Advertise on podcast: The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Going through infertility treatments puts us through the wringer – emotionally, spiritually, physically, and in our marriages. Some couples come to a point where they are discerning stopping treatment, and that can be really difficult. Jillian and Ann talk to Clare about: What the Church says in the Catechism about what comes after infertility treatment. Processing guilt over pursuing or not pursuing infertility treatments. How stopping treatment does not mean you are giving up or are never going to have a baby. Wherever you are in your discernment process, we are here with you! Links: Clare's practice Dealing with Disappointment episode Counseling resources Springs in the Desert offers peer-based support to those struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. It does not provide medical services, psychological counseling, or therapy. This information cannot replace professional medical and psychological services.

There are a lot of emotions we talk about on the path of infertility—grief, anger, sadness, and more. One that doesn't get as much air time, however, is the feeling of disappointment. This is a valid emotion to feel when going through infertility, although it is not the end of the story! Today Jillian and Ann talk to Clare about: Validating feelings of disappointment when going through infertility or loss. Reconciling ourselves with our stories, particularly when our journey ends without a baby. How we can move through disappointment to hope and trust in the Lord. It is our honor to walk with you on the path of infertility! Links: Clare's practice Springs in the Desert offers peer-based support to those struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. It does not provide medical services, psychological counseling, or therapy. This information cannot replace professional medical and psychological services.

Many of us in this community have struggled with the fact that we desire children so badly but that that desire is – at least to some degree – unfulfilled. In this episode, Jillian explores this important question with Chris O'Neill (Director, Office of Marriage and Family Life, Archdiocese of New Orleans) and Clare Kane, LPC. They'll talk about: – How should we understand our desire for children on the path of infertility – Why this desire is good and whether or not we should ask God to take it away – Ways in which this desire can bear all sorts of creative fruit in our lives It is our honor to walk with you! Springs in the Desert offers peer-based support to those struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. It does not provide medical services, psychological counseling, or therapy. This information should not replace professional medical and psychological services. Find trusted grief coaches, counselors, and spiritual directors on our website.

It's Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and so we're welcoming Jennifer Nelson of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics back to the podcast. The Sisterhood, which is dedicated to St. Gianna Molla, offers a "traveling relics holy card ministry," miscarriage care packages, and more. Jennifer shares her story and the story of the Sisterhood with Cassandra in this episode. They'll discuss: How Jennifer got to know St. Gianna Molla, who also experienced lossWhat the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics is, and what fruits have come out of the ministryJennifer's encouragement for a season where it feels like our prayers aren't being answered It is our honor to walk with you in a season of infertility and loss. Links: Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna Blog Post: Healing the whole person: stories of spiritual, emotional, and physical healing

Sometimes on the path of infertility, we may be faced with the illness or death of a parent. Today on the podcast, Lisa Martinez of Little with Great Love joins Jillian and Ann to talk about this difficult season of life. They'll discuss: The connections that can be made between the experiences of infertility and caring for a parentGrief and emotions that may surface when stepping into a caregiver roleThe unexpected but healing fruits of caregiving It is our honor to walk with you! Links: Little With Great Love WebsiteBlog Post: One Less Place At The TableBlog Post: Enduring Infertility In A Season of Grief

Earlier this year, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) was renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). Caroline Gindhart, CRNP joins Jillian on the podcast to discuss what this change means for our community. They'll talk about: What PCOS is, and how often it affects infertility patientsWhy PCOS was renamed to PMOSWhat impacts Caroline has seen from this change with her patients It is our honor to walk with you! Links: Caroline's Provider PageEntering into Treatment with Surrender w/ Caroline GindhartPursuing Treatment Options w/ Caroline Gindhart and Clare KaneWhen is it Time to Take a Break from Treatment? w/ Caroline Gindhart and Clare KaneA Medical Provider's Experience Treating those Suffering from Infertility w/ Caroline Gindhart, NP

St. Gianna Molla is a great saint to turn to on the path of infertility! As a laywoman and a wife, she can seem especially relatable. In this episode, Jillian welcomes Jennifer Nelson of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics to the podcast. They'll talk about: The story of St. Gianna and why we should ask for her intercession in a season of infertility/lossHow the marriage of Pietro and Gianna Molla can inspire us on this pathThe importance of praying together and the Novena that Jennifer wrote for married couples It is our honor to walk with you! Links: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna Water Into Wine: A Novena For Married Couples Book: The Journey of Our Love: The Letters of Saint Gianna Beretta and Pietro Molla

On Instagram back in February, Steffani Aquila of His Girl Sunday proposed a question to her followers: "What if difficulty helps me to blossom?" A season of infertility doesn't always feel like a grace-filled time – but it can still be a season of personal growth! Jillian welcomes Steffani back to the podcast to reflect on increasing in faith, grace, and virtue during (or even because of) a difficult season. They'll talk about: The ways that the experience of infertility can help us to "blossom"How our perspective on infertility and growth can change over timeSteffani's encouragement to women and couples to find ways to "blossom" in the thick of trying to conceive It is our honor to walk with you! Links: His Girl Sunday Website: Festive Faith BookHis Girl Sunday InstagramWhat is Liturgical Living? w/ Steffani AquilaHospitality and Maintaining Friendships in a Season of Infertility w/ Steffani Aquila

Your marriage – yes, yours! – can bear witness to the beauty of this sacrament, even on the path of infertility. Lisa Martinez is back on the podcast to talk with Jillian about witness, discernment, and fruitfulness. In this episode, they'll discuss: Lisa and Mike's recent major discernment processHow the service we give to others is fruitfulnessWhy the marriages of couples going through infertility bear witness to the beauty of this sacrament, even though they may not have children It is our honor to walk with you! Links: Little With Great Love

What does beloved book Anne of Green Gables have to teach us in a season of infertility? Today we're welcoming children's book author, Veronica Simon, and longtime friend of the ministry, Allie Kleineck, to the podcast to dig into this wonderful novel. Cassandra speaks to Veronica and Allie about: The importance of female friendship and mentorship in Anne of Green Gables How part of spiritual motherhood is inspiring others to lead virtuous lives What Anne of Green Gables teaches us in a season of infertility It is our honor to walk with you! Links: Pennyworth PublishingBlog Post: A Sense of Wonder

Steffani Aquila of His Girl Sunday is back on the podcast to talk about her favorite topic, liturgical living, and how fun traditions are for all Catholics. By embracing food, decorations, and music associated with Catholic saints and feast days, our spiritual lives and domestic churches can be rejuvenated! Jillian and Steffani talk about: Why married Catholics can and should embrace traditional meals, decorations, and songs for the sake of their own spiritual lives, whether or not they have children in the homeHow couples struggling with infertility can make room for prayer in their "domestic church"Steffani's favorite Catholic tradition to embrace with her husband It is our honor to walk with you! Links: His Girl Sunday WebsiteFestive Faith BookHis Girl Sunday InstagramPodcast: What is Liturgical Living? w/ Steffani AquilaPodcast: Hospitality and Maintaining Friendships in a Season of Infertility w/ Steffani Aquila

How can we embrace the role of aunt in a season of infertility? Today Jillian welcomes Ann and Ann's niece Maria to the podcast to talk about this special bond between women and their nieces and nephews. They'll discuss: How aunts can live out their spiritual motherhood in practical ways What we learn from our aunts that we can pass on when we become aunts ourselves Finding fruitfulness in embracing the feminine genius as an aunt Links: Blog Post: Feminine Fruitfulness During A Season of InfertilityBlog Post: Learning Receptivity in Infertility

It isn't always easy to lean into – or even discover! – our creative sides on the path of infertility. But creativity can be an important a source of consolation and fruitfulness for us in a season of waiting and loss. Today, Jana from January Jane Shop talks with Jillian about art and fruitfulness. They'll discuss: The story behind January Jane Shop How Jana's "Land of the Living" collection was borne out of an experience of lossJana's encouragement to keep creating through a difficult seasonIt is our honor to walk with you! Links: January Jane ShopLand of the Living Collection

Marriage and Holy Orders are called "sacraments of service." Husbands and wives vow their lives to each other, and priests vow their lives to Christ in these important moments of grace and surrender. Fr. Paul joins Jillian on the podcast to talk about the meaningful similarities we can draw between these sacraments. They'll discuss: Similarities between the liturgical celebrations of Marriage and Holy Orders, and the symbolism that can help us deepen in understandingThe importance of the domestic churchHow the Holy Mystery of matrimony invites us to give our own Fiat on the path of infertilityIt is our honor to walk with you! Links: Baptism EpisodeReconciliation & Anointing of the Sick EpisodeEucharist EpisodeConfirmation Episode

If you're confirmed, do you ever stop to think about how you've received the Holy Spirit?! God has given us a wonderful gift in the Sacrament of Confirmation! This grace can strengthen us and our marriages as we carry the cross of infertility. In this episode, Jillian and Fr. Paul talk about: How Confirmation/Chrismation is like a "personal Pentecost"What it means to have received the gift of the Holy SpiritWhy it's important to nurture our friendships with the Saints It is our honor to walk with you! Links: Baptism PodcastReconciliation & Anointing of the Sick PodcastEucharist Podcast