Living a Culture of Life

Fr. Shenan Boquet explains how the Hyde Amendment limits federal abortion funding and why pro‑lifers see it as a cornerstone of U.S. pro‑life policy. What is the Hyde Amendment — and why is it back in the news? In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet joins us to discuss this bipartisan federal policy that has prevented taxpayer funding of abortion for nearly 50 years. With recent comments from Presiden...

Luis Martinez, HLI's Director for Intergovernmental Organizations and Diplomatic Missions breaks down the Samoa Agreement—a massive international treaty between the European Union and African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations. With 106 countries involved and impacts lasting 20 years, this agreement could shape global policy on abortion, sexual and reproductive rights, gender ideology, and UN vot...

What does 2026 hold for the pro-life movement—both in the U.S. and around the world? In this New Year’s episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet reflects on pro-life victories and challenges in 2025 and to look ahead at the critical battles shaping 2026. Fr. Boquet discusses: The impact of the Trump administration on foreign aid, USAID, and the United Nations A global shift in momentum on gender ideology and tr...

Christmas doesn’t end on December 25—and the Catholic Church has always taught this! In this special Christmas episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet explores the deep spiritual meaning of the Christmas Octave and why Catholics are called to celebrate Christmas for eight full days—and beyond. We discuss: What the Christmas Octave is and where it comes from The difference between the Christmas Octave and Chris...

In today's episode, Monica Gatsi and Veronica Chawasemerwa, long-time HLI missionaries working in Zimbabwe, join us to discuss their mission to bring chastity education to youth in rural villages. Zimbabwe’s youth are increasingly targeted by well-funded Western organizations that offer humanitarian aid—such as textbooks, clean water, and food—while simultaneously promoting contraception, abor...

Fr. Shenan Boquet discusses China’s severe birth rate crisis and why efforts to reverse population decline are failing. Drawing from decades of pro-life work, Fr. Boquet connects China’s demographic collapse to deep cultural, moral, and structural issues also seen across Western nations. The conversation explores the legacy of China’s one-child policy, the rise of IVF as a proposed “solution” to i...

In this episode, Austin Peck joins us to unpack his conversion to the Catholic faith, his reflections on truth, culture, and modernity, and the new project from the creators of Mass of the Ages entitled Discover Tradition. Austin Peck shares how a 15-year search for truth led him from evangelical Protestantism into the Catholic Church. He describes filming Holy Week in Spain, where Catholic tradit...

In today’s Thanksgiving episode, Michelle Francis, HLI's Mission Network Manager, joins us for a powerful look back at global pro-life wins in 2025. Michelle shares firsthand updates from HLI missionaries across Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Ukraine, highlighting major achievements in chastity education, seminary formation, crisis pregnancy support, and intergovernmental advocacy Ke...

Dr. Ligaya Acosta, HLI's Regional Director for Asia and Oceania, discusses the growing push to legalize divorce in the Philippines. Right now, the Philippines is facing immense pressure from Western governments, foreign-funded NGOs, and pro-divorce activists to legalize divorce. On this episode, Dr. Ligaya Acosta explains why the Filipino people overwhelmingly reject divorce, how outside money...

Fr. Francesco Giordano, Regional Director for Human Life International in Europe, discusses Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, his unique background, and what his leadership could mean for the Catholic Church, life, and family in today’s divided world. Fr. Giordano shares touching stories of his encounters with Pope Leo—both as a cardinal and as pope—and reflects on his humility, attentiveness, and deep under...

In this powerful episode, Mario Rojas, HLI's Regional Director for Latin America, discusses a stunning real-world case of censorship and faith under fire. Earlier this year, one of HLI's missionaries in Latin America was accused of “hate speech” simply for giving a pro-life talk on authentic sexual education — one that promotes abstinence before marriage and respect for life. Mario shares...

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet unpacks the Catholic understanding of spiritual warfare —the ongoing struggle between good and evil that every believer faces. Drawing on Scripture, the saints, and his global pro-life mission experience, Fr. Boquet explains how the devil attacks individuals, marriages, and the Church—and how to stand firm through prayer, confession, and the Eucharist. Key Topics...

Fr. Shenan Boquet joins us to explore St. John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae ( The Gospel of Life ). He explains why the document remains a foundational guide for the Catholic Church and the global pro-life movement 30 years later. Fr. Boquet explains how John Paul II prophetically identified modern confusion about freedom and autonomy as the roots of the “culture of death.” Listeners...

Divorce remains illegal in just two countries worldwide: the Philippines and Vatican City. In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet explains the ongoing campaign to legalize divorce in the Philippines and why this debate goes far beyond one nation. Discover how the breakdown of marriage affects culture, governance, and the common good—and why the state must defend the sanctity of family life. Father Boq...

In this episode, we sit down with Fr. Shenan Boquet to explore the Catholic Church’s teachings on Natural Family Planning (NFP) and contraception. Building on last week’s discussion about marriage, Fr. Boquet clarifies how NFP cooperates with God’s natural design, while contraception disrupts the marital act. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the moral principles, theology of the body,...

Have you ever wondered why the Catholic Church condemns contraception? And if contracepting is immoral, why are couples allowed to use Natural Family Planning (NFP)? This is a hot button issue for many modern Catholics. So, we've prepared a two-part series to help you understand the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage, contraception, and NFP. In order to understand why contraception is...

The surrogacy industry is projected to explode from $14.95 billion in 2023 to nearly $100 billion by 2033—but at what cost to women and children? On this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet unpacks a groundbreaking United Nations report by Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, which condemns and exposes the surrogacy industry. The report exposes how commercial and so-called “altruistic” surrogacy exploit women,...

What REALLY happened when the FDA approved the abortion pill? Obviously, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should never have approved a drug intended to kill an innocent preborn child. However, real-world data shows that the abortion pill also poses serious health risks for the mother as well. Pro-abortion advocates claim to care about women's health. So, how did such a dangerous drug eve...

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet discusses how Catholics can respond to tragedy and live as witnesses to the hope of Christ in a world that often rejects God and human dignity. From school shootings and senseless violence to the anniversary of 9/11, this conversation explores how the City of God and the City of Man (St. Augustine’s framework) can help us understand today’s culture and guide us t...

In this episode, Dr. Joe Zalot, Staff Ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), joins us to explore one of the most pressing moral questions in modern healthcare: Can Catholics ethically participate in organ donation? Dr. Zalot unpacks what the Catholic Church teaches about organ donation, focusing on three key principles: The donor must be truly dead before vital organs are remov...

In this deeply moving episode of Living a Culture of Life , we welcome back Leigh Ann Woznica to share her testimony of transformation—from having three abortions, struggling with guilt and trauma, and choosing life for her daughter, to ultimately finding healing through Christ. Leigh Ann courageously opens up about: Her childhood and the fear that led to her first abortion at age 15. How multiple...

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet shares powerful insights on the Catholic teaching of the domestic church. He explains why strong families are the key to addressing broader cultural issues, and why spiritual growth within the home is essential for helping one another reach Heaven. Fr. Boquet discusses: What the Catholic Church means by “domestic church” How strengthening families heals cultural...

How is the culture of death impacting the United Kingdom? On this episode, Fr. Boquet breaks down the spread of assisted dying and euthanasia in the UK and Ireland. Earlier this year, the UK House of Commons passed the “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill”, moving the country one step closer to legalizing assisted suicide. The bill now sits with the House of Lords and—if passed—would mark a d...

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet discusses the recent passing of the "Big Beautiful Bill" that defunds Planned Parenthood by over $500 million for one year. He explores what this means for pro-lifers, how taxpayer funding has been indirectly supporting abortion for decades, and why this is a pivotal moment to push forward. Key Topics Covered: How Planned Parenthood received ~$800M annual...

Have we forgotten our grandparents? In today’s fast-paced, mobile world, the wisdom of the elderly is often ignored, and the bonds between generations are breaking down. On this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet reminds us of the treasure of grandparents and the elderly—and why they are essential to our families, parishes, and the culture of life. Topics include: The vital role of grandparents in passing...