Fiat Career Coaching Podcast

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and is dedicated to honoring babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and newborn death.Today’s episode features Whitney Whitmore, who is the Founder and Executive Director of Lily of the Valley, an organization focused on supporting couples facing infertility, prenatal diagnosis, pregnancy loss, and infant loss with beauty, prayer and dignity. They provide beautiful prayer care packages, community events, and education and outreach for families walking through challenging seasons.In this episode, Whitney shares about how God met her in a tangible way in the loss of her son and led her to create a non-profit where she now gets to pray and support others as they carry their crosses.Lily of the Valley is an incredible organization and is a good resource for you or anyone you know that could benefit from the prayerful support.To learn more about Lily of the Valley, visit: https://lotvministry.org/. To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

We all face decisions in our daily lives. Should we leave our jobs or should we stay? Should we marry this person or not? Should we volunteer our time here or not at all?In all of these decisions, big or small, God has a specific plan for our lives. In Jeremiah 29:11, He says, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”But what are those plans? How do we align ourselves to His will instead of our own? As I heard in a recent homily, “In His will is our flourishing.” But what is God’s will in the many decisions we face?St. Ignatius of Loyola, a mystic, priest, and master spiritual director in the 15th century, developed guidance for how to discern the will of God. His guidance is practical and relevant to us today. In today’s episode, I am joined by Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV, a spiritual director and cofounder of the Ignatian Discernment Institute with Fr. Tim Gallagher. Fr. Yavarone provides an excellent breakdown on how to discern God’s will using Ignatius’ three modes (ways) of discernment.Tune in if you need some guidance on how to discern a major decision in your life. Resources Mentioned in this Episode:- Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making (https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/discerning-the-will-of-god-an-ignatian-guide-to-christian-decision-making)- The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living (https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/the-discernment-of-spirits-an-ignatian-guide-for-everyday-living)- Ignatian Discernment Institute | Discernment (https://www.discernment.institute/discernment)To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/

Nicole Rodriguez is a woman who knows who and whose she is. She is confident, humble, comfortable in her own skin, and embodies what it means to be “rooted and grounded” in the love of God. I first heard Nicole speak at an Undone women’s retreat by the John Paul II Healing Center several years ago and have wanted to interview her ever since. She is a wife, mother to three biological children in heaven and several spiritual children on earth.Her story moved me to tears, as she shared how the Lord carried her and her husband through the grief of her miscarriages and used them to bear tremendous fruit in her life and in the life of her spiritual children. She truly is an inspiration, and I know you will be blessed by her story.To connect with Valentina, visit: www.fiatcareercoaching.com

Do you know that your prayers matter? That the little and big prayers you whisper for a loved one or the stranger across the world are listened to and cherished by God. That Jesus is praying in you, through you and for you, all at the same time? It is a stunning reality that I often forget. I had the privilege of speaking with Sherry Weddell, co-founder and Executive Director of the Catherine of Siena Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Institute leads the Called & Gifted workshop on charisms, Ananias Training on spiritual accompaniment, and Generation of Saints- a parish initiative. Sherry is the author of multiple books and recently released the book, “Intentional Intercession: Praying Boldy with Jesus”.This book is an invitation to pray like Jesus did and shares the Church’s teaching on the power of intercessory prayer. It is practical and the stories Sherry shares in the book are unforgettable! This episode is for you if you would like renewal in your prayer life or if you would like some encouragement to continue persevering in prayer amidst any discouragement. To learn more about the Catherine of Siena Institute, visit: https://siena.org/. To purchase Sherry's book, visit: https://siena.org/intentional-intercession.To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

Happy Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker!In honor of this special day, I’m thrilled to share this episode with you. This episode is dedicated to all the writers and artists who could use a little inspiration for their work. I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my favorite writers, Denise Trull, who writes for publications such as “Theology of Home”, SpiritualDirection.com, DappledThings.org, and on her own Substack called, “The Inscapist”.Denise is the writer I aspire to be one day. She has a unique ability to notice details that many of us might miss, and to call them out in a way that makes you pause and simple say, “Wow”. She is humble, kind and just an all-around wonderful person. Can you tell I’m a fan? It was absolutely delightful speaking with her about her writing, her daily inspirations, and her processes. If you have an old manuscript that has been collecting dust or a painting you’ve been wanting to finish, then this episode is for you. Listening to Denise will inspire you to pick it up, and to try again even for a few minutes. We need artists in our lives, and especially ones that points us to the Master Artist. Be sure to subscribe to her Substack (https://substack.com/@theinscapist/posts) for a daily dose of beauty! Also, here is her reflection about Madame Benjamin (https://substack.com/@theinscapist/p-195520185) that we talk about in the episode.To connect with Valentina, visit: fiatcareercoaching.com.

Dr. Jeffrey Talley never planned to be the President of Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. He assumed after spending 34 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve he would continue his civilian career in the corporate world leading organizations. However, God had other plans. Listening to Dr. Talley’s story reminded me of the importance of holding our plans loosely and trusting in God’s perfect plan for our lives. Dr. Talley is a Benedictine Oblate and lives out a rule of life seeking God through prayer and work. It was insightful to hear how he strives to bring order out of disorder in his daily work and to point others to Christ. If you have a young person in your life discerning where to go to college or if you would like to hear from someone striving to keep Christ at the center of his life, then this episode is for you.To learn more about Belmont Abbey College visit: https://belmontabbeycollege.edu. To learn more about Dr. Talley, read more here: https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/about-us/college-leadership/dr-jeffrey-w-talley/.To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

There are few saints in the world that have had the magnitude of impact as Padre Pio. Born in 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy he later became a Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist and mystic. He had the ability to read souls, bilocate and God worked many healings through him. During World War II, many allied pilots even saw him appear in front of their airplanes with arms outstretched, preventing them from bombing the town and monastery where he lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy!Although I’ve always heard these remarkable stories about him and been in awe of his life, it wasn’t until I experienced an answered prayer through his intercession that made me realize how close the saints in heaven really are to us. This reality became even more profound when I read Mary O’Regan’s new book, “Padre Pio and You”, which details his incredible life and ministry. O’Regan is a gifted writer with a remarkable ability to draw readers into the story and feel like they are truly there. I felt like I was watching a movie each time I picked up her book and began to encounter the person of Padre Pio in a personal way. Mary’s own life story is fascinating and in this podcast episode she shares how she first met Padre Pio and the near-death experience she had that completely changed her life. This book is a true masterpiece and great testament to Padre Pio’s life. I highly recommend you pick up a copy if you love learning about the lives of saints and want to learn more about this incredible intercessor in heaven!You can watch this episode on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. To connect with Mary, visit Mary's Blog. To connect with Valentina, visit Fiat Career Coaching, LLC. This post includes affiliate links.

One of the things I enjoy about hosting this podcast is speaking with authors and learning what inspired them to write their books. For example, I was thrilled to learn that a miracle took place that led to author, Susan Joy Bellavance, being able to publish her new children’s book, “This Little Light of Thine”. The best part is the miracle involved a Nebraska priest and led Bishop Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln to endorse the book. (I used to live in Nebraska for many years and have a lot of respect for the bishop and priests there, so it made it extra sweet to read the book.)In “This Little Light of Thine”, readers young and old are drawn in through the beautiful illustrations to the sanctuary lamp, burning brightly in every Catholic Church, all pointing to the true presence. It’s a delightful book to read and has our two-year-old’s stamp of approval.In this episode, Susan shares about the amazing miracle and her desire to start a Eucharistic revolution, reminding everyone of the power of Christ’s presence in every tabernacle. To connect with Susan, visit: https://www.bellacorabooks.com/. To purchase the book, visit: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/this-little-light-of-thine/?oid=814&affid=188.To connect with Valentina, visit: https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

Would you describe yourself as a truth-seeker? Would you be willing to leave a religion you have always followed and a career that elevated you to the heights of prestige and influence because you found the truth?That was what Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890) did to the shock and anger of many. His conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism caused a religious and political stir in his day, and he lost many friends and family members in the process. However, he gained an eternal crown and a legacy that still reverberates in history over a century later.On November 1st, 2025, Newman was declared a Doctor of the Church due to his outstanding contribution to theology, education and critical topics such as the relationship between faith and reason and the critical nature of conscience. I first learned about him over 10 years ago after reading this touching quote of his:“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”― John Henry NewmanI had the absolute joy of speaking with Msgr. Laurence Spiteri about his new book, “Newman for Our Time” about St. John Henry Newman. Msgr. Spiteri is a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California and currently works in Rome as the Prelate Auditor of the Roman Rota at the Vatican and Commissioner of ratum-non-consumatum cases. He holds doctorates in biblical studies, psychology, and canon law, and a specialization in international law regarding the Church-state relationship.Not only is he knowledgeable about Newman’s life, but he is incredibly witty and had me laughing through parts of the interview. I hope you too will appreciate his sense of humor as you listen or watch.Tune into this episode to learn more about:John Henry Newman’s journey of faith from Calvinism to Anglicanism to CatholicismHis views of the role of the laity in the churchThe infallibility of the Pope and what that really meansWhy Catholics and non-Catholics love NewmanWhy every Pope (except for two) has cited Newman and his writings ever since he became Catholic You can also watch this episode on YouTube.This post includes affiliate links.To connect with Valentina, visit https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.

One of the many things I love about being Catholic is reading the lives of the saints. Reading their varied stories always reminds me there are many paths to heaven and holiness isn’t cookie-cutter.One book that highlights this diversity is the “World of Jesus’ Apparitions” by Wincenty Laszewski, a Polish theologian. It is a beautiful compendium of Christ’s apparitions to various saints and mystics throughout history and around the world. However, it’s not a book that merely shares wild and fascinating stories about these holy men and women and their miraculous encounters with Jesus. Instead, reading each encounter felt a little like what I imagine the disciples felt on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32). As I read each page, my heart burned with a renewed desire to be a saint, to love well and to suffer heroically. In this episode, I interview author Michael Lichens, who wrote the forward of the book about his major take-aways.I highly recommend this episode and this book if you are looking for a renewal to your faith through inspiring stories of men and women who went before us, some not too long ago. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.This post includes affiliate links.To connect with Valentina, visit https://fiatcareercoaching.com/.