The Lighten Up Podcast

Catholic Church abuse scandals, spiritual abuse, and clergy sexual abuse are difficult topics—but protecting survivors and preventing abuse must come first. 

In this episode of The Lighten Up Podcast with Hannah Crews, Hannah sits down with Sister Theresa of the Sisters of the Little Way for an honest conversation about church scandals, institutional cover-ups, spiritual manipulation, and safeguarding the most vulnerable members of the Christian community.

Hannah and Sister Theresa ask the difficult questions that many Christians, survivors, and people discerning Catholicism are afraid to ask, and together, they discuss the importance of recognizing grooming, challenging clericalism, listening to survivors, and refusing to protect institutions at the expense of vulnerable people.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 — A Religious Community Focused on Abuse Prevention
04:13 — How Can You Be Apart of a Church with Such Scandalous History?
07:11 — Why Abuse Prevention Must Be a Priority
10:10 — Safeguarding in the Catholic Church: What Has Changed?
13:43 — Warning Signs of Grooming and Spiritual Manipulation
19:41 — From Atheism to Catholic Religious Life
24:02 — Have Church Abuse Prevention Efforts Improved?
27:07 — Speaking Out Against Church Cover-Ups
32:07 — Does Talking About Abuse Drive People Away From Church?
36:02 — Why Churches Must Acknowledge Survivors' Pain
40:07 — The Sisters of the Little Way: What's Next?

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📌EPISODE RESOURCES:
Sisters of the Little Way Website
Donate & Support Their Mission
Descent Into Light Podcast
Sisters of the Little Way Socials & Linktree

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There’s a powerful story in the Catholic Bible that many Protestant and evangelical Christians have never read: the Story of Susanna in Daniel 13. It’s a story of false accusations, abuse of authority, unwavering faith, and God’s justice—and it may be exactly the encouragement someone needs to hear today.

In this episode of the Lighten Up Podcast, Hannah Crews reads the full story of Susanna and explores why this portion of the Book of Daniel appears in Catholic Bibles but is often absent from Protestant Bibles.

This is a story about trusting God when you are falsely accused, standing firm in your faith when the truth seems hidden, and remembering that God sees what others cannot.

Hannah also shares why this ancient biblical account deeply resonates with her own testimony, including the painful experience of facing a lawsuit for speaking the truth. Although our experiences may differ from Susanna’s, her story reminds us that we can turn to God in seasons of trauma, injustice, and despair.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 — Why Catholic Bibles Are Different From Protestant Bibles
03:20 — Hannah’s Testimony: Faith Through Injustice and Suffering
04:15 — Introducing the Story of Susanna in Daniel 13
06:25 — The Story of Susanna Begins: Two Corrupt Elders
08:00 — Susanna Refuses to Compromise Her Faith
09:40 — False Accusations and an Unjust Trial
11:00 — Susanna Cries Out to God
12:45 — Daniel Exposes the Elders’ Lies
14:20 — God Delivers Susanna From Injustice
15:00 — What Susanna’s Story Teaches Us About Faith and Suffering

📌Episode Resources:
Lila Rose episode - https://youtu.be/0VBQnj2cPo0?si=UeekHjinfiPnYytW
Bible in a Year Podcast - https://app.ascensionpress.com/podcasts/bible
Ascension Press Bible - https://ascensionpress.com/products/holy-bible-the-great-adventure-catholic-bible-second-edition?srsltid=AU7gw4UFTgHWno3F1xHVqLxE_uh2cMzZLQx9m74bNR6IpnsvS1X2UadN
Join Hannah’s mailing list - https://hannahcrews.myflodesk.com/subscribe

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YouTube Memberships - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLMTacWwGdyUjzDq8smQklw/join
The Apostolic Fathers: A New Translation by Rick Brannan - https://a.co/d/05ZBbvwr

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In this powerful episode of the Lighten Up Podcast, Hannah Crews sits down with Dr. John Bergsma, author of Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic, to talk about his remarkable journey from a deeply anti-Catholic Calvinist background to the Catholic Church.

Dr. Bergsma shares how questions about sola scriptura, Scripture and Tradition, the papacy, the Eucharist, Church history, and the early Church Fathers began challenging everything he thought he knew about Christianity.

Together, Hannah and Dr. Bergsma explore… where did the concept of sola scriptura come from? What is the meaning of binding and loosing in the biblical and Jewish context? And how can the Catholic understanding of redemptive suffering transform the way Christians understand suffering?

Whether you're Catholic, Protestant, evangelical, considering conversion, or simply curious about the historical roots of Christianity, this conversation is an invitation to go deeper into Scripture, Church history, and the faith of the earliest Christians.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 - Dr. Bergsma's background
06:23 - Where did sola scriptura come from?
12:13 - Why Scripture needs an authoritative interpretation
18:09 - Is the papacy biblical?
25:20 - The Paradox of Sola Scriptura
27:05 - Does the Bible affirm Tradition?
32:10 - The cost of becoming Catholic
37:33 - Scripture AND Tradition
39:41 - Protestant traditions we don't always recognize
41:32 - Books to read when exploring Catholicism
45:46 - Redemptive suffering; taking up our cross
50:55 - Finding deeper love through suffering
55:37 - Where to find Dr. John Bergsma

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Lighten Up Podcast and share this episode with someone you think it will bless!
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📌EPISODE RESOURCES:
Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic by Dr. John Bergsma - http://stpaulcenter.com/stunned-by-scripture
The letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm
Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David Currie - https://ignatius.com/born-fundamentalist-born-again-catholic-bfbap/
Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray - https://ignatius.com/crossing-the-tiber-cttp/
St. Paul Center - https://stpaulcenter.com/memberships
St. Paul Center YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StPaulCenter
Dr. Bergsma’s website - https://www.johnbergsma.com/
St. Paul Center events - https://stpaulcenter.com/events

🛒SHOP Hannah’s Podcast Wardrobe - https://www.amazon.com/shop/hannahcrews.blog/list/1WFEKNXNGYBJD?ref_=aipsflist&tag=hannahcrews0d-20&ccs_id=944a8b87-78fb-47a6-947b-db8742187e82

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
✨Truthly: Catholic ai 
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Use the link below to try it yourself! First MONTH free.
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🙏🏼Alto: Ascension’s monthly printed prayer companion
Make room for daily prayer with Alto. 
Explore upcoming editions and subscribe!
https://ascension-press.linkjolt.io/redirect?tc=WfiAGx9e&aff=q9X_SJXhukuOdLq0sF1JK

🪩The Genius Conference
 A weekend to rediscover your God-given genius.
Get your tickets today!
buytickets.at/lhmediallc/2259074

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Why is dating so hard today? Why are fewer people getting married, and why do so many people struggle to find lasting love? 

In this episode, Hannah Crews and Emily Dinneny get brutally honest about Catholic dating, modern relationships, marriage, dating apps, cohabitation, and what it really means to find true love. If you're single, dating, engaged, newly married, or struggling in your relationship, this conversation is for you.

Emily Dinneny joins the Lighten Up Podcast to unpack why modern dating can feel so complicated — even though we have more ways than ever to meet someone. From dating apps and unrealistic expectations to fear of commitment, past wounds, and confusion about what love actually is, Hannah and Emily tackle the questions so many people are afraid to ask.

They also discuss YouCat Love Forever, a Catholic book that answers practical questions about dating, relationships, marriage, sexuality, and preparing for a lifelong commitment.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 - Emily's experience as a newlywed
04:46 - Why are people getting married later?
06:32 - Dating apps and “analysis paralysis”
08:24 - Introducing YouCat Love Forever
15:02 - What does real love actually mean?
20:29 - Cohabitation, sex, and commitment
29:50 - The questions people are afraid to ask
32:54 - Healing from past wounds before marriage
40:32 - Emily's best marriage advice
43:05 - Where to find Emily

📌Episode Resources:
YOUCAT Love Forever - https://ignatius.com/youcat-love-forever-yclfp/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=carmel
Emily’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catholic.converts/?hl=en
Emily’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@catholic.converts

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📖 BOOK CLUB: We're almost done reading Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic by Dr. John Bergsma. Join us for our weekly Friday discussions through Patreon or YouTube Memberships. 
Stunned by Scripture - https://a.co/d/0hOLP3aC
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLightenUpPodcast/membership
YouTube Memberships - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLMTacWwGdyUjzDq8smQklw/join

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
✨Truthly: Catholic ai 
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What do you do when someone you love is considering becoming Catholic?

In this episode of the Lighten Up Podcast, Hannah Crews shares practical advice for both sides of the Catholic conversion conversation: Protestants who are concerned about a family member becoming Catholic and Protestants or Christians who are personally exploring the Catholic faith but aren't sure how to tell their friends and family.

These conversations can be emotional and difficult, especially when Catholicism feels completely unfamiliar or even threatening to someone raised in a Protestant or evangelical tradition. But they don't have to destroy relationships.

Whether you're Catholic curious, considering converting to Catholicism, worried about a loved one becoming Catholic, or simply trying to understand the Catholic-Protestant divide, this episode is about pursuing truth while continuing to love and respect the people closest to you.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Understanding the Protestant Perspective on Catholicism
03:38 Advice for Protestants: Listening with love 
07:33 Question Gently BEFORE Debating
09:05 Personal Research & One Thing at a Time
13:27 Don’t be afraid to lay down your pride
15:17 A Perfect Example: My Mom
18:00 Advice for Catholics & the Curious: Share with Joy
22:52 Know Your WHY & Breaking the News
25:15 Be Prepared for backlash
28:06 Consider Joining OCIA

📌Episode Resources:
Rome Sweet Home by Scott & Kimberly Hahn - https://stpaulcenter.com/store/rome-sweet-home-our-journey-to-catholicism
Rome Sweet Home BOOK CLUB episodes: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2145006?view=expanded
✨Truthly: Catholic ai 
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Use the link below to try it yourself! First MONTH free.
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✝️Christian Healthcare Ministries
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Click the link for a free info pack today!
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🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Lighten Up Podcast and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this!
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📖 BOOK CLUB: We're currently reading Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic by Dr. John Bergsma. Join us for our weekly Friday discussions through Patreon or YouTube Memberships. 
Stunned by Scripture - https://a.co/d/0hOLP3aC
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLightenUpPodcast/membership
YouTube Memberships - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLMTacWwGdyUjzDq8smQklw/join

📱Follow on social media:
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