The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

This week, Ann and Julie Dumalet, the Director of the Office of Prolife Activities in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston have an important discussion about how the pro-life movement includes support for those in a season of infertility. While it can be easy to compare crosses, Ann and Julie remind us that it is crucial to acknowledge your feelings and give feedback to those ministering to or sup...

You may have heard of the papal document Humanae Vitae , but have you ever read it? Today we’re welcoming Elizabeth Kirk to the podcast to reflect a little on this important text. We’ll talk about: – why couples struggling with infertility might want to sit down and read Humanae Vitae – how we can understand the ideas of emptiness and privation on the path of infertility – living out hope in a sea...

It’s the first episode of a new year, so you know what that means – it’s time for the Word and Saint of the Year! Ann and Cassandra are back for round four of this Springs tradition. We’re not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions around here, but we love to meet new saints and get inspiration from these fun tools! Do you participate? We want to hear from you – find us on social media and let us kn...

As we prepare to step into the New Year, Ann and Cassandra take a look back on our theme for 2025, “Your Marriage has a Mission,” and dig into our new theme for 2026, “Take It to Heart.” We’ll talk about: – the witness of our marriages on the path of infertility – how we can embrace big missions, but also those smaller, everyday, but still beautiful missions in this season – how we’re inviting thi...

Blessed Christmas Eve to all! As we await our Savior’s birth this Christmas, we’re welcoming Fr. Joseph Aytona, CPM of the Fathers of Mercy to the podcast. Fr. Aytona shares about the Spiritual Motherhood Sodality and helps us to better understand a topic that, while so important, can also be hard to wrestle with on the path of infertility.  We’ll talk to Fr. Aytona about: woman’s longing for her...

How can we find fulfillment when we can’t conceive? Today we’re welcoming Leigh Snead , Fellow of the Catholic Association and co-host of Conversations with Consequences , back to the pod to preview her upcoming book, Infertile but Fruitful: Finding Fulfillment When You Can't Conceive (Sophia Institute Press, 2026). We’ll talk with Leigh about: – why it was important to include different infer...

Have you ever felt tired of waiting in a season of infertility or loss? Today we welcome our dear friend Lisa Martinez back to the podcast for an honest talk that is perfect for Advent. She shares from the heart about: –How we should think about frustrations and obstacles on the path of infertility. –The parallels we can draw between waiting for Christ's birth and waiting for a baby. –Why we s...

How can we live this Advent with purpose so that God can bring about conversion and transformation in our lives? How is God asking us to say “yes” to Him today? Today we’re welcoming Lindy Wynne from Mamas in Spirit to the podcast as we enter, as a Church, into the “season of waiting” of Advent. Lindy tells her story of marriage, adoption, and the ways she has been given the grace to say “yes” to...

Sometimes in a season of infertility/loss, we find ourselves dealing with insensitive comments or needing to establish a boundary with family members or friends. Balancing self-care and charity can be difficult, so we wanted to have this conversation with Edward before the holidays! In this episode, we'll talk about: Advice for those on the receiving end of an insensitive comment or prying que...

Why is it important for us to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas? How can we experience the “fullness of time” of this season as we prepare for the incarnate Lord to come into the world? In this episode, Ann speaks with Fr. Paul about the Psalms as we get ready to pray the Psalter together this Advent as a community. They’ll discuss: The origin of the Psalms and their spiritual importan...

Krissy Hamilton, director of Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa, OK, joins us on the podcast today to tell us about Calvary’s Infant Burial Ministry. For couples in eastern Oklahoma, this beautiful ministry is able to donate the burial space and opening and closing the grave to grieving parents who are burying their child. In this episode, Krissy gives us: advice for parents who need to find a place to bur...

How are you dealing with infertility grief? Have you been able to come to a place where that grief can be acknowledged? In this episode, Ann and Cassandra explore the unique grief of infertility. We'll talk about: How emotions like jealousy and anger can come under the umbrella of grief The value of learning from other people's experiences of infertility, including primary/secondary infert...

As we wrap up Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we're bringing Margalita Poletunow, LPC on the podcast for an encouraging episode that will touch your heart. No matter where you are on the path of infertility/loss, you'll take away from this episode: The difference between grief coaching and therapy The fact that "God sees you whole " – even when you're struggling wi...

Happy feast day of Pope St. John Paul II! To celebrate, we have two very special guests on the podcast today: Peter and Theresa Martin of the Wojtyła Community & Institute, authors of The Rule: St. John Paul II's Rule for a Joy-filled Marriage of Divine Love . In this episode, we'll chat about: How infertility has informed the Wojtyła Community's married couple groups from the very...

Jocelyn and Pat, the mom & daughter team behind We Carry You Still, join us on the podcast today to talk about: The experience of miscarriage grief Why it can be helpful to share stories of loss How to accompany your daughter (or daughter-in-law) and her husband when suffering through a miscarriage Their miscarriage and infant loss ministry, We Carry You Still It is our honor to walk with you...

It is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and so today we're having a tough but important conversation with Chaney from Heaven's Gain Ministries. We'll be talking about: The disenfranchised grief of infant loss during pregnancy Collection options at home and at the hospital for burial Memorializing babies who have passed away How parishes can help couples experiencing a miscarriage Encourag...

Happy feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux! This episode is a "rose" to take with you today as we reflect on this great saint and her "little way" of growing closer to Jesus. St. Thérèse received particular graces from God in her life that helped her reach an incredible level of holiness. Even though she lived within the walls of a Carmelite convent, she is the patron saint of missi...

Have you ever felt called to be a homemaker, but feel like you can't because of your family size, financial situation, or concern about judgment from others? This episode is for you! Two old and dear friends of the ministry, Andrea and Allie, join Cassandra on the podcast today to talk about: What homemaking looks like for a family of two How to discern the decision to stay home How Andrea and...

Have you ever wished that there was a Catholic small group for infertility accompaniment in your area? Well, this podcast episode is for you! Our Small Groups Coordinator, Cadie Krivoniak, joins Cassandra on the pod to talk about her experience participating in Springs' very first pilot small group. Cadie talks about how you can start a small group in your area, and what to do if you would lov...

Happy Birthday Springs! Our founders Ann and Kimberly join Cassandra on the podcast today to tell the story of how Springs came to be and how much it has grown. God has blessed this ministry so abundantly! By His grace, here are the resources we are able to offer today: Weekly podcast episodes (on two separate podcasts!) Blog posts In-person retreats In-person and virtual small groups Weekly Well...

Kenn Cramer , Director of Family and Respect Life for the Diocese of Manchester, NH, joins Cassandra on the pod this week. Kenn shares about the experience of planning a clergy workshop focused on the sensitive topics of infertility and loss. He also gives an impactful overview of the importance of ministering to men, and what priests – and wives – should know about how husbands experience inferti...

"What do we do if we don't have children?" If this is a question you've wondered about in a season of infertility, this episode is for you! Springs contributors Ellie and Trey Weaver join Cassandra for another great episode on our theme, "Your Marriage Has a Mission." The Weavers used to feel like they weren't sure about the mission of their marriage – but today the...

This week Ann welcomes very special guest Keith, her bestfriend and husband of 14 years. Ann and Keith talk about their experience of infertility early in marriage, how things have changed since then, and the ways God is calling them to be fruitful in surprising and fulfilling ways. Keith is the “behind-the-scenes” support for Ann in ministry, but this isn’t his first appearance on the podcast! Di...

Today on the podcast, Cassandra is joined by Katie (our blog manager!) and Matthew Summers. We talk about how important it is for couples to discern their mission, and for husbands and wives to support each other in their careers and goals. Listen in for Katie's beautiful witness of praying for Matthew in a special way during the workday. Links: Blog Blogcast

Even on the path of infertility and loss, your marriage has a mission! Join Cassandra for a quick prayer break where we offer to God our petitions. It is our honor to walk with you! Links: Subscribe to the Weekly Well Submit a Prayer Request