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.

Is “affirming care” helping—or harming—the people it claims to serve?

Therapist and documentary producer Stephanie Winn joins Samantha Stephenson to expose the psychological and cultural fallout of gender ideology. Drawing on her clinical experience and work on the film No Way Back, Stephanie unpacks the troubling realities behind gender transitions, the pressure to conform, and what true mental health support looks like for gender-questioning youth and their families.

This episode cuts through the noise to ask the hard questions few are willing to raise.

Samantha Stephenson talks with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, economist, writer, and founder of the Ruth Institute, about the hidden costs of the Sexual Revolution. They explore her sharp critique of its three dominant ideologies:

• The contraceptive ideology

• The divorce ideology

• The gender ideology

Discover how these ideas shape—and sometimes distort—our understanding of marriage, family, and the human body. Dive deep into the assumptions, contradictions, and societal consequences of the sexual revolution.