The NFP Podcast

In this thoughtful and heartfelt episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily take on a sensitive yet important topic: conjugal rights within the context of a Christian marriage. Prompted by a recent YouTube video from Timothy Gordon, the hosts reflect on the content and tone of his presentation—addressing what they found to be a crude and uncharitable handling of an issue that deserves care, nuance, and compassion.

With grace and honesty, Amy and Emily unpack the concept of conjugal rights from a Catholic perspective, highlighting the beauty and dignity of marital intimacy as a mutual, loving gift—not a demand or entitlement. They gently offer an alternative view grounded in Scripture, Church teaching, and the lived reality of Christian marriage, aiming to speak truth in love while fostering understanding and unity.

Whether you’ve seen the video or not, this episode invites listeners into a deeper reflection on how we talk about marriage, sex, and mutual respect in the light of faith.

Resources:

1. Tim Gordon Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/SwNqGm35FHE?si=nm3R5WauOsmrfVEs

2. Examine: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/sacrament-reconciliation-married-persons-examination-of-conscience

3. Catechism: https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_two/chapter_two/article_6/iii_the_love_of_husband_and_wife.html

In this heartfelt episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily sit down with Kari and Rob, a lovely couple from New England whose love story is a moving testament to the beauty and depth of vocation. From their first meeting to the winding road of marriage and family life, Kari and Rob open up about the joys, sorrows, and sanctifying moments that have shaped their journey together.

With vulnerability and grace, they share how God has led them through seasons of laughter, loss, hope, and healing—revealing a vocation that is as much about carrying the cross as it is about celebrating the gift of love. Whether you're discerning marriage, living it, or walking through your own valleys and victories, this conversation will encourage you to trust in God’s faithful plan.

Tune in for a powerful story of vocation, love, and the grace found in both sunshine and storms.

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, Emily and Amy take listeners back to the basics of Natural Family Planning. Whether you're brand new to NFP or looking for a refresher, this conversation lays the foundation for understanding both the why and the how behind NFP.

First, they explore the essential sexual worldview needed to authentically live out NFP—one rooted in respect for the dignity of the human person, the meaning of the marital act, and the call to love freely, totally, faithfully, and fruitfully. Then, they shift gears into the daily practice of NFP, breaking down the biology and physiology of the female cycle and how that intersects with charting methods, fertility signs, and practical applications for couples.

From mucus and temperature tracking to apps and charting systems, Emily and Amy review popular NFP methods and offer resources to support couples in their journey. Whether you're trying to conceive, space children, or just better understand your body, this episode is packed with clarity, encouragement, and a call to see human sexuality as a gift that points us to something greater.

Tune in for a thoughtful review, practical tips, and helpful resources to grow in knowledge and love.

Resources:

1. https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning

2. https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_two/chapter_two/article_6/iii_the_love_of_husband_and_wife.index.html

3. https://saintpaulvi.com/

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

5. Sympto-Pro- https://symptopro.org/

6. Marquette- https://www.marquette.edu/nursing/institute-natural-family-planning/model.php

7. Billings Ovulation Method: https://www.billings.life/en/

8. Boston Cross Check- https://www.bostoncrosscheck.com/

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, Amy and Emily sit down with Substack writer, homeschooling mother of three, and Catholic convert Amber Adrian for a rich and heartfelt conversation about motherhood, Catholic sexuality, and the beauty of God’s design for men and women.

Amber shares her journey to the Catholic faith and her understanding of the female body, identity, and vocation. Together, they discuss The Cycle Show—an engaging, age-appropriate educational program that helps young girls understand their fertility with dignity and wonder—and reflect on how early education rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty can reshape how we view sexuality.

From the domestic church to the global stage, this episode celebrates the vastness of the roles of men and women in the world, highlighting the harmony and complementarity found in God's plan. Whether you're deep in the trenches of parenting or exploring the Church’s vision of human love, this conversation is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and hope.

Resources:

1. One Tired Mother: Amber's Substack - https://onetiredmother.substack.com/

2. Wholistic Feminism: Healing the Identity Crisis Caused by the Women's Movement....https://a.co/d/axGXvlp

3. The Big Lie book...https://a.co/d/8fZ8PoL

4. The Rights of Women - Reclaiming a Lost Vision book...https://a.co/d/e2ch6R6

5. Erika's Wall Street Journal op-ed...https://www.wsj.com/opinion/john-paul-ii-the-feminist-pope-women-equal-dignity-theology-22954069

6. Carrie's Wall Street Journal response op-ed...https://www.wsj.com/opinion/what-john-paul-ii-thought-about-feminism-catholic-church-women-5a21bbc2

7. U.S. Cycle Show website...https://guidingstarproject.com/cycle-show/

8. Do We Need a Pronatal Approach to Sex Education?....https://ifstudies.org/blog/do-we-need-a-pronatal-approach-to-sex-education

9. The Reproductive Justice All Women Need...https://fairerdisputations.org/reproductive-justice/

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily sit down with the wonderful Joy Stay—Registered Nurse (RN), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), wife, and mother of five. While her professional experience spans hospitals, birth centers, home births, and even third-world countries, Joy considers her greatest education to be the lessons learned in motherhood and marriage.

With a deep passion for equipping families with knowledge about holistic health, Joy shares her wisdom on breastfeeding, its connection to overall well-being, and how parents can find peace and joy in the journey. She reminds us that breastfeeding doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated—it can be a natural, grace-filled experience.

Join us as we dive into Joy’s inspiring story, her work as an advocate and educator, and how faith, family, and health are intricately woven together in her mission to serve others.

Don’t miss this encouraging and insightful conversation!

Resources:

Ina Mays Guide To Breastfeeding, by Ina May Gaskin

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

In this heartfelt episode of The NFP Podcast, hosts Amy and Emily dive into a common — but often unspoken — challenge in marriage: what happens when one spouse longs for more children and the other feels the family is complete? With honesty, empathy, and a touch of humor, Amy and Emily explore the emotional, spiritual, and practical tensions that can arise when couples find themselves on opposite sides of the family planning conversation.

Tune in for thoughtful insights, compassionate encouragement, and real-life suggestions for how to seek unity, peace, and hope — even when the road feels uncertain. Whether you’re in the middle of this conversation or just want to be prepared, this episode offers a reminder that you’re not alone.

Resources:

EWTN: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/just-cause-and-natural-family-planning-9730

Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-are-some-reasons-that-justify-avoiding-pregnancy

Catechism: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P86.HTM

This week on The NFP Podcast, Amy and Emily are back at the mic to reflect on a thought-provoking virtual debate between Megan Kelly and Matt Walsh exploring the roles of men and women in marriage. With honesty, humor, and friendship, your hosts unpack the most compelling moments from the conversation—where they agreed, where they cringed, and where they think the Church and culture are still wrestling to find clarity. Tune in for a candid discussion that weaves personal insight with faith-based conviction, and join Amy and Emily as they ask: what does it mean to live out your vocation as man and woman in marriage today?

Resources:

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/GR3bSUWAOKw?si=rm7p7mLRZsb8VRgZ

Emily's Book & Saint Reference: https://a.co/d/8PpsoGU & https://giveninstitute.com/saint_stories/st-zelie-guerin-martin/

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, Amy sits down with Elizabeth and Seth, a married couple who practice and teach the Sympto-Thermal Method through the Couple-to-Couple League. Elizabeth and Seth share their beautiful love story—from how they met and fell in love to their journey into engagement and marriage.

They open up about their experience learning Natural Family Planning (NFP) and how it has become integral to their daily lives. Through the joys and challenges of married life—including a battle with cancer—NFP provided them with not only a way to honor their faith and fertility but also a tool to navigate health struggles together. Their testimony is a powerful witness to the strength of faith, love, and commitment in facing life’s uncertainties.

Join us for this inspiring conversation about marriage, faith, and the life-changing impact of NFP!

Resource:

Couple-To-Couple League: https://ccli.org/?srsltid=AfmBOor6sYHAvsyLvKIk6AmF-0PYtnn9u7LwmCV7LaHIoQTFfuUb-Fb9

In this episode of The NFP Podcast, Amy and Emily sit down with Jackie Aguilar, the Director of Education for Natural Womanhood. Jackie shares her personal journey with Natural Family Planning and how it led her to become a trained FertilityCare Practitioner in the Creighton Model and a certified Sympto-Thermal Method instructor with the Couple to Couple League.

Jackie’s passion for women’s health shines as she discusses the transformative work she’s doing at Natural Womanhood, equipping young girls and young adult women with knowledge about their cycles. From fertility education to body literacy, Jackie explains why cycle awareness is essential for every woman’s health and well-being. Whether you're new to NFP or looking for ways to introduce these concepts to the next generation, this conversation is filled with inspiration and insight!

Tune in for an engaging discussion on the power of fertility awareness and how it’s shaping the future of women’s health.

Resources:

Natural Womanhood: https://naturalwomanhood.org/

Period Genius: https://www.naturalwomanhood.courses/

Cycle Mindfulness Clubs: https://naturalwomanhood.org/cycle-mindfulness-clubs/

Creighton Model FertilityCare System: https://creightonmodel.com/

Contact Jackie: [email protected]

In this final installment of our Lenten reflection series on Familiaris Consortio, Amy and Emily wrap up their journey through St. John Paul II’s landmark apostolic exhortation on the Christian family. As Lent draws to a close, they reflect on how the Holy Father’s timeless vision for marriage and family life continues to challenge, inspire, and guide us today.

Join us as we discuss the Church’s mission to families and the family’s mission to the world, exploring what it means to be a domestic church rooted in love, truth, and sacrificial grace. Amy and Emily share personal insights and practical takeaways for couples striving to live out their vocation in a culture that often pulls in the opposite direction.

Whether you’ve followed along all Lent or are just tuning in, this episode is a rich and encouraging capstone to our journey through Familiaris Consortio. Let’s enter Holy Week with renewed hearts, ready to embrace the call to holiness in family life.

Subscribe, share, and journey with us toward Easter joy!

Resources: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html#:~:text=The%20Precious%20Value%20of%20Marriage%20and%20of%20the%20Family&text=The%20Church%20is%20deeply%20convinced,of%20the%20People%20of%20God.