GIVEN Forum Talks

GIVEN Forum Talks

6 Seasons

The GIVEN Institute (“GIVEN”) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to activating the gifts of young adult women for the Catholic Church and the world. We inspire and equip the next generation of female leaders to “receive the gift that they are; realize the gifts they’ve been given; and respond with the gift that only they can give.” Through leadership training, faith formation, and dedicated mentoring, GIVEN forms women for mission and for life.
The flagship event of the GIVEN Institute is the Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum (“Given Forum”). The annual event brings together more than one hundred young adult women from across the country for a four-day forum. It is designed for young adult Catholic women seeking leadership training, faith formation, and practical support to better understand and pursue their particular mission and/or vocation.
The following episodes are talks from previous GIVEN Forums.

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GIVEN Forum Talks
  • Experiencing Infertility and Raising Quadruplets – Justina Kopp

    Episode 1

    Justina Kopp shares her grace-filled story of raising quadruplets after previously experiencing infertility. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Visio Divina – Katie Woltornist

    Episode 2

    After attending the GIVEN Institute Leadership Forum in 2016, Katie Woltornist founded Behold Visio Divina to teach the devotion of praying with art. In this talk, she shares her story and leads a step-by-step visio divina. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Dorrie Donahue – My Vocation Story

    Episode 3

    Dorrie Donahue shares her vocation story as a secular consecrated woman. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • 2021 GIVEN Institute – Catherine Hadro

    Episode 4

    Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Entrusted with Caring for the Human Person – Dr. Mary Ann Sorra

    Episode 5

    Dr. Mary Ann Sorra talks about providing care for women as a pro-life OB/GYN, sharing the joys and struggles along the way. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • 2021 GIVEN Institute – Julie Larkin

    Episode 6

    Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Returning to the Eden Invitation – Anna Carter

    Episode 7

    What is God's plan for His children who identify as LGBTQ, and how can we approach this topic with reverence? Anna Carter, co-founder of Eden Invitation, shares her perspective on this important ministry issue. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Reframing the Dialogue of Women's Healthcare – Leah Jacobson

    Episode 8

    Leah Jacobson reflects on the importance of women's healthcare and the approach she took when founding Guiding Star Project. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Casting the Vision – Sr. Bethany Madonna

    Episode 9

    With her trademark humor and through stories from ministry, Sister Bethany Madonna shares what it means to receive the gift you are, realize the gifts you've been given, and respond with the gift only you can give. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Maternity in the Workplace – Lauren Merz

    Episode 10

    Lauren Merz shares her experience living maternity as a single woman in the workplace. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Female Leadership in the Church and Culture – Mary FioRito

    Episode 11

    Mary FioRito shares her experience as a veteran diocesan staff member, sharing stories of the unique leadership she brings as a woman in the Church. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Discerning the Will of God – Mother Clare Matthiass, CFR

    Episode 12

    Drawing from the Ignatian tradition, Mother Clare offers a practical and approachable talk on discernment for life's big and small decisions. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Engaging the Culture of Others – Michelle Riestra

    Episode 13

    When we enter into a culture that is not our own, how do we help rather than harm? Michelle Riestra is the director of a nonprofit that helps people living in extreme poverty by giving them the resources and training to create economic opportunities for themselves. She shares her advice for servi...

  • Encountering Hearts of Joy – Lauren Costabile

    Episode 14

    Lauren Costabile founded Hearts of Joy International, an organization that provides lifesaving heart surgery to children with Down Syndrome. She shares how the organization began and her joy in following God's call to this mission. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Andrea Polito – My Vocation Story

    Episode 15

    Andrea Polito shares her vocation story and the unique mission of her life as a consecrated virgin. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Entrusted with the Feminine Genius – Sr. Mary Madeline Todd, OP

    Episode 16

    We hear the phrase often, but what is the feminine genius in its essence? Sister Mary Madeline Todd, OP discusses this idea, what it means and what it means to live it out. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • The Feminine Genius in Canon Law – Laura Prejean

    Episode 17

    Laura Prejean does not fit the profile of most canon lawyers. As a young lay woman, she brings a unique perspective to the study of canon law, which she shares in this talk. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Cultivating Your Gifts and Mission – Michelle Benzinger

    Episode 18

    Abiding Together podcast co-host Michelle Benzinger gives an engaging and inspiring talk on how each of us can cultivate our unique gifts and mission. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • The Call to Spiritual Maternity - Sr. Theotokos

    Episode 19

    Sister Maria Theotokos explains spiritual maternity and how it images feminine fruitfulness, especially in consecrated life. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Sr. Maria Goretti, OCD – My Vocation Story

    Episode 20

    Sr. Maria Goretti, OCD shares her vocation story to the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.

  • Sr. Gabriela Ramirez de la Rosa, CSJ – My Vocation Story

    Episode 21

    Sr. Gabriela Ramirez, CSJ shares her vocation story to the Apostolic Sisters of Saint John. Recorded at the 2021 GIVEN Institute.