Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett stands out as a vibrant force in the realms of psychology and faith. A renowned writer and captivating national speaker, she brings her unique insights to audiences through her popular podcast. With a PhD in Educational Psychology, her expertise spans from the intricacies of human cognition and aging to the dynamics of Catholic family life. Yet, it's Dr. Mary Ruth's deep understanding of healthy, normal identity development that fuels her passion and drives her academic pursuits.
After converting to Catholicism in 2006, Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett embarked on a transformative journey, exploring identity through a faith-based lens. Her innovative work weaves together psychology and spirituality, providing actionable insights to help individuals embrace their unique design. Her latest book, Daughter By Design: Discovering Your Identity as God’s Beloved Daughter, represents a landmark in her career, merging faith and psychology to guide women in reconnecting with their core identity as God’s cherished daughters.
Since 2017, Dr. Mary Ruth has been a beacon of wisdom for parents through her Parenting Smarts Podcast, a dynamic collaboration with the Diocese of Phoenix. As a mother of four, she offers profound guidance on the intricacies of family life, blending personal experience with practical advice to support growth and resilience. Whether as a keynote speaker or retreat leader, she energizes audiences across the U.S., sharing her insights with passion and clarity. Beyond the stage, Dr. Mary Ruth contributes to several books and devotionals, writes for Catholic publications, and remains an active voice within her diocese.
Dr. Mary Ruth lives in Tempe, Arizona, with her husband of 24 years and their children, where she continues to inspire and guide both her family and her community.
Keynote Topics
Beloved Daughter of the Father. A woman’s discovery of God’s original design for her life, to be in a relationship of love as His daughter forever, is a truth that will set her radically free to live the fullest life possible, a life of integrity, authenticity, fulfillment, hope, trust, and joy.
Suffering with Hope: We all will encounter suffering and sometimes good choices lead to suffering. Our response to the difficulty can help us to grow through the struggle, rather than be overcome.
Emotional Resilience: Dealing with our children’s big feelings. How can we handle our children’s emotions, and help them process feelings in the best way possible so that they won't fall into apathy or emotional overload?
Transmitting the Faith to Your Teens. Specifically geared to parents of adolescents, this talk discusses how parents of tweens and teens should approach faith in the home, to give the best chance of transmitting the faith across generations. Dr. Mary Ruth outlines specific research on concepts of faith and authority held by Gen Z.
The Kerygma for Kids: Fostering Children’s Spiritual Growth. How do children’s concepts of faith form? How can we proclaim the Gospel in a way that takes deep roots in our children’s hearts?
Equally Yoked. What does it mean to enter into a relationship equally yoked? What is necessary and realistic to expect when entering into a sacramental marriage?
Moral Development. We all want our children to behave, but if we want them to develop a moral compass we need to parent differently.
Event Testimonials
"Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a blessing to the Church. During a conference at which we both spoke, I was impressed by her expertise, her home-spun practical wisdom, and her deep faith. She brings a blend of qualities that will enrich any group she is with." -Tom Quinlan, Ministry Director St. Joseph’s Educational Center
"Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett connects with her audience, no matter the age. Speaking recently at our Women’s Sodality, our mixed-age audience of moms and grandmothers thoroughly connected with her. She jumps over those “age barriers” effortlessly. You will come away a better and more thoughtful person in your relationships with your children, your peers, and your faith." -Donna Higgins, Sodality Prefect
“I appreciated Dr. Mary Ruth’s Christocentric delivery of a message that beautifully blended a deep faith with vulnerable practical insights to foster and encourage fruitful prayer among our ministry attendees. Her content helped spark excellent conversation for all those present.” -Meagan Martinez. Director of Discipleship, St Timothy’s Catholic Church
“Dr. Mary Ruth has the charism of including important elements for Catholic audiences; she encourages, teaches, and inspires while challenging listeners to adhere to the topic. As a Co-Director and Conference organizer, I was very impressed and delighted to choose Mary Ruth as a speaker.” -Mary Jane Fox, Co-Founder and co-director of Pilgrim Center of Hope
"Dr. Hackett's blend of well-researched psychological insights, theology, and her own experiences as a mom resonated deeply with our conference attendees. She managed to inspire and provide practical advice to parents who desire to hand on a living faith to their children." - Chez Filippini, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
“Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett spoke at several of our venues and really hit on the message we wanted to deliver. She really connected with our mothers/audience and shared examples of her own experiences that were encouraging and supportive. The feedback received was so positive that we booked her to attend our next event.” -Maria Toro-Mazote, Notre Dame Preparatory High School
Endorsements for Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity As God's Beloved Daughter
“The moment I started reading the manuscript, I simply could not put it down as page after page revealed to me a powerful spiritual plan of action as well as a riveting life compass not only applicable to daughters but to sons as well. In fact, in my second round of reading the manuscript, the book spoke directly to me and my relationship with God. So, I highly recommend this wonderful book: “Daughter by Design: Discovering your Identity as God’s Beloved Daughter” to anyone seeking to discover and appreciate their God-given Identity.” -Fr. Robert Seraph Aliunzi, Pastor
“Knowing who we *really* are is at the core of true freedom and happiness. Diving into our identity as a daughter of Christ will offer more joy than we could ever conceive. Take advantage of this book as it guides you toward a stronger understanding of who God created you to be!” -Rachel Balducci, author, speaker, and co-host of The Gist on CatholicTV.
"With warmth and wisdom, Mary Ruth Hackett delivers a much-needed personal retreat for women designed to restore our dignity and remind us of our identity. This book is an invitation to finally become the woman the Father had in mind from the beginning. Page by page, readers will reintegrate all the broken, scattered, lied-about parts of themselves into the place within where God waits to embrace His beloved daughter and welcome her home. A life of wholeness and integrity—that is God’s deep desire for us as women. Grab a friend—or a group--and dive in! " - Claire Dwyer, Author, This Present Paradise
"In a world fighting to define femininity, what it means to be a woman, and how to best be a mom, Mary Ruth Hackett cuts through the noise and beautifully presents the idea that first we must understand who we are as daughters of the Creator of the universe. With a gentle hand and tender strength, Mary Ruth helps us understand the feminine heart and the identity we must first accept and understand. This is an excellent book, needed now more than ever, and will be a gift to Catholic women everywhere." - Katie Prejean McGrady, award-winning author and host of The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM
