The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

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 loss
• What the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics is, and what fruits have come out of the ministry
• Jennifer'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 parent
• Grief and emotions that may surface when stepping into a caregiver role
• The unexpected but healing fruits of caregiving

It is our honor to walk with you!

Links:

• Little With Great Love Website
• Blog Post: One Less Place At The Table
• Blog 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 patients
• Why PCOS was renamed to PMOS
• What impacts Caroline has seen from this change with her patients

It is our honor to walk with you!

Links:

• Caroline's Provider Page
• Entering into Treatment with Surrender w/ Caroline Gindhart
• Pursuing Treatment Options w/ Caroline Gindhart and Clare Kane
• When is it Time to Take a Break from Treatment? w/ Caroline Gindhart and Clare Kane
• A 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/loss
• How the marriage of Pietro and Gianna Molla can inspire us on this path
• The 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 time
• Steffani'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 Book
• His Girl Sunday Instagram

• What is Liturgical Living? w/ Steffani Aquila

• Hospitality 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 process
• How the service we give to others is fruitfulness
• Why 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 Publishing
• Blog 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 home
• How 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 Website
• Festive Faith Book
• His Girl Sunday Instagram
• Podcast: What is Liturgical Living? w/ Steffani Aquila
• Podcast: Hospitality and Maintaining Friendships in a Season of Infertility w/ Steffani Aquila