Girlfriends (a Podcast For Catholic Women)

Whether you think Valentine’s Day is romantic fun or an over-commercialized beast, we can use it as an opportunity to spread joy. This holiday seems reserved for couples without kids, but celebrating love is something everyone can partake in. So whether you celebrate on your own, with friends, a significant other, or kids, here are some ideas to spread joy on Valentine’s Day. Send anonymous Valentines Send a secret Valentine to someone who will not be expecting it. Write a note of thanks or encouragement on it and surprise them! Maybe your pastor? The old lady who works at Target? Who will you give this secret gift to? Express gratitude Think of someone in your life that you are grateful to and write them a real note of thanks. Spread the joy by thanking multiple people if you like! Volunteer somewhere Your local crisis pregnancy center or food pantry or nursing home would probably love for you to offer a few hours of your time doing whatever they need done. It could be as simple as making phone calls or mak

It’s that time of year when the thrill of setting our New Year health goals starts to wear off and we are in danger of giving up on exercise. Let’s talk about how to deal with the temptation to throw in the towel, why you might be giving up on exercise, and how to make adjustments to reach your goals! 1) Your workouts are too hard. Did you take on a big goal, expecting big results, only to find yourself struggling? Consider adjusting your workouts to the fitness level you are at right now and working from there. 2) Your workout schedule does not fit into our life. Is working out in the morning harder than you thought it would be? Do you struggle to find the time after dinner? Be realistic about what your lifestyle is like right now and where you can fit your fitness in. 3) You don’t like your workouts. Are you bored, or do you just plain hate spin class? Mix it up! Try something new. Be honest about what your preferences are and then work with them. Meet with friends to make it fun or join a class or team fo

This week I am sharing a recent conversation I had with etiquette expert Jacquelyn Youst who talks about how her Catholic faith intersects with her work teaching children and business people about the basics of manners. I know you will find her inspiring! We touch base on cell phone etiquette, receiving compliments, gratitude, thank you notes, small talk, and other soft skills. Check out more of her work at her website: JacquelynYoust.com Also this week, I share the exciting news that I am beginning work to record an audio version of my newest book, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth. More to come! I also share some feedback from listeners Kim and Kelly about how to handle after-school snacking and decluttering at home. Have feedback or an idea to share? I would love to hear from you! Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Humility gets a bad rap. Too many of us associate being humble with weakness, insecurity, and unlikability. But that is not the case! Humility is a virtue that goes hand in hand with trust–which is what we have been talking about on the podcast recently. To see the full shownotes, listen to the episode at ascensionpress.com/girlfriends Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

FOMO stands for “fear of missing out”. It refers to the times we feel left out or like we’re not measuring up to others. This happens a lot when we compare ourselves to the carefully crafted versions of people on social media. FOMO happens when we pay too much attention to other people’s lives. This attention can make us insecure or jealous, and it almost always distracts from where we should be focusing—on our own vocation and calling. Snippet from the Show "If I make a conscious efforts to “like” other people’s posts and leaving genuine comments of praise for the good things God is doing in their life, I come away feeling uplifted, positive, and encouraged." For the full shownotes, including my tips to avoid FOMO, check out ascensionpress.com/girlfriends and click on today's show. Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

These 3 goals can actually be achieved by those striving for balance in 2019. It’s that time of year when everyone is thinking about and making New Year resolutions. Are you a resolution-maker? How good are you at keeping your new year commitments? This week, I want to encourage you to set small goals (you do not have to call them resolutions) in 3 different areas of your life. Rather than focusing on large and lofty goals, I think it’s helpful to consider small changes that are doable in different areas of your life. For the full shownotes, including a list of resources I mention in the episode, go to ascensionpress.com/girlfriends (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/girlfriends/) and click on this episode. Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Danielle Bean wishes all the Girlfriends listeners a Happy New Years! Tune back in on January 8th for the first full length Girlfriends episode of 2019. For video content and articles that unpack the beauty of the Christmas season, visit www.media.ascensionpress.com. Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Danielle Bean wishes all the Girlfriends listeners a Merry Christmas! Tune back in on January 8th for the first full length Girlfriends episode of 2019. For video content and articles that unpack the beauty of the Christmas season, visit www.media.ascensionpress.com. Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Is it even possible to find peace at Christmas when everything and everyone seems maxed out with preparations and celebrations? Well, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, so I think it definitely should be part of your Christmas plans to find some peace in the holiday season. To see the shownotes and my tips for finding peace this Christmas, check out the show on ascensionpress.com/girlfriends Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Staying healthy through the holidays is hard, but not impossible! It’s the crazy holiday season, so all of our health and fitness goals should go out the window, right? Um, no. I am not here to snatch the Christmas cookies from your hands, but I am here to say we can do some basic things to care for our health, even during the crazy Christmas season. Your body will thank you for it! Check out the full shownotes at ascensionpress.com/girlfriends Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This week I’m sharing ideas for ways to have your best Advent ever and not drive your family crazy in the process. Know that it won’t be perfect. Add something spiritual to your daily routine. Add something fun to your daily routine. Plan a gift for Jesus. Let go of control. For more detailed shownotes and announcements, go to media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends and don't forget to check out my book at bit.ly/2PnZevb. Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Holiday preparations, with all the “extra” that they require of us as wives, mothers, and homemakers, threaten to send us over the edge from Christmas stress. We want to make everything merry and bright, but sometimes the pressure of outside expectations and (let’s be honest) our own inner expectations can turn us into the Grinch. Check out my tips for how to fend off holiday stress over at media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends and don't forget to check out my book at bit.ly/2PnZevb Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

The holidays, with all their gatherings and expectations are rife with conflict. It’s time to talk about setting boundaries with family. Are you dreading the holidays because of the conflicts you know you will face with extended family members, or because of the unpleasant challenges you know you will hear from your own family or your husband’s family? Check out my tips for how to set boundaries over at media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends/ and don't forget to check out my book at bit.ly/2PnZevb Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

How clean is your closet? How confident are you in your fashion choices and personal style? It’s OK to admit that these things are challenging. Catholic stylist Meghan Ashley is here to help! This week, I share the details of my own Closet Cleanse Challenge and Meghan Ashley walks us through some of the small details of fashion dilemmas and why we are tempted to hold onto that dress that no longer fits. Give yourself the gift of a streamlined closet and take on the challenge today! My newest book, You Are Enough, is available for order! Check out this episode on media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends/ for an exclusive deal! As a regular segment beginning this week, and for the next several shows, I am sharing a bit of the content from my new book, You Are Enough. This week, we consider the story of Moses’ sister Miriam and the Pharaoh’s daughter, and what we can learn from them about the strength and value of cooperation and friendship among women. Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniell

This week we are talking about how to raise compassionate kids who care about the thoughts and feelings of others. Isn’t that ultimately our goal? To raise good human beings? These ways I’m sharing are not a guarantee for a good outcome; they are just ways I have observed to help you raise kids who love and care for others. The ways I share are: 1) Give them structure. 2) Regulate their relationships with others. 3) Be aware of the example you set. 4) Extend compassion outside of your family. As a regular segment beginning this week, and for the next several shows, I am sharing a bit of the content from my new book, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth. This week, we consider the story of Judith and the ways in which she uses her womanly gifts and her God-given strength to accomplish what seems impossible. Finally, I share some feedback from new listener Jennifer who appreciated my long-ago episode on the subject of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and wanted to share he

This week we are talking about Halloween and all the ways we can (as well as how we should) observe Halloween and All Saints Day. I share some of my own struggles with this issue as well as some practical ideas for ways to celebrate this season. For detailed show notes, including a discount code for my new book go to media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends/) Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This week we are talking to and about the sleep-deprived—which probably means you. Whether you are lacking sleep because of insomnia, illness, small children, worries, work, or all of the above, this week’s show offers ideas for ways to get the rest your body needs to be physically, mentally, and emotionally your best every day. A few of the tips I share: Be disciplined about bedtime. Give yourself a “caffeine curfew.” Exercise regularly. Consider supplements. Have a bedtime routine. Limit technology before bed. Take a nap if you need to! Go to media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends/ (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/girlfriends/) for an exclusive deal on my new book, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth! Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

This week I am sharing a recent conversation with Allison Gingras, a friend and colleague who is a blogger, podcaster, author, speaker, and retreat leader. For contact information, resources, and offers on my new book, go to media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/girlfriends (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/girlfriends/) Get full access to Girlfriends After Hours at daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

First of all, my newest book, You Are Enough, is available for pre-order (https://shop.ascensionpress.com/products/you-are-enough-what-women-of-the-bible-teach-you-about-your-mission-and-worth)! Use the code, GIRLFRIENDS to get 10% off! I share the introduction to the book, as well as some special, limited-time offers for free stuff and discounts, so check it all out at the start of this week’s show! This week I am sharing a conversation with Sonja Corbitt, an amazing lady who calls herself the Bible Study Evangelista. You can check out all of her work at her website, BibleStudyEvangelista.com. You are going to learn so much from Sonja and her studies, but you need to also subscribe to her podcast, Bible study Evangelista Show, and follow her on Instagram so you don’t miss a thing! At the end of this week’s show, I share some feedback from listener Julie about our recent show on the topic of spiritual leadership and husbands. Please say a prayer for Julie and her husband and family this week! "Love is somethi

Are you all in for Jesus? Or is there something you are keeping from God? It has been my experience that we like to think we’re doing God’s will, but when it comes down to it, we struggle to turn over our lives to God and accept his will over our own. I share some of my recent struggles with this, along with some thoughts about various areas of life where you might be tempted to hold something back from God and keep control for yourself. Your time Are your own plans so precious that you resent interruptions, even if they come from God and his plan for your life? Your money Do you trust God to provide for you and your family, even in tough times? Even if you are not in financial distress, do you recognize that all you own comes from God? Your fertility It can be scary to open ourselves up to God’s plan for our families. Do you struggle with a desire to control when, how, and how many children you have, in ways that exclude God from the conversation? For more on this, check out Girlfriends Episode 62, Real Talk