In this episode, Stephanie Winn interviews Samantha Stephenson, the host of the podcast "
Brave New Us: Bioethics in the Light of Faith." Samantha shares her unique perspective on the intersection of faith and bioethics from a Catholic standpoint.
Stephanie and Samantha discuss the concept of sanctity and the loss of the sense of the sacred in today's society. They explore the ethical dilemmas presented by emerging technologies, such as synthetic embryos and artificial wombs. Samantha emphasizes the importance of understanding the sanctity of life and the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with manipulating human life in such ways.
They delve into the Catholic understanding of sin as "missing the mark" and how it relates to these bioethical issues. Samantha highlights the need for thoughtful exploration and questioning, even within a religious framework, to truly understand and grapple with these complex topics.
The conversation also touches on the role of attachment and the significance of the mother-child bond in human development. Samantha raises concerns about the potential psychological and emotional effects on children who are gestated outside of a human womb and the importance of respecting their autonomy and well-being.
Throughout the episode, Samantha draws on her background in theology and bioethics to provide insights into the moral implications of these technologies and the need for a deeper understanding of our purpose as human beings. She encourages listeners to consider the long-term consequences and potential risks associated with playing with life in ways that defy our natural design.
This episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of faith and bioethics, shedding light on the ethical dilemmas posed by emerging technologies and the importance of maintaining a sense of sanctity and respect for human life.
Samantha Stephenson is host of the
Brave New Us podcast (coming to
YouTube Sept. 22!) and author of
Reclaiming Motherhood from a Culture Gone Mad. She is a Paul Ramsey Fellow at the Center for Bioethics and Culture and holds master's degrees in theology and bioethics. Her writing has been featured at Public Discourse, Crisis Magazine, The Federalist, FemCatholic, Natural Womanhood, Notre Dame’s Grotto Network, Our Sunday Visitor, and Word on Fire. Sign up for her
Faith + Bioethics newsletter to receive the latest updates on medical research, technology, and culture, or stay connected via
Instagram and
Twitter.
Books mentioned in this episode:
All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following these Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Previous episodes mentioned:
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
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00:04:13] Resurgence of interest in Catholicism.
[
00:08:32] Sunset conversations and philosophical debate.
[
00:11:33] Understanding the symbolism of rituals.
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00:17:28] Being rooted in a particular faith.
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00:19:05] Questioning and exploring beliefs.
[
00:23:13] Revolt against our subsistence.
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00:29:06] Navigating 21st century problems.
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00:30:37] Synthetic embryos and ethical concerns.
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00:39:03] Artificial creation of human beings.
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00:46:43] Sociopathy and attachment wounds.
[
00:51:32] Control and consequences of technology.
[
00:53:45] Material wealth vs spiritual poverty.
[
00:57:26] Natural disasters and human role.
[
01:01:52] Abortion and maternal well-being.
[
01:06:41] Catholicism and detransitioners.
[
01:09:28] Virtues and their importance.
[
01:15:39] The value of sins and virtues.
[
01:25:11] Recognizing strengths and weaknesses.
[
01:29:40] Mary, the mother of God; Samantha’s favorite Catholic saints.
If you enjoyed this conversation, please rate & review it on
Apple,
Spotify, or
wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a friend, or on social media. You can also head over to my
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What is You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist?
A podcast at the intersection of psychology and culture that intimately explores the human experience and critiques the counseling profession. Your host, Stephanie Winn, distills wisdom gained from her practice as a family therapist and coach while pivoting towards questions of how to apply a practical understanding of psychology to the novel dilemmas of the 21st century, from political polarization to medical malpractice.
What does ethical mental health care look like in a normless age, as our moral compasses spin in search of true north? How can therapists treat patients under pressure to affirm everything from the notion of "gender identity" to assisted suicide?
Primarily a long-form interview podcast, Stephanie invites unorthodox, free-thinking guests from many walks of life, including counselors, social workers, medical professionals, writers, researchers, and people with unique lived experience, such as detransitioners.
Curious about many things, Stephanie’s interdisciplinary psychological lens investigates challenging social issues and inspires transformation in the self, relationships, and society. She is known for bringing calm warmth to painful subjects, and astute perceptiveness to ethically complex issues. Pick up a torch to illuminate the dark night and join us on this journey through the inner wilderness.
You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist ranks in the top 1% globally according to ListenNotes. New episodes are released every Monday. Three and a half years after the show's inception in May of 2022, Stephanie became a Christian, representing the crystallization of moral, spiritual, and existential views she had been openly grappling with along with her audience and guests. Newer episodes (#188 forward) may sometimes reflect a Christian understanding, interwoven with and applied to the same issues the podcast has always addressed. The podcast remains diverse and continues to feature guests from all viewpoints.