The NFP Podcast

In this heartfelt episode, hosts Amy and Emily sit down with Dan and Mary to explore the beauty, challenges, and grace-filled surprises that come with practicing Natural Family Planning within marriage. Dan and Mary open up about their journey of being radically open to life, welcoming children close together in age, and navigating the joys and trials that shaped their family story. They share how the Lord gently expanded their hearts—one baby at a time—and how NFP deepened their communication, strengthened their marriage, and continually invited them to trust in God’s timing. This conversation is a moving witness to faith, sacrificial love, and the abundant ways God works through family life.

Resources:

1. Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World: A Guide for Catholics- https://a.co/d/einVtsg

2. Theology of the Body for Beginners: Rediscovering the Meaning of Life, Love, Sex, and Gender- https://a.co/d/gnVgDiZ

3. The Sinner's Guide to Natural Family Planning- https://a.co/d/cnXOEMI

4. Interior Freedom- https://a.co/d/5XkOdsv

In this powerful and grace-filled episode, hosts Amy and Emily welcome Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV, for a conversation that will both convict and comfort listeners seeking God’s will in their marriages. Drawing from the rich tradition of Ignatian Spirituality, Fr. Mark offers practical guidance for how couples can prayerfully discern God’s invitations—especially when it comes to decisions about family size and living out the Church’s vision for marriage.

Together, they explore how to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit, distinguish authentic peace from false consolation, and cultivate a discerning heart that remains open to God’s loving plan. Whether you’re newly married, navigating the beautiful chaos of family life, or simply seeking deeper spiritual clarity, this episode offers encouragement, wisdom, and a renewed sense of purpose rooted in trust and faith.

Tune in to be strengthened, challenged, and inspired to follow God more wholeheartedly within your vocation.

Resources:

1. Humanae Vitae- https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

2. "What is 'discernment' anyway?"- https://www.discernment.institute/what-is-discernment-anyway

3. Discerning the Will of God- https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/discerning-the-will-of-god-an-ignatian-guide-to-christian-decision-making

4. Discernment of Spirits in Marriage- https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/discernment-of-spirits-in-marriage

5. Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement- https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/overcoming-spiritual-discouragement

6. The National Bioethics Center- https://www.ncbcenter.org/

In this week’s episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Emily and Amy pick up where they left off in their series on Responsible Parenthood. After last week’s deep dive into responsible motherhood, the conversation now turns to the vital role of fathers. What does responsible fatherhood look like in today’s world? How can men embrace their vocation to lead with love, sacrifice, and presence within their families?

Join Emily and Amy as they explore practical insights, personal stories, and timeless wisdom on what it means for fathers to live out their calling with intentionality and faith. Whether you're a dad, a mom, or simply someone interested in family life and Natural Family Planning, this episode offers encouragement and inspiration to grow together in the beautiful, sometimes messy journey of parenthood.

🎧 Tune in, reflect, and join the conversation!

Resources:

1. Humanae Vitae- https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

2. Letter to Families- https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1994/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_02021994_families.html

3. Fathers’ Irreplaceable Role in Welcoming Life- https://www.usccb.org/prolife/fathers-irreplaceable-role-welcoming-life#:~:text=Fathers%20have%20a%20vital%2C%20unique,virtues%20of%20humility%20and%20courage

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily sit down with Jennifer to explore her transformative journey from the messages she received in public-school sex education to discovering the truth, depth, and beauty of human sexuality as taught by the Catholic Church.

Jennifer shares candidly about growing up with a fragmented understanding of sex, fertility, and womanhood—an understanding that left her unprepared for the challenges she would later face in trying to conceive at an older maternal age. Through her struggle with infertility, she found not only greater knowledge of her body but also a renewed appreciation for the Church’s life-giving vision of marriage, openness to life, and the dignity of the human person.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever questioned the messages they’ve received about their body, fertility, or purpose—and for those seeking a deeper, more holistic understanding of what it means to be created for love.

Resources:

1. Creighton Model- https://www.fertilitycare.org/creighton-model-system/

2. NaPro Technology- https://naprotechnology.com/

3. St. Pope Paul VI Institute- https://saintpaulvi.com/

4. St. Gerard Prayer- https://themotherssaint.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/StGerardNovena_digital.pdf

5. Catholic Healthcare- https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/news/read-rise-new-catholic-healthcare-inspired-saint-padre-pio

In this thought-provoking episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily dive into the heart of what it means to live out a Christian call to responsible motherhood. Drawing from key Church encyclicals and weaving in the lens of current cultural conversations, they explore how a woman’s sexual choices carry profound spiritual, relational, and generational significance.

Amy and Emily challenge listeners to reconsider the modern narrative around sexuality—reminding women that intimacy is never just about momentary pleasure or personal preference. It is also about the man they choose, the virtues he embodies, and the father he may one day become. With compassion, honesty, and a deep grounding in Catholic teaching, they offer a fresh perspective on discernment, dignity, and the sacred responsibility of nurturing future life.

Whether you're navigating dating, marriage, or broader questions about vocation and family, this episode invites you to reflect more deeply on the beauty and weight of choosing not just a partner, but someone’s future father.

Resources:

1. Humanae Vitae- https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

2. Pope Francis's Reflection on the Demanding Role of Motherhood- https://www.foryourmarriage.org/blogs/pope-francis-reflects-on-a-mothers-demanding-role/

3. Persona Humana- https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19751229_persona-humana_en.html

In this wrap-up episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily bring their series on the Catholic document The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality to a thoughtful and heartfelt close.

Join them as they read through and unpack the conclusion of this influential encyclical, reflecting on its core themes—parental responsibility, authentic love, moral formation, and the Church’s vision for guiding young people toward a life rooted in truth.

Amy and Emily explore what the document’s final guidance means for families today, how its teachings can be lived out within real homes, and why the Church’s wisdom on human dignity and sexuality remains both countercultural and deeply liberating.

Whether you’ve followed the entire series or are tuning in for the first time, this closing conversation offers a clear, encouraging, and faith-centered summary of the encyclical’s most important insights.

Listen in for:

A direct reading of the conclusion

Honest discussion and practical reflections

Encouragement for parents navigating the formation of their children

A renewed vision of the beauty of the Church’s teaching

Grab your coffee, settle in, and join Amy and Emily as they conclude this meaningful journey with clarity, compassion, and hope.

Resources:

1. Encyclical- https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html

2. Dr. Julia Sadusky- https://www.juliasadusky.com/books

3. Pearl and Thistle- https://pearlandthistle.com/

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily continue their exploration of the 1995 Catholic document The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality. This week, they dive into the Church’s guidance on authentic methods of sexual education—what the Church recommends, what it cautions against, and how parents can faithfully form their children in truth and love.

Amy and Emily discuss how the Church envisions sexual education as a lifelong process of formation, rooted in virtue, chastity, and respect for the human person. They also unpack the ideologies and methods the Church warns against, including those that separate sexuality from love, life, and moral responsibility.

Resources:

1.Encyclical-https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html

2. Pearl & Thistle Courses- https://pearlandthistle.podia.com/

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Emily and Amy continue their deep dive into Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality, reflecting on the Church’s timeless wisdom about family, love, and responsibility. This week’s discussion centers on the parents’ sacred role as the primary educators of their children, especially in matters of human sexuality and moral formation.

Emily and Amy explore what this calling looks like in real life—how parents can cultivate open communication, form their children in virtue, and model authentic love in a culture that often sends mixed messages. They also share practical resources, faith-based programs, and creative ways families can integrate this education naturally into daily life.

Whether you’re a parent, catechist, or simply passionate about the Church’s teaching on human dignity, this conversation offers encouragement, insight, and inspiration to live out this beautiful responsibility with confidence and grace.

✨ Listen now to be inspired, informed, and equipped to lead your family in truth and love.

Resources:

1. Encyclical-https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html

2. Pearl and Thistle Programs- https://pearlandthistle.podia.com/

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily continue their reading and discussion of The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family. This week, they explore the Church’s wisdom on the formation of children during the adolescent years—the delicate transition from childhood into adulthood. Join them as they reflect on how parents can guide their teens with love, truth, and patience, helping them navigate growth, identity, and virtue in a culture that often confuses authentic maturity with independence from moral foundations.

Resources:

Encyclical- https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily continue their reading and discussion of the Catholic encyclical The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family. This week, they focus on the practical formation of youth during the sensitive and transformative years of puberty. Together, they explore how parents can nurture virtue, modesty, and a true understanding of love while navigating the challenges and beauty of this stage of life. Tune in for encouragement, wisdom, and practical guidance rooted in faith and family.

Resources:

Encyclical- https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html