In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marguerite Duane, a board-certified family physician and co-founder of FACTS about Fertility. Dr. Duane draws on her extensive expertise to explain how hormonal contraception works, its impact on women’s health, and evidence-based alternatives like fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs). We dive into the rising dissatisfaction with hormonal birth control, as many women are speaking out on platforms like TikTok about unintended side effects like decreased lib...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 74
I'm joined by Sarah Bartel, PhD, a moral theologian and Catholic sex and marriage coach, to dive deep into some challenging and enlightening topics about sex and marriage. Sarah and her husband, Nathan, have served thousands of Catholic couples through their CanaFeast online ministry, offering courses like the Abundant Marriage course and the Little Way of Marriage Workshop. In today’s episode, we explore Sarah’s newest program, My Delight, a course specifically designed to help Catholic married...
Sep 10, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 72
In this special episode, I’m sharing a prayer I wrote a few years ago for all of us on our fertility journeys. Whether you're facing infertility, pregnancy loss, or navigating family planning, this prayer invites Mary, our Blessed Mother, to be with us, offering her loving intercession as we dedicate ourselves to Her Son. With the guidance and support of Fr. Alvaro Perez, PES, this prayer has been a source of comfort for many, and I hope it brings you peace and encouragement on your journey. Tun...
Sep 10, 2024•4 min•Season 5Ep. 72
I'm joined by Mary Bruno, Creighton Practitioner, author, and co-founder of FAbM Base, to discuss her newest book, "Missing Pieces: Female Perspectives on Sex for Catholic Women", which I am also very honored to have contributed to! This book bridges the gap between your high school sex talks, male and female differences, and a healthy marriage with holy sex that is pleasurable for both spouses and a deep, rewarding intimacy whether you’re having it or saying “no” out of love. We're going to get...
Aug 21, 2024•49 min•Season 4Ep. 71
I'm joined by Mary Bruno, Creighton Practitioner, author, and fo-founder of FAbM Base, to discuss restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and IUI from a personal perspective in her own fertility journey and her insights and training as a Creighton Pracitioner to many clients. We discuss various aspects of the process of navigating treatment options for infertility diagnoses and what it looks like to work with a practitioner or instructor to identify the workups and ...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 70
I'm joined by Marguerite Duane to discuss restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) options for women, men, and couples navigating infertility or "unexplained infertility" diagnoses, who are then recommended in-vitro fertilization (IVF) as an option to conceive a child(ren). While we identify what IVF is and how it works, we spend the majority of our time discussing viable options for couples to conceive while getting at the root cause of health issues through RRM. We discuss success rates, how it...
Mar 18, 2024•55 min•Season 4Ep. 69
Tim Pawl is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He works on metaphysics, philosophical theology, and moral psychology. In metaphysics he works on truthmaker theory, modality, and free will. In philosophical theology, he has published on transubstantiation, Christology, and Classical Theism. In moral psychology he has worked with psychologists on questions concerning how best to grow in virtue, and whether the traditional wisdom of the Chri...
Mar 04, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 68
Tim Pawl is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He works on metaphysics, philosophical theology, and moral psychology.In metaphysics he works on truthmaker theory, modality, and free will. In philosophical theology, he has published on transubstantiation, Christology, and Classical Theism. In moral psychology he has worked with psychologists on questions concerning how best to grow in virtue, and whether the traditional wisdom of the Chris...
Feb 26, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 64
Tim Pawl is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He works on metaphysics, philosophical theology, and moral psychology. In metaphysics he works on truthmaker theory, modality, and free will. In philosophical theology, he has published on transubstantiation, Christology, and Classical Theism. In moral psychology he has worked with psychologists on questions concerning how best to grow in virtue, and whether the traditional wisdom of the Chri...
Feb 21, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 66
Should we watch sex scenes in movies? Could they negatively or positively impact marital sex? Today, I sit down with David and we talk about our own experiences navigating sex scenes in movies and the movie that challenged us to discuss how we would approach this issue in our own marriage moving forward. We don't have all the answers and we certainly aren't providing an extended dissertation with research. You're tuning into an honest conversation of what we've processed over the past few months...
Nov 14, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 65
What if you could talk to your medical professional with confidence about charting your cycle?! In today's episode, I sit down and talk about the current state of women's health care, the challenges we face as women to navigate our care and what we need, and practical strategies for how you can approach your next visit with confidence! I've got a freebie for you, too (just check the shownotes!). Shownotes - Fact sheet for your medical professional to learn about cycle charting (FABMs): https://g...
Nov 06, 2023•26 min
Does body literacy matter? I'm sitting down with Christina Valenzuela, founder of Pearl & Thistle, and author of the book, "Cycle Charting for Single Women: The Catholic woman's guide to charting your menstrual cycle for health and wholeness". We discuss the need for body literacy, what it is, and how charting can help women embrace who they are & who they are called to be. We get into the nuances of charting and Christina is amazing at integrating the theology and the science in underst...
Oct 31, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 63
We're coming back at ya with a Q&A all about functional nutrition by answering your questions from Instagram! Here's what we cover in today's episode - What are general signs of hormonal imbalances? Can healthy eating heal chrons How do you do supplements? Are they safe? It can seem sketchy online with influencers promoting random health products What about the 80/20 rule for food? What if I enjoy sweets? I just give them up?! What the heck are mineral drinks? Confuses me! How did you know y...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 4Ep. 59
Have you ever wondered if food can help the body heal? Do some foods negatively impact your health (sleep, cycle, etc.)? What if you could eat differently and achieve the results you want for your hormonal health? Today, I'm talking with Ginny Noce, MS, RN, CNC, Certified FEMM Instructor and founder of The Women's Health RN. She helps women learn how to optimize their hormonal health through functional nutrition and cycle charting. Her passion stems from her own experiences struggling to find an...
Oct 17, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 61
If you're wondering how you can build deeper connection in your marriage, but don't know where to start, this episode is for you!! Today, I'm talking with Melissa Tablada, licensed marriage & family therapist, to talk about practical strategies, ideas, and opportunities for you to grow in your marriage and deepen your connection with your spouse. We hear it so often in the NFP space: great sex requires great connection outside the bedroom. But, how do we do this?! How do you build connection...
Sep 25, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 60
What do you think about the idea of women saying "yes" to what God calls them to and not fitting into a particular box or stereotypical role? In this episode, I take a deep dive with my guest, Elise Gallagher, into what it means to be a Catholic woman who lives out her YES to God's calling in her life, while navigating the challenges of the often questionable "having it all" lifestyle. We don't stay surface-level in this podcast and we don't pretend to have all the answers. What we do know is th...
Sep 19, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 59
How do you integrate your physical, mental, & spiritual wellbeing? In this episode, I breakdown what it means to live a life of integration and how to practically do this in your own life. Paired with this episode is a workbook that you can download to journal, explore different questions, and invite the Holy Spirit in to see what areas God is calling you to go deeper into with Him. Did I mention this workbook is FREE?! I want you to experience a life of integration and it's time to start yo...
Sep 11, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 58
I asked for YOUR questions about sex & intimacy and you all delivered! I am sitting down with Dr. Sarah Bartel, moral theologian, to answer your questions. We are unafraid to get specific, honest, and address the nuances that can come from these kinds of questions, so we don't recommend this for young listeners. List of questions we address: Using vibrators okay? (many questions about this!) Can the woman touch herself during sex? Is that the man’s job? Intimacy when husband is recovering fr...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 57
What is priest's role when it comes to NFP? Here's my hot take. We rely too heavily on our priests. We think priests should take care of everything. We expect this in many areas of parish life and spiritual life, which I think is problematic because we are the church. We need to show up and support our priests and support our parish & our community. Don't get me wrong: We NEED our spiritual fathers. Priests are so important! When it comes to NFP, we expect priests to take care of everything....
Jul 28, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 56
Maybe you've been a part of the marriage prep training that highlights NFP with frolicking couples smiling at each other and the promo that NFP is life-changing. And then, it wasn't. Well, not in the ways you anticipated. *cue all the emotions* In this episode, I talk about THREE ways we can better market & promote NFP that honestly and hopefully shares how NFP impacts marriages and what you might expect, rather than a sanitized version that leaves many feeling isolated and guilt-ridden. And...
Jul 26, 2023•21 min•Season 55Ep. 3
Do we make space for every NFP story? There are a lot of gaps when it comes to NFP. From marketing, teaching, instruction, spiritual direction... unless you happen to be in a great parish with a priest who is comfortable supporting parishioners, mentor couples to help with the practicals, and instructors to teach the science, it can feel like the wild west and you're on your own. Today, I want to focus on what it looks like to own YOUR NFP story and your own journey of healing & refinement i...
Jul 25, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 54
Ever heard the phrase "holier than thou"? In today's episode, I have the joy of sitting down with my dear friend Sr. Emily Syverson, Pro Ecclesia Sancta, to talk about holiness and what the heck it means to be holy! And, how holiness doesn't need to be this drab, scrupulous experience, but can actually be a life of great joy, contentment, and direction! Don't miss this episode as we discuss this hard hitter of a topi - including tips for discernment! And, if you're loving the podcast, could you ...
Jul 17, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 53
Couple to Couple League (CCL) launched the Fertility Science Institute (FSI), which provides ongoing and long-term support for women and couples when it comes to all things related to charting and women's health. I got to sit down with Katie Zulanas, the Executive Director of CCL, to talk about the FSI, what's included, how it serves women & couples, and how you can make the most of all the resources available. This is an awesome episode and Katie does a great job walking you through what's ...
Jun 05, 2023•28 min
Did you know your egg quality impacts your overall health? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Elisa Yao to discuss all aspects of egg quality and how we can improve our egg quality to reap positive health benefits, too! She shares what egg quality is, how to know if you have good egg quality or not, the ways in which egg quality impacts overall health, and opportunities to learn more through Dr. Yao through her online course! Dr. Yao explains and teaches on this subject with clarity and ease, ...
May 01, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 51
This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) came out with a report highlighting the number of people who struggle with infertility (1 in 6) and what its top recommendation is for increased care and access. I share my honest thoughts on the podcast and this report has spurred me to bring in experts in the coming weeks to talk about fertility care options for infertility, specifically exploring Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) and Natural Procreative Technology (NaPro). Tune in and let...
Apr 26, 2023•16 min•Season 3Ep. 50
What the heck is purity culture? Do you have command over your virginity or is it something your husband owns? How has purity culture negatively impacted sex? I'm sitting down with Bekah from Feminine Genius Ministries to get really honest about purity culture, what it is, and how it's impacting the way we as women see ourselves. And, how this lens negatively impacts sex, too! This episode gets into the nitty gritty and I love how Bekah doesn't hold back, but really sits with challenging ideolog...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 49
In this episode, I explore mindset and how our thought patterns impact the way we live, think, and experience freedom or enslavement in our daily lives. I also talk about some of the core issues of men and women as it relates to Genesis 3:16, specifically addressing disordered desire (women) and domination (men), and how this dis-integration from original sin impacts our mindset in how we view equality and the differences of men & women. And, finally, having this foundational episode, I star...
Mar 21, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 48
I sit down with David to talk about sexual sin, chastity, and about our own struggles to make sense of "how far is too far?" and never getting a straight-shooting answer from Catholic resources. This is the conversation we wished someone had with us and shared with us to help us understand HOW to identify sexual sin, WHAT to do about it, and WHERE to go for continued support to heal and integrate our love. And, news flash: sexual sin & failing in chastity aren't fixed by marriage. But, throu...
Mar 01, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 47
What does it look like to enjoy sex during the luteal phase? Can you say "no" to sex with your spouse? How can you navigate a spontaneous vs. responsive libido? Dr. Sarah Bartel is joining me again to answer all of your sex questions you submitted to me on Instagram! We don't hold back, so this episode is practical, specific AND in alignment with Catholic Church teachings on human sexuality and morality. Interviewee bio: Sarah Bartel helps married Catholics grow closer to God and closer to their...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Have you ever had painful sex? Did you find things didn't feel "quite right" down there? Are you in the wild west of PP recovery and peeing your pants sounds like a reality for the rest of your life? In today's episode, I have the honor of sitting down with Dr. Chelsea Harkins, founder & PT practitioner of Dallas Pelvic Health, to talk about the basics of the pelvic floor, what kinds of treatment options are available, when you might want to book an appt with a PT, how to improve your sex li...
Feb 09, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 45
