The NFP Podcast

By Amy SmithSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Relationships Sexuality

The NFP Podcast episodes

July 20 Episode 113: Complete, Not Done: What "Open to Life" Really Means
BONUS CONTENT: NFP Awareness Week 2026
What does it really mean for a Catholic couple to be open to life? Does being open to life mean having as many children as possible? And is it ever okay to say your family is "complete"?
In this listener-requested episode, Amylynn and Emily unpack one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church. They explore the difference between having an "I'm done" mentality and prayerfully discerning that your family may be complete while remaining open to God's will.
Together they discuss:
The Church's teaching on responsible parenthood
Why openness to life is an attitude—not a number
The beauty of monthly discernment through Natural Family Planning
How couples can find peace amid cultural pressures and difficult questions like, "Are you done having children?"
Why every child is a gift, and why true discernment always begins by keeping our eyes fixed on Christ.
Whether you're newly married, raising a growing family, or prayerfully discerning your next step, this conversation offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder that the Holy Spirit—not the culture—should guide our family planning decisions.
Love responsibly.
Resources:
1. Podcast Episode with Fr. Yavarone https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zBapmVKq5DXx4sJogL709?si=ddc3338e1bd14f57
46 min
July 15 Episode 112: The Ethics of NFP Technology: Navigating Faith, FemTech, and Fertility with Louise Boychuk & Sara Flood
As fertility technology continues to advance, Catholic couples and Natural Family Planning instructors are being faced with important new questions. Can Catholics morally use fertility monitors developed by companies whose values don't align with Church teaching? How should NFP instructors navigate affiliate relationships, product recommendations, and emerging reproductive technologies? Where should we draw the line?
In this thought-provoking episode of The NFP Podcast, Emily and Amylynn welcome back Louise Boychuk, President of the Marquette Method Professional Association, along with veteran Marquette instructor Sara Flood, to discuss the ethical challenges surrounding modern fertility technology ("FemTech") and Natural Family Planning.
Drawing from the presentation they developed for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Louise and Sara unpack the four major ethical issues every NFP instructor—and many couples—should understand:
Cooperation with evil
Avoiding scandal
Conflicts of interest in healthcare and product recommendations
The importance of evidence-based research when recommending fertility technologies
The conversation explores real-world examples involving fertility monitors, wearable devices, affiliate marketing, artificial intelligence, and the growing influence of technology in reproductive healthcare. Throughout the discussion, Emily, Amylynn, Louise, and Sara emphasize the importance of prudential judgment, faithful discernment, and remaining rooted in both sound Catholic moral theology and scientific evidence.
Whether you're an NFP instructor, a healthcare professional, or a couple using Natural Family Planning, this episode offers practical guidance for navigating an increasingly complex technological landscape with wisdom, integrity, and peace.
Join us as we explore how faithful Catholics can embrace helpful technology without compromising the values at the heart of Natural Family Planning.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
1. Work with Louise Boychuk: www.vitaefertility.com
2. Work with Sara Flood: www.nfpcoach.com
3. Marquette Method Professional Association: www.marquettemethodprofessionals.com
4. Listeners can find certified Marquette Method Instructors at:
www.marquettemethod.com
5. Previous NFP Podcast episode featuring Louise Boychuk on the Marquette Method: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1GzpXd93HIavh2lBrGu3Co?si=58d9308c797e4cb2
Join us as we explore how faithful Catholics can embrace helpful technology without compromising the values at the heart of Natural Family Planning.
1 hr 1 min
July 08 Episode 111: Beyond the Monitor: Understanding the Marquette Method
In this episode of The NFP Podcast, Amy and Emily welcome Louise Boychuk, registered nurse, certified Marquette Method instructor, author, and director of Vitae Fertility, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about natural family planning, fertility awareness, and accompanying couples through every season of marriage.
Louise shares her deeply personal journey into the world of NFP—from unexpected pregnancies and heartbreaking pregnancy loss to discovering the Marquette Method and eventually helping thousands of couples navigate their own fertility journeys. Her story is one of faith, perseverance, and allowing God to transform difficult experiences into a ministry of hope.
Together, Amy, Emily, and Louise discuss:
Louise's path from labor and delivery nurse to Marquette educator
The differences between the Billings Method and the Marquette Method
Why the Clearblue monitor is only one part of the Marquette Method
Common misconceptions about fertility monitors and hormonal testing
The promise—and limitations—of new fertility technologies like Mira
What instructors can learn from "perfect use" pregnancies
Supporting couples experiencing fear, infertility, miscarriage, or unexpected pregnancies with both compassion and truth
Why informed consent and authentic education are essential in Catholic marriage preparation
How science, faith, and God's providence work together in understanding human fertility
The conversation also explores larger questions facing the Church today: How can we better prepare engaged couples for marriage? How do we present the beauty of Catholic teaching on sexuality without watering down the truth? And how can NFP instructors accompany couples with both scientific integrity and pastoral sensitivity?
Whether you're new to natural family planning, currently learning the Marquette Method, preparing for marriage, or simply passionate about helping couples thrive, this episode offers an encouraging blend of personal testimony, practical wisdom, and thoughtful discussion that reminds us that authentic love always seeks both truth and compassion.
Resources:
1. www.vitaefertility.com
2. www.marquettemethod.com
3. https://www.vitaefertility.com/nfp-talk-marriage-prep/
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitaefertility/
5. www.marquettemethodprofessionals.com
1 hr 21 min
July 01 Episode 110: The Goods of Marriage & the Domestic Church
In this special episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Emily and Amy conclude their journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony by reading and discussing the final sections on the goods and requirements of conjugal love and the domestic church.
What does authentic conjugal love look like? Why does the Church describe marriage as faithful, fruitful, and total? And what does it mean for the family to become a "domestic church"?
As they reflect on these beautiful concluding passages of the Catechism, Emily and Amy explore God's vision for marriage as a lifelong vocation rooted in sacrificial love, openness to life, and a shared pursuit of holiness. They discuss how the Christian home is called to be the first place where children encounter the love of God, learn the faith, and experience the joy of living as disciples of Christ.
To close out this series, each host shares her biggest takeaways from reading through the Catechism's teaching on Holy Matrimony. Emily and Amy reflect on the truths that challenged, encouraged, and inspired them most, offering practical insights for couples striving to build marriages and families firmly rooted in Christ.
Whether you're discerning marriage, preparing for your wedding, raising a family, or simply desiring a deeper understanding of the Church's beautiful vision for marriage, this episode serves as a fitting conclusion to our Catechism series on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the Catechism. We pray these conversations have helped you discover the richness of the Church's teaching and encouraged you to embrace God's plan for marriage, family, and faithful love.
Catechism References: CCC 1643–1658
Topics: The Goods and Requirements of Conjugal Love • The Domestic Church
Hosts: Emily and Amy
If this series has blessed you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share these episodes with a friend, your spouse, or someone preparing for marriage. Together, let's continue spreading the beauty and truth of God's design for marriage and family.
Resources:
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church- https://www.usccb.org/catechism-of-the-catholic-church
2. Fr Mike Schmitz Catechism Podcast- https://youtu.be/QmixPmwXOi8?si=p0lMNO5FdImuBNqr
48 min
June 24 Episode 109: Love, Sacrifice, and Grace: The Effects of Marriage
In Episode 109 of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily continue their journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Church's rich teaching on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. In this episode, they read and discuss the section on the effects of the sacrament, exploring the unique graces God pours out upon married couples.
What does the sacrament of marriage actually do? How does God strengthen husbands and wives through sacramental grace? And how does marriage help spouses grow in holiness and prepare one another for heaven?
As they unpack these beautiful teachings from the Catechism, Amy and Emily reflect on the vocation of marriage as a sacred covenant that not only unites a man and woman but also draws them more deeply into the life of Christ. They discuss how sacramental grace empowers couples to love faithfully, forgive generously, carry one another's burdens, and remain steadfast through the joys and challenges of family life.
Whether you are engaged, newly married, celebrating decades of marriage, or simply seeking to better understand the Catholic vision of matrimony, this episode offers encouragement and hope for living out God's plan for marriage.
Join Amy and Emily as they continue reading through the Catechism and discover how the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony transforms ordinary human love into a powerful path toward holiness.
Catechism References: CCC 1638–1642
Topic: The Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony
Hosts: Amy and Emily
Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who wants to grow in their understanding of Catholic marriage and family life.
Resources:
1. Catechism-https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_two/section_two/chapter_three/article_7/iv_the_effects_of_the_sacrament_of_matrimony.html
2. Catechism in a Year Podcast- https://ascensionpress.com/pages/catechisminayear
38 min
June 17 Episode 108: Matrimonial Consent
In Episode 108 of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily continue their journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church as they explore the Church's beautiful teaching on Matrimonial Consent (CCC 1625–1632).
What does it mean to freely give yourself to another person for life? Why is consent at the very heart of the Sacrament of Matrimony? And what conditions must be present for a valid Catholic marriage?
As they read and discuss these important paragraphs from the Catechism, Amy and Emily also share personal stories from their own childhoods, reflecting on the challenges and blessings of growing up in homes where their parents were not equally yoked in faith. Through their experiences, they offer practical wisdom about the impact faith has on marriage, family life, and the spiritual formation of children.
Whether you are dating, engaged, newly married, or have been married for decades, this conversation serves as an encouragement to pursue a marriage rooted in Christ and to seek a spouse who shares your commitment to the Catholic faith.
Join us as we continue unpacking the richness of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and discover why the Church places such importance on entering marriage with unity of faith, purpose, and mission.
Catechism References: CCC 1625–1632
Topic: Matrimonial Consent
Hosts: Amy and Emily
Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone discerning marriage or seeking to strengthen their Catholic marriage.
Resources:
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church- https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church2/426/#zoom=true
39 min
June 10 Episode 107: Two Vocations, One Destination: Marriage and Consecrated Life
In this episode of The NFP Podcast, Amy and Emily continue their journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church as they explore the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Together, they read and discuss the Church's teachings on virginity for the sake of the Kingdom and the celebration of marriage, reflecting on the unique and complementary vocations to marriage and consecrated life.
What does it mean to freely renounce marriage for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom? How does the witness of consecrated virginity illuminate the beauty and purpose of Christian marriage? Amy and Emily unpack these profound teachings while highlighting how both vocations point us toward our ultimate destiny—union with God.
They also examine the Church's understanding of the celebration of matrimony, including the role of the spouses' consent, the significance of the wedding liturgy, and the importance of marriage as a sacrament within the life of the Church.
Whether you are single, engaged, married, discerning a religious vocation, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of Catholic teaching, this episode offers rich insights into God's plan for love, self-gift, and holiness.
Catechism Reading: Paragraphs 1618–1624
Resources:
1. Catechism Online- https://www.usccb.org/catechism-of-the-catholic-church
2. Catechism in a Year Podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09FZr258Ob4
3. Three to Get Married- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09FZr258Ob4
4. Kimberly Hahn, Contraception and Christianity- https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/five-compelling-reasons-why-contraception-is-not-part-of-gods-plan-for-your-marriage/
5. Theology of the Body for Beginners- https://a.co/d/08hVy6uW
31 min
June 03 Episode 106: Marriage in the Lord: More Than a Contract
In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily continue their journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church as they explore the beautiful and challenging teachings on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. They unpack what it means for Christian marriage to be elevated by Christ into a sacrament and a path to holiness.
Drawing from the wisdom of the Catechism, Amy and Emily discuss how the grace of the sacrament strengthens husbands and wives to love as Christ loves the Church—faithfully, sacrificially, and fruitfully. They also reflect on the Church's teaching that marriage is a lifelong covenant, examining why permanence and fidelity are not burdens, but gifts that provide stability, freedom, and a witness to God's unwavering love.
Whether you are newly married, preparing for marriage, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic vision of marriage, this episode offers encouragement, practical insights, and a renewed appreciation for God's plan for married life.
Resources:
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church- https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_two/section_two/chapter_three/article_7.html
27 min
May 27 Episode 105: What Is Marriage? Exploring Catechism Paragraphs 1601–1608
In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily begin a new series walking through the Church’s teaching on the Sacrament of Matrimony by reading and discussing paragraphs 1601–1608 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Together, they reflect on the Church’s definition of marriage as a covenant by which a man and a woman establish a partnership of the whole of life, ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. Amy and Emily unpack how marriage was written into God’s plan from the very beginning, rooted in creation itself, and elevated by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament.
They also discuss the painful effects of sin on relationships, the universal human longing for faithful and fruitful love, and the hope offered through Jesus Christ, who restores and strengthens marriage with His grace. Whether you are preparing for marriage, navigating challenges in your vocation, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of God’s design for love, this episode offers a beautiful introduction to the Church’s timeless wisdom on matrimony.
Resources:
1. Catechism Online: https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_two/section_two/chapter_three/article_7.html
2. Ascension Catechism: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/catechism-ascension-edition
3. Ascension Catechism In A Year Podcast: https://youtu.be/NnggjPbIOM8?si=OjbqH6Lc-1Wf0teF
4. Family Camp (Emily's Sister's Camp): https://www.annunciationheights.org/
5. Hannah's Children (Book): https://a.co/d/09fLiu34
51 min
May 20 Episode 104: Preparing for a Sacramental Marriage: A Conversation with Fr. Kyle O’Connor
In this insightful episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amylynn and Emily sit down with Fr. Kyle O'Connor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church to discuss the beautiful and intentional process of preparing couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church.
Fr. Kyle shares what makes Catholic marriage preparation so unique, from the initial conversations with engaged couples to the spiritual, relational, and practical steps designed to help them build a strong foundation for a lifelong covenant. Amylynn and Emily also explore the Church’s wisdom in guiding couples through topics such as communication, prayer, fertility awareness, and the true meaning of sacrificial love.
Whether you are engaged, married, or simply curious about how the Church prepares couples for this sacred vocation, this episode offers a hopeful and inspiring look at the depth, beauty, and purpose of Catholic marriage preparation.
Resources:
1. Casti Conubii https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19301231_casti-connubii.html
2. The Marriage Group https://themarriagegroup.com/
3. USCCB Marriage and Family https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/marriage-and-family
4. NFP Resources https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning
1 hr 12 min

About The NFP Podcast

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Welcome to "The NFP Podcast," where hosts Amy Smith and Emily Appeldorn bring over a decade and a half of experience guiding single women and married couples through the intricacies of natural family planning (NFP).

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