In this episode of Brave New Us, we delve into the dual expectations society places on men and the concept of masculinity. We discuss the innate understanding of what it means to be a ‘good man’—characterized by duty, honor, integrity, and sacrifice—and contrast it with the societal pressure to ‘man up’ and embody toughness, competitiveness, and stoicism.

Think the Catholic Church supports IVF because it wants big families? Think again.

In this episode of Brave New Us, Samantha Stephenson tackles some of the most persistent myths about Catholic teaching on reproductive technologies. From the misconception that the Church is indifferent to women’s suffering, to the false idea that all conceptions are morally equal, this candid conversation unpacks what the Church actually teaches—and why.

We explore:

• Why the Church opposes in vitro fertilization

• How IVF violates the dignity of the child, the woman, and marriage

• The Church’s advocacy for responsible parenthood and natural birth spacing

• A lesser-known, ethical and effective alternative to IVF that aligns with Catholic bioethics

Whether you're Catholic, curious, or questioning, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

We delve into the Church’s actual stance, advocating for responsible parenthood and natural birth spacing. We discuss why the Church opposes IVF, not just for the sake of women but also for the potential children, emphasizing that while every child has inherent dignity, not all conception methods are morally equal.

In this episode of Brave New Us, I dive into the heated debate over surrogacy following Pope Francis’s strong condemnation. The uproar has sparked widespread media critique, revealing a disconnect from the non-religious arguments against surrogacy.

In this episode, we’re joined by John DiCamillo, Ethicist and Personal Consultations Director at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC). With the moral landscape of fertility interventions becoming increasingly intricate, many Catholics find themselves navigating a maze of questions. IVF is widely acknowledged as problematic, but what about other interventions like gamete intrafallopian transfer or intrauterine insemination? Especially when these methods involve the couple’s own gametes, the ethical considerations can be daunting.