In this episode we are joined by guest Haley Stewart of the Blog "Carrots for Michaelmas", to discuss the genius of Jane Austen! How Austen's books reveal the value of true virtue and the effects of vice in the lives of her characters. We discuss patterns of behavior and the importance of small interactions in everyday life.

JonMarc and Teresa conclude their conversation about pregnancy and postpartum as a couple by tackling some common questions, such as: How do you prepare your children for a new baby? What does self-care after giving birth look like? How do you share the burden of postpartum with your spouse? And much more!

Teresa opens up about her many experiences with postpartum depression with fellow Catholic mom of 16 children and midwife, Lisa Baldwin. Through these periods Teresa learned the importance of “Elevating” the Postpartum Period. Join us as we discuss how we can “turn towards reality” to make plans about the postpartum period after birth (aka the Virtue of Prudence in the Postpartum Period).

How do you prepare for a new baby with older children? What do guys do during pregnancy? Individual weaknesses and weaknesses as a couple really become apparent during pregnancy. JonMarc and Teresa talk about how to grow in VIRTUE while preparing for the new baby.

JonMarc and Teresa talk about troubleshooting common problems couples encounter with the extreme fasting and lifestyle changes of Exodus 90/Exodus Lent.

What is LEISURE and why are westerners so bad at it? Josef Pieper's book "Leisure the Basis of Culture" gives us insight into how recreation and relaxation allow us to LOVE our LIVES. Special guest Simone Rizkallah of Endow and the Cultural Gypsy joins JonMarc and Teresa to talk about how LEISURE can help you live your BEST LIFE!

Catholic regenerative farmers, Shawn and Beth Dougherty, join JonMarc and Teresa to talk about “Theology of the Body” for the EARTH.

RELATIONSHIPS take work! So let's talk about some PRACTICAL ways we can put that knowledge into action. JonMarc and Teresa discuss how to stand shoulder to shoulder as a couple, improving daily tasks, letting go of pride, and how to have productive conversations about what does and doesn't work for you.

Do priests actually WANT to be invited over for dinner? Do they need community and friendship? JonMarc and Teresa reflect upon the many ways in which parishioners can offer care and support to their brother priests.

JonMarc and Teresa discuss what the virtue of Temperance looks like in practice. Covering a wide variety of topics including living a whole and undivided life, rationalism, puritanism, and self-care. How does this virtue actually help us to live our daily lives as Christians?

JonMarc and Teresa discuss how to embrace the ever changing seasons of life while continuing to pursue holiness and the practice of virtue.

What is our relationship with stuff? We have an obsession with owning stuff and yet we never have enough things. What if there were a better way to get our needs met? Teresa and JonMarc discuss "Buy Nothing" Groups, what they are, how they help people, and what makes it different from socialism.

JonMarc and Teresa continue their discussion of the four cardinal virtues with the virtue of Courage (aka. Fortitude).

JonMarc is joined by his brother and guest host, Fr. Peter Grodi, to talk more about the virtues! We discuss how the active life of the Cardinal Virtues fits into the Christian life of grace and total reliance on God.

Social planning, massive governmental conspiracy, gaslighting, horrific carnage, aliens, Merlin… Does this sound like CS Lewis?! JonMarc and Teresa discuss why their favorite book of all time — That Hideous Strength by CS Lewis — is the most prophetic book of our time!!

Vice is a monotonous slavery. Men look more unique when they grow in virtue. JonMarc welcomes special guest, his brother Father Peter Grodi from the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio.

On this first episode of Elevate Ordinary back from a couple month's off, JonMarc and Teresa Grodi continue their study of the cardinal virtues with "Justice" the virtue of recognizing and embracing the web of relationships with other persons within which we live. What is the significance of this virtue, where does it fit with the other virtues in the life of the Christian man or woman, and how does one make it a "habit of soul"? Welcome back to Elevate Ordinary!

Jacob Imam and Marc Barnes of NewPolity.com join the show to discuss virtue and MONEY. What is our money really meant for? The godly vision for material wealth is vastly different from the world's opinion. For Catholics, money is an explosive opportunity to trust in God, grow in life-changing virtues, make friends (Christ commands it in the Gospel of Luke - look it up!), do penance for our sins, and bring healing to the Body of Christ.

In this episode of Elevate Ordinary, JonMarc and Teresa discuss the first of the four Cardinal Virtues, the virtue that consists of going through life awake and intentional, the virtue of being a person of reality rather than fantasy, the virtue that helps you to be an actor rather than merely a reactor — the virtue without which, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, no other moral virtue is even possible. Have you guessed it yet? We’re talking about PRUDENCE this week. So sit back, wake up, and let’s get REAL.

In this episode we begin a short series digging a little deeper into one of our favorite topics, one which we refer to constantly and use as one of our primary frameworks for analyzing and attempting to “Elevate the Ordinary”: The Cardinal Virtues. Today we’re giving an overview of the virtues and exploring, through some of our own anecdotes and stories, how important the virtues are to the Christian seeking to follow Christ and pursue the holiness he is calling (ALL) of us to.