PODCAST · health
Managing Your Fertility
by Bridget Busacker
An evidence-based women’s health podcast on menstrual cycles, hormones, fertility awareness, and informed consent.Hosted by Bridget Busacker, MA, a women’s health communicator trained in public health and journalism, each episode blends research, expert interviews, and lived experience - from miscarriage and postpartum to hormonal imbalance. Topics include cycle charting, infertility, endometriosis, intimacy, and restorative reproductive medicine, so you can understand your body and make confident health decisions.https://www.managingyourfertility.com
Episodes
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79 – What Catholics Aren’t Saying About IVF, NFP & Fertility
I'm joined by Mary Bruno, author, speaker, Certified Creighton Practitioner, cofounder of the nonprofit FAM Base (fabmbase.org), and founder of White Lotus Blooming. Today we're discussing her pilot program, Catechism Caviar. We talk about how it helps women and couples navigate NFP, IVF…
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78 - Why You Feel ‘Touched Out’—and What It’s Doing to Your Marriage
What if the reason you don’t want to be touched at the end of the day… isn’t rejection - but nervous system overload?In this honest, hope-filled conversation, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Bartel, moral theologian and Catholic sex & marriage coach, to talk about what it really means to feel touched…
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77 - We’re Surrounded by Sex… So Why Are We Still Unsatisfied?
A new adaptation of Wuthering Heights has sparked conversation — but is it truly reflective of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, or something else entirely? In this episode, I explore the difference between intimacy and spectacle, why hyper-sexualized reinterpretations of classic literature...
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76 - What If the Catholic Church Was Right About Birth Control?
What if the Church wasn’t behind the times - but actually ahead of them? In this powerful conversation, chemist, wife, and mom Katelyn Capistrant joins me to unpack what it really means to integrate faith and science - and why rethinking cultural narratives around feminism, career, and birth...
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75 - What to Do When Your Doctor Says Everything Is ‘Normal’—But It Doesn’t Feel That Way
Curious about restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) and how it can transform women’s healthcare? In this episode, Dr. Marguerite Duane, a physician and co-founder of FACTS about Fertility, explains what RRM really is, how it works, and why it’s an empowering approach for women seeking answers...
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Welcome to Managing Your Fertility
Welcome to Managing Your Fertility - the podcast where women’s health meets hope and integration. Hosted by Bridget Busacker, each episode explores how your menstrual cycle is more than a monthly event - it’s a fifth vital sign that reflects your whole-body health. Here, we take a holistic…
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74 - What You’re Not Being Told About Hormonal Birth Control
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marguerite Duane, a board-certified family physician and co-founder of FACTS about Fertility. Dr. Duane draws on her extensive expertise to explain how hormonal contraception works, its impact on women’s health, and evidence-based alternatives like fertility...
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73 - When Scrupulosity Is Hurting Your Intimacy (and What to Do About It)
I'm joined by Sarah Bartel, PhD, a moral theologian and Catholic sex and marriage coach, to dive deep into some challenging and enlightening topics about sex and marriage. Sarah and her husband, Nathan, have served thousands of Catholic couples through their CanaFeast online ministry, offering...
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72 - Pray with Me! Our Lady, Intercessor of Fertility Awareness
In this special episode, I’m sharing a prayer I wrote a few years ago for all of us on our fertility journeys. Whether you're facing infertility, pregnancy loss, or navigating family planning, this prayer invites Mary, our Blessed Mother, to be with us, offering her loving intercession as we...
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71 - When You Don’t Want to Have Sex: How to Navigate Guilt, Honesty, and Intimacy in Marriage
I'm joined by Mary Bruno, Creighton Practitioner, author, and co-founder of FAbM Base, to discuss her newest book, "Missing Pieces: Female Perspectives on Sex for Catholic Women", which I am also very honored to have contributed to! This book bridges the gap between your high school sex talks…
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70 - Facing IVF or IUI as a Catholic: What You Need to Know (and Consider)
I'm joined by Mary Bruno, Creighton Practitioner, author, and fo-founder of FAbM Base, to discuss restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and IUI from a personal perspective in her own fertility journey and her insights and training as a Creighton Pracitioner to many...
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69 - There Are Other Options Beyond IVF - Here’s What Most Women Aren’t Told
I'm joined by Marguerite Duane to discuss restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) options for women, men, and couples navigating infertility or "unexplained infertility" diagnoses, who are then recommended in-vitro fertilization (IVF) as an option to conceive a child(ren). While we identify what...
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68 - Do You Owe Your Spouse Sex? A Catholic Look at ‘Marital Debt’ (part 3/3)
This is part 3 of the 3-part series on marital debt. Listen to part 1 & part 2. Tim Pawl is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He works on metaphysics, philosophical theology, and moral psychology. In metaphysics he works on truthmaker...
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67 - When You Want to Say No to Sex: What’s Actually Okay in Marriage? (part 2/3)
This is part 2 of the 3-part series on marital debt. Listen to part 1 & part 3. Tim Pawl is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He works on metaphysics, philosophical theology, and moral psychology.In metaphysics he works on truthmaker...
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66 - Do You Owe Your Spouse Sex? Understanding ‘Marital Debt’ in Marriage (part 1/3)
This is part 1 of the 3-part series on marital debt. Listen to part 2 & part 3. Tim Pawl is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He works on metaphysics, philosophical theology, and moral psychology. In metaphysics he works on truthmaker...
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65 - Do Sex Scenes Change How You See Intimacy? Let’s Talk About It
Should we watch sex scenes in movies? Could they negatively or positively impact marital sex? Today, I sit down with David and we talk about our own experiences navigating sex scenes in movies and the movie that challenged us to discuss how we would approach this issue in our own marriage moving...
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64 - Women’s Health Feels Broken Right Now - Here’s What You Need to Know (Plus a Free Resource)
What if you could talk to your medical professional with confidence about charting your cycle?! In today's episode, I sit down and talk about the current state of women's health care, the challenges we face as women to navigate our care and what we need, and practical strategies for how you can...
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63 - What Happens When You Finally Understand Your Body (and Why It Changes Everything)
Does body literacy matter? I'm sitting down with Christina Valenzuela, founder of Pearl & Thistle, and author of the book, "Cycle Charting for Single Women: The Catholic woman's guide to charting your menstrual cycle for health and wholeness". We discuss the need for body literacy, what it is…
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62 - Why You’re Doing Everything Right… But Still Don’t Feel Well (Functional Nutrition Q&A)
We're coming back at ya with a Q&A all about functional nutrition by answering your questions from Instagram! Here's what we cover in today's episode - What are general signs of hormonal imbalances? Can healthy eating heal chrons How do you do supplements? Are they safe? It can seem sketchy…
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61 - You’re Eating Healthy… So Why Don’t You Feel Better?
Have you ever wondered if food can help the body heal? Do some foods negatively impact your health (sleep, cycle, etc.)? What if you could eat differently and achieve the results you want for your hormonal health? Today, I'm talking with Ginny Noce, MS, RN, CNC, Certified FEMM Instructor and...
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60 - How to Feel Close Again: Simple Ways to Reconnect with Your Spouse
If you're wondering how you can build deeper connection in your marriage, but don't know where to start, this episode is for you!! Today, I'm talking with Melissa Tablada, licensed marriage & family therapist, to talk about practical strategies, ideas, and opportunities for you to grow in your...
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59 - Feeling Stuck in ‘Shoulds’? How to Reclaim Your Life and Calling as a Woman
What do you think about the idea of women saying "yes" to what God calls them to and not fitting into a particular box or stereotypical role? In this episode, I take a deep dive with my guest, Elise Gallagher, into what it means to be a Catholic woman who lives out her YES to God's calling in her...
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58 - You Feel Disconnected from Your Body and Life - Here’s How to Start Integrating It All” (Free Workbook)
How do you integrate your physical, mental, & spiritual wellbeing? In this episode, I breakdown what it means to live a life of integration and how to practically do this in your own life. Paired with this episode is a workbook that you can download to journal, explore different questions, and...
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57 - You Asked: Sex, Desire, and What’s Actually Normal in Marriage
I asked for YOUR questions about sex & intimacy and you all delivered! I am sitting down with Dr. Sarah Bartel, moral theologian, to answer your questions. We are unafraid to get specific, honest, and address the nuances that can come from these kinds of questions, so we don't recommend this for...
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56 - Confused About a Priest’s Role in NFP? Here’s What You Need to Know
What is priest's role when it comes to NFP? Here's my hot take. We rely too heavily on our priests. We think priests should take care of everything. We expect this in many areas of parish life and spiritual life, which I think is problematic because we are the church. We need to show up and…
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55 - How to Talk About NFP So Women Actually Listen (3 Simple Shifts)
Maybe you've been a part of the marriage prep training that highlights NFP with frolicking couples smiling at each other and the promo that NFP is life-changing. And then, it wasn't. Well, not in the ways you anticipated. *cue all the emotions* In this episode, I talk about THREE ways we can…
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54 - How to Own Your NFP Story - Even If It’s Messy or Complicated
Do we make space for every NFP story? There are a lot of gaps when it comes to NFP. From marketing, teaching, instruction, spiritual direction... unless you happen to be in a great parish with a priest who is comfortable supporting parishioners, mentor couples to help with the practicals, and...
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53 - You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Holy: Rethinking What It Really Means
Ever heard the phrase "holier than thou"? In today's episode, I have the joy of sitting down with my dear friend Sr. Emily Syverson, Pro Ecclesia Sancta, to talk about holiness and what the heck it means to be holy! And, how holiness doesn't need to be this drab, scrupulous experience, but can...
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52 - Confused About Your Cycle? This Might Be the Missing Piece
Couple to Couple League (CCL) launched the Fertility Science Institute (FSI), which provides ongoing and long-term support for women and couples when it comes to all things related to charting and women's health. I got to sit down with Katie Zulanas, the Executive Director of CCL, to talk about…
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51 - Your Egg Quality Matters More Than You Think (And Not Just for Fertility)
Did you know your egg quality impacts your overall health? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Elisa Yao to discuss all aspects of egg quality and how we can improve our egg quality to reap positive health benefits, too! She shares what egg quality is, how to know if you have good egg quality or...
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50 - What the Latest Infertility Report Isn’t Telling Women
This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) came out with a report highlighting the number of people who struggle with infertility (1 in 6) and what its top recommendation is for increased care and access. I share my honest thoughts on the podcast and this report has spurred me to bring in...
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49 - How Purity Culture Might Still Be Affecting You (More Than You Realize)
What the heck is purity culture? Do you have command over your virginity or is it something your husband owns? How has purity culture negatively impacted sex? I'm sitting down with Bekah from Feminine Genius Ministries to get really honest about purity culture, what it is, and how it's impacting...
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48 - Why the Way You Think About Men Impacts Your Experience of Intimacy
In this episode, I explore mindset and how our thought patterns impact the way we live, think, and experience freedom or enslavement in our daily lives. I also talk about some of the core issues of men and women as it relates to Genesis 3:16, specifically addressing disordered desire (women) and...
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47 - Why Sexual Sin Feels So Hard to Break (and What Helps)
I sit down with David to talk about sexual sin, chastity, and about our own struggles to make sense of "how far is too far?" and never getting a straight-shooting answer from Catholic resources. This is the conversation we wished someone had with us and shared with us to help us understand HOW to...
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46 - Sex Questions You’ve Been Afraid to Ask (Answered Honestly)
What does it look like to enjoy sex during the luteal phase? Can you say "no" to sex with your spouse? How can you navigate a spontaneous vs. responsive libido? Dr. Sarah Bartel is joining me again to answer all of your sex questions you submitted to me on Instagram! We don't hold back, so this...
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45 - Why Your Pelvic Floor Matters More Than You Think (Not Just After Baby)
Have you ever had painful sex? Did you find things didn't feel "quite right" down there? Are you in the wild west of PP recovery and peeing your pants sounds like a reality for the rest of your life? In today's episode, I have the honor of sitting down with Dr. Chelsea Harkins, founder & PT...
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44 - Do You Have to Say Yes to Sex? Let’s Talk About Love, Sacrifice, and Boundaries
Does sacrificial love mean you never refuse your spouse sex? Can women enjoy sex or does it have to be a thing you "get through"? Is it the husband's job to help you have great sex, too? In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Bartel, co-founder of Cana Feast, to talk about sex and the work...
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43 - Why Isn’t There Birth Control for Men? (And What That Says About Women’s Health)
Why the heck don't men take contraceptives? After all, they're fertile all the time! In this episode, I explore why men don't take hormonal contraceptives, the challenges in research, and why I think women's healthcare needs an overhaul. Get curious with me! Shownotes: Why Don't Men Take Hormonal...
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42 - How the Pill Changed Women’s Health (and What We’re Still Untangling Today)
Today, I get lit up about the history of contraception, the limitations its placed on women (rather than freeing us) and the complications it's caused to our health. This conversation is the beginning of many because this topic is nuanced, challenging, and deserves more airtime than one episode....
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41 - Struggling with NFP? Let’s Talk About the Real-Life Messiness
What happens when NFP doesn't go the way you thought it would? How do you respond when you get a positive pregnancy test and you're feeling ALL the feels? Is it okay to love and hate NFP at the same time? My dear friend, Amanda, is joining me today to get REAL about NFP, share her story, and…
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40 - You’ve Heard ‘Theology of the Body’—But What Does It Look Like in Real Life?
How do you live out Theology of the Body in your daily life? What does it mean to embrace your body and your personhood? Can you live in integration with your body AND soul? Or, does one have more value than the other? I have the great joy of sitting down with my friend, Jen Messing, to talk…
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39 - You Can’t Live Integrated If You Don’t Understand Your Body
When we understand ourselves as women, we're able to show up fully to whatever table (or tables!) we sit at. When we're integrated, we can make informed, intentional choices in our lives that impact our progress: both the physical and spiritual goals we have for ourselves. Today, I'm leaning into...
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38 - Trying to Learn NFP on Your Own? Here’s Why That Might Be Holding You Back
I know, I say it a lot: you need an instructor. In this episode, I go into three reasons why you need an instructor and I get into some of the nitty gritty aspects of charting. Whether you're single, engaged, or married: this is the episode for you! And, this isn't specific to people with cycle...
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37 - Infertility and Foster Care: When the Path to Motherhood Looks Different
In this week's episode, Bridget sits down with Danielle Thompson, founder of Favor Fertility Ministry, to talk more about her story of infertility and the journey to foster care. She shares very openly and vulnerably about her journey of infertility and how foster care is impacting her family…
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36 - Why Modern Feminism Feels Incomplete - and What Women Really Need Instead
Have you ever wondered about the history of feminism? Did you ever feel like you didn't really fit into the movement based on your beliefs & values, but you sure as heck believe in the dignity of women? Do you dream about a feminism that embraces women AND their fertility AND their dreams? This...
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35 - What Actually Builds a Strong, Healthy Marriage? (Roles, Intimacy & Real Life)
Do you ever wonder if you're doing marriage "right"? Are you nervous that you might not have what it takes to create a healthy, thriving marriage? Curious about how you lean into God's grace in marriage and what that actually means? We're not saying we have all the answers, but we're definitely...
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34 - What If You Don’t Feel Bad About Premarital Sex? Let’s Talk About It
What does the Catholic Church teach about pre-marital sex? What do the stats say about pre-marital sex? How do those hormones work? Okay, we get it... but we still want to have sex! So, let's talk about it. Bridget sits down with Emily to talk about a struggle that's more commonly heard than not…
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33 - What Does ‘Good Sex’ in Marriage Actually Look Like? (A Catholic Perspective)
Have you ever wondered if it's okay to have great sex? Do you worry about Googling your questions only to come up with something you wish you could unsee? Are you wondering how the heck to have conversations about sex when it seems like it's taboo in Catholic circles? Let's kick off season 3 by...
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32 - Confused About Where to Start with Fertility Awareness? Your Questions Answered
I'm hopping on the podcast to share more about Start Your Chart™, how it started, and what you can expect out of this course! The course is LIVE, so don't hesitate to sign-up! Start Your Chart™ is all about helping you start charting! I provide you with practical tools and resources, so that you...
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31 - What Theology of the Body Looks Like in Real Life (Not Just in Theory)
What is Theology of the Body (TOB)? How do we live TOB out in marriages? Can TOB help us grow in joy in our marriages? The season finale is here and WHAT a finale it is! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Damon Owens to talk to him about Theology of the Body, specifically in the context of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
An evidence-based women’s health podcast on menstrual cycles, hormones, fertility awareness, and informed consent.Hosted by Bridget Busacker, MA, a women’s health communicator trained in public health and journalism, each episode blends research, expert interviews, and lived experience - from miscarriage and postpartum to hormonal imbalance. Topics include cycle charting, infertility, endometriosis, intimacy, and restorative reproductive medicine, so you can understand your body and make confident health decisions.https://www.managingyourfertility.com
HOSTED BY
Bridget Busacker
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Managing Your Fertility have?
Managing Your Fertility currently has 78 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Managing Your Fertility about?
An evidence-based women’s health podcast on menstrual cycles, hormones, fertility awareness, and informed consent.Hosted by Bridget Busacker, MA, a women’s health communicator trained in public health and journalism, each episode blends research, expert interviews, and lived experience - from...
How often does Managing Your Fertility release new episodes?
Managing Your Fertility has 78 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Managing Your Fertility?
You can listen to Managing Your Fertility on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Managing Your Fertility?
Managing Your Fertility is created and hosted by Bridget Busacker.
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