Managing Your Fertility

About Managing Your Fertility

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

Publisher

Bridget Busacker

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Apr 2021

Latest episode

4 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

3 of 80 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   4 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   79 – Mary Bruno: The Hard Conversations Catholics Need to Have 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, adoption, and sexual intimacy while fostering a deeper understanding of Church teaching. In this conversation, Mary shares: Her personal journey through infertility, endometriosis, and faith The inspiration behind Catechism Caviar and what the name communicates How the pilot program works, including short videos, leader guides, and discussion questions Strategies for addressing emotionally charged topics with clarity and compassion Her unique teaching approach balancing clarity and empathy How Catechism Caviar intersects with fertility awareness Her vision for the program and how parishes, groups, or individuals can participate Whether you’re navigating infertility, seeking clarity on Church teaching, or exploring faith in action, this episode provides insight, encouragement, and practical guidance. Guest Resources: Mary Bruno: https://marygbruno.com/ (https://marygbruno.com/) Catechism Caviar: https://marygbruno.com/catechism-caviar/ (https://marygbruno.com/catechism-caviar/) Waitlist for Catechism Caviar: https://mary-g-bruno.systeme.io/79a6244d (https://mary-g-bruno.systeme.io/79a6244d) White Lotus Blooming Instagram FABM Base: https://fabmbase.org/ (https://fabmbase.org/) Mary’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Bruno/author/B0B4TBD7D6?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5a76e131-e279-4a47-afef-12b644b4afc6 (https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Bruno/author/B0B4TBD7D6?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5a76e131-e279-4a47-afef-12b644b4afc6) Twelve Stripes Deep Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twelve-stripes-deep/id1752704582 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twelve-stripes-deep/id1752704582) My Resources: Managing Your Fertility: ⁠https://www.managingyourfertility.com/⁠ (https://www.managingyourfertility.com/%E2%81%A0) Start Your Chart™ Course: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/buystartyourchart⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/buystartyourchart%E2%81%A0) Fact Sheet for Your Medical Professional: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/factsheetformedprofessional⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/factsheetformedprofessional%E2%81%A0) The Clean Lubricant Guide: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/thecleanlubricantguide⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/thecleanlubricantguide%E2%81%A0) Newlywed Intimacy Blueprint Waitlist: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/newlywedintimacyblueprint⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/newlywedintimacyblueprint%E2%81%A0) Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) Affiliate & Partner Links: 15% off Proov: ⁠https://proovtest.com/MYF⁠ (https://proovtest.com/MYF%E2%81%A0) 15% off Tempdrop: ⁠http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFBRIDGETBUS⁠ (http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFBRIDGETBUS%E2%81%A0) 10% off Mentionables: ⁠https://www.shopmentionables.com/?snowball=FERTILITY10&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=affiliate-program&utm_campaign=FERTILITY10⁠ (https://www.shopmentionables.com/?snowball=FERTILITY10&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=affiliate-program&utm_campaign=FERTILITY10%E2%81%A0) 15% off Coconu: ⁠http://coconu.com/?ref=managingyourfertility⁠ (http://coconu.com/?ref=managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 3 months free & 20% off Hallow: ⁠hallow.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (http://hallow.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 25% off Olive & June Mani Kit: ⁠https://fbuy.io/oliveandjune/3nkz4mwx⁠ (https://fbuy.io/oliveandjune/3nkz4mwx%E2%81%A0) 10% off Ember Co: ⁠https://www.theember.co/?ref=910⁠ (https://www.theember.co/?ref=910%E2%81%A0) 10% off Be a Heart: ⁠beaheart.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (http://beaheart.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 15% off Abundantly Yours: ⁠abundantlyyours.org/bridget⁠ (http://abundantlyyours.org/bridget%E2%81%A0) Shop my Amazon Storefront: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MRxbTC⁠ (https://amzn.to/3MRxbTC%E2%81%A0) DISCLOSURE & MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This description may include affiliate links. If you purchase products or services at these links, I receive a small commission. The information presented in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as or replace professional medical advice.

2. 

   21 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   78 - Dr. Sarah Bartel - When You Feel “Touched Out”: Creating Safe Touch & Rebuilding Intimacy in 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 out - especially as a wife and mom - and how couples can rebuild loving intimacy without pressure, guilt, or shame. We explore the science of the nervous system, the theology of mutual self-gift, and practical steps couples can take this week to create safe touch that builds desire instead of shutting it down. If you’ve ever loved your husband deeply but felt completely overstimulated by the end of the day… this episode will feel like a deep exhale. RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: My Delight Spring Waitlist - JOIN NOW: https://canafeast.com/mydelight?am_id=bridget5110 (https://canafeast.com/mydelight?am_id=bridget5110) FREE GUIDE Enhancing Intimacy for Catholic Wives: 9 Skills for Mind, Body, and Spirit for Catholic Women: https://canafeast.com/mydelight-9-skills?am_id=bridget5471 (https://canafeast.com/mydelight-9-skills?am_id=bridget5471) My Delight Podcast: https://mydelight.buzzsprout.com/ (https://mydelight.buzzsprout.com/) Breaking Barriers - Navigating Scrupulosity and Embracing Healthy Intimacy in Catholic Marriage with Dr. Sarah Bartel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/73-breaking-barriers-navigating-scrupulosity-and/id1561646902?i=1000668956109 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/73-breaking-barriers-navigating-scrupulosity-and/id1561646902?i=1000668956109) Dr. Sarah Bartel - Sex Q&A: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/57-dr-sarah-bartel-sex-q-a/id1561646902?i=1000626737029 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/57-dr-sarah-bartel-sex-q-a/id1561646902?i=1000626737029) Marriage is Funny Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-is-funny/id998421286 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-is-funny/id998421286) My Resources: Managing Your Fertility: ⁠https://www.managingyourfertility.com/⁠ (https://www.managingyourfertility.com/%E2%81%A0) Start Your Chart™ Course: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/buystartyourchart⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/buystartyourchart%E2%81%A0) Fact Sheet for Your Medical Professional: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/factsheetformedprofessional⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/factsheetformedprofessional%E2%81%A0) The Clean Lubricant Guide: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/thecleanlubricantguide⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/thecleanlubricantguide%E2%81%A0) Newlywed Intimacy Blueprint Waitlist: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/newlywedintimacyblueprint⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/newlywedintimacyblueprint%E2%81%A0) Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) Affiliate & Partner Links: 15% off Proov: ⁠https://proovtest.com/MYF⁠ (https://proovtest.com/MYF%E2%81%A0) 15% off Tempdrop: ⁠http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFBRIDGETBUS⁠ (http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFBRIDGETBUS%E2%81%A0) 10% off Mentionables: ⁠https://www.shopmentionables.com/?snowball=FERTILITY10&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=affiliate-program&utm_campaign=FERTILITY10⁠ (https://www.shopmentionables.com/?snowball=FERTILITY10&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=affiliate-program&utm_campaign=FERTILITY10%E2%81%A0) 15% off Coconu: ⁠http://coconu.com/?ref=managingyourfertility⁠ (http://coconu.com/?ref=managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 3 months free & 20% off Hallow: ⁠hallow.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (http://hallow.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 25% off Olive & June Mani Kit: ⁠https://fbuy.io/oliveandjune/3nkz4mwx⁠ (https://fbuy.io/oliveandjune/3nkz4mwx%E2%81%A0) 10% off Ember Co: ⁠https://www.theember.co/?ref=910⁠ (https://www.theember.co/?ref=910%E2%81%A0) 10% off Be a Heart: ⁠beaheart.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (http://beaheart.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 15% off Abundantly Yours: ⁠abundantlyyours.org/bridget⁠ (http://abundantlyyours.org/bridget%E2%81%A0) Shop my Amazon Storefront: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MRxbTC⁠ (https://amzn.to/3MRxbTC%E2%81%A0) DISCLOSURE & MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This description may include affiliate links. If you purchase products or services at these links, I receive a small commission. The information presented in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as or replace professional medical advice.

3. 

   12 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   76 - Wuthering Heights, Hyper-Sexualization & What We’re Really Hungry For

   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 matter, and what this says about what we’re really hungry for as women. If you’ve ever felt drawn to steamy romance content and wondered why, this is a thoughtful (not shaming) conversation about desire, marriage, and real intimacy. I also share hopeful resources — including work from Sarah Bartel — for building the kind of connection we’re actually wired for. RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: My Delight Spring Cohort: https://canafeast.com/mydelight?am_id=bridget5110 (https://canafeast.com/mydelight?am_id=bridget5110) My Delight Waitlist & FREE Guide "Enhancing Intimacy for Catholic Wives": https://canafeast.com/mydelight-waitlist (https://canafeast.com/mydelight-waitlist) My Delight Podcast: https://mydelight.buzzsprout.com/ (https://mydelight.buzzsprout.com/) My Resources: Managing Your Fertility: ⁠https://www.managingyourfertility.com/⁠ (https://www.managingyourfertility.com/%E2%81%A0) Start Your Chart™ Course: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/buystartyourchart⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/buystartyourchart%E2%81%A0) Fact Sheet for Your Medical Professional: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/factsheetformedprofessional⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/factsheetformedprofessional%E2%81%A0) The Clean Lubricant Guide: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/thecleanlubricantguide⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/thecleanlubricantguide%E2%81%A0) Newlywed Intimacy Blueprint Waitlist: ⁠https://go.managingyourfertility.com/newlywedintimacyblueprint⁠ (https://go.managingyourfertility.com/newlywedintimacyblueprint%E2%81%A0) Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managingyourfertility⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) Affiliate & Partner Links: 15% off Proov: ⁠https://proovtest.com/MYF⁠ (https://proovtest.com/MYF%E2%81%A0) 15% off Tempdrop: ⁠http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFBRIDGETBUS⁠ (http://www.tempdrop.com/discount/AFBRIDGETBUS%E2%81%A0) 10% off Mentionables: ⁠https://www.shopmentionables.com/?snowball=FERTILITY10&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=affiliate-program&utm_campaign=FERTILITY10⁠ (https://www.shopmentionables.com/?snowball=FERTILITY10&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=affiliate-program&utm_campaign=FERTILITY10%E2%81%A0) 15% off Coconu: ⁠http://coconu.com/?ref=managingyourfertility⁠ (http://coconu.com/?ref=managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 3 months free & 20% off Hallow: ⁠hallow.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (http://hallow.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 25% off Olive & June Mani Kit: ⁠https://fbuy.io/oliveandjune/3nkz4mwx⁠ (https://fbuy.io/oliveandjune/3nkz4mwx%E2%81%A0) 10% off Ember Co: ⁠https://www.theember.co/?ref=910⁠ (https://www.theember.co/?ref=910%E2%81%A0) 10% off Be a Heart: ⁠beaheart.com/managingyourfertility⁠ (http://beaheart.com/managingyourfertility%E2%81%A0) 15% off Abundantly Yours: ⁠abundantlyyours.org/bridget⁠ (http://abundantlyyours.org/bridget%E2%81%A0) Shop my Amazon Storefront: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MRxbTC⁠ (https://amzn.to/3MRxbTC%E2%81%A0) DISCLOSURE & MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This description may include affiliate links. If you purchase products or services at these links, I receive a small commission. The information presented in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as or replace professional medical advice.

Inside a recent episode

79 – Mary Bruno: The Hard Conversations Catholics Need to Have About IVF, NFP & Fertility

Published 4 Mar 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] But that shows that we really don't understand church teaching. And so I grew up in southern Louisiana. We have a ton of Catholic churches around us, like a Catholic church on every corner. So I've been to a lot of them just to find the right time right for mass we we've gone to a lot of different churches but i never hear i've been very active in church parishes my whole life but i really never heard church teaching explained And that is what really lit a fire under me because I'm like, how are we supposed to give people a good life affirming, life giving understandings of these things that our church teaches are not life giving? […]

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Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

32 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

31 ratings

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