Our Lord tells us in the Gospel of Matthew 18:3 that, in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to become like children.  This advice also holds true for those of us grieving infertility or loss.  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Bryan Hanan, joins the Durnan's on the podcast this week to unpack what it means to heal by connecting with our inner child. Links: Brya's Website Brya's Book --- Support this podcast:...

As we approach holiday gatherings, we wanted to air the second episode in a two-part series dedicated to boundary setting.  We welcome back our dear friend and licensed psychotherapist, Clare Kane, to answer the questions we ran out of time for on the first episode. For instance, how do we figure what our boundaries are? And what do we do when others don't respect the boundaries we set?  Links: Part 1 Clare's Practice --- Support this podcast:...

Knowing healthy relationship boundaries and setting them can be an invaluable strategy when carrying the cross of infertility or loss. Licensed psychotherapist, Clare Kane, sits down with Jillian and helps us unpack this. What are boundaries? Can Christians set boundaries? What do I do if it's uncomfortable to set them? All of these questions and more will be brought to the table. Links: Clare's Practice --- Support this podcast:...

Life isn't easy, as most of us would agree. Our special guest this week, Eileen Tully, has lived through her own share of traumas and sorrow. But she is still full of exuberance and joy and shares with us some wisdom she has picked up along the path of grief.  Maybe even with a quote from The Office thrown in! Links: Eileen's Website --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

As we move into a more festive season of the year, the idea of inviting friends and family over for a party or get-together may be a common thought. With her wealth of wisdom on what hospitality means and what it can look like, return guest, Steffani Aquila, shares her insight. Remember, the evil one wants to isolate us, but God knows our hearts need community, so the holidays might look like throwing a party or they might look like simply asking a friend to come over and hang...

Did you hear? Springs in the Desert Small Groups are now live! Don't miss this episode all about starting a small group, and don't worry, we will be back with a brand-new, full-length episode next week! We have a dynamic duo on the podcast this week to share with us their experience facilitating a small group. They are Meg Reister and Bernadette Juliano, and their story is uplifting and inspiring. They share what gifts and graces the Lord has brought into the world through their small...

Jillian sits down with our good friend, Mary Bruno, to discuss that, although prayer can be difficult in a season of infertility, there are so many ways to speak to and hear from God! If you are looking for new ways to prayer, be sure to check out Mary's newest book, Holding Space for Joy, which just might be the companion you are looking for in your life of prayer! Links: Holding Space for Joy by Mary Bruno Stepping Into Suffering with Mary Bruno What is Spiritual Motherhood? with...

We explore the topic of infidelity on the podcast this week with licensed psychotherapist, Clare Kane. Clare joins us again to navigate how we can address infidelity in our marriages if that is something we are suffering through. Even if infidelity isn't a cross we have to deal with, Clare brings additional insight into leaning into our spouse to create an abundantly beautiful marriage.  Links: Clare's Practice --- Support this podcast:...

On today's episode, Jillian is joined by a fan favorite: Clare Kane, Professional Contributor for Springs in the Desert and Psychotherapist to have an important conversation about intimacy after medical trauma has been experienced. If you are struggling to reapproach intimacy in this season of infertility, this episode might be a helpful start. Clare not only explains medical trauma, but shares tips on where to begin reapproaching intimacy with your spouse both emotionally and...

We are immensely grateful to Katie Axelson for coming on the podcast this week to share her astonishing story. It’s more than just a story of survival. It’s a story of God touching and healing our wounds with such tender mercy and love. Katie is hopeful her story will help others not feel alone as God uses it for His glory. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

It’s a real gift to have Fr. Elias Dorham on the podcast this week to talk about how to practice gratitude and forgiveness in our marriages. Fr. Elias has a strong background in marriage related ministry, and you will find lots to savor and meditate on from the discussion. Please listen and be blessed by his gentle words of encouragement and please let us know how you practice gratitude and forgiveness in your marriage. We’d love to hear! Links: Blog Post by Ann Mount Tabor Counseling ...

We wanted to bring Meg Reister and Bernadette Juliano back on the podcast to dive a little deeper into small groups. The first episode they recorded with us brought up so many great ideas for why and how to start a small group that we wanted to take more time to hear more of the nuts and bolts of how small groups function. If leading or participating in a small group has piqued your interest, you'll want to listen to this episode to learn more! Links: How to Start a Small Group with Meg...

In celebration of our upcoming Founding Day, the two women who started this ministry, Kimberly and Ann, take us back in time to when it all began. It's a beautiful story of two women, united by a common cross, who found each other, and then carried that cross to build a community where couples walking the path of infertility would feel seen and heard. You'll even hear the story of how the name of the ministry, 'Springs in the Desert', was born! Links: Springs in the Desert Springs of...

Jillian and Cassandra sit down with Suzy Younger, Notre Dame Marriage Prep Coordinator and Certified FertilityCare Practitioner, to discuss what it is like to undergo a hysterectomy. We discuss what it is like to receive a diagnosis that would lead to a hysterectomy, what it might be like to prepare for and recover from the procedure, and how this procedure can affect a woman and her spouse both spiritually and physically. Even if your story is not the same as Suzy's, this episode highlights...

We have a dynamic duo on the podcast this week to share with us their experience facilitating a small group. They are Meg Reister and Bernadette Juliano, and their story is uplifting and inspiring. They share what gifts and graces the Lord has brought into the world through their small group and how it has helped them carry the cross of infertility.  Please see the link below to find a small group to join, or better yet, how to start your own. You have what it takes! Be not...

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

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 ministry as it relates to couples on the path of infertility. Links: Life Beyond the Chariot Podcast ---...

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 Magazine --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

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 the chart and it becomes a major distraction depleting the health of our marriage or preventing us from...

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 spouse. Links What's the Issue with IVF? podcast episode --- Support this podcast:...

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 starting out, it's equally important once you are married. This is our encouragement to grab your spouse...

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

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 the concerns with this Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).  Links: Donum Vitae Dignitas...