Rachael, Erin, and Nicole share some news about the podcast.

This has been a much requested episode...we're talking about regret! Full show notes available at inthethicketpodcast.com.

Erin and Nicole chat with return guest Rachel Hoover Canto (Author of "Pretty Good Catholic") who shares about her experiences as someone who attends the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, commonly known as the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM).

In this very open conversation, Erin, Nicole, and Rachael talk about insecurities, and our need to know deeply that we are loved by God. 

Full show notes available at https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e25suffering-self-worth

We speak about the significance of the devotion to Divine Mercy in our lives.

Full show notes here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e24-divine-mercy 

We interview Rachael's aunty and uncle about their journey towards hope when facing cancer. 

Full show notes available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e23-radical-hope 

We talk about the Art of Dying ("Ars Moriendi"), specifically, about people we have known who have inspired us in the way they lived and died. 

Full show notes available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e22-euthanasia-ars-moriendi-the-art-of-dying-2 

We speak with Fr. John, a hospital chaplain in downtown Toronto, about his experiences accompanying people through suffering and dying. 

Full show-notes here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e21euthanasia-a-hospital-chaplain-speaks 

We speak with Taylor Hyatt, who shares about her experiences living with cerebral palsy, and advocating for justice for disabled people in Canada. 

Full show notes here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e20-euthanasia-a-disability-rights-activist-speaks

This is the second episode in our Lenten euthanasia series. Bill C-7 is currently being considered by Canada's government - this Bill decreases safeguards for vulnerable people, and widens eligibility criteria. Our first episode was with Garnett Genuis, Member of Parliament, who took us through the background and current proposals surrounding MAiD (medical assistance in dying). This week, Dr. David D'Souza joins us to share about his experience as a physician involved in care of the elderly and palliative care, as well as his concerns regarding conscience rights in Canada.

Full show notes here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e19euthanasia-a-physician-speaks 

To compliment the early release of our first episode in this Euthanasia series, we decided to post a bonus episode this week, sharing some excerpts from Cardinal Thomas Collins addressing the topic in various contexts. The Cardinal's words have really helped and inspired us in facing this issue, and we hope they do the same for you!

As a team this Lent, we felt called to do a series of episodes on euthanasia. In this first instalment, we discuss why the topic strikes a deep chord in each of us, and Rachael interviews MP Garnett Genuis, to help us get informed and inspired! Garnett is a young Catholic Canadian politician who has worked tirelessly on this issue, to stand up for life, for conscience rights and for those most vulnerable to abuse in a world of legalized euthanasia.

Right now in Canada, Bill C-7, which proposes radical expansion of access to euthanasia, is being debated in the House of Commons - and could become law very shortly. With this bill on the table, there is an urgent need for us to act. Garnett articulates the reasons why everyone, even people who support euthanasia, should be concerned by the extremity of these recent amendments. He inspires us with his example and words to do whatever we can to fight for the truth, and for those most vulnerable. We hope that all Canadians who oppose these changes will speak up against this Bill in the next few days. At the end of the episode Garnett provides many ways in which this can be done! Check out our website for the relevant links and more suggestions!

For our international listeners, we hope this episode will inspire you to work proactively in your own country to build a culture of life, and we ask for your prayers!

https://www.garnettgenuismp.ca/no_same_day_death

Full show notes here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e18euthanasia-a-politician-speaks

We interview Pete Burak (of Renewal Ministries' young adult ministry, "ID") on the relationship between wounds and our call to evangelize. 

Full show notes here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e17-suffering-and-mission

Erin, Nicole, & Rachael speak about Pope Francis, a person about whom opinions have become increasingly divisive.

Kristene Mauss is a Catholic mom and instagram personality (@thefutureisfamily) who lost her husband in 2020. In this episode, Kristine shares about her ongoing experience of going through grief and persevering in hope. 

Full show notes available here, https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e16-navigating-grief

Erin, Rachael, & Nicole talk about the highs and lows in their experiences of Valentine's Day.  Full show notes available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e15-valentines-day-the-good-the-bad-and-the-lonely

We discuss the meaning of the oft-used Catholic phrase "offer it up." 

Full show notes available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e14-offer-it-up  

We speak with Rachel Wong, of the Feminine Genius Podcast, about her experience with anxiety and depression, and how God has led her to acceptance and new beginnings. 

Full show notes available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e13-suffering-mental-health-anxiety-and-depression 

We interview Liam, who shares about his journey suffering from OCD. 

Full show notes available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/suffering-in-mental-health-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

We speak with Trisha, whose unexplained illness forced her to completely change her career trajectory. 

Full show notes, including links to Trisha's social media pages, available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e11-lifeu-turns

Rachael, Erin, & Nicole talk about the year that was, and choose a word of the year for 2021. 

Full show notes and links to the books we discuss available here: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/2020

Rachael, Erin, and Nicole each play an original song and discuss how these songs relate to the ways God was present during struggles.

Full show notes and a link to Nicole's Youtube channel available here on our website: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e9-suffering-song

In this episode, we discuss what it's like to face difficulties during what is supposed to be a joyful time, and talk about how we can respond to this both as one who suffers, and also when we see someone else struggling. 

Full show notes available here on our website: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e8-the-unhappy-holidays

We discuss an excerpt from the writings of St. John of the Cross: 

And I saw the river over which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of heaven

and the name of that river was suffering: 

and I saw a boat which carries souls across the river 

and the name of that boat was love.

Full show notes available at: https://www.inthethicketpodcast.com/s/stories/s1e7river-of-suffering-st-john-of-the-cross-out-december-14-3 

We speak with Meghan, an American suburban mom or four who reflects on what it means to vote in the 2024 U.S. election.

Article Meghan refers to: https://us.clonline.org/news/stories/2024/08/26/voting-an-act-of-love

We interview CCO missionary Ignatius Ashali, who shares about how he has learned to stay close to God in the everyday sufferings of life. 

Full show notes available at: https://inthethicketpodcast.square.site/s/stories/s1e6-ordinary-courage-out-december7-2 

We speak with Lisa Canning, mother of eight and business owner, about her journey out of the trap of expectations. 

Full show-notes available: https://inthethicketpodcast.square.site/s/stories/s1-e5-the-trap-of-expectations 

We interview Diana, a cancer surviver, who shares words of wisdom about how to support people who are going through a challenging time. 

Full show-notes available: https://inthethicketpodcast.square.site/s/stories/s1e4-what-not-to-say 

In this episode, we interview Sr. Mary Grace of the Sisters of Life on the attitude that is most helpful when accompanying people who are suffering. 

Full show notes available at: https://inthethicketpodcast.square.site/s/stories/s1e3-suffering-and-accompaniment 

We interview Mary and Louis Richard, who speak about the pain of waiting and hoping during Mary's four-year battle with an unknown illness.

Full show notes at: https://inthethicketpodcast.square.site/s/stories/s1e2the-pain-of-waiting 

In this episode, we discuss the interplay between suffering and fear in our experience, and share what we have found helpful in facing fear in our lives. 

Full show notes available at: https://inthethicketpodcast.square.site/s/stories/s1e1-fear-and-suffering 

Welcome to the soft launch of our podcast! In this quick introduction we share with you a little of who we are and how this podcast came together. St. John of the Cross wrote that we can’t enter into the riches and wisdom of God without first entering into the thicket of much suffering, but suffering well, like prayer and holiness and the other aspects of Christian life, is something that we grow in over time.

This podcast is for those who suffer, which is everyone. We hope to have honest conversations that will help people who find themselves in times of suffering...but also ones that will help those who haven’t experienced great suffering or who find that their tendency is to run from suffering as fast as possible!

We chat with theology professor and author Dr. Josephine Lombardi, who shares that the Synod on Synodality reveals the Marian aspect of the Catholic Church.

Dr. Lombardi's book, "Marian Approaches to Synodality" is available on her website: https://josephinelombardi.com/books/new-book/

Erin and Rachael speak with Luke Coppen of The Pillar (https://www.pillarcatholic.com/) on the Synod of Synodality.

Note: We had an audio issue with this episode & there is an echo. We apologies for the annoyance!

We interview Manny Gonzales (@callmemannyyy), who shares about his journey of being a Catholic guy attracted to men.

Manny's Website: https://whatabeautifulcross.wixsite.com/website

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callmemannyyy/

We're back for season 5! Erin, Rachael, and Nicole discuss this season's theme & share updates from summer.

Rachael and Nicole review the season and dream up some ideas for season 5!

PS: At random points in the episode Rachael's audio takes a little detour through funky-town - we apologize for the quality!

This is the last episode of our Lenten series on Salvifici Doloris and we talked about sections 28-31.

This week is based on sections 25-27 of Salvifici Doloris, and we're looking at the Gospel of Suffering.

Rachael & Erin speak with Abbey, a nurse for individuals in psychiatric detention.

This week we discuss sections 19-24 of Salvifici Doloris!

We dive into the opening chapters of the Apostolic Letter 'Salvifici Doloris' and reflect on what John Paul II articulates about the Christian meaning of suffering.

Rachael, Erin, & Nicole chat about their experiences of God saying "no" or "not yet" to something desired.

We interview author Rachel Hoover Canto on her experiences dating in her 20s and finally finding her husband, and on her new book on Catholic dating "Pretty Good Catholic."

Rachael and Nicole discuss the challenges and joys of their respective callings to pursue PhDs as Catholic women.

In this first episode of 2024, Erin, Rachael and Nicole share their experiences of when a sense of home is complicated.

We discuss the final chapters of Albacete's "Cry of the Heart."