Back in August, we traveled to Mexico City together — a trip that left both of us undone in the best way. So in honor of her feast, today we’re talking about Our Lady of Guadalupe, the story behind her apparitions, and what she means for us as Catholic women… especially as single women discerning, building, waiting, and hoping in real time.

A Quick Summary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

When: December 9–12, 1531
Where: Tepeyac Hill, near Mexico City
Who: St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin & his uncle, Juan Bernardino
How many apparitions: Five total — four to Juan Diego, one to Juan Bernardino

✨ First Apparition — Dec. 9Mary appears to Juan Diego in radiant clothing, speaking Nahuatl, asking for a church to be built where she can show her love and mercy.

✨ Second Apparition — Dec. 9 (later)Juan Diego returns after being doubted by the bishop. Mary encourages him and asks him to try again.

✨ Third Apparition — Dec. 10Mary promises a sign the bishop will believe.

✨ Pause — Dec. 11–12Juan Diego stays home to care for his dying uncle.

✨ Fourth Apparition — Dec. 12 (early morning)Mary intercepts Juan Diego on a different path.Her words: “Do not be afraid. Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”She instructs him to gather miraculous Castilian roses blooming on the barren hill.

✨ Fifth Apparition — Dec. 12Mary appears to Juan Bernardino, heals him, and gives her name: “Santa María de Guadalupe.”

✨ The Miracle of the TilmaJuan Diego opens his tilma before the bishop; the roses spill to the floor and the iconic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appears.

A church is built. Devotion spreads across the Americas.

We share what it was actually like to go see her:

• Stopping at Mercado Jamaica to pick out flowers to bring her
• Spending the entire day on the grounds of the Shrine
• The unexpected moments that struck us most
• How being there shifted something interiorly — for both of us, in different ways

Mary meets us in the “in-between” spaces — the quiet seasons, the hidden seasons, the transitions we didn’t choose but are trying to trust our way through.

Her message is profoundly personal:

• God sees you
• God chooses you
• Your life has purpose even when it feels still or unclear
• You are not alone in discerning your vocation, your calling, or your next step

Her words to Juan Diego echo into our own lives:“Am I not here, I, who am your Mother?”

This episode is an invitation to let those words land.

Bring one intention to Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day.Something small or something impossible — she holds both with tenderness.

Let Mary mother you — especially in this season of your life.

If you'd like to learn more about the miracles related to the tilma: https://www.kenmaymd.com/blog-1/miracles-part1

If this episode encouraged you, rate and leave a quick comment on the pod. It helps more than you know!

Call or text us with questions, stories, or topics you want us to cover:‪(361) 857-9338‬361-85-SWEET

or email us at: ⁠sweetsinglelifepodcast@gmail.com⁠

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that comes up in every faith tradition, but we’re approaching it from our experience as Catholic women: interfaith marriage. What does the Church actually teach? Is it allowed? Is it ideal? And what does it look like in real life when spouses aren’t on the same spiritual page?

We also share our own thoughts on whether we’d personally be open to an interfaith marriage — and why the discernment around this is more important than most of us realize.

What the Catholic Church Teaches:

The Church does permit interfaith marriages, but only with certain conditions meant to safeguard the Catholic spouse’s faith and the spiritual well-being of the family.

There are two categories:

• Mixed Marriage — Catholic + baptized non-Catholic Christian→ Requires permission from the bishop. (Canon 1124)
• Disparity of Cult — Catholic + non-baptized person→ Requires a dispensation from the bishop. (Canon 1086)

Before a bishop grants permission, the Catholic spouse must promise:

• To remain faithful to the Catholic Church
• To “do all in their power” to raise the children Catholic

The Church also teaches that:

• A marriage between two baptized Christians is sacramental, even if one is not Catholic.
• A marriage with an unbaptized spouse is valid but not sacramental.

And while these marriages can be challenging, the Church is hopeful: mixed marriages can become powerful places of witness, evangelization, and the slow work of grace (CCC 1636–1637).

Our Guest: Natalie Jordan

Today we're joined by Natalie Jordan, wife and mother of seven (four living, three in heaven), who spent most of her 21-year marriage in an interfaith union before her husband Quaid entered the Church last year. Natalie shares her story with honesty, humor, and deep faith — from the early years of marriage, to the ache of spiritual mismatch, to the unexpected grace that led her husband home.

• What did faith look like for you and your husband when you first married?
• When did you sense that your own spiritual journey was diverging from his?
• How did your deepening faith affect your marriage — practically, emotionally, spiritually?
• Were there seasons when you felt spiritually alone?
• What ultimately opened your husband’s heart toward the Church?
• How did your marriage change once you were finally aligned spiritually?
• What advice would you give single women considering dating or marrying someone who isn’t practicing?
• And what would you say to women who are currently in interfaith marriages?

Natalie’s story is such a gift — honest, encouraging, and full of hope for anyone navigating spiritual difference in a relationship.

Can you do us a huge favor? Please rate and comment on our podcast! Thank you in advance.

If you'd like to get in touch, you can reach us via:

HOTLINE NUMBER:

‪(361) 857-9338‬

361-85-SWEET

EMAIL:

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Are you actually “perpetually single”… or just refusing to settle? In this episode, we break down the pressure to rush into relationships, the beauty of high standards, and why waiting for the right person is wisdom—not fear.

In a world full of wedding bells, social timelines, and “you’re next!” comments at every family gathering, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind. But here’s the truth: if we wanted a relationship, we could absolutely have one tomorrow — we just don’t want a subpar one.

In this episode, we dive into the difference between being “always single” and being a woman who holds actual standards.

Inspired by a hilarious TikTok by the creator Davi that said:

“Sometimes I wish my standards were low so I could find the love of my life eight times a year like some of you.”

WHAT WE GET INTO: The Myth of the “Perpetually Single Woman”

• Why high standards don’t make you picky — they make you wise.
• It’s not selfish to want alignment in faith, kids, finances, values, and long-term vision.
• Comparison fatigue heightens with weddings, proposals, and curated highlight reels.
• Fear of being alone vs. the fear of being with the wrong person.
• Divorce is more expensive — emotionally, spiritually, financially.
• The wrong relationship can dull your calling, delay your purpose, or derail your vocation.
• Peace is priceless. Chaos? Costly.
• When to lovingly speak truth — and when to mind your business.

RATE AND COMMENT THE SHOW!

CALL THE SWEET LINE:
Got a story, question, or a hot take?Hotline: 361-85-SWEET (‪361-857-9338‬)

OR EMAIL US:
📧 ⁠sweetsinglelifepodcast@gmail.com⁠

Holiday Season: Single Edition — Making the Most of the Holidays

The holidays are here… which means twinkle lights, cozy nights, peppermint mochas, and—depending on the day—either “Lord, send me a husband” or “Thank God there are no toddlers screaming in my ear right now.”

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into both ends of the single-girl holiday spectrum. Whether you’re feeling the sting of wanting someone to share Christmas morning with, or you’re living your best unbothered, peaceful, silent-night era, we’ve got you.

We talk about:✨ How to navigate those waves of longing that the holidays can stir up✨ Turning nostalgia into sweetness instead of spirals✨ The small practices that help us stay grounded, grateful, and genuinely joyful✨ The power of honest self-reflection (Are you desiring marriage—or just comparing?)✨ Creating your own holiday traditions that actually feel like you✨ What to do when the only thing louder than Christmas music is your aunt asking, “Sooo… where’s your boyfriend?”✨ Practical ways to respond—whether you’re introverted, diplomatic, or delightfully blunt✨ And why it is completely normal to love your single life and not feel sad about it during the holidays

Wherever your heart lands this season—hopeful, hurting, content, or celebrating the freedom—you’re not alone. And you’re allowed to make this Advent + Christmas what you need it to be.

📞 Sweet Single Hotline: 361-857-9338
📧 Email: ⁠sweetsinglelifepodcast@gmail.com⁠

In today’s episode, we’re talking non-negotiables — the standards you’re allowed to have, the boundaries you don’t need to apologize for, and the things that keep your dating life aligned with who you are and what you value.

If you’re new here, welcome to One Sweet Single Life, where time is never the enemy and where we reject the imaginary timeline pressure that says you need to settle, rush, or shrink yourself just to “get married faster.” No ma’am.You get one single life — you might as well live it sweetly, not with sour, panic-driven decisions.

Today we’re diving into:✨ Why non-negotiables matter✨ Why they don’t make you “too picky”✨ Why they protect you from dating in fear✨ And all the hilarious, serious, and surprisingly specific standards you sent in

The theme? You’re allowed to have standards.You’re allowed to want someone who lives in harmony with your values. And you do not have to apologize for it.

CALL OUR HOTLINE:

📞 (361) 857-9338aka 361-85-SWEET

EMAIL US: ⁠⁠sweetsinglelife@gmail.com⁠⁠

Come tell us your dilemmas, your stories, your red flags, your questions… we might just feature you on the next episode.

And don't forget to rate and comment! Thank you!!!

We’re all made for connection—but connection doesn’t magically happen. It takes investment. And the real question is: Are you investing in the right company?

This week, we’re unpacking mutual effort in relationships of all kinds—romantic, friendships, faith community, and family. We talk about what it looks like to pour into people who pour back… and how to lovingly step away when the effort isn’t mutual.

Because singlehood isn’t a waiting room—it’s a season of forming the relationships that shape your life.

In this episode, we chat about:

• What mutual effort looks like in romantic relationships
• How to maintain friendships through different life stages
• The role of faith and consistency in forming meaningful community
• Green flags that tell you a relationship is worth investing in
• Red flags that signal emotional drain, imbalance, or misalignment
• When friendships naturally evolve, change, or dissolve—and why that’s okay
• Setting boundaries that protect your peace & your heart

Plus, our Single Serving segment — one hot take, one small joy, one petty complaint — all in under two minutes.

GREEN FLAGS

✅ Meaningful conversations✅ Dedicated time✅ Support & encouragement✅ Meeting halfway✅ Showing up when it matters

RED FLAGS

🚩 Lack of effort🚩 Constant flaking (especially without communication)🚩 Emotional manipulation🚩 Inconsistent communication🚩 Unable to be vulnerable🚩 Not celebrating what’s important to you

TAKEAWAY

Relationships are two-way streets.You are allowed to set the standard for the kind of energy you give and receive.Pay attention. Trust yourself. Invest wisely.

GIVE US A CALL

Have a story, question, or dating crisis you want us to weigh in on?

📞 Call the Hotline: 361-85-SWEETThat’s (361) 857-9338

Leave us a voicemail and your story might be featured in a future episode!

🎃 HALLOWEEN EDITION: DATING HORROR STORIES 👻

It’s spooky season… and dating is terrifying enough on its own.
This week, we’re sharing some of the scariest, funniest, and most unbelievable dating horror stories — including ones youcalled in with.

From dating apps gone wrong, to tragic friend set-ups, to “I met him in the wild and immediately regretted it”… we’re covering it all.
And yes, we brought the receipts. 🫣💋

Plus — a One Sweet Slice mini-segment:
Single Serving → One hot take, one small joy, one petty complaint… served fresh and fast.

Featuring listener stories that are beyond cringe and borderline spooky but at least we can laugh about it now right? Because dating is hard — but at least we can laugh about it together.

Have a dating horror story of your own?
We want it.
Call or send it in for our next episode:

📞 Hotline: 361-857-9338 (361-85-SWEET)
📧 Email: sweetsinglelifepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @onesweetsinglelife

If you loved the episode, don’t forget to like, rate, review, and send it to a friend who needs solidarity. 💌

Because single life may be spooky — but it’s also pretty sweet. ✨

Episode Summary:It’s wedding season — and nothing exposes social dynamics quite like a guest list. This week, Marilis and Gabrielle are breaking down the Plus-One Problem: who gets one, who doesn’t, and why it can make or break friendships. From navigating invites that say “no guest” to surviving the singles table, they unpack the etiquette, the awkwardness, and the unspoken rules behind modern wedding culture.

Should your relationship status determine whether you get a seat next to someone you actually know? Is it ever okay to snub your single friends? And how do couples really decide who qualifies for that coveted +1? We’re talking kindness, costs, and the unwritten social hierarchy of wedding invitations — all with a side of humor, honesty, and petty complaints.

Plus, in this week’s One Sweet Slice segment, we share one hot take, one small joy, and one petty complaint — all in under two minutes.

💍 What We Talk About:

• The unspoken politics of wedding guest lists
• How the “plus-one” rule became a post-1950s tradition
• Why wedding costs often come at the expense of kindness
• The reality of attending weddings solo (and surviving the singles table)
• Gabrielle’s savings account for wedding season 💸
• When friendship depth determines your invite status

The etiquette of offering +1s — and when it’s fair to withhold them

💌 Join the Conversation:

Have you ever been snubbed, had an awkward plus-one moment, or witnessed peak wedding drama? We want to hear it!

📞 Call or text the One Sweet Hotline: (361) 857-9338📧 Email us at ⁠sweetsinglelife@gmail.com⁠💬 Or DM us @onesweetsinglelife on Instagram

✨ Connect:

Follow One Sweet Single Life for more episodes about friendship, love, and navigating adult life — one sweet (and slightly chaotic) moment at a time.