Faith & Good Counsel Show With Staci Gulino

So many of us know and love someone who is living with a form of Dementia. Today's episode features gerontologist Matt Estrade, who shares with us about his new book, The Peace with Dementia Rosary: Education, Intentions, Community, as well as his vital work with persons living with dementia and their care partners. After the show, consider ordering a copy of Matt's wonderful book (and maybe a copy to share as well:), then take a tour through his website DementiaRosary.com for a wealth of information, resources, and support through his blog, podcast, and information about his live appearances. I'm grateful to Matt for the wonderful work he is doing, and know you will be as well when you listen to today's episode!      

October is the month that we remember and reverence in a special way those families who have experienced the loss of their infant through miscarriage, stillbirth, or a death soon after birth. My guest today is Monica Alley who, with sensitivity and great love born of personal experience, shares with us the story of the loss through stillbirth of her sweet, tiny daughter Anna Grace, and how she and her husband Todd and entire family bonded together in Anna Grace's memory to establish Anna's Grace Foundation to help other families who are experiencing the loss of their own child. Monica has much wisdom and experience to share from her family's story, as well as through her experience with the hundreds of families that have been assisted by Anna's Grace Foundation after the loss of their own precious child. Find out more at the Anna's Grace Foundation website, where you can also check out the newly launched "Hope & Healing Podcast", which will be an additional source of support and education means of serving

Dr. Carrie Gress is our guest today on this episode of the Faith & Good Counsel Show.  She's been on my "guest wish list" for so long (OK...way too long), and I'm so grateful we were finally able to connect. Carrie published an article in the National Catholic Register back in May of 2018 which struck my heart in a particular way, and I knew it was time to have her on the show.  Here's a link to her commentary entitled: Finding Mary on the Inside: Learning How to Live the Blessed Mother’s Virtues Today we're talking about just that - finding our mama deep within our very being as woman, and following Mama Mary's gentle, loving, virtues on our own unique and unrepeatable pilgrimage back to God Our Father as His beloved daughters. After the show today, I hope you'll explore more of Carrie's work HERE, as well as through Helena Daily (one of my most favorite sources for truly seeing the beauty that surrounds us) - where Carrie and colleagues post specially curated content for the wholly beautiful body & soul

In this episode of the Faith & Good Counsel Show, you are simply going to love the joy, laughter, and feminine wisdom of Rose Sweet as we discuss her latest work, "A Catholic Woman's Guide to Happiness". If you are familiar with Rose's books and work, then you know her joy, laughter, and feminine wisdom have been borne as the fruit of a rather "bumpy ride" to which I know many of you can relate.  If you are not familiar with Rose....let today be the day that you get to know her! After the show, check out her new book "A Catholic Woman's Guide to Happiness" which will make a lovely gift for women of all ages - there is something here for everyone!     And check out two prior interviews with Rose Sweet on the Faith & Good Counsel Show: https://stacigulino.com/episode-10-sunshine-love-rose-sweet/ https://stacigulino.com/rose-sweet-redemption-from-the-brokenness-of-divorce-through-theology-of-the-body/    

Be sure to check out the Military Council of Catholic Women after the show!

I'm so delighted you are joining us for this series of three episodes of the show entitled "Homefront Warriors", where we hear from two seasoned military wives & moms whose husbands serve us and our country in the armed forces. So often we more readily remember and honor the sacrifices of our military men and women who are deployed and serving in all parts of the world.  However, today we will hear a different facet of that experience, one not as often heard about I believe-that of the "warriors on the homefront"-the families that are left behind to carry on as their loved one is deployed to serve our country. In the first two episodes, we will hear from Sandy Goetz about her family's personal experience as a career military family.  We will hear even more personal experiences in the third episode from Michelle Nash, current president of the Military Council of Catholic Women.  Both women offered as well a window into some of the issues that women and families in general face as they are left behind to c

Blog post by Erin Franco You are so going to enjoy this episode today with the lovely Erin Franco!  After we catch up a bit, we discussed Erin's blog post entitled "Coffee Talk for Young Moms" which I've quoted below for you. __________________________________________ Coffee Talk for Young Moms (by Erin Franco) Young mothers have been on my heart lately. Certainly not all young wives are mothers, and not all mothers of little ones are young wives. But in general the first few years of marriage and motherhood, wherever you are, can be incredibly difficult. For me, many times a cup of coffee and a good conversation with a Titus 2 mom friend has been much-needed moment of encouragement.  If you happen to be in desperate need of a coffee date like that, would you allow me to treat you to an e-date of sorts? I’m no expert at walking with God through the Little Years, but my heart wants so much to share some of what I’ve learned so far. So, let’s pretend that we’re at your favorite coffee shop. Just you and

Announcing...the "Pondering Things Catholic" podcast with Fr. Paul Gros! On today's episode of the Faith & Good Counsel show we have the gift of getting to know a bit about Fr. Paul Gros, and his new podcast being produced in the Faith & Good Counsel studio. We had a lot of fun with this episode, with "becoming acquainted" with Fr. Paul in the first segment, and in the second segment heading into an idea of what you can expect from the episodes "in the can". There's also a little something new that I'm debuting in this episode - the first Faith & Good Counsel Inspirational Minute!  You'll hear this one tucked nicely between today's two show segments.   I simply know you will come to love Fr. Paul as I have. You might consider having your prayer journal and scripture handy - his episodes may just be some of those that pique a the desire to take out your favorite pen and jot some notes for pondering:)  As you will find over time, Fr. Paul has a gift for piercing right to the heart with theology + overall h

Processed with Focos In this episode, I'm delighted to introduce to you Dr. Mario Sacasa, a Catholic marriage and family therapist in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I think you'll find it very interesting to hear first about the MANY varied hats that Dr. Mario wears in his practice - some of which may surprise you! But what I'm most excited to share with you is our discussion about Dr. Mario's marriage retreat entitled "Living the Gift of Marriage". Dr. Mario is an knowledgeable, caring, engaging speaker trained in Theology of the Body and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and he's open to your invitation to offer  "Living the Gift of Marriage" at your parish.

Did you know that there is a connection between Theology of the Body and the Rosary?  And that the Rosary is, in fact, a SPIRITUAL WEAPON?   Join me today for two fascinating conversations about these connections (and the connection between my guests!) with my first guest Debbie Staresinic, author of her new book Theology of the Body Rosary Meditations: Contemplating Christ's Love for His Bride the Church. Debbie has given us a tremendous gift in this first ever work for devotion and prayer that integrates the beauty of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body with the beauty of the Rosary.  Debbie is a graduate of the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, PA and serves on the Board of Directors at Ruah Woods in Cincinnati, OH, an organization whose mission is to spread the message of Theology of the Body throughout the world. Then, we'll hear from a Faith & Good Counsel favorite guest, Fr. Donald Calloway, priest and author of his latest work Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a

THIS EPISODE…is my favorite of all three in this first series ever in the history of the Faith & Good Counsel Show! Today we reach the end of this 3-part series...but it’s only the “End of the Beginning” - an ending that leads us to the beginning of essential conversations that speak to the heart of our every day struggles. In this episode, Josie and I advance forward from the pondering we’ve been doing upon the deeper questions of who we are, by beginning to make some connections between the origins of our identity with our present experiences of using, consuming, and discarding one another as human persons who war with each other in infinite ways.  And who don’t seem to learn from our mistakes generation, after generation, after generation. Again - our conversation today is only the mere beginning of what can be said about this vast subject as we’ve only just begun establishing a foundation for future Faith & Good Counsel conversations that address our day-to-day difficulties and struggles with family,

 In Part 2 of our series Who Are You? Lessons From Our First Parents & John Paul II, return guest Josie Duke continues to draw us back through time to contemplate the Garden of Eden, offering us a taste of: What it was like for Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eve before the Fall - and after - to help us think more about our understanding of Who God is, revealing more about who we are as man and woman created for and in unimaginable love The roots of our suffering in this life Some of the wounds that we have been left with from the fall of mankind which are made manifest multi-dimensionally as we move about in our daily lives Tragically, we learn today that satan offered our first parents what they already had. And he does the same to us as we bear the consequences of those wounds, and repeat the drama of Adam & Eve each and every day in our own lives in many, many ways--which I look forward to breaking apart more specifically in time. And as awesome as Josie is....we only scratch the surface of

You are not who they say you are...Let me remind you... (John Paul II) Links & Resources for this Episode: Who Are You? Journal Exercise Liberating a Continent The Nine Days of John Paul II  The Annunciation by Norman Faucheux  

"....a perfect example of what not to do if someone is having suicidal thoughts." That's quite a strong statement from Dr. Donna Fargason who returns today to talk about her professional concerns about - and personal exposure to - "13 Reasons Why" , a streaming TV series that targets youth and the issue of suicidality. Donna and I only scratched the surface in our dialogue on this most important topic of suicidality. Our conversation touches on some of the concerns we share about how certain societal/cultural influences (such as a seemingly harmless media program) can potentially affect in a harmful way the thoughts and actions of vulnerable young persons - and mature adults as well. This is only one example. After personally viewing the entire program series, Donna realized that she herself has been traumatized by the overtly graphic content of the program. And while the gravity and impact of the graphic content is perhaps more obvious to some, Donna is quite concerned as well about the more insidious me

The wellspring of all that is the Elizabeth Wilson that I've come to know is so evident in this powerful interview, which was originally intended to focus upon the psychiatric and psychological burden suffered by women after an abortion decision. Everyone, however, can benefit from listening to today's episode as Elizabeth shared some incredibly wonderful "faith and good counsel" that really, in essence, applies to every person who experiences a significant crisis of some sort in our lives. And, at some point over the course of life...that's ALL of us, ya'll. So many things to love about Elizabeth's interview...but one thing stood out to me, and I do think it is a take home point for pondering upon in prayer.  Elizabeth said.. "If we do not have a belief in Divine Mercy, we will be stuck in judgment."    The more we learn about and open ourselves to receive Christ's Divine Mercy, the more we will see and experience just how far Jesus will go to pursue us, while never intruding upon our free will. Our s

British poet Sally Read lived in a place of great anxiety as an atheist, but could not grasp why.  She was perplexed by her anxiety, and a constant, tormenting fear of falling back upon a rock to be utterly destroyed. That is, until 2010 when, after painful, confusing existential crises and deep sufferings, God revealed Himself to her.  It was then that Sally began to realize that God had always been with her -that it was she who was blinded to His existence and His merciful love.  God knew the absolute moment that she would be ready to receive Him, to bear fruit for Him.  She now clings to the Rock Who is her redemption, serving Him through her gift for poetry and writing. A thoughtful, modern conversion story unfolds within the pages of  Night's Bright Darkness  through the beauty of poetic language written by Sally Read, a former psychiatric nurse, vehement atheist and radical feminist who is now devoutly Catholic. I'm so grateful for Sally's openness to join us for this delightful interview filled with