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Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Latest episodes

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Apr 10, 2023 • 44min

MFP 233: Getting on the Same Page

“Its better to be wrong together than right alone” - Mike and Alicia   There are many things that spouses need to navigate in life - finances, educational choices, work issues, in-laws - and for all of these issues there is an “X factor” that makes all the difference - UNITY.  Without unity, even the most perfect of scenarios will not bring peace, but with unity there is nothing that life throws at a couple that they will not be able to handle.  The question is, how do you forge that unity with each other when you have two different visions of what your family should look like?  In this episode, we tackle this difficult question by encouraging couples to “push up”; to look at your life from the 50,000 foot level.  Instead of starting with the details, start with the big picture.  Those are the conversations that are most helpful.  Listen in as we give couples some concrete questions to discuss with each other to build that unity that is absolutely essential to a flourishing marriage and family life.  Find all this and more at messyfamilyproject.org Watch episode here - https://youtu.be/q365bqR8NTI
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Apr 3, 2023 • 46min

MFP 232: Dreaming vs. Fantasizing

“Dream big, plan simple, act now.” - Mike and Alicia Hernon Dreaming is an integral part of living a life to the fullest.  But dreams that take us away from our vocation are fantasies and actually detract from living an abundant life.  What is the difference and why is it important? Dreaming in the best sense is an essential skill to have. Not everyone is a natural dreamer, but we can all learn to be!  In this podcast, we discuss having a Growth mindset versus a Fixed mindset and how that affects our family life. We also give some tips for how to rise above the everyday work that we do and create a vision for your family that will motivate and inspire you to grow.  Watch here: https://youtu.be/Sh-X0FGePeo Find all this and more at messyfamilyproject.org
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Mar 27, 2023 • 53min

MFP 231: Teens and the Moody Blues

“Who we are and how we engage with the world are much stronger predictors of how our children will do than what we know about parenting.” - Brene Brown The emotions of young people can be overwhelming to us, but we have to realize that they are overwhelming to them as well!  How can parents help children to regulate their emotions in a healthy way?  Not every emotion needs discipline, sometimes kids need understanding and empathy to assist them in learning how to move through their own feelings.  In this podcast, we give some practical steps for parents to help their child to recognize, express, and get in control of their strong emotions.  This is an issue that can be tough for parents, especially if they have never learned this skill themselves, but it is essential for the well-being of every child.  Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/ Find information on this and more at https://messyfamilyproject.org/ Watch episode here - https://youtu.be/ZGS5dMBEMCc
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Mar 20, 2023 • 52min

MFP 230: Questions from Families in the Capital

Children are really the supreme gift of marriage and contribute in the highest degree to their parents’ welfare. - Gaudium et Spes, 50 Listener questions are back!  We had a wonderful time visiting with listeners all over the East Coast and as we traveled we collected questions from them.  Here are a few of those questions including how to emotionally handle the mess and chaos that inevitably comes with young children, getting kids to behave at mass, and family of origin issues.  We also talk about bringing the Montessori philosophy into how you view your children and the importance of living with purpose.  Listen in to our conversation with Katie who asks us these questions from the perspective of “every parent” who deals with these issues on a daily basis.    Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/   View the episode here - https://youtu.be/ICRiQC2bftA
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Mar 13, 2023 • 42min

MFP 229: Stories from Saints Alive!

When we look at the lives of those who have faithfully followed Christ, we are inspired with a new reason for seeking the City that is to come and at the same time we are shown a most safe path by which… we will be able to arrive at perfect union with Christ, that is, perfect holiness. - Lumen Gentium, 50 One of our great gifts as Catholics is the “older brothers and sisters” that God has given us in the saints.  There are saints for every personality, vocation, and even job type!  In this episode, we interview the creators of the podcast “Saints Alive!” who tell dramatizations of the life stories of the saints.  This is a great tool for parents in this digital age when we are all looking for good media to put in front of our children and into their minds. We hope this will be a valuable resource for parents looking to fill their children's minds with good and holy things!       Saints Alive Podcast - https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/episodes Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/  For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBVi8fszH6k
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Mar 6, 2023 • 53min

MFP 228: Educational Choices

Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most solemn obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. ~ Pope Paul VI, Declaration of Christian Education  Educating children is one of the most important and daunting tasks parents must face.  For some parents who have good resources at their disposal, the choice may be easy.  For other parents, the choice is agonizing - charter school, Catholic school, homeschool, or public school…. What is the best thing for my child at this time?  But the needs of your child are not the only thing that you need to consider.  In this episode, Mike and Alicia give parents a framework for the conversation they need to have with their spouse on educational choices for their children.  There is not only one answer!  Listen in to this reboot of a classic conversation on marriage and parenting.    Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/  For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://youtu.be/zK3fPkNt2Oc  
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Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 13min

MFP 227: Parenting Adolescents and Artists

Children have not been given to parents as a present, but as a trust for which, if lost through their negligence, they must render an account to God. ~ St. Alphonsus Ligouri   Raising teens is an art, not a science.  It takes finesse, subtleties, and nuances to get it right. Children are pushing back and trying to become independent adults while they are still not yet ready for the responsibilities of adulthood.  How do you slowly give them more freedom while making sure you don’t give them TOO much?  In this episode, we interview Bill and Tanis Merimee, parents of 9 children and founders of the ministry Marriages of Grace.  Bill and Tanis have a unique perspective also because they are both musicians and have children who are particularly artistic.  Teens who are artistic have special challenges and needs because they have a great gift to give the world - their art!  How can parents nurture this artistic temperament while avoiding the pitfalls that can come with the godless culture that is growing in the art world.  Listen in and join the conversation!    Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90    Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/   View the episode here - https://youtu.be/eRnjftj7r5w  
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Feb 22, 2023 • 56min

MFP 226: Lent and Your Marriage

Each day be conscious of your duty to be a saint. — A saint! And that doesn’t mean doing strange things. It means a daily struggle in the interior life and in heroically fulfilling your duty right through to the end. ~ St. Jose Maria Escriva   One of the things we teach couples all the time is that marriage and family life is your path to holiness.  So the celebration of Lent and Easter should look different if you are a married person!  Sacrifices and commitments that take away from your vocation should be avoided because the first step in discerning anything is to consider your state in life. This means that you and I can become holy by not just having an hour of adoration, but also by playing with our toddlers!  Or taking your teen out to coffee, or having a weekly date night with your spouse. Catholics need to explore more of what it means to be a saint in our homes.  Listen in to this webinar we did on the Monday before Ash Wednesday to explain our Cana90 program for couples and families.  Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90    Moms, Dads, and Family Board Meeting Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/   View the episode here - https://youtu.be/9XXXCgvrRgI 
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Feb 13, 2023 • 59min

MFP 225: Encouraging Femininity

“When she’s in your company, your daughter tries harder to excel. When you teach her, she learns more rapidly. When you guide her, she gains confidence. If you fully understood just how profoundly you can influence your daughter's life, you would beoverwhelmed, or both.” ― Dr. Meg Meeker All girls have a certain pattern of physical development that will change them into women, but these changes need to be guided, nurtured, and shaped by loving parents.  The genius of womanhood is a great gift to the world and parents are the ones who help a girl realize this gift. We did this podcast to help all parents encourage the feminine qualities within their daughters.  Not stereotypes, but honest, strong, and true womanhood.  Listen in as we give some insights, inspiration, and practical advice.   Read more on masculinity and femininity - https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/gender-differences-taking-the-risk Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://youtu.be/Al0Wlyat9iI
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Feb 3, 2023 • 1h 5min

MFP 224: Not Managing Boys, But Making Men

Manhood isn’t something that simply happens to boys as they get older. It’s an achievement – something a boy accomplishes, something that can easily go awry. If we ignore the importance of this transition, and fail in our duty as parents to guide boys through it, then we will learn the hard way why traditional cultures invest this transition with so much importance. - Dr Leonard Sax In today’s world we cannot assume that all boys will grow up to be masculine men.  But this is the task of every parent of a boy!  Parents need to recognize that boys need to be guided on the road to manhood.  It doesn’t just happen all by itself.  To give this guidance well, parents need to first realize that boys and girls have been created with different gifts.  Though a truly balanced man finds within himself both masculine and feminine qualities, parents need to start with encouraging a boy’s strengths, his masculine qualities.  Listen into this conversation as we discuss how parents can take an active role in encouraging masculinity in their sons.     Read more on masculinity and femininity - https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/gender-differences-taking-the-risk Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/   For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/  View the episode here - https://youtu.be/yFwQIagpisg 

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