A Thriving Catholic Podcast

Hosted by Jessica Castillo

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Latest episode

Feb 2025

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EN-US

About the show

What does it mean to thrive ? Why are you here? What is the purpose of your life? What is God’s will for you? How can you integrate the truths of the Catholic faith with the pursuit of optimal health? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, then you’re in the right place. Join Catholic Life and Certified Health Coach Jessica Castillo each week as she dives into practical ways that you can combine your love for Jesus with best practices of nutrition, sleep, exercise, productivity, positive psychology, and more to optimize every area of your life. A Thriving Catholic was founded on the desire to glean the best practices and knowledge from every aspect of personal development, figure out how they fit into the bigger picture of our Catholic faith, and then apply them in daily life so that we can truly thrive . If you know that there’s more to life than just surviving another day, and if you’re ready to live the thriving and extraordinary life that God’s made you for, then subscribe today, and let’s get thriving! This podcast is now closed, thank you for listening!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

February 11, 202512 min

10 Foolproof Habits to Be Absolutely Miserable (That You're Probably Already Doing!)

#065 - Ever feel stuck, stressed, or just plain miserable—but you’re not exactly sure why? Good news! You might already be following the perfect self-sabotage plan without even realizing it.In this episode, we’re diving into 10 common habits that are secretly draining your joy, energy, and peace—things we all do without thinking but that slowly make life harder than it needs to be. From mindless scrolling to overcommitting to everything, these sneaky little habits keep us exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why we’re so stressed.The best part? Once you spot them, you can start changing them. So, if you’re ready to stop unknowingly wrecking your own happiness, hit play now!👉 Which of these habits do you catch yourself doing? Let me know! And don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes of A Thriving Catholic Podcast!Thanks for listening!

February 4, 2025Episode 6423 min

Sleep & Dopamine: How a Lack of Rest Wrecks Your Motivation (And Mimics ADHD)

#064 - Ever feel stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, low motivation, and endless scrolling—no matter how much you want to be productive? The problem might not be a lack of willpower but a lack of sleep. In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful connection between sleep, dopamine, and motivation—and how sleep deprivation can actually mimic or worsen ADHD symptoms.You'll learn: ✅ Why dopamine is the motivation molecule—and how sleep directly impacts it ✅ How poor sleep lowers dopamine levels, making it harder to focus, follow through, and resist distractions ✅ The shocking ways sleep deprivation mimics ADHD symptoms (forgetfulness, impulsivity, brain fog, and emotional ups & downs) ✅ Simple, science-backed strategies to reset your dopamine with better sleep habitsIf you struggle with motivation, focus, or energy, this episode will give you the tools to break free from the exhaustion cycle and start thriving—physically, mentally, and spiritually.🔔 Subscribe & Share with a friend who needs better sleep!Thanks for listening!

January 29, 2025Episode 6325 min

The Nitty-Gritty of Mental Prayer [Time for God Part 4]

#063 - How long should you pray for? When's the best time? Where should you pray? Should you kneel, sit, or lie down? In this episode, we get into all of the nitty-gritty details of mental prayer, including some recommended ways to enter into mental prayer and some common (and normal) difficulties you may experience. Join me in this final part of our 4-part series on Fr. Jacques Philippe's book Time for God. Thanks for listening!

January 22, 2025Episode 6227 min

What it Feels Like to Make Spiritual Progress [Time for God Part 3]

#062 - Have you ever wondered if you're making spiritual progress? Are you actually growing in holiness? What if it feels like you're just backsliding? In this 3rd part of our 4 part series on Fr. Jaques Philippe's book, Time for God, we talk about the stages of spiritual progress and what it might feel like as you grow in union with God. Thanks for listening!

January 14, 2025Episode 6139 min

Let God Have the Joy of Loving You [Time for God Part 2]

#061 - In this 2nd episode of our 4 part series on Fr. Jacques Philippe's book, Time for God, we'll be answering the question, "How should I spend my time of mental prayer? What should I DO to use this time well?" In this episode, I'll go through the 4 principles that Fr. Jacques refers to as the "landmarks" by which a Christian can orient themselves in this inner landscape of mental prayer. Thanks for listening!

January 7, 2025Episode 6049 min

Essential Attitudes for the Most Essential of Activities [Time for God Part 1]

Sign up for the Healthy Habits RESET Workshop here:https://www.athrivingcatholic.com/reset#060- I want to put first things first this year and focus on what’s most important in the life of every Christian. And that my friend, is prayer. So for the whole month of January I’m going to be doing a deep dive on prayer–but not just any kind of prayer, we’ll be focusing specifically on mental prayer. The way I’m going to do this is every week for the next few weeks I’m going to go through Fr. Philippe’s book “Time for God” and just share with you the bits that really stood out to me and also a bit of my own reflections while I was reading. It’s my hope that this is helpful for those of you who may be interested in learning more about this kind of prayer, but don’t have the time to sit down with a book and read. Or even if you do choose to get this book and read it for yourself, hopefully this podcast series will just help reinforce what you’re reading. Thanks for listening!

October 17, 202424 min

Are You Ghosting Jesus? Here's How to Reconnect

#059 - Are you "ghosting" Jesus? Whether intentionally or unintentionally, you might be avoiding the Lord. Here's how you can reconnect with him. Thanks for listening!

October 10, 2024Episode 5835 min

I Thought I Was Just Bad at Adulting...It Turns Out I Have ADHD

#058- In this episode, I peel pack the curtain on my ADHD journey, from what led me to seek a diagnosis, what happened when I was diagnosed, and what I've done since then that I think might help you as you strive to live a more thriving and abundant life. Check out Consistency for Catholics here: https://www.athrivingcatholic.com/consistentThanks for listening!

July 18, 2024Episode 5732 min

Seeking Space & Time w/ Award-Winning Author Amy Schisler

#057- I was so happy to have award-winning Catholic Author, Amy Schisler, back on the show to talk about her latest book: Seeking Space and Time (which is the final book in the Chincoteague Sunsets Trilogy). Amy is a delightful author, and in this episode she shares a bit about her writing process, how she gets realistic characters and dialogue in her books, why she writes love stories (and not traditional romance novels), the role that faith plays in her books, and so much more. You can find Amy's books wherever books are sold, but if you want a SIGNED copy, visit: Amy's Website HERE or Sundial Books HERE. Thanks for listening!

May 17, 2024Episode 5615 min

The Staggeringly Simple (But Not Easy) Secret to Living an Extraordinary Life

#56 - What does it take to live an extraordinary life? A life that burns with meaning and purpose. A life that resounds both now and in eternity?The answer is surprisingly simple. It doesn’t take money or extra time and it’s accessible to everyone no matter what your circumstances are. In this episode, I’ll share what it is and how you can start living this way today. If you want to dive even deeper into this concept, I think you'll love my new podcast: The Catholic Pursuit of ExcellenceHead over to subscribe today! Thanks for listening!