We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern Girl

by Susan Brinkmann

When the author decided to return to the Church, she did so kicking and screaming. She had so little faith that God had to open her eyes and heart to her true calling. When God entered Susan Brinkmann's world, he waded into knee-deep piles of sin and daily dealt with her stubborn refusal to like him. And he did something amazing. This is the story of that miracle--not just a little moment, but something huge. He didn't change her. He helped her become who she really was. If you've drifted into complacency, find in We Need to Talk the inspiration to recognize the pull of God's voice and respond. Paperback

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., is an author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She serves as Director of New Age Research for Women of Grace® (www.womenofgrace.com) and is a frequent guest on EWTN’s Women of Grace® television show. She is the founder of Live Catholic (www.livecatholic.org ), an educational nonprofit devoted to teaching authentic Catholic prayer in the Carmelite tradition to the faithful. Susan formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of its kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1600 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga.

She has also authored seventeen books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Avila Institute published her book, A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness which educates the Catholic faithful about the Buddhist practice of mindfulness and how it differs from authentic Catholic spirituality, teaching and thought. Along with Johnnette Williams, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ what it means to be authentically feminine. Susan’s Like a Catholic series which introduces Carmelite spirituality to the faithful. This series includes Pray Like a Catholic, Live Like a Catholic, Mindful Like a Catholic, and Fight Like a Catholic, all of which have imprimaturs from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Her daily devotional, entitled Day by Day in the Little Way: 365 Reflections on the Teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux introduces devotees to the Little Way of Spiritual Childhood.

In the fall of 2024, Viident Publications will launch Susan’s new series of Catholic women’s novels entitled The Chronicles of Ariella, a gripping saga of murder, romance and redemption that spans six novels and 2000 years of Church history.

Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O’Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association.

Reviews

[Debbie Chenault · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, quick read. It reminded me of some Church documents that I have wanted to read (or reread). The image of Satan is truly terrifying and had me calling on St. Joseph for his protection, but her story of conversion is so different from many that we read. This truly reads like a romance story. God woos Susan back to the Church. It reminds me of the story where God speaks in a whisper instead of in a roar.

[TERRI DEVENUTO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!

I loved this book! It is a true and personal story of a love and friendship with God. Susan Brinkmann tells it in a real and funny way, that is so enjoyable to read. I could really identify with the story, on so many levels. I am grateful to her for sharing her story.

[stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Brinkmann is one of my role models now! Everyone has to read this

[Jamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

in my theological studies i knew i’d come across things i vehemently disagree with and this book is one of them. the use of the term “modern girl” was a complete mockery. she reduced all modern women to sex and abortion-crazed workaholics who were mindless and directionless souls. all of this, to the author, was a mess of sin and it is an absolute wonder that god reached out to “someone like her”. I love the concept of a faith that brings people comfort, inner peace & strength. but i don’t like when people are so quick to defend words completely devoid of their historical contexts. i don’t believe actual modern women who are pro-choice are sinners and shouldn’t be treated as such for their choice of family planning. she over-simplifies what it means to be a woman, a human and compares everything to her own privileged experiences. no real “”modern woman”” is so one-dimensional. each choice and decision made is complex and often times terribly difficult. that does not a sinner make.

look. it’s great she found a faith that got her through everything but this story is hardly relatable. it’s very preachy, condescending and self-promoting. i’ve read two page essays on bible verses that moved me far more than anything in this book. skip it.

[Theresa F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up reading most of this book in one sitting. I found it that compelling. There's something almost thematically universal about the idea that the author, after extensive soul searching in a variety of alternative arenas, found what she was looking for in the place that she least expected to find it, coming full circle in a way.
Did I like it? Very much.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I recommend it? People with staunch religious or spiritual beliefs might take offense at the author embracing Catholicism. I personally feel that it's important to hear different viewpoints on such topics, to gain a better understanding of how people think and so foster productive communication among groups with differing beliefs. By finding common ground, rather than vilifying each other, people could more easily work together for the common good.