Have you ever embraced the spotlight to make a name for yourself? And how formative are the strange, unusual, and sometimes rebellious moments of childhood summer camp?
This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Jule and Sarra go from grasping with their claws to living in awe, diving into the truly formative experiences of Talent Shows and Summer Camp.
They share stories of making legendary memories, seeking friendship through an Adele song, and navigating strict rules at sleepaway camp, leading to a shocking granola bar rebellion.
🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁
The Gift of Talent Shows & Coffee Houses
Sarra unwraps the gift of Talent Shows, recalling how performing an Adele song at summer training led to her profound friendship with Jule. The hosts discuss how confidence makes anything a talent (even making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich) and Jule details her family's tradition of Coffee Houses, gatherings centered on music and sharing personal gifts. Jule recounts her own infamous comedy song about seminarians that went viral within her family, while Sarra reflects on fulfilling her childhood dream of hosting a talk show.
The Gift of Formative Summer Camp Experiences
Jule explores Summer Camp as a gift, noting how stepping away from family forces self-discovery and navigating new social ecosystems. She recounts attending a strict, religiously Catholic sleepaway camp starting in first grade, where she became a mischief maker, plotting ways to interact with boys via the oatmeal line or the nurse's office. Jule details her later immersive, yet rebellious, experience as a 'child laborer' named Abigail at a colonial village camp. Sarra shares her memories of Girl Scout camp, including learning the skill of shuffling cards.
White Elephant (Closing Segment)
Jule and Sarra play their "famous and controversial final segment", White Elephant, deciding whether to Receive, Return, or Regift various social phenomena and items. Discussed gifts include: Kiss Cam appearances, Chelsea Boots, Square Nails, Flip Phones (and the journey of T9 word), Marshmallow on Sweet Potatoes, Conga Lines, and the Sign/Kiss of Peace at Mass
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CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
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Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
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This week on the What a Gift podcast, we're diving into love languages and the frivolous treats that make us feel known.
🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁
The Gift of Love Languages
We rehash and get new perspective an oldie but goodie: the five love languages—and discuss how we relate. Jule unwraps the gift of Love Languages, sharing that her top language is Gift Giving because it proves someone thought of her when she wasn't around. Sarra affirms that her top language is Words of Affirmation because it makes her feel "seen". We discuss how our rankings evolved: Sarra shares her story of overcoming a zero rating in Physical Touch, realizing that her resistance was rooted in believing a "lie" about her size. Jule admits she still needs to work on Acts of Service with her husband, Chris, even after using the languages to overcome a "serious rough patch" early in their relationship. We celebrate the power of timely affirmations, like leaving a note under a roommate's door or Jule’s heartfelt notes to her wedding helpers, one of which she is "so glad" she wrote before her friend David passed away.
The Gift of Margaritas
Sarra unwraps the "sweet, sweet gift of margaritas," noting they are objectively fun and just something special. She explains why she orders hers on the rocks, no salt, no sugar, insisting that she doesn't want "graininess” on the rim of a glass. We agree that the true gift lies in feeling known and loved when friends remember your specific, "frivvil" drink choice and prepare it when you arrive. Jule recounts her misguided "tequila year," where she based her alcohol choices on an article (later debunked) claiming tequila was a stimulant instead of a depressant. Sarra shares a brilliant idea for loving your friends: using a Google form to gather preferences like "loungewear size," favorite snacks, and close contacts, so you can "love them well".
White Elephant (Closing Segment)
We close with our segment where we decide whether to Receive, Return, or Regift pop culture and daily phenomena. This week, we tackle green text messages (Sarra returns them; Jule receives them but asks Apple to be nicer), grapes with seeds (Jule receives them, especially the flavorful Concord grape), and home renovation shows (we both receive, recalling the chaos of Trading Spaces and Extreme Home Makeover).
* * *
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LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
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Find it on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/
Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
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What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. www.focus.org
Have you ever reflected on which *books, movies, and media* literally shaped your personality? And what if the most isolating moments of being an *underdog* actually equipped you with confidence and social skills?This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Sarah and Jule dive into two crucial sources of personal development: the influential Foundational Texts that informed their personalities and the surprising gift of becoming an Underdog
🎁 *WHAT’S INSIDE* 🎁*The Gift of Foundational Texts:*
In this episode of What a Gift, Sarah and Jule begin their dive into foundational texts, which they define as the crucial books, movies, and media that have truly informed their personalities and shaped their paths.Personal foundational texts are highlighted, such as the Disney princess Belle, whom Jule admired as a bookworm who saw "the charm beneath the layers of the beast". Jule also details the impact of literary adaptations like Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and the five-hour BBC Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth, which she calls "major" other than the Bible.
*The Gift of Underdogs*
Jule presents the theme of being an underdog, a concept she relates to growing up in a Navy family which required moving every two years. Sarah shares her similar underdog experience of being homeschooled from kindergarten through 8th grade before transitioning to a huge public high school with classes of 400 kids in ninth grade. She had planned for the day for so long, even wearing her new American Eagle polo shirt and boot-cut jeans.
*The Gift of Perspective (Closing Segment)*
The episode concludes with the segment, "The Gift of Perspective," where the hosts dive into their personal archives. Sarah shares a journal entry from December 2004, the year before she entered high school. Jule offers a short, philosophical Facebook status from October 1, 2011. The status reads: "Pretty is what you are, beauty is what you do with it". The hosts also comment on the reality of the American high school experience for their "overseas gifties," confirming that features like the yellow school bus and the cafeteria rejections are "100% true".
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👉 AND when you register, use promo code FOCUSGIFT for exclusive pre-SEEK content, including never-before-released talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna SV and more, AND *a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers for FOCUS/SEEK Merch!*
👉 Join our email list by registering (for free) on Replay and checking the email box: https://www.seekreplay.com/______________________________*LISTEN AND FOLLOW:**Spotify:* https://open.spotify.com/show/62Xh0k01sf2LpegbNHTuXu/*Apple Podcasts:* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-in/id1831854757/*YouTube:* https://www.youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast______________________________*CONNECT WITH US:*✨ *Sarra’s IG*: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/✨ *Jule’s IG*: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/✨ *FOCUS' IG*: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/Got a question, comment, or a guest idea? Drop us a comment on YouTube/Spotify or shoot an email to whatagift@focus.org_______________________________What a Gift_ is produced by FOCUS: https://www.focus.org
Have you ever reflected on how your friends’ parents impacted your life? And what if the strangers who leave reviews online are actually heroes among us?
This week on the What a Gift podcast, hosts Jule and Sarra dive into two unexpected sources of blessing: the parents who raised our friends and the "Heroes Among Us" who leave reviews!
🎁 WHAT’S INSIDE 🎁
The Gift of Friends' Parents
We explore the inherent gift of friends' parents. We recall that as kids, going to a friend's house meant observing a different "ecosystem" with a "different climate", "different rules," and "different snacks". As we got older, these figures went from an "exotic thing to visit to such a gift". We discuss the special feeling when "someone else's parent kind of scoops you up and takes you under their wing," often becoming a second parent or mentor. Jule shares how her best friend's mom calls her her "second daughter". Sarra recounts her long-distance roommate experience where the roommate's mother would check on her and even send money for dinner. We conclude that we owe these parents reverence for giving us our "amazing person".
The Gift of People Who Leave Reviews
We dive into the importance of reviewers, whom we call "Heroes Among Us" and "saints" who "should get medals". We celebrate their honesty and helpful hints, noting they provide crucial feedback on everything from food establishments, entertainment, and even churches. Sarra finds that reviews, especially when apartment hunting, have saved her so many times from shacks disguised as high-rises. We discuss the specific gift of women who leave reviews for clothing with photos and their measurements. Jule shares her love for reviewing new local restaurants, supporting people pursuing their "American dream". Overall, these people are truly "angels among us".
The Gift of Recommendations (Closing Segment)
In our closing segment, we share a round of "My Gift to You". Sarra recommends the nail polish brand Olive and June, noting her self-done gel manicure lasted two weeks. Jule recommends having a movie night and watching the 1990s film You've Got Mail, calling it one of her "comfort movies". We also share our gratitude for a recent recommendation to listen to the ABBA discography, which we agree is the "soundtrack of joy". Since leaving reviews helps us in our “fledgling days” as podcasters, we encourage gifties to leave us a good review because it actually helps. Don't forget, life is a gift, so receive it!
* * *
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LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
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Find it on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/
Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
Register on Replay to join our email list → seekreplay.com
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What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. www.focus.org
In this episode of the What a Gift podcast, we sit down to talk about the unexpected gifts of bars and being single, focusing on how we transition from despair to being fully aware of the life we're living right now.
Whether you're like Jule—who loves finding community with strangers at a dive bar—or like Sarah, navigating the complexities and freedoms of being single in your 30s, let’s pull up a stool for some relatable stories, honest reflections, and perspectives on how life's plot twists can somehow end up being gifts.
🎁 What’s Inside 🎁
• Jule unwraps the gift of bars, especially the neighborhood corner spots where strangers come together seeking community. Hear why she champions the local watering hole over trendy millennial joints (and why a Touch Tunes jukebox is a non-negotiable). We discuss everything from taking over the vibe with the perfect song to the adventure of finding a karaoke bar in a gas station strip mall in Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Sarah unwraps the gift of being single, exploring the mindset shift required to see this season as a gift rather than a setback. She shares how being single allows her to be uniquely available to her friends and family, making a gift of herself in a way she couldn't otherwise. We get vulnerable about the pain of longing, the temptation to compare your life to your friends' or even your own past dreams, and the freedom that comes with trusting the story God is writing for you.
• We discuss the highs and lows of single life, from Jule recounting her fear of commitment when she met her now-husband to Sarah sharing the deep gratitude she feels for being able to support her sister through her engagement and marriage. We both agree that while singleness can be a painful tension, it's also a time filled with possibility, adventure, and the freedom to say "yes" to life.
• Stick around for our closing segment, My Gift to You, where we recommend some things we've been enjoying. Jule shares a must-have seasonal ice cream from Trader Joe's, and Sarah recommends a life-changing lip balm that will save you from chapped lips.
* * *
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LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/
Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast
Find it on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ
Find it on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/
Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
Register on Replay to join our email list → seekreplay.com
For more original content and early releases, please visit seekreplay.com
What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. www.focus.org
In this episode of What a Gift, we sit down to talk about the magical world of sleep and roommates, focusing on how we transition from drama and tea to what's God doing in me? 😂
(Side note, please comment or DM your ___ to ___ intro ideas as ours are getting worse and worse 🤢)
Whether you're like Jule—a light sleeper who needs the temperature exact and feels "scared and sad at night"—or just curious about how shared living spaces teach vital adult skills like communication and honesty, let’s cozy up together for some relatable stories, insights into nighttime rituals, and perspectives on how everyday challenges can somehow end up being gifts.
🎁 What’s Inside 🎁
• Sarra shares her love for being "horizontal" and her recent investment in lush, new bedding, including a burnt orange/brown gingham comforter. Meanwhile, Jule views rest as an "elusive gift" and a "mini death" that requires surrender and trust. Hear why Jule relied on Night Prayer to manage her college anxiety and why we both agree on brown noise supremacy over the aggressive white noise.
• We discuss why roommates are truly a school of life, teaching us vital adult skills. This includes learning communication, honesty, and knowing when to perform an act of service versus drawing necessary boundaries. Jule admits that due to her night owl tendencies getting out of hand, she knows living alone is not for her.
• We recount our harrowing "bonding eras"—from Jule becoming a "comrade in arms" with her former roommate during the "mouse gate" apocalypse in Philadelphia to Sarra surviving the covid lockdown by making late-night cookies and binging the Marvel movies and Grey's Anatomy.
• Stick around for our closing segment, White Elephant, where we decide whether to receive, return, or regift pop culture items like The Kardashians and public proposals.
* * *
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LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
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Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast
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Find it on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
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Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
Register on Replay to join our email list → seekreplay.com
For more original content and early releases, please visit seekreplay.com
What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. www.focus.org
In this episode of What a Gift, Sarra and Jule sit down to talk about what if everyday life felt like an epic quest, where you can brave hard things and faith feels real? Whether you're wrestling with deeper questions, yearning for more in your relationships, or just need a laugh to get out of fight-or-flight, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged to embrace your own "epic quest" with confidence and joy.
🎁What's Inside🎁
• Sarra shares how magical books like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have shaped her view of life as a quest, waking her up to the supernatural and inspiring a desire for greatness, while Jule unwraps the hilarious gift of escape rooms, including a memorable family blunder where her dad declares, “listen man we don't want to die in here.”
• Jule recounts the touching story of reading all seven Harry Potter books aloud to her "industrious Italian" dad, creating a unique bond, and later recounts a triumphant expert-level escape room experience that left her feeling like an absolute genius.
• Beyond the hilarity, Sarra and Jule explore how these worlds foster imagination, strengthen bonds, and help them see how God's presence, grace, and humor show up in everyday challenges, ultimately encouraging us to embrace our imperfections and dive deeper into the journey.
* * *
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LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
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Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ
Listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
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Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
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In this episode of What a Gift, Sarra and Jule sit down to explore the question: What if your childhood awkwardness and unexamined past were actually incredible gifts, revealing how God’s grace and humor shaped you into the woman you are today?
Whether you're yearning for a laugh, wrestling with old insecurities, or simply desiring to be more comfortable within yourself, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged to embrace the messy, beautiful gift of your own journey.
🎁 What’s Inside 🎁
• Sarra “unwraps” the gift of being born in 1989, celebrating a tech-free childhood that led to a deep appreciation for modern conveniences and fun-filled days watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. Jule champions her offline childhood, where boredom sparked boundless imagination and precious unexamined awkward stages flourished before the age of social media.
• In a side-splitting "gift of perspective" segment, Sarra relives a college glitter prank war and shares her bold and hilariously cringe Facebook status from 2011. Jule bravely shares her incredibly dramatic last will and testament from 2003, dedicated to Bill Cosby, detailing passwords to "LovelyGirl282," and her desired tombstone inscription: “The girl who lived”.
• Beyond the laughs, discover how their upbringing fostered a unique sensitivity to modern overstimulation and how their faith journey helps them embrace imperfections, let go of comparison, and find God's grace and humor in every messy, ordinary, and unforgettable season of life, ultimately empowering them to live their faith as their true selves.
* * *
Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!
Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January http://bit.ly/3IPoew4
LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/
Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ
Listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/
Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
Register on Replay to join our email list → seekreplay.com
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What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. www.focus.org
In this episode of What a Gift, Jule reveals her in-depth theory on how to throw a next-level house party, and Sarra makes her case for why celebrating birthdays in adulthood actually matters.If you’ve ever wanted to step up your hosting game, craft an unforgettable experience by implementing a few tweaks, or just hear some hot takes on birthdays as an adult, this one’s for you.
🎁 What’s Inside 🎁
• Jule’s 8 stages of a party (from casual hangout to full-on bash) + how music, lighting, and guest vibes can turn it electric.
• Sarra’s take on birthdays: Why planning your own party is actually a gift to the people who love you, + more.
• Fun hosting ideas like “Noah’s Ark” parties for singles, Oscars-night snack competitions, and why good hospitality is like a muscle you’ve gotta flex.
* * *
Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!
Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January http://bit.ly/3IPoew4
LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:
🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/
Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ
Listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/
✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/
✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/
Email us at whatagift@focus.org or leave a comment!
Register on Replay to join our email list → seekreplay.com
For more original content and early releases, please visit seekreplay.com
What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. www.focus.org