The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

We are thrilled this week to have well known writer, radio host and speaker, Leigh Snead, on the podcast again. Leigh is very real as she shares the difficult emotions she has had to work through while carrying the cross of infertility while at the same time valiantly picking up her cross knowing her place is needed and valued in the greater Body of Christ. Links: The Catholic Association

To go deeper in our theme this month of "We Are Part of The Church," we invited Mikki Sciba on to the podcast to discuss how the diocese can serve those suffering from infertility and loss, even while personally carrying that burden. Mikki works as a catechetical specialist for the diocese of Tyler, Texas. She shares some of the wisdom she has learned while taking part in diocesan minist...

We turn to two wives of Byzantine Catholic priests, Alyssa West and Jocelyn Abyad, to help kick off our theme this month titled, 'Being Part of the Church.' These lovely ladies share their perspective on this theme as it relates to their own struggles with infertility/loss in their local Byzantine parishes. Links: Jocelyn's Facebook Jocelyn's Instagram We Carry You Still Byzikid Ma...

This week's special guest is Christina Valenzuela, a certified NFP instructor, owner of Pearl & Thistle, LLC, and author of a new book entitled,  The Language of Your Body: Embracing God's Design for Your Cycle.  NFP charting is an important activity and can benefit our lives and our marriages immensely, however, sometimes during a season of infertility, we can become hyper focused on...

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 infertility may have mixed feelings about NFP, charting, etc., then helps us refocus on how to build deep, strong relationships with our...

In this Desert Reflection, we join in conversation with married couple, Matthew and Katie Summers, to discuss why it's so important to go on dates with your spouse after you tie the knot followed by practical advice on how to plan these dates and invest that time to deepen your relationship with your spouse and strengthen your marriage.  Just like dating was so important when you were just sta...

On this week's episode with one of our dear friends of the ministry and licensed counselor, Clare Kane, we chat about medical trauma and how it can manifest itself in our lives. With personal experiences, Clare shares how this trauma can occur and how to deal with it when it does. Links: The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk

What does it look like to enter into treatment with surrender? We welcome back nurse practitioner, Caroline Gindhart, to share with us her thoughts on this topic as well as other insights she has from years of working with couples struggling with infertility. Links Navigating Infertility Treatment with Your Healthcare Provider Caroline's Practice

We welcome back Chris O'Neill, Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, to help deepen our understanding and awareness of the Church's teaching on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). With the increasing use of IVF, we dive into where the Church gives guidance on this topic, reflect on the good, holy, and healthy desire for children, and begin to discuss some of th...

Whether it's month after month of negative pregnancy tests, getting off a call with a doctor's office about results, or even receiving the good news that a friend is expecting, we've all found ourselves in some pretty intense and often challenging moments. Licensed counselor, Clare Kane, chats with Jillian and Cassandra about how we can live through these moments, digesting the news, y...

During the month of June, we are focusing on that daily decision of surrendering and entrusting our lives to God. But how do we practically do that? Jillian and Katie provide some insight on how to develop a strong prayer life, because it's during that time with God, we really get to know Him and listen to all that he wants to tell us. Links: Katie Zalany is 38 years old, married and lives in...

As we close out May, the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jillian and Katie reflect on Mary's example of fruitfulness as it stems from her relationship to God. Just like Mary, we are beloved sons and daughters of the God the Father and Mary, Our Mother of Sorrows, is our blueprint for living a faithful, fruitful life. Links: Our Lady of Sorrows Blog Post

As we recently finished our successful 'Cherished' retreat in Phoenix, we wanted to explore the idea of a retreat on the podcast this week. Jillian and Cassi help us understand what a retreat is, what it does for us, and how to make one whether it be at a retreat center or simply in the comfort of our own home. We would also love to bring a retreat to your town so please share this episode...

Since last week we heard about how husbands can support their wives in a season of infertility or loss, we thought it fitting this week to hear about what women can do to support their husbands on this journey. Jillian welcomes back psychotherapist and theologian, Clare Kane, on the podcast to chat about some of the best ways wives can walk alongside their husbands as they carry the cross of infer...

With Mother's Day around the corner, we wanted to bring the husband's out there some great advice on how best to walk alongside their wives who may be struggling on this day. Ian Duran joins our host, Jillian, to share what he has found to be helpful for his wife on a day that can be filled with emotions. Let us know of any other ways you've been supported on Mother's Day and feel...

We warmly welcome Leigh Snead on the podcast this week to talk about the topic of feminine fruitfulness. Leigh is a well known writer, radio host, and speaker who shares with Jillian her ideas on the topic of feminine fruitfulness. Leigh reminds us that although homemaking and creating things are beautiful, you don't have to "do" anything for your fruitfulness to shine forth. You hav...

You might be asking yourself why we've decided to talk about trauma during this month of April when we have been focusing on hope and new beginnings, but there is an important connection we want to share. We welcome back psychotherapist and theologian, Clare Kane, to explain what trauma really is, how it can manifest itself, and what you can do about it. Links: Resources & Links to Counsel...

We've arrived at the third and final minisode of our theological virtues series, this time focusing on the virtue of Love. Father Paul joins Ann to begin unpacking what love really is, and spoiler alert, it's not what the world will try and tell you or sell you. The great news for us is that real love is so much deeper because it involves Jesus! Links: 1 Corinthians 13 Want to "up you...

In this second minisode of a three part series on the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, we'll explore the virtue of Hope. Ann and Stacey discuss what it is and what it is not. They will talk about practical ways to help you cultivate the virtue of Hope. Also, they'll discuss the accompaniment of the saints on our journeys of infertility. Let's aim to be like St. Peter advis...

In this first minisode of a three part series on the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, we'll explore the virtue of Faith with psychotherapist and theologian, Clare Kane. Clare explains what Faith is and how it's lived out in our own personal prayer lives, but also in our marriages.  Listeners please let us know how you are putting your faith into action! Resources: If you are i...

If you missed our Lenten retreat titled, "Into the Garden", then this episode is especially for you. We will continue our recent meditations on a couple of the gardens in Scripture and how those encounters with God relate to infertility. May this discussion enrich your prayer time this Holy Week! Resources: Thoughts on Embers : A Lenten Reflection A Holy Week Reflection on Infertility Br...

Continuing the theme of work during the month of St. Joseph, we take a deeper dive into how to gracefully handle situations at work that may be difficult during a season of infertility. Ann invites Todd and Stacy Stephenson on the pod to explore ways we can be charitable to our coworkers while at the same time taking care of ourselves. This episode will offer some tools so you can create your own...

Do you sometimes have negative thoughts and feelings around your job - especially in a season of infertility? In this Desert Reflection Ann and Cassandra take a look back at thoughts about work as shared by members of our community. They share with each other how even a "dry" work situation can be fertile ground for fruitfulness - for ourselves, our marriages, and those around us. It&#39...

We know the workplace can be another area of our lives where the cross of infertility can feel heavy. That's why we wanted to welcome licensed counselor, Edward Luersman, back on the podcast.  Edward shares practical ways we can feel seen yet safe at work while carrying the cross of infertility without feeling crushed by it. Please share with us any coping strategies you've found helpful f...

We've arrived at the fourth and final episode of our Examination of Conscience series in which we will reflect on our relationship with ourselves. As usual, Fr. Paul will take us through an examination but this time we'll think about the ways we've treated ourselves and the beliefs we've carried about ourselves in the past. May this final examination draw us even more into the hear...