From Group Chats to Gym Meets: How Community Is Built

What does courageous love look like in everyday life—from group chats to classrooms to school spirit? In this episode, Kristin DeVan and Mark Riding kick things off with a candid (and very relatable) conversation about group chat decorum, digital tone, and how the way we communicate online shapes real relationships.

Next, the hosts play a round of “Love or Nah,” exploring everyday situations that call us to choose courage, kindness, and integrity—like standing up for others, checking in privately instead of fueling drama, and apologizing even when we still feel “a little right.”

The episode then welcomes a special guest, Erin Rothwell, Co-Director of Learning Support at Maryvale. Erin shares about Maryvale’s unique learning support programs (SJB, Ford, and CAE), her personal journey with learning differences and ADHD, and how embracing the way our brains work can be a source of joy, confidence, and community rather than shame. Her reflections on belonging, advocacy, and seeing differences as strengths are both powerful and affirming.

Finally, Kristin and Mark celebrate a packed and joyful week at Maryvale, including Catholic Schools Week and the excitement leading up to the Maryvale–Mercy Classic. The episode highlights gratitude, belonging, school pride, and the deeper mission of Catholic education: forming whole people rooted in love.