In this week’s episode of Lunchtime in Rome, the guys welcome special guest Julia Michalski to the table. Julia, a dental hygienist by day and Young Life leader by night, opens up about her life, faith, and the emotional needs that shape who she is.
The guys guide Julia through a thoughtful and often humorous conversation, exploring her relational needs questionnaire results—with appreciation, encouragement, and security ranking high. She reflects on how those needs show up at work, in friendships, and in her faith journey. The discussion also uncovers her independent streak, people-pleasing tendencies, and her struggle with imposter syndrome as she navigates early adulthood.
Julia shares candid stories from childhood, her college years at Pitt, and her experience growing up in a family with both Catholic and non-denominational church roots. She explains how college ministry gave her community and perspective, ultimately inspiring her to consider future opportunities like medical missions.
The conversation isn’t without laughs—whether joking about homemade chili powder, the challenges of Penn Hills football outreach, or even which liquids each person would choose if they could dispense them from their fingers. Julia holds her own at the table, balancing humor with honesty and depth.
As always, the episode ties back to the heart of the podcast: learning how to better love others by understanding emotional needs, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and mourning with those who mourn.
