainable workloads, and the dignity of workers within Catholic institutions. 26:23 — Learning through interfaith ministry Shannon shares how accompanying students from many religious traditions deepened her Catholic faith, expanded her understanding of religious freedom, and strengthened her solidarity with religious minorities. 34:59 — From direct ministry to equipping others As family life changed, Shannon discerned a new call to “equip the saints for ministry” through adult formation, leadership, and content creation. 39:36 — Plaid Skirts and Basic Black Shannon explains how a podcast with her best friend, Marcia Lane-McGee, grew into an important space for Black Catholic faith, culture, humor, and reflection. 40:48 — Racial justice, grief, and unexpected grace The murder of George Floyd brought new listeners to the podcast and opened opportunities for writing and speaking—while creating difficult questions about doing meaningful work rooted in painful realities. 44:05 — Writing and praying with the popes Shannon discusses Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s, Praying with the Popes, her affection for Pope Leo XIV, and the enduring concern for human dignity found throughout Catholic social teaching. 49:18 — The human person at the heart of the Church The group reflects on the Spirit’s guidance, the humanity of Church leaders, and the conviction that every person is an irreplaceable world created to be loved by God. 57:18 — Relational discipleship through TENx10 Shannon introduces TENx10’s work helping ministry leaders accompany young people and place relationships at the center of faith formation. 59:36 — Building communion across Christian traditions What does ecumenical collaboration require in a polarized culture? Shannon describes a process grounded in shared commitments, humility, patience, and a willingness to remain at the table. 1:07:29 — Closing reflections and where to find Shannon Shannon shares her podcast, books, social media, and a special discount for listeners. Resources and connections Meet Shannon and explore her books Explore TENx10 Listen to Plaid Skirts and Basic Black Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s Praying with the Popes Follow Shannon on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads: @teamquarterblack Use the code FATLUTHER20 at Ave Maria Press for 20% off Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a youth minister, parish leader, parent, educator, or anyone discerning how to live their vocation faithfully and sustainably. Subscribe to In Goodfaith wherever you listen, and leave a review to help more people discover the show.

This week on In Goodfaith, Maggie and Tim welcome Ana López, Caitlin Stutzke, and returning guest Sherine Green for a conversation about Called to More, Catholic Volunteer Network’s new resource connecting faith, service, and social change. Through six sessions combining videos, prayer, reflection, and discussion, Called to More introduces young people to communities putting Catholic social teaching into practice. The team shares how they created the resource with those same principles in mind: centering voices from the margins, respecting each writer’s perspective, paying collaborators fairly, and working with local filmmakers who know the communities whose stories they tell. Together, we explore how service can lead us into deeper relationships and harder questions about the systems shaping our neighbors’ lives. A closer look at ALMA Backyard Farms reveals how care for creation connects with human dignity, belonging, and opportunities for people who have experienced incarceration. The conversation also offers practical ways teachers, youth ministers, volunteer programs, and young people themselves can use and adapt the resource.   In this episode Why Catholic social teaching shouldn’t remain the Church’s “best-kept secret” How storytelling helps young people connect faith with their own questions and experiences What it means to practice Catholic social teaching while creating a resource about it The importance of centering communities of color and voices often excluded How prayer, visio divina, videos, and reflection work together in Called to More Moving from meeting immediate needs to asking about root causes Why relationships are essential to formation and service The lasting influence of a year—or two—spent serving alongside a community Episode chapters 00:11 — Meet the team behind Called to More 02:08 — Catholic Volunteer Network and the inspiration for the project 04:12 — Making Catholic social teaching accessible 08:56 — Sherine’s journey through service and ministry 11:43 — A collaborative process rooted in prayer and relationship 19:06 — Centering young people and voices from the margins 24:37 — Who the resource is for and how to use it 30:55 — The Catholic social teaching framework behind the sessions 36:08 — Inside a session: prayer, images, stories, and reflection 40:57 — ALMA Backyard Farms and a deeper vision of creation care 48:01 — The relationships that brought the project to life 53:15 — How service transformed our guests 1:03:47 — Where to find Called to More and connect with CVN Resources and connections Explore Called to More Visit Catholic Volunteer Network and explore service opportunities Meet CVN’s staff and board  

What does climate justice have to do with Catholic faith? For Kayla Jacobs of Catholic Climate Covenant, the answer is simple: everything is connected. Kayla joins Maggie and Tim to share how Catholic social teaching, the Sisters of Mercy, and a transformative encounter with the Eucharist led her into the Church—and ultimately into climate advocacy. She explains why the climate crisis intensifies poverty, hunger, displacement, and other injustices, and why caring for creation cannot be separated from caring for our neighbors. The conversation also explores the remarkable leadership of young Catholics. Through Catholic Climate Covenant’s youth mobilization work, high school students receive formation in theology, climate science, advocacy, and practical action. Along the way, they discover something just as important: a community of peers who share their concerns and give them hope. Kayla also offers practical ways for parishes, schools, ministers, and families to participate in the Season of Creation and make creation care part of Catholic life.   About Kayla Jacobs Kayla Jacobs leads youth mobilization and advocacy work at Catholic Climate Covenant, helping young Catholics connect faith, climate action, and care for communities most affected by the climate crisis. A convert to Catholicism, Kayla first encountered Catholic social teaching through the Sisters of Mercy while attending Saint Xavier University. Her work has included immigration advocacy, prison reform, diocesan creation-care ministry, youth leadership development, and legislative advocacy. Episode highlights 00:36 — Kayla’s journey into the Catholic Church Kayla shares how her family, the Sisters of Mercy, Catholic social teaching, and an encounter with the Eucharist shaped her conversion. 06:38 — What Catholic Climate Covenant makes possible An introduction to the organization’s work with parishes, schools, dioceses, religious communities, and Catholic institutions. 11:18 — Climate action and the institutional Church Kayla discusses the Church’s growing engagement with creation care and the unique contributions Catholics can make. 17:37 — Catholic institutions moving toward net zero The conversation turns to diocesan sustainability commitments and the collective impact of Catholic properties. 18:27 — Where a parish or diocese can begin Build a team, draw on existing resources, and be courageous about acting on the Church’s teaching. 23:18 — The spirituality of creation care Why addressing the climate crisis requires reverence, interior conversion, and recognition of creation’s inherent goodness. 26:03 — Young Catholics and climate leadership Kayla introduces Catholic Climate Covenant’s youth program, including formation, regional summits, and advocacy. 35:09 — From isolation to community Students frequently enter the program feeling alone in their concern for the climate—and leave with friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging. 41:09 — How the youth program began Kayla recounts the climate march, young activists, and ministry experiences that inspired her to create the program. 45:55 — How students and adult allies can participate Opportunities for young people, teachers, ministers, parents, clergy, and religious communities to become involved. 51:38 — Celebrating the Season of Creation A look at the annual ecumenical observance, its Catholic connections, and resources for prayer and action. 55:20 — “Creation Sings!” Kayla shares Catholic Climate Covenant’s art initiative inviting young people to celebrate creation and the witness of St. Francis and St. Clare. 59:10 — What gives Kayla hope The commitment, imagination, and leadership of young people assure Kayla that the future is in good hands. Resources mentioned Catholic Climate Covenant Catholic Youth Mobilization Wholemakers creation-care curriculum 2026 Season of Creation resources “Creation Sings!” youth art competition Catholic Energies Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a teacher, campus minister, youth minister, parish leader, or anyone looking for a hopeful, faith-filled way to care for our common home. Subscribe to In Goodfaith wherever you listen, and leave a review to help more people discover the show.

What does faithful engagement with artificial intelligence look like? Tim Wasem and Maggie Smith welcome theologian, spiritual director, and Good Faith board chair Cathy Johnson to discuss Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. Together, they explore why the Church is paying close attention to AI—and what Catholic social doctrine can teach us about using technology responsibly. The conversation examines the possibilities AI offers alongside its risks: exploitation, environmental harm, unequal access, misinformation, and the temptation to treat human beings as collections of data. Cathy emphasizes that technology must always serve people—not the other way around. The group also considers discernment as an everyday practice. Instead of accepting or rejecting AI outright, we can ask whether its use supports human dignity, relationships, creativity, justice, and the common good. The episode concludes with Pope Leo’s reflection on Mary and the Magnificat—a song of hope that calls us to lift up the lowly, feed the hungry, and bear witness to the grandeur of humanity.   About our guest Cathy Johnson is a theologian, spiritual director, liturgy and worship leader, and chair of the Goodfaith board. She holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fordham University and brings extensive experience in pastoral ministry and Catholic social doctrine.

In this second conversation with Karen Bortvedt Estrada, somatic stress release practitioner and founder of Wish You Knew, Maggie and Tim explore what it means to help young people feel safer, more present, and more at home in their bodies. The conversation begins with social media and smartphones: why we reach for them when we feel lonely, overwhelmed, or disconnected—and how a small pause can restore a sense of choice. Karen invites parents, educators, and ministers to approach technology with curiosity, recognizing that a phone or pair of headphones may sometimes be a young person’s source of connection, regulation, or safety. From there, the group offers practical ways to create more body-aware spaces. They discuss naming emotions, engaging the senses, arranging rooms with safety in mind, allowing movement and different prayer postures, making participation optional, and offering anonymous ways to respond. Karen also explains co-regulation: how the energy an adult brings into a room can shape everyone else’s experience. The conversation ultimately returns to a deeply incarnational truth: bodies are not obstacles to faith. God became human, the Eucharist is the Body of Christ, and our bodies carry wisdom worth listening to. Whether someone needs to rock, color, sit against a wall, keep their eyes open during prayer, or simply take a breath, there is room for them. Karen’s encouragement for anyone accompanying young people is simple: You are doing the best you can with the resources you have. Begin with one small shift, stay curious, and remember that repair is always possible.   Practices mentioned in this episode Pause and ask what need is underneath the impulse to reach for a phone. Invite people to name an emotion, sensation, texture, or image that describes how they feel. Use the five-senses countdown to return attention to the present. Arrange seating so participants can see the room and have something solid behind them. Place a hand over the heart or abdomen during prayer. Allow rocking, coloring, stretching, floor seating, and other forms of movement. Offer time for private reflection before asking anyone to share. Make sharing optional and provide anonymous ways to participate. Let people keep their eyes open, soften their gaze, or choose a comfortable prayer posture. Regulate yourself before trying to help someone else regulate. Approach repeated behavior with curiosity and the most generous interpretation available. About Karen Karen Bortvedt Estrada is the founder and lead facilitator of Wish You Knew, where she creates spaces for individual and group reflection and transformation. She is a certified somatic stress release practitioner whose work helps people engage the body’s natural stress-response cycle through movement, visualization, vocalization, gentle touch, and rest. Links Listen to Karen’s first In Goodfaith conversation, “Permission to Be Human” Connect with Karen on LinkedIn Listen and follow In Goodfaith

What does Catholic social teaching have to say about artificial intelligence, and what might the Church offer a culture increasingly shaped by screens, algorithms, and polarization? Kim Daniels, director of Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, joins Maggie and Stephanie to explore the Church’s role in safeguarding human dignity amid rapid technological change. Drawing on her work at Georgetown, her participation in the global Synod on Synodality, and Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Kim offers a hopeful vision rooted in listening, dialogue, solidarity, and care for people who are poor and vulnerable. The conversation also considers the promise and real-world harms of AI, from algorithmic bias and exploitative labor to the environmental costs of data centers. Kim reminds us that human beings are more than their productivity or cognitive ability—and that our limitations, relationships, and embodied lives are not problems to optimize away. At a time of constant digital connection, even gathering for Mass becomes a countercultural witness: people coming together without devices to pray, celebrate the Eucharist, and encounter one another in an embodied community. Episode timestamps 00:37 — Introducing Kim Daniels 04:23 — The origins and mission of Georgetown’s Initiative 05:34 — Kim’s journey from law to Catholic public life 12:46 — Discovering the depth of Catholic social teaching 20:34 — Pope Francis and the call to become a poor Church for the poor 24:45 — Dialogue and bridge-building in a polarized culture 28:38 — Lessons from the global Synod on Synodality 34:02 — Moving from listening to concrete action 35:54 — The Church’s mission in the digital environment 38:23 — Parenting and forming young people in a digital culture 47:05 — Pope Leo XIV’s vision for AI and human dignity 53:26 — The real-world justice implications of artificial intelligence 59:13 — Vulnerability, grief, joy, and the gift of being human 1:05:42 — Why Mass is countercultural in the age of AI 1:09:27 — Catholic social teaching as a source of hope 1:12:49 — What is giving Kim hope today About Kim Daniels Kim Daniels is the director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and an adjunct professor in Georgetown’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies. She has served as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication and participated in the 2021–2024 Synod on Synodality as an expert participant. She also coordinated the Synod study group examining the Church’s mission in the digital environment. A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Chicago Law School, Kim has advised Catholic leaders and institutions on issues including religious liberty, immigration, human life and dignity, and care for creation. Resources Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Kim Daniels at Georgetown University Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence The Synod study group’s report on the Church’s mission in the digital environment “What A.I. Has to Do With Poverty and Human Dignity” by Kim Daniels “In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo Delivers a People-First Vision for AI” by Kim Daniels

In this episode of In Goodfaith, Maggie and Stephanie sit down with researcher and ministry trainer Charlotte McCorquodale to explore what 25 years of research reveal about the changing realities of Catholic youth and young adult ministry. Drawing on her longitudinal study, Illuminating Trends, Charlotte describes a field marked by expanding responsibilities, declining professional support, unequal compensation, and a growing leadership gap. Together, they examine why relational ministry is difficult to measure, how attendance-based metrics can obscure genuine transformation, and why accompaniment requires shared responsibility across the entire parish community. Charlotte McCorquodale leads Ministry Training Source and has spent decades studying and supporting Catholic ministry leaders. Her newest resource translates the research into guided conversations about the pressure points facing ministers and the balancing actions churches can take in response. She encourages ministry leaders to assess their own realities, identify trusted allies, and use data to begin honest conversations that can lead to meaningful change. 0:00–6:15 Opening, guest introduction, and the story behind the research Theme: how Charlotte’s doctoral work grew into a 25-year study of youth and young adult ministry 6:15–11:30 What has—and has not—changed Declining formation budgets, limited benefits, role confusion, and the continual need for ministers to justify their work 11:30–19:10 Valuing those who accompany young people The formation and expertise ministry requires; expanding job descriptions; research as a source of clarity and agency 19:10–29:30 Moving beyond “magical thinking” Why old ministry models no longer work; cultural change, relational discipleship, and the limits of attendance as a measure of success 29:30–34:40 Measuring transformation and supporting accompaniment Transactional versus transformational metrics; performance reviews, ministry structures, and using data to start conversations 34:40–40:30 The challenge of finding volunteers “People power,” shared mission, pastor support, and inviting adults into meaningful relationships with young people 40:30–48:10 Reimagining youth and young adult ministry Innovation, continuity through leadership transitions, young people as protagonists, and promising new ministry models 48:10–56:00 Building parishes of accompaniment Relational work as productive work; knowing people by name; baptism, belonging, and the responsibility of the whole community 56:00–1:03:15 A leadership gap in Catholic ministry Compensation, benefits, generational expectations, work-life balance, and why younger ministers are planning shorter tenures 1:03:15–1:15:30 Gender inequity and sustainable ministry The persistent pay gap, changing expectations among women and younger generations, family life, leave policies, and intergenerational support 1:15:30–1:22:55 Practical next steps and a new conversation resource Assessing ministry realities, finding allies, practicing difficult conversations, and addressing pressure points with balancing actions 1:22:55–1:26:26 Sources of hope and closing reflections The joy of accompanying young people, the commitment of ministry leaders, and an invitation to share and support the podcast

In this episode of In Goodfaith, Maggie and Stephanie sit down with Sister Nancy Usselmann, FSP, a Catholic media educator and advocate for AI literacy, to explore how Catholic social teaching speaks to artificial intelligence today. They discuss what AI is, how the Church has engaged with AI ethics, and practical steps pastors, educators, and families can take to navigate a world where technology increasingly shapes work, education, and relationships. The conversation anchors itself in Pope Leo’s encyclical and CST, calling for human-centered discernment, subsidiarity, and the dignity of the human person as central guides. Sister Nancy Usselmann, FSP, is a Daughter of Saint Paul and director of Pauline Media Studies. She teaches AI literacy and media mindfulness, speaks nationwide on AI ethics, and helps Catholic communities think critically about how to use technology for mission and evangelization. She also references the Catholic faithai.com platform, which offers formation guides and an AI mindfulness wheel for virtue-centered use of AI.     - 0:00–4:50 Opening and guest introduction - Theme: setting the frame for AI ethics through CST and human dignity - 4:50–12:00 What AI is and why it matters to Catholics - Clarifications: machine learning, large language models, prompts, and the non-neutral character of AI - 12:00–15:25 The Church’s engagement with AI - Rome Calls for AI ethics; Vatican and CST as ethical voices in tech - 15:25–21:00 Practical formation and resources - Catholic Faith AI platform; AI mindfulness wheel; guidance for parishes, catechists, and educators - 21:00–28:10 Real-world implications: education, work, environment - Data centers, water use, subsidiarity, and implications for jobs and learning - 28:10–33:50 Discernment and practical guidance - Augmenting thinking vs outsourcing; empowerment vs dependence; CST in daily tech decisions - 33:50–40:00 AI in church life: liturgy, catechesis, youth ministry - The human witness remains central; accompany with AI tools thoughtfully - 40:00–49:55 Big-picture hope and what excites Sister Nancy - Positive apps for catechesis, accessible teaching, and mission-driven use - 50:00–54:43 Closing reflections and calls to action - Summaries, prayers, and where to find resources