Rest is not idleness—and it’s definitely not distraction.

Nickole Perry

Who is Nickole Perry?

Nickole Perry is the Director of Operations for Cedar Creek Ministries in Montana, where she serves alongside her family supporting pastors, ministry leaders, and their families. A wife of 20 years to a firefighter and a mother of eight, Nickole is passionate about helping leaders pursue excellence without sacrificing their health, faith, or family relationships.

She loves writing and speaking on practical tools ministry leaders can use to prevent burnout, strengthen their marriages and families, and grow in sustainable, Christ-centered leadership. Through her work in ministry operations, homeschooling, and publishing, Nickole equips leaders to build lives and ministries marked by endurance, clarity, and obedience to God.

Burnout in Ministry

Burnout in ministry is something we don’t talk about enough—but it’s something so many quietly carry.

This episode, Running on Empty: Burnout in Ministry, is especially close to my heart because it didn’t just come from curiosity—it came from a very real place in my own life.

Earlier this year, I found myself feeling burned out in ministry. My calling, which once energized me, began to feel… routine. Even boring. The fire I once had felt dim. And if I’m being honest, rejection played a role too. After being turned down by a potential guest, I started to question everything.

Was I on the right track?
Was this really what I was supposed to be doing?

I had so many questions and not enough clarity.

So I did something I don’t always make time for—I slowed down. I set aside intentional space to reflect, to pray, and to process what I was feeling. And in that season, I reached out to Nickole Perry, Director of Cedar Creek Ministries, because I knew this was a conversation I needed—not just as a host, but as someone searching for answers.

From the very start, Nickole brought such honesty and enthusiasm. This isn’t just a topic she talks about—it’s a mission she lives.

Nickole understands burnout not as a distant concept, but as a lived experience. She spoke candidly about how easy it is for those in ministry to confuse calling with overextending. Somewhere along the way, many of us begin to believe that being faithful means exhausting ourselves—that sacrifice must equal depletion.

But what if that’s not what God is asking?

One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was Nickole’s perspective on rest. She challenged a misconception many of us hold:

Rest is not idleness—and it’s definitely not distraction.

Scrolling through Instagram, binge-watching Netflix, or losing hours to video games might feel like “switching off,” but as Nickole so aptly put it, that’s not rest—it’s anesthesia. It numbs us, but it doesn’t restore us.

What is rest?

True rest, she explains, is intentional. It’s life-giving. It reconnects us—with God, with ourselves, and with the people we love.

After all, even Jesus rested.

That truth alone should give us permission to pause.

What does Burnout in Ministry Look Like?

Nickole also offered insight into what burnout actually looks like. It’s not always dramatic or obvious. Sometimes, it shows up as quiet irritation. A growing frustration with the very people we are called to serve. A sense of heaviness where there was once joy. When ministry begins to feel like a burden instead of a calling, it may be a sign that something deeper needs attention.

And perhaps most importantly, she reminded us of this:

We were never meant to do ministry in our own strength.

Burnout often creeps in when we rely solely on ourselves—our effort, our energy, our capacity. But ministry was always meant to flow from dependence on the Lord, not depletion of the self.

Nickole shared practical, thoughtful ways to guard against burnout—creating rhythms of rest, setting boundaries, and cultivating a life that allows us to look forward to Monday morning, not dread it. That idea really stayed with me: building a life where ministry is sustainable, joyful, and rooted in balance.

This conversation left me reflecting deeply—and I hope it does the same for you.

So let me ask you:

Are you running on empty in your ministry?
Are you truly resting—or just distracting yourself?
What has helped you navigate seasons of burnout?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST

You might also like our conversation on Meditating and Homeschooling. And if this blessed you, please share the podcast with someone who needs it.

The post 123 Running on Empty: Burnout in Ministry appeared first on PAMELA Q. FERNANDES.

For me, 2025 was consumed by application season.

Research. Publications. Studying. Planning. Obligations. More planning.
All necessary. All important. And all quietly crowding out the one thing that has always helped me breathe: writing.

I did some editing on my women’s fiction—nothing insignificant, but nothing transformative either. I didn’t move the needle. And if I’m being honest, I got carried away with my own novel in the worst way possible: I started rereading instead of editing. Then rereading turned into reading. And reading turned into avoidance disguised as productivity.

To make things sweeter and more complicated, my mom spent a lot of time with me last year. By the time she left after Christmas, I hadn’t made the kind of headway I’d hoped for creatively. Life had been full—just not full of words on the page.

I even drove to New York to drop her at JFK, and if you’ve ever been to NYC, you know what I mean when I say this: there’s just something about it.

I don’t know if it’s the energy, the hustle, the noise, or the audacity of the city itself—but I always come back re-energized. Ideas start firing again. Characters start whispering. My brain wakes up.

So when I returned, with New Year’s right around the corner, I made a quiet decision: I was going to write the way I used to.

Years ago, I had a simple rule.
I wrote 200 words a day. Then I stopped.

It worked—for that season of life. But now, with everything on my plate—planning a move, apartment hunting, organizing, studying, finishing one research project, and doing data entry for another (I still wish there were an easier way for that)—I needed to be strategic.

Two thousand words a day felt impossible. Unrealistic. Heavy.
But I also knew that 200 words wasn’t going to get me where I wanted to go.

So I landed on a middle ground.

1,000 words a day.

It felt doable. Manageable. Almost… light.

And surprisingly, I could get it done fast.

The Structure That Saved Me

Before I wrote a single new word, I paused and planned—just enough to prevent myself from getting stuck.

I created three major arcs for a contemporary romance novel. I won’t pretend I was starting from nothing—I had about 20,000 words from an old rough draft that I decided to resurrect. But instead of diving back in blindly, I reread it quickly and stepped back.

I mapped out:

• Three parallel arcs in each chapter
• Key milestones for each arc
• A loose chapter plan to guide momentum

Nothing fancy. Nothing rigid. Just enough of a roadmap to keep me moving forward instead of spiraling.

Then, every day, I wrote 1,000 words.

Some days, I got carried away and wrote more. Other days, I stopped exactly at 1,000 and closed the document without guilt.

One trick that helped immensely:
I always stopped in the middle of a scene.

Mid-conversation.
Mid-dinner.
Mid-dialogue.

It made it easy to return the next day. No blank-page panic. No “where was I going with this?” dread.

And on days when my brain felt dry or tired, I gave myself permission to simply describe the scenery, revisit my plot lines, or deepen the emotional atmosphere. Words still counted—even if they weren’t brilliant.

Writing as Regulation, Not Perfection

Around this time, I watched a doctor on YouTube mention that writing helps relax the brain. That it regulates stress. That it gives the mind somewhere to place pressure instead of letting it build.

That hit me hard.

I had been carrying so much stress—so much internal noise—and not writing had made it worse. Getting the words out, imperfect and unedited, helped me feel like I had some control over my life again.

This draft was never about perfection.

I didn’t edit as I went. I barely reread.
I let it be messy.

Occasionally, I’d do light editing—especially after listening to a BBC Radio interview with Oscar-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who edited daily alongside Martin Scorsese on every project. That idea stuck with me. Some days, a light pass made the manuscript more readable and helped the flow when I returned the next morning.

But editing was optional. Writing was not.

Mood Matters More Than Motivation

Another unexpected tool?
Atmosphere.

I listened to music that matched the emotional tone of the story. I watched dramas—eventually landing on K-dramas—that carried a similar romantic and emotional flavor. Even when I didn’t feel like writing, staying immersed in the mood helped keep the characters alive in my head.

Inspiration doesn’t always come from discipline.
Sometimes it comes from surrounding yourself with the right textures.

The Result

By February, I had stuck to the plan.

The result?
A 60,000-word first draft of a contemporary romance—nearly ready to be shaped before I go back to editing my women’s fiction.

This romance will be a project for next year. But it did something just as important: it gave my creative brain a break between genres. When I return to women’s fiction, I know I’ll see it with fresh eyes.

More than that, it made me feel good again.

The guilt of not writing lifted.
The claustrophobic feeling of being a creative with nowhere to put emotions eased.
The pressure finally had an outlet.

Why the 1,000 Words a Day Plan Works

You don’t need three arcs.
You don’t even need a detailed plot.

But having a general map—something to guide you when motivation dips—makes all the difference.

1,000 words a day is small enough to fit into real life.
But big enough to compound quickly.

It’s progress without punishment.
Momentum without burnout.

So if you’ve been stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly grieving the creative version of yourself you haven’t seen in a while—why not give it a try?

You don’t need perfection.
You just need a page.

And tomorrow, another one.

Happy writing

The post The 1,000 Words a Day Writing Plan appeared first on PAMELA Q. FERNANDES.

There was a time when Twitter felt like the place for writers. It was the digital café where authors shared drafts, agents dropped calls for submissions, and readers connected with the people behind their favorite books. I joined it for that reason — to find my tribe, to share stories, and to connect with the wider literary world. But somewhere along the way, the platform changed. And so did I.

1. The Noise Drowned Out the Words

Twitter used to be about conversations — snippets of thought, shared inspiration, and literary camaraderie. But in recent years, it’s become more like standing in a crowded room where everyone’s shouting for attention.
As an author, that’s the exact opposite of what I need. Writing requires focus, stillness, and space to think. Scrolling endlessly, reacting instantly, and posting constantly only eroded that creative quiet.

2. The Algorithm Became the Editor

At some point, the platform stopped feeling social and started feeling strategic. What time should I post? Should I use trending hashtags? Why did one thoughtful post about craft get ten views while a throwaway meme went viral?
Instead of shaping my stories, I was shaping content for visibility. The algorithm became my uninvited editor, dictating what was worth saying. That’s when I realized: the voice that mattered most — mine — was getting lost.

3. Outrage Fatigue Is Real

It’s impossible to spend much time on Twitter/X without absorbing its constant undercurrent of outrage. Every scroll brings a new controversy, argument, or bad take. As someone who writes about empathy, faith, and the human condition, that energy was draining.
I found myself angry about things that had nothing to do with me — or my writing. My creativity wasn’t being fed; it was being siphoned.

4. Real Connection Moved Elsewhere

When I looked at my analytics, most meaningful reader engagement didn’t come from Twitter at all. It came from my newsletter, my podcast, my website, and even people I meet in real life.
The people who genuinely cared about my stories weren’t looking for me in 280-character bursts. They wanted depth. Reflection. Relationship.

5. The Joy of Quitting

The moment I deleted the app, I felt lighter. My mornings stopped beginning with doomscrolling. My writing sessions grew longer and calmer. Ideas — real ones, not content ideas — started flowing again.
Now, I spend more time writing for readers, not for algorithms. I’d rather have 10 people deeply moved by my words than 10,000 likes from strangers who scroll past.

6. What I’ve Learned

Leaving Twitter taught me something profound: platforms come and go, but your voice stays.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to be true.

So, no — I’m not on X anymore. I’m somewhere quieter, where stories still matter.
And honestly? I don’t miss it at all.

The post Why I Quit Twitter (or X) as an Author appeared first on PAMELA Q. FERNANDES.

We have a great alternative to offer with children praying together and a sense of community, such an oasis is a recipe for success.

Dr. Dan Guernsey

Who is Dan Guernsey?

Dr. Daniel Guernsey has more than 35 years in Catholic education. At the K-12 level he has served as a teacher and 17 years as a principal, including as the founding principal of the Ave Maria’s K-12 Catholic school.

His experience in higher education as an associate professor includes serving at the founding head of Ave Maria University’s undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, and its M.Ed in Catholic school leadership, which he now directs.

He writes broadly on issues related to Catholic education in his role as senior fellow with the Cardinal Newman Society which promotes and defends faithful Catholic education. He and his wife Lisa, a school nurse, have 6 adult children and 13 grandchildren.

Catholic Educational Leadership

In this episode, Pamela talks to Dan Guernsey about catholic educational leadership. He explains:

-How do current leaders in Catholic schools experience this tension between managerial demands (budgets, staffing, curriculum) and the spiritual vocation of leadership?
-What practices or supports are needed to help leaders live into their vocation more fully?
-What barriers exist to implementing deeper spiritual formation, and how can they be overcome?
-What components should a professional formation program for Catholic educational leaders include, to ensure both fidelity to Church teaching and effective leadership?
-How might such programs be scaled or made accessible in dioceses with fewer resources?
-How can leaders ensure that policies, curriculum choices, staff hiring, and school culture all align with the mission of integral formation?
-Are there practices you’ve seen where the identity seems strong, or conversely, where it is weak or compromised?
-In what ways can church authorities better support the lay leaders entrusted with carrying forward the Church’s mission in schools?

Forming the Next Generation: A Conversation on Catholic Educational Leadership

When you look at Dan’s impressive career, it’s clear he’s spent over 30 years at the heart of Catholic education—leading schools, facing challenges, and celebrating victories. His experience runs deep, and his wisdom comes from walking the journey himself. In our latest podcast episode, Dan shares what it truly means to lead with faith in today’s world—and how Catholic educators can help form the next generation of believers.

Dan reminds us that “there’s a real hunger for God.” In what he calls this age of liquid modernity, today’s children are searching for meaning—and secular culture isn’t filling that void. The solution, he says, begins with spiritual formation.

“We need to make time for prayer,” Dan insists. “Bring your teachers together to pray. If you can’t do daily Mass, at least gather for weekly Mass. Get everyone involved in the sacraments.”

He emphasizes that fostering spiritual life in schools doesn’t require large budgets—just intentional effort. There are plenty of resources available, from organizations like the Cardinal Newman Society and others dedicated to supporting authentic Catholic education.

With humor and honesty, Dan notes, “Where two or three are gathered, there’s usually a fight.” That’s where strong Catholic leadership comes in—to bring peace, unity, and purpose to the community.

His advice to those serving in Catholic schools is simple but powerful:

“Support those in this mission. Catholic schools are a ministry of the Church—our mission is to evangelize. Support your educators with a kind word and a prayer.”

And in the end, Dan leaves us with a message of hope:

“Jesus wins. The universe is not lost. We are not lost. The children entrusted to us are His first.”

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST

You might also like our conversation on Don Bosco and Homeschooling. And if this blessed you, please share the podcast with someone who needs it.

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“We need to understand that God is somehow beyond creation and within it.”

Dr Celia E. Deane-Drummond

Who is Celia E. Deane-Drummond?

Professor Celia Deane-Drummond is currently the founding Director of the Laudato
Si’ Research Institute and Senior Research Fellow in theology at Campion Hall,
University of Oxford and an Associate member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion.

She was previously Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame,
Indiana from 2011-2019 and Director of the Centre for Theology, Science and
Human Flourishing from 2014-2019 and before that, Professor in Theology and
the Biological Sciences at the University of Chester from 2000-2011. She was also an honorary visiting Professor in Theology at the University of Durham, UK, from 2012-2024.

Her work at the interface of theology, ethics, and the biological and human sciences, including ecology, evolution, and anthropology, stems from her prior academic experience as a researcher in plant physiology as well as theology. She previously received doctorates in both areas of study. She served as a trustee of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) from 2019-2023.

Celia was chair of the European Forum for the Study of Religion and Environment from 2011-2018. She was the founding editor of the journal Philosophy, Theology and the Sciences from 2014-2023. Celia received the Civitas Dei award for contributions to Catholic theology from Villanova University in 2020. She is widely recognized internationally as a public speaker and has published hundreds of academic, pedagogical, or popular articles/chapters. Celia has either written or edited over thirty books.

Publications

Her recent book publications include:

The Wisdom of the Liminal: Human Nature, Evolution and Other Animals (2014), Technofutures, Nature and the Sacred, ed. with Sigurd Bergmann and Bronislaw Szerszynski (2015), Ecology in Jürgen Moltmann’s Theology, 2nd edition, (2016), Religion in the Anthropocene, edited with Sigurd Bergmann and Markus Vogt (2017)

Theology and Ecology Across the Disciplines: On Care for Our Common Home, edited with Rebecca Artinian Kaiser (2018),

Theological Ethics Through a Multispecies Lens: The Evolution of Wisdom Volume I: (2019), Shadow Sophia: The Evolution of Wisdom Volume II (2021), Hilda Koster and Celia Deane- Drummond, eds,

In Solidarity with the Earth: Women, Mining and Toxic Contamination (London: Bloomsbury, 2023), Morality’s Evolution and the Transcendent: The Evolution of Wisdom Volume III, in press.

 Catholics and the Environment: Beyond Laudato Si

In this episode, Pamela talks to Dr Celia Deane-Drummond, director of Laudato Si about the environment. She explains:
– How can we reclaim a spiritual and sacramental understanding of creation that is rooted in Catholic tradition rather than ideology?
– What are small but meaningful ways everyday Catholics can live out this theology at home, in the city, or even in an apartment.
– How does understanding creation as a dynamic, evolving process change how we treat the earth practically? Does it affect how we view waste, consumption, or even farming?
-What are three practical practices rooted in Catholic spirituality that someone can begin today to “care for our common home” without burning out or being scrupulous?
– How does the Eucharist shape our relationship with the natural world? Can living a Eucharistic life influence how we shop, eat, and waste?
– Which virtue do you think is most lacking in how we treat creation—and how can we cultivate that in daily life?
– If a parish wanted to deepen its ecological spirituality beyond recycling bins and solar panels, what would you suggest they do—liturgically, catechistically, or communally?

What is my role in today’s environment?

Celia, an expert in faith and ecology, shared profound insights on our role as Christians in caring for the world around us. She draws deeply from Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the environment, a document shaped with the help of theologians like Dr. Drummond, who contributed significantly to its development.

At its heart, Laudato Si’ reminds us that God is both in creation and the Creator of it all. Every tree, river, bird, and person is sustained by Him. Celia beautifully explains that this divine presence invites us not only to admire creation but also to protect it with responsibility and love.

She reminds us that caring for creation is not optional—it is an expression of our faith. Whether through farming practices, shopping choices, recycling habits, or the way we source our food, each decision can either honor or harm God’s world. She also points to the growing challenge of environmental refugees, urging us to reflect on sustainable options that protect both people and the planet.

Celia encourages us not to lose hope. Together, she says, we can bring about change—step by step, choice by choice.

With Creation Day on September 1 and the Season of Creation that follows, this is the perfect time to pause and ask:

• How am I caring for my home, my office, my neighborhood?
• What habits can I change to live more sustainably?
• How am I honoring God, the Creator, in my everyday choices?

As Celia reminds us, we are sustained by God Himself. Our care for creation is, in turn, a way of sustaining each other and future generations.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST

You might also like our conversation on Confession and Why We Need It. And if this blessed you, please share the podcast with someone who needs it.

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