Shawn Hagstrom, wife of Mike and mother of two adoptive children, Therese and Joseph, is also the grandmother of 11-year-old identical twin boys, James and Oliver. Shawn recently retired from her 40-year teaching career, through which she nurtured pre-school children in both secular and Catholic school settings. The Hagstroms, longtime residents of Fargo, also have a longtime marriage of 42 years. In her new life of retirement, Shawn has been enjoying spending time with her mother, going on nature walks, and riding bike.

SHOW NOTES:

• "Dear Birthmother" book by Kathleen Silber and Phyllis Speedlin: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Birthmother-Kathleen-Silber/dp/0931722209?

• National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is observed from April 19 to April 25, 2026.

Kimberly Souba is a writer, communications specialist, and former educator who taught for 15 years. Originally from Illinois, she now lives in Fargo, North Dakota, where she continues her work in communications, storytelling, and advocacy. Kimberly speaks openly about her journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse, parental abandonment, and seasons of deep struggle. Through those experiences, she eventually rediscovered and embraced her faith in Jesus and his Church, which became a central part of her healing.

SHOW NOTES:

• Kimberly's website: www.ksouba.com

• Kimberly's Podcast (Butterfly Girl): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/butterfly-girl/id1859235644

• Kimberly's poetry book: From Death to New Life: The Transformation of a Soul

• Kimberly's children's book: A Caterpillar's Journey

• Kimberly's children's book: Flight of the Butterfly

• Kimbery's faith-based coloring and activity storybook: Miriam's Heavenly Tea Party

• Kimberly's book: Ellie's Brave Voice (coming out in late April)

• Roxane's "Faith Conversations" article on Kimberly's journey: Local author seeks to help kids who've been abused (Oct. 12, 2025)

• Sarah Kroger's song, "Belovedness": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwSyLLHdvlo

Other resources suggested by Kimberly:

• Healing of Memories: Prayer and Confession Steps to Inner Healing by Dennis and Matthew Linn

• Jesus I Trust in You by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.

• Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

• No More Faking Fine by Esther Fleece

• Your New New by Esther Fleece Allen

• Forgiving Mother: A Maria Novena of Healing and Peace by Marge Steinhage

• Living for today: A Memoir by Erin Merryn

• Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse by Erin Merryn

• An Unimaginable Act: Overcoming & Preventing Child Abuse Through Erin's Law by Erin Merryn

Our guest today, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda, was born in Cuba and grew up in Puerto Rico.

She is a freelance writer and the author of several books, most notably, the award-winning, "The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Blessed Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma," and was recently named "Promoter of the Cause for Blessed Stanley Rother."

Maria and her husband, Michael, live in Oklahoma City and have four adult children and 15 grandchildren.

SHOW NOTES:

• Maria's latest book, "The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Blessed Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma": https://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Who-Didnt-Run-Oklahoma/dp/1681924560/ref

• Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine website: https://rothershrine.org/

• An Ordinary Martyr: The Life and Death of Blessed Stanley Rother video: https://youtu.be/hsOvNtoZVzc?si=GE8pTGqHgLxc3A4b

• Maria's first book, "Their Faith Has Touched Us: The Legacies of Three Young Oklahoma City Bombing Victims": https://www.amazon.com/Their-Faith-Has-Touched-Us/dp/158051023X

• Article for CatholicMom.com by Roxane after her summer 2025 visit to Oklahoma City and the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/blessed-stanley-rother-a-shepherd-worth-knowing