We're joined by Mary Bruno to talk through cycle pain and what the Church's call to use NFP has to say when you're dealing with irregularities in your cycle or intense pain or some other medical issue (hint it's not just "take up your cross"). We also discuss when the Church actually does allow birth control and what those circumstances look like. We additionally speak to making sure you look into all of your options before deciding birth control is your only choice. Connect with Mary: https://www.instagram.com/takingbacktheterms/___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Oh hey there! This is a redo of the first ever episode of Charting Toward Intimacy. This episode serves as an introduction into what NFP is. It's a great resource to share with anyone looking for a quick intro into Natural Family Planning!List of USCCB approved methods of Natural Family Planning and links for more info: https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/nfp-national-providers___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

This was one of my biggest sticking points with NFP (honestly) before I started using NFP: If the efficacy rates are as good as they say they are, why do people who use NFP have like 5 or more kids?So we're diving into that this week and talking about what that really reveals about NFP use within a marriage. *Note to listeners: This episode uses a stereotypical understanding of NFP users as having large families to reveal what NFP use does to our hearts and our marriages. This is not to say all couples who use NFP have large families or that having a larger family is somehow more holy than having a small family. NFP is about working with God to plan your family. God has a perfect plan for your family whether it is two people (you and your spouse) or ten people. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

We're joined by Grace Stark to talk about why there is a need to talk about NFP honestly. We've talked on the podcast about how we don't speak honestly about NFP, but why is it exactly that we need to open up and speak more openly and honestly about NFP? Find Grace: https://graceemilystark.com/___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Anna Saucier joins us to discuss why we hear the myth that NFP leads to a perfect marriage and that couples who use NFP don't get divorced. We dig into that and discuss where that came from and what part of that is myth and what part of that is misplaced information and what part of that is actually truth. Find Anna: https://annasaucier.com/What is a lathe?___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

We are joined by Amanda Vernon to talk about toxic NFP culture, what it is, what we can do about it, and how we can try not to perpetuate it while talking about NFP in our communities. This conversation is in response to a blog and video about Toxic NFP culture that Amanda put together in July of 2020. Check out the links to that below. Toxic NFP Culture video on YouTubeToxic NFP Culture text___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

I've noticed recently there are a lot more people who don't know anything about NFP than people who have negative opinions on NFP...AND this is a really good thing! Let's talk about why. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Christina of Pearl and Thistle joins us to talk about her program Cycle Prep for girls preparing for their first cycles and periods. We discuss why basic fertility awareness isn't a part of normal sex ed when young girls learn about their periods for the first time and what we can do about that!Find Christina:https://www.pearlandthistle.com/https://www.instagram.com/pearlandthistle/___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

When we teach that sex is reserved for marriage we need to actually teach WHY. When we just shove abstinence down the throats of teens and don't actually talk about sex and how great it is and what it is for, then we're doing a huge disservice. So. what can we do about it?___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

I am joined by Nora Pope, retired Naturopathic Doctor and Dr. Jessica Liu, Naturopathic Doctor to discuss those questions around the health care field and why fertility awareness isn't more know! So many links because we talked about so much!Nora and Dr. Jessica's course for healthcare professionals: https://www.fertilityce.com/Ina May Gaskin: https://inamay.com/The Fifth Vital Sign Book by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack on AmazonMarguerite Duane, MD, MHA, FAAFP at Georgetown University___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses