When Pope Francis passed away in April 2025, Catholic media entered an intense and emotional season of reporting. Among those on the ground in Rome was Gretchen R. Crowe, Editor-in-Chief of OSV News and a Catholic mom of three. In this episode, Katie McGrady talks with Gretchen about the whirlwind of covering a papal funeral, the interregnum, and the election of Pope Leo, all while navigating the personal cost of being away from her family.

Links:

• Visit OSV News for coverage and daily updates
• Subscribe to The Bulletin, OSV News’ daily newsletter: osvnews.com
• Follow Gretchen Crowe on Twitter/X: @GretchenOSV
• Listen to OSV’s daily newscast: OSV NewsCast

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

What if the best way to raise a curious, creative, and confident child… is to let them be bored?

This week on Like A Mother, Katie McGrady is joined by Catholic school librarian and mother of two boys, Elizabeth Nava, to talk about parenting through summer break, encouraging a love for reading, and why building a “capacity for boredom” might be the best gift you can give your kids.

They unpack:

• The joy of summer reading competitions (and Outback Steakhouse gift cards)
• How to actually get your kids excited to read
• Why audiobooks and podcasts are secret parenting superpowers
• Setting healthy screen boundaries without guilt
• Why boredom fuels imagination, wonder, and resilience

This episode is equal parts nostalgic, practical, and empowering—perfect for moms seeking a more peaceful, purposeful summer at home.

Plus, Katie shares her own story of catching her family in a “summer snapshot” moment, and why it was better than any Instagram photo could’ve been.

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this rewind-worthy conversation, Katie is joined by Elizabeth Nava — Catholic mom, school librarian, homemaker, Etsy shop owner, and everyday theologian of the domestic church. Together, they dive deep into the danger of absolutes in motherhood — the “I’ll always” and “I’ll never” — and explore what real discernment looks like in the mess of everyday life.

Elizabeth shares candidly about her identity as a homemaker, navigating secondary infertility, returning to work for the sake of her family, and discovering God’s grace in the pivot. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a working mom, or somewhere in between, this episode is a warm, thoughtful reflection on surrender, flexibility, and living the vocation of motherhood with purpose.

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

"Joy is a fact, not a feeling. Christ is our joy — whether we feel it or not." - Dr. Peter Kreeft

In the midst of life’s whirlwind — from papal funerals and conclave coverage to First Communion prep and family chaos — Katie McGrady sits down with renowned Catholic philosopher and author Dr. Peter Kreeft for a conversation unlike any other on Like a Mother. Together, they dive deep into the mystery of joy — what it really means, how it's deeper than fleeting feelings, and why trust in God is central to experiencing true joy. Kreeft offers timeless wisdom about accepting suffering, resisting over-complication, and living simply with love, even when life is far from simple. This episode is both deeply philosophical and incredibly relatable for parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking to find joy amidst uncertainty and suffering.

Plus, Katie shares how her family found practical joy in the middle of life’s craziness — Chick-fil-A, pickleball, and all. This is a heartening and challenging episode that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

When Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday during the Jubilee Year of Hope, the world stopped—and so did a family trip to Rome.

In this deeply personal episode of Like A Mother, host Katie McGrady opens her heart to share the intimate, real-time journey of processing the death of Pope Francis. From receiving the call to cover his funeral for CNN and SiriusXM, to breaking the news to her young daughters, Katie invites listeners into the sacred tension of grief, history, and motherhood.

She shares behind-the-scenes moments from covering the Vatican, her family’s original plans to attend the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and her unforgettable personal encounter with Pope Francis himself.

This is more than Catholic commentary—this is a moment of memory, motherhood, and meaning. Tune in as Katie reflects on:

• The emotional impact of Pope Francis’ death
• How her daughter’s quiet faith reframed their family’s journey
• The beauty of apostolic succession—and how to talk about it with your kids
• The Church’s unique ability to blend grief with mission

A heartfelt episode about faith, family, and what comes next for the Catholic Church.

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

What’s it like to balance the bright lights of Hollywood with the everyday chaos of motherhood? Emmy-winning actress Patricia Heaton joins host Katie McGrady for a raw, funny, and inspiring conversation about juggling stardom and family life.
In this must-listen episode of Like A Mother, Heaton opens up about:- Her journey from aspiring actress to TV icon in Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle- How raising her own kids shaped the way she played America’s favorite sitcom moms- The role of faith in her career choices and personal life- Her latest passion project, Unexpected—a heartwarming and hilarious film she produced with her husband, David Hunt
If you’ve ever wondered how a Hollywood A-lister stays grounded in faith and family—or just love behind-the-scenes stories from your favorite shows—this episode is for you!

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Sister Josephine Garrett’s second season of Hope Stories explores various mental health diagnoses and explains the value of seeking healing through the lens of hope. She also shares how hope can be a foundation for moms, even in the midst of challenges or hardships in motherhood.

Learn more about Sr. Josephine at:

• https://nazarethcsfn.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine/
• Hope Stories with Sister Josephine Garrett, Season Two
• Journey to a new depth of hope, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, with Sr. Josephine in her new book HOPE: An Invitation. Available at osvcatholicbookstore.com.

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Sharing the faith in our homes isn’t just a matter of saying “believe this” or “do that.” It’s a chance to cultivate a sense of wonder, awe, and joy in the Lord. Director of children’s content for Hallow, Ashley Lenz, shares how on the Hallow app and in her own home, she is helping craft moments of encounter and prayer for little ones to meet Jesus and grow to love the Church.

https://hallow.com/

An OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.