Girlfriends (A Podcast for Catholic Women)

<p>As Christmas draws near, take a quiet moment to pause, breathe, and listen.</p><p>In this episode of <em>Girlfriends</em>, Danielle Bean shares the reflection portion from <strong>Session Three of the Advent Prayer Series</strong>, centered on the shepherds’ encounter with the angels in <strong>Gospel of Luke 2:8–12</strong>.</p><p>This gentle reflection invites us to step away from the noise and pressure of the season and remember the heart of Advent: that Christ comes <em>for you</em>—right into ordinary, messy, real life.</p><p>Whether you’re finishing your to-do list, hiding with a cup of coffee, or carving out a rare moment of stillness, this episode offers space to prepare room for a quieter, deeper joy as Christmas approaches.</p><p>* <em>A peaceful pause for the final days of Advent</em></p><p>* <em>Rooted in Scripture and ordinary grace</em></p><p>* <em>An invitation to rest, return, and rejoice</em></p><p>Subscribe at daniellebean.substack.com</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>Advent invites us into a kind of waiting that isn’t empty, but holy. I’m sharing the opening reflection from our second Advent prayer session, where we slow down together and make space for God in the middle of the busy season. We reflect on how God works in the in-between moments, why waiting can be an act of trust, and how Scripture helps steady our hearts when answers feel delayed. This gentle reflection is a small taste of the prayerful gatherings we share as a Girlfriends community.</p><p>If you’re longing for quiet, grounding prayer as we approach Christmas, you’re invited to join us.</p><p>daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe</p><p><strong>In this episode:</strong></p><p>* Why waiting is part of God’s loving preparation</p><p>* How Advent teaches us to trust without having all the answers</p><p>* Practical ways to remain faithful and hopeful while we wait</p><p>Paid subscribers receive full access to the complete prayer sessions, guided Lectio Divina, downloadable resources, and live gatherings, including <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/p/before-christmas-come-pray-with-us">our upcoming Advent prayer session.</a></p><p>Settle in. Take a deep breath. Let this reflection be a moment of peace in your day.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing the guided prayer reflection from our first Advent live session: <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/p/let-it-be-marys-yes-and-our-surrender"><strong>Let It Be: Mary’s Yes and Our Surrender</strong></a>. This 20-minute reflection gently leads you through Scripture, silence, and a posture of openness as we pray with Mary at the Annunciation.</p><p>If you’ve been longing for a quiet moment to breathe, reconnect with God, and step away from December’s noise… this is for you.</p><p><strong>Inside this episode:</strong></p><p>* A calming reflection to settle your heart</p><p>* A Scripture meditation on Mary’s courageous “yes”</p><p>* Time to rest in God’s presence</p><p>* A reminder that surrender isn’t weakness; it’s trust</p><p>* Space to welcome Christ into the places you feel stretched or unsure</p><p>This is the same reflection I shared live last week with our paid Substack community. I hope it brings peace and clarity to your Advent.</p><p><strong>Want to join me live for the next Advent prayer sessions?</strong></p><p>We still have two more evenings of prayer together:</p><p><strong>Wednesday, December 10</strong><em>Finding God in the Waiting</em></p><p><strong>Wednesday, December 17</strong><em>Welcoming Christ With Joy</em></p><p>These sessions are quiet, simple, and deeply grounding, perfect for the end of a long day. You’ll receive:</p><p>* A guided reflection</p><p>* Scripture-based meditation or Lectio Divina</p><p>* A quiet space to listen for the Holy Spirit</p><p>* Optional chat sharing and prayer intentions</p><p>* A downloadable prayer sheet to carry through your week</p><p><strong>Make sure you’re subscribed:</strong></p><p>That’s where you’ll get the registration links, reminders, and all the new Scripture-centered content coming in the new year.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe</a>

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit <a href="https://daniellebean.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_7">daniellebean.substack.com</a><br/><br/><p>Free preview for free subscribers, full episode for paid subscribers! Subscribe at <a target="_blank" href="http://daniellebean.substack.com">daniellebean.substack.com</a></p><p>When your body feels like it’s failing you, it can be hard to see it as a gift.</p><p>In this bonus reflection, I share lessons inspired by my conversation with Samantha Stephenson—on faith, healing, and learning to receive both body and soul as gifts from a loving God.</p><p>Samantha’s honest story of chronic illness and spiritual renewal reveals how God meets us in weakness, prunes us through love, and teaches us to trust Him one small surrender at a time.</p><p>Inside this paid-only bonus episode, we’ll explore three spiritual lessons from Samantha’s journey:</p><p><strong>Receiving the Gift of Your Body</strong>How gratitude, not control, is the foundation of peace, health, and holiness</p><p><strong>Pruning for Fruitfulness</strong>Why saying “no” can sometimes be the most faithful act of love</p><p><strong>The Grace to Surrender Daily</strong>Finding holiness in the present moment, one small “yes” at a time</p><p>Plus, I share personal stories, Scripture reflections, and journaling prompts to help you live these truths in your own daily walk with God.</p><p>💛 <em>These bonus reflections are available exclusively for paid subscribers of Girlfriends.</em></p><p>Your support makes this ministry possible—thank you for helping me keep this space authentic, faith-filled, and grace-centered.</p>

<p><strong>Subscribe for full content at </strong>daniellebean.substack.com</p><p>What does it mean to grow where you’re planted—especially when life feels broken?</p><p>In this honest and inspiring episode, I sit down with writer and bioethicist <strong>Samantha Stephenson</strong> to hear her powerful story of chronic illness, healing, and rediscovering the grace of being human.</p><p>What began as unexplained exhaustion and pain turned into years of searching for answers, countless doctor visits, and finally, a slow journey toward real healing, both physical and spiritual. Through it all, Samantha learned what it means to surrender control, advocate for herself, and trust that God can bring life and beauty even out of suffering.</p><p>Samantha shares:</p><p>* How her struggle with autoimmune disease affected her faith, marriage, and motherhood</p><p>* The surprising connection between gardening, healing, and the spiritual life</p><p>* What she learned about pruning, perfectionism, and letting God do His work</p><p>* How she found hope when answers were slow and healing seemed impossible</p><p>* Why caring for her body became a way of honoring God’s gift of life</p><p>This conversation is heartfelt and deeply hopeful. Samantha’s story reminds us that grace is never wasted, and that God can bring new growth even in the most barren seasons.</p><p>💛 Whether you’re facing health challenges, burnout, or simply learning to rest in God’s timing, this episode will renew your hope and encourage your heart.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/p/girlfriends-grace-unfiltered-companion"><em>Download the Grace Unfiltered companion journal</em></a></p><p><strong>Publishing tomorrow:</strong> My personal takeaways from this episode. Stay tuned for this BONUS episode!</p><p><strong><em>LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:</em></strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.realalexclark.com/">Culture Apothecary Podcast</a></p><p>Articles with health details:<a target="_blank" href="https://mamaprays.substack.com/p/how-i-healed-my-autoimmune-disease">How I Healed My Autoimmune Disease and Transformed My Life</a><a target="_blank" href="https://mamaprays.substack.com/p/i-thought-i-was-dyingheres-what-i-4aa">I Thought I Was Dying--Here’s What I Learned</a></p><p>Author links:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.choosinghuman.org/">Choosing Human Substack</a><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/48TvxO4">Reclaiming Motherhood Book</a><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-new-us-being-human-in-the-age-of-biotechnology/id1522088100">Brave New Us Podcast</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.snstephenson.com/">Author Website</a><a target="_blank" href="https://sophiainstitute.com/product/grow-where-youre-planted/">Grow Where You’re Planted</a></p><p>Samantha’s email for the nontoxic product list in progress: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe</a>