Woven Well: Natural Fertility Podcast
Top 2.5% ranked natural fertility podcast with short episodes that empower women in their health decisions, family planning options, fertility treatments and more, while honoring the deep connection between faith and fertility. Host, Caitlin Estes, uses her extensive experience as a Certified FertilityCare Practitioner to educate you on all things natural fertility, while interviewing trusted medical professionals (like those trained in NaProTechnology) and real world clients who demonstrate that anyone can see their fertility journey transformed by exploring natural fertility options.
Ep. 202: Cycle Syncing emotionally and creatively with client, Abby
For Woven client, Abby, the experience of cycle charting provided far more insight than simple family planning. It opened up a whole new world of discovery as she recognized the role her reproductive hormones played in her emotional state and creative potential. After charting her cycles with the Creighton Model System, she began working with these natural rhythms instead of against them and her creative and personal endeavors came alive. As a professional dancer and athlete, she used to berate herself for having needs and strengths that morphed throughout her cycle. Now, she changed her perspective to honor them...
Ep. 201: Why is Creighton better than basal body temp or others? (Listener Question)
In today's episode, Caitlin answers a question submitted by one of our listeners: Why is the Creighton Model System more useful than basal body temperature based methods?
She gives an overview of the main differences between the methods, including the reproductive biomarkers observed and the different information they provide, as well as the unique benefits of the cervical-mucus only fertility appreciation method, the Creighton Model System.
If you're trying to decide which fertility awareness method to use for women's health care or natural family planning use, this episode is designed for you! If you're curious ab...
Ep. 200: Step by Step Gameplan for Starting a Fertility Awareness Method/NFP in 2026
Learning a Fertility Awareness Method can feel intimidating, which is why having a step-by-step game plan for starting NFP can help so much. If you're looking to begin learning the Creighton Model System or any other cycle tracking method, this episode is meant to walk you through what you need to do before beginning. We discuss how long it takes to learn, what is helpful when things get difficult, how to find the right instructor, and more.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
Ep. 34: Is Contraception a Faithful Choice for Christians?<...
Ep. 199: Cradled in Glass, IVF documentary with filmmaker Savannah Crossfield
Filmmaker Savannah Crossfield is exploring some of the ethical, medical, and legal complications of IVF in her documentary, Cradled in Glass. She was inspired by the frozen embryos across the world and hopes to shed light on some of the topics not always shared with couples before they begin the process. While everyone lands in different places in regards to ethical and moral solutions for IVF, the conversation is one worth having for all of us.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences but does discuss IVF in detail.
GUEST BIO: <...
Ep. 198: OB put her on *3* birth controls instead of healing her hormonal problem
Arianna knew something wasn't right with her cycle, but when she went to her doctor, they just prescribed birth control. It didn't work. So they added a second form of birth control. Then, a third! Without ever getting to the underlying issue causing the issue in the first place. Finally, she had had enough. The journey she took from that point is an inspiration to us all. I know you'll enjoy this episode with fellow FCP, Arianna Bañuelos.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for most audiences but does mention pregnancy loss and trauma.
Ep. 197: Natural Birth Control for the Postpartum Season, with Laura Ducote
After you deliver a baby, the hormonal changes don't stop. For many women, navigating those postpartum months is challenging on its own, but add in the daunting return of fertility and things can feel overwhelming. How can we approach these unique seasons? What are our options? Is there any way to know whether or not we're fertile before the first period returns? In this episode, Caitlin chats with NaProTechnology trained Family Nurse Practitioner, Laura Ducote, to discuss the influence of fear during these postpartum months and ways to educate and empower yourself to plan your family naturally and confidently--even...
Ep. 196: My Wife Wants to Use Natural Family Planning: A Primer Episode for Husbands (and Fiancés)
Is your wife or fiancée interested in using natural family planning or a fertility awareness method? If so, this episode is a basic introduction of :
how fertility awareness methods functionhow effective they are for family planninghow you can participate in the learning process and beyond one method worth exploring due to its effectiveness and health benefits.(Women interested in using NFP or FABM -- send this episode on to the man in your life who you'd like to introduce to the topic!)
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
Ep. 195: Strength Training for Healthy Hormones, with Nate Johnson
Is there a difference between strength training and general exercise? And does it matter for your reproductive health and balancing hormones? Professional Strength Trainer, Nate Johnson, says YES. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of strength training for women and explore the differences in training and outcomes for women vs men. We explore what makes strength training impactful and, spoiler alert, it's NOT bodybuilding or extreme body manipulation. (Phew!) I hope you enjoy the episode!
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
GUEST BIO: When Nate isn't hanging out w...
Ep. 194: Crafting your Women's Health Dream Team, with Chiara Estes
When it comes to women's health, why could you possibly need more than an OBGYN?? Well, there are a few reasons! In today's episode, I sit down with Registered Dietitian and Woven friend, Chiara Estes (no relation), to discuss the importance of your own personal "dream team" when addressing your reproductive health as a whole. We even talk through several mutual clients and how our different specialties worked together to provide demonstrable change for them. This episode was FUN and I think you'll enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at women's health from a broader, more empowering perspective.
...
Ep. 193: Releasing rigidity & embracing curiosity for your cycles, fertility, and beautiful female body, with client, Kelley (Part 2)
Kelley, a Woven client and Mental Health Counselor, joined me today to talk about her journey working with Woven Natural Fertility Care to make sense of her cycles and the effects of PCOS, but the conversation took a truly meaningful turn as we talked about the significance of understanding our mental, physical, and spiritual creation and how that impacts how we understand our female design. It was so rich that we've broken the episode into two parts so you wouldn't miss out on it. We explore the role of faith, the impact of mental health, the daily effects of...
Ep. 192: Releasing rigidity & embracing curiosity for your cycles, fertility, and beautiful female body, with client, Kelley (Part 1)
Kelley, a Woven client and Mental Health Counselor, joined me today to talk about her journey working with Woven Natural Fertility Care to make sense of her cycles and the effects of PCOS, but the conversation took a truly meaningful turn as we talked about the significance of understanding our mental, physical, and spiritual creation and how that impacts how we understand our female design. It was so rich that we've broken the episode into two parts so you wouldn't miss out on it. We explore the role of faith, the impact of mental health, the daily effects of...
Ep. 191: Infertility is More Than a Medical Term, with Paula
Infertility is more than a medical symptom; it affects every aspect of your life. For Paula Gallagher, it impacted her sense of self, her conception of God, her vision for her future, and her idea of family. A decade later, her struggle has become her ministry as she walks alongside women in the midst of infertility. This episode touches on her own story and the aspects of struggling to conceive that are often the hardest. But it doesn't end without hope. She shares the peace that God provided when it made no sense, and how that peace sustains her...
Ep. 190: Unblocking Fallopian Tubes for Natural Conception with Dr. Naomi Whittaker
Did you know that blocked fallopian tubes can be UNBLOCKED? Very often, women who discover blocked fallopian tubes during an HSG hear that their only option is to go on to IVF, but that's not the only path forward. There are actually ways to restore the healthy function of blocked tubes through a very simple procedure. Dr. Naomi Whittaker joins us today to talk about this easy approach and give you helpful information as you advocate for your own care! In this episode, she discusses:
· The limited amount of information available as to why tubes get blocked and...
Ep. 189: Low Dose Naltrexone for PMS, Endo, PCOS, and more with Restorative Reproductive Medicine CNM Ashley Jensen
Have you heard of LDN or Low Dose Naltrexone? It's gaining popularity after several studies revealed its support for reproductive health issues like PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, and infertility. Today's episode with NaProTechnology trained nurse midwife, Ashley Jensen, discusses what it is, why it's effective, how it works, and whether you should ask your doctor about it for your own use. She also discusses common side effects, other benefits outside of the reproductive realm, and other options you can try before LDN or other medications.
This episode discusses:
what LDN ishow LDN works and what makes it ef...Ep. 188: Advocating for holistic PCOS care with client, Lexi
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
GUEST BIO: Lexi is the wife to her husband, Brandon, whom she's been married to for about 10 years. And she's the mother of two children, ages three and three months.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Ep. 178: Dealing with PCOS as a single woman, with Jen
Ep. 152: Do PCOS cycles work with fertility awareness methods?
Ep. 128: Healing irregular cycles and reversing PCOS -- Emily's story
Ep. 20: Nutrition for PCOS with Tracy Mann, RD
Ep. 19...
Ep. 187: Stuck in frustration about women's health or your fertility journey? You may be in the learning zone.
Women's health can cause a lot of frustration. Whether you're displeased with your birth control, upset that you haven't figured out the cause of your symptoms, or you're in the midst of learning a new fertility awareness method, it can be tough. Today's episode is about these frustrations and how we can use them to our advantage to make progress, what it takes, and how to make it easier along the way. These frustrations aren't just annoyances, they can help us get to a better place in our own women's healthcare--if we know how to make the most of the...
Ep. 186: Foolproof Game Plan for Stopping Birth Control and Restoring Your Healthy Cycle, with Dr. Monica Minjeur, Restorative Reproductive Medicine
If you're looking to quit birth control, you'll want to make sure to do so safely. Does it matter when you stop taking it? What do you need to do before hand? What can you expect when you stop taking the birth control pill? We invited OBGYN, Dr. Monica Minjeur, to share her top tips, including her key advice: make a plan before you quit. She walks through making a solid plan and what to consider.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
GUEST BIO: Dr. Monica Minjeur is the f...
Ep. 185: Getting the Most out of Your Creighton FABM Chart at the Doctor's Office, with Laura Ducote
Did you know your cycle charting or cycle tracking can actually help your OBGYN? Cycle charting (through a formal fertility awareness based method) not only helps you identify your window of fertility when you're trying to get pregnant (or avoid pregnancy), but some can also highlight reproductive health issues. Your chart can reveal signs and concerns that help your OBGYN narrow down how to investigate, diagnose, and treat these underlying health issues. In today's episode, we talk with Nurse Practitioner, Laura Ducote, who's trained in NaProTechnology (a restorative reproductive medicine approach) to hear how to make your cycle charting...
Ep. 184: Learning to Thrive When Unexpectedly Childless, with Elizabeth Tiglau-Guss
Guest, Elizabeth Tiglau-Guss, opens her heart to us in today's episode to share about her fertility journey. After marrying her husband later in life, they pursued assisted reproductive technology and adoption, but ultimately remained childless. She shares the grief of her journey and how they've come to the point where they feel they are thriving instead of merely surviving. We appreciate Elizabeth's honesty and willingness to share on the show! Caitlin had the privilege of being on Elizabeth's podcast, By Chance Avenue: Redefining Life Without Children on 4. 8. 25.
NOTE: Appropriate for all audiences but does include conv...
Ep. 183: Natural conception after unsuccessful IUIs and years of infertility, with Woven client, Amanda
Amanda and her husband had tried everything but IVF on their road to try to conceive. After failed IUIs and no known diagnosis beyond unexplained infertility, they felt stuck and frustrated. Amanda had had cycle issues for years, but had always used birth control to suppress symptoms. Now, it seemed like they could be contributing to their infertility. A friend reached out with a different option and a new perspective: restorative reproductive healthcare. The rest is history. Hear Amanda's story of natural conception and a healthy pregnancy after infertility and failed assisted reproductive technology treatments!
NOTE: Appropriate...
Ep. 182: Why are women still complaining about birth control??
Why do women seem to be so fed up with birth control? I mean, they should just be grateful not to be pregnant, right? Wrong. Recently, a client sent me an article where researchers question the experience of women on birth control and I just had to respond. Maybe your own side effects and experiences have been doubted? Maybe you've been told it's all in your head? Well, that is unacceptable and today's episode dives into why. In this episode we talk about:
Birth control aspects that women most often complain aboutWhat some medical professionals say about birth c...Ep. 181: Cycle Health for Single Women
Do single women who aren’t trying to get pregnant need to worry about women’s health? Fertility? If you’re not trying to get pregnant, do periods matter? Hormones? All of it? The answer is YES! They matter for a multitude of reasons that you may or may not have heard. The health and wellness of single women is just as important as women who are married or trying to get pregnant. In a world focused on birth control until you’re trying to conceive, it can be a bit confusing. In this episode, hear
the role of reprod...Ep. 180: Preventing Period Shame in Young Girls with Dr. Julia Sadusky
Here at Woven Well, we are all about empowering women — but what about young girls? Absolutely! In today’s episode, host Caitlin Estes chats with Dr. Julia Sadusky about how to talk to young girls about puberty, periods, and sexuality. We talk about how to have early conversations (and how early to start them), what to cover vs not cover, and how conversations with trusted women can build confidence, normalize periods, improve body image, and empower young girls to embrace God’s design for their bodies! We also talk about some parenting resources provided by Dr. Julia.
NOTE...
Ep. 179: Could undiagnosed autoimmunity affect my fertility? with functional and osteopathic physician, Dr. Mary Davis
What if your menstrual cycle is sending you signals about your overall health? Dr. Mary Davis joins us to talk about how undiagnosed autoimmune issues can impact our periods, fertility, and overall women’s health (not just our overall health and wellness)! As a functional medicine and osteopathic physician, she often works with complex, chronic illness. She believes it’s important to focus on preconception health and address ongoing issues like inflammation and Hashimoto’s disease (a common autoimmune disorder) with holistic care. She offers a unique opinion and I’m grateful she took the time to join us to share...
Ep. 178: Dealing with PCOS as a single woman, with Jen
Single ladies with menstrual cycle issues aren’t given much time and attention. “If you’re not trying to get pregnant, it’s not worth treating.” This is what Jen heard when she complained of long, irregular cycles and frustrating symptoms. She suspected PCOS, but getting a good diagnosis and treatment was harder than she thought. She believed she deserved excellent care NOW before she was ready to conceive and so she went in search of it. Jen shares her story of the transforming power of using cycle tracking to get to the next level of fertility education and women’s he...
Ep. 177: 5 hacks to balance hormones fast, with Dr. Kela Smith
When it comes to balancing reproductive hormones, it’s hard to know where to start. There are so many things that impact our women’s health and wellness. I’ve invited Dr. Kela Smith, a holistic integrative fertility and hormone doctor, to share 5 effective strategies for balancing women's hormones. Dr. Kela shares her personal journey with infertility and the foundational principles she developed to help women achieve hormonal balance.. We discuss her top 5 suggestions, her unique “puzzle method” for addressing underlying health issues, and the importance of honoring the whole person (and not just their physical health). This is the perfec...
Ep. 176: What stress is doing to us (and our cycles)
Can we talk about stress? We all have it, but do we all know how it can affect our cycles and reproductive health? It’s so common that we underestimate the influence it has on our lives. Without this knowledge, we’re stuck feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and confused. Today’s episode dives into how to recognize stress, ways to reduce it, and when to honor it.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
Ready to learn the Creighton Model System? Now's the perfect time! You can register for the next upcomi...
Ep. 175: Gut health, blood sugar, and hormone balance, with Rita Johnson, NTP
Did you know that gut health and blood sugar affect your reproductive hormones? Did you know that Creighton model cycle charting can point to digestive health issues and glucose/insulin irregularities? Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Rita Johnson, packs this episode full of stories, explanations, and practical tips that help us all notice the connection and prioritize our health through the things we eat each day. You will love hearing from her!
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.
Guest Bio: Rita Johnson is a wife and mother to 5, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, an...
Ep. 174: Faith over fear during pregnancy and labor, with Laura Ducote
A positive pregnancy test comes with a tidal wave of emotions and, sometimes, fears. Will everything be okay? How will we afford this? What if something happens? New struggles emerge as you approach labor and delivery. Can I do this? How will I handle the experience? What if something goes wrong? While these may seem like practical questions about pregnancy and delivery, they are also deeply spiritual in nature. Will God be with me? Can I trust God with this pregnancy? Laura and I discuss some of our deepest pregnancy fears and how we encounter God's peace and comfort...
Ep. 173: Naturally healing hormonal acne without birth control with Maddie
Pimples aren't just for teenagers, especially when they are caused by hormones. Women struggling with hormonal acne are often given one option and one option only: birth control. But what if you don't want to use birth control? What if you want to get to the root of the problem? Is it possible? Is there a solution for hormonal acne? These were the questions our client Maddie faced after years of acne struggles and very few answers. She joins us to share her honest story of deciding to come off of birth control and seek healing for acne that h...
Ep. 172: What causes vaginismus and how pain free intimacy is possible for all, with Jess Seitz, OT
Painful intercourse is a horrible experience for many reasons (especially when you're told to just relax or that it's all in your head...). Our guest today, Occupational Therapist Jess Seitz, shares how she uses her degree and personal experience overcoming 8 years of vaginismus to walk women through healing. This isn't just for the married ladies, though, but any woman experiencing pain inserting a tampon, having a pelvic exam, etc. She discusses the keys to success, including addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual influences that have an impact. If you experience pain, stinging, burning, pressure, or discomfort and...
Ep. 171: The New Reproductive Rights (and why women deserve them)
When it comes to reproductive rights, we often think of birth control and abortion -- maybe even IVF in more recent days. But are those things truly the pinnacle of women's health? Or is there more available to us? This episode explores how a perspective shift on women's empowerment could have the power to change the fertility education, healthcare advocacy, and confidence of generations of women to come.
NOTE: This episode may not be appropriate for all audiences; it does use terms like intercourse and references issues like abortion.
Other episodes you mi...
Ep. 170: Estrogen’s major impact on physical strength and long term health, with Laura Ducote
We tend to think of women's health as it relates to getting pregnant, not physical health or even health later on in life, but Caitlin and Laura sit down to discuss how estrogen impacts everything from bone health to cognitive function, and why it's vital for both reproductive and overall well-being. We talk about natural ways to improve estrogen levels (like weight-bearing exercises) and how maintaining healthy estrogen levels can protect us well into our later years. Whether you're in your 20s or approaching menopause, this episode offers valuable information on how to support your health through every stage...
Ep. 169: Doc took med student off birth control weeks before her wedding...how she handled it successfully (and peacefully!)
Imagine being weeks out from your wedding and your doctor telling you you have to stop your birth control immediately. How terrifying! Not only is your health a concern, but what about the honeymoon?? How will you not get pregnant (if that's not your goal)? This is what happened to Robyn when she was still in medical school and just weeks away from marrying her husband. Full of questions, she transitioned to fertility awareness and shares with us how this deeply (and positively) impacted her life, her marriage, and her view of her fertility!
NOTE: T...
Ep.168: Mental + emotional changes on birth control that are not okay, with Grace
We're told birth control is safe and effective and side effects should be temporary, but what happens when that's not our experience? How can we know what's a side effect from birth control vs unrelated? Doctors often evaluate physical side effects like bleeding or cramping, but mental and emotional side effects are just as important to our quality of life! Today Caitlin and Grace chat about the mental and emotional side effects she and others have experienced on birth control.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for most audiences, but does reference libido.
Gu...
Ep.167: Pregnancy is possible with low AMH levels with restorative reproductive physician Dr. Codruta Pandaleche
The first thing many doctors do when a couple is struggling to get pregnant is run some lab work. AMH is a common lab run that suggests your "egg count" and is often interpreted as your future ability to get pregnant successfully. Dr. Codruta Pandaleche, a restorative reproductive physician previously working with THE leading RRM clinic in the world (NeoFertility in Ireland), shares why AMH is NOT a predictor of fertility. If your doctor is telling you you need to pursue IVF because of low AMH levels, listen to this episode first and share it with your friends! AMH...
Ep. 166: How balancing minerals transforms your period and fertility, with Tori Black
When thinking about women's health, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Tori Black is a Hair & Tissue Mineral Analysis tech who helps her clients focus on the foundational aspects of our body's building blocks, which affect every system of our bodies. In this episode, she talks about what HTMA is, how it can help prioritize where to begin, and what it can reveal.
GUEST BIO:
Tori is a registered nurse, Mercier Therapist, and fertility coach with a passion for helping couples struggling with unexplained infertility find answers and proven strategies to...
Ep. 165: Using a Fertility Awareness Method on your honeymoon??
Weddings are the start of so many new, wonderful things -- and it's also the first time you and your spouse have the possibility of having a baby! There's so much to consider. This episode explores some of the main questions related to using a natural birth control system on your honeymoon!
Will a fertility awareness method actually work for us on our honeymoon? How far before our wedding should we begin learning one? What if my cycle is different the month we get married? Will the stress of the wedding impact our ability to use a form of n...Ep. 164: Insulin Resistance impacts more than your fertility and its affecting younger women -- what can you do?
Insulin resistance is increasing in the American population especially (and surprisingly) among young women. Is this just women with PCOS? Can you have it if you don't have pre-diabetes? Can you have insulin resistance without weight concerns? Laura and I tackle this topic because it impacts so many women -- their overall health, women's health, cycles issues and infertility. We talk about how insulin resistance can impact ovulation, why balance between insulin and glucose is so important, lifestyle changes that can help, and how to know when lifestyle changes aren't doing enough.
Chapters
Introduction t...Ep. 163: Healthy pregnancy in 3 cycles after being told IVF was her only hope, with Loren
Loren struggled to conceive and was told IVF was her best hope. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. But it took a lot of courage -- and investigation -- on her part to find out exactly what she and her husband needed. Today, she joins us to share her story with our listeners in order to provide hope and encouragement along the way.
NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences, but does reference IVF, infertility, and pregnancy loss.
Show links:
Ep. 64: Unexplained InfertilityEp. 96: Theological Considerations with IVFEp. 122: IVF Alternatives for fr...
