We conclude our 4-part series on temperaments by discussing the phlegmatic temperament. Virginia provides a detailed look at the characteristics, virtues, vices, and examples of individuals with this temperament, including saints who embodied phlegmatic traits. She also offers practical strategies for individuals with a phlegmatic temperament to develop a meaningful interior life and discusses how understanding one's temperament can be beneficial in college and career choices. If you haven't already done so, you can take the temperaments self-assessment through the link below. You can contact Virginia for coaching on your temperaments and how you can grow in virtue. Resources“12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas: Timeless Spiritual Wisdom for our TurbulentTimes” by Dr. Kevin YostThe Ignatian ExamenTemperaments AssessmentContact Virginia!Sign up for my eNewsletterEmailWebsiteInstagram

In this 3rd installment of our 4-part series on the four temperaments, we dive into the intricacies of the Melancholic temperament. We look at the characteristics, virtues, vices, and spiritual insights associated with this temperament, with some recommendations for understanding, embracing, and nurturing a meaningful interior life. From inspiring quotes by saints to practical tips for college life, this episode equips you with tools to navigate your unique temperament and thrive in various aspects of life. Let us uncover the depths of the melancholic temperament and explore its implications in personal growth and academic pursuits.ResourcesSaint Edith SteinCenter for Action and ContemplationTemperaments AssessmentContact Virginia!Sign up for my eNewsletterEmailWebsiteInstagram

We now explore the Sanguine temperament, as we continue our series on growing in self-awareness with temparements. In this episode, Virginia addresses the benefits of understanding one's temperament and provides insights into the Sanguine temperament, including natural virtues, vices, and spiritual weaknesses. Virginia offers practical strategies for Sanguines to develop a strong interior life, and she explores ideal conditions for Sanguines to thrive. She also discusses internal and external triggers for Sanguines and how understanding them can lead to virtuous living. Finally, she previews the upcoming episodes on the Melancholic and Phlegmatic temperaments. Tune in for a deep dive into the Sanguine temperament and gain valuable insights for understanding and embracing your God-given temperament.ResourcesTemperaments AssessmentHow the Saints Overcame Spiritual Dryness by Fr. Joseph M. EsperBook recommendation: Saintly Solutions to Life’s Common Problems by Fr. Joseph M. EsperInternational World Youth Day 2027 USCCB World Youth DayFOCUS SEEK ConferenceNational Catholic Youth Conference Contact Virginia!Sign up for my eNewsletterEmailWebsiteInstagram

Let us grow in self-awareness through our Temperaments. In this episode, Virginia Koch introduces the choleric temperament, offering insights into its characteristics, virtues, and vices, including naming a few choleric saints. Drawing on her own experiences and insights from Metanoia Catholic, Virginia provides practical examples of how college students can benefit from understanding their temperament and how it can impact their academic and personal lives. Virginia offers insights into how understanding one's temperament can lead to greater self-awareness and the ability to relate to others with grace and understanding.Join us in this enlightening exploration of the choleric temperament and stay tuned for future episodes where we'll uncover the sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic temperaments. ResourcesYouTube Video: Litany of HumilityThe Ignatian ExamenTemperaments AssessmentContact Virginia!Sign up for my eNewsletterWebsiteInstagram

Do you struggle to focus and find yourself distracted often? You are not alone. In this episode, Virginia Koch discusses the different types of attention and sheds light on how distractions can hinder our ability to focus. She shares examples and practical tips to cultivate deeper concentration and overcome the myriad of distractions that bombard us daily.“Be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.” (Proverbs 4:20)Drawing from biblical verses and real-life examples, she connects the challenges of attention and distraction to the spiritual journey of college students and urges us to resist the temptations of the enemy.Virginia provides insight into how the enemy seeks to disrupt our connection with God. This episode also includes a prayer for increased concentration and a link to Jesuit prayers for students in the show notes.Resources10 Strong Prayers for Focus – ConnectUS (connectusfund.org)Studying and Examination Prayers (xavier.edu)Dr. Gloria Mark's websiteHow to Find Focus, Fight Distraction, and Boost Your Attention SpanContact Virginia!WebsiteInstagram

Are you lonely? Many college students are. In today’s episode, Virginia Koch explores the “epidemic of loneliness” on college campuses, the effect it has on students, and achievable ways to combat loneliness and find connection in your life. If you’ve been feeling isolated lately, this episode is for you!“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20)Virginia begins by explaining the importance of relationships: not just the number of your relationships, but also the closeness, variety, function, and quality of your relationships. She shares studies that explore our society’s intense lack of connectedness, and explains some of the contributing factors and circumstances of our loneliness. And finally, Virginia suggests some easy ways to connect with other people on campus. She encourages students to get to know those around them - their roommates, classmates, professors, RAs, and pastors. She urges them not just to get involved on campus, but to be present (pro tip: put your phone in your pocket while you’re with others). She also reminds her listeners that Christ Himself taught us the importance of companionship, when He sent His disciples out to evangelize in pairs. You don’t need to be alone.* There is hope! ResourcesThe Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation ReportProject UnlonelyThe Catholic Guide to Loneliness - Dr. Kevin VostDr. Vost’s websiteIt’s Lonely in College: How I Survived & Dealt With My LonelinessContact Virginia!WebsiteInstagram*If you or someone you know are feeling lonely or distressed and need someone to talk to, you can call 988, the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24-hours a day to get connected with confidential support.

Where do you want to go to college? In today’s episode, Virginia is offering discernment tips for anyone in high school who is trying to decide if and where to go to college. “If you had to do it over again, would you make the same decision?” - Virginia KochIn this discernment, she addresses topics such as affordability, types of institutions, academic opportunities, personal growth and leadership development, and Catholic community. And if you’re looking for your post-grad options, stick around until the end! Virginia applies these same five topics specifically to your unique situation.  Virginia shares some Biblical wisdom about debt, and offers a few concrete options to help you keep costs down while attending your school of choice. She also suggests taking your Catholic needs and personal preferences into account when choosing from the plethora of colleges around the United States. As a Catholic on campus, she suggests exploring how different schools might help you explore not only “high impact practices,” but also your Catholic values. Furthermore, she encourages her listeners to consider how the college environment will help them discern their own unique call and hone their personal gifts and strengths. And finally, is there a vibrant Catholic identity on campus? Whether you’re discerning an undergraduate or a graduate degree, Virginia has made a free resource called “Choosing the Right College for You” to help you discern which college is best for you. And finally, she has three specific tips for discerning your college: pray, ask questions, and seek good counsel! Resources MentionedChoosing the Right College For YouConstruction’s Career CrisisAffordable Catholic Trade Schools FlourishContact Virginia!WebsiteInstagram

What are you doing for Lent this year? In today’s episode, Virginia is exploring the purpose of the 40 days of Lent, and offering practical tips to prepare for this season of repentance. “The observance of Lent is the very badge of the Christian warfare.” - Pope Benedict XIVShe reminds her listeners that Lent isn’t supposed to be a 40-day diet plan: it is an opportunity to course-correct and choose practices that will lead you into a deeper encounter with Christ.Virginia suggests beginning your Lenten preparations by asking God what He wants you to do for Lent. She shares a little about the obligations of fasting and abstinence during Lent, and then offers practical suggestions on other more personal sacrifices you might want to consider, such as removing distractions from your life and focusing on habits that bring you closer to the Lord. She also reminds her listeners that, even during Lent, there will be times of celebration, such as the feasts of St. Patrick, St. Joseph, and the Annunciation, and shares traditional ways to enjoy each one. And finally, Virginia suggests one really unique way to enhance your Lenten experience this year: How can you incorporate the number 40 into your sacrifice? Stay tuned for her unique suggestions at the end of this episode!   Contact Virginia!WebsiteInstagram

In today’s episode, she’s helping you achieve your goals by walking you through a goal-setting journal that she made with you in mind.“Many are the plans in a person's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21Happy New Year! Today, Virginia is encouraging you to set realistic, attainable, virtuous goals: not just at the beginning of a New Year, but during any new beginning that you may face in the near future.First, she suggests taking a trip down memory lane by looking at your photos and social media posts from the past year and recognizing your accomplishments and challenges. She also suggests identifying behaviors that you want to start, stop, and continue, and offers four examples of virtues that students may want to pursue this year. She offers advice on creating SMART goals, and has an entire section devoted to creating a Big Virtuous Goal for this year. And finally, Virginia encourages you to take action on the goal you have set.As you work through the journal, Virginia encourages you to choose goals that will improve your life, bring you closer to God, and help you to become happy, healthy, and holy.  ResourcesGoal-setting Journal (Please check back here for the link to the My Goals Journal described in the podcast. Coming very soon! )Student Success WorkshopsContact Virginia!WebsiteInstagram

In today’s episode, Virginia is discussing the virtue of magnanimity, which is the “stretching forth of the mind to great things.” “Success is more about happiness than power, possessions, or prestige.”- Strayer University, 2014 Success Project SurveyIf you aren’t sure why you’re in college, or maybe don’t know what to pursue after graduation, stick around. This episode will help you understand what motivates you, and give you the Catholic mindset to pursue true success in your future relationships, careers, and dreams.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Have you heard of the 7 Whys? Virginia explains the process of questioning your own choices until you unlock the deepest motivations that drive your actions. She shares the top seven reasons people tend to pursue a college education and breaks them into two categories: social mobility/financial achievement, and non-tangible reasons. In the first category, she briefly addresses some sticky thoughts about money that many Catholics have, and gives tips on how to pursue and utilize wealth in a saintly way. In the second and more important category, Virginia explains why uncovering your “Why?” from a Catholic perspective can help you unlock God’s incredible plan for your life.&nbsp;This journey to abundance doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few specific tips and some student-specific workshops, Virginia is ready to help you to achieve the kind of success that will bring you eternal happiness - literally.Contact Virginia!WebsiteStudent Success WorkshopsInstagramResourcesThe 7 WhysDo Colleges Fulfill the Promise of Social Mobility?Does College Really Improve Social Mobility?Katherine DrexelComplaining and Blaming Others Wastes Time5 Ways to Develop the Virtue of MagnanimityBureau of Labor StatisticsTop Seven Reasons Why College is ImportantCalled to Greatness: The Virtue of Magnanimity<a...