Living a Culture of Life Podcast | Human Life International

What's the biggest challenge for pro-lifers in Europe? Are there signs of hope? What's the difference between Western countries and post-Soviet countries? These are some of the questions HLI's European Regional Director, Fr. Francesco Giordano, answers on this episode. Fr. Giordano also discusses the importance of intellectual ideas. There's a culture war going on in society. It's important that adults are equipped to help rising generations preserve Western culture. 00:00 Intro 01:34 Rome library 04:03 Pro-life challenges 06:00 Cultural change 07:20 Kindling pro-life change 09:08 Western vs. post-Soviet countries 11:17 Importance of language 12:44 Hope for Gen Z 14:14 Philosophy matters 16:45 Books to read 18:25 Duties of adults 19:20 An article a day keeps heresy away 19:53 Favorite mission story 23:00 Be seekers of truth

Why does birth control lead to gay marriage? Why did no-fault divorce lead to pedophilia? On this episode, Dr. Jennifer Morse of the Ruth Institute discusses the 3 big ideas of the 1960s Sexual Revolution: divorce, contraception, and gender ideology. These 3 ideas are the foundation for many of today’s cultural crises involving marriage, abortion, and transgender/LGBTQ issues. If you can respond to these 3 ideas, you can address many problems in America’s current society.

What does a pro-life missionary do? On this episode, one of HLI’s Regional Directors, Dr. Ligaya Acosta, joins us to discuss the pro-life mission in Asia. Dr. Acosta talks about her life as a pro-life missionary and the challenges facing pro-lifers. She also shares stories about the many conversions she’s witnessed over the years—including her own!

How can you help your kids avoid porn? That’s what Lynn Griesemer wanted to know. There’s lots of information about pornography addiction and recovery. But how can we decrease the demand in the first place? On this episode, Lynn discusses her book, "Porn Free: How to Decrease the Demand for Pornography,” which offers practical advice for people looking to help their families avoid pornography. By cultivating a healthy relationship with your children, and by fostering certain virtues, you can prepare your children to say NO to pornography. Lynn’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Porn-Free-Decrease-Demand-Pornography/dp/0966106687/

Dr. George Delgado joins us to discuss his experience reversing chemical abortions. On this episode, he shares the story of his first reversal, discusses why women regret abortion, and explains why it’s ok that abortion pill reversal is not FDA approved yet. Dr. Delgado also describes how mifepristone (also known as RU-486) and misoprostol work together to end a child’s life. Abortion pill reversal uses a natural hormone, progesterone, to protect the embryo from the deadly effects of mifepristone. It’s a safe and effective way to reverse chemical abortions. https://stenoinstitute.org/ https://abortionpillreversal.com/

Kurt Kondrich’s daughter Chloe has Down syndrome. After her birth, he discovered a shocking statistic: In the United States, nearly 70% of children prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome die from abortion. On this episode, Kurt joins us to discuss the many blessings of Down syndrome. We must stop using prenatal tests for eugenic selection. Kurt's organization, Embrace Don't Erase, advocates for individuals with Down syndrome. http://embracedonterase.org/

How can Catholics respond to modern culture? How can we be leaders? In this episode, Bishop Thomas Paprocki joins us to discuss the need for Catholics to read the signs of the times. Then he offers advice for confronting these issues through leadership.

How do we slow down and enjoy our children? And how can we encourage couples to welcome children? On this episode, Maria Jones, a mom of six, joins us to talk about the blessings of Catholic family life. She also offers advice for raising happy, holy children. One of Nine UK YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@oneofnine

All too often, pro-lifers focus all their energy on getting rid of abortion. But as long as contraception is used and accepted, abortion won’t go away. Birth control leads directly to abortion. Why is this? On this episode, Fr. Boquet discusses why contraception and abortion are inherently intertwined. E-book link: https://www.hli.org/offers/discover-why-contraception-always-leads-to-abortion/

Should Catholics donate organs? Isn’t it a heroic life-giving service? Not so fast. While organ donation can be a good thing, it’s often abused. In today’s society, it might be imprudent. On this episode, Michael Vacca from the Christ Medicus Association joins us to talk about ethical questions about organ donation, including: brain death, live donors vs dead donors, organ donation and driver’s licenses, and using Advanced Medical Directives. HLI resource article: https://www.hli.org/resources/can-catholics-donate-organs/

Robin Sertell’s mother tried three times to abort her. Thankfully, Robin survived. On this episode, Robin shares her story of growing up as an abortion survivor. Abortion Survivors Network: https://abortionsurvivors.org/

As more countries experience the social and economic problems of a low birth rate, some have started offering financial incentives for couples to have more children. However, many young people don’t want more than one child. In this episode, Fr. Boquet discusses the underlying spiritual issue and offers suggestions for how you can encourage families to have more children. Spirit and Life: https://www.hli.org/2023/02/a-demographic-crisis/

People often use emotional scenarios to justify abortion. Some argue that abortion is necessary for cases of rape and incest, fetal disabilities, or to save the life of the mother. But abortion is never the answer. In this episode, Fr. Boquet offers a pro-life response to these “hard cases.” ‘Why We Don’t Need Abortion (even for the “hard cases”)’ E-Book: https://www.hli.org/offers/ebook-why-we-dont-need-abortion/

People tend to view their bodies in two distinct ways. Some see their body as a tool. And some see their body as their entire being. Often, these views are split along gender lines. In this podcast episode, Mary Stanford discusses the Catholic understanding of the body and how these two views of the body affect relationships between men and women. She also talks about how technology affects our bodily perceptions of shame and communication. Mary Stanford’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Obedience-Paradox-Finding-Freedom-Marriage/dp/1681926954

Recently, the anti-life agenda to indoctrinate children has been taken to a new level. From pro-LGBTQ books in preschools, to drag queen story hours, to Balenciaga’s latest scandal, children’s innocence is attacked on every level. But how should parents respond? How can they stand up to anti-life intimidation? On our most recent episode, Fr. Boquet answers these questions, and more! Spirit and Life: https://www.hli.org/2022/12/stop-the-sexualization-of-our-children/

“Why are you still marching?” This was a common question at the national March for Life, which occurred in D.C. on January 20th. In past years, this event commemorated the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and called for Roe to be overturned. So, why did pro-lifers march this year? In this episode, Fr. Boquet explains why the March for Life is still important, even though Roe is overturned. Spirit and Life: https://www.hli.org/2023/01/why-we-still-march-post-roe/

Dr. Joseph Meaney, from the National Catholic Bioethics Center, discusses the many different types of questions asked on the NCBC’s hotline. From end-of-life care, to Church teaching on frozen embryos, to the morality of cremation, this episode is full of Catholics answers to common (and uncommon!) ethical questions. Chapters: End-of-life care: 2:26 Vaccines and medications: 12:49 IVF and frozen embryos: 17:03 Cremation: 29:24 NCBC website: https://www.ncbcenter.org/ NCBC ethics hotline: https://www.ncbcenter.org/ask-a-question

Pope Benedict XVI consistently reminded Catholics about the importance of human life, from conception until natural death. His encyclicals and other writings always affirmed the need to respect life, marriage, and the family. In this episode, Fr. Boquet reflects on Benedict XVI’s legacy, including some of his virtues that we can emulate. Spirit and Life: https://www.hli.org/2023/01/defending-truth-life-and-family-benedict-xvis-legacy/

On this episode, Bruce and Jeannie Hannemann share the story of their relationship, the effects of porn on their marriage, and how they found a program that offers true healing. They also discuss the addictive power of porn and how it relates to other life issues such as contraception, family life, and human dignity. Jeannie and Bruce Hannemann are the founders of Elizabeth Ministries International, which offers hope, help and healing on issues related to relationships, sexuality, and childbearing. https://www.elizabethministry.org/ Jeannie also founded NAVIGATE Betrayal, which is an online learning management program for women made by women who understand the pain of infidelity. https://www.navigatebetrayal.com/ Bruce directs RECLAIM Sexual Health, which is a state of the art, online recovery program for individuals struggling with pornography and other unhealthy sexual behaviors. https://www.reclaimsexualhealth.com/ Spirit and Life article, Pornography Addiction and Its Consequences: https://www.hli.org/2022/12/pornography-addiction-and-its-consequences/

On this episode, Father Boquet discusses the current state of the pro-life movement in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He also shares details about HLI’s expansion plan, which will meet the needs of 38 new countries! By 2027, pro-life missionaries could be in 154 countries! Join this mission today: https://www.hli.org/giving/

Why is Christmas the heart of the pro-life movement? Should we celebrate Christmas all year long? Is this Father Boquet’s favorite holiday? Tune in to our Christmas episode to find out the answers to these (and more!) questions!

In this exciting episode, Wendy Burpee talks about her experience having three abortions at Planned Parenthood, her reversion back to Christianity, and what it’s like to run a pro-life pregnancy center. She also discusses the services that pregnancy centers offer and some practical tips for helping women who are considering abortion. Wendy’s website: https://wendy4life.org/ Wendy’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7X2NX22/ Miracle of Life video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APkV40vUhWs

For this Thanksgiving episode, Fr. Boquet reflects on the many pro-life accomplishments of 2022. There is so much to be thankful for! Spirit and Life articles: Pro-Life Laws Close Abortion Clinics - https://www.hli.org/2022/10/pro-life-laws-close-abortion-clinics/ Troubling Results in Five States after Midterms - https://www.hli.org/2022/11/troubling-results-in-five-states-after-midterms/ Other articles: 66 abortion clinics closed 100 days post-Roe: https://www.guttmacher.org/2022/10/100-days-post-roe-least-66-clinics-across-15-us-states-have-stopped-offering-abortion-care 10,000 lives saved: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/overturning-roe-has-meant-at-least-10000-fewer-legal-abortions/ 14 states now abortion-free: https://www.lifenews.com/2022/11/15/88-abortion-business-close-down-this-year-14-states-now-abortion-free/

Abortionist Kermit Gosnell killed children in Philadelphia for decades. Now, he is serving three lifetime sentences in jail. So, why does his story still matter? Fr. Boquet discusses Gosnell and reveals why his story is still extremely relevant. Spirit and Life article: https://www.hli.org/2022/09/americas-most-prolific-serial-killer-on-air/ Gosnell podcast by Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/serial-killer-a-true-crime-podcast/id1628964677?i=1000567486914 HLI article on Gosnell: https://www.hli.org/resources/kermit-gosnell/ Gosnell movie (and book): http://gosnellmovie.com/

In this episode, Fr. Boquet discusses the world’s recent population milestone: 8 billion people! While many welcomed the 8th billion person with open arms, population control groups have been ringing alarm bells. How should pro-lifers respond to their fears? Spirit and Life article: https://www.hli.org/2022/11/celebrating-as-population-reaches-8-billion/