He Leadeth Me

Scripture tells us, "God is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps 34:18). In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about praying when you have a broken heart.  Jess and Fr. John Ignatius discuss:How to relate your suffering to God without letting it consume your prayer lifeFr. John's thoughts on the common question: What can I hope for? Should I hope that God will give me the relationship that I desire?What to do if you are angry at God for letting you go through a breakupFr. John's recommendations on Scriptures to pray with  Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver. He is also a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.  If you would like to listen to Fr. Ezratty's talks at SEEK, you can find them here: seekreplay.com

Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty, a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver and popular SEEK speaker, joins Jessica to tackle the strain of modern busyness on spirituality. They explore how a hectic life can both hinder and enhance one's connection with God. Fr. John emphasizes the need for humility and the courage to prioritize what truly matters. He also discusses breaking free from the victim mentality and taking ownership of choices. Listeners are encouraged to integrate faith into everyday moments, reminding us that spirituality can thrive even in chaos.

Lent is approaching fast! Are you ready? In this episode, FOCUS Sr. Regional Director John Merkle joins Jessica to give advice on how to make this Lent as spiritually fruitful as possible.Jess and John discuss:How to challenge yourself without becoming self-reliantJohn gives advice for fasting, silence, and experiencing deeper contritionJess recommends going on dates for Lent and begging for prayersJohn Merkle has been a missionary with FOCUS for 13 years, currently serving as Senior Regional Director for Europe and the East Area. He and his wife Meredith live in Florida with their four children who were born in Colorado, Ireland, Austria, and Florida.

In this episode, Kim Zember, founder of Overcome Ministries and Unforgotten Faces, joins Jessica to talk about same-sex attraction and the spiritual life. Jess and Kim discuss:Kim's personal journey with same-sex attractionThe importance of viewing God as a loving FatherHow people with same-sex attraction can bring their desires and struggles to God in prayerHow to approach the sacrament of confessionHow people can support their friends and family members with same-sex attractionKim Zember shares her personal testimony of a continued journey of surrendering her same-sex desires to Jesus in pursuit of the greater love she has found in Him. Through her personal testimony she helps give others insight into how to love those around them who identify within the LGBTQ community and also gives hope and direction to those who may have same-sex attraction or struggle with their identity. She loves sharing God the Father's heart with everyone and strives to be totally transparent, to help others know they are safe to do the same, not only with God but with one another. When Kim is not at home in Atlanta, Georgia, she is most likely found serving and playing with her 500 + children at her 'home-away-from-home' in Ethiopia through her ministry Unforgotten Faces.Kim has appeared on countless programs such as Pints with Aquinas, The Lila Rose Show, Conversations with Jackie & Bobby, Ascension Presents, Encounter Ministries, EWTN, TBN, CBN, Catholic Answers, 700 Club and much more.You can buy Kim's book "Restless Heart" hereYou can check out her websites here: Overcome Ministries and Unforgotten Faces

What was it like to be discipled by Servant of God Michelle Duppong? In this episode, Sr. Gianna of the Resurrection Heinemann joins Jessica to share about her time in college when she was discipled by Michelle Duppong. Sr. Gianna and Jess discuss:As a student, Sr. Gianna was struck by Michelle's simplicity and her desire to win souls for ChristHow Michelle was a spiritual mother to souls as a missionary and during her sicknessHow Michelle overcame discouragement in her missionary work and in her illnessSr. Gianna's reaction when she heard that the diocese opened the investigation into Michelle's Cause of Canonization Sr. Gianna of the Resurrection Heinemann is a member of the Community of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. She has been a member of the community for 14 years. Before she joined religious life, she was a student at South Dakota State University, where she was involved with FOCUS and discipled by Servant of God Michelle Duppong.You can learn more about the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles here You can learn more about Servant of God Michelle Duppong here

In this episode, Joan Watson from Verso Ministries joins Jessica to talk about how a pilgrimage can renew your spiritual life. Joan and Jess discuss:How pilgrimages are a microcosm of the entire spiritual lifeSpiritual lessons you can learn on pilgrimageThe traditional practice of making a pilgrimage once a year to the Church where you were baptizedJoan Watson is the Pilgrim Formation Manager at Verso Ministries. She is in charge of forming pilgrims intellectually and spiritually before and during their pilgrimages. Joan has worked for Catholic apostolates for 17 years, including the Nashville Dominicans, the Diocese of Nashville, and the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. She is also a speaker and writer and hosts two podcasts: In Via, about pilgrimage, and Joan's Take on The Chosen.You can check out Verso Ministries here.

In this episode for the SEEK podcast, Jess and Chad Etzel team up to talk about the single life. Jess and Chad discuss:Is the single life a vocation?Why single people can often struggle with feeling like their lives will begin once they are marriedIs praying for a spouse a prayer of faith that Jesus will keep His promise, "ask and you will receive," or am I trying to force my will on God through my prayer?How you can "be the light" in your single yearsChad Etzel has worked for FOCUS for 6 years and currently serves in Staff Care as a Talent Coach. He is a Certified Professional Coach from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and hosts the "Catholic, Single, and Flourishing" podcast. You can listen to Chad's podcast here.

At the beginning of a new year, many people often reflect on their dreams for life and for the upcoming year. In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about life dreams and their role in the spiritual life. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss:How our question should be: Does my dream align with what God desires for my life?St. Ignatius of Loyola's teaching on how God speaks to us through our desiresHow to know whether a dream comes from God or from your own human spiritFr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a former FOCUS national chaplain and now the parochial vicar at St. Bernadette and St. Mary Magdalene parishes in Denver, Colorado.

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens joins Jessica to talk about how the Christmas liturgy demonstrates 3 fundamental truths for praying the Mass throughout the year. Jess and Chris discuss:The Word became flesh: how the Word of the Father features prominently at Mass"Mary reflected on these things in her heart"- The Greek word for reflecting means "put together". Chris explains how we are "put together" with God through the objects, words, and actions of each Mass.The Divine Exchange- The prayers at Christmas often mention the "divine exchange", where God become Man so that man might become God.Chris Carstens is the Director of Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, a visiting faculty member of the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL, and the Editor of Adoremus Bulletin. Chris lives in Soldiers Grove, WI, with his wife and children.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Creator of the Stars of Night. Alma Redemptoris Mater. All these classic hymns and more make up the liturgical sounds of Advent! In this episode, liturgical music expert Adam Bartlett joins Jessica to talk about how liturgical music can help us enter more deeply into the season of Advent.Jess and Adam discuss:Why it is more appropriate to sing the Gospel at Mass than speak itHow singing the Antiphons can help us anticipate the coming of Christ at ChristmasWhy different liturgical seasons have different sounds, and what we should listen for in the sounds of liturgical music during AdventHow meditating on classic Advent hymns can deepen our experience of AdventAdam Bartlett is the founder and CEO of Source & Summit, a liturgical publisher and digital platform that helps parishes elevate the liturgy. He is a composer, conductor, and teacher that has served as a parish and cathedral Music Director, seminary and graduate instructor, and as Sacred Music Collaborator with FOCUS. You can check out Source & Summit here: Source & Summit and on Hallow here