Warrior Words | Stories of Hope | Finding Beauty After Battles & Thriving After Surviving Trauma

168. See the Beauty, not the Ugly | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 168 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Is your tendency to see only the ugly in certain situations?
Or, are you able to discover beauty in even the ugliest of circumstances?
Learning to discover beauty can be hard.
But it's also so important.
I heard a smart young woman say something so profound, yet so simple. It was her quote that inspired this episode.
It's not a long episode, but she inspired me to take a look at how I viewed a few situations in my life. 
Listen in to hear an insight I discovered.
 
Here's where you can get to know Chika: https://www.chika.church/
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
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YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

167. Praying Them Home: When Loved Ones Leave the Church | Kristine Bruce

Welcome to Episode 167 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Do you have a loved one who has fallen away from the faith? Maybe they've started to just "go through the motions," or maybe they've stopped going to church altogether.
There's a story in the Bible about this, with which we are all likely familiar: The Story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.
That story doesn't tell us if anyone did anything to try to get the son to return. But do you think his father actually did nothing?
My guess is he was likely doing some or all of what my guest, Kristine Bruce, is talking about in this episode. She shares four pillars she discovered when trying to help the prodigals in her own life.
Hint: None of them involves nagging anyone.
Listen in as Kristine describes how you can participate with God - not do God's job - to help your loved ones.
 
Resources Mentioned (aff):
Jeff Cavins Timeline Old Testament: https://amzn.to/4cHJ3F9
Jeff Cavins Timeline New Testament: https://amzn.to/4swPhNZ
Diary of St. Faustina: https://amzn.to/4egYPsJ
 
Learn more about Kristine:
Website: https://prayingforourprodigals.com/
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

166. Friendship, Grief, and a Tribute | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 166 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Happy Easter ~ He is Risen!
Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we, too, have hope in our own salvation and resurrection. We now have hope of Eternal Life after death.
Death is not the end.
It does not have the final say.
Jesus conquered death.
And so, when our loved ones pass on from life on this earth, we have hope that we will see them again, and more importantly, that they will be with Jesus in eternity.
So Eastertide is the perfect opportunity to share a story about a friend who ended her battle with cancer recently. I share with a little of my own selfish sadness, but I also share with hope, joy, and lessons learned.
There is beauty in the suffering she gracefully endured, and there is beauty in my grief as her friend.
So I share the blessings of friendship, as well as some lessons from this specific friendship that I think are applicable to many of our relationships.
Get to know people and love them well!
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

165. Your Purpose: A 1 in 73 Trillion Chance | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 165 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Do you know that God loves you?
I'm guessing you probably said, "Yes."
But do you really know it, I mean with conviction?
Maybe a smaller number of you said, "Yes" to that. I would have probably put my hand down between the first question and the second.
That is, until recently.
I have struggled with a self-defeating attitude most of my life. If you look at the Winnie-the-Pooh gang, I've always been the Eeyore of the group.
But a recent encounter in confession and my experience at a retreat made me see things differently. That doesn't mean I'll never feel down on myself or a situation again, but it does mean I see myself differently.
I'm no longer one in a million. Listen in to hear why.
Then please share this episode with someone you know who doesn't know how much he or she is loved by God.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

164. The Anger I Didn’t Know Was There | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 164 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Do you ever experience emotions that seem to come out of nowhere? Emotions that surprise you because you didn't even know they were lurking beneath the surface?
That's exactly what happened to me recently.
There was a death that occurred in my circle, and after news of this person's death, I discovered feelings of anger.
I had no idea that at some point during the time I knew this person, I was angry about something.
The anger only surfaced as I examined the relationship we had, but at that point, it was too late for either of us to actually resolve the situation.
Listen to this short episode to learn what I did with my anger, and then reply to this email and let me know if anything like this has ever happened to you.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

163. Serving Others: Peace in the Chaos | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 163 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
One of the practical tips Lynn Donovan shared in last week's episode was a way to get out of your own head during chaos: helping someone else.
I recently had the opportunity to volunteer for an event. In this episode, I called my reaction stupid and selfish. And it's true, but it's also silly (I love alliteration!). It truly is a way to shift the focus from your mess to helping someone else with theirs.
While I was serving, I wasn't thinking about the stuff going on in my own life. I was sharing with other people and having conversations - one even made someone consider something opposite to her beliefs.
My participation encouraged others and made people smile.
Serving is designed to help others, but it also helps us as we serve.
Enjoy this story of selfishly silly serving that left me and others smiling.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

162. The Lord’s Presence is in the Peace | Lynn Donovan

Welcome to Episode 162 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
In 2025, Lynn Donovan was on the podcast to talk about being in a spiritually mismatched marriage (episode 134). We left that episode at a bit of a cliffhanger.
So she agreed to come back!
This week, she is sharing what came after her husband was baptized, and doing a little myth-busting!
The truth is, sometimes switching to Team Jesus puts a proverbial target on our back. But that doesn't mean there aren't blessings.
Join us this week as we discuss some of the chaos and a lot of peace that showed up after her husband's conversion.
 
Learn more about Lynn:
Website: https://lynndonovan.com/
Website: https://spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynndonovan/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirituallyunequalmarriage
 
Marching Around Jericho: https://amzn.to/3WPvQCk
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

161. Hospice and Lent: Are You Prepared? | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 161 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
In the week before I recorded this episode, I learned that two people I know have entered, or are entering, hospice. And it got me thinking...
Parallels between hospice and Lent began to emerge - thank you, Holy Spirit! It also occurred to me that one of the people is approaching this time with the opportunity to use it as a blessed time of preparation.
If you look at this through eyes of faith, you just might be able to see the beauty of both seasons: hospice and Lent.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

160. Watching Blessings Flow from Community Ripples | Orlando Barros

Welcome to Episode 160 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
This week, I have a fantastic conversation with a man who has had an incredible experience of community and the Body of Christ.
Some members of that community were his family and friends. Others were complete strangers, one of whom has now become a lifelong friend.
Without this stranger, our conversation may never have happened.
Orlando Barros left home early one morning for a simple bike ride. What happened next changed so many things in his life, but it also reinforced his beliefs in the power of community and service to others.
Have a listen and hear how the ripples of a life interruption radiated out and are still creating new ripples today.
I also encourage you to take advantage of the offer that he presents at the end of the episode, especially if you work in any ministry at your church. Perhaps even pick it up as a gift for your pastor!
 
Learn more about Orlando:
Website: https://mrpdonordev.com/
Podcast: https://mrpdonordev.com/podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlando-jos%C3%A9-barros-610320115/
HOT off the Press! Beliefs + Relationships = Funds: https://mrpdonordev.stellarwebsystems.com/join?euuid=b65aef8c-05f8-11f1-931e-16ffeab70ea9
 
Help Start the Nonprofit - Donate through our new fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

159. Authority: Failure, Confession, & Lessons | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 159 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Are podcasters authorities?
This is a question I thought about this week, as my week took a different turn.
I've spent the last few weeks talking about listening to the Holy Spirit, confirming His message, and then taking action with that information.
And then I got some news I wasn't expecting, nor was I willing to consider what was being presented to me.
I realized - about 24 hours later - that I had failed at what I'd been "teaching" over the past weeks' episodes.
I had a pity party for the situation itself, and then for the fact that I wasn't practicing what I had just preached.
Prayer. Willingness. Openness.
I began to open myself up to the idea, its benefits, and the possible gifts it could bring. I started to listen again.
In this episode, I share my thoughts on myself as an authority, but more so about the reality of my - and our - humanness.
We fail at times in the things we teach.
The important thing is to admit, confess, and learn lessons. Then, power forward with the Holy Spirit.
One thing you'll hear in next week's episode is that the Israelites followed God and then forgot Him. They confess, align with God again. Then they forget Him again. It's a cycle.
It was cyclical then. It is cyclical now.
Fail. Confess. Learn.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.