What do Catholics believe about redemptive suffering? And why should you care?

Many people today believe it’s better to die or sin rather than suffer. They don't understand why God allows suffering. False compassion often leads to euthanasia, abortion, and LGBTQ ideologies.

So, how should Catholics respond? How can we help people understand the spiritual value of suffering? And how can we offer true compassion to those in need?

On today's episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet joins us to unpack how to answer these challenging questions. Find out more by watching today’s episode!

FREE e-book! Ever hear that rape, incest, or fetal abnormalities justify abortion? Or that abortion should be legal to save a mother’s life? Find out the pro-life response to these questions by downloading your free e-book today!

Get your copy of "Why We Don't Need Abortion (even for the hard cases)" here: Ever Have Trouble Explaining Why Abortion is NEVER Needed? | Human Life International (hli.org)

Chapters:

00:00 What is Redemptive Suffering?

02:31 Should We Seek Out Suffering?

04:16 Accept Love

07:04 Helping Non-Christians

08:27 Terminally Ill?

11:29 False Compassion

14:14 Unplanned Pregnancy

16:21 Humility & Joy

17:55 How Do We Change Mindsets?

19:29 'Life is Beautiful'

21:06 Walk with Suffering Individuals

22:56 Yvette from Rwanda

25:25 Elderly Population

28:24 Gratitude!

30:22 What Saint Models Redemptive Suffering?

Living the Culture of Life

Does abstinence-based sex-ed work? Planned Parenthood says no. But Malawian schoolkids say “YES!”

HLI visits schools in Malawi, encouraging schoolkids to live chastely and quit contraception.

When Planned Parenthood tried to teach the same students about unchaste sexual education, the kids chased away IPPF. Then they burned the condoms and hormonal birth control!

Michelle Francis, our Mission Network Manager, joins us today to talk about this story. She discusses the challenges and victories of pro-life work in Malawi, as well as the threat from IPPF. Michelle also shares other great stories from Fr. Zikomankhani.

Check out today's episode to find out how impactful chastity education is!

Send chastity education to other kids in Malawi: Give the world another pro-life leader | Human Life International (hli.org)

Free e-book! Get your copy of "How Contraception Built the Abortion Culture" here: Ever heard that contraception is the best way to stop abortions? | Human Life International (hli.org)

Living the Culture of Life

Do kids experience trauma when their siblings die from abortion? How does abortion affect adult siblings?

Often, abortion is seen as a private choice. But this isn’t true. Abortion impacts everyone.

Sometimes, pro-lifers discuss abortion’s psychological effect on moms. Even fewer talk about how abortion impacts dads. But how does abortion affect siblings?

On this episode, Krista Corbello joins us to talk about abortion’s impact on surviving siblings. She shares her story of discovering her sibling died from abortion. And she discusses her ministry, Even This Way, which helps other siblings deal with generational trauma and survivor’s guilt.

Listen to today’s episode to find out how abortion impacts everyone in a family (whether they know about the abortion or not).

Free e-book! Get your copy of "Why We Don't Need Abortion (even for the hard cases)" here: Ever Have Trouble Explaining Why Abortion is NEVER Needed? | Human Life International (hli.org)

More Info:

Abortion’s impact on women: https://youtu.be/lJjdabAi1GQ

Abortion’s impact on men: https://youtu.be/N8WTibNk9NA

Even This Way: Sibling Outreach | Even This Way

Mentioned in This Episode:

Even This Way Panel recording with Krista Corbello's research & other sibling testimonies. 

Krista's Story (a mini-documentary)

"I'll Love You," Krista's original song, which she played at her aborted sibling's memorial service.

Create Encounter by Rehumanize International

Follow the podcast on Instagram: Living a Culture of Life Podcast (@cultureoflife_podcast)

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Chapters:

00:00 Meet Krista Corbello

02:30 Abortion vs. Miscarriage

6:00 Survivors Guilt & Generational Trauma

10:53 Haunted, Bound, or Resurrected Child

12:44 Not a Private Choice

13:48 Stats?

15:36 Are People Talking About This?

18:20 Pro-Choice Siblings??

20:28 Was Finding Out Healing?

24:32 Retreats?

27:31 Advice for Siblings

32:01 Advice for Telling Kids

35:25 Why Beauty Matters

41:30 Emotion and Logic

Living the Culture of Life

How can you teach teens about chastity and healthy relationships? And how can you inspire young people to embrace God’s plan for marriage?

Ever since the Sexual Revolution, healthy relationships seem rare. Kids grow up thinking divorce is normal. Movies and TV shows push casual sex and contraception on teens. And today, the LGBTQ agenda further distorts society’s view of marriage.

Without seeing healthy relationships modeled, kids risk a cynical view of God’s plan for sexuality. They might believe that chastity and marriage are burdens, rather than blessings.

But there is hope! Onalee McGraw has a unique solution to this problem. She uses classic movies to inspire teens and young people to live virtuously.

On today’s podcast, Onalee explains how classic films can model healthy relationships. Listen now, to find out why these movies reveal the beauty of chastity.

It Happened One Night | 1934

Roman Holiday | 1953

It’s A Wonderful Life | 1946

Love With the Proper Stranger | 1963

Educational Guidance Institute: EGI (educationalguidanceinstitute.com)

Free e-book! Get your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

Follow the podcast on Instagram: Living a Culture of Life Podcast (@cultureoflife_podcast)

Follow the podcast on X: @cultureoflife_p on X

Chapters:

00:00:00 Timeless films model morality

00:03:00 Guiding audience towards truth

00:04:28 What are classic films?

00:05:58 What motivated this project?

00:07:55 The ABCs of classic movies

00:12:05 Kids in detention homes

00:15:47 How do teens react?

00:20:31 Why studios used the Production Code

00:29:08 What did the Code prohibit?

00:33:29 Everyone longs for committed relationships

00:35:26 It Happened One Night | 1934

00:47:00 Roman Holiday | 1953

01:00:48 It's A Wonderful Life | 1946

01:07:14 Love with the Proper Stranger | 1963

01:21:18 Uniqueness of classic films

Living the Culture of Life

Should men have a say in abortion? And why should pro-lifers care about pornography?

Jacob Tonglet, from Men for Life, joins us today to discuss men’s essential role in defending life. Abortion isn’t just a woman’s issue. It’s a human rights issue. Women need men to step up and defend all human life.

Jacob also helps unpack the ties between pornography and abortion. If men want to stand up for human dignity, they must quit porn.

Men for Life's website: Men for Life: Pro-Life Men

Free e-book! Get your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

Follow the podcast on Instagram: Living a Culture of Life Podcast (@cultureoflife_podcast)

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Chapters:

00:00 What is Men for Life?

01:20 Women's rights or human rights?

03:13 Pushback?

05:30 Testimony | Mike

07:16 Testimony | Sean

09:20 Active role

12:09 Pornography & abortion

13:01 Psychology of men

15:05 Problem of recreational sex

16:35 Business vs. love

18:05 Human trafficking

21:31 Abortion contracts

22:37 Live Action videos

25:00 Planned Parenthood fails women

27:16 Push to normalize porn

31:16 Abortion is not support

34:45 Men seeking help?

Living a Culture of Life

What is classical education? And why should you care?

Parents want to give their children the best education. But in today’s cultural climate, options feel limited. Many public schools embrace anti-family agendas, indoctrinating kids with woke ideologies.

So, what should parents do?

On this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet unpacks the benefits of Catholic classical education. This method of education focuses on forming the human person, using the great books of Western civilization. Many curricula include theology, philosophy, literature, and history, as well as math and science.

Find out why you should consider classical education when schooling your kids. This method is found in many different forms: homeschooling, traditional schools, co-ops…you name it! 

Father’s Spirit and Life article The Spread of Classical Education and Why It Matters | Human Life International (hli.org)

Free e-book! Get your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

John Senior's list of the 1000 Good Books: John Senior and "The Thousand Good Books" - Online Great Books

Chapters:

00:00 Why classical education?

02:35 Guide souls to Heaven

05:40 Engage with the world

06:30 People don't read!

10:17 Types of education

14:50 Financial struggles

16:53 Public schools

19:22 Don't focus on negative!

20:15 What are the great books?

23:42 Center student in library of the world

26:44 Critical thinking & philosophy

27:58 Holy citizens

29:53 Walk with parents

31:04 1000 good books

33:22 1st classroom is home

36:03 Ideology vs. truth

38:24 Kids' eyes light up!

39:41 Holistic education

Living the Culture of Life

Did you hear about Uganda’s new law prohibiting homosexual actions? It’s one of the most extreme anti-gay laws in the world. For certain cases, such as rape, pedophilia, and knowing spreading HIV, individuals can face the death penalty. The law also prohibits grooming children. International leaders, World Bank, and mainstream media have all condemned the legislation.

But what’s left out of the story? What caused Uganda to pass this extreme anti-LGBT law?

Lou Masset, our Chief Missions Officer, joins us to discuss Uganda’s anti-LGBT law. We unpack the crimes motivating this legislation, using information from our affiliate in Uganda.

Find out what mainstream media won’t tell you about Uganda’s new law. Listen to this episode today! 

**This video is not an endorsement of Uganda’s law. HLI does not advocate for the death penalty**

Join HLI's mission today: Give the world another pro-life leader | Human Life International (hli.org)

Free e-book! Get your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:00 What's Happening in Uganda?

02:34 Western Influence in Africa

06:05 Family-Centered Culture

09:15 Reduce Population?

11:32 Kids & Gender Ideology

15:28 Mulkien's Story

18:32 NGOs Shut Down

19:33 We Must Not Dehumanize

22:01 Video From Ugandan Parliament

23:50 Not Catholic Teaching

26:54 America's Bad Example

28:01 Deterrent Legislation

31:19 Nothing Happens in a Vacuum

33:28 Myth-busting Mainstream Media

35:50 People Don't Want to Talk

38:14 Bigger Problem!

42:48 Malawian Court Cases

44:45 Ideological Push Back

48:40 Should Governments Get a Say in Marriage?

Living the Culture of Life

Which products were developed using aborted fetal cells? Is fetal cell research unavoidable? What can you do about it?

Jose Trasancos from Children of God for Life joins us to discuss the deadly history of fetal cell research. Many products—from medications & vaccines to cosmetics & food additives—have been developed using aborted fetuses. To make things more confusing, some people (erroneously) claim that ALL modern medicine is affected.

But there is hope! Jose offers a practical solution to this current issue. You can help change consumer behavior and end the practice of fetal cell research.

Find out everything you need to know about aborted fetal cell research by watching today’s episode.

Free e-book! Download your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

**Give the podcast 5 stars to help us reach more people!**

Children of God for Life's website: Children of God for Life | Children of God for Life (cogforlife.org)

List of abortion-tainted vaccines: Abortion-Tainted-Vaccines.pdf (cogforlife.org)

Short list of U.S. aborted fetal products: fetalproductsall.pdf (cogforlife.org)

Follow the podcast on Instagram: Living a Culture of Life Podcast (@cultureoflife_podcast)

Follow the podcast on X: @cultureoflife_p on X

Chapters:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:27 Meet Jose Trasancos

00:03:35 What does Children of God for Life do?

00:06:32 Academic research

00:08:45 Polio vaccine

00:13:46 Rubella vaccine

00:15:14 Cell lines vs. cell strains

00:20:34 HEK-293

00:24:33 What's the point? (scientifically)

00:26:22 Problematic medications

00:27:50 Avoiding unethical vaccines

00:29:47 Pro-life misinformation

00:34:47 Aspirin?

00:36:10 Tums?

00:39:25 Good products & bad actions

00:40:59 Research & preclinical testing

00:43:47 'But For' test

00:45:07 Food additives

00:50:17 PepsiCo boycott

00:54:52 Nestle neo-natal infant formula

00:57:10 Human Cell Atlas

01:00:25 What about cosmetics?

01:04:50 Ethical alternatives?

01:07:30 How to stop fetal cell research

01:13:13 Practice vs. product

Living the Culture of Life

Population decline is creating problems all around the world. If low birth rates continue, these trends will get worse. But you shouldn’t focus on the negative.

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet discusses why we need to be careful discussing the demographic winter. Too much pessimism will just make the problem worse. It’s important to focus on hope! Life is beautiful and worth living, even in times of struggle. 

Free e-book! Get your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

Chapters:

00:00 What's a demographic winter?

02:23 Why are there low birth rates?

03:15 Impact of population decline

05:27 Lack of hope

06:55 Death spiral

08:10 Don't focus on...

10:04 This won't change overnight

11:33 Doom & gloom

14:00 Motivation?

15:55 Engage the situation

18:03 Beauty of life

19:56 International situation

21:01 Mission story

24:38 Problem of poverty

25:57 How can I serve today?

29:37 Signs of hope!

33:52 Need community!

Living the Culture of Life

As a baby, Melissa Ohden survived a saline infusion abortion. Today, she’s uniting abortion survivors all around the world through the Abortion Survivor’s Network.

Melissa Ohden joins us today to share her experience surviving abortion, growing up adopted, and reuniting with her biological family. She also shares surprising stories from other survivors. Find out about stopped abortions, biological trauma, and how abortion impacts the second generation of survivors.

Abortion Survivors Network: Home - The Abortion Survivors Network

Free e-book! Get your copy of “Which Cosmetics Use Fetal Cells?” here: For the Woman Who Won’t Stop Until Her Beauty Routine is Abortion Free: | Human Life International (hli.org)

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Melissa Ohden

02:20 Forced abortions are totally a thing

04:17 What is a saline infusion abortion?

05:11 Mom almost died

05:57 Some babies survive multiple abortion attempts

07:07 Chemical abortion story

08:54 Adoption after abortion attempt

11:17 Finding out

12:23 Sharing stories matters

15:35 What does your organization do?

17:59 Founding Abortion Survivors Network

19:48 Exciting news!

21:19 Around the world

22:38 Abortion vs. miscarriage

23:33 Meeting birthmother for 1st time

26:55 Did my baby survive?

28:56 What is a stopped abortion?

30:32 Lauren's story

33:05 Kids of survivors

34:10 Generational trauma?

37:13 Statistics

Living the Culture of Life