The Magdala Podcast

Mar 03 2025 43 ep. 51 mins 8
The Magdala Podcast artwork

A place of honesty, hope, and healing for women of faith struggling with sexual addiction. You are welcome at this table.

  Religion & Spirituality  Education
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Discerning Religious Life During Recovery

Mar 03 2025 43 mins  
In this episode, Rachael and Annie speak with Sister Mary Caterina Vola about the process, difficulties, and great beauty of discerning religious life in and after sexual addiction. The ladies share their own stories of discernment, and offer advice on discerning with an open heart and fighting the lie that you’re not worthy of being a Bride of Christ. Welcome to a place of hones

Forming Your Conscience to Set and Respect Boundaries

Feb 17 2025 68 mins  
In this episode, Rachael and Annie talk about how we can form our consciences to place healthy boundaries on our relationships, especially romantic relationships. They also discuss how far is too far when it comes to emotional and physical chastity, and how we can best love the people God has placed in our lives. Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for women struggling

All About Small Groups (and why you should join!)

Feb 03 2025 54 mins  
In this episode, Annie is joined by Paige, one of our small group moderators, to discuss everything you need to know about joining a small group. The ladies share their own journeys toward healing, and answer practical questions such as “what is group like”, “is the cost worth it”, “what if I’m afraid to talk about it”, and more. Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, a

Dating and Discernment After Addiction

Jan 20 2025 44 mins  
In this episode, Rachael and Shelby have a candid conversation about dating in recovery, and when to tell your significant other about your story. They also discuss how healing is a lifelong journey, and how to strive for healing in different seasons of your life. Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for women struggling with sexual addiction. We’re so glad you’re h

Processing Purity Culture

Jan 06 2025 40 mins  
In this episode, Rachael kicks off season 5 with a solo episode on purity culture. She shares her research on the roots of purity culture, its popular voices, survey results from women in our community, and addresses three core lies offered by purity culture: (1) sexuality is the locus of either the gravest sin and the greatest joy, (2) men are inherently more lustful, and (3) marr

The Importance of Sexual Education ft. Dr. Julia Sadusky

Apr 05 2024 35 mins  
In this episode, Rachael is joined by Dr. Julia Sadusky, a mental health therapist and author of several books including her recently released "Talking to Your Teens About Sex". Rachael and Dr. Sadusky discuss the damage done by a lack of or inadequate sex education, the ties between those experiences and compulsive behavior, and how to educate in a healthy, loving way. Welcome to

Feminism and Women's Sexuality ft. Abigail Favale

Mar 29 2024 53 mins  
In this episode, Rachael is joined by Dr. Abigail Favale from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. They discuss feminism and its effects on women's sexuality, what aspects are beneficial and which need to be left behind, and how to find healing and solace in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for

How Free Do You Want to Be? ft. Andrew Laubacher

Mar 22 2024 75 mins  
In this episode, Rachael is joined by Andrew Laubacher, executive director of Humanality: an organization dedicated to freeing young people from phone, screen, and social media addiction and helping them live intentionally in the technological age. They discuss the dangers of phone and screen addiction, how deeply it interplays with addiction to pornography, and how freedom is poss

Redeeming Heartache: Stranger and Prophet

Feb 09 2024 24 mins  
In the second part of this two-part series, Rachael continues exploring "Redeeming Heartache" by Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel. Today, she examines the wound of "stranger" who is "outside the circle of calling" and the nature of the "prophet" to become a bringer of hope. Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for women struggling with sexual addiction. We’re so glad yo

Redeeming Heartache: Orphan and Priest

Dec 15 2023 26 mins  
This week, Rachael begins an overview of the biblical archetypes in "Redeeming Heartache" by Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel. She explores the wounds of "orphan", the calling of "priest", and how they pertain to our experiences of sexual addiction. Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for women struggling with sexual addiction. We’re so glad you’re here. ⎯⎯⎯ Bu