Ep 139 - Letting Go of Expectations About What Charisms Will Look Like
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
Release Date: 08/28/2025
Ep 162 - From the Archives - Charisms as a Vehicle to Love People In the Hard Stuff
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this special throwback episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons explores how our spiritual gifts—charisms—can be powerful vehicles for loving others, especially during life’s toughest moments. Drawing on biblical wisdom and practical insights, Jill Simons explains how grace is most present in the here and now, and how we can best support those in need by leaning into the unique ways the Holy Spirit equips us. She encourages listeners to discern their charisms, stay rooted in a relationship with God, and use their gifts to make Christ present to the suffering in the world....
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Ep 162 - Connection to the Church
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this heartfelt episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons opens up about the challenges and blessings of working behind the scenes in charism discernment—especially when much of the ministry is digital and remote. Reflecting on her own recent feelings of isolation and burnout, Jill Simons explores the importance of staying truly connected to the Church and community, not just through sacraments and online resources, but also through in-person, authentic relationships. She encourages listeners who may feel their spiritual gifts are running dry or disconnected to seek real-life...
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Ep 161 - Charisms in College
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons explores the unique journey of discerning charisms during college. She shares exciting updates about Many Parts Ministries' new resources and expanded content—especially on YouTube—and explains how charisms (spiritual gifts) can provide clarity and direction in the midst of college life's uncertainty and transitions. Jill Simons unpacks the benefits of discovering your gifts early, from understanding where you naturally thrive to guiding your vocational discernment and future career decisions. She offers practical encouragement...
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Ep 160 - Identity Resources Spotlight: The International Forgiveness Institute
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons welcomes Dr. Robert Enright, founder of the International Forgiveness Institute, to explore the transformative power of forgiveness on both spiritual and psychological levels! Together, they discuss Dr. Enright’s journey into forgiveness research, the resistance and breakthroughs encountered in academic and therapeutic settings, and how forgiveness influences healing, identity, and even physical well-being. Dr. Enright shares his evidence-based process model for forgiveness, including key phases and inspiring examples from his...
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Ep 159 - Identity Resources Spotlight: Catholics in Recovery
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this heartfelt episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons welcomes Scott Weeman, founder of Catholics in Recovery, for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and the role of faith in healing. Scott shares his personal journey through alcoholism and addiction, his road to recovery through 12-step meetings, and how the Holy Spirit inspired him to create resources for Catholics seeking freedom from addiction. Jill and Scott discuss the shame and isolation that often accompany addiction, the importance of community support, and how integrating faith and recovery can...
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Ep 158 - Accepting the Invitation with Jonna Schuster
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
Kick off your 2026 with an empowering episode of Charisms for Catholics! Host Jill Simons welcomes Jonna Schuster from Catholic Revival Ministries to discuss "The Invitation," a brand new resource designed to help Catholics confront struggles, wounds, and frustrations around their God-given identity. Together, they dive into practical ways to embrace freedom, move beyond shame, and approach spiritual growth in a healthy, faith-filled way. Whether you're discerning your spiritual gifts or seeking deeper healing, this episode introduces you to tools, mindsets, and ministries that can guide your...
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Ep 157 - Discern in December: Week Four of Discernment
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this heartfelt Christmas episode of "Charisms for Catholics," host Jill Simons concludes the Discern in December series by inviting listeners to prayerfully commit to their charisms as a special gift to Christ. Acknowledging the challenges and joys of the holiday season, she encourages living out spiritual gifts—like giving, service, encouragement, and healing—as a way to bring the Holy Spirit's presence to others. Jill shares exciting plans for the new year, including new identity resources and collaborations, and stresses the importance of ongoing discernment and nourishing your...
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Ep 156 - Discern in December: Week Three of Discernment
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this episode of Charisms for Catholics, Jill Simons dives into week three of the December discernment series, guiding listeners through step 16 of the "Open Your Gifts" discernment process! This week focuses on the crucial role of humility in discovering and stewarding your charisms. Jill discusses the balance between recognizing your strengths and accepting the responsibility that comes with your gifts, emphasizing that charisms are more than talents—they are responsibilities to the Church community. Through relatable examples and reflections, she addresses common struggles with pride,...
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Ep 155 - Discern in December: Week Two of Discernment
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons shares her personal experience of trying to record during the busy December season and encourages listeners who may feel behind in their own discernment journeys! As the podcast enters the second week of its discernment process—and the second week of Advent—Jill dives into the "testing phase" of charism discernment. She explains how to practically test your potential spiritual gifts using everyday activities, and why feedback from these experiences is key to discernment. Listeners are guided on how to recognize whether a charism...
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Ep 154 - Discern in December: Week One of Discernment
Charisms for Catholics with Jill Simons
In this episode of "Charisms for Catholics," host Jill Simons kicks off the "Discern in December" challenge, guiding listeners through the first week of discerning their spiritual gifts, or charisms! She explains how this annual Advent journey helps Catholics identify how the Holy Spirit is already working in their lives and invites them to offer those gifts back to God. Jill walks through the practical steps of week one, from taking a spiritual gifts assessment to reflecting on identity, clarifying what you’re seeking, exploring your history with each charism, and setting a discernment...
info_outlineIn this episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons dives into the importance of letting go of preconceived expectations about how our charisms—or spiritual gifts—should manifest in our lives.
Using real-life examples, Jill explains that charisms like writing, leadership, or teaching don’t have to follow a specific path or look the same for everyone. Whether you’re writing a book or encouraging friends through heartfelt notes, what matters most is staying open to how the Holy Spirit leads you to use your gifts in your unique circumstances.
Tune in to discover how embracing the freedom and individuality of your charisms can deepen your impact in the body of Christ!
00:28 – Announcement: Enrollment is open for the Charism Coaching Certification Program, designed for professional coaches and trained spiritual directors.
02:08 – Jill dives into the episode’s main topic: letting go of rigid expectations about how our charisms “should” show up in our lives.
03:54 – She emphasizes that everyone’s expression of their charisms is unique due to life circumstances, personality, and vocation.
04:42 – Jill offers a thought experiment contrasting two people with the same charisms (leadership, knowledge, and teaching) but very different life situations, illustrating how charisms manifest differently.
07:54 – Encouragement to reflect on outside expectations and embrace greater freedom in how the Holy Spirit invites us to use our charisms, followed by an invitation to discover or discern your own on the Many Parts Ministries website.
Learn more about charisms and charism discernment at https://manypartsministries.com.