S18 E14 - Prophetic Motherhood
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on the beautiful call of women to prophetic motherhood. We talk about how Our Lady models for us a motherhood that speaks life and calls forth goodness to all those she encounters. We also ponder what it means to be a spiritual mother, how Mary can help heal our wounded experiences of motherhood, and the difference between affirmations and prophetic words. As Pentecost draws near, we invite you to ask for Our Lady’s intercession to prepare your heart for a fresh outpouring of grace and to help you become a woman who brings life wherever she goes. ...
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S18 E13 - Marriage and Meaning with Special Guests Arthur and Ester Brooks
Abiding Together
In this episode, we welcome Arthur and Ester Brooks to talk about marriage, suffering, and the path to lasting love. Arthur and Ester share what it’s like to minister together, revealing both the grace needed and the hard work it takes to love each other faithfully over decades. We also reflect on suffering as an invitation for growth, why pain is fruitful, and how the hardest places in life are where love is purified. Whether you are married, single, or in religious life, intimacy with God is our source of strength for every situation we encounter in life. Heather’s One Thing...
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S18 E12 - The Way of Trust and Love: Enduring Trials
Abiding Together
Happy Easter! In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 6: Enduring Trials. We talk about how even in the light of Easter, we may still experience suffering and how we can choose to rejoice in God’s goodness when His ways remain hidden. We also reflect on why trials are not signs of God’s absence, how we learn to recognize God at work in the present moment, and how to embrace suffering as a necessary path to share in the fullness of Easter. Friends, in this Easter octave, we invite you to reflect on how God has transformed your heart this past Lent....
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S18 E11 - The Way of Trust and Love: God’s Infinite Mercy
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 5: God’s Infinite Mercy. We reflect on the paradox of true strength—how becoming little, dependent, and surrendered before the Lord is the very place where His strength takes root in us. We also talk about what it means to live with a pure heart, not by striving harder, but by bringing every part of ourselves into honest communion with Christ and allowing His kindness to call us higher. This week, as we wrestle with fear, worry, and the temptation to rely on ourselves, we encourage you to be reminded that it...
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S18 E10 - The Way of Trust and Love: Trusting More and More
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 4: Trusting More and More. We reflect on the tender places where our trust in the Father has been wounded—especially in the disappointments we carry with ourselves, our children, and the circumstances in our lives—and how God gently invites us to bring those disappointments to Him. We also talk about the lies that quietly erode our trust in God, the temptation to carry life’s burdens alone, and the way simple rhythms of prayer allow God to personally reveal to us His goodness. This week, we invite you to...
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S18 E9 - The Way of Trust and Love: Being Reconciled to Our Weakness
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 3: Being Reconciled to Our Weakness. We talk about how our struggles with ourselves often spill over into our relationships with others and how learning to accept our own weakness can soften our hearts towards the weakness we see in those around us. We also reflect on the tension between accepting our littleness and desiring real conversion, how we become more aware of our imperfections as we draw closer to the Lord, and the gift of community in helping us clearly see our lives. This week, we invite you to...
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S18 E8 - The Way of Trust and Love: An Elevator for Small Children
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 2: An Elevator for Small Children. We talk about the quiet places of discouragement, and self-reliance that keep us striving instead of surrendering. We also reflect about how radical dependence on God is not laziness, the subtle ways we resist being little before a loving Father, and how our poverty is a doorway into deeper trust. This week, we invite you to fall into the Father’s arms, allow Him to pick you up, and rest in the One who delights in you. Heather’s One Thing - The Prince of Egypt...
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S18 E7 - The Way of Trust and Love: A Completely New Way
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 1: A Completely New Way. We reflect on the “little way” of St. Thérèse, the invitation to become spiritual children before the Father, and how weakness becomes the very place where Christ comes to meet us. We also talk about the difference between being childish and childlike, why true maturity in faith begins with admitting our own poverty, and how small acts of courage open the door to deep healing. This week, we invite you to name the desires stirring in your heart and let the Holy Spirit awaken a new...
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S18 E6 - The Way of Trust and Love: Introduction
Abiding Together
In this episode, we begin our Lenten book study on “” and focus on the Introduction. We talk about how St. Thérèse’s “little way” offers hope to weary hearts who feel small, fragile, or poor. We discuss how the Lord can transform our lives in a moment, how to boast in our poverty instead of bemoaning it, and the power of a listening heart. This Lent, we invite you into a gentler, deeper journey—one rooted not in striving, but in trust and love. Heather’s One Thing - and everyone who put together this experience Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Michelle’s One...
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S18 E5 - Entering the Desert
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on Lent as a Holy Spirit led journey through the desert to bring us into a deeper union with God. We talk about the resistance many of us feel to fasting, why Lent is not a self-improvement project, and the importance of discerning our Lenten practices. We also discuss how, through Lent, our true identity as beloved daughters is revealed, tested, and healed. Before Lent begins on Wednesday, we invite you to notice where your heart may feel numb, distracted, or defensive, and ask the Holy Spirit what He desires to restore. Our Lenten book study “” will begin next...
info_outlineIn this episode, we welcome author, counselor, and speaker John Eldredge to the show, who is best known for his book Wild at Heart. We have a powerful conversation about intimacy with God in a world full of chaos, suffering, and spiritual hunger. We reflect on what it means to reclaim a “re-enchanted” Christian worldview, how to pray against chaos, the profound gift women have to offer the world right now. We also talk practically about how to pray as a couple, ask John to lead us in a guided “Pause” prayer, and invite you into a moment of stillness, surrender, and loving awareness of Jesus dwelling within you.
Heather’s One Thing - Midst from the Belonging Co.
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The Story I’ll Tell by Naomi Raine
Michelle’s One Thing - The Way of Trust and Love by Father Jacques Philippe
Michelle’s Other One Thing - Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
John’s One Thing - The Abiding Together Podcast!
John’s Other One Thing - William Augusto Instrumental Background Music
Other Resources Mentioned:
- The Pause App
- John Eldredge’s Website “Wild at Heart”
- Waking the Dead by John Eldredge
- The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge
- Experience Jesus. Really. by John Eldredge
Announcement:
Our 2026 Lenten book study will be “The Way of Trust and Love” by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!
Journal Questions:
- How am I living like a “practical atheist”?
- Where are you experiencing chaos in your domain?
- When in your day can you turn toward the Lord with a simple prayer?
- How have I experienced the friendship and communion of the Kingdom of Heaven in my life?
- Where in my life am I believing I am too much and not enough?
Discussion Questions:
- How would you define your domain? What has God entrusted to you?
- When have you experienced God’s beauty and order in the midst of chaos and hatred?
- How have simple prayers led to transformation in your life?
- How is God inviting you to be a healing remedy to the world right now?
Quote to Ponder:
“The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it.” (John Eldredge, Waking the Dead)
Scripture for Lectio:
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Sponsor - Fully Alive Coaching Program:
Fully Alive Coaching Program is a trauma-informed Catholic coaching program for women and men who desire deep healing without compromising their faith. Created by licensed marriage and family therapist Brya Hanan, Fully Alive integrates Catholic Inner Child Work and somatic awareness in a gentle, Spirit-led journey—honoring the body, protecting the soul, and restoring wholeness.
For women and men who pray sincerely but still feel guarded, overwhelmed, or fragmented, Fully Alive offers a safe and structured path toward integration and life abundant. Learn more at catholicinnerchildwork.com/fully-alive and follow @catholicinnerchildwork for more trauma-informed and integrative resources to support your healing.
Use the code "abiding" or reference it during a consultation to get 10% off!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Fully Alive Coaching Program
01:16 - Intro
02:02 - Welcome
04:18 - Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder
06:11 - Where is the Holy Spirit Moving the Church Now?
10:54 - Balancing the Love Story within a World at War
14:08 - Learning to Pray Against the Chaos
19:10 - How to Pray Together as A Couple
21:39 - Being in Union with God
26:13 - How Does God Use Fatherhood to Repair His Children?
29:30 - The Pause App
33:45 - We Are Created for Intimacy with Christ
37:48 - Women are Part of God’s Healing Remedy to the World
40:22 - One Last Message from John
44:20 - A “Pause” Meditation
48:30 - One Things