The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

By Springs in the Desert | Catholic Infertility MinistryReligion & Spirituality Christianity

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility episodes

October 12, 2022A Medical Provider's Experience Treating those Suffering from Infertility w/ Caroline Gindhart, NP
Our podcast this week features a conversation between Ann, Cassandra and NaPRO trained nurse practitioner, Caroline Gindhart. Caroline addresses common experiences and emotions that patients most often live through as they are seeking help. She offers advice on how to have a relationship with your medical care provider in which you feel heard and treated with dignity. Caroline also offers some ideas for husbands to exhibit solidarity with their wives during the treatment process as well as discerning when it might be time to step back from some parts or all of treatment for a short time. Whether you are seeing or have seen a practitioner regarding infertility issues or are considering seeking help for the first time, listening to this talk with Caroline will help you in your journey!

Resources: Finding a NaPRO medical consultant in your area: https://fertilitycare.org/find-a-mc Finding a Catholic doctor/practitioner in your area: https://mycatholicdoctor.com/ Caroline Gindhart's page on Divine Mercy Health: https://providers.upmc.com/provider/Caroline+Gindhart/1369089?_ga=2.64416422.826281554.1664362689-700830093.1664362689
39 min
September 28, 2022A Priest's Role in Ministering to Those Experiencing Infertility w/ Father Jacob Meyer
This week, Stacey talks with longtime friend and mentor Father Jacob Meyer regarding pastoral care for those struggling with infertility. What should priests do and say when a parishioner comes to them with this struggle? Father Jacob speaks candidly about what he has learned journeying with these couples and can offer practical advice for any priest unsure how to respond. You'll surely want to share this with your parish priests!
Resources for Your Pastor: https://springsinthedesert.org/resources/#Pastor Contact Us to Request Brochures or other resources to share with your pastor: https://springsinthedesert.org/contact-us/
29 min
September 14, 2022 Pilgrimaging and Praying with Our Lady through Infertility
This month, we welcome back Kim Colby to chat with Cassandra and Allie about her recent pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Archdiocese for the Military Services. We talk about prayer and healing in Lourdes, the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, and the blessings of making a pilgrimage while experiencing infertility, regardless of whether you travel locally, regionally, or abroad. Listen in and be uplifted in your walk with Christ!
Resources:
Vlog: Healing in Lourdes - https://springsinthedesert.org/healing-in-lourdes/
Blog: On Hope and Miracles - https://springsinthedesert.org/on-hope-and-miracles/
Podcast: Beyond Conception: Re-conceiving Healing in Infertility - https://open.spotify.com/episode/78Q1pyn9LtWSvg9bvUWfQ1
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Join our community by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you need prayers, someone to listen, or you want to tell your story on our blog, email us at [email protected].
Attachments area
25 min
August 24, 2022 Soldiering Through Infertility in the Military w/ Kim Colby
In this episode, we welcome Springs in the Desert contributor Kim Colby to the podcast along with returning guest Natalie Blackford. Each of these women has experienced infertility while being a member of the military community - Kim and her husband both served on active duty and Natalie's husband currently serves. We talk about the culture of family life in the armed forces as well as the challenges that come with deployments and temporary duty travel (TDY) that form a part of military life. Listen in for advice on how to approach long periods of separation from your spouse and ideas for how to be fruitful in the waiting!

Resources:
Military Council of Catholic Women
Catholic Military Life Podcast: "Kimberly Colby on Infertility in the Military"
27 min
August 10, 2022 Freedom From NFP w/ Christina Valenzuela
In this episode, we welcome Christina Valenzuela from Pearl and Thistle back to the podcast to chat with Kimberly and Allie about her work as an NFP instructor using the Boston Cross Check method. We address many of the difficulties that couples with infertility experience while using NFP (how to include your spouse in the process, giving yourself permission to take a break, being honest with your practitioner, etc.). We discuss that while NFP can definitely lead to freedom in marriage, it's OK if NFP doesn't become a major part of your life, and it's even OK to let it go.
Resources:
Pearl and Thistle (https://www.pearlandthistle.com/#/)
Boston Cross Check method of NFP (https://www.bostoncrosscheck.com/)
Blog Post: Me and NFP, It's Complicated (https://springsinthedesert.org/me-and-nfp-its-complicated/)
28 min
July 27, 2022 The Goodness of Our Bodies w/ Christina Valenzuela
In this episode, we welcome Christina Valenzuela from Pearl and Thistle to the podcast to chat with Kimberly and Allie about how our cycles/bodies as women are good, regardless of their "fertility status"! We talk about some of the lies that can crop up around this topic, and how to deal with them. Listen in and be reminded of the truth that your creation is a gift from God, even when life (and fertility) looks different than expected.
Resources:
Pearl and Thistle (https://www.pearlandthistle.com/#/)
Mark 5:21-43 (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/5)
Blog Post: Maybe (https://springsinthedesert.org/maybe/)
33 min
July 13, 2022 Fertility at all Costs? Temptations and Truths about Infertility Treatment
In this episode, Stacey, Allie, and Abby discuss the temptation many of us feel to achieve fertility "at all costs" - from the pressure to take every last pill and undergo every procedure to believing the lie that God will withhold a baby if we choose to take a break from treatment. We share honestly about these temptations to make fertility an idol and speak the truth about our relationship with the Lord and our identity as His daughters. We also discuss how we are learning to trust and listen to Him above all the other voices, and to rest in His love. Listen in and know that you're not alone!
Resources:
Vlog: Am I doing enough? (https://springsinthedesert.org/am-i-doing-enough/)
Article: The Charism of Infertility, by Tim O’Malley (https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/editorial-musings-the-charism-of-infertility/)
Article: The Gift of Infertility by Dr. Jameson and Jennifer Taylor (https://catholicexchange.com/the-gift-of-infertility-part-4/)
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Join our community by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you need prayers, someone to listen, or you want to tell your story on our blog, email us at [email protected].
26 min
June 22, 2022 Persevering with the Lord through Infertility w/ Deacon Amarante
In this month’s episode of A Man’s Take, James welcomes Deacon Amarante, a good friend of Springs in the Desert. They discuss the experience of secondary infertility, seeking healing beyond just the physical means, the importance of turning toward your spouse through difficulties in marriage, and the call to greater love that exists within every marital vocation. Come along with us to have your spirit lifted in your walk as a son or daughter of God!
Resources:
Blog: Love in Infertility (https://springsinthedesert.org/love-in-infertility/)
Blog: Infertility and Healing (https://springsinthedesert.org/infertility-and-healing/)
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Join our community by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you need prayers, someone to listen, or you want to tell your story on our blog, email us at [email protected].
32 min
June 08, 2022 Vocation and the Call to Live for Others w/ Fr. Paolo Puccini, CSP
In this month’s episode of A Man’s Take, James welcomes his good friend Fr. Paolo Puccini, CSP to the podcast to talk about vocation and the call to live for others. They discuss discernment, living out their respective vocations without biological children, and how both the sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders point us to Heaven. Come along with us to have your spirit lifted in your walk as a son or daughter of God!
Resources:
Blog: What’s In A Name (https://springsinthedesert.org/whats-in-a-name/)
Blog: Finding Fatherhood in Infertility (https://springsinthedesert.org/finding-fatherhood-in-infertility/)
Paulist Fathers (https://paulist.org/)
Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Join our community by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you need prayers, someone to listen, or you want to tell your story on our blog, email us at [email protected].
29 min
May 25, 2022 Clicks and Reels: Social Media and Infertility
In today’s episode, Cassandra, Allie and Ann talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to social media use as Catholic women experiencing infertility. They chat about everything from receiving support from others online to struggling with pregnancy announcements and gender reveal photos, and share practical ways they are learning to use social media intentionally. Listen in and know you're not alone!
Resources:
Podcast: Comfort and Joy: Surviving "Announcement" Season w/ Natalie Blackford
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comfort-and-joy-surviving-announcement-season-w/id1519015883?i=1000541308366
30 min