The Providence Podcast

Walking Forward Afraid -- Pentecost, Peace, & Courage

In this Pentecost conversation from the Providence Podcast, Leslie and Sister Alice reflect on fear, courage, peace, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. Together they explore what it means to “walk forward afraid”—to keep moving even when uncertainty and fear are still present. Drawing from the Pentecost Gospel of John, they reflect on how Jesus offers peace to the disciples in the midst of fear, and how the Spirit continues to empower us today. This episode invites you into a deeper reflection on discernment, bravery, and trust in Divine Providence—especially in seasons when the path ahead isn’t clear. If you’ve ever felt fear and faith at the same time, this conversation is for you. PS There's a little blooper at the end. It's probably funnier in the video version, but there it is. :) by Sister Leslie Keener, CDP You can find all of the Scripture readings from the lectionary here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can read the reflection and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GodSpaceCommunity.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Providence Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. At God Space, you can come as you are. You belong here. God Space is an outreach ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky, an international community of Catholic sisters with a mission to be witnesses of God's Providence. We place our trust in God as we care for God's people. Connect with the sisters at ⁠⁠⁠⁠CDPKentucky.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. Music credits: Thanks to Pixabay and these artists for their royalty free music: intro and outro music Acoustic Inspire by The_Mountain, reflection questions music, Relaxing Meditation Music by SamuelFrancisJohnson

From Followers to Leaders: The Feast of the Ascension

The Feast of the Ascension can feel like a story of goodbye — Jesus disappearing into the clouds while the disciples stand staring into the sky. But maybe the Ascension is really a story about transition. In this episode, we reflect on what it means for the disciples to move from followers to leaders, and how that same movement unfolds in our own lives, communities, and church today. How do we step forward in faith when the world feels uncertain? And how is the Spirit still guiding us as we grow into the work we are called to do? by Sister Leslie Keener, CDP You can find all of the Scripture readings from the lectionary here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar] You can read the reflection and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠GodSpaceCommunity.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.godspacecommunity.com/]. Subscribe to the Providence Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast]. At God Space, you can come as you are. You belong here. God Space is an outreach ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky, an international community of Catholic sisters with a mission to be witnesses of God's Providence. We place our trust in God as we care for God's people. Connect with the sisters at ⁠⁠⁠CDPKentucky.org⁠⁠⁠ [http://cdpkentucky.org/]. Music credits: Thanks to Pixabay and these artists for their royalty free music: intro and outro music Acoustic Inspire by The_Mountain, reflection questions music, Relaxing Meditation Music by SamuelFrancisJohnson

A Reason for Your Hope

What is the reason for your hope—especially when life feels uncertain, heavy, or just plain hard?In this episode, we explore the difference between optimism and true hope. Drawing from Catholic teaching, lived experience, and insights from Brené Brown, this reflection invites us to reconsider what hope really is—not a fleeting feeling, but a gift from God and a practice we grow into over time. Even when discouragement, fear, or anxiety seem louder, hope is still present—quietly infused within us. Like a subtle note beneath everything else, it doesn’t disappear when we struggle. In fact, it may be growing stronger right there in the middle of it.If you’ve been feeling worn down, uncertain about the future, or wondering where hope fits into real life, this conversation offers a grounded, faith-filled perspective: hope isn’t something you have to manufacture—it’s something already given, waiting to be noticed and lived.✨ You are not without hope—even if you can’t feel it right now. To find Brené Brown's book Atlas of the Heart, visit here: https://brenebrown.com/book/atlas-of-the-heart/ You can find all of the Scripture readings from the lectionary here: ⁠https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar⁠ You can find the references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church here: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a7.htm You can find all of the Scripture readings from the lectionary here: ⁠⁠⁠https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar⁠⁠⁠ [https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar] You can read the reflection and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠GodSpaceCommunity.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.godspacecommunity.com/]. Subscribe to the Providence Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or at ⁠⁠⁠godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast]. At God Space, you can come as you are. You belong here. God Space is an outreach ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky, an international community of Catholic sisters with a mission to be witnesses of God's Providence. We place our trust in God as we care for God's people. Connect with the sisters at ⁠⁠CDPKentucky.org⁠⁠ [http://cdpkentucky.org/]. Music credits: Thanks to Pixabay and these artists for their royalty free music: intro and outro music Acoustic Inspire by The_Mountain, reflection questions music, Relaxing Meditation Music by SamuelFrancisJohnson

In God, There Is Room

Feeling like you don’t belong? This Gospel reflection on John 14 reminds us: in God, there is room for you.In this Christian podcast episode, we reflect on Jesus’ words: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” What if that promise isn’t just about heaven—but about your life right now?If you’ve ever felt left out, unsure of your place, or struggled to belong—even within yourself—this conversation is for you.We explore:What it means to belong to GodHow learning to accept ourselves is part of faithWhy belonging doesn’t depend on others’ approvalThe call to create space for others in a divided worldThis episode is an invitation to trust that you already have a place—and to help make room for others too.There is room for you here. To listen to Brené Brown reflect on belonging, you can listen here: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-strong-backs-soft-fronts-and-wild-hearts/. [https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-strong-backs-soft-fronts-and-wild-hearts/.] You can read more in her book Braving the Wilderness. You can find all of the Scripture readings from the lectionary here: ⁠⁠https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar⁠⁠ [https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar] You can read the reflection and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠GodSpaceCommunity.com⁠⁠ [https://www.godspacecommunity.com/]. Subscribe to the Providence Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or at ⁠⁠godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast⁠⁠ [https://www.godspacecommunity.com/providencepodcast]. At God Space, you can come as you are. You belong here. God Space is an outreach ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky, an international community of Catholic sisters with a mission to be witnesses of God's Providence. We place our trust in God as we care for God's people. Connect with the sisters at ⁠CDPKentucky.org⁠ [http://cdpkentucky.org/]. Music credits: Thanks to Pixabay and these artists for their royalty free music: intro and outro music Acoustic Inspire by The_Mountain, reflection questions music, Relaxing Meditation Music by SamuelFrancisJohnson

You Can't Hack Holiness

Are there shortcuts to the spiritual life—or are we all just hoping for an easier way? In a world full of “life hacks” and quick fixes, it’s tempting to think we can speed up our journey of faith. But what if real spiritual growth doesn’t work like that? In this episode, we explore why you can’t “hack” holiness—and why that might actually be good news. Looking at the life of Peter, one of the most relatable and imperfect disciples, we talk about what it means to grow through mistakes, struggle, and transformation over time. If you’ve ever felt like you’re getting it wrong, falling behind, or just fumbling your way through faith, this conversation is for you. The truth is: there’s no shortcut—but there is grace in the process. by Sister Leslie Keener, CDP Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.GodSpaceCommunity.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.GodSpaceCommunity.com]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Providence Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! At God Space, you can come as you are. You belong here. God Space is a ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky. Do you want to learn more about the Sisters of Divine Providence? Check out our website here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.CDPKentucky.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.CDPKentucky.org]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can find all of the Scripture readings from the lectionary here: ⁠⁠⁠https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar⁠ ⁠⁠ Music credits: Thanks to Pixabay and these artists for their royalty free music: intro and outro music Acoustic Inspire by The_Mountain, reflection questions music, Relaxing Meditation Music by SamuelFrancisJohnson