21 - Create, Rest, Play

0:10 - intro to "Mama" 6:00 - choosing JOY 8:35 - nothing to loose in making someone’s day  10:00 - positive thoughts is a positive life  13:19 - whatever you do, make it FUN 16:00 - when you don’t feel like you have anyone to lean on 18:00 - advice for the girl in her 20s & 30s who is feeling the pressure of life 20:30 - mamas amazing encounter with God 31:00 - practicing new age religions to practicing love for God

Today’s episode is inspired by a special event I attended at St. Andrew’s in Columbus—a beautiful, candlelit dinner for 8th graders and their parents, where I had the privilege of sharing a message of faith. Reflecting on that night, Tanner and I decided to each write down 5 things we wish we’d known in high school. So, in this episode, we’re bringing you our combined list of 10 life lessons, hoping that one or more might speak to you. Let’s dive in!

0:00 - intro to Sarah Lightle 2:20 - seeking a joy filled life  7:00 - man seeking God vs God seeking man 12:17 - practicals for prayer 16:30 - prayers of consultation vs desolation 18:45 - grief as a gift 25:25 - what grief teaches us about God 28:45 - how to show up well for someone experiencing grief when you’ve not sure what to do or say 32:00 - loving others well with intentionality  35:19 - A lesson from Sarah  36:00 - A letter from Sarah 

0:00 - intro to Anne Marie aka the Catholic Hype Woman on Instagram 1:50- what is a “situationship” vs dating and what are the dos and don’ts? 8:00 - how to heal from a “situationship” and unpacking emotions 15:20 - how to PRACTICALLY surrender and ask God to heal your heart  19:35- the biggest mistake women are making while dating: the lies we are fed about waiting until marriage  24:00 - the best things that a woman can do while dating: keeping God at the center and letting go of control  27:20 - Is getting married and having kids countercultural? And being generous in our yes in response to God‘s generosity.  35:30- Joy in the present moment - no matter if you’re single, dating, engaged, or married 39:13- Lesson & Letter from Anne Marie to you  Find Anne Marie on social: @thecatholichypewoman

Mari Wagner, founder of West Coast Catholic, and host of the Ever Be Podcast, joins the Lessons & Letters podcast to discuss all things: homemaking, hosting, faith and more... 0:00 - Intro to Mari 2:45 - The Perfect Table. The spiritual significance of hosting, are we called to be hospitable?  10:00 - How sharing a meal or welcoming someone into your home initiates vulnerability 14:00 - Practical ways to elevate your guests experience with hosting  28:15- Practical ways to make overnight guests feel comfortable  31:00 - Whether you’re in a dorm room, settling into a new house or revamping your home, advice for making your space a HOME 41:30 - The best way to optimize Pinterest & breakdown the “Pinterest-perfect-picture” to get the results you want for your space  45:30 - Advice for the person who loves learning and Catholic content but needs help in their prayer life  51:00 - Mari’s relationship with Mary & how she prays the rosary  1:00:00- Lesson & Letter from Mari Find Mari on social: https://www.instagram.com/mari.c.wagner/?hl=en Ever Be Podcast: https://everbepodcast.co/ SHOP West Coast Catholic: https://westcoastcatholic.co/

AHH! I am SO excited because two of my very best friends, Callie Meyer (Cal) and Catherine McNamara (Cat) joined me on the Lessons & Letters podcast to discuss all things FRIENDSHIP... 1:30 - Introduction to Callie & Cat  5:00 - Backtracking - from acquaintances to a beautiful friendship- and how God was weaving the friendship when we didn’t even see it   9:08- How can you show up for friends when they’re in a completely different season than you? 17:00 - Assuming good intent & assuming how your friends are doing  22:30 - Tell tale signs you’re in a good friendship  27:00 - Making friendships from ground zero 39:45 - Friendships fizzling & over-dramatized friendship breakups 45:45 - What destroys a friendship? 53:30 - “Praying behind their back” & how faith plays out in friendships  1:01 - Lessons & Letters

Tune in as Carolyn Li deep dives into all things: 3:00 - Who is Carolyn? The Bridgettine convent and how we got connected 6:45 - Carolyn’s AMAZING faith journey - from questioning if there is a God to a flourishing faith 22:00- Why having no belief is a belief, and why having faith is counter cultural 30:15- Outward and inward beauty and why BOTH are important 35:27- Practical way to take care of yourself as a woman  37:12 - Li Organics: Carolyn’s Skincare Line. How she started her own skincare line and why 44:37- The biggest mistake women make when it comes to skincare  46:00- Deep dive into Li Organics 5 Products 51:40- Carolyn’s Lesson & Letter   Find Carolyn on Social: https://www.instagram.com/lovewithli/ Find Li Organics on Social: https://www.instagram.com/liorganics/ Shop Li Organics: https://liorganics.com/

Tune in as Brooke Taylor deep dives into all things: 2:15 - Brooke Taylor, wife, mom, author, blogger, podcaster, retreat leader, radio host (what can’t she do!?) shares who she is & her reversion to the Catholic faith  7:30 - What’s your defining reason for being Catholic?  10:45 - Truth, Beauty, Goodness  13:40 - The Sacred Heart of Jesus, what this devotion means for Brooke + her family and home enthronement 19:00 - I thirst: why does Jesus say this? 25:00 - Practical ways to Catholify your home - physically and spiritually speaking 30:00 - The seeds mothers plant in children 33:30 - Devotions to the saints and Mary: why do Catholics have this? 37:30: Journey from woman, to wife, to motherhood: advice for all the stepping stones and Brooke’s own little way 47:00 - Models for our life and the responsibility of who we say we are  57:00 - Brooke’s Lesson & Letter Find Brooke on IG: https://www.instagram.com/1brooketaylor/ Brooke's Website: https://brooketaylor.us/

Tune in as Abby Connolly deeps dives into all the things: 15:00 - feeling torn between what God is calling you to do 17:40 - growing up Catholic + choosing it for yourself  19:50 - it was never mine in the first place  21:10 - not letting limiting factors & fear stop you  26:50- sustaining yourself when you planted the seed but you don’t see it growing  32:00 - the distinguishing difference: the sacraments  37:28 - created to create  45:55- REST. How to find time to play for the sake for play  53:30 - finding your personal identity  Find Abby on social https://www.instagram.com/abbyconnolly_/ Abby's work https://www.arccodesign.com/

I am so excited to have my fiancé, Tanner, on the podcast! It's been a dream of mine to have him on and today is the day. We cover all things: Tanner's most embarrassing story  Tanner's conversion story. Going from no faith to Catholic... Our relationship before and after Christ Fruits of a relationship with Christ in the center  What you should be looking for in a potential spouse  A Lesson from Tanner A Letter from Tanner Link to Peter, the Rock, the Keys, and the Chair:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIB-sOBDKk Thanks so much for tuning in, if you'd like to hear more please feel free to rate and review the podcast! In the meantime, follow along at https://www.instagram.com/lessons.and.letters/