Catholic Moms in the Middle

#155 Rocky Soil and Rotten Fruit

This week, I’m back in the garden—literally and spiritually. What started as a fun project to tidy up my yard and grow a few vegetables turned into a rich space for God to teach me deep truths about my heart, my faith, and the way I live. As I worked with my hands in the dirt, pulling weeds and planting seeds, I began to notice how God was using every little task—especially the frustrating ones—to speak to my soul. In this episode, I share the story of my tomato plants that looked beautiful above ground, but below the surface, they were struggling. The soil was rocky, and the roots couldn’t go deep. It reminded me so vividly of Jesus' parable in Matthew 13—the seed sown on rocky ground that springs up quickly but withers just as fast because it has no root. I began to ask: Where in my own life do I appear to be thriving, but deep down I’m dry, overextended, or disconnected from God? And more importantly, how many of us are trying to produce fruit without first tending to the soil of our hearts? Throughout the episode, I talk about the ways we all try to "fake the fruit": smiling at church while feeling spiritually empty, saying yes out of guilt or performance, trying to be the perfect Catholic mom or wife while burying our own pain. I’ve done it. I’ve coached women through it. And I know how exhausting it can be. We explore the four anchors that help us cultivate good, deep spiritual soil: 🕊️ Silence ✝️ Sacraments 💔 Suffering 🤲 Surrender These aren’t glamorous. They don’t always feel productive. But this is where God does His most beautiful work. When we allow Him into our hidden, rocky places—into the pain, the dryness, the places we’d rather keep covered—He begins to till the soil. He prepares us to grow fruit that isn’t just impressive, but lasting and life-giving. I also talk about how to recognize rotten fruit in our lives: the habits, actions, or even ministry roles that look holy but aren’t bearing real joy, peace, or love. And I remind you (and myself!) that God doesn’t just want us to be busy. He wants us to be rooted. So if you’re feeling worn out, spiritually dry, or unsure whether the fruit of your life is real or just for show—this episode is for you. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose. A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives. Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.

#154 Lessons From My Yard

Over the past six months, I’ve spent a lot of time working in my yard—not because it’s beautiful or easy to care for, but because it’s where God unexpectedly met me. Between the weeds, the rocky soil, and a hose that never cooperates, I began to experience God as a gardener. What started as a to-do list to improve my yard became a sacred space for healing and connection with the Lord. I realized that working in the dirt became deeply spiritual. It taught me how God speaks through the most ordinary things—soil, sun, weeds, and even a leaky hose. One of the first powerful lessons I learned was about the garden hose. If there's a kink, the water won’t flow—just like our spiritual lives. We can be doing all the right things—going to Mass, praying, reading Scripture—but if we’re holding onto fear, shame, sin, resentment, or busyness, the grace of God can't flow through us fully. Leaks in the hose reminded me of trying to give to others while running on empty, leading to burnout, irritability, and emotional exhaustion. God used that leaky hose to show me that healing comes first—before we pour out to others, we must allow His grace to fill and restore us. Another lesson: not all weeds are ugly. Some look like good plants, even beautiful, but they choke out real growth. Spiritually, that means not everything that appears “good” is of God. I’ve had to discern what’s life-giving versus what’s distracting. Sometimes, good things—like serving in ministry or taking on new responsibilities—aren’t meant for this season. As midlife women navigating change, it’s vital to pause and ask: is this drawing me closer to Christ or pulling me away? By slowing down, praying, journaling, and inviting the Holy Spirit in, I’ve started to recognize the weeds I need to release in order to grow a more fruitful and grace-filled life. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose. A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives. Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.

#153 Formed in the Fire

In this week's episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, Jennie Guinn invites you to see your current struggles through a new lens—the lens of fire. But not a fire that destroys—a fire that purifies, transforms, and reignites your God-given purpose. Whether you’re walking through grief, facing the ache of an empty nest, struggling in your marriage, or simply feeling lost in midlife, Jennie reminds you that you are not being burnt out—you’re being lit up. With wisdom drawn from scripture, the Blessed Mother, and the lives of the saints, this episode is an invitation to see your pain not as a punishment, but as a sacred path toward holiness. Jennie shares insights from a recent morning of reflection where she explored how fire shows up in our lives—not just in the dramatic crises, but in the quiet ache of change, in unanswered prayers, and in the slow burn of transition. Drawing on her own experience and the stories of women she walks with in ministry, she gently guides you to reflect on how God might be using your fire to strip away what is false and fill you with what is holy. You'll also hear how the Blessed Mother walked through the fire with silent surrender and unwavering faith—and how she walks beside you, too. Through encouraging stories, journaling prompts, and spiritual practices, this episode will help you recognize the fire in your life, surrender it to God, and allow it to become the spark that ignites your light—and someone else’s. You were born to sparkle, not just survive. Let Jennie remind you that holiness is often forged in the heat, and that your small flame, lit by God, can shine brightly in a weary world. If you're longing for purpose, hope, and healing in the fire you're facing, this episode will speak directly to your heart. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

#152 The Fourth Quarter with Mona Overstreet

In this episode of Catholic Moms in the Middle, I sit down with my dear friend of 15 years, Mona Overstreet. Mona is a convert to the Catholic faith, and her story is one of incredible resilience, deep faith, and a heart fully surrendered to God. After caring for her adoptive mother for eight years and walking through tremendous personal loss and illness, Mona now lives in an assisted living facility where she sees her life as a mission field. She calls this season her “fourth quarter,” and she’s committed to using every moment to glorify God and bring others closer to Him. Mona shares how her suffering has shaped her—not as a burden, but as a path to holiness. From quieting the noise by removing distractions like TV to spending time in daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, Mona is intentional about hearing God’s voice and acting on it. She reminds us that even in weakness, pain, or isolation, God can use us powerfully. Whether she’s praying for strangers in the grocery store or sharing her faith with staff at her facility, Mona is a shining example of what it means to live your faith out loud. Her story is a beautiful witness to the strength that comes from Christ alone. If you’re walking through suffering, loss, or uncertainty, I pray that Mona’s words encourage you to keep talking to God, to stay rooted in the sacraments, and to trust that He is working—even when you can’t see it. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.

#151 Living Eternity-Minded: A Conversation with Fr. Wade Menezes

I had the honor of talking with Fr. Wade Menezes from the Fathers of Mercy, and let me tell you—it was rich, deep, and so full of truth. Fr. Wade shared his journey from dairy farming to the priesthood (a path I totally relate to!), and we dove into what people today are truly hungry for: a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Trinity. We talked about how life gets messy—hurt, sin, unforgiveness—and how God wants to take those roadblocks and turn them into stepping stones toward Him. One of the biggest takeaways was the power of living a sacramental life, especially through frequent Confession and Eucharist—the two sacraments we can receive over and over again. Fr. Wade reminded us that sanctifying grace actually helps us participate in God’s divine life and gives us strength to face the fire (whether it’s a raging one or just a little campfire). We also talked about living “eternity-minded”—not in a heavy or morbid way, but in a joyful, daily pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful. And yes, even rest and leisure matter! Fr. Wade encouraged us (especially busy women!) to seek daily balance in prayer, work, and recreation—because holiness is found in that rhythm. I hope this episode encourages your heart as much as it did mine! Register for the Nashville Magnificat Breakfast with Father Wade on July 26, 2025 Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, podcaster, and radio show host who walks with women facing life’s unexpected turns. She helps them encounter the Father’s love, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and find healing from pain and disappointment so they can magnify Christ with their lives. Through faith-filled coaching and heartfelt conversations, Jennie empowers women to rediscover hope and to live life with purpose and joy.