The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Some episodes are just so good we have to air them twice! Tune in to this week's episode, a replay with one of our favorite guests! During National NFP Awareness Week, we thought it a great idea to welcome back a close friend of this ministry, Chris O'Neill, the Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Chris helps articulate why those carrying the cross of i...

During NFP Awareness Week, Jillian is joined by her groom, Jesse for a Desert Reflection! They discuss ways to connect with your spouse — mind, body, and soul — when charting feels like a chore. They share ideas about how to incorporate prayer, physical movement, and interesting discussions into your daily routines to ensure moments of intimacy are the foundation of your marriage. Whether you are...

If you are an NFP Instructor, on a Marriage Prep Team, or serving engaged and married couples at the diocesan level, this one is for you! In preparation for National NFP Awareness Week, Jillian shares a resource that the Springs in the Desert Team created to help equip you to serve the 1 in 5 couples who may also be struggling to conceive or may experience infertility or loss during their NFP jour...

Eileen Tully joins Jillian to discuss how to navigate reapproaching intimacy and NFP after experiencing pregnancy loss. They share tips about how to take every thought captive and encouragement to recognize and reframe our understanding of God after such a devastating event. From temptations and repentance, to healing and grieving, Eileen and Jillian have an honest conversation about the many chal...

If you are needing a refresh to your day, a minute to recalibrate, or a guided prayer for your morning devotions, listen to this episode! Whether you are in your prayer corner, on the drive to work, or on an evening walk, join Jillian in praying a summertime litany! Links: Submit a prayer request!

The desire for healing is often part of conversations on the path of infertility. Your podcast host, Jillian, is joined by Lisa Martinez from Little With Great Love for a discussion about the topic of healing. What does healing mean? Where does healing begin? What does it look like to be healed? What if I feel God is withholding healing from me? Listen to this episode to explore the answers to the...

Adoption is a beautiful pathway for fruitfulness, whether or not a couple struggles with infertility. When a couple decides to explore adoption and go through the process, they invite a child into their hearts and their families, which is a beautiful fruit of their love. But adoption is not guaranteed to go according to a couple’s desired plan for their family. Today, therapist and Springs profess...

Our very special guest today is Megan Hjelmstad, author, speaker, and mentor. She joins Ann to impart wisdom regarding suffering, learned from her own story of suffering she shares with us listeners.  She will leave you enlightened and encouraged, reminding us that God redeems everything, as you walk your own road of suffering.  Links: Offer It Up St. Paul Center Instagram : @stpaulcenter Emmaus R...

This week we welcome Fr. Elias Dorham back to the podcast with a unique take on marriage and the vows. Ann and Fr. Elias discuss their shared Eastern Catholic tradition with a look into the Byzantine Catholic marriage ceremony, and the Rite of Crowning. Fr. Elias shares the symbolism of the crowns, their connection to the vows, and how their meaning can be lived out practically through the love of...

This week, Jillian turns the microphone over to our Theological Editor, Stacey. In this episode, you get a front-row seat to a talk Stacey gave about finding her identity in Christ on her path of infertility. She shares the important role seeing a counselor played for her amidst many appointments, surgeries, and diagnoses. Her honest and intentional talk encourages us to look to Christ as the sour...

Our special guest today is Certified Fitness Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Shalini Blubaugh.  Moved with honesty and the Holy Spirit, Shal comes on to share her story about coming to know the Lord and how her relationship with Him is the foundation of health. She reminds us to follow the peace and to focus less on what we are doing, and more on who we are becoming. You won't want to miss this o...

Sometimes going to the best place where we can be, Sunday Mass, can feel like a struggle in a season of loss or infertility.  There can be so many triggers to our grief, like the big family sitting in front of us, or someone's prodding questions after Mass.  Father Paul and licensed psychotherapist, Clare Kane, give us some practical tips on how to be more present during Mass so we can receive...

On this week's episode, we welcome Eileen Tully back to the podcast, this time to talk about how a mindset coach might be helpful to someone on the path of infertility and loss. What is the difference between a therapist and mindset coach? How do our circumstances, thoughts, and emotions interact? What does St. Paul mean by taking all thoughts captive? Listen to today's episode to find out! Links:...

Join podcast host, Jillian Kubik, as we pray for an increase in awareness around the cross of infertility and in gratitude for all the Simons and Veronicas who are walking with us physically, mentally, and spiritually on this path. We are so honored to walk with you!

During National Infertility Awareness Week, we invited Family Nurse Practitioner, Rachael Marshall, to join the conversation and share what a holistic approach to the practice of medicine looks like, especially when working with couples experiencing infertility or loss. Feel free to forward this epiosde on to any providers you know, and if you are a provider desiring to increase your awareness, we...

What does good support from the Diocesan level look like for those suffering from infertility or loss? From her own experience, Deanna Johnston, Director of Family Life for the Diocese of Tyler, shares tips for what dioceses can do to accompany those struggling. It's not necessarily providing a solution to their problems, but acknowledging them and loving them through it. Links: How to create...

This week, Jillian welcomes back Founding Mama, Ann, to talk all about what it means to be a Simon. If you know someone in your life who is experiencing infertility or loss, it can be challenging to figure out the best ways to show up for them. To that end, Ann and Jillian give practical step-by-step suggestions for accompaniment in todays's episode. And if you are walking with someone on the...

National Infertility Awareness Week is in just a few weeks, but here at Springs, we like to increase awareness all month long! This week, Jillian and Fr. Paul kick off this awareness series by discussing simple ways new and seasoned pastors can implement support for those carrying the cross of infertility in their parishes. And because each parish is a family unit, Fr. Paul gives some great sugges...

We welcome back, Nurse Practitioner, Caroline Gindhart, and Psychotherapist, Clare Kane, to continue the discussion around treatment focusing on the discernment of when it may be time to take a break.  What are some signs to look for when a pause might prudent?  Is this giving up? They will answer all of these questions and more on this episode so listen in! Links: Pursuing Treatment Options w/ Ca...

This week on the podcast, Nurse Practitioner, Caroline Gindhart, and Psychotherapist, Clare Kane, team up to deliver a message related to discerning and seeking treatment during infertility.  They share great advice on how to stay in the driver's seat during the process while consulting and cooperating with a provider. Links: Caroline' s Practice

On the podcast this week, we are honored to welcome Christendom College Theology professor, Mary Ellen Stanford, who gives us a wonderful understanding of the differences between spouses and how it's all a part of God's great design in bringing fruit to marriages and thereby to the world. Links: The Obedience Paradox: Finding True Freedom in Marriage

Your podcast host starts off Lent on the right foot: with prayer! In a season focused on returning our gaze to Christ's Paschal Mystery, we are so honored to walk with you this Lent, wherever you are on the path of infertility! Find your favorite place to pray, turn off all distractions, and pause to pray with us. Links: Lent Carried Bundle Submit a Prayer Request Fifth Station Sticker

We have a real treat today as we have not one, but TWO priests on the podcast!  Cassandra welcomes Fr. Chris Kight from the Diocese of Owensboro, KY along with Fr. Paul, to discuss friendship with God. What does friendship with God look like in our lives, especially when we are carrying a heavy cross? Links: How to Contact Fr. Paul: Fr. Paul@springsinthedesert.org

Back by popular demand, licensed psychotherapist, Clare Kane, rejoins Jillian on the podcast to continue their conversation regarding friendship.  They go into the history of friendship, what it looked like in the past and what it looks like now.  They discuss ways to cultivate solid friendships cooperating with God and relying on Him to meet that basic need when maybe we don't have the energy...

This week, Jillian turns the microphone over to our Communications Manager, Cassandra. In this episode, you get a front row seat to a talk Cassandra gave all about acknowledging the grief of infertility. Through her personal story, Cassandra shares the many ways grief may manifest in our hearts and what the stages of grief might look like on the path of infertility. Her witty personality and hones...