The Catholic Feminist

If someone called you saying that their house was robbed, what’s the first thing you would say? Probably you should have locked your doors, right? Or maybe, Are you sure? Maybe you didn’t understand what the robber was doing . Possibly That can’t be true. I know your neighborhood. Only nice people who would never steal live there.

Proooooobs not. I’m guessing it would be something more like, I’m so sorry that happened to you.

Today’s guest, Adele Smith, is a survivor of sexual violence. After her assault took place, her name was smeared (to say the least—there are literal blogs devoted to accusing her of lying) and she didn’t believe her college did enough to protect her from her rapist. That’s why she founded Dinah’s Voice, an organization dedicated to ending rape culture on Christian college campuses. Adele is here to talk with us about what rape culture is, why we shouldn’t be surprised that sexual violence takes place on Catholic campuses, and how we can embrace Christian values without letting them be twisted into victim-shaming. I was honored to speak with Adele and I hope her story inspires you.

When we approach situations with a sense of love and a desire for truth, I believe we will find it. This isn’t about #BelievingAllWomen or #MeToo’ing our way into a protest. It’s about using our anger as fuel for justice and seeking the truth, every single time.

Today’s episode is brought to you in part by the Blessed Is She academic planner. Every modern Catholic woman needs this stunning planner in her life. Snag yours today at www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/planner.

Today’s episode is also brought to you by Audible. How do I get dressed in the morning with two little kids? Y’all, Peter Rabbit on Audible. Grab a free audio book today by heading to www.audibletrial.com/catholic.

You know when you hear God’s voice whisper to you, and you’re like...no. Wrong girl. Thanks, but no thanks. Today’s guest sure does. When Sr. Marcia Hall was trying to figure out what direction to take her life, the thought of joining the Oblate Sisters of Providence was the last thing on her mind. But she eventually gave God her own fiat and joined the Oblate Sisters, which was the first religious order created for Black women. The order was founded in 1828 by 2 women who heard a call to religious life but were rejected by other religious orders due to our American Church’s shamefully racist past. Now, Sr. Marcia is on the show to walk us through dealing with compassion burnout, having holy boundaries, and discerning our vocations. I loved learning more about the Oblate sisters, how a religious sister can practice self-care, and Sr. Marcia’s tips for listening to your OWN call. Enjoy!

Today’s episode is brought to you by Franciscan University of Stuebenville. Join some former podcast guests and get an authentically Catholic education from the comfort of your own home by enrolling in one of their many graduate programs. Hit up www.franciscan.edu/tcf to learn more.

Today’s episode is also brought to you by the Blessed Is She academic planner. Every modern Catholic woman needs one of these stunning planners designed by former guest Erica Tighe. Live more liturgically this year by heading to www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/planner.

Women don’t need a collar to lead.

That’s just ONE of the wisdom nuggets today’s guest drops. Elise Italiano is the director of the GIVEN Institute, a non-profit aimed at activating the gifts of young adult women for the Catholic Church and the world. A former theology and bioethics teacher, Elise is on the show to chat about the necessity of women as leaders in the Church. We chat about what women bring to the table, why so many millennial women are leaving the Church, and what forces we need to combat to ensure women have a seat at the table. Enjoy!

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PPS: Today's episode is also brought to you by the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Holiday Gift Guide. You can be sure the gifts you give are well received and well made by shopping at ethicaltrade.crs.org.

Learn about the life and legacy of "almost-saint" Dorothy Day, a Catholic feminist we should all admire, to celebrate Women's History Month.

Pornography has been a “men’s issue” for as long as I’ve been involved in ministry. Anti-porn talks are for the men. The accountability apps are aimed at men. The speakers willing to Go There are men.

I am so, SO thankful for women like author Kelsey Skoch. Kelsey is boldly sharing her story of overcoming a pornography addiction in order to help other women find a way out. In today’s show, we talk about WHY pornography is immoral, if there’s any room for porn in a healthy sexual being’s life, and what she recommends for women currently struggling with this topic. But my favorite part of the conversation is when Kelsey helped me reframe the very idea of “purity”. That it’s NOT being a high school girl wearing a Jesus Is My Homeboy bracelet being told she’s a piece of tape that loses its stickiness after too many uses. It truly changed some of my views about the word and I hope it makes you think as well. Enjoy! (Just a note on little ones—this is one of our sensitive topics you probably want headphones for; we drop some words. Also, speaking of little ones, my three year old was losing his MIND that Dad had to play Candy Land instead of Mom so...you hear him for just a minute, ha! Thanks for understanding that #workingmom life!)

Today’s episode is brought to you by Select International Tours. Learn more about the phenomenal trips they have planned for 2020 at selectinternationaltours.com/feminist.

Today’s episode is also brought to you by Every Sacred Sunday. This beautiful Mass journals make the perfect gift for the Catholic woman in your life. Head to everysacredsunday.com.