Loved Called Gifted

Author: Catherine Cowell

The Loved Called Gifted Podcast is your place to come for musings about spirituality, identity and purpose. Thoughts about life purpose and how to discover it. Finding value in being - not just doing. Spirituality and how to develop it. Interviews with people who have interesting stories, experience and knowledge to share. The podcast also supports the Loved, Called, Gifted course, which can be found at lovedcalledgifted.com.
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Language: en

Genres: Christianity, Education, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Improvement

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From Fear to Trust with Maria Manuela Silva
Episode 87
Friday, 10 April, 2026

Catherine Cowell sits down with Maria Manuela Silva—a spiritual director whose life journey spans cultures, crises, and a profound rediscovery of faith. Maria shares her story of growing up in Portugal under the fear and restriction of a dictatorship, living through a revolution, discovering faith, and then building a life of ministry and service in the UK. When a series of personal losses brought everything to a halt, Maria found herself at a breaking point—yet somehow still holding onto God. Maria's is a journey from fear to trust. Through silence, contemplative spirituality, and the simple yet transformative experience of being truly heard, Maria discovers a deeper, more personal connection with God—one rooted not in striving, but in listening, presence, and what she beautifully describes as “the dance” of the divine. This episode is a gentle, spacious invitation to anyone longing for a more authentic spiritual life. Whether you’re questioning, rebuilding, or simply curious, Maria’s story offers hope, honesty, and a reminder that your own path—your own “dance”—is worth discovering. You can find a transcript here. Explore the website - where you can also find out how to get in touch - here. And you can join our Facebook Page if you like.