"The love of Christ was the magnetic force that really drew us together."
~ Debbie Herbeck

• What does it actually take to keep Christ at the center of a marriage through decades of real life?
• What do you do when one spouse is further ahead in faith than the other?
• How do you build a family culture that passes faith down to the next generation?

In episode 98 of This Whole Life, Pat and Kenna welcome Peter and Debbie Herbeck, a couple with nearly 40 years of marriage, four children, and 12 grandchildren. Their story is anything but ordinary. Debbie grew up Jewish, came to faith at the University of Michigan, and paid a real price to follow Jesus. Peter came from a Catholic family shaped by both great love and the wounds of an alcoholic home. When they met, they were both already fully committed to the Lord individually, before they ever considered committing to each other.

What followed was a marriage built not on ideal circumstances, but on a shared decision to put Jesus first, even when it was hard, messy, and costly.

In this conversation, Peter and Debbie share the practical rhythms that kept their marriage rooted through busy seasons of parenting and ministry, what they say to couples where one spouse simply isn't on the same page in faith, and how they built a culture of honor in their home that their grandchildren are now carrying forward.

This is the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades of saying yes to the Lord together.

Peter Herbeck is the Vice President and Director of Missions for Renewal Ministries. Debbie Herbeck is the founder and executive director of Be Love Revolution and Pine Hills Girls Camp, and a speaker whose journey from Judaism to the Catholic faith has inspired thousands.
Together they are co-authors of Lessons from the School of Love: Building a Christ-Centered Marriage.

Chapters:

• (01:27) - Introduction and welcome
• (07:30) - Highs & Hards: life lately
• (09:40) - How Peter and Debbie met
• (18:30) - Blending two very different backgrounds in marriage
• (26:30) - Keeping Christ at the center: practical rhythms
• (39:30) - When one spouse is trailing behind in faith
• (50:30) - The culture of honor in your home
• (58:55) - Challenge By Choice

Links and Resources:

• Lessons from the School of Love: Building a Christ-Centered Marriage. (https://a.co/d/0eFEDegy)
• Renewal Ministries (https://www.renewalministries.net/)
• Be Love Revolution (https://www.beloverevolution.com/)

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"We love you, St. Charbel."

Who knew those words might have been the ones to save her baby's life?

Listen in to this moving story from St. Faustina Maria Pia!

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

“The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.”
~ Jesus, to St. Faustina

- Why is it so hard to trust God?
- What does it mean to say “yes” when life doesn’t make sense?
- How do we trust God in suffering, uncertainty, and silence?

In episode 97 of This Whole Life, Kenna and Pat are joined by Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V. of the Sisters of Life to explore one of the most important and challenging aspects of the spiritual life: trust.

Drawing from her personal story, Sister Faustina shares how a season of suffering and spiritual dryness led to a profound encounter with Jesus that changed everything. In that moment, she realized that trust is not about understanding our circumstances, but about entrusting ourselves to a Person.

Together, they unpack the deeper meaning of trust, the fear of vulnerability, and the struggle to believe that we are truly loved. The conversation also explores how trust impacts our relationships, our prayer life, and our ability to live fully in the present moment.

Whether you are in a season of clarity or confusion, this episode offers a powerful invitation to stop striving for control and begin surrendering to the love of God.

Chapters

• (01:30) - Introduction and welcome
• (06:30) - Highs & Hards: life lately
• (10:30) - Introducing the topic of trust
• (18:45) - Sister Faustina’s background and vocation story
• (27:30) - Encounter with Jesus in suffering
• (33:30) - Writing the Litany of Trust
• (40:00) - Why vulnerability and trust are difficult
• (48:00) - Trusting God vs trusting others
• (55:30) - Living in the present moment with God
• (01:01:30) - Challenge By Choice
• (01:03:00) - The Litany of Trust (prayer)

Links and Resources:

• Litany of Trust – Sister Faustina Maria Pia
  https://sistersoflife.org/litany-of-trust/
• Jesus, I Trust in You: A 30-Day Retreat with the Litany of Trust
  https://stpaulcenter.com/store/jesus-i-trust-in-you-a-30-day-personal-retreat-with-the-litany-of-trust
• Sisters of Life
  https://sistersoflife.org/
• This Whole Life Podcast Website
  https://thiswholelifepodcast.com

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

Grandmothers can have a beautiful impact on us, even when our families are far from perfect.

Kenna brings stories of her two grandmothers in this heartfelt storytellers episode!

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

“Even in moments of human discouragement, the consciousness that I was fulfilling God's will in all that happened to me would serve to dispel all doubt and desolation.”
~ Fr. Walter Ciszek

How can we trust God when life feels uncertain or painful?
What does it really mean to surrender our will to God?
How do we remain faithful when we face discouragement or suffering?

In episode 96 of This Whole Life, Kenna, Pat, and Fr. Nathan conclude their Lenten book study on He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek. In this final installment, they reflect on the closing chapters of Ciszek’s powerful spiritual memoir and the profound lessons he learned while enduring years of imprisonment and forced labor in the Soviet Union.

The conversation explores the mystery of divine providence and what it means to trust that God is present even in suffering, confusion, and discouragement. Drawing from Ciszek’s witness, they discuss surrendering control, discerning God's will in everyday life, and learning to see hardships not as meaningless suffering but as opportunities to grow in faith and dependence on God.

With humor, honesty, and thoughtful reflection, the hosts unpack the wisdom of a man who discovered that true freedom does not come from escaping suffering, but from trusting completely in God’s providence. Join the conversation as they wrap up this Lenten journey and reflect on how Fr. Ciszek’s insights can transform the way we live our daily lives.

Episode 96 Show Notes

Chapters

• 00:00 – Opening Quote and Introduction
• 01:30 – Wrapping up the Lenten book study
• 07:15 – The theme of divine providence in He Leadeth Me
• 18:40 – Trusting God during discouragement and suffering
• 31:20 – Learning to surrender control to God's will
• 43:50 – Freedom through dependence on God
• 52:30 – Final reflections on Fr. Walter Ciszek’s witness
• 58:00 – Challenge By Choice

Links and Resources:

• He Leadeth Me – Fr. Walter Ciszek
• Martin Center for Integration
• This Whole Life Podcast Website
• 26.2 to Life

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

“We were subjected to conditions that were deplorable, even subhuman, and yet I was delighted simply to be with people once again.”
~ Fr. Walter Ciszek

Why do we long so deeply for human connection?
What does suffering reveal about our humanity?
How can community become a source of grace?

In episode 95 of This Whole Life, Kenna, Pat, and Fr. Nathan continue their Lenten book study on He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek. In part 2, they explore chapters 8 through 14 and reflect on Ciszek’s experiences after leaving solitary confinement and being sent to a Siberian labor camp. The conversation touches on the human need for connection, the dignity of the body, and how even the most difficult work can become a path to holiness when united to God’s will.

Together they unpack powerful themes from the book including gratitude for the human body, finding meaning in suffering, the dignity of work, and the hidden beauty of priestly ministry in the midst of hardship. They also reflect on the extraordinary lengths priests went to celebrate the Mass in secret and how Ciszek’s faith transformed even the harsh realities of the labor camp into opportunities for grace. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about discovering God’s presence in the ordinary and difficult moments of life.

Episode 95 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
8:45: From isolation to community in the labor camps
18:10: Seeing the humanity in others, even enemies
24:20: The dignity and resilience of the human body
34:05: Finding meaning in work, even in suffering
43:18: The priesthood and serving others in hidden ways
50:32: Celebrating the Mass in secret
58:58: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

“Learning the full truth of our dependence upon God and our relation to his will is what the virtue of humility is all about."
~ Fr. Walter Ciszek

Does suffering have a purpose?
What does humility mean for me?
How can I tell God's will from my will?

In episode 94 of This Whole Life, Kenna, Pat & Fr. Nathan kick off their Lenten book study on He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek. In part 1, they dive into the prologue through chapter 7, reflecting on the meaning of suffering, the mystery of God’s providence, and the challenge of surrender. With humor and honesty, the trio relate Fr. Ciszek’s profound lessons on humility, discernment, and finding God in challenging moments. They explore the tension between faith and understanding, and the importance of authentic humility in everyday encounters. Tune in for practical insights, heartfelt stories, and a challenge to deepen your relationship with the Lord this Lent. Come back for Part 2 & 3!

Episode 94 Show Notes

Reflection Questions

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
12:51: He Leadeth Me & the problem of suffering
26:28: The torture of isolation & finding God's will
37:07: No situation is without worth in God's providence
44:48: Evangelizing amid questions & doubts
50:47: He Leadeth Me - humility & dependence on God
58:02: Challenge By Choice

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

But don't worry, she can still see.

Addy Diaz returns to This Whole Life to share a hilarious story of gaming, shame, and vulnerability. Listen in!

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.