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Artwork for Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Mike and Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent and Family
Parenting
Marriage
Family Life
Child Development
Family Dynamics
Catholic Faith
Catholic Church
Communication
Family
Family Culture
Catholicism
Catholic Parenting
Natural Family Planning
Mental Health
Catholic Family Life
Forgiveness
Community
Spiritual Growth
Faith
Divorce

Parenting is not a clean-cut, simple process for those who like to follow the rules. Family life is messy and unpredictable, but it is the greatest adventure you will ever have. We are Mike and Alicia Hernon, parents of 10 children with a growing number of grandchildren, and we would like to invite you into some of the conversations we have had with each other about marriage, parenting, and Cathol... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes402Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingChristianityKids & FamilyReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Latest Episodes

If our children learn who God is by watching us, where are we learning who God is?

Summary Every parent carries an image of God shaped by experience, but what happens when that image is shaped more by our wounds than by the truth? In this episode, ... more

YouTube

If I understand my child's feelings but refuse to guide them toward what is good, am I fully loving them?

Summary What if empathy, one of the most important tools in parenting, can sometimes keep us from loving our children well? In this episode, M... more

YouTube

Summary Marriage does not mean you will perfectly fulfill every need your spouse has, but we are called to be a channel of God's self-giving love. Join us for this powerful conversation with Devin Schadt author of The Marriage Gap: How to Understand,... more

YouTube

"We have vastly overprotected our children in the real world. We have to give them more freedom." —Jonathan Haidt

Summary How much freedom should you give your children—and how do you know when they're ready for more? In this episode, we explore on... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Devin Schadt
Author, speaker, co-founder of the Fathers of St. Joseph and co-host of the Catholic Gentleman Podcast.
Fathers of St. Joseph
Episode: MFP 401: The Four Core Needs of Your Spouse and How to Address Them
Father Josh Johnson
Priest and speaker, host of Bible in a Year for Families podcast (Ascension)
Ascension/Bible in a Year for Families
Episode: MFP 396: The Great Family Reboot
Steve Serafin
Executive Director of Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries
Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries
Episode: MFP 392: Faith at Home: No Degree Required
Scott Smith
Author, speaker, co-author of the Holy Family consecration material
New Roads, Louisiana (New Roads area)
Episode: MFP 389: 33 Days to Consecration to the Holy Family
Maggie Radzik
Montessori educator and catechist
Independent Montessori educator
Episode: MFP 387: The Truth about Toddlers
Paul McCusker
Author and writer known for Adventures in Odyssey and Welcome to Hope Springs
Adventures in Odyssey; Welcome to Hope Springs (Catholic version)
Episode: MFP 384: Paul McCusker and the Power of Story
Tommy McGrady
Author and speaker, teacher, and co-host of Family Mass Prep on Halo app
Halo app
Episode: MFP 381: The Secret to Raising Kids Who Love the Sacraments
Katie McGrady
Author and speaker, co-host of Family Mass Prep on Halo app
Halo app; Blessed Is She; Our Sunday Visitor
Episode: MFP 381: The Secret to Raising Kids Who Love the Sacraments
Father Carter Griffin
Priest in the Archdiocese of Washington, rector of St. John Paul II Seminary
St. John Paul II Seminary / Archdiocese of Washington
Episode: MFP 378: Training Children to Master Themselves

Hosts

Mike Hernon
Host of Messy Family Project; Catholic conversations on marriage and family; co-host with Alicia Hernon
Alicia Hernon
Co-host focusing on family life and Catholic teaching; partner of Mike Hernon

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • These guys are fantastic. I've been listening for about 12 years and I can honestly say that Mike and Alicia have taught me how to raise my six kids in a Catholic home. They are like mentors to me! Definitely recommend, 100%.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Bethieluth
    6 days ago
  • Best marriage & family pod!

    I have been listening for 7 years now, since I was engaged. Mike and Alicia have been highly influential on how I I live as a wife and now mom of 3. They bring the best wise big sister and brother energy to this podcast and all of the Messy Family resources. I feel seen and supported by them as a listener! Even if you’re not Catholic, I highly recommend listening because this is some of the best mentorship out there for family life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Donnellymiranda
    United Statesa month ago
  • Married with Children

    This is the best podcast for anyone who is married with children.

    Marriage is hard. Raising children is very hard. Put those things together, and sometimes life feels impossible.

    Mike and Alicia have a wonderful way of giving practical advice to strengthen your marriage and help you be a better parent. Even though life is still difficult, it’s nice to know that other people are struggling with the same things you are. It’s also nice to get straightforward, actionable advice on how to change ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danny08009
    United States2 months ago
  • Do your research on campus rape

    Justifying rapists because “guys know that girls are taking birth control and therefore are open for business” is turning causality upside down.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    LeftMyHeartInGesu
    United States2 months ago
  • The most encouraging podcast for parents

    What I love about Mike and Alicia is that they are always so encouraging! I never feel ashamed or feel any regret for past mistakes after listening to their advice or opinions on marriage and family life. They inspire me to build up my family culture, be a better wife and mom. Thank you 🩵

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NDaveySA
    South Africa5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is seen as a reliable mentor for Catholic family culture and personal growth
Listeners praise relatable, real-life advice and respectful conversations about Catholic life
The hosts are encouraging and practical for families seeking faith-based growth
Guests consistently bring helpful, diverse perspectives on marriage and parenting

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

MFP 401: The Four Core Needs of Your Spouse and How to Address Them
Q: So maybe unpack those core needs for us.
Schadt outlines four complementary pairs: a wife's need for security in her husband's love and a husband's need for respect; her need for his strength and his desire for her beauty; her need for closeness and his need for physical intimacy; and her need for his spiritual leadership and his need for a partner in the mission.
MFP 401: The Four Core Needs of Your Spouse and How to Address Them
Q: Can you just kind of differentiate there for people? You're not saying your spouse is supposed to fulfill all your needs.
Schadt says God alone ultimately fulfills people, but spouses can transmit divine love by learning their own needs, communicating them and choosing how to address each other's needs.
MFP 387: The Truth about Toddlers
Q: How do the four planes of development translate into practical parenting for families with little kids?
She explains zero-to-three, three-to-six as the first plane, and how environments and activities should be tailored to meet the child's developmental needs within each plane, emphasizing observation and gradual responsibility.
MFP 382: The Shape of a Growing Family
Q: What strategies help you create meaningful time with each child?
Prioritize older kids for regular one-on-one time, keep it simple and doable, and use recurring opportunities like driving them to activities or quick meals to build connection.
MFP 382: The Shape of a Growing Family
Q: How do you manage adult children returning home and set expectations?
Have a conversation about boundaries and shared responsibilities, acknowledge their maturity, and adjust rules to reflect their independence while maintaining family cohesion.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, faith-centered show about marriage, parenting, and Catholic family life. Hosts Mike and Alicia Hernon guide conversations on building strong families through faith formation, intentional communication, and everyday holiness, often featuring guests who bring expertise in theology, pedagogy, mental health, and practical parenting resources. Notable strengths include a steady focus on applying Catholic principles to real-life family dynamics, a collaborative, warm tone, and a willingness to address tough topics with honesty and humility. The program often promotes actionable programs, workshops, and resources for couples and families, making it useful for listeners seeking concrete strategies and faith-driven guidance for home lif... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Saints Alive Podcast
2. Abiding Together
3. The Lila Rose Show
4. Catholic Sprouts: Daily Podcast for Catholic Kids
5. Restore The Glory Podcast

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this podcast launched 12 years ago and published 402 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Devin Schadt
2. Father Josh Johnson
3. Steve Serafin
4. Scott Smith
5. Maggie Radzik
6. Paul McCusker
7. Tommy McGrady
8. Katie McGrady

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