Living a Culture of Life

Human Life International

Living out your pro-life values grows trickier by the day. Luckily, this podcast by Human Life International can help! Join us as we discuss the Catholic response to controversial topics (such as abortion, contraception, euthanasia, and the LGBTQ movement) in light of current pro-life events. Human Life International is a non-profit dedicated to helping pro-lifers like you change the world. Subscribe for new content each Thursday. We are living the culture of life. Come join us!

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The Price of Life: Exploring the Human Cost of Surrogacy
5d ago
The Price of Life: Exploring the Human Cost of Surrogacy
What’s the problem with surrogacy? How is it different from adoption? Does the surrogacy industry exploit vulnerable women?On this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet unpacks the problems with surrogacy. He also shares his experience in the mission field, where both surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are common problems.Often, people assume that these practices serve the family. In reality, surrogacy and IVF abuse the rights of the child, couple, and surrogate mom. It’s important that medical professionals, priests, and the laity understand these bioethical issues.Help send bioethical education around the global! Send your best gift here: Give the world another pro-life leader | Human Life International (hli.org)More Resources:Father’s Spirit and Life article: Pope Francis Calls for Surrogacy Ban, Affirms Human Dignity (hli.org)Resource article on IVF and Ethical Treatments for Infertility:  In Vitro Fertilization: Ethical Issues | HLIFree 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 Intro01:31 Mission Update07:09 IVF in Developing Nations11:32 Ukrainian Surrogacy13:48 Types of Surrogacies19:37 What are a Child's Rights?21:08 Infertility24:01 Surrogacy vs. Adoption30:16 Common Reasons for Surrogacy33:04 Openness to Life36:03 Preying on Vulnerable Women42:15 Pope Francis's Comments45:28 Need for Bioethical Education
Cultural Pushback Against Euthanasia in Canada | Amanda Achtman
Feb 29 2024
Cultural Pushback Against Euthanasia in Canada | Amanda Achtman
Why do people get euthanized? And how can we create a culture where euthanasia is unthinkable?Canada's stats are shocking. Since 2016, over 50,000 individuals have died from legal euthanasia and assisted suicide. So, what can we do? Right now, Amanda Achtman is on a mission to end euthanasia in Canada. Through her project Dying to Meet You, Amanda is creating a hopeful, life-affirming alternative to counter cultural despair. Find out more by listening to today’s episode! Please Note: after filming this episode, Canada's government postponed euthanasia for mental illness until at least March 2027. Please pray that this pause is permanent!Resources:Check out Amanda's work: Dying To Meet YouChristine’s video: "Don't Euthanize Me" | Christine's Story (youtube.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)Chapters:00:00 Meet Amanda01:44 Dying to Meet You02:40 Church as an Expert in Humanity06:00 Panel Topics09:22 Positive Alternative Vision11:33 Suffering13:54 Canada Euthanasia Stats19:06 Why are People Euthanized?22:00 Hope vs. Despair23:36 Mass of a Lifetime29:22 Nursing Homes?31:29 Meaningful Activities?35:35 USA and Euthanasia37:33 Euthanasia vs. Assisted Suicide40:57 Christine's Story: Don't Euthanize Me49:40 Making Euthanasia Unthinkable51:44 Don't Lose Hope!Living the Culture of Life
Ukraine Caught Between Russian Guns and U.S. Abortion Demands
Feb 22 2024
Ukraine Caught Between Russian Guns and U.S. Abortion Demands
How has the war with Russia changed pro-life work in Ukraine? Why is this the best time to promote life and family? And do Americans really understand Ukrainian values?On today's episode, Genia Samborska (HLI's affiliate in Ukraine) and Valentyna Pavsyukova join us for an in-depth discussion about the fight for life and family in Ukraine. Discover Ukraine's conservative values, hear stories of ex-abortionist's profound conversions, and find out how Genia shut down illegal abortion pill distribution in neighboring Poland.Resources:Donate to HLI and help Genia's work in Ukraine! Send your best gift here: Human Life International | Pro-life. Catholic. Global. (hli.org)Chalice of Mercy: Chalice of Mercy, non-profit organization for the Ukraine.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)Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:01:50 Soviet Anti-Life Influence00:04:13 Russian Invasion00:06:10 American Influence00:07:20 Is Russia Really Pro-Family?00:09:38 Is Ukraine Liberal?00:11:40 OB/GYN Pilgrimages00:13:10 Is Abortion Legal?00:15:25 Ex-Abortionist Conversions00:24:15 2nd Conversion Story00:32:50 Best Time to Defend Life and Family?00:37:11 Abortion Pills in Poland00:48:30 A Secret Phone Call00:52:32 HLI Ukraine's Mission00:58:40 American Perception of Ukraine01:03:25 Upcoming Pro-Life Bill01:07:00 Chalice of MercyLiving the Culture of Life
How Birth Control Disrupts Chemistry in Relationships | Dr. Joe Malone
Jan 4 2024
How Birth Control Disrupts Chemistry in Relationships | Dr. Joe Malone
What type of men do women want? How does birth control affect the science of relationships? Can the pill make you choose the wrong man?Hormonal birth control negatively affects a woman’s mental and physical health. And it also alters chemical attraction between men and women.Because birth control disrupts a woman’s hormonal cycle, it changes who she’s attracted to—chemically. This can cause severe relationship issues down the road. It even affects a couple’s fertility! Moreover, men tend to find naturally cycling women more attractive as well.Hormonal birth control hurts relationships. On today’s podcast episode, Dr. Joe Malone breaks down the biological reason why this happens. Find out how birth control affects chemistry between men and women! 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)Chapters:00:00 Welcome Back01:00 Birth Control Shuts Down a Woman's Cycle04:45 Types of Men Women are Attracted To06:05 Problem with Altered Attraction08:33 Best of Both Worlds11:23 Chemistry & Fertility15:10 Effeminate Men?16:24 Environmental Factors18:30 Sperm Counts Dropping20:00 Demographic Winter Causes23:00 IVF Problems24:40 Types of Women Men are Attracted To29:09 Attraction During Pregnancy33:27 Impact on Mental Health35:58 Birth Control Changes Women38:40 Sex Drive Slows40:10 Blood Clots & CancerLiving the Culture of Life
Inside Planned Parenthood's Sex-Education: Selling Abortion to Kids
Dec 21 2023
Inside Planned Parenthood's Sex-Education: Selling Abortion to Kids
What does Planned Parenthood teach kids in schools? How does sex-education funnel kids to abortion? And why should you care?Monica Leal Cline was trained by Planned Parenthood to be a sex-educator. On today’s episode, she shares an insider look at Planned Parenthood’s sex-ed program. Find out how sex-ed purposefully divides children from parents, encourages 9-year-olds to have sex, and pushes young girls (secretly!) towards abortion.Monica also shares the pedophilia behind the philosophy of sex-education programs. Alfred Kinsey’s “research” of children directly affects what your kids learn in school.Resources:Monica’s website: https://www.ittakesafamily.org/Help stop Big Abortion from taking over the developing world! Click here for more info: Human Life International (hli.org)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)Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Monica00:02:58 Age Brackets00:04:46 Enabling Sexual Abuse00:06:41 Alfred Kinsey's Worldview00:12:43 Pedophile Philosophy in Sex-Ed Programs00:17:02 Dividing Kids from Parents00:25:03 FBI Grooming Steps00:27:34 Planned Parenthood Icebreaker00:30:55 Sex-Ed Feeds Abortion00:36:18 Abstinence? 00:39:06 Planned Parenthood Chased Out of School00:43:27 Sex is Beautiful! 00:45:54 Advice for Parents00:54:45 Kids Want Help01:00:29 Leaving Planned Parenthood01:02:23 Hiding Human Trafficking01:06:53 Problems with ConsentLiving the Culture of Life
Masculine Virtues in Popular "Lord of the Rings" Characters
Dec 14 2023
Masculine Virtues in Popular "Lord of the Rings" Characters
Is Aragorn the epitome of masculinity? How do Lord of the Rings characters model masculine virtues? Why is this even important?Right now, there’s a masculinity crisis in society. People talk about toxic masculinity. Boys don’t know how to be strong men and good fathers. Many men don’t know what positive masculinity looks like!The breakdown of masculinity contributes to the breakdown of the family. This, in turn, leads to abortion and many other societal evils.So, how do we model manhood for today’s world? Books and movies can be excellent models of virtue, since they form minds and imaginations. Many of J. R. R. Tolkien’s LOTR characters embody positive masculinity.On today’s episode, we unpack the many masculine virtues in popular Lord of the Rings characters (both in the books and the movies). Find out what you can learn from Aragorn, Legolas, and the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring (plus Faramir)!Resources: 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: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:16 LOTR Memories00:02:25 Tolkien's Father00:04:55: Downfall of Masculinity00:06:34 Bad Examples in Media00:07:32 Red Pill Men, Effeminate Men, Bumbling Dads00:09:21 Why Lord of the Rings? 00:11:00 Aragorn | Healthy Masculinity00:13:37 Aragorn | Surprising Masculine Traits00:19:15 Reluctant King vs. Servant King00:22:25 Faramir | Virtue of Following00:32:40 Boromir | Redemption After Pride00:42:20 Effeminate Elves? 00:47:33 Legolas & Gimli | Male Friendship00:56:13 The Hobbits | The Everymen01:11:28 Gandalf | Humility & CompassionLiving the Culture of Life
Does Birth Control Affect Health? An Honest Look by a Women's Health Practitioner
Dec 7 2023
Does Birth Control Affect Health? An Honest Look by a Women's Health Practitioner
How does birth control affect fertility? Why do I have weight gain from birth control pill? What are the birth control pill side effects?There's a reason women ask these questions. Right now, millions of women are one some form of hormonal birth control, such as the mini-pill or IUD. But many don’t realize that birth control comes with a host of health risks. Many teen girls are placed on the birth control pill to “fix” heavy bleeding or menstrual issues. But birth control doesn’t heal the underlying issue. Often, it masks fertility issues, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.On today’s episode, Dr. Jessica Whelan, a woman’s health expert, unpacks the side-effects of hormonal birth control. A woman’s natural cycles positively impact her health and fertility. But the synthetic hormones found in birth control damage health.Dr. Whelan also shares her experience helping women heal hormonal imbalances and detox from birth control.Listen to today’s episode to find out why birth control harms (instead of helps) women’s health!Dr. Whelan’s website: https://drwhelan.com/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)More Information: The Dozens of Negative Effects of Hormonal Birth Control (hli.org)Living the Culture of Life
Which Pro-life Tactics Work? Former Abortion Worker Explains
Nov 30 2023
Which Pro-life Tactics Work? Former Abortion Worker Explains
Why do abortion workers quit? How does the abortion industry really treat women? Which pro-life strategies are really effective? On this episode, Kelly Lester, from And Then There Were None, reveals the motivations of employees at abortion clinics. A former receptionist at an abortion clinic, Kelly discusses manipulation tactics her clinic used to convince women to get abortions. This episode covers many topics including: protesting outside abortion clinics, the power of prayer, how clinics got around parental consent laws, and how pro-lifers can help abortion employees leave the industry and find healing. In order to effectively reach women, it’s critical that pro-lifers understand pro-abortion mindset. Find out more by listening to today's episode! And Then There Were None: And Then There Were None. (abbyj.com)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)Chapters: 00:00 Meet Kelly Lester02:44 Working at an Abortion Clinic04:45 Power of Prayer06:15 Finding Healing07:27 Avoiding Parental Consent08:44 Why Abortion Workers Quit11:00 Mindset of Employees13:13 Why Clinics Manipulate Women15:08 Underlying Motivation? 16:49 Protesting: Helpful or Not? 17:58 Prayer: Helpful or Not? 20:39 Why Women Get Abortions21:43 Why Women Need Advocates24:00 No Men Allowed25:33 Financial Struggles27:26 How Pro-Lifers Can Help Workers Get OutLiving the Culture of Life
Biology of How Men & Women Bond Differently | Dr. Joe Malone
Nov 16 2023
Biology of How Men & Women Bond Differently | Dr. Joe Malone
Is love chemistry? How do couples bond physically? And why does casual sex biologically harm relationships?Dr. Joe Malone is a Sexual Integrity Scientist. While studying the biological and chemical bonding process of men and women, he discovered that chastity lays the groundwork for love! When men and women hook up, the natural bonding process is disrupted.Find out how men and women really fall in love by listening to today’s podcast episode.Dr. Joe Malone addresses common questions about romantic relationships, including:How do men fall in love with women? How do women fall in love with men? Why is hookup culture toxic? Is hookup culture destroying society? Why is sex before marriage bad for relationships? How does hookup culture hurt women? Will casual sex harm my relationship? How does porn affect bonding?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)Dr. Malone's Resources:Website: https://www.drjoemalone.com/“Battles of the Sexes” book: https://www.amazon.com/Battles-Sexes-Raising-Conflict-Empower-ebook/dp/B07D97LQ67Sex IQ: https://www.sexiq.org/Chapters: 00:00:00 What is a Sexual Integrity Scientist? 00:04:08 Sexual Wellness & Integrity00:06:29 Science Supports Catholic Teaching00:10:53 Pair Bonding Throughout History00:13:53 Chimpanzees Designed to be Polygamous 00:16:12 Humans Designed to be Monogamous 00:19:32 How Men Fall in Love00:26:14 Casual Sex Hurts Relationships00:29:00 Factors Affecting Relationship Length00:30:53 Male Testosterone Drops00:33:27 How Long It Takes for Men to Bond00:34:34 How Porn Affects Men00:38:18 How Porn Affects Women00:39:36 Sex After Marriage00:44:10 What is Romantic Chemistry?00:48:13 Lap Dancer Study00:51:12 Male T-Shirt Study00:53:10 Kissing Chemistry00:55:00 Cryptic Rejection00:55:55 Health Benefits of Ditching Condoms00:58:19 Feminism Hurt Women01:04:29 High Standards in a Promiscuous Society?01:07:00 Smart Men Don't Hookup01:11:40 Casual Sex Hurts Men TooLiving the Culture of Life