How’s Your Prayer Life?

In this episode of How’s Your Prayer Life?, host Allison Gingras sits down with guest Sonia Martinez-Trujillo for an honest conversation about prayer, family life, and the small routines that keep faith grounded in everyday life. Sonia shares how homeschooling, motherhood, and her Mexican Catholic upbringing have shaped her prayer life, and how simple practices like grace before meals, nightly family prayer, and spiritual reading help her stay connected to God.
In this episode:
Sonia describes her prayer life as a “delicate work in progress” shaped by routine, consistency, and the challenges of daily life.
An Ideal Morning: waking early, spending an hour in prayer, reading scripture, journaling, exercising, and preparing breakfast for her children.
The importance of family prayer, including praying before meals and praying together at night.
Sonia explains how homeschooling helps her build prayer into the day and support her children’s faith formation.
They discuss grace before meals as a simple yet meaningful way to keep prayer present in everyday life, even at fast-food restaurants!
Sonia reflects on how her family uses the Divine Praises as a prayer when the day feels off schedule, including a heartfelt story about hearing them at World Youth Day and how that experience inspired her family’s devotion.
Sonia recalls childhood memories of prayer in Mexico, including prayer groups, Bible reading, and May rosaries prayed in neighbors’ homes.
She explains the traditions her family continues to observe now, including Day of the Dead altars, posadas, and the celebration of the Three Wise Men.
Sonia closes by saying prayer matters because God reveals Himself through it, gives wisdom, and brings true peace through Christ.
 
Sonia Martinez-Trujillo is a cradle Catholic with a prayer life that is a delicate work in progress. Her husband Chris is a Catholic convert, and this summer they celebrate their 15th anniversary. She is a homeschooling mom, a business owner, and is learning to keep God at the center of her life.

Jessica Benfield joins host Allison Gingras for an honest conversation about what happens when prayer has to adapt to real life. From new puppies and disrupted routines to journaling, the rosary, and a growing devotion to Mary, this episode is about building a prayer life that holds up inside ordinary days. They discuss why prayer can feel inconsistent without being broken, how small pivots can restore a routine, and why family prayer matters even when it is imperfect.
In this episode
Jessica shares how two new puppies upended her morning routine and changed when and how she prays.
She explains how praying the Rosary outdoors became a joyful new habit.
How does prayer naturally ebb and flow with family life and daily demands?
Jessica discusses her growing devotion to Mary and how a 54-day rosary novena changed her view of the Rosary.
She reflects on prayer as a source of peace, calm, and recentering in everyday life.
Jessica Benfield is the founder and publisher of Rooted, a fun monthly magazine for Catholic kids!  Through her magazine, social media content, and faith-filled resources, Jessica encourages families to grow closer to Jesus everyday with simple & fun activities (…and yummy snacks inspired by the saints).
 
This summer, Jessica will be filming a short video series for Shalom World called “Snacking with the Saints.”  
 
You can follow Jessica on Instagram: @sallykpub Visit her website:  www.sally-k.com

In this episode of How’s Your Prayer Life?, host
Allison Gingras welcomes guest Allison Auth for a beautiful conversation about prayer, identity, and learning to hear God’s voice in everyday life. Auth shares how prayer has shaped her understanding of her name, her vocation as a wife and mother, and her desire to live truthfully before God and others.
In this episode, we cover:
How Scripture and the Eucharist form the foundation of her daily prayer
The role of weekly holy hours and adoration in her spiritual life
Finding peace in prayer amid homeschooling, motherhood, and anxiety
Learning to invite Jesus, Mary, and the Holy Spirit into ordinary moments
How quiet prayer and interior silence help her hear God more clearly
Passing faith to children through example, sincerity, and daily prayer
Why prayer is ultimately about relationship with the God who created us
Allison Auth lives in Denver with her husband and five children. She is the author of Baby and Beyond: Overcoming Those Post-Childbirth Woes and the upcoming book, Ineffable: Learning To Love the God Beyond Words, both from Sophia Institute Press. She writes on motherhood, prayer, and spirituality for Catholicmom.com and Denver Catholic, as well as at her Substack: allisonauth.substack.com.
 

Allison Gingras is joined by guest Kylie Hein for an honest conversation about prayer, discernment, and learning to recognize God’s voice in everyday life. Together, they reflect on the beauty and challenge of prayer, the role of silence and spiritual reading, and how prayer can shape us even when it doesn’t come with strong feelings or immediate clarity.
 
In this episode, Allison and Kylie discuss:
How prayer can feel beautiful, difficult, frustrating, and deeply human
Ways to recognize God’s presence through peace, subtle promptings, and discernment
The difference between urgent impulses and gentle guidance from the Lord
Building a sustainable prayer life through early-morning prayer and intentional time with God
What mental prayer is and how scripture, saints, and simple conversation can deepen it
Kylie Hein is a Catholic wife, mother, mindset coach, spiritual director, and host of the Persistence in Prayer podcast. A small-town Nebraskan and recovering striver with a serious book addiction, Kylie is passionate about walking with women who struggle with overthinking, pressure, and tying their worth to praise, perfection, and productivity. Her mission is to help women rest in their identity as beloved daughters of God and live with greater peace and freedom.
 

In this episode, Allison Gingras sits down with Krystal Quagliera to discuss the real-life realities of prayer amidst busy schedules, the importance of routine versus genuine connection, and how to embrace everyday moments for prayer. Whether you're a seasoned prayer warrior or just starting out, these insights will inspire you to find the sacred in your daily life.
In this Episode:
The distinction between routine prayer and meaningful connection with God
Practical advice for fitting prayer into a busy, distracted life
The power of leaving the house for prayer and creating a dedicated space
Embracing the messiness of everyday life as part of authentic devotion
How devotion to Mary can be woven into the daily experience of motherhood and life — including the importance of stillness and quiet
The importance of friendship with God as the highest relationship
Krystal Quagliara is a Millennial Catholic wife and mom, trying to be like Mary, but mostly just losing shoes. She’s the host of the “Messy But Marian” Podcast, where she has real, raw, and honest conversations with other Catholic moms about their spiritual lives and the everyday pursuit of virtue in motherhood. Krystal’s full-time work is in ministry at her home parish, where she was born and raised as a cradle-Catholic. The podcast and the Messy But Marian movement are her own personal ministry and creative outlet. Before becoming a mom in 2023, Krystal spent time as a professional touring performer. She traded sequins for Cheerios and loves her vocation as a mother, but still hits the stage with her husband, Marc, from time to time in their acoustic duo “Almond Grove.”
 

In this episode, host Allison Gingras sits down with guest Danielle Schmitz to talk about the messy, beautiful reality of prayer and how to invite God into every moment of daily life. Danielle shares practical spiritual rhythms, honest struggles, and the grace that comes from showing up in prayer even when life feels chaotic.
In this Episode
Embracing the beauty of a messy prayer life and letting go of perfection
Daily devotions that help anchor prayer, including the Eucharist, Rosary, and chaplets
Inviting Jesus into ordinary moments, distractions, and struggles throughout the day
Trusting God’s presence even in frustration, doubt, and spiritual dryness
The role of Our Lady in deepening trust, fidelity, and a more faithful prayer life
Danielle Schmitz is a Catholic missionary seeking to bring revival to the Church in America. Originally from Santa Clara, CA, Danielle attended the Catholic University of America in DC for undergrad, studying Theology and Philosophy. She has served in various Catholic apostolates in the US and Europe, giving talks and leading praise & worship for all ages around the world. In 2024, Danielle served as a Perpetual Pilgrim on the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, and to this day, she considers it the most important ministry she has ever been a part of. Danielle now lives and serves the Church in Easton, Massachusetts, as a missionary in the Echo Program run by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. In her free time, Danielle can be found writing, creating art, playing music, and being outdoors.

Discover how Deacon Pedro Guevara-Mann, of Salt+Light (SL Hour) navigates the complexities of prayer amidst a busy life and learn practical tips to enrich your own prayer journey. This episode explores diverse prayer methods, the importance of community in prayer, and how to surrender to God's will more fully.
In this episode:
Value of the Liturgy of the Hours
Personal struggles with repetitive prayers like the Rosary and alternative approaches to add the Rosary to your repertoire 
Practical advice for busy people: short, scheduled, and spontaneous prayer routines
How to incorporate prayer into daily decisions
The importance of surrendering to God's will completely, inspired by Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane
Creative prayer practices like Visio Divina, prayer walks, and intercession rosaries
Jesus' example: praying "not my will but yours" in the Garden of Gethsemane
Originally from Panama, Deacon Pedro is the Director of Programming and Production for Salt + Light Media in Canada. As a producer, he has produced, directed, and hosted dozens of TV programs and documentaries. He is the producer and host of the Salt + Light Hour Catholic Podcast, which airs weekly on the Catholic Channel. He was the Artistic Director of World Youth Day 2002 and the Artistic Director for the Knights of Columbus-hosted Mercy Centre during World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland. Deacon Pedro also worked with the World Youth Day 2019 Organizing Committee in Panama, helping set up their Youth Festival and Artistic Department, and in 2022, he worked as Senior Lead, Programs for the Papal Visit to Canada, responsible for nine events with the Holy Father during his penitential pilgrimage. Deacon Pedro was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Toronto in 2012.

How Prayer Shapes Daily Life: An Honest Conversation with Nicole Benjamin
In this episode, Nicole Benjamin shares her authentic, messy, but consistent prayer life amid the chaos of motherhood and daily responsibilities. Discover practical ways to weave prayer into everyday moments and find inspiration in embracing an honest, imperfect dialogue with God. 
The reality of a busy mom’s prayer life—"messy but consistent"
Practical routines: morning gratitude, journaling, and prayer on the go
Embracing the mass as a powerful form of prayer
Integrating prayer into daily activities like makeup, dishes, and commuting
The significance of the rosary and spiritual consecrations
Teaching children about prayer through simple, meaningful practices
Recognizing spiritual moments and divine communication in everyday life
 
Nicole Benjamin. A lifelong Catholic. I've navigated through some painful experiences, carried through by faith and prayer. Currently, God has me wearing many hats. My most important role is a mother to my 2 amazing blessings, my daughter Grace, who is 10 years old, and my son Noah, who's 4.5 years old.

Trying to find time to pray each day? Today's guest has helpful hints!
 
Discover how Bernadette Nelson incorporates prayer into her daily life, emphasizing gratitude, novenas, and spiritual reading. Learn practical tips to deepen your prayer life and integrate faith into everyday moments.
In this episode:
Bernadette shares how she prays for specific intentions and the "Impossible Novena"—praying for seemingly impossible requests.
How gratitude journaling fosters deeper appreciation and hope
Her journey from childhood Catholic schooling to a vibrant relationship with Jesus
The importance of spiritual reading, Bible study, and accountability groups
Practical advice for sharing faith naturally and confidently

How to cultivate a personal prayer life with the Rosary.Maria Gallagher shares her journey with prayer and the role the Rosary played.
In This Episode:
Evolving prayer life and strengthening over time
Tips for praying amidst busy schedules
Significance of the Rosary in meditation and intercession
Building trust in God through prayer
Marriage analogy for understanding trust in prayer
Importance of surrender and avoiding perfectionism
Reflections on Mary's role as a model and intercessor
Overcoming obstacles to daily rosary prayer
 
Maria Gallagher serves as Legislative Director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, the state affiliate of National Right to Life. Prior to her work with the Federation, Maria worked as a legislative associate with Ohio Right to Life. Before joining the pro-life cause, Maria worked as a reporter and news producer. Maria earned her Bachelor’s degree in journalism at Ohio State University and her Master’s degree in journalism at Northwestern University. Maria is a published author and a regular contributor to National Right to Life News Today.