Every single one of us has a feminine genius -- a particular way that the Lord is inviting us to bring forth new life into the world. But embracing that feminine genius in your daily life can be incredibly challenging if you’re facing something challenging in your life….but you’re pretending everything is fine, that you’re okay, and that you don’t need any help.

Maybe it’s hard to admit to a friend that you’re really struggling in your marriage or in your motherhood. You might be experiencing tension at work, or going through a big transition like moving or changing careers. Or maybe you are noticing tendencies in yourself that you’re ready to change -- people pleasing, perfectionism, pessimism.

Maybe you’re ready to take the next steps towards healing. Maybe you’re ready to open the door to your heart just a crack to the Lord, to a trusted friend, to a mentor, and share what’s really going on.

But what does it look like practically to experience healing from wounds, overcome self-doubt, reignite your faith life, and discover who you are on the journey to wholeness and holiness?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Crystalina Evert. I remember sitting in the audience at a National Catholic Youth Conference over a decade ago and hearing Crystalina speak for the first time—and then that evening, in the elevator of our hotel, bumping into her and Jason and just being such a Catholic fangirl.

What sticks with me from that memory is being struck with the (probably obvious) fact that the Everts, this couple who have very much shaped my ideas around chastity and virtue and relationships, are human beings. And something that is such a gift about hosting this podcast is that I get to sit down one-on-one with women and hear their stories—women who might be sharing their story for the first time, or who have shared their story with millions of people.

Crystalina and I are talking about her journey of healing, this incredible resource that she’s put together in a new book for women who are ready to take the first steps in their own healing, and how a heavenly friendship with St. Therese helps remind Crystalina of her mission.

If you’re ready to experience healing in your life, sister, this letter is for you.

Topics we talked about in this episode:

Crystalina’s story as a Catholic woman and how Christ brought healing through both adoration and counseling
How Crystalina created a resource to help women show up to their own healing process with the help of other women and their ministries
Why all of us need to ask ourselves what is keeping us back from becoming the women God created us to be
What happens in our culture and in our lives when we share our story—hard parts and all, with those we trust
How a heavenly friendship with St. Therese of Lisieux inspired Crystalina on her journey of healing
The first step that everyone needs to take on their healing journey
Crystalina’s advice and encouragement for women as they ponder those questions and discover who they are and the healing the Lord desires in their lives

Resources you should check out after listening to this episode:

Women Made New!: Reflections on Adversity, Transformation, and Healing by Crystalina Evert
Check out Crystalina’s website Women Made New, which is full of incredible resources for your own healing journey
Check out the sponsor for today’s episode, Sacred Heart Tea, and use the code LETTERS to get 10% off your purchase at checkout
Pick up a copy of the Letters to Women book (and use the code LETTERS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!)
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A Letter to the Woman Who Doesn't Think She Belongs // Mary Lenaburg