Episode 8: Permission to Do Something Unexpected

On today’s episode of the podcast, Sam, from Cultivating Catholics, shares about her unexpected conversion to Catholicism and all that came after. She tells the story of her journey into the military, to marriage, to life with 5 kids 6 and under, and starting a business. Sam was so fun to talk to and you are going to love her story!

I think we as moms are just so hard on ourselves. We can be doing such an amazing job, but it’s just not good enough. We feel like we can be doing so much more. And I really lean on God when I feel like that.

Sam of Cultivating Catholics

Find what you want to hear

Get to know Sam

[2:07] In this segment, Sam introduces herself and shares a little about her family.

Sam is a wife and mom of 5 under 6. She holds a degree in Elementary and Special Education, is a public affairs professional, a former parish communications director, and has prior military experience. As a Catholic convert and mom, she and her husband wanted to provide a resource for families who want to raise catholic kids. So, they began Cultivating Catholics to provide baby and toddler faith-based sensory kits.

Sam’s unexpected conversion to Catholicism

[5:45] Here, Sam shares about her unexpected conversion to Catholicism and how beauty drew her into the Church.

How God used the military to bring Sam to the faith

[12:10] Sam talks about how she ended up joining the military. After struggling through a class in college and feeling totally lost she was urged to join the military.

How Cultivating Catholics was born

[16:15] In this segment, Sam shares about how Cultivating Catholics was born as a mission on her heart. She talks about being overwhelmed as a convert wanting to raise her children in the faith. We get to hear about how sensory kits are a great teaching tool for little children.

Feeling called to start a business

[24:20] Sam talks about how God called her to open the business and how He continues to encourage her on this journey even when it’s hard. She talks about how things have changed in her family life in order to answer this call and how instrumental her husband has been in the discernment process and the running of the business.

And, she shares 3 things that make running a business possible.

• Supportive husband.
• The importance of encouraging independent play.
• implementing

Setting healthy boundaries and dealing with mom guilt

[35:23] Here, Sam shares some tips for setting appropriate boundaries around her work. We talk about mom guilt and she shares an amazing idea on how to help battle the mom guilt when you are struggling.

General tips for discernment

[44:42] Silence is so important! If you want to discern God’s will, you must get quiet. Sam and I talk about a few

Connect with our guest and find resources discussed

• Follow Sam on IG
• Conect with Sam on Facebook
• Buy a sensory kit from Sam at Cultivating Catholics

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1. Click here to go to the podcast page.
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Thanks so much for your reviews!