Strength Training for the Soul

What do you get when you mix Mass, a tailgate, and a Brewers game? For Bob Simi, it turned into a 15-year apostolate that's expected to bring more than 1,300 people together under one giant tent on June 15, 2025.

In this episode, Bob shares how Ballpark Day of Faith started with a simple invitation to head to the ballpark with some brats and beer—and ...

What do a Scottish hymn, a 150-mile walk, and the feast of St. Rita have in common? This episode. I’m diving into The Summons—a song that hit me straight in the heart at Mass—and sharing why it’s the perfect companion for the pilgrimage I’m about to begin. I’ll talk about feeling unworthy, walking with saints (and blisters), and how one line from my son Jack has become a mission I carry every day: to change the world, one heart at ...

Fasting isn’t about punishment—it’s about love. In this episode, Peter Andrastek, from Evangelical Catholic breaks open the deeper meaning of fasting and how small, intentional sacrifices can transform your daily life and unite you more closely with Christ. Whether you’re giving up cream in your coffee, your scrolling habit or intentionally being the first to do the dishes, this conversation will help you fast with purpose, not pri...

Join me as I share my preparation for my first-ever pilgrimage on the Wisconsin Way! From treadmills to trails, I'm getting ready to walk from the National Shrine of Our Lady, in Champion Wisconsin to Holy Hill Basilica over 10 days. Between physical setbacks, logistical curveballs, and moments of doubt, I'm learning to surrender my worries and let God carry the weight. This pilgrimage is more than a test run for my future Camino d...

Are you trying to figure out what's next in your life? Well, so is my good friend Tracy Josetti. She's one of those women who seems to do it all so well, but today she opens up about the real work behind navigating uncertainty.

Together, we delve into Father Mike Schmitz’s “Four Helpful Rules for Discernment” and talk about the messiness, grace, and growth that come with standing at life’s crossroads. Whether you're facing a big de...

This week I’m talking about something highly spiritual: my email sign-off. After years of using the classic “Best” or “Best Regards,” I started wondering if I should close my emails with something a little more faithful. The problem? Everything I came up with sounded like I was trying too hard to be holy. Enter one of Fr. Dennis’ favorite reminders: when your mind starts to wander, bring yourself back to gratitude. And just like th...

It’s my longest episode ever… and totally worth every blessed minute. Jill and Claire are back (yes, they're officially regulars now—and honestly, who wouldn’t want to hang with these two?!). 💁‍♀️🙋‍♀️💁‍♀️

We're talking post-Lent game plans, spiritual plateaus, fasting beyond chocolate (gasp!), and why silence might just be your soul’s new best friend.

If you're trying to figure out how to "Keep the Faith" after 40 days of Lent, ...

Have you ever wondered what it really sounds like to hear God’s voice—and trust it enough to follow?

Join me in this second episode with Sarah Daszczuk, as she shares her deeply personal story of discerning a call to becoming a Consecrated Virgin, and what it looked like to say yes—even when the path wasn’t clear. Her story isn’t just inspiring—it’s something we all can learn from, whether you’re facing a big decision or simply try...

Feeling like your Lenten commitments might be slipping? Host Patty Kujawa has you covered in this quick check-in episode. She gets real about her own Lenten journey (spoiler: it's not going perfectly!) and shares why that final stretch feels just like those last brutal miles of a marathon. Patty reminds us that God isn't some scorekeeper watching our every slip-up – He's more like that parent ready to dust us off when we fall. Whet...

Are you living a good life but still feeling like something's missing? Join me as I chat with Sarah Daszczuk about why being a "good person" isn’t as satisfying as it might seem, and discover the deeper purpose God has for your life. We're breaking down misconceptions about faith, exploring what true happiness looks like, and uncovering why a relationship with God is worth pursuing. If you’ve ever wondered, Is God really worth it?—...

What happens when God disrupts your carefully planned Lent journey? In this episode, I share how a last-minute trip to Universal's Epic Universe theme park with our daughter Kate revealed powerful spiritual truths about answering God's unexpected calls. Learn how embracing spontaneity during Lent can lead to profound moments of connection and joy. Discover practical ways to say "yes" to God's invitations, even when they're inconven...

Join host Patty Kujawa as she welcomes Leo Vitangcol, who shares his journey of developing a deep prayer life. Leo explains the difference between intercessory and intentional prayer while demonstrating practical approaches to praying with others. Through personal stories—including his daily ritual of leaving a chair open for Jesus at his kitchen table—Leo reveals how making yourself available to God can lead to extraordinary momen...

In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, Patty Kujawa shares how a simple tennis drill became a powerful metaphor for seeing Christ in everyday life. Just as staying in the "ready position" on the court improves your game, keeping your heart ready helps you improve becoming present to see Christ in real time, everyday moments. Through a charming story of a young girl's joyful wink, Patty illustrates how practicing awarene...

Join me for an insightful conversation with Fr. Dennis Saran, pastor at Saint Dominic Parish in Brookfield, WI, as we explore the difference between simply reading about faith and truly living it. Fr. Dennis shares his personal journey from "spiritual A.D.D." and the "compulsion to achieve" to finding deeper connection through simply being present with God. Discover how to switch from constant "transmit" mode to "receive" mode in y...

What happens when you return from a once-in-a-lifetime trip—only to realize something still feels off? In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, I share my personal struggle with spiritual hunger—that restless feeling when prayer feels routine, faith feels distant, and nothing seems to satisfy.

Drawing from my recent trip to Antarctica (and my new experience with intermittent fasting!), I explore how physical hunger and sp...

In this episode of Strength Training for the Soul, I sit down with Sue Knutson, founder of My Father’s Wish, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering impoverished communities through vocational education and sustainable change. Sue shares how a conversation with her father in his final days led her to embrace a life of service, following God's call in a profound way. We explore her journey of faith, the challenges of starting a nonprofi...

What happens when a 50-pound luggage limit leads to spiritual insight? In this episode, host Patty Kujawa shares how preparing for a challenging trip sparked deep reflection on the unnecessary burdens we carry - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Drawing from Matthew 11:28-30, she explores how letting go of what weighs us down can create space for God's grace. Through personal stories and practical questions for reflection, Patty ...

Join host Patty Kujawa for Part Two of her enlightening conversation with Al McCauley, host of "Fish on Fridays" and Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Anthony on the Lake Parish. Discover the profound meaning behind the Communion of Saints and how it connects us to both the living and those who have gone before us. Al explains the fascinating history of religious relics - from their ancient origins to their modern significan...