#158 God's Call to be a Barstool Evangelist with Debbie Smith

My dear friend Debbie Smith is joining me on the podcast! Debbie and I met about 10 years ago here in Nashville, and from the start, I’ve admired her boldness when it comes to sharing her faith. Seriously, she can strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. We lovingly call her our “bar stool evangelist” because she can sit down at a bar, order a craft beer, and before you know it, she’s talking with the bartender about the Eucharist. Now, I know what you’re thinking… I could never do that. But here’s the thing Debbie hasn’t always been this way. In fact, she once thought she didn’t know enough about her Catholic faith to share it with anyone. But through Bible studies, books like Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn, and her own personal encounters, she’s discovered how to authentically connect with people about Jesus and the beauty of the Church. In this episode, Debbie and I talk about: How she went from shy and unsure about her faith to joyfully sharing it with strangers. Why evangelization isn’t about preaching or pressuring but about authentic connections. Some amazing God-moments where the Holy Spirit gave her the exact words to say. What to do when you feel too scared or unqualified to share your faith. My favorite part? Debbie reminds us that evangelization doesn’t always look like words...it can be as simple as a smile, an act of kindness, or telling someone why your faith is important to you. 👉 If you’ve ever wondered how to bring Christ into everyday conversations without feeling awkward or pushy, you don’t want to miss this one. Debbie’s stories will encourage you, inspire you, and maybe even nudge you to take a step of faith in your own little corner of the world. Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose. A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives. Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.