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In a culture that normalizes medical means for non-medical problems, where do we draw the line in the pursuit of beauty? In This Episode We explore the ethics of cosmetic procedures—from “baby Botox” and fillers to plastic surgery—and what they communicate about our bodies, our worth, and our deepest desires. Through the story of “Katie” and reflections from Theology of the Body, we ask: Does altering a healthy body help us love ourselves…or teach us to reject the gift we’ve been given? Is cosmetic “enhancement” actually making women more confident, or more insecure? How do we distinguish healing therapies from enhancements driven by cultural pressure? What does aging reveal about love, humility, and what lasts forever? Mentioned & Linked in This Episode Essay: Reject and Inject: The Ethics of Cosmetic Procedures Concepts from Theology of the Body (St. John Paul II) Reflections inspired by the life of Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo Cultural trends: “Sephora kids,” filters, and beauty consumerism Resources from Samantha Brave New Us podcast back catalog Essays on biotechnology, beauty culture, and being human at choosinghuman.org Subscribe to the newsletter For essays, link roundups, and book updates. Grow Where You’re Planted — preorder bonuses include a downloadable list of favorite non-toxic products Join the Conversation Have thoughts on this episode or beauty culture? Join the discussion at choosinghuman.org. If this episode resonated with you, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps others find the show.

Is assisted suicide compassionate—or is it a cultural failure to respond humanely to suffering? In this episode of Brave New Us, host Samantha Stephenson speaks with author and bioethics speaker Stephanie Gray Connors about physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and end-of-life ethics in the age of medical and technological power. Drawing on her book On Assisted Suicide (Word on Fire’s Dignity series), Stephanie examines how language like “death with dignity” and “medical aid in dying” reshapes our moral imagination—and why dignity is not something we lose when we suffer. From Canada’s rapidly expanding MAiD program to suicide pods in Europe and growing pressure on doctors and patients alike, this conversation explores what happens when a culture begins to treat death as a solution. We discuss suffering, autonomy, coercion, meaning, and the profound human need for relationship at the end of life. If you’re wrestling with questions about assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical ethics, or how to speak compassionately about death and dignity, this episode offers clarity without abstraction—and hope without denial. In this episode, we explore: Assisted suicide vs. natural death: what’s the ethical difference? Why “death with dignity” is a misleading phrase Canada’s MAiD program and rising assisted-death rates How normalization creates pressure on the elderly, disabled, and poor The illusion of control at the end of life Viktor Frankl, meaning, and despair in the face of suffering What compassionate, life-affirming end-of-life care really looks like About the guest Stephanie Gray Connors is an author and international speaker on bioethics, abortion, assisted suicide, and human dignity. She is the author of On Assisted Suicide in the Word on Fire Dignity Series and has debated and presented on life issues across North America. Originally from Canada and now living in the United States, she brings firsthand insight into the ethical and cultural consequences of legalized assisted suicide. Mentioned in this episode On Assisted Suicide — Stephanie Gray Connors Suicide Pods Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada The Atlantic on assisted suicide and physician pressure Mother euthanizes 12-year-old daughter Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning Nick Vujicic and The Butterfly Circus Mattie Stepanick Loveunleasheslife.com Leave a Review + Share the ShowRate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at choosinghuman.org

Why are women developing chronic illness at younger ages—and why are they so often dismissed when they seek answers? In this episode of Brave New Us, bioethicist and chronic illness patient Samantha Stephenson explores why women are disproportionately affected by autoimmune disease, migraines, infertility, depression, and other chronic conditions. Drawing from ethics, medicine, and lived experience, she examines the role of environmental toxins, hormonal contraception, abortion, and inequities in medical research—and asks how women can pursue real healing without ignoring the spiritual meaning of suffering. In This Episode Why women are getting sicker at younger ages Chronic illness, autoimmune disease, and women’s health Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in beauty, cleaning, and food products The “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) loophole Hormonal birth control as a band-aid—not a cure Side effects of hormonal contraceptives, including brain changes Restorative reproductive medicine and NaProTechnology Abortion and women’s physical and psychological health Why women are underrepresented in medical research The ethics of studying women’s bodies Finding meaning, faith, and intimacy with Christ through suffering Essays & Articles Samantha’s Essay (discussed in this episode) “Why Are Women So Sick?” — Claire the Catholic Feminist Abortion Is the Real Assault on Women— Crisis Magazine Women Deserve Better Than Abortion — Word on Fire Books & Films Your Brain on Birth Control— Sarah E. Hill Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering— Megan Hjelmstad (Blessed Is She) Hush(documentary) Women’s Health & Fertility Natural Cycles App TempDrop Other Mentions Alex Clark American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the menstrual cycle as the “fifth vital sign” Momosophy Substack (Elizabeth Kulze) Resources from Samantha Details on Samantha’s chronic illness journey Grow Where You’re Planted — including a downloadable list of favorite non-toxic products available with preorder Join the Conversation Have thoughts on this episode or personal experience with chronic illness? Subscribe to the newsletter to comment and to receive essays, link roundups, and book updates. If this episode resonated, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps others find the show.

Why are highly educated, ambitious women choosing large families in an age of falling birthrates, frozen eggs, and fertility tech? In this episode, Dr. Catherine Pakaluk joins Brave New Us to unpack her groundbreaking book Hannah’s Children: The Women Who Defied the Birth Dearth. We explore: What drives women to embrace motherhood as a vocation—not a fallback How the fertility crisis and biotech age shape our cultural assumptions about children, work, and worth Why choosing family is the most radical—and future-focused—choice a woman can make today About the guest: Dr. Catherine Pakaluk is a professor of social research and economic thought at the Catholic University of America and a mother of eight. Mentioned in the Episode Get Hannah’s Children A Catholic Guide to Infertility with John DiCamillo Leave a Review + Share the ShowRate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com Grab a copy of Samantha’s book Reclaiming Motherhood—a theology of the body for motherhood in the age of reproductive technologies.

Stacy Trasancos, author of IVF Is Not the Way, joins Samantha to unpack the hidden costs and ethical challenges of IVF and fertility technology. Drawing on her science background and faith, Stacy reveals why IVF often falls short—and why natural fertility awareness and restorative reproductive medicine offer hope that’s overlooked by mainstream medicine. We explore how the fertility industry profits from desperation, the ethical dilemmas of embryo freezing and manipulation, and how couples can reclaim control of their fertility through informed, compassionate alternatives. Links mentioned in the episode: IVF Is Not the Way by Stacy Trasancos Leave a Review + Share the ShowRate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com Leave a Review + Share the Show If this conversation opened your eyes to what stem cell therapy can do, please: Rate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com! Grab a copy of Samantha’s book Reclaiming Motherhood, a theology of the body for motherhood in an age of reproductive technologies.

In this episode of Brave New Us, Dr. Nathanael Blake joins host Samantha Stephenson to discuss his bold new book, Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All. Together, they unpack how a movement that promised personal freedom has led to cultural confusion, emotional harm, and deep philosophical contradictions. We explore: What sets Victims of the Revolution apart from other critiques of the Sexual Revolution Why the revolution’s “freedom” often means detaching the self from the body The real-life consequences for the most vulnerable—especially women and children What a more truthful and embodied view of human nature might look like Dr. Blake reveals the philosophical roots and political consequences of sexual liberation—and why reclaiming a sane, integrated view of the human person is key to healing what’s broken. Mentioned in the Episode Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us AllNathanael Blake at the EPPC: https://eppc.org/author/nathanael_blake/ Leave a Review + Share the Show If this conversation opened your eyes to what stem cell therapy can do, please: Rate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com! Grab a copy of Samantha’s book Reclaiming Motherhood, a theology of the body for motherhood in an age of reproductive technologies.

When does medicine cross the line from healing to harm? In this episode of Brave New Us, bioethicist and nurse researcher Kallie Fell, Executive Director of the Center for Bioethics and Culture (CBC), joins Samantha Stephenson to expose critical ethical questions around reproductive technologies, gender medicine, and medical consent. We dig into: The hidden risks and ethical concerns of IVF, egg donation, and commercial surrogacy How “informed consent” often fails in fertility treatments and gender-affirming care The rapid rise of pediatric gender clinics and controversies surrounding transgender medical interventions for minors What the CBC is uncovering about the commodification of human bodies in reproductive and gender medicine How profit motives influence both the fertility industry and gender-affirming healthcare Why women and vulnerable populations often bear the brunt of unregulated medical innovation This episode offers a clear-eyed look at the intersection of bioethics, reproductive technology, gender medicine, and medical ethics, asking what it truly means to protect human dignity in an age of rapid biomedical change. Mentioned in the Episode Center for Bioethics and Culture CBC Documentaries Paul Ramsey Institute The Detransition Diaries book Kallie on X Leave a Review + Share the ShowRate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com Grab a copy of Samantha’s book Reclaiming Motherhood—a theology of the body for motherhood in the age of reproductive technologies.

Grayson Quay joins Samantha Stephenson to expose the seductive logic of transhumanism—and the moral and spiritual cost of buying in. From AI and brain chips to synthetic immortality and gene editing, the push to “upgrade” the human experience promises power but may unravel what makes us human. This conversation cuts through the hype to reveal what’s really at stake. Is transhumanism a scientific breakthrough or a new form of worship? What happens when we lose our reverence for the body and our humility before its limits? Topics we cover: – Why transhumanism is less science, more spiritual counterfeit – The link between tech worship and ancient heresies – What the push to overcome nature reveals about modern despair – Whether enhancement is actually a form of self-erasure Mentioned in this episode: The Transhumanist Temptation Grayson Quay on X Leave a Review + Share the ShowRate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com Leave a Review + Share the Show If this conversation opened your eyes to what stem cell therapy can do, please: Rate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com! Grab a copy of Samantha’s book Reclaiming Motherhood, a theology of the body for motherhood in an age of reproductive technologies.

Is IVF the only answer for infertility—or is there a better way? In this episode, Samantha Stephenson welcomes back Grace Emily Stark, editor of Natural Womanhood and a leading voice in restorative reproductive medicine (RRM). Together, they unpack what RRM really is, how it differs from conventional gynecology and fertility treatments like IVF, and why so few women have ever heard of it. We explore: The science behind cycle charting and hormone diagnostics Why the birth control pill often masks—not solves—reproductive issues How RRM treats the root causes of infertility (like PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids) The cultural and political barriers to this life-giving approach How anti-Catholic bias and insurance policy keep women from real options Why restoration of fertility should be the gold standard—not bypassing it If you're fed up with “lazy medicine,” frustrated by the one-size-fits-all approach of the pill, or wondering if IVF is really your only path forward, this conversation is a must-listen. Mentioned in the Episode Natural Womanhood International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine nfpandmore.com femmhealth.org neofertility.com Article: Should you take ozempic for PCOS? Period Genius Program Leave a Review + Share the Show Rate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com! Grab a copy of Samantha’s book Reclaiming Motherhood, a theology of the body for motherhood in an age of reproductive technologies.

Is it possible to reverse autoimmune disease—permanently? In this episode of Brave New Us, Dr. Richard Burt, pioneering stem cell physician and author of Everyday Miracles, joins host Samantha Stephenson to unpack his revolutionary treatment for autoimmune disorders. Hailed by Scientific American as one of the top 10 medical advances of the decade, Dr. Burt’s non-myeloablative stem cell therapy has changed—and saved—lives. Dr. Burt opens up about his early skepticism, the medical establishment's resistance, and the patients who inspired him to push forward. Together, we explore the promise and pitfalls of regenerative medicine and what it takes to bring groundbreaking science to the clinic without losing our humanity. If you’ve ever wondered: Can stem cells actually reverse disease, not just slow progression? What does "immune system reset" mean—and is it safe? Why is the medical establishment slow to adopt new therapies? What ethical questions come with cutting-edge biotechnology? This episode will challenge what you thought was possible. Topics Covered: How Dr. Burt’s stem cell therapy reversed multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, Crohn’s, and more The difference between myeloablative and non-myeloablative stem cell treatments Why Big Pharma and some doctors resisted the treatment—even after success What “immune system reboot” really means and how it works The role of patient advocacy and storytelling in transforming medicine Why humility, ethics, and hope must guide the future of biotech How Everyday Miracles bridges hard science with human dignity Mentioned in the Episode Dr. Burt’s books: Everyday Miracles: Curing Multiple Sclerosis, Scleroderma, and Autoimmune Diseases Kill Switch: The History of How Viruses Shaped Humanity and Led to COVID-19 Genani Biotech How can I get HSCT for myself or my loved one? https://astemcelljourney.com/about/drrichardburt/ Leave a Review + Share the Show If this conversation opened your eyes to what stem cell therapy can do, please: Rate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend, patient group, or doctor Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com

What happens when creating a child becomes a consumer choice? In this provocative episode of Brave New Us, research associate at the Heritage Foundation Emma Waters joins host Samantha Stephenson to break down the rising trend of embryo screening, designer genetics, and artificial wombs. From Elon Musk's child-maxxing to CRISPR enhancements and Build-a-Baby startups like Nucleus Genomics and Orchid, we explore how reproductive technologies are reshaping what it means to become a parent—and what’s at stake for the children created through these tools. If you've ever asked yourself: • Is embryo selection a form of modern eugenics? • Can we separate desire from design in the future of family building? • Are children becoming products instead of persons? • What's the difference between healing and enhancement in genetic medicine? Topics Covered: Why "have healthy babies" is a deceptive marketing slogan The ethics of picking embryos based on IQ, personality, or sex The rise of child-maxxing among elites like Elon Musk Why "designer babies" deepen inequality and threaten parent-child love What three-parent embryos and artificial gametes mean for the future of family The philosophy behind eugenics—and why it's rebranded, not gone When CRISPR gene editing might cross the line from healing to hubris Why strong families—not just birthrates—should be the goal of pronatalism Mentioned in the Episode Emma Waters’ work on pronatalism and reproductive ethics Connect with Emma on X (Twitter) New Atlantis article: Stop Hacking Humans Public Discourse article: The Pronatalism and Silicon Valley Leave a Review + Share the Show If this conversation made you think differently about the future of family, science, and ethics, please: Rate and review Brave New Us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Share this episode with a friend or on social media Keep the conversation going at bravenewus.substack.com

In this episode, I open up about my personal journey from hormonal contraceptives to finding my faith within the Catholic Church. My relentless pursuit of truth led me to a profound understanding of Catholic doctrine, culminating in my conversion and a renewed commitment to my beliefs. Join me as I share how contraceptives became my ‘gateway drug’ to my home in Christ's one true Church. … Don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button to never miss a video! STAY CONNECTED Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Editor Click here to sign up for our FREE weekly Substack NEWSLETTER!!

In this episode of Brave New Us, we delve into the dual expectations society places on men and the concept of masculinity. We discuss the innate understanding of what it means to be a ‘good man’—characterized by duty, honor, integrity, and sacrifice—and contrast it with the societal pressure to ‘man up’ and embody toughness, competitiveness, and stoicism. Joining us is Professor Pearcey, author of “The Toxic War on Masculinity, How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes,” who shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her controversial book. She challenges the negative portrayal of masculinity in modern culture and offers a fresh perspective on how Christianity provides a balanced view of gender roles. We explore the harmful effects of the so-called ‘toxic masculinity’ narrative and discuss how we can better support men in embracing their true roles as protectors, providers, and responsible individuals without succumbing to toxic traits. Tune in to Brave New Us for an insightful conversation that seeks to understand and redefine what it means to be a man in today’s world. Connect with Professor Pearcey: https://www.nancypearcey.com/ Buy the Book: https://amzn.to/44OP0LY … Click here to sign up for our FREE weekly Substack NEWSLETTER!!

Think the Catholic Church supports IVF because it wants big families? Think again. In this episode of Brave New Us, Samantha Stephenson tackles some of the most persistent myths about Catholic teaching on reproductive technologies. From the misconception that the Church is indifferent to women’s suffering, to the false idea that all conceptions are morally equal, this candid conversation unpacks what the Church actually teaches—and why. We explore: Why the Church opposes in vitro fertilization How IVF violates the dignity of the child, the woman, and marriage The Church’s advocacy for responsible parenthood and natural birth spacing A lesser-known, ethical and effective alternative to IVF that aligns with Catholic bioethics Whether you're Catholic, curious, or questioning, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope. Click here to sign up for our FREE weekly Substack NEWSLETTER!!

Following Pope Francis’s condemnation of surrogacy, headlines exploded with accusations of misogyny and moral overreach. But beneath the outrage lies a deeper question: what if the Church’s position is more empowering—and more human—than critics are willing to admit? In this solo episode, Samantha Stephenson responds to a viral CNN opinion piece, challenges media distortions, and defends the Church’s stance as a voice for women’s dignity, children’s rights, and the sanctity of motherhood. She also reflects on activist Olivia Morel, a child of surrogacy, and what her surprise at Donum Vitae reveals about the Church’s urgent need to communicate its teachings in a post-Christian culture. … Click here to sign up for our FREE weekly Substack NEWSLETTER!!