The Catholic Feminist

Latest Episodes:

122: Applying Catholic Social Teaching to Global Problems ft. Beth King-Howard Sep 11, 2019

Show notes

How should Catholics approach problems on a global scale? Here's the thing—we can do more harm than good if we go into issues without a firm educational foundation. We can also do more harm than good if we leave our faith in the dust as we charge forward with a well-intentioned heart. Catholic social teaching is a set of tenants that informs how we should make global decisions and how we should love our neighbors, both next door and on the other side of the world.

Beth King-Howard, today's guest, takes a group of young women to the UN's Commission on the Status of Women every year. So she knows that complex problems often need complex solutions. We dive into all kinds of topics, from whether capitalism is Christian to what topics she thinks Catholics should talk about more to the importance of having the heart of a learner. I pretty much think she should be the communal southern Catholic Feminist mama. 😂 www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/bethkh

Today's episode is brought to you by Select International Tours. Hit up selectinternationaltours.com/feminist to learn more about upcoming trips or organizing one of your own.

Today's episode is also brought to you by Audible. For a FREE audio book (we're biiiig Mike Mulligan fans these days), go to audibletrial.com/catholic.

121: Back to School with a Catholic Education ft. Emily LaPorte Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

It's back-to-school time! Well, not for us, since I have two toddlers. But so many of you are headed back to school, whether as students or teachers. I'm so excited to be bringing you an insightful conversation with Emily LaPorte, a Catholic school teacher.

But this isn't a lighthearted conversation about the ABC's. Emily + I are talking about both the joys and difficulties of being a teacher of small children. We also discuss things like whether or not kids in Catholic schools live in bubbles, why Catholic schools so often struggle with diversity, and what the pros and cons of school vouchers are. We also want to remind you that your education decisions are YOURS — nobody knows your child and his or her needs like YOU do.

Also, quick shout out to any college freshmen. That was a really difficult time in my life + I'm praying for you. If you're feeling kind of lost, seek out your Newman center or see if there's a @focuscatholic team on your campus! ❤️

Today's episode is brought to you by Select International Tours. See the world + grow closer to God by heading to selectinternationaltours.com/feminist. #travelwithselect

120: Intentional Boundaries + Saying No ft. Kathryn Whitaker Aug 28, 2019

Show notes

Do you ever feel like your relationship with Jesus is…polite? Yes, thank you, I'm sorry, and that's about it? Today's guest, Kathryn Whitaker, talks about how part of her conversion to the Catholic faith involved deconstructing her boundaries with Jesus, and how one of the results of a deeper faith is implementing boundaries with others. Kathryn walks us through how to only say yes when it's a "hell yes" and how to STOP feeling guilty about that "no". We also talk about her new book, Live Big Love Bigger, and how a BBQ pilgrimage helped her family grow closer together. (If you're wondering what the hell a BBQ pilgrimage is…come closer, my sweet non-Texan listeners. Let me tell you about a faraway land down south.) I absolutely loved hearing Kathryn's wisdom and think this episode is perfect for anyone struggling with a full plate, a fatigued heart, and a lack of white space. Enjoy!

Today's episode is brought to you by Audible. For a free audio book and free 30-day trial, head to audibletrial.com/catholic.

Today's episode is also brought to you by Select International Tours. If you've wanted to go on a Catholic pilgrimage but all the planning makes you cringe, get it done for you by joining a trip at selectinternationaltours.com/feminist.

119: Exploring Local Activism ft. Lauren Roach Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

Is there an issue that just sets your heart on fire, but you have no idea how to get started on making an impact about it? Today we're talking to Lauren Roach, a Milwaukee activist (and the Community Manager for the CFP!) Lauren is tirelessly fighting to get pornography declared a public health crisis in Wisconsin, and she's here to chat with us about how she put a passion into ACTION, as well as some pornography statistics you may be unfamiliar with (like the link between human trafficking and porn). Lauren also talks about finding community as a young Catholic and what question has been bringing her closer to God lately. I know you'll be just as fired up as I was after listening to our conversation!

Today's episode is brought to you by Audible. For a free audio book and free 30-day trial, head to audibletrial.com/catholic.

118: Q & A ft. Claire Swinarski Aug 14, 2019

Show notes

Q & A DAY! ✨👋🏻 I'm off exploring Poland with my family, so please enjoy this question + answer session. I solicited questions from Instagram and we wound up talking about everything from healthy boundaries to teaching kids about the faith to morning routines to dealing with discouragement. Enjoy!

Today's episode is brought to you by Select International. Head to selectinternationaltours.com/feminist to learn more about the amazing Catholic pilgrimages Select has to offer.

Today's episode is also brought to you by Audible. For a FREE audio book, head to audibletrial.com/catholic.

MINISODE: Making a Middle Grade Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

I'm launching a new podcast! Don't worry, CFP isn't going anywhere. ;) This is a podcast about another topic near + dear to my heart--children's books and how they're made. In this minisode, I'm sharing the trailer + also explaining why I wanted to share this show with all of you, the sweet listeners of the Catholic Feminist Podcast.

Basically, God? He answered some serious promises. + I want to take you all with me on this journey.

If you're having a hard time finding it, search for "Claire Swinarski" or "makingamiddlegrade" in podcasts. You can also listen at claireswinarski.com/podcast.

117: Sleep, Spirituality, and Self Care ft. Carleara Weiss Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

What do sleep + self-care have to do with our faith life? As it turns out…a lot. Today on the show we have Carleara Weiss, PHD, breaking down how feminists can get more sleep, why women may have a harder time sleeping than men (#hormones), and why sleep affects our spirituality. Carleara + I also discuss how to get more women involved in STEM and the importance of 👏🏻mentoring👏🏻 women in your field. I love Carleara's viewpoint on her faith being strengthened by science and how we as humans are able to help each other by learning more about the world around us. Enjoy!

Today's episode is brought to you by Select International. Travel around the world with experienced tour guides by hitting up selectinternationaltours.com/feminist.

116: Justice and Mercy for Immigrants ft. Andrea Mendoza Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

When Jesus told us to welcome the stranger, He meant it. That's a principle that today's guest, Andrea Mendoza, is truly living out. She volunteers with immigrants within our country and helps provide them with basic necessities that enable them to live out their dignity. Andrea is also sharing her own parents' story of living in our country undocumented for years.

Andrea will truly inspire you, but what I love most about her is the way she has turned her passion and empathy into real, concrete action. She's out there on the frontlines, not in a glamorous spokesperson-CSPAN-Good Morning America type way, but really getting her hands dirty and doing the work. As many people enter the US for a wide variety of reasons, we often focus on the (very important!) policies that affect them instead of focusing on the literal human person who has basic needs. Enjoy our conversation!

Today's episode is brought to you by Audible. For a free 30-day trial and free audio book, head to audibletrial.com/catholic.

Today's episode is also brought to you by the Blessed Is She liturgical planner. Head to thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/planner today to snag your copy.

115: The Current State of Abortion Law ft. Morgan Korth Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

"I work full-time in the pro-life movement, and even I've been getting whiplash." That's what today's guest, Morgan Korth from WeDignify, told me. I couldn't agree more. Every day, a new state is in the news for its newly passed abortion law. Today, Morgan is helping us break down the current state of abortion law in the US. We also talk about whether or not overturning Roe is really ENOUGH. I love Morgan's wisdom on engaging civically vs. disconnecting to contemplate + her passion for TRULY ending abortion, not just creating pro-life laws.

My heart aches for the women facing a pregnancy that feels insurmountable during this season of life. I want nothing more than to make our world a place where mothers—mothers who raise their kids themselves, or mothers who birth them before working together with adoptive parents to give that child the best possible circumstances—can flourish.

Today's episode is brought to you by Franciscan University of Steubenville. Join some former podcast guests and get an authentically Catholic education from the comfort of your own home by enrolling in one of their many graduate programs. Hit up www.franciscan.edu/tcf to learn more.

Today's episode is also brought to you by the Blessed Is She academic planner. Every modern Catholic woman needs one of these stunning planners designed by former guest Erica Tighe. Live more liturgically this year by heading to www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/planner.

114: The Truth About Birth Control + the Marquette Method of NFP ft. Sarah Tramonte Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

Let's talk about hormonal birth control. The fact that most Catholic women are on it, and the fact that few of us know what it even does.

Today's podcast guest, Sarah Tramonte, is a registered nurse + an NFP instructor. Sarah walks us through what the heck birth control even does, why it's SO frequently prescribed, if there's ever an occasion where it might be the right choice for a non sexually-active person (her answer may surprise you!) and whether or not it's really an abortifacient. 🤯 Sarah and I also talk WHY so many Catholic women have turned to hormonal birth control. There's a severe lack of education in both our schools and pre-cana classes to teach women how fertility works and what a period should even look like. This lack of emphasis on such an important part of women's health is, IMHO, a glaring spot of sexism within our healthcare industry. Sarah + I talk about why she loves Marquette and who that method is right for, as well as what to do if you just consistently feel like NFP DOESN'T WORK for you. 😥

Above all, I hope this episode encourages you to take time to learn about your fertility. Whether you're single, have seven kids, or somewhere in between, understanding your cycle and this aspect of your womanhood is vital (literally, Sarah says your fertility should be considered a vital sign like your blood pressure or temperature). Enjoy!

Today's episode is brought to you by Franciscan University of Stuebenville. Join some former podcast guests and get an authentically Catholic education from the comfort of your own home by enrolling in one of their many graduate programs. Hit up www.franciscan.edu/tcf to learn more.

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