This week, Girlfriends connects across the globe with author Debra Vermeer, Australian author of Life to the Full: Stories of Infertility, Faith, and a Hope-filled Future.
Snippet from the Show
“We are called to be fruitful. There are many ways that we are called to fruitfulness. Sometimes they aren’t the ways we thought at all.”
Shownotes
In her book, Debra shares about her own experiences of infertility as well as the stories of several other infertile couples, all of whom share our Catholic faith. We talk about her conversion to Catholicism, the Church’s teaching on IVF, stories of infertility in the Bible, the unique ways infertile couples can be fruitful, and the concept of spiritual motherhood.
Debra is a joy to listen to, and she has such a heart for others who suffer similar trials to the ones she and her husband have experienced. If you suffer from infertility, or know anyone who does, her words and the stories in Life to the Full, can be a source of peace and hope for you.
Debra on Facebook
Debra on Instagram
Debra on Twitter
This week, I also share about a new book I have written with Dan. The Manual for Marriage is a beautiful resource for every couple. In it, Dan and I share reflective essays on marriage and family life, but it also features a large collection of prayers, Scripture passages, hymns, and stories from the saints that will encourage and support you in your married relationship.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
My new book, Whisper: Finding God in the Everyday, is available to order!
Join our all-new Girlfriends Podcast Facebook group!
Check out the Catholic Momcast featuring Lisa Hendey and me, available on iTunes!
RETREAT
The You’re Worth It! Retreat for Women
Find out more about bringing this unique event for women to your parish, group, or community. Read more and request more information here.
Or find out more about having me come speak at your parish or conference.

Megan Madden
Megan Madden is a homeschooling mother with a passion for writing and speaking on authentic femininity and virtuous womanhood. In 2017, she began graduate studies in marriage and family at the International Theological Institute in Austria. After moving to Kraków, Poland to work with university students, Megan more personally continued her research on the complementarity of man and woman, particularly on the question of what it means to be a woman. She delved into the study of renowned Catholic writers on women such as St. Edith Stein, Gertrude von le Fort, Alice von Hildebrand, St. John Paul II, and St. Teresa of Avila.
The results were the development of Megan’s online ministry A Mother’s Lace, as well as speaking opportunities and her book with Ascension: Mary, Teach Me to Be Your Daughter.
Megan lives outside of Oxford, England with her husband, who is a lecturer in theology, and their five children.

Megan Madden
Megan Madden is a homeschooling mother with a passion for writing and speaking on authentic femininity and virtuous womanhood. In 2017, she began graduate studies in marriage and family at the International Theological Institute in Austria. After moving to Kraków, Poland to work with university students, Megan more personally continued her research on the complementarity of man and woman, particularly on the question of what it means to be a woman. She delved into the study of renowned Catholic writers on women such as St. Edith Stein, Gertrude von le Fort, Alice von Hildebrand, St. John Paul II, and St. Teresa of Avila.
The results were the development of Megan’s online ministry A Mother’s Lace, as well as speaking opportunities and her book with Ascension: Mary, Teach Me to Be Your Daughter.
Megan lives outside of Oxford, England with her husband, who is a lecturer in theology, and their five children.