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MFP321: Fifty Years and Going Strong!

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Release Date: 02/17/2025

MFP 349: Why Have Kids? an Interview with the author of Hannah’s Children show art MFP 349: Why Have Kids? an Interview with the author of Hannah’s Children

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“I think that bringing children into the world is like bringing holiness into the world.” - Catherine Pakaluk   Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia sit down with Catherine Pakaluk, economist and author of Hannah’s Children, to challenge common cultural myths about large families. Secular researchers often assume religious women have many children because they are oppressed, but Catherine explains why this is far from true. Instead, faith gives parents the conviction that children are a blessing and the true good of marriage. Struggles, dysfunction, or finances exist in every...

info_outline MFP 348: Field of Dreams for Families show art MFP 348: Field of Dreams for Families

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary Every family inherits a legacy, both the blessings and the struggles, yet God calls us to build something new with Him. In this episode, Mike and Alicia reflect on the importance of having a dream for your family that goes beyond survival mode and day-to-day busyness. Drawing inspiration from the film Field of Dreams, they explore how couples can discern God’s vision for their home, create a legacy of love, and take bold, countercultural steps together. Whether you’re just starting out or sending kids off to college, this conversation will encourage you to pray, dream, and act with...

info_outline MFP 347 Families Under Fire - Facing Cultural Challenges show art MFP 347 Families Under Fire - Facing Cultural Challenges

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

The family is where children discover how to be human. - Archbishop Charles Chaput   Summary   In this episode, Mike and Alicia tackle some of the toughest family challenges with honesty, humor, and hope. These questions were submitted to us at the Midwest Family Conference, but we never got to them! We talk about things like how to respond to a loved one with a temper or a dysfunctional family that seems to fight constantly. What practical steps can parents take to guard their family culture when outside influences pull in the opposite direction? Mike emphasizes the irreplaceable...

info_outline MFP 346: Jake & Heather Khym on Discipleship, Parenting, and Authentic Connection show art MFP 346: Jake & Heather Khym on Discipleship, Parenting, and Authentic Connection

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

"Discipleship isn’t about perfection—it’s about intimacy with Jesus. He is drawn to our weakness, not our strength." - Jake Khym   Summary In this deeply insightful episode, Jake and Heather Khym explore one of the greatest challenges facing Catholics today: true discipleship. They share how the heart of a disciple embraces God as a good Father who desires intimacy over perfection. You'll hear powerful wisdom on parenting—letting go of the lie that we must “save” our children—and embracing our need for God. The Khyms also unpack how to navigate emotional overwhelm by slowing...

info_outline MFP 345: The Tech Exit with Clare Morell show art MFP 345: The Tech Exit with Clare Morell

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“If we want our children to be happy and successful, if we want them to reach their highest potential in self-transcendence, then the most important thing we can do is replace screens with activities that turn their focus outward.” —Clare Morell Summary It’s no secret that addictive digital technologies like smartphones and social media apps are harming a generation of kids socially, mentally, and even physically. But a workable solution seems elusive. After all, don’t kids need phones, and won’t they be vulnerable or socially isolated without them? In this interview with Clare...

info_outline MFP 344: From Control to Connection: Disciplining Teens with Heart show art MFP 344: From Control to Connection: Disciplining Teens with Heart

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary Parenting teens can feel like navigating a storm. Emotions run high and mistakes are inevitable. In this updated reflection on our original 2017 episode, we dive into the art of disciplining teenagers not just to manage behavior, but to raise mature disciples of Christ. We share what we've learned from parenting our ten kids, what it means to move from control to connection, and how to maintain strong relationships during the most challenging years. Whether you're in the thick of adolescence or preparing for it, this episode offers encouragement, clarity, and practical tools. Topics...

info_outline MFP 343: How to Love Your Family show art MFP 343: How to Love Your Family

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“The two great commandments name the three loves – loving God, loving neighbor, and loving yourself. All three loves are necessary and central to our Faith.  All three.” - Dr. Peter Malinowski   Summary How can I learn to truly love my family?  The reality is that the degree to which you love yourself will be the maximum that you can love your family.  Ordered self-love is not an optional thing – it’s essential.  This is especially true for spouses and parents because their love is tied intimately to the full flourishing of others, namely, their...

info_outline MFP 342: Guidance on Tricky Topics show art MFP 342: Guidance on Tricky Topics

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary:  Listen in as we respond to Catholic parents seeking guidance on navigating sensitive family issues through faith. One parent is concerned about supporting her 11-year-old daughter who expressed same-sex attraction after speaking with her bisexual sister. Another couple is figuring out how to explain same-sex relationships to their young children with both compassion and clarity about Church teaching. A mother balancing part-time parish work and parenting feels overwhelmed by her toddler’s distress and behavior changes. Others seek advice on newborn sleep training and resisting...

info_outline MFP 341: Unleash the Holy Spirit in Your Family w/ Dr. Sean and Nicole Tobin from Encounter Ministries show art MFP 341: Unleash the Holy Spirit in Your Family w/ Dr. Sean and Nicole Tobin from Encounter Ministries

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“What do we feel is the first and last need of the Church? …the Spirit, the Holy Spirit…. He is her divine breath, the wind in her sails, the principle of her unity, the inner source of her light and strength.” - St. Paul VI Summary We can’t wait for you to hear this podcast!  The week before Pentecost, we did a webinar with Dr. Sean and Nicole Tobin, a Catholic couple passionate about helping families live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sean is a clinical psychologist, worship leader, and co-founder of the Divine Mercy Clinic and Nicole holds a master’s in Theology and...

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Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“We need to give God room to show up. Often we try to fix and solve everything without waiting for God to act” - Jonathan and Amanda Texiera   Summary The number one conflict in marriages, statistically, is money.  How we spend our money reflects our values, but also our belief in the providence of God.  Do we truly believe that God cares about all of our life, including our financial needs?  How much are we truly trusting in Him and His provision and not just giving in to panic and fear?  In this podcast, we invited our friends Jonathan and Amanda Texiera of...

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A husband and wife may disagree on many things, but they must absolutely agree on this: to never, ever give up.

 

Summary

When we did our listener survey, you asked for interviews of regular families who have raised children through to adulthood with grace and courage.  Well, we have a treat for you!  A few years ago we met Brian and Joanna Simpson of London ONT who have run the Family Foundations Institute for the past 25  years.  They also have 9 children and over 35 grandchildren and they are a witness to the goodness of God despite difficulty and heartache.  In this episode, they tell some of their story, but also give wisdom to young families on what should be the most important things in your home and how to create a home focused on God and loving each other.  We really enjoyed our time with them and we know you will too!  



Key Takeaways

  • Forgiveness in the family is key - modeling it for the children with them and with your spouse. 

  • The husband as the head of the household is the one who carries the responsibility in the family, not only authority. 

  • Wise spouses realize that the best decisions are done together in unity. 

  • When tragedy and suffering happens in the family, as it inevitably will, God can still be present and make something truly beautiful out of it when we trust Him. 

  • Personal prayer and trust in God’s love for you is key to building a family of faith and prayer.  

  • When our conflict stays in the dark, the Evil One has more power. It is best to be honest and vulnerable, even if you don’t do it perfectly, because then you can work to actively build unity.  

 

Couple Discussion Questions

  • What things are important to us in our household and how are we communicating that?  

  • How do we support each other in our roles as husband and wife/mom and dad in the family? 

 

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