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PODCAST

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Mike and Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent and Family

Parenting is not a clean-cut, simple process for those who like to follow the rules. Family life is messy and unpredictable, but it is the greatest adventure you will ever have. We are Mike and Alicia Hernon, parents of 10 children with a growing number of grandchildren, and we would like to invite you into some of the conversations we have had with each other about marriage, parenting, and Catholic family life. Our hope is that our conversation sparks a dialogue between you and your spouse that

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

01:04:05

MFP 377: When Kids Take Control: What To Do and How...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/04/13

When I stopped trying to fix or change my child, and explored my own role in fostering bullying behaviors, I found the answers I needed. These behaviors were a direct consequence of my own insecurities. - Sean Grover, Ph.D. Summary Parents often make excuses for their children's outrageous behavior, whether it's a preschooler's tantrum or a teen's sullen refusal to do what he or she has been asked. Children who become unmanageable or verbally abusive to their parents are, in fact, bullies, although

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54:17

MFP 376: Raising Kids Without Raising Your Voice

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/04/06

The most effective parents aren't the loudest—they're the most consistent. Summary Why do we yell at our kids, even when we know it doesn't work? In this episode, we unpack the hard truth behind yelling in parenting: it's often not a discipline strategy, but a reaction to stress, frustration, and lack of follow-through. While it may get quick results, it slowly weakens our authority and damages connection with our kids. We talk about why yelling becomes a habit, what it's actually teaching our

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01:02:55

MFP 375: The Family and the Sexual Revolution

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/03/30

"The sexual revolution was not about freedom. It was about transferring power from families to the state." - Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse Summary What really makes a family essential, and why does it matter so much right now? In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse makes a compelling, research-based case for why children need both their mother and their father. We explore the irreplaceable role of mothers in forming trust and attachment, the unique responsibility of fathers to provide protection,

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53:58

MFP 374: Raising Kids Who Know Who They Are

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/03/23

Summary How do we help our children discover the gift that they are? In this episode, we explore the powerful cycle of identity, belonging, and mission—and how it unfolds across the key stages of childhood. From the early years of wonder and dependence, to the exploratory middle years, to the identity-shaping teen years, we unpack what children need most at each phase—and how parents can respond with confidence. We dive into how children develop their gifts, navigate friendships, and grow into

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35:03

MFP 373: Parenting is Your Mission

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/03/16

Summary There is so much noise in the world of parenting today, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by pressure, comparison, and fear. In this episode, Mike and Alicia remind parents that there is not just one way to raise a family well. God has given you the grace for your mission, and your job is not to control your children or guarantee outcomes. Your call is to build a strong marriage, create a healthy home, communicate your values, and allow God to use family life to make you holy. Parenting is

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01:06:51

MFP 372: Prayer for Beginners - Interview with the...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/03/09

"Without a life of prayer, you are really not living as a Catholic" - Matt Leonard Summary What does it really mean to "go deeper" in prayer? And what if you pray every day but don't feel anything? This week we're joined by Matthew Leonard, founder of The Science of Sainthood, to talk about what real spiritual growth looks like. We break down the three modes of prayer, vocal, meditation, and contemplation, and how they form a path to holiness. Matthew shares practical steps for building a daily

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01:04:11

MFP 371: How Vulnerability Is Built in Small Moments

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/03/02

Love is not a feeling. It's a daily choice, a habit practiced proactively. Summary What if intimacy isn't built in the big moments, but in the small ones you almost miss? In this episode, we explore the idea of bids for connection, the everyday ways we reach for each other through a question, a touch, a story, or even a glance across the room. We talk about what happens when those bids are noticed and met with kindness, and what slowly unfolds when they are ignored. You'll hear how

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56:56

MFP 370: The Path to Healing our Broken Hearts

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/02/23

There is nothing that the power of the resurrection cannot redeem in your life. - Fr. Shawn Monahan Summary What do we do with the wounds we carry, especially in marriage? In this powerful episode, Fr. Shawn Monahan shares a trauma-informed vision of spirituality that meets us in our real stories. We're all wounded, some more deeply than others, and healing begins with honest self-knowledge, self-acceptance, and inviting Christ into our pain. Fr. Shawn explains how our desires are shaped for

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44:33

MFP 369: Marriages Don't Accidentally Communicate Well

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/02/16

You can't have a healthy relationship if you don't develop the skill of communication. Summary Marriage doesn't drift into great communication. You have to make the time and practice on purpose. In this episode, we share simple, realistic tools to help couples break bad habits and start talking in ways that actually bring them closer. You'll learn how to listen without fixing, reduce daily stress through connection and fun, and build rituals that create space for meaningful conversation. We talk

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55:12

MFP 368: The Four Horsemen in Busy Marriages

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/02/09

"Couples often ignore each other's emotional needs out of mindlessness, not malice." - Dr. John Gottman Summary Let's take an honest look at how communication breaks down in busy marriages and what you can do to stop it. Most couples don't ignore each other out of malice, but out of exhaustion, distraction, and rushed daily life. In this episode, we unpack why communication is essential for growth and connection, and how unspoken assumptions quickly lead to misunderstandings. Drawing on Dr. John

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49:47

MFP 367: The Need for Belonging in Marriage

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/02/02

"Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh." Genesis 2:24 Summary In this episode, we talk about something every person longs for: belonging. At its heart, marriage is meant to be a place where you are chosen, known, and not easily walked away from. It's a home base, the one relationship you freely choose, where staying matters more than being perfect. Belonging in marriage isn't about constant agreement or effortless connection. It's about

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51:55

MFP 366: God is Love

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/01/26

"Love of neighbor is a path that leads to the encounter with God… closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God." - Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love Summary We begin with Love because marriage flows from our deepest identity and relationships, not just spousal dynamics. Created in the image of a loving, Triune God, we must first ask who God is and who we are in His eyes. Our relationship with God and with ourselves forms the foundation for loving others. Pope Benedict XVI's God Is Love

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51:09

MFP 365: Five Ways to Begin Again

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/01/22

"Let us begin again, for until now we have done nothing," - Saint Francis of Assisi Summary As a new year begins, many of us focus on where we fell short instead of how we've grown. In this episode, Mike and Alicia invite parents and couples to reflect on the past year by celebrating the gains—not just the gaps—and to recognize the common traps that keep us stuck, like doing too much, being too busy, comparing ourselves to others, or letting our loves get out of order. From there, they share five

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59:26

MFP 364: Live Intentionally in 2026

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2026/01/05

Summary This episode revisits one of the most helpful and down-to-earth conversations on the Messy Family Podcast: Family Board Meeting 2.0. It starts with a simple but challenging idea. We put a lot of thought into our jobs, but when it comes to family life, many of us are just trying to keep up. Between work, kids' schedules, and everyday stress, it's easy to drift into survival mode. A Family Board Meeting is a chance to pause, breathe, and get back on the same page. It's not about being perfect

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01:05:17

MFP 363: Growing Up Hernon - What it's like in a...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/12/22

Summary What's it really like growing up in a big family? In this special Hernon kids takeover podcast, Mike and Alicia's children gather around the mic to tell the honest, funny, and heartfelt story of their upbringing. From loud dinner tables and sibling fights to deep bonds, meaningful traditions, and moments of feeling unseen, the Hernon siblings share what shaped them—for better and for worse. They talk openly about the challenges of a large family, how sibling relationships filled the gaps

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01:01:38

MFP 362: Choosing to Be Wrong Together, Over Being...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/12/15

Your decisions may not always be perfect, but you can choose to make them together. Summary In this week's podcast, we dive into one of the most important truths for married couples: you will never make a perfect decision—but you can choose unity. Today's culture urges us to optimize everything with hacks, experts, and AI, yet the real power in family life comes from spouses acting together. We share our own stories of big decisions—moves, career changes, even grad school—and how waiting for unity

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47:56

MFP 361: The Story of All Stories: Catholic Parenting...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/12/08

"Hospitality and real community starts by inviting people into your messy home…" Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia sit down with best-selling Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman to talk about Advent, Storybook for young Catholics, and the beauty of simple hospitality. Emily shares the real, lived rhythms of Advent in her home—reminding parents that peace and prayerfulness grow best when traditions are tied to everyday routines and kept flexible, not burdensome. Emily also introduces

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01:13:13

MFP 360: Don't be Afraid of Screwing Up Your Kids...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/12/01

"Learning how to trust God and let go of our fears, worries, and frustrations is the best way to model peace for our children." — Dr. Gregory Bottaro Summary This week on the Messy Family Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Greg Bottaro for a heartfelt and practical conversation every parent needs to hear. In this interview, Dr. Greg explains why kids are not naturally built to listen and why so many of us parents end up frustrated. His solution is simple and hopeful. Get clear on the rulebook you grew

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51:44

MFP 359: How to Choose Toys for Christmas

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/11/24

"Baby Jesus was an amazing surprise to the world on Christmas morning, and gifts under the tree remind us of that wondrous gift each year." - Regina Doman Summary Mothers create the environment of the home by what we allow in our house, how we arrange our home, and where things are kept. We are teaching our children all the time, not just by what we say and do, but the home that we create for our families. We communicate what we value and what we want our children to learn by the "stuff" in our

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58:51

MFP 358: Thriving, not just surviving with lots of...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/11/17

Summary Are you exhausted, overwhelmed, or wondering whether you're doing anything right as a parent of little ones? You're not alone — and you're not crazy. In this refreshed and expanded episode, Mike and Alicia revisit their classic "Survival Zone" conversation with new insights from another decade of parenting and now grandparenting. They unpack why the early years are so intense, what's normal (hint: your exhaustion), how marriage is stretched during this season, and how moms and dads can

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376 results

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