• Transforming Hearts through Grief to Grace: A Conversation with Jeanette Meyer
    Jul 21 2025

    This episode of the Transforming Hearts podcast features Jeanette Meyer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Minnesota Grief to Grace retreat. Jeanette courageously shares her personal journey of healing from trauma, along with her dedicated work accompanying other survivors through the Grief to Grace program. She highlights the power of vulnerability, compassionate presence, and the work of the Holy Spirit in accompanying others toward healing.

    Click here to learn more about the Minnesota Grief to Grace retreats: https://www.grieftogracemn.org/

    Click here to learn more about Grief to Grace retreats offered across the country: https://grieftograce.org/

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    32 mins
  • Transforming Hearts through Vulnerability: A Conversation with Gary Fritsch
    Jul 10 2025

    In this episode of the Transforming Hearts podcast, Kristin Molitor interviews Gary Fritsch, Director of Evangelization at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Gary reflects on the power of vulnerability in ministry. Through his own faith journey and stories from those he has accompanied, he illustrates how vulnerability can foster healing, conversion, and lasting transformation.

    Check out Gary's blog here: https://www.hookedonjoy.org/

    Click here to purchase Gary's Book: "Catching Fire: Relating the ancient to the everyday - 50 day"

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    32 mins
  • Transforming Hearts through the Gifted Leadership Journey: a Conversation with Donna Ottaviano-Britt
    Jun 23 2025

    In this episode of the Transforming Hearts podcast, Kristin Molitor interviews Donna Ottaviano-Britt, Secretary of the Secretariat for Pastoral Outreach and Director of the Office of Discipleship and Leadership for the Diocese of Camden. Donna shares about the Gifted Leadership Journey, a coaching initiative for clergy in her diocese, and highlights the impact it has had on the lives of the priests in her diocese. Through personal stories, she illustrates how transformational it can be when priests are deeply affirmed in their identity as beloved sons of God and as priests of Jesus Christ, uniquely called and gifted for their sacred vocation.

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    30 mins
  • Transforming Hearts after Graduation: A Conversation with Greg Sherwood
    Jun 9 2025

    In this episode of the Transforming Hearts Podcast, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Greg Sherwood, a recent IMF graduate who earned his Master of Arts in Ministry with a specialization in Spiritual Direction.

    Greg shares his journey into the Catholic Church in 2017 and the providential path that led him to the IMF. He reflects on how his formation at the IMF shaped and transformed him, and he delves into the beauty of spiritual direction as a path to deeper healing and relationship with God. Greg also discusses how he is now actively applying his formation through men’s ministry and various vibrant initiatives at St. Michael’s Parish in downtown Portland.

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    31 mins
  • Transforming Hearts through Listening with Kindness and Curiosity, an Interview with Fr. Derek Sakowski
    May 5 2025

    In this Transforming Hearts podcast interview, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Fr. Derek Sakowski, a priest from the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who has done extensive work in healing ministry.

    Fr. Derek shares his personal healing journey as well as the critical importance and healing power that comes from loving attunement to the heart of another. This is possible only through listening with genuine kindness and curiosity.

    The link to Fr. Derek's blog, 'Brave Shepherds,' can be found here: https://braveshepherds.com/about-the-author/.

    The link to Fr. Derek's blog, 'Abiding in Truth and Love,' can be found here: http://www.abideinlove.com"

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    33 mins
  • Transforming Hearts through Benedictine Leadership Studies: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Krom
    Apr 22 2025

    In this Transforming Hearts episode, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation sits down with Dr. Michael P. Krom, PhD—Professor and Chair of Philosophy at St. Vincent College and Director of both the Benedictine Leadership Studies and Faith and Reason Summer Program.

    Dr. Krom shares how the Benedictine Leadership Studies (BLS) program at St. Vincent College forms servant leaders through Catholic teachings and Benedictine spirituality, including stories of students’ growth and transformation within the program.

    To learn more about the BLS program, click here

    To learn more about Faith and Reason Summer program, click here

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    32 mins
  • Transforming Hearts Through Accompaniment in Parishes: A Conversation with Kim Fleming
    Apr 8 2025

    In this podcast, Kristin Molitor from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Kim Fleming from St. Joseph Catholic Community in Eldersburg, Maryland.

    Kim's parish was the first to engage with the IMF's parish accompaniment formation, which included workshops and a retreat. She reflects on how this formation has been incredibly fruitful for both the parish and for her personally, and discusses how the principles of accompaniment have been integrated into her intergenerational women's group, 'Women at the Well.'

    Kim's women's group focuses on vulnerability, personal testimony, and small group sharing, fostering a safe space for women to share their hearts and growth in their faith, leading to significant personal transformations and healing.

    Kim shares how being intentional about accompaniment can transform parish groups and nurture genuine spiritual growth.

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    35 mins
  • Transforming Hearts through Daily Interactions: A Conversation with Robin Schiefelbein
    Mar 24 2025

    In this podcast episode, Kristin interviews Robin Schiefelbein, a current student in the IMF's Spiritual Direction program. Robin shares how the program has transformed her spiritual life and relationships, as well as how she applies her formation in daily life.

    Click here to lear more about the IMF's Spiritual Direction Program

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    30 mins