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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

01:05:17

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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01:00:48

MFP 357: Marriage Q&A: When It Feels Hard, How Do You...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/11/10

In this honest Q&A episode, Mike and Alicia answer real questions from listeners about the struggles every couple faces – feeling distant, managing conflict, and staying united when life gets stressful. They talk about what to do when your marriage feels dry or disconnected, how to rebuild emotional intimacy, and how humility, forgiveness, and shared prayer can bring healing. With humor and wisdom from decades of marriage and mentoring, they offer hope for couples who want to grow together, not just

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01:08:59

MFP 356: Twenty Minutes to Change a Kid's Life – the...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/11/03

Families need to disconnect from the world's pace, be present to one another and break bread together. - Bishop Thomas Olmstead Summary Why are family dinners so hard — and so important? In our latest Messy Family Podcast episode, we get real about the chaos of mealtime: the cooking, the planning, the juggling schedules, picky eaters, and the endless cleanup. But we also share the good news — it doesn't have to be perfect to matter. Family meals aren't just about food. They're a time to build

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01:09:00

MFP 355: Making Your Marriage #1

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/10/27

Summary In this re-release of Episode MFP191, we open up about one of the biggest challenges every couple faces—finding time for each other in the midst of busy family life. After 31 years of marriage, we've learned that love doesn't just grow on its own; it takes intention and effort because although our marriages are always Important, they are rarely Urgent. In this episode, we share our own stories, some laughs, and practical ways to stay connected—whether through daily check-ins, regular date

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01:12:07

MFP354: How Can I Have a Relationship with God?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/10/20

"Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction." - Pope Benedict XVI Summary Every one of us is on a journey towards eternity. Our life here on earth, our vocation, our careers, our relationships are all just ways that we can grow in our knowledge of ourselves and of God. But many of us struggle to learn how we can stretch ourselves and prioritize our own spiritual

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59:41

MFP 353: Why are Kids so Anxious?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/10/13

Summary Why are today’s kids more anxious than ever before? Mike and Alicia dive into the growing epidemic of anxiety among children and teens – and how modern parenting, technology, and culture all play a role. Drawing insights from Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, they explore what happens when we overprotect kids in the real world but underprotect them online. From overscheduled lives and endless screen time to lack of sleep, nutrition, and authentic relationships, today’s children are

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51:31

MFP 352: Laughter and Limits in the Family with Dr. Ray

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/10/06

Take your calling seriously and yourself lightly Summary Are you taking parenting a little too seriously? In this episode, we dive into why families need to throw off the burden of “psychological correctness” and rediscover the gift of humor. Parenting isn’t a project—it’s a wild, messy adventure! We’ll share why secure parents can laugh at their mistakes, how to set healthy limits at your table, and how to teach kids the difference between fun teasing and disrespect. Most of all, we’ll remind you

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47:30

MFP 351: Why Parents Need to Lead, Not Just Accompany

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/09/29

Summary Parenting isn't just about being present—it's about leading with purpose because children need guidance, not just companionship. In this episode, we start by looking at some quotes from celebrity parents to examine how they are misguided. The reality is that parents are called to protect, not simply please. And we each have different roles: fathers embodying hope and authority, mothers offering love and intuition. Both are crucial, and when either dominates too much, imbalance

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01:00:31

MFP 350: Satan Has a Plan for Your Family

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/09/22

“The devil is afraid of a united husband and wife.” —St. John Chrysostom Summary The family is Satan’s top target because it reflects God’s very nature and holds the foundation of civilization. Marriage isn’t just a social contract—it’s a sacrament with spiritual power, which makes it a threat to evil. The enemy’s strategy is subtle: sow disunity between spouses, confuse gender roles, exhaust parents, and replace faith formation with screens and busyness. By silencing prayer and fracturing family

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58:18

MFP 349: Why Have Kids? an Interview with the author...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/09/15

“I think that bringing children into the world is like bringing holiness into the world.” - Catherine Pakaluk Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia sit down with Catherine Pakaluk, economist and author of Hannah’s Children, to challenge common cultural myths about large families. Secular researchers often assume religious women have many children because they are oppressed, but Catherine explains why this is far from true. Instead, faith gives parents the conviction that children are a blessing

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50:20

MFP 348: Field of Dreams for Families

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/09/08

Summary Every family inherits a legacy, both the blessings and the struggles, yet God calls us to build something new with Him. In this episode, Mike and Alicia reflect on the importance of having a dream for your family that goes beyond survival mode and day-to-day busyness. Drawing inspiration from the film Field of Dreams, they explore how couples can discern God’s vision for their home, create a legacy of love, and take bold, countercultural steps together. Whether you’re just starting out or

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57:20

MFP 347 Families Under Fire - Facing Cultural Challenges

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/08/25

The family is where children discover how to be human. - Archbishop Charles Chaput Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia tackle some of the toughest family challenges with honesty, humor, and hope. These questions were submitted to us at the Midwest Family Conference, but we never got to them! We talk about things like how to respond to a loved one with a temper or a dysfunctional family that seems to fight constantly. What practical steps can parents take to guard their family culture when

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01:16:13

MFP 346: Jake & Heather Khym on Discipleship,...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/08/18

"Discipleship isn’t about perfection—it’s about intimacy with Jesus. He is drawn to our weakness, not our strength." - Jake Khym Summary In this deeply insightful episode, Jake and Heather Khym explore one of the greatest challenges facing Catholics today: true discipleship. They share how the heart of a disciple embraces God as a good Father who desires intimacy over perfection. You'll hear powerful wisdom on parenting—letting go of the lie that we must “save” our children—and embracing our need

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55:10

MFP 345: The Tech Exit with Clare Morell

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/08/11

“If we want our children to be happy and successful, if we want them to reach their highest potential in self-transcendence, then the most important thing we can do is replace screens with activities that turn their focus outward.” —Clare Morell Summary It’s no secret that addictive digital technologies like smartphones and social media apps are harming a generation of kids socially, mentally, and even physically. But a workable solution seems elusive. After all, don’t kids need phones, and won’t

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52:30

MFP 344: From Control to Connection: Disciplining...

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on... ·

2025/08/04

Summary Parenting teens can feel like navigating a storm. Emotions run high and mistakes are inevitable. In this updated reflection on our original 2017 episode, we dive into the art of disciplining teenagers not just to manage behavior, but to raise mature disciples of Christ. We share what we've learned from parenting our ten kids, what it means to move from control to connection, and how to maintain strong relationships during the most challenging years. Whether you're in the thick of adolescence

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362 results

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