Persistence in Prayer with Kylie Hein

#139 Unity Doesn’t Mean Sameness: Identity, Belonging, and the Catholic Faith with Angela Costley

Send us a textMany Catholics carry an unspoken assumption that belonging in the Church means setting parts of yourself aside — your background, culture, or story — in order to “fit.”But the Catholic faith has never been about sameness.In this episode of Persistence in Prayer, Kylie is joined by Angela Costley, a Hebrew Catholic theologian and contributor to From Sinai to Rome, to explore what it means to live fully Catholic without erasing one’s Jewish identity — and why this matters for the whole Church.Together, they discuss:What it means to be a Hebrew Catholic (and why the term matters)How Jewish identity and Catholic faith are not in competition, but deeply connectedWhy unity in the Church does not require uniformityHow honoring personal and cultural identity can actually deepen faith and prayerWhat this teaches all Catholics about belonging, continuity, and communionThis conversation isn’t just about Hebrew Catholics — it’s about the broader truth that God works through real people, real histories, and real cultures to build one Body.If you’ve ever wondered where your own story fits in the life of the Church, this episode offers clarity, depth, and a wider vision of unity.Purchase From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic ChurchIf Persistence in Prayer has supported you in your faith, helped you make space for prayer, or brought clarity in a busy season, please consider supporting the show. Your donations help cover production costs and allow this podcast to remain accessible to women who need it. You can support the show by clicking HERE. Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying with me.Connect with KylieBook a free Confidence and Clarity Call HERE or email info@kyliemhein.com https://www.kyliemhein.comOn IG @kyliemheinSupport the show

#138 Why Did I Say Yes? People-Pleasing, Boundaries, and Why It’s So Hard to Say No with Samantha Stefaniak

Send us a textOkay—be honest. Have you ever said yes… and then immediately regretted it? Now you’re stuck, overwhelmed, and replaying the whole thing in your head: What are they going to think if I back out? What if I don’t show up and do it well?In this episode, I’m joined by Samantha Stefaniak, a licensed Catholic therapist, coach, and convert (and the founder of Rooted Soul, Grounded Mind). We talk about what’s actually underneath people-pleasing—why “being nice” can quietly turn into losing yourself—and how to start practicing the kind of pause that leads to real discernment.We also unpack emotions (without making them the boss of you): what they’re trying to tell you, how to name what you’re actually feeling, and how to stop the rumination when you’re convinced everyone is judging you.You’ll walk away with:a simple way to pause before you auto-yes (and what to say instead)why the fear under people-pleasing is often fear of rejection (and what to do with that)how to use emotions as information—without letting them run your decisionsa practical tool to stop the “they think I’m annoying / irresponsible / not enough” replaySamantha also shares details about the Holy “No” Summit (Jan 30–Feb 1, 2026), a free virtual event to help Catholic women stop people-pleasing and start saying yes to God and their real responsibilities.GET YOUR FREE TICKETGET THE ALL ACCESS PASSRooted Soul, Grounded Mind - website is rootedsoulgroundedmind.com. Socials are @RootedSoulGroundedMind on Instagram and Facebook Connect with Samantha Stefaniakrootedsoulgroundedmind.comOn IG @RootedSoulGroundedMindOn FB @RootedSoulGroundedMindConnect with KylieBook a free Confidence and Clarity Call HERE or email info@kyliemhein.com https://www.kyliemhein.comOn IG @kyliemheinSupport the show

#137 Still Functioning Doesn’t Mean You’re Okay with Steven M. Bell

Send us a textHave you ever been in a season where everything looks fine on the outside—but inside you’re exhausted, unraveling, and quietly wondering how much longer you can hold it together?In this episode of Persistence in Prayer, I’m joined by Steven M. Bell, a Catholic convert, husband, and father, who shares his story of hidden addiction, control, and the slow unraveling that happens when we rely on performance instead of honesty. What makes this conversation so powerful isn’t shock value—it’s how familiar it feels.Steven’s story opens a larger conversation about what happens when we cope instead of heal, when we function instead of surrender, and when we assume God must be tired of hearing the same struggle again.This episode is for anyone who has ever:kept going because you can, even though something inside you knows it isn’t sustainabletried to manage pain quietly so no one else has to deal with itbelieved that if you were stronger, holier, or more disciplined, things wouldn’t be this hardwondered if God’s mercy really applies here—againYou’ll walk away with:language for struggles that stay hidden because you’re still functioningclarity on why trying harder doesn’t bring the freedom we’re actually longing forinsight into how control and coping can slowly replace trustreassurance that God’s mercy does not shame you or grow impatientencouragement to pray honestly—even when your words are messy or unfinishedIf you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve gone too far, prayed about the same thing too many times, or should be “past this by now,” this conversation is for you.Connect with Stephenhttp://www.stevenmbellmusic.com/Uncomfortable Truth: Faith, Failure, Redemption, One Hard Truth at a Time - Purchase HEREConnect with KylieBook a free Confidence and Clarity Call HERE or email info@kyliemhein.com https://www.kyliemhein.comOn IG @kyliemheinSupport the show

#136 Who Am I When I Stop Doing? Identity, Healing, and Receiving God’s Love with Sarah McKenzie

Send us a textMany faithful Catholic women know the right answers when it comes to identity—we can say “I’m a beloved daughter of God”—but living from that truth is another story.In this episode of Persistence in Prayer, Kylie sits down with therapeutic counselor and trauma specialist Sarah McKenzie for a rich, grounded conversation about identity, healing, and purpose. Together, they explore why so many women feel disconnected from who they are beneath their roles, how early wounds and lived experiences shape the way we receive love, and why healing is often less about “doing more” and more about learning how to receive.This conversation gently weaves together Catholic theology, psychology, prayer, and real-life experience to help you:See why knowing the right answers about identity doesn’t always translate into living with peaceNotice how past wounds and unspoken beliefs quietly shape your reactions, choices, and relationshipsUnderstand why healing unfolds over time—and why that doesn’t mean you’re stuck or doing it wrongShift out of constant “doing mode” and into a steadier way of relating to GodBegin asking “What am I here for?” without turning it into another problem to solveThis conversation explores how identity, healing, and daily choices are connected — especially for women who carry a lot and don’t have the luxury of checking out.Connect with Sarah McKenziehttps://www.mountainviewtherapy.ca/ Upcoming Free WorkshopWhy Am I Like This? Making Sense of My Emotions📅 January 12th at 6:00 PM Central (FREE) - REGISTER HEREConnect with KylieBook a free Confidence and Clarity Call HERE or email info@kyliemhein.com https://www.kyliemhein.comOn IG @kyliemheinSupport the show

#135 Time Is Life: Truth, Emotions, and Making Space for God with Heidi Bollich-Erne

Send us a textWhat if the way we move through our days—the pace we keep, the expectations we absorb, the way we fill our time—is quietly shaping our spiritual lives more than we realize?In this episode, I am joined by Thomistic philosopher and  Editor in Chief of The Better Part Journal, Heidi Bollich-Erne for a thoughtful, honest conversation about truth, emotions, freedom, and the way modern life affects our ability to hear God. We talk about why time is not money—time is life, and how that shift changes the way we approach prayer, relationships, parenting, grief, and discernment.Together, we explore:Why truth exists apart from our emotions—and why emotions still matterHow grief, suffering, and even rage can challenge faith without destroying itThe pressure to measure life by productivity, achievement, and appearancesSimple ways we can prepare for better prayer throughout our dayThe unseen mental and emotional load many women carryWhy forming good humans matters more than building impressive resumesHow quiet, limits, and intention prepare the soul to listenResources Mentioned Be sure to check out The Better Part: An Intellectual Catholic Women's Journal  www.thebetterpartjournal.com  Upcoming Free WorkshopWhy Am I Like This? Making Sense of My Emotions📅 January 12th at 6:00 PM Central (FREE) - REGISTER HERECoaching Gift Cards (Limited Time) - For those needing support during the holidays: $150 Coaching Gift Cards can be purchased HEREIncludes 3 private 1-hour sessionsAvailable through December 31stSessions can be used through June of 2026Connect with KylieBook a free Confidence and Clarity Call HERE or email info@kyliemhein.com https://www.kyliemhein.comOn IG @kyliemheinSupport the show