Talks, Seminars, Webinars, and Workshops

Seminars, presentations, and workshops are available virtually and, by arrangement, in person in the 90720 area and nearby communities in Southern California, as well as in the 59860 area and nearby communities in Northwest Montana.

Workshops include opportunities for personal reflection and, when appropriate, small-group discussion. I am also happy to discuss custom presentations tailored to your organization or group on select topics.

For inquiries and scheduling, please contact me at JudyFoy2023@gmail.com.

Sacred Presence: Discovering God in the Present Moment 

What does it mean to become present to God—and to discover that God is already present to us? Drawing on the lives of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, this talk/workshop explores presence as a contemplative way of living: learning to recognize God in silence, suffering, grief, ordinary moments, and the places where we least expect to find God. Participants are invited into reflection and prayer as they discover a deeper spirituality of presence, trust, and love.

Through the Lens of Love: Encountering the Suffering of Others 

Those who care for the health, mental health, and spiritual well-being of others are continually invited into the suffering of those they serve. How do we remain compassionate and present without becoming overwhelmed, detached, or consumed by another person’s pain? Drawing on Christian spirituality and the wisdom of the wounded-healer tradition, this talk explores how love can transform the way we encounter suffering—helping caregivers remain present, compassionate, and grounded while honoring both the suffering of others and their own human limits.

Where is God when the Suffering Does Not End and Healing Does Not Come? What Jesus Really Teaches Us 

When suffering persists and healing does not come, it can be difficult to reconcile our experience with what we believe about God. This talk explores what Jesus actually teaches about suffering, healing, faith, and the presence of God when prayers seem unanswered. Rather than offering easy answers, it invites us into a deeper understanding of where God may be found in the midst of what cannot be changed.

Spirituality of the Ordinary: Holy Moments in the Day-to-Day

God is not found only in extraordinary spiritual experiences. This talk explores the sacramental richness of ordinary life and invites us to become more attentive to the sacred moments hidden within the familiar—at home, at work, in relationships, in nature, and in the seemingly insignificant moments of each day. Through reflection and practical contemplative exercises, participants discover how ordinary life can become a place of encounter with God.

The Truth About Forgiveness: What Jesus Really Teaches about Mercy, Boundaries and Healing

Forgiveness is often misunderstood as forgetting, excusing harmful behavior, or restoring relationships regardless of the circumstances. This talk explores what Jesus actually teaches about forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation, and love—and what these teachings mean when relationships are painful or unsafe. Participants are invited to consider how forgiveness can coexist with healthy boundaries and become a path toward freedom and healing.

When We Couldn't Say Goodbye: Finding a Path Through Sudden and Traumatic Loss

When death comes suddenly—through an accident, heart attack, overdose, suicide, sudden illness, murder, or another unexpected circumstance—the shock can make grief especially complicated. In this talk we explore the unique challenges of sudden loss and discuss compassionate ways to begin finding a path forward when there was no time to prepare, say goodbye, or make sense of what happened.

Beautiful in the Broken Places: Finding Meaning and Possibility in the Midst of Suffering

Suffering can change the way we see ourselves, our lives, our relationships, and even God. And often, there is no clear “after”—we must learn to live and ask What now? while the suffering is still unfolding. This talk explores how we might begin to find meaning, compassion, wisdom, and even moments of beauty in the midst of what we cannot change. Without romanticizing suffering or suggesting that everything happens for a reason, we consider how broken places can become places of deeper awareness, connection, and unexpected transformation.

The Spirituality of Pain and Suffering. A Scholarly Exploration of the Meaning and Experience of Suffering

Drawing on Christian theology, spirituality, and the psychology of suffering, this more academic presentation explores how we understand pain and suffering through both intellectual and spiritual lenses. The talk engages questions about meaning, human vulnerability, compassion, and the possibility of transformation in the midst of suffering.

Finding the Words for Grief. Shared Reading, Children and Grief, and Books That Can Help

When someone is grieving, words can be difficult to find—especially when we are trying to help a grieving child. This practical and compassionate talk explores how shared reading can create a safe way to approach grief, open conversations, and give children language for experiences they may not yet be able to express. Includes guidance on choosing books and recommendations for children, families, and caregivers.

Three Good Things: Suggestions for Managing Uncomfortable Thoughts and Feelings: A Simple Practice for Navigating Difficult Thoughts and Feelings

Our minds naturally tend to focus on what is threatening, painful, or unresolved. Three Good Things introduces a simple, evidence-informed practice for gently shifting attention toward moments of goodness, gratitude, meaning, and connection—even during difficult seasons of life.  Participants learn how this small daily practice can help cultivate greater emotional balance and resilience without denying or minimizing suffering.