The SundayMonday Show

We hear so often to remember and rest in the promises of God… but what exactly are those promises? In today’s episode, I’m sharing seven promises of God for us all to receive into our hearts. He is good, His plans are good, and He will never be outdone in generosity!

I am SO stoked to have the incredible Molly Franzonello on the podcast this week talking all things women's health. Molly is currently in midwifery school and she has so much wisdom to share with us about how incredible our bodies are as women. She also shares quite a few resources, which I've linked below. Enjoy!

As we enter more deeply into Lent, let’s reflect on our idols together. One way to do this is to ask ourselves:

Jesus + _____ = happiness

What is it, beyond Jesus, that I look to for my fulfillment, my satisfaction, and my happiness? In this episode, I’ll talk a bit about our shallow and deep idols, and how we can invite God in to help us release those in order to love Him more fully.

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Resources:

Psalm 16

Today I have the incredible Clara Johsens on the show! We talk about the story behind her handmade jewelry business (truly the most beautiful earrings ever!) and how she pursues her creative passion on top of a full-time job. We also talk about the diagnosis she received about a year ago, and how to best support people as they walk through suffering and tough situations. It’s always a delight to chat with Clara and I’m so excited to share this conversation with you!

How do you react when your plans go awry? As an avid planner myself, I've long struggled to make and hold my plans with "open hands." But God invites us to trust in Him, and that includes trusting in Him when our plans get #wrecked. The key to this trust? Moving forward, one step at a time. In today's episode, I share three practical ways I strive to take one step at a time, especially in seasons of uncertainty!

Book Recommendation: Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe

One of my very favorite people is on this week and I'm SO excited to share her and her wisdom with you! Alison is the founder of Elevate Etiquette, and she loves sharing tips and tricks to help everyone feel more confident, polished, and gracious. In this episode, we talk about the common pitfalls of heading home for the holidays, how to be gracious and kind while maintaining boundaries, how to answer those tricky (sometimes painful!) questions about our state in life, and so much more! She also offers fabulous advice about becoming a better host (and she's the best party planner I know!) I'm so excited for you to hear from her today. 

I am SO stoked about this conversation, and to share Veronica and her joy with you! We talk all about Veronica's company, the Catholic clothing line Litany, and her journey to becoming a successful fashion designer. The origin story of Litany is fascinating (Veronica's co-founder is now a Dominican sister!) and I loved hearing about how intentional the design and development process is. We also talked about sustainable fashion, buying "better and less," and how we can share our faith through our wardrobe. It's a great conversation and I hope you enjoy!

Many of us have heard the phrase "sanctify your work" a million times - but what does that even mean? How are we supposed to live our faith through our work, especially if we're not working in a direct-mission organization?

We are called to pursue holiness in the here and now, and for many of us, the here and now includes a whole lot of work. Whether you're in the corporate world, a student, raising kids, or working for the church, we all need a little encouragement to truly work for God and not for man. In this episode, I'll explore the true meaning of sanctifying our work and share five super tactical ways that we can all grow in holiness together, no matter the work God is calling us to today.

We've all been there - we've all experienced those awful days we feel grumpy, irritable, tired, and frustrated. Bad days seem to just get worse and worst until finally, we find a way to shake our attitude. I had one of those days this weekend, and in this episode, I'm sharing the six steps I took to turn that frown upside down. 

This week's episode in our "Battle Plan" series is all about the battle of prayer. Enjoy!

Book Recommendations:

I find it so fitting that our fiftieth episode of the podcast is one of my favorite topics: spiritual attack! This quick episode covers how to identify spiritual attack, weapons for fighting back, and resources that have helped me in my own journey of experiencing and fighting against spiritual attack.

Resources:

I'm SO excited to introduce you to my dear friend Katie on this week's podcast! Katie and I became friends this past fall after moving to NYC around the same time, and she's been one of the greatest gifts the big apple has offered me! Katie is wise, generous, funny, and so smart, and her story of discerning God's call on her life and her courage to move to NYC is pretty amazing. 

I'm so sorry for the whistling of the radiator (especially at the beginning of the episode) but I promise it eventually subsides AND it's an effort to make this a truly authentic NYC experience ;) 

Resrouces referenced within:

I think the title says it all, but this is a quick little episode here to remind you that you have permission to take a break.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted – you are NOT alone! This episode is for you, to offer some super practical tips to deal with any stress or overwhelm you're facing today.

Enjoy!

About The SundayMonday:

My dream podcast guest is here and I’m over the moon!!

Claire Swinarski is a woman of many talents – an author, a podcaster, a writer, a mother, a missionary – and her brainchild, The Catholic Feminist, is one of my very favorite podcasts (and now newsletters!) ever.

Since retiring the podcast late last year, Claire has been publishing some amazing newsletters on her sub-stack “Letters from a Catholic Feminist” (linked below), as well as publishing multiple middle grade books. Oh, and she also had her third baby.

I’m so inspired by her, and I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed recording it!

About Claire Swinarski:

Claire Swinarski is the author of multiple books, including What Happens Next and The Kate In Between. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where they read a lot of books and bake a lot of bread. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.

It's episode 40 (wow) and we're here with a question and answer episode! Thanks for submitting your questions this week – if you have a topic for me to cover on the next one, email janekennedy@thesundaymonday.co!

(1:18) I keep falling into the same sins, and I want freedom from that. I’ve been to confession, read books, and I’m still struggling. 

(3:36) What are your best tips for salary negotiations?

(6:00) I want to have a better relationship with social media, but nothing is working. I’ve tried unfollowing people and setting limits but I always ignore them. 

(8:24) How can I discover my vocation? 

(9:31) How is school going? 

(10:53) Coming out of quarantine I want to do new things but I just hate failing. What is your advice for getting over that fear of failure? 

About The SundayMonday:

Your resident chill girls are back with an episode all about joy, fun, play, and not taking things too seriously!! In this episode, we share how we find joy in daily life, our suggestions for bringing play into our work, how having fun is actually a way to be more productive, and how Jesus wants and encourages our joy! 

Bridget is one of the best people I know, and her radical faith and trust in God is contagious. I had to have her on to talk about all sorts of things – and her wisdom about developing a relationship with God, showing up authentically wherever He calls us, and navigating transitions with peace and purpose is all SO good. I hope this episode leaves you as encouraged to drop everything and meet up with God as it did for me! Enjoy!

About The SundayMonday:

I am SO excited about this episode!

I was first exposed to Heather and her work in 2017, and over the past few years, she has played a major role in some of the most stressful/exciting moments of my life: from competing at Miss California to taking the GMAT and applying to business school! Her coaching has helped me develop a confident self image that has served me in my faith, work, and life, and I can’t wait for you to get to know her.

In this episode, we talk about the three most important steps of developing mental strength: 1) Controlling our thoughts, 2) Building Skills, and 3) Developing our Self Image. Heather talks about ways that we as young women can make this process harder on ourselves, and offers solutions for how to address our mental roadblocks. We also talk about comparison and competition, and how celebrating the skills and talents of others actually helps boost our own confidence.

You don’t want to miss this one!!

In today's episode, you'll get to hear from one of the most beautiful and holy people I know – Jacelyn Vo! Jace and I went to UCSB together, and since graduating her life has been a grand adventure! I can't wait for you to hear how the Lord has worked in her life and how she has been courageous in pursuit of Him. Enjoy!!

About Jacelyn Vo:

Jacelyn is a full time first grade teacher at Brilla College Prep Elementary located in the South Bronx, a place she finds full of life, culture, and the presence of God. After graduating from the University of California Santa Barbara, she found herself desiring to grow deeper in her faith and chose to move across the country for a job that has formed her beyond expectations. She believes that inviting God into her daily discernments has given her interior freedom and a deeper meaning of work.

We’re getting a bit vulnerable on the podcast today and talking about heartbreak.

I’m not sure what’s going around, but it seems like a lot of people I love dearly are in the throes of disappointment, broken expectations, and heartbreak. It’s so hard to see this in lives of my friends, so I’m jumping on for an unscripted chat and prayer session (starting at about 13:30).

The Lord meets us in our disappointment, in our hurt, in our broken expectations. He LOVES us. He also doesn’t want us to stay there. The Lord brings us dreams, planted in our hearts, to encourage us to trust in Him more deeply and more completely.

If you’re going through it, know that you’re not alone. I pray that this episode gives you hope that your story is just beginning!

About The SundayMonday:

I'm so SO excited to finally share this conversation I had with Tolu a few weeks ago. She is an incredible doctor, an accomplished academic, and so in love with Jesus it's contagious. We talked about all sorts of things, from her journey into medicine, her interest and research into Sickle Cell Disease. Tolu shares how her faith impacts her work, and shares a story that gave me serious goosebumps.

Whether you work in medicine or not, Tolu's witness is inspiring for anyone seeking to offer their work to God. I know I'll come back to this conversation again and again to gain more wisdom! Enjoy!

About Dr. Tolulope Rosanwo

Tolu is a current resident in Pediatrics in Boston, MA. Her keen interest in sickle cell disease is greatly owed to having many loved ones living with SCD. She has been a patient-advocate developing a mentoring program for chronically transfused children with SCD and medical students at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (where she studied) and has written an opinion piece on the need for anti-racism in the care of patients with SCD.

Tolu is also a scientist and studies the normal and disordered development of red blood cells and investigates how a patients own cells can be used for cures of their own blood diseases using gene therapy. She has received numerous awards for her research and has presented her work on three continents, published her findings and wrote a textbook chapter on the critical care of patients with SCD.

Medicine has been her calling and she looks to Jesus Christ as the Great Physician as her number one example of how to practice medicine.

About The SundayMonday

Are you my mentor?

Mentorship is a buzzy concept – especially around young professionals – but what the heck is a mentor, and how do I find one?

In this episode, I dive into the definitions of mentors and mentorship, share my experiences with my own board of directors, talk about the differences between a mentor and a company sponsor, and share red flags and green lights to look for when discerning a mentor.

Then I jump into how to find a mentor – where to look, what to say, and how to cultivate a relationship.

If you’ve ever wondered how to develop mentorship relationships, this is the episode for you!

Two announcements:

"Every expression of true beauty can be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus." Pope Francis

Beauty captivates – and beauty transforms. We cannot help but be drawn in by the true, the good, and the beautiful. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with singer-songwriter Marie Miller, whose beautiful music is doing just that! 

During our conversation, Marie tells the story of how she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in performing, and what it looks like to be a professional musician – before, during and after the craziness of the COVID pandemic! She also shares how she handles the pressures of a competitive and comparative industry, and how her faith has made her a better artist. We talk about social media use, discerning our gifts, and embracing the places God is calling us. Finally, Marie reveals the importance of pursuing excellent art, and how as believers we should seek out, celebrate, and support artists! Once you're done with the episode, head over to Marie's Spotify page and add her music to your queue if it's not there already. I'm so grateful for Marie's time, wisdom, and joy! Enjoy the episode!

About Marie Miller:

Marie Miller is a singer/songwriter and mandolin player from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.

What's the best way to live our faith in the world? How do we bring our authentic selves to work, when it feels vulnerable to do?

In this episode, Kara shares her experience working as a broadcast journalist and sharing stories for a living. We discuss the importance of using our gifts to serve society and the kingdom, living our faith when it feels challenging to do so in a professional environment, and how to balance faith and work. Kara is an absolute hoot and this conversation is filled with gems! I hope it leaves you inspired to go out and live boldly, following in Kara's example!

About Kara Dixon:

Kara Dixon is a TV reporter based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Kara's mission in life is to bring awareness to the beauty and diversity of the world through her stories. When she's not reporting, stockpiling books for her library, or belting out her favorite Hamilton show tunes at karaoke, you can find Kara volunteering in different ministries at her church. You can follow her on Instagram @Karadixontv or on Twitter @karawavy.

About The SundayMonday:

Today I am honored to have one of my oldest and dearest friends: superstar engineer and Carondelet High School Class of 2013 Salutatorian, Laura Bobich, on the podcast!

Laura shares her journey from her first job at a toys and games store to her current role as a structural engineer. She talks about what drew her to engineering and what her experience is like now as a woman in the male-dominated field. Laura also shares what she learned from her first job, and how that tough experience led her to a role that's far more fulfilling but different than what she originally thought she'd enjoy out of school.

It's an episode FULL of wisdom and I'm so excited for you to enjoy Laura's joy, wit, and wisdom! 

About The SundayMonday:

Today I'm joined again by my friend, Erica Carnohan, as we discuss some of our favorite topics: body image, intuitive eating, and self care!

In this episode, Erica and I share our personal journeys and  struggles with our bodies, food, and exercise. We talk about the culture that we live in and how health and wellness has become distorted from the truth of how God created us: unique, beautiful, and strong. After long struggles to embrace this truth, we both came to Intuitive Eating over the past few years, and have found unbelievable freedom, healing, and peace in the process. If you're struggling with your body, food, and/or exercise, we hope that our stories might offer hope that there is freedom on the other side, and that wants so much more for you!

*Disclaimer* We are NOT registered dietitians, doctors, or medical professionals. The advice shared within is simply from our own experiences. This should not be used as a replacement for professional medical advice, which we both recommend if you're struggling with food, exercise, and your body.

This episode is part two of our episode answering questions sent in by graduating seniors! I’m joined by Lauren Niesen and Caroline Rose Owens to jump into even more awesome topics. In this part, we discuss all sorts of questions including:

Today my incredible grandmother, Mary Ellen Judson aka Nomi, is on the podcast! We talk about everything: her 50+ year marriage, her beloved three children and nine grandchildren, her amazing "sister the Sister," and how she's shared her God-given gifts at different stages of her life. Nomi is often my first call when I need advice, and I'm over the moon to share her with you all today! 

Enjoy!

About The SundayMonday:

Today we welcome Missy Brassie to the FOCUS Fridays series!

This episode is contagiously joyful, and both Elli and I gained so much from Missy’s courage, faith, and trust. Missy shares how the cultural virtues of FOCUS have continued to serve her in her professional career: Personal excellence, joyful sacrifice, and vital unity. It’s a great episode, and Missy has so much to share about her journey into the secular workforce after a career with FOCUS!

Missy Brassie is a Phoenix-based thirty-something who was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She originally studied theater in college but after a profound encounter with Jesus Christ on a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia, Missy embarked on a different path. She spent over a decade working in ministry, including seven years as a full-time missionary with FOCUS. She has also had numerous professional endeavors along the way, from administrative work at an environmental engineering firm to a short stint as a Venue and Events Manager for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She is currently working in Corporate Learning for Harvard Business Publishing, a Boston-based organization that delivers leadership development programs to major corporations around the world. She and her fiancé, Jeff, are getting married later this year, and they are united by their love of God and baseball.

About The SundayMonday:

Wow, can you believe we’re already at episode 20?! I am so grateful to everyone who has been listening and also to my wonderful friends who said yes to joining me on the show! If you’ve missed any of the past episodes, I encourage you to go back and listen now.

To celebrate 20 episodes, I thought it would be fun to do a Q&A about The SundayMonday and faith/work/life! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions through Instagram, Facebook, and the email list. I had a great time answering these questions, so let me know if you want more episodes like this in the future! Enjoy :)

PODCAST Q&A

1:40 – Do you have a WFH routine - Nicole

Our first guest on the FOCUS Fridays series is Greg Schmidt!

Greg is the Director of Development for the Capuchin Friars in the Western America Province. He funds the work of the 42 friars that serve schools, parishes, and the poor in California and Northern México. An avid golfer, Greg lives with his wife Elli in sunny Santa Barbara, California.

In this episode, Greg shares how he received the call to FOCUS, reminisces on his great experiences on staff, and shares how he initially deleted the email that eventually led him to his current role with the Capuchin Friars! We love Greg (In fact, Elli loves him so much that she married him!) and we know you'll love him too. 

About The SundayMonday:

“I have an image of God to bear this week, and not an image of myself to build.”

My incredible friend, Jacquelyn Clark, is on the podcast today, and we’re talking about all sorts of things! Jacquelyn is a second year (2L) at the George Washington University School of Law, where she’s learning how to balance her faith, work, and life like a superstar every day! We talk about her journey to law school, what it’s like to find balance in her crazy schedule, and how her contagious joy has affected her classmates and professors. Jacquelyn also shares her experience of biking from Texas to Alaska (!!) during the summer after her senior year of college at UT Austin in the Texas4000, which raises money for cancer research. Finally, Jacquelyn drops the wisdom of her amazing sabbath practice. She inspires me, and I know she’ll inspire you too!

About Jacquelyn:

Jacquelyn is a native Texan and went to undergrad at the University of Texas. She currently lives in DC where she is studying law and a member of her school’s Moot Court Team. This summer she’ll be clerking for the City of Austin fulfilling a dream of hers to work as a public servant. In her free time, she enjoys walking her cat, watching Audrey Hepburn movies, and making her friends take the Enneagram personality test.

About The SundayMonday:

In a world obsessed with identity, achievement, and prestige, moving on from something that we've held as our identity is hard. 

After spending her childhood dancing, Kelly found herself on the biggest of stages as a professional dancer for the NFL. But after achieving such an incredible milestone, Kelly found herself asking, "Is this what God is asking of me?" Her journey through a transition out of a lifetime of competitive dance is so beautiful, and I know her story will increase your trust and hope in God and His perfect plan. Since I'm also going through a period of transition out of something that has meant so much to me over the past seven years, we talk about what it's like to be in the midst of transition and how we've experienced God's love in it all.

Whether you're in the midst of a transition or preparing for something new, this episode is for you. 

What's the point of Young Adult Groups? Will I be welcomed? Isn't YAG just a place to husband hunt? 

Buckle up folks, because we're tackling these questions (and more) in today's episode.

If you've ever been in a Young Adult Group, or have an interest in joining, this podcast breaks down the best ways to plug in, find your people, and create a community of people who will call you higher and help you grow. Joining me is my friend, Kendra, who I met in a San Francisco Young Adult Group! Kendra shares her experiences in YAG programs in Minnesota and SF, offers advice for people who are looking to explore the world of YAG, and tells the story of how she (unexpectedly) met her husband in a YAG. It's a good one!

About Kendra Diaz:

Kendra studied business at the University of Minnesota and works in Brand Management in San Francisco.

She learned the power of a Young Adult Group in Minnesota, where she deepened her faith with the help of her peers. She later moved to San Francisco and found community in a thriving young adult group in the city. She soon joined their leadership team and created a hospitality role to make San Francisco a little more welcoming.

Kendra is a newlywed who mastered the covid wedding, and has recently been enjoying cooking, virtual game nights and time with her husband.

About The SundayMonday:

What does it look like to live a life of order? What habits, routines, and disciplines can we implement to live a full, bold, and courageous life, with clear priorities and vision? My guest today is a fount of wisdom when it comes to this very topic, and I'm so thrilled to share her with you today!

On this episode, Mary Ellen shares her "Olympian" mentality, how she's made space for silence, the habits that have had the biggest impact on her life, and why a life of order isn't boring. I know this episode is going to jazz you up and can't wait to put her advice into action in my own life!

About Mary Ellen Yep:

As a native Chicagoan, Mary Ellen was instilled with a passion for helping people at an incredibly young age. A daughter of an avid fisherman, business owner and Rotarian, Mary Ellen spent every summer volunteering and helping to coordinate events and benefits. She began her professional career working several years in the pharmacy and as a medical professional in healthcare. Mary Ellen's passion for health and wellness motivated her to attain her master’s in applied nutrition from the University of New England and is a certified life coach. An avid blogger and food enthusiast, Mary Ellen educates others on how to create a healthier rhythm of life. As Program Director for Yuma Center, Mary Ellen oversees all events for the professional development of women. She resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, daughter, and German Shepherd named Lottie.

About The SundayMonday:

On this minisode, we're tackling uncertainty. Uncertainty is a fact of life – we are simply not in control. How do we marry our uncertainty with our faith? Is it wrong to face doubt and anxiety about the future? Today, I'm talking all about how we can face uncertainty by bringing our fear and worry into the light! I'm sharing two actionable responses to uncertainty, as well as scripture and my absolute favorite prayer to whip out when things get shaky.

Give this episode a listen, save it for the future, and share with a friend! Have a request for a future minisode? Send me an email at janekennedy@thesundaymonday.co or DM us on Instagram at the link below!

Today I’m welcoming Emily St. Paul to the podcast! Emily works for Christ in the City, and has spent the past year and a half working closely with the poor and loving those who she meets on the streets.

In this episode, Emily shares her journey to becoming a Christ in the City missionary, offers insight into how we can best love those we encounter in our daily lives, and shares some of the stories and lessons she’ll take away from her time as a missionary.

We are called to “know, love, and serve” the poor, and my hope is that this episode leaves you feeling encouraged and inspired to do just that!

About Christ in the City:

The brilliant and beautiful Schyler Smith is here today to talk all about embracing motherhood and mission in the workplace!

Schyler spent the past seven years working for FOCUS, but she's starting a new adventure as a real estate agent in sunny Santa Barbara! Schyler shares her discernment process, how she tackled the transition from mission-centric work to mission-inspired work, and how she fights lies about her value as a working wife and mother. I promise she'll leave you feeling so excited and encouraged to follow the path God places in front of us! 

About Schyler Smith:

Schyler Smith is a Southern California Valley girl born and raised. Growing up in Studio City, Schyler was enveloped in the entertainment world from a young age. Instead of following her father into acting she charted her own path. Upon graduating with a degree in Communications and Digital Media from the University of Colorado, Boulder (Go Buffs!), Schyler took a year to live and work in Denver before following the Lord's call to join FOCUS and become a missionary on the college campus. After serving 3 years at the University of California, Santa Barbara (Go Gauchos), Schyler then worked on the FOCUS Events team, planning FOCUS' annual SEEK and SLS conferences. After 7 years with FOCUS, Schyler is now a full time Realtor in beautiful Santa Barbara and when she's not helping people buy or sell homes you can find her at the beach with her husband Mike and two adorable kiddos.

Today, my girl Hayley is on the show to talk about keeping the faith in Hollywood! Her first feature film appearance is out tomorrow, in Netflix's Moxie, and she shares the crazy God moments that led to her featured role in the film. She also talks about her journey to acting and shares reflections on what it takes to pursue a big dream. Whether you have Walk of Fame aspirations or not, this is a podcast episode that will fire you up for whatever challenge you're getting ready to tackle next!

About Hayley Hunt:

Hayley Hunt is an actress living in Los Angeles with her dog, Benny the Jet Rodriguez. She’s a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, the current Miss Hollywood, and a student at Utah Valley University. Hayley is making her feature film debut as a featured extra in the movie Moxie, premiering March 3 on Netflix.

Does the idea of networking make you squirm? Do you envision awkward cocktail tables and quiet zoom happy hours? Well, we're here to bust those networking myths and offer ideas that could even make you look forward to building out your network!

Today, I have Sophie-Anne Baril on the show and we're tackling networking. Sophie-Anne shares her story, how she's found a lot of joy and success through developing her network, and her advice to early- and mid-career professionals who are looking to build out a bigger community or pivot into a new industry. Sophie's wisdom is priceless and I'm overjoyed to share her with you!

About Sophie-Anne:

Sophie spent part of her childhood in Haiti and later moved to the United States.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Nova Southeastern University and her graduate degree from The George Washington University in DC.  After working in the international development sector for a few years, she transitioned into working in the public sector as a federal employee in the international economics field.  Beyond her “9 to 5,” she enjoys curating her platform @thrivebeyond5, trying new recipes, and offering pro-bono consulting for her sister’s fashion line: Rielli.

About The SundayMonday:

In this Minisode, we're tackling a big topic: what are you doing with your life?

The question seems overwhelming, but we've all asked it of ourselves – and usually not in a kind, encouraging way ;) How can we approach this question through the lens of faith and take proactive steps to explore what we are called to do and who we are called to be? 

This episode offers three new questions and three actionable ways you can experience the joy, adventure, and purpose God has in store for your life!

About The SundayMonday:

Happy Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras!! If you're listening on the day we release this, tomorrow kicks off the liturgical season of Lent, forty days during which the Church is invited to pause, reflect, and offer praise, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for our Lord's passion and resurrection. If you're like me, you might not quite know what you're giving up yet. But good news! Today's podcast is all about how we can discern and decide how God desires to grow closer to us this season.

My guest today is one of my very best friends, Erica Carnohan! In this episode, Erica explores how the harder thing isn't always the holier thing, offers questions to reflect on as we select a fast, and shares encouragement for how we can check the true intentions behind our fasts. We also talk about Harry Potter and cold showers, so you're getting a little bit of everything. Finally, Erica poses a challenge for all of us as we enter into this season!

Erica is a San Diego native, a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, and a former missionary for FOCUS. She recently launched her own web design and copywriting business, Seedling Site Shop, where she helps purpose-driven brands craft their message and online presence. She currently lives in Southern California with her four pet chickens.

Here's to a fruitful and prayerful Lent – I hope this episode helps you prepare and enjoy this season!

Links from this episode:

This week, my guest is the inimitable Julie Larkin!

This episode is all about creating community! Let’s be real: it’s hard to make friends as an adult. So I went to my resident friendship expert, Mad Stoll, to get all the details on how she builds such incredible community no matter where she goes (4 moves in 4 years!).

Mad is a former travel nurse and current burn unit nurse who now calls Austin home. In this episode, she shares helpful and practical tips for introverts and extroverts alike, and we talk about the importance of showing up as we are to ensure others feel comfortable to do the same. We discuss the value “friend dates” and why it’s important to find diverse friends, even if it’s harder to venture out of our more comfortable circles. We even confront the discomfort of silence, how to discern if we’re filling up all the space with noise and how to combat that impulse.

Mad is so wise and generous and no matter your stage in life (or how many friends you have) there’s something beautiful to gain from this episode!

Welcome to the SundayMonday Show! I'm so happy to have you here as we launch the official podcast of the SundayMonday Community.

This episode is an introduction to Jane and The SundayMonday, and a quick sneak peek of what's in store for this podcast!