In this episode of The Dish It Girl Podcast, Dina Deleasa Gonsar sits down with her friend Katie Marie Helgerson, hospitality educator and founder of Gather Intentional Living. Together, they explore the heart behind hospitality—how welcoming others to the table can build deeper community, spark meaningful conversations, and create spaces where people feel truly seen.

Katie opens up about her unique path into the world of food, design, and connection, including her formative time in Thailand and how it shaped her passion for gathering. She and Dina swap personal stories about family traditions, favorite recipes, and the real-life dance of juggling motherhood while pursuing a calling.

As the conversation deepens, Katie shares her wisdom on intentional living and how thoughtful hospitality can transform both personal life and corporate culture. The two friends reflect on faith, entrepreneurship, and the often messy but beautiful work of cultivating our relationship with Lord through it all.

This week in the kitchen:

Featured Recipe: Chicken Piccata

• Chicken Piccata
• Baked Ziti with Eggplant
• Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Chicken Piccata

ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp shallots
• 1/4 cup capers in brine
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• fresh parsley

instructions

1. Season the flour with salt and pepper and mix to incorporate.
2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsps butter with 2 tbsps of olive oil
3. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Add chicken to the pan, browning chicken on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. When chicken is browned, transfer to plate, set aside.
4. Add the shallots, and cook for two minutes, and then add in the capers, saute another 2 minutes more.
5. Add in the white wine, and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it come to a simmer for 4 minutes.
6. Then add in lemon juice, stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes more
8. . Remove chicken to platter. Set aside.
9. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to pan sauce and whisk. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Resources: Dina’s Cookbook-https://www.amazon.com/At-Kitchen-Sink-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0593728939

Kayty Helgerson @gatherintentionalliving, Gather Intentional Living: https://gatherintentionalliving.com/

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

DishItGirl is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In this heartfelt episode of the Dish It Girl podcast, host Dina Deleasa Gonsar sits down with relationship expert Lindsay Maestas for an honest conversation about the beautiful, complicated, and often messy layers of relationships. Together, they unpack the power of vulnerability, the realities of marriage and parenting, and the emotional labor that so often goes unseen.

Lindsay opens up about her own journey—from navigating postpartum depression to learning how attachment styles shape the way we love. She shares why communication is non-negotiable, why taking responsibility matters, and how couples can break the “crazy cycle” that keeps them stuck. Dina and Lindsay also address the hard topic of divorce, its ripple effects on families and friendships, and why rooting yourself in faith brings grounding and clarity in seasons of strain.

The episode closes with practical encouragement: pray together, pursue fun again, date your spouse, and keep choosing connection. Whether you're married, parenting, rebuilding, or somewhere in the messy middle, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and hope.

This week in the kitchen:

Featured Recipe: Maple Dijon Chicken & Waffles

https://www.dishitgirl.com/recipes/maple-dijon-chicken-waffles

• Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
• Mushroom Risotto

Maple Dijon Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast

¾ cup maple syrup

¼ cup plus 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp shallots, finely chopped

½ tbsp soy sauce

2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped

2 sprigs thyme leaves

2 sage leaves finely chopped

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 tbsp unsalted butter

1 tbsp flour

2 tsp lemon juice

1/3 cup chicken broth

½ cup heavy cream

4 Belgian waffles (can be store bought)

instructions

1. In a medium size bowl whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, shallots, soy sauce, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the chicken in a large Ziploc bag, or shallow baking dish. Pour about ½ cup of the mixture over the chicken. Coating it on all sides, cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinate. Up to 2 hours if you have the time! Set aside the leftover marinade.
3. When ready to cook, take out of the refrigerator to come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, line a baking sheet with sides with parchment paper.
4. Place chicken on the sheet pan, discard the marinade from the chicken. Place chicken in the over for about 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
5. Meanwhile prepare the sauce and the waffles.

For the Pan Sauce

1. In a medium sauté pan with high sides add 2 tablespoons of butter over medium- low heat.
2. Once butter is melted add 1 tbsp flour, cook for one minute. Add in the reserved marinade to the pan, along with 1/3 cup chicken broth. Whisk constantly until smooth and warmed through.
3. Remove from heat and add ½ cup heavy cream, whisking to incorporate, add in lemon juice and whisk once more, returning to heat to warm through but do not bring it to a simmer or a boil.

Assembly

1. Prepare the belgian waffles according to package directions. Option to go the extra step and make them homemade. My favorite recipe linked below.
2. Place the waffle on a dish, slice a piece of chicken breast on a diagonal, place pieces on top of the waffle, spoon pan sauce over top and serve warm.

Resources:

Dina’s Cookbook-https://www.amazon.com/At-Kitchen-Sink-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0593728939

Favorite Waffle Recipe: https://www.butterbeready.com/buttermilk-waffles/

Lindsey Maestas - https://sparrowsandlily.com/

Don’t Burn Your House Down Lindsey Maestas- https://sparrowsandlily.com/book-landing-page/

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

DishItGirl is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In this episode of The Dish It Girl Podcast, Dina Deleasa Gonsar sits down with her dear friend and mentor, Holly Newton, founder of She Lives Fearless Ministry. Their conversation opens with warmth and familiarity as they share stories of how their friendship began and Holly’s heart for equipping women across generations.

They dive into their shared love of cooking, swapping weekly meal plans—including Dina’s sheet pan Caesar chicken and Holly’s smash burger salad inspired by Dina’s own cookbook. Food becomes the doorway into something deeper as Holly reflects on her journey in ministry, the beauty and tension of life’s transitions, and what it means to live faithfully in the “in-between.”

Together, they talk candidly about releasing old expectations, embracing new seasons, and trusting God with what feels unfinished. Holly offers encouragement for anyone navigating change, reminding listeners to stay present, cultivate hope, and rest in God’s timing.

The episode wraps with a heartfelt prayer and an invitation to connect with Holly’s work—leaving listeners feeling seen, supported, and strengthened for whatever season they’re stepping into.

This week in the kitchen:

Featured Recipe: Sheet Pan Ceasar Chicken

https://www.dishitgirl.com/recipes/roasted-caesar-chicken-salad

• Sheet Pan Ceaser Chicken
• Broccolini with Burrata
• Baked Flounder with Olive Tapenade

Sheet Pan Chicken Cesar

Ingredients

2 Bone-In, Split Chicken Breasts (1 ½ pounds)

½ cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Juice of 1 lemon

3 tbsp finely chopped garlic

3 tsp anchovy paste

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp Pepper

1 ½ cups of torn Italian or sourdough bread pieces

1 head romaine lettuce, leaves separated

½ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan Cheese

instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. In a medium size bowl whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken breast in a glass baking dish or large Ziploc bag. Pour ½ cup of the dressing on the chicken, make sure it is well coated. Cover the dish or zip up the Ziploc bag and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to marinate. Reserve the leftover dressing.
4. Meanwhile, line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
5. Then take the chicken out of refrigerator, and place onto one side of the sheet pan.
6. Place in the oven for about 30 minutes.
7. After 30 minutes remove chicken from the oven, place the torn bread pieces on one side of the baking sheet, layer on the romaine lettuce leaves and drizzle with olive oil. Place back in the oven for another 10 minutes.
8. After another ten minutes, the lettuce should be wilted and browning around the edges, the bread pieces browning, and check that chickens temperature is registering 165 degrees. If the chicken needs another 5-10 minutes, remove the lettuce and croutons from the baking sheet and place chicken back in the oven.
9. Arrange the romaine and croutons on a large serving platter.
10. After 5-10 minutes remove chicken from oven, slice the chicken breast and add to the platter. Spoon over remaining dressing, and add Parmesan cheese to top and serve.

Holly Newton & She Lives Fearless- https://www.shelivesfearless.com/

Holly Newton Exhale Devotional- https://www.amazon.com/Exhale-Devotions-Letting-Unforced-Rhythms-ebook/dp/B08L8TNGKN?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Resources:

Dina’s Cookbook- https://www.amazon.com/At-Kitchen-Sink-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0593728939

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

DishItGirl is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org