The Catholic Woman Podcast

She found God through wool… and it wasn’t just a “cool story.”
It changed how she sees purpose, work, and what God can do with your life when you finally offer Him what you have.
In this episode, Marie sits down with Holly Guertin, a contemporary fiber artist, Catholic convert, and mom of four, to talk about the unexpected way working with wool and the symbolism of the Good Shepherd led her into the Catholic Church.
If you’ve ever felt like your gifts don’t matter… or your work feels ordinary… this episode is for you.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Why Scripture uses sheep & shepherd imagery so often (and why it matters)

How wool became the doorway that led Holly to Catholicism

What it means to offer God “the work of your hands”

Why handmade beauty + imperfection reflect something deeply spiritual

How Holly balances motherhood, teaching, and creative work

Why your “small” gifts might actually be the thing God uses most

Connect with Holly:
Website + all links: https://hollyguertin.com
Email: [email protected]

The Catholic Woman:
Website: https://catholicwoman.co
Substack: https://substack.com/@thecatholicwoman
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheCatholicWomanPodcast
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DPVJzbp9b/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecatholicwomanpodcast/
Email: [email protected]

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors...
Mangio Arts - Handcrafted Catholic artwork designed to nourish the soul. Use code WOMANPODCAST15 for 15% off the entire shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MangioArtsStore
BRDY Candles: Non-toxic candles tied to Sacred Scripture. Use code CWP10 for 10% off your whole order. https://brdycandles.com/
Sacred Heart Mental Wellness - Empowering your mental wellness with easy to implement tools, strategies, and techniques. Use code CWP15 for 15% off the whole shop. http://sacredheartmentalwellness.com/
A BONUS OFFER FROM SACRED HEART MENTAL WELLNESS - Are you a parish, diocesan, conference or campus event organizer looking for a dynamic Catholic speaker? Here’s a bonus just for you. Mention this podcast when booking Catherine DiNuzzo for an event and receive $250 off the speaking fee - a thank-you for your leadership and for saying “yes” to the call to ministry. Let’s bring faith, clarity, and inspiration to your next event.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with one Catholic woman who needs the reminder that God uses your work.

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If you’ve ever looked at your prayer life and thought, “I’m failing at this,” this episode is for you. Shannon Wendt (founder of Chews Life and author of “The Way of the Rosary”) returns to share a raw, hope-filled testimony about suffering, motherhood, and how Mary doesn’t get in the way of Jesus, she leads us back to Him. 
We talk about the “Christmas card Mary” misconception, what to do when Lent feels overwhelming, and the simple shift that changes everything: you’ll never be “enough”… but you can be little enough.
In this episode, we discuss...
Shannon’s powerful story of loss, grief, and the slow return to prayer
What “signal graces” are and how Our Lady uses them to get our attention
The real Mary: not just polished and perfect, but road-weary and faithful at the foot of the Cross
Why Mary doesn’t replace Jesus… she brings you closer to Him
The difference between Mary’s “How?” and Zechariah’s “Can this even happen?”
What to do when Lent (or Advent) makes you feel overwhelmed and behind
Shannon’s breakthrough moment: “You will never be enough, but I am.”
The question that reframed everything: “Could you be little enough?”
How to pray the Rosary in real life when you’re interrupted nonstop (one Hail Mary at a time)
Connect with Shannon
Chews Life
Men’s brand
Book: The Way of the Rosary: A Journey with Mary Through Scripture, Literature, and Life (available on Choose Life, Ascension Press, Amazon — and coming to Audible)
Resources & Links
Subscribe to the show on YouTube
Join our Facebook group
Subscribe to our Substack for articles that extend the conversation beyond the podcast and ad-free episodes

A HUGE thank you to the sponsors who made this show possible…⁠⁠
Mangio Arts⁠⁠ ⁠– handcrafted Catholic artwork designed to nourish the soul. Use code WOMANPODCAST15 for 15% off the entire shop.
⁠Sacred Heart Mental Wellness⁠ – empowering your mental wellness with easy to implement tools, strategies, and techniques. Use code CWP15 for 15% off the whole shop. 
⁠Catholic Dress Co⁠ – Modest, feminine fashion for Catholic women. 

If this episode encouraged you, would you take 30 seconds to rate and review the Catholic Woman Podcast? And share it with a friend who’s feeling overwhelmed or discouraged in her prayer life. Your shares help more Catholic women find this show and feel less alone.

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We’re kicking off the 2026 season of The Catholic Woman Podcast with something many of us are craving right now: a true reset.
Not a “buy new bins and label everything” kind of reset, but a radical mindset shift that helps you declutter your home and your life so you can finally experience peace, clarity, and freedom to say yes to God in this new year.
In this first episode of 2026, I sit down with Catholic declutter coach and podcast host Gina Morton to talk about what decluttering really is (and what it’s not). This conversation goes far beyond stuff. It’s about removing the earthly clutter, physical, mental, and financial, that keeps us overwhelmed, distracted, and spiritually stuck.
If you’ve ever felt like your home is “too loud,” your mind feels cluttered, or you just want to start this year lighter… this episode is for you.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- Why decluttering starts with mindset, not organization
- The radical mental shifts that make decluttering finally stick
- How clutter blocks peace, prayer, and our ability to hear God
- The difference between extreme minimalism and a Catholic vision of beauty + order
- A simple, realistic decluttering process: Trash → Tidy → Declutter
- Where to start when you’re overwhelmed and don’t know what to tackle first
- Letting go of sentimental items with faith and trust in God’s provision
- How decluttering supports hospitality, community, and family life
- Why starting the new year lighter can change everything

Connect with Gina Morton:
Instagram
Facebook Group

Resources & Links:
Substack: Catch ad-free episodes plus reflections and articles from Marie
Our Website - https://catholicwoman.co

A HUGE thank you to the sponsors who made this show possible…⁠⁠
Mangio Arts⁠ ⁠– handcrafted Catholic artwork designed to nourish the soul. Use code WOMANPODCAST15 for 15% off the entire shop.
Sacred Heart Mental Wellness – empowering your mental wellness with easy to implement tools, strategies, and techniques. Use code CWP15 for 15% off the whole shop.
Catholic Dress Co – Modest, feminine fashion for Catholic women.

If this episode encouraged you, please consider:
- Subscribing to the show and leaving a 5 star review
- Writing a review on Apple Podcasts
- Sharing this episode with a friend who’s starting 2026 feeling overwhelmed

Your support helps this show reach more Catholic women who are longing for peace, clarity, and purpose.Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026.
May this be the year you clear space, not just in your home, but in your heart, to say yes to God more freely than ever before.

In this special Christmas episode of The Catholic Woman Podcast, Marie shares the most beautiful Catholic Christmas traditions submitted by listeners; traditions that keep Christ at the center while still embracing joy, wonder, and family life.
From St. Nicholas Day shoes and shepherd’s dinners to birthday cakes for Jesus and meaningful Advent practices, this episode is full of simple, faith-filled ideas you can bring into your own home.
Marie also reflects on her own childhood Christmas memories as the oldest of twelve and how her family blended faith, tradition, and a little Christmas magic in a way that shaped her heart for life.
Whether you’re raising young children or simply longing for a more intentional Christmas season, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the birth of Christ with deeper purpose.

In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why Catholic Christmas traditions matter more than ever

Marie’s favorite childhood Christmas memories and family rituals

How Catholic families keep Christ at the center of Christmas

St. Nicholas Day shoes, Advent traditions, and Epiphany gifts

Shepherd’s dinners and immersing yourself in the Nativity story

Simple ways to create meaningful traditions without pressure

Listener-submitted traditions that are heartfelt, creative, and faith-filled

Encouragement to start small and let traditions grow with your family

Resources & Links
NEW! Listen ad free on Substack!⁠
Join The Catholic Woman Facebook Group⁠
⁠Watch the show on YouTube⁠ for full video episodes + clips
Visit our website! https://catholicwoman.co

A HUGE thank you to the sponsors who made this show possible…
⁠Mangio Arts⁠ – handcrafted Catholic artwork designed to nourish the soul. Use code WOMANPODCAST15 for 15% off the entire shop.
⁠BOMA USA (Billings Ovulation Method)⁠ – helping women understand their fertility with confidence through a simple, science-based, natural method. Use code Catholic5 for their one time $50 class, or Catholic20 for a discount on their full course!

If this episode encouraged you, please take a minute to…
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⁠rating and review on Apple
⁠Share this episode with a friend who wants to keep Christ at the center of Christmas
Pray for another Catholic woman who may need encouragement this season
Your reviews, prayers, and shares help this show reach more women who are trying to follow Jesus! Thank you so much!

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In this episode, Marie sits down with Amanda Teixeira, co-founder of WalletWin, to talk honestly about money, debt, and what financial discipleship looks like as a Catholic. Amanda shares the very real story of a huge money fight on her honeymoon, how she and her husband Jonathan paid off $25,000 of debt on a $35,000 income, and why they now help Catholics steward their money without anxiety or shame. They dive into credit cards, student loans, the wild housing market, and how to trust God’s providence when the numbers just don’t seem to work. If you’re heading into the holidays or a new year feeling financial stress, this conversation will give you both practical steps and real hope.
In this episode, we discuss:
How a surprise credit card bill on their honeymoon became the turning point in Amanda and Jonathan’s financial story

Why they started WalletWin and what “financial discipleship” actually means for Catholics

The WalletWin Method: four financial phases and 12 money milestones to help you know your exact next step

Why so many Catholics feel stuck in debt and how the “stack and attack” method can help you pay it off faster

A nuanced Catholic take on credit cards, rewards, and why “free points” usually aren’t free

The realities of today’s housing market, why home ownership feels out of reach for so many young families, and creative alternatives (RVs, house-hacking, sharing spaces, relocating, etc.)

A frank conversation about student loans, Catholic colleges, and why Amanda encourages leaving no stone unturned before borrowing

How to handle financial stress as a Catholic: surrender, prudence, and refusing to let money block your “yes” to God

Saints you can turn to for help with money: St. Zélie Martin, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Anthony, St. Matthew, and Our Lady Undoer of Knots

Two powerful stories of God’s providence in Amanda’s life including an adoption miracle and the wild “three goldfish crackers” story

Connect with Amanda
Website: WalletWin

Instagram: @walletwin

Podcast: The Catholic Money Show

Resources & Links
From Amanda & WalletWin
Free training & resources: The Catholic Guide to Budgeting

The Catholic Woman Podcast
Join The Catholic Woman Facebook Group

Watch the show on YouTube – full video episodes + clips

Visit: catholicwoman.co

A HUGE thank you to the sponsors who made this show possible…
White Lily Weddings – the one-stop Catholic wedding shop

Mangio Arts – use code WOMANPODCAST15 for 15% off the entire shop

Holly Guertin – fiber artist and textile designer @hollyguertinart on Instagram.

If this episode encouraged you, please take a minute to...
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review on Apple

Share this episode with a friend who’s stressed about money

Pray for another Catholic woman who might need this reminder that God truly provides

Your reviews and shares help this show reach more women who are trying to follow Jesus in a very real, very expensive world. 

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