What if many of the answers we are searching for today—better health, deeper peace, stronger families, meaningful relationships, greater energy, and spiritual wholeness—were understood more than 850 years ago?

In this powerful conversation, Angela welcomes back her beloved friend and mentor Jeannie O’Connell for an exploration of the remarkable wisdom of St. Hildegard of Bingen and its relevance for our modern lives.

Jeannie shares her personal journey through cancer, chronic health struggles, stress, and ultimately transformation—and how her “mess became her message.”

She also introduces her forthcoming cookbook with Kim Maes, Simply Spelt: Where Nutritious Meets Delicious, inspired by years of serving Hildegard-inspired foods at their Cathedral of the Woods retreats.

But this conversation is about far more than food.

Angela and Jeannie explore the striking parallels between St. Hildegard’s centuries-old teachings and many principles emphasized in modern lifestyle medicine: nutritious food, restorative sleep, movement, stress management, meaningful relationships, time in nature, freedom from destructive habits, silence, Sabbath, prayer, and spiritual healing.

At the heart of the episode is a simple but challenging question:

Are we living in a way that allows the human person to truly flourish as the Father intended?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Your body often begins sending signals long before a major crisis arrives.
• Nutrition matters—but food alone cannot heal an unsustainable lifestyle.
• Chronic stress, sleep deprivation, overwork, and constant stimulation carry real consequences.
• St. Hildegard understood health as an integration of body, mind, soul, relationships, creation, and most importantly, God.
• The family table can become a place of nourishment, connection, conversation, and healing.
• Silence, solitude, surrender, nature, Sabbath, prayer, forgiveness, and the Sacraments belong within a truly integrated vision of human flourishing.
• Information does not automatically create transformation. Lasting change requires practice, support, community, and accompaniment.
• You do not have to change everything overnight. Transformation often begins with one small, faithful change at a time.

COME AWAY WITH US

Viriditas Living Women’s Retreat October 14–18, 2026 Sycamore Tree Catholic Retreat Center | Montana

An intimate opportunity to step away from the noise and rediscover prayer, rest, nourishment, beauty, convivium, and the presence of God as inspired by St. Hildegard. Spaces are still available but limited. Please email to Angela to inquire: Angela Schnieders.

[RETREAT / REGISTRATION LINK]

SIMPLY SPELT

Simply Spelt: Where Nutritious Meets Delicious by Jeannie O’Connell & Kim Maes

Expected release date: around October 1, 2026

Learn more: [CATHEDRAL OF THE WOODS LINK]

If this episode brings someone immediately to mind, share it with them.

Sometimes the first step toward transformation is simply discovering:

There is another way to live!

KEYWORDS

St. Hildegard of Bingen, Hildegard von Bingen, Viriditas, Catholic health, holistic Catholic living, Catholic wellness, spelt, ancient grains, Simply Spelt, Jeannie O’Connell, Cathedral of the Woods, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, restorative sleep, chronic stress, burnout, nervous system health, healthy lifestyle, Catholic spirituality, spiritual healing, prayer, silence, Sabbath, fasting, detox, family meals, convivium, healing foods, body mind soul, integrated wholeness, Catholic retreats, women’s retreat, healthy families, human flourishing, faith and wellness

Listener note: This episode shares personal experiences and educational discussion around health, nutrition, and lifestyle. It is not individualized medical advice. Medical conditions, medications, cancer treatment, celiac disease, fasting, or other therapeutic decisions should be discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

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To book a free coaching session with Angela Schnieders or learn more visit viriditasliving.com