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Also: Was Fr. Chad Ripperger Silenced? Comedian Iliza Schlessinger’s has a great take on how society talks to women, and I got in a fight with my family about Halloween decorations. I have developed a policy in my life. If I read a book but don’t apply it to my life—which is all books—I reread it. This means I’m on my third read of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. And as I finish the book, there are three passages screaming at me from the past. C.S. Lewis, the self-proclaimed “most reluctant convert” to Christianity, had a prophetic quality to his writing, and we would be wise to listen to what he had to say. Do you want to get trapped by the pitfalls of modern life? Do you want to get to the end of your life and realize you didn’t live it well? I bet you don’t. I don’t either. These passages help us examine the cultural water we are swimming in and make an intentional decision about how we want to live. You don’t want to miss this discussion. Also, Susan Dell and her husband, Michael Dell, of Dell Computers, just announced that they are giving $6.25 billion away to 25 million American children. It’s the kind of thing that should be universally praised, but instead, everyone is talking about Susan Dell’s surprising appearance. There is something to learn here, so we are going to talk about it. And Marco Rubio gave a speech on Western civilization, and it’s reminding me of the inheritance we have received from the ancient Church. .  If you want to support Spirit Juice Studios Juice Box content for kids, head over here to become a supporter.  Want a signed copy of my book Rekindled? Email at [email protected] and we can get that going.  If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Have a great weekend, Mallory Smyth

Also: Susan Dell goes viral for something other than her wild generosity, Marco Rubio tells us about our inheritance, and I grapple with the monotony of daily life. I have developed a policy in my life. If I read a book but don’t apply it to my life—which is all books—I reread it. This means I’m on my third read of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. And as I finish the book, there are three passages screaming at me from the past. C.S. Lewis, the self-proclaimed “most reluctant convert” to Christianity, had a prophetic quality to his writing, and we would be wise to listen to what he had to say. Do you want to get trapped by the pitfalls of modern life? Do you want to get to the end of your life and realize you didn’t live it well? I bet you don’t. I don’t either. These passages help us examine the cultural water we are swimming in and make an intentional decision about how we want to live. You don’t want to miss this discussion. Also, Susan Dell and her husband, Michael Dell, of Dell Computers, just announced that they are giving $6.25 billion away to 25 million American children. It’s the kind of thing that should be universally praised, but instead, everyone is talking about Susan Dell’s surprising appearance. There is something to learn here, so we are going to talk about it. And Marco Rubio gave a speech on Western civilization, and it’s reminding me of the inheritance we have received from the ancient Church. . If you want to support Spirit Juice Studios Juice Box content for kids, head over here to become a supporter. Want a signed copy of my book Rekindled? Email at [email protected] and we can get that going. If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Have a great weekend, Mallory Smyth

Also: The Pope visits France, Is God Nonbinary?, and I pray a rosary out loud with my Uber driver. All over my news feed this week, I have either seen articles and commentary on what has become known as, “The Cornell 7,” or every single person talking about it. This story is enraging.  Some people are crying out because seven young men seem to have escaped real consequences for completely degrading one young woman who was intoxicated and on drugs. Other’s are calling for proper due process saying there is currently no proof that what happened at a party in 2024 was not consensual.  Either way, even if justice is served according to the law, why does the law feel like such an inadequate remedy for this situation?  Because it is.  In today’s episode of the Gospel and Everything Else, we are going to explore how the Gospel is challenging us to do better as a society.  If we want stories like this to become rarer, we can’t have our cake and eat it to. We cannot depend on the law to teach us morality. There has to be something more, a call to something higher. My heart breaks for everyone involved in the story, especially the young woman as I mention in this episode. But societal soul searching is called for.  Also on this episode: Pope Leo visits France and proves that there is always a reason to hope in the world. Another clergy member of a different church makes the bold and confident argument that God is nonbinary. Is she right? And I decide to listen to the Holy Spirit during my travels.  If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Happy Friday everyone, Mallory Smyth

Also: Celine Dion makes a comeback, A priest is overwhelmed during the mass, and I get a message from Heaven on the same weekend I win a mechanical bull riding contest. Have you ever asked Chat GPT, or another chat bot, a life question and be weirded out by just how good its answer was?  It feels like it knows you, understands you, can really help you… Although chat bots can be great tools, there is a very thin line between using them as for productivity, and being ticked into having somewhat of a “relationship” with them. If we are not careful, these human mimickers can lead us into dark and dangerous places.  That is exactly what happened to a girl named Hannah who shared her story on Oprah. She told of how her “relationship,” with Chat GPT led her into New Age spirituality claiming that it acted like a cult leader and even convinced her to quit her job.  Lucky for her, she realized the delusion and broke free. But this viral clip raises many questions. How should we engage with chat bots who learn our habits every time we interface with them. Why is New Age spirituality and its very close sister, The Occult, SO popular. What does it teach and how is it different from Christianity? We are going to talk about all of it today.  Also, Celine Dion sang in public for the first time in six years, Fr. Brent Bowman became visibly overwhelmed while consecrating the precious blood of Christ during the mass, and Archbishop Fulton Sheen wants to be my friend! Don’t forget to get your tickets to Heaven in Stone and Glass as well as The Fulton Sheen Movement Conference If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Happy Friday everyone, Mallory Smyth

Plus: The Jurors of Lindsay Clancy Trial, Raves at a Cathedrals, Tragic Anniversaries, and the Sins I Can’t Quit For Catholics, this month is the month of Sheen. Archbishop Fulton John Sheen will be beatified on September 24th. It has been a long time coming and after years of road blocks, this incredible man is finally on his way to sainthood.  Whether you love Archbishop Sheen, know little about him, or nothing about him, you will enjoy this episode. I will share how I came to know and love him, what makes him so remarkable, and some of my favorite stories about his life which can be found in his delightful autobiography, Treasure in Clay.  He once said, “We need an American Saint.” And while we have a few of those, I wonder if he knew he would one day join the ranks. Let us imitate him and he imitated Christ.  Also in this episode, we will talk about the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s murder, what the juror’s have said about the Lindsay Clancy mistrial, and why turning a cathedral into a spot for a rave isn’t the greatest of ideas.  Don’t forget to get your tickets to Heaven in Stone and Glass as well as The Fulton Sheen Movement Conference Also check out Laura Phelps podcast Good Friday Sister If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Happy Friday everyone, Mallory Smyth

Also: TikTok atheist pretends God is real for 30 days, and cathedrals are the best buildings ever built Just when we think there is no good news to be found, Dolly Parton interrupts our normal dower, divisive, news feeds with… her death.  Sad as it may be, and death is always sad, through her passing, Dolly Parton has yet again reminded us that it is always possible to be a light in an often dark culture.  Over the past week, Dolly’s interviews and performances have been all over social media. And as I watched her hilarious, quick witted, almost always gracious, and sometimes inappropriate remarks, something struck me. Through out her very public life, through which she was often made fun of and criticized, Dolly Parton could have easily hardened her heart. But she didn’t. That is what I believe made her so lovable.  So today, let’s look at how Dolly handled her fame and take some notes. It is very easy to fall into cynicism and close our hearts off to others. But the scriptures tell us repeatedly, “do not harden your hearts.” We would be wise to listen, because, those with cynical, bitter, and hardened heart will have a very hard time receiving God’s abundant life. Also, Brian Guan pretended God was real for 30 days, and I bet you don’t have to guess how that experiment ended. And, I will share with you how visiting Chartres Cathedral changed my understanding of what these magnificent structures seek to tell us.  Don’t forget to get your tickets to Heaven in Stone and Glass  as well as  The Fulton Sheen Movement Conference If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Have a great week, Mallory

Also: Harry and Megan are headed to the U.K, Karoline Leavitt leaves her job, and I went on a silent retreat. The way the Lindsay Clancy murder trial blew up should be studied by historians for many years to come. Only a couple weeks ago this story was small compared to other national stories, and I took an interest in it because of the role psychiatric drugs played in Lindsay’s demise. What does that say about our medical system? THAT is a conversation worth having.  After listening to one podcast that shared a few too many details, I decided to step back. The story is too tragic. The facts are too dark.  But just as I decided I was finished with this story, it took on a life of its own. Women around the nation are obsessed with this trial down to questioning the accepted narrative. Was it her, or her husband? It’s a question no one directly involved with the trial is asking, but inevitable thanks to our constant access to the internet and every detail of every story.  As sensational as this case is, the real conversation to be had has to do with our collective response. And what it is showing isn’t good.  Friends, we have a media consumption problem in our society. We all know it, but I don’t think we realized how bad it actually is.  So, dive into this week with me on this episode of the podcast. We can do better. We need to do better, and I hope to offer a vision for how to start moving in the right direction.  Also, Harry and Megan are headed back to the United Kingdom after spending the past six years publicly hating on their family and his country. What lesson can we learn from their actions? And Karoline Leavitt is leaving her role at the White House to be present to her children. It’s a good decision and highlights what the good life actually is.  Want more about Megan and Harry? Check out this past episode of The Gospel and Everything Else.  If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Picking up “The Screwtape Letters” as my choice for better media this week, Mallory Smyth

Plus: "Yesteryear", New York's Assisted Suicide Law, and Solomon's Wisdom It’s the end of the summer, and while I’ve been trying to live in the present moment, avoiding my earning for cooler weather and football season, one trip to Hobby Lobby did me in.  I saw a few leaves painted on canvas next to a 40% off sign, and it was over for me. Good bye summer. Hello, fall.  Unfortunately, as summer leaves us, I’m afraid the feel good vibes of the news cycle have left us as well. Most of the stories I have come across lately are negative, so let’s look at them through a gospel centered lens and learn a thing or two.  First, Ariana Grande has been worrying us for years now. But, it all came to a head a couple weeks ago when she released her new and disturbing music video, “Petal.” Hint: she is bone thin and covered in blood.  This is not the sign of a person who is doing well spiritually, emotionally, or physically. So, we are going to pray for her and then talk about the nature of worship because her story is unfortunately a reminder that every god eventually demands a sacrifice. So choose your god or God carefully.  Also, New York Governor Kathy Hochul cited a Catholic funeral as part of the inspiration that help her make assisted suicide legal in New York. Would that Catholic Church approve? I bet you know the answer. We will talk about why. And, Yesteryear is the book of the summer, but its far more revealing than I think the author wanted it to be. Don’t forget you can still get the talks from the Blessed is She Virtual Scripture Summit. Use code: MALLORY10 for 10% off. If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Prepping for cooler weather, Mallory Smyth

Why is seeing old stuff SO impactful?  I was asking myself this question as my husband and I chased buried saints, and entered countless churches during our week in Italy.  Regardless of the answer to that question, the reality remains that old things: marble fashioned into the image ofMary holding her son, mosaics meant to last forever, columns, paintings, statues, and graves DO have a profound affect on those who are willing to listen to their message.  Past generations preach the gospel message through these ancient creations, and if we listen, it will change our lives.  Or at least, that’s my experience. The most precious things I brought back from Italy occurred within me as the fruit of my prayer. So let’s talk about it!  Also, the novel “Theo of Golden,” is JUST SO POPULAR this summer. And there’s a reason for that. In this episode I give my food for thought.  The book isn’t just about kindness. It’s about identity. And it’s a truth we all sorely need to accept and live out.  Don’t forget to sign up for the Blessed is She Virtual Scripture Summit. Use code: MALLORY10 for 10% off.  If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Sipping an Aperol Spritz in honor of the trip, Mallory Smyth

It’s a hate follow, you swear it is. Right? But… well, maybe that influencer has a really good take on the gospel, and that other one DOES wear cute clothes. And you COULD use nice rosary. But at the same time, Catholic influencers can be so annoying can’t they? But also, maybe you kinda like them? There has been buzz about the Catholic influencer space from all its advocates and critics since influencers became a thing. After all, there is a real question to be answered about how to ethically mix building a following based around faith, with the opportunities that influencers afford, such as the potential to sell stuff to their audience, publicity, and the power to lead thousands of people either closer to God or farther away from them.  But for all it’s founded and unfounded criticism, there is real good that comes out of the influencing space, and as with everything, real pitfalls for creators and consumers to watch out for.  So, let’s talk about it today on the podcast where we find God in it all.  Also, Toy Story 5 is the first movie I have seen in years that actually has a good moral to the story.  Fr. Scott Borba, founder of E.L.F. makeup turned priest, goes on the Today show to talk about his conversion and MAN, did it get me.  Also, the Dominican Sisters Open Mic podcast is going viral and mainstream, very secular publications are falling in love with these nuns.  If ever there has been a time to look for the Gospel, it’s right now! If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Heading out to celebrate America 250! Mallory

But, not on purpose. Also, Europeans make the best American Patriots, and How Josh Hokit's Comments on Michelle Obama Might Just Make Me a Better Christian. If you were to characterize culture by one word, what would you use? There are certainly a few to choose from, but Jonathan Haidt had that option when he titled his latest best selling book and he chose the word “anxious.” When he wrote, “The Anxoius Generation,” he was talking about Gen Z and young millennials, but we could easily extrapolate that characterization to describe our entire culture.  Diagnosed or not, medicated or not, almost all of us struggle with anxiety. The jitters of a low grade anxiety, the shadowy idea that the other shoe will drop at any moment, is with many of us all the time. I think it’s safe to say that most of us do not want to live with this unwanted, companion, but we don’t know how to get rid of it.  Well the good news is that Jesus didn’t want us to live like this either. He told us so explicitly in Matthew 6:27-35. So in this week’s episode of the Gospel and Everything Else, we are going to talk about it.  Do I believe that you can simply pray your anxiety away? No. We live in a broken world and life is complicated. But I do believe Jesus didn’t tell us not to be anxious about our lives for us to ignore Him. At the very least we could try to obey.  Let me know what you think! Also in this episode:  What “Spidey and His Amazing Friends,” taught me and my girls about propaganda. Why we should take a lesson from our Europeans friends who are visiting America. And how my outrage against the UFC fighter who called Michelle Obama a man, turned into conviction.  If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Praying for peace, Mallory Smyth

Remember that time Jesus told His disciples to bring His message to the entire world? If you don’t, you can find it in Matthew 28 when Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” When Marcie Erickson was young, she asked God, “Are you calling me to be a religious sister or go to college?” His response? “I want you to become a missionary.” Basically, He was asking her to use her entire life to fulfill His great commission.  Marcie didn’t know any missionaries, but regardless, she answered His call.  Since then, she has traveled the world serving some of the poorest communities, especially women and children. But she eventually made her home in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. There, she, her husband, and their twelve children, work with the local community to serve women and children who are living in unimaginable situations.  If you were looking to be inspired this week, look no further. I hope this episode challenges you to ask God what He is calling you to do. Then I hope you answer with a bold YES. To support Marcie’s work, donate or reach out on their website. If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Need a speaker at one of your events? Email me at [email protected] Praying for Marcie and those she serves in Ethiopia, Mallory Smyth

According to my own mind, I’m a functional medicine expert. I listen to tons of health podcasts, and am very quick to jump on the latest trends. I think sugar is bad for you, sunlight is good for you, oregano oil is has super powers, grounding brings down inflammation, and forever chemicals are affecting our fertility. I write this to let you know that when it comes to the health and wellness space, I AM A BELIEVER.  But, as the saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing. And what started out as a path to health and liberation from the modern medical system, is now starting to feel oppressive. Are we ever allowed to have any fun? Can we ever wear perfume again without feeling guilty? And what able CANDLES for goodness sake? A glass of wine? A cookie?  How can we embrace the goods of alternative health without giving into its tyrannical rule over every choice we make? How can we take control of our well being without spending a fortune on every new technology and gadget? Join me today on the pod because we are going to talk about it!  Also, we are diving into Spencer Pratt, my new favorite public figure’s, comments on crystals. And Alex Cooper, the host of the most popular sex and dating podcast in the world’s new pregnancy announcement.  Join me for this episode as we find God in it all! For bonus content and subscriber chats don’t forget to become a paid subscriber! If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. To read stems from home’s article on this topic, find it here Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Also, if you would like me to speak at one of your events, email me at [email protected] Going to stand barefoot on the ground and look at the sun, Mallory Smyth

And/or Our Very Own Picture of Dorian Gray? He is the most polarizing figure of my lifetime. Some people love Him. Some people would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than his name spoken in public. And for years, we have heard Him being compared to Hitler, evil dictator and murderer of millions.  Obviously it’s Donald Trump.  Last week, while I was on spring break with my family, Trump decided that if he hadn’t already pissed you off, he was going to make sure he did so. In a powerful few minutes, Trump managed to get much of his base to turn on him by disrespecting the Pope, depicting himself and Jesus, and then claiming he thought it was a picture of him as a doctor (lol).  So. Let’s talk about it because I have something to say and I believe it’s different from what you have already heard. There is something to the Hitler comparison, but it isn’t what you think.  There is Trump the man with is own massive flaws. But then, there is the collective response to Trump. And that is where I believe there is room for conversation and for the Gospel to break in and challenge us. Trump is who He is. We can’t control Him. But we can’t control ourselves and we can decide what kind of society we want to live it. So let’s do that together.  No matter where you stand on this matter, I hope you will listen thoughtfully and respond accordingly because honestly, I’m not a fighter but this is an important conversation.  Also in this episode…Good news. People are coming into the Catholic Church at the highest rate in my life time! Miley Cyrus is sober, clothed, and in her right mind! And Perez Hilton met God.  If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Also, if you would like me to speak at one of your events, email me at [email protected] Happy Easter, Mallory Smyth

Have you ever noticed that we tend to have these cultural conversations that never get resolved?  For time immemorial, honestly, going back to the Garden of Eden, we have been fighting about what to do with woman, and how they should live in society. We have also been fighting about what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God, and eventually, when Christianity came around, what it means to live Christianity well.  While we are not going to officially end either of these debates today, we are going to wade into the waters because here is the truth: There IS a right and a wrong way to live.  AND. There is some wiggle room, some freedom if you will, within the righteous path.  So today on the pod, we are going to talk about the ongoing conversation in the Church and in the Culture about WOMEN!!! Those pesky women. What do we do with them? How should they act? Who has the right opinion? This is in response to some inner Catholic conversations that have been bubbling up lately.  But we won’t stop there! James Talrico has been a big topic of conversation for podcasters because, he is well spoken, good looking, and has alot to say about politics and scripture.  We are not going to get into all his clips too much, but we are going to do our very best to answer the question, what is required of the Christian?!?!?!  And finally, we are going to end with the best news ever by diving in to the book of Galatians…For freedom, Christ has set you free my friend, so DO NOT submit again to the yoke of slavery!!  If you would like to financially support the show, that is now and option to you, and I would be so grateful if you did! For $8 dollars a month, you can help free up some of my time to write bible studies, podcast episode reflections, and start audience conversations. Interested? Become a paid subscriber here on my Substack page. If you want to dive into my other work you can purchase my book Rekindled, or one of my Bible Studies. Also, if you need a refresher on the Gospel message, check out the first episode of this podcast. Did this episode speak to you? Please share it with a friend so we can grow the show! Also, if you would like me to speak at one of your events, email me at [email protected] Enjoying the freedom Christ gave me, Mallory Smyth