The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Do you feel desperately in need of healing – spiritually and physically – on the path of infertility and loss? This episode is for you! Jillian and Fr. Paul talk about the "Sacraments of Healing," Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. They'll discuss: Why healing is a necessary part of our path to holiness How regular Confession can strengthen us in our lives and marriages If Cat...

This month, we'll be talking with Fr. Paul about the seven sacraments. In each episode, we'll explore one or two of the sacraments and how we can understand them in a new light on the path of infertility. Jillian and Fr. Paul begin with the sacrament of Baptism. They'll discuss: What happens to our soul at Baptism, and why the sacrament should still comfort us even years and decades la...

Are you ready to learn more about the theology of the body? Where to even begin? Who is the theology of the body actually for? What terms do we need to know in order to understand it? Today's episode is part IV of a series on the theology of the body with guests Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Trey Weaver, Coordinato...

Father's Day is coming up, so we're having Kenn Cramer back on the podcast to talk about ministering to men and our personal relationships with God the Father. Jillian and Kenn will reflect on: The importance of ministering specifically to men in a season of infertility/loss How parishes can observe Father's Day and Mother's Day in a way that honors the varied experiences of people...

Have you ever felt like your body is an obstacle, or that it's working against you? If so, this podcast episode is for you! Today Jillian welcomes Sister M. Emmanuel Kurtzweg, OSF, RN and teammate, Stacey, to the podcast to talk about what it means to be "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14). Listen to hear more about: FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) and how...

What does the theology of the body have to teach us about bodily suffering? What do Jesus' wounds have to do with our wounds? What can we learn from the theology of the body about abandoning ourselves to the will of God? Today's episode is part III of a series on the theology of the body with guests Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese o...

What is hope really? Are there different ways to understand hope? How should we think about hope when we are also dealing with the reality of childlessness? Today Jillian welcomes Cassi to the podcast to think about these important questions. They'll discuss: What natural and supernatural hope feel like on the path of infertility What hope has looked like for Cassi at different places on the p...

What does the theology of the body even mean? From it, what can we learn about Christ's body, and about God Himself? What does Christ's body tell us about who we are, and about our own capacity to love? What do our bodies tell us about what we were created for? Today's episode is part II of a series on the theology of the body with guests Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Ma...

In case you missed it, Springs recently made a HUGE announcement! We've teamed up with Ascension to release "Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility," a fifteen-episode series free to all users in the Ascension app. In this episode, we're hosting Monica Amery, Content Manager for the Ascension app, on the podcast to talk about what it was like to create this series and w...

What is the theology of the body? Where did it come from? Why was it written? How can it help us on the path of infertility? Today we're welcoming Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Trey Weaver, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, to the first episode in a podcast series on th...

Wouldn't you love to be friends with other Catholics in your area who are walking the path of infertility? Enter Springs in the Desert Small Groups! Today we're welcoming Galicia and Anna from our St. Louis, MO small group to the podcast! These wonderful ladies share with Cassandra about what it's like to participate in a Springs group. They'll talk about: How Galicia stepped out i...

Why is infertility such a big deal? Today the Springs team define the many kinds of infertility, discuss the many areas of our lives that are impacted by infertility, and talk about those difficult parts of the path of infertility that are often missing from the larger conversation. They'll reflect on: Particular experiences of infertility that are often overlooked or misunderstood. How infert...

Announcing " Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility ," available exclusively in the Ascension app! In this series, Ascension and Springs in the Desert Catholic Infertility Ministry bring you stories from Scripture and the lives of the Saints, to help you grow closer to Christ and deeper in faith while walking the path of infertility and loss. Each of the fifteen episodes begins...

If you work in a diocesan family life office or parish, this episode is for you! It is so important to acknowledge infertility on your website, but what if you don't know where to start? That's where Springs comes in! Today on the podcast, Jillian and Ann will talk about: How to add a simple webpage to your site, and what to put on it. How to incorporate infertility awareness into your soc...

Christ is risen, glorify Him! Happy Easter to all in the Springs community. In today's episode, Fr. Paul sits down with Jillian to offer a word of comfort to those who still feel in need of renewal even though Lent is over. They'll reflect on: –Bible verses to walk with as we enter the Easter season. –Peaceful reconciliation with God. –Asking God for renewal in our lives and marriages – ev...

Blessed Holy Week to all! As we turn our eyes toward Calvary, Jillian and Ann will talk about one of the ways that we describe Springs' mission: "Christ, not conception." They'll share about: What "Christ, not conception" means to our ministry. Avoiding the trap of hyper-focusing on conception, especially when it affects our spiritual and emotional wellbeing. How to tal...

Jillian is back on the podcast with a life update and her testimony with how God has been carrying her and her family through a tough season. Providentially, "Carried" is also the theme of our Lenten devotional, so she and Cassandra reflect on letting the Lord bring us through the uncertainties of work and family life. Cassandra and Jillian share about: What it means to be "carried&...

Our good friend Leigh Snead is back on the pod to talk about her new book, Infertile But Fruitful, Finding Fulfillment When You Can’t Conceive . She and Ann dig into some of the big themes in the book: Why was this the right time to write a book on infertility What it was like revisiting the memories – and emotions – of that time when she and her husband were “in the thick of it” The value of shar...

Cassandra welcomes her husband Michael to the podcast to talk about all things pilgrimage! The Taylors share about: Walking the Camino together last year with a group of students. How pilgrimages help you open up space for God in your life. The witness that couples without children give to the Church. By focusing on just the next kilometer instead of being overwhelmed by the entire journey, we can...

We often talk about infertility being a "path," and sometimes we can walk that path literally! Today we're welcoming community members Mark and Carissa to the podcast to share about their life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land and beyond. They'll share about: What it was like to walk where Jesus Himself had walked. What insights and healing they received regarding living throu...

In this week’s episode, we discuss infertility and past experience of abortion. Please take care of yourself and tune in next week if this conversation hits a too-tender spot in your heart. Today Ann welcomes Sisters of Life Sr. Veronica Mary and Sr. Mariana Benedicta to talk about experiencing infertility when one or both spouses has suffered from an abortion in the past. They discuss the importa...

On today's episode, we welcome back our friend and author, Liz Kelly to talk about the most fitting Ash Wednesday topic: Jesus' last words. Cassandra and Liz discuss how Jesus' last 7 utterances on the cross - said in His greatest moments of suffering - teach us about the meaning of our own suffering. Since Jesus taught us to pray, His last words on the cross can become our own words i...

We’re deep into winter, and now on the cusp of Lent as well, so it’s a great time to dig into the winter blues on the podcast. Lauren Braun, LPC, LMHC of Marigold & Iris Mental Health and Wellness joins us to talk about: – an infertility grief workshop Lauren hosted at her practice during Advent – living and waiting through tough seasons like winter and Lent – what Lauren wishes people knew ab...

How should we think about the infertility stories in the Bible, all but one of which end with a baby? How can we see God’s providence and care for our lives as we walk this path? Today we’re welcoming Elizabeth Kirk back to the podcast to continue our conversation about her book chapter on Humanae Vitae. We’ll talk about: – The natural and good desire to have children. – How we can appreciate spir...

If you love to read, this episode is for you! Today we’re welcoming author Veronica Simon to the pod. Veronica recently released a children’s book, Who Do You Think I Am? We welcome Veronica to the podcast to celebrate this work of creativity and get into all things literature. We’ll talk about: – How Veronica's book came out of an "exploration of identity, truth, and growing up." –...