New Year, New You…. The world says it’s time for resolutions, but should we even care? As you begin to consider what’s in store for 2018, Kevin and Lisa take a look at the lives we are living and the story we will tell. On the podcast today, your hosts discuss how your lives are a narrative. Where have you been? Where are you going? And who is helping you get there? Join us as we ring in the new year by considering the story of your life. SHOWNOTES How-to Resolutions How-to Habits Want to get ou...
Jan 01, 2018•32 min
Get excited, Christmas is almost here!… On the podcast today Kevin and Lisa give you part three of their three-part, Adult Jesse Tree series. Covered in the episode are many of the moments in Salvation History that most of us don’t really think about or know about, such as the split of the kingdom, the exile, and the return. SHOWNOTES Want to get out of debt and transform your relationship with money? Learn more about WalletWin and listen to Lisa’s interview with Amanda on How-to Debt . Our frie...
Dec 18, 2017•42 min
The Adult Jesse Tree Continues… On the podcast today, Kevin and Lisa give you part two of a three-part series on Salvation History. In this show, Kevin and Lisa will be discussing Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David and how they played crucial roles in carrying God’s plan forward. As we try to grow closer to Jesus this Advent, our study of the Old Testament can help us understand why Jesus had to come in the first place. SHOWNOTES Join the Cotter’s support team! https://www.focus.org/missionaries/ke...
Dec 11, 2017•43 min
Advent is a time of preparation… a time to think about the past and why God needed to send us a Savior. On the podcast today, Kevin and Lisa will begin part one of a three-part series on Salvation History for an adult version of the Jesse Tree. To begin the series, Kevin and Lisa will be discussing most of Genesis as they look at the lives Adam, Noah, and Abraham and learn how they paved the way for a Savior. Along the way their lessons will be applied to our own lives today. SHOWNOTES Listener ...
Dec 04, 2017•32 min
It’s that time of year again…shopping for Christmas gifts. But, how do we not just buy stuff, but give memorable presents that help to honor the people who are receiving our gifts? On the podcast today, Kevin and Lisa will be discussing not only how to give thoughtful presents, but also an awesome list of specifically Catholic gift ideas. Plus, on today’s episode, Kevin will have a quote that can help when you’re facing a challenge and Lisa will preview a new how-to Catholic series that will sta...
Nov 27, 2017•44 min
The podcast is back and Thanksgiving is here. In a culture that seems to have everything, we ironically fail to be grateful for what we have. How can we reverse this trend? How can we truly be thankful this Thanksgiving? On the podcast today, Kevin and Lisa discuss four ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Plus, on today’s episode, there’s a new segment, Saints Quotes to Live By. Kevin and Lisa will begin with a female Doctor of the Church and throw an unofficial hack and highlight into t...
Nov 20, 2017•30 min
Are you in a rut? Or, maybe you’ve been in a rut before and it took you awhile to get out? This week Kevin shares one simple way to get out of a rut by examining how the disciples left their old lives to follow Jesus. Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: hello[at]madetomagnify[dot]com The post Blogcast: In a Rut? The One Simple Way to Get Out appeared first on Lisa Cotter ....
Nov 06, 2017•5 min
Becoming a saint is not a thing of the past. Even today, saints are being made and Chiara Corbella Petrillo is just one of them. Looking for some inspiration in this vale of tears? You’ve found it. P.S. I wrote this post a few months after Chiara passed away. This June the cause for her canonization was opened. I always knew that would happen. If you need a miracle, put it through the hands of Chiara! Lisa Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: he...
Oct 30, 2017•15 min
As Catholics, we have a number of phrases and sayings we use with one another on a consistent basis. One of the most common sayings is “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” This quote is popularly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. But, did St. Francis of Assisi really say this? And, did he really live this out as his primary means of evangelization? Find out more in this blogcast. Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: h...
Oct 23, 2017•4 min
Ever wonder why after 12 years of marriage Kevin and Lisa only have three kids? Today’s blogcast by host Lisa Cotter was written in 2012, back when they only had two, but it still explains the reason. Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: hello[at]madetomagnify[dot]com The post Blogcast: Wait, Do You Only Have Two Kids? appeared first on Lisa Cotter ....
Oct 16, 2017•8 min
Today host Kevin Cotter will be reading one of his most popular blog posts ever on how someone goes through the official process of becoming a saint. Have you ever heard words like Venerable or Servant of God and wondered what they actually meant? Have you ever wondered what it takes to go from a Blessed to a Saint? Check out this blogcast to get the answers and more about becoming a Saint. Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: hello[at]madetomag...
Oct 10, 2017•7 min
Welcome to the first-ever How-to Catholic blogcast! Today host Lisa Cotter will be reading a blog post she wrote in response to a question she frequently gets on whether or not it’s okay to date someone with the hope that maybe, one day they’ll turn into a Jesus person. Enjoy! Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: hello[at]madetomagnify[dot]com The post Blogcast: The Trouble with Evangedating appeared first on Lisa Cotter ....
Oct 02, 2017•10 min
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… whether you love it or hate it, social media is something we all have to deal with. It influences our relationships, our communities, our national and international conversations, and even our faith. What’s the best way to use it? What questions should we be asking ourselves as we engage it? On today’s podcast, Kevin and Lisa cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media as they look at 3 ways social media can steal your joy and 4 ways it can add to it. Plus...
Sep 28, 2017•35 min
Death. We really don’t like thinking about it, but the way we think about death says a lot about our Catholic faith. How do we react to death and remember those who have gone before us? How do we think about our own death? On the podcast today, Kevin and Lisa discuss five truths about death to help you learn to contemplate this important part of our faith. Additionally, on today’s episode, Kevin and Lisa share a listener hack involving the rosary and how to get yourself to pray it more often and...
Sep 18, 2017•30 min
St. Jerome once said, “Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ”. If we want to be followers of Jesus, we can’t ignore this vital part of our faith. On the podcast today, Kevin and Lisa discuss 4 keys to helping you read Scripture like a Catholic. You’ll learn why Scripture is so unique, how to understand it better, and how to get more out of it. Also, on today’s episode, Kevin and Lisa have a hack from one of our listeners on how to help you keep your commitments and they highlight a very ...
Sep 11, 2017•36 min
Does your parish have a place where people can ask questions about Jesus and His Church without feeling awkward? On the podcast, Kevin interviews his friend Sarah Kaczmarek about how we can create a space in our churches for people who are searching as we look at 5 steps for running The Alpha Course. You’ll learn what makes this course so unique and how to you can run Alpha in your parish. Also, on today’s episode, you’ll hear about a great hack to capturing those moments when God is speaking in...
Sep 04, 2017•33 min
It’s that time of year… Kevin and Lisa’s engagement anniversary! In honor of this occasion, on the podcast today they share their engagement story, as well as 7 tips for engagement because being engaged can be an exciting period, but if it’s not done with intention, it can easily be wasted. So what does everybody need to know to about preparing for marriage, give it a listen to find out. Also, on today’s episode, you’ll hear about a great hack to help you conquer your alarm clock AND a highlight...
Aug 28, 2017•34 min
Confession. It’s one of the sacraments of healing, but so often the priest is like a doctor that we don’t want to see. We fear confession. We ignore it. We forget about it. But, what if we learned how to be healed through it? To help you get the most from confession, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter discuss 3 ways for you to make a better confession and to go more frequently. Also, on today’s episode, you’ll hear about a really fun hack on how you can get more Catholic classics in your life AND a hig...
Aug 21, 2017•31 min
Summer is winding down and the possibility of hitting the reset button on your schedule is likely on your mind, but how you are going to go about doing it might not be clear. To help you get the fall started on the right foot, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter are spending the next two episodes talking about how to create a plan of life that will help you reach your goals and live your priorities. Also on today’s episode, you’ll hear about a hack on how to manage your Catholic podcasts and a highlight...
Aug 14, 2017•33 min
Summer is winding down and the possibility of hitting the reset button on your schedule is likely on your mind, but how you are going to go about doing it might not be clear. To help you get the fall started on the right foot, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter are spending the next two episodes talking about how to create a plan of life that will help you reach your goals and live your priorities. Also on today’s episode, you’ll find a Catholic hack on how to not waste moments of suffering and a highl...
Aug 07, 2017•30 min
Do you have friends or family members who are considering the religious life? On the podcast today, Kevin interviews his good friend, Jeff Stephens on how to help those in discernment. After serving for two years with FOCUS, Jeff has spent time in discernment with a religious community and in an archdiocesan seminary. On this episode, we’ll talk about what to say and do for those thinking about entering religious life or a seminary, how to help them once they are in, and how we can best serve th...
Aug 01, 2017•42 min
What do the elderly have to offer to the world? More than you might think. On the podcast today Lisa interviews her college friend, Sr. Dara Catherine of the Little Sisters of the Poor. For the last decade, Sr. Dara has spent her days serving the elderly and today she shares her wisdom and experiences on the podcast. On this episode, we talk about what’s been going on with the Little Sisters and the HHS mandate, as well as four things Sr. Dara wishes everybody knew about the elderly. We also hav...
Jul 24, 2017•30 min
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. It’s time for a special Q and A episode in which hosts Kevin and Lisa answer questions from YOU. Topics range from dating and relationships to living your faith in public to what to do if you want to publish a book. You’ll also hear about a Catholic hack on how to celebrate a pregnant friend who’s not having their first baby and a highlight on a ministry that is truly answering Pope Francis’ call to go to the peripheries. SHOWNOTES Freedom App Platform by...
Jul 17, 2017•36 min
Marriage. One of God’s greatest gifts and, if we’re honest, one of the greatest opportunities for growth in holiness. For many, expectations can make or break a marriage. In our over-idealized world, it’s easy to expect perfection and continual bliss, but that’s not always the reality. In today’s episode, Kevin and Lisa be talking about four things we wish everyone knew about marriage. (Including some talk on the birds and the bees, so if you have little ones, this might not be the episode to pl...
Jul 12, 2017•32 min
On the podcast, we often talk about our work with FOCUS, but we realized that we’ve never really talked directly about what exactly FOCUS is and our lives as missionaries. If you’ve ever been curious about focus, or even if you know about it, but want to learn more, this episode is for you. We will be dispelling 5 FOCUS myths around topics such as fundraising a salary, being missionaries as a family, and going on a dating fast. Plus we have a Catholic hack for you on what to do with holy medals ...
Jul 03, 2017•34 min
In our culture today, it’s very common to have family members who are away from the faith. This can make for a difficult situation as we care deeply about these people, but often don’t know what to do. In this episode, host Kevin Cotter interviews focus missionary Kelsey Skoch on how she helped bring about her own family’s conversion. Then Kevin and Kelsey share four steps you can take to reach your own lost family members. SHOWNOTES Connect with Kelesy – Twitter | Instagram Hacks and Highlights...
Jun 26, 2017•35 min
Ordinary Time – there’s nothing going on, right? Wrong. Ordinary time has some amazing opportunities for us to grow in our faith. On today’s episode, Kevin and Lisa share three ways the Church invites us to live our Catholic faith and culture during the season of Ordinary Time. Why does it matter? Becuase something is defining how we live. Is it the Church or the world? SHOWNOTES French Republican Calendar – it’s crazy! Monthly Devotions of the Church CatholicCulture.org -Lisa’s favorite site fo...
Jun 19, 2017•33 min
It’s summer – a season of transitions. Moving, getting married, starting a new job, having a baby… you’re likely doing it, or know someone who is. Whether you’re going through a major transition or a very small one, we want you to make the most of this time. In today’s episode, we share 5 tips on seeing transitions as an opportunity and not the enemy. SHOWNOTES How-to Habit : Stick It Hacks and Highlights Laudate App for getting the Mass readings Blog post on how to get your iphone to read to yo...
Jun 12, 2017•30 min
Suffering can come in all different forms: an illness, a relationship that has gone wrong, or through any number of instances that can occur in our daily lives. In many ways, our lives can be defined by how we respond to suffering. Will we deny it? Avoid it? Loathe it? or Embrace it? On the podcast today we will be taking a look at suffering and three practical ways to handle it. SHOWNOTES Quotes from this Episode “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters ar...
Jun 05, 2017•34 min
Stuff. We all have it and if you’re like most Americans you have too much of it. As spring cleaning season is in full swing, Lisa interviews Brook Bunn of Cheerful Spaces on a timely how-to about clutter. Topics include three spiritual reasons for getting organized and decluttering and five simple steps for tackling those nagging spaces in our lives that are stealing our peace. SHOWNOTES Brook’s favorite organizational supplies: Blog Post Brook’s websites: Cheerful Spaces and Bunn and Sons Email...
May 29, 2017•41 min
