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, yet not letting that news consume us. Links: Mental Health Awareness and Infertility Blog Post ---...

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 Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), certified spiritual director,...

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

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 with your Diocesan leaders so we can help build a community for you locally. You are not...

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 infertility together. Links: Clare's Practice --- Support this podcast:...

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 free to share the below resources with your Pastor! Links: Mother’s Day Resource for Pastors "Mother’s Day...

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 have so much to offer this world! Links: The Catholic Association Carrying the Cross of Infertility: An...

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 Counselors Emotional Temperature Article How Should We Process Grief? with Edward Luersman ---...

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 your game" with love? Do this fun exercise - and share your experience with us: Try replacing the word...

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 advises, always at the ready with an answer for the reason for our hope! Links: Catechism of the Catholic...

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 in Connecticut and seeking a counselor, connect with Clare at Harborlight Counseling. Learn more about...

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 Bright Sadness --- Support this podcast:...

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 “emergency self-care response toolkit,” to feel more equipped to handle sensitive situations at...

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's March, the month of St. Joseph.  Let us ask his intercession as we develop healthy attitudes regarding...

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 for the workplace, because they might be helpful for someone else! Links: 5 Ways to Cope with...

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 heart of the season of Lent as we come and ask for healing from our Lord. Links: Springs Examination of...

This week we air our third podcast in our miniseries on examining our consciences. The Springs in the Desert spiritual Father, Fr. Paul, takes us again into an examination as we look at our relationships with others. It's a gift to live in community yet sometimes it can be a real challenge. May this examination help us open ourselves up to the grace the Lord wants to give us this Lent!  Links: Fr. Paul's Email Ministries, Counseling & Spiritual Direction Page Prayer of St....

We welcome back Fr. Paul to this second episode in a miniseries on examining our consciences. He and Jillian discuss why it's common to experience fear and discomfort surrounding the Sacrament of Confession, but why it's completely not necessary! To end the episode, we'll again dive right into another examination where we take some quiet time and individually examine our relationship with our spouse. May this short prayer time help us start our Lenten journey off on the right...

Welcome to the first podcast in a miniseries on examining our consciences. Father Paul, our Springs in the Desert spiritual Father, explains what an examination is and why it's healthy and beneficial to do regularly. Then we'll actually dive into one where we take some quiet time and individually examine our relationship with God.  This should be a prayerful and meditative time to help us prepare for the beginning of Lent!  Links: Fr. Paul's Email: [email protected] ...

Our special guest this week, Bethany Meola, discusses Life Giving Wounds, a ministry she founded with her husband, which helps adult children of divorce or separation find healing. Do you come from a broken home? Have your parents been separated or divorced? If you have wounds from your family of origin, you are not alone. Remember, the Lord wants us to live joyful and abundant lives, no matter the crosses we carry. Despite her own experience of infertility, Bethany shares her marriage's...

We welcome back special guest and licensed counselor, Clare Kane, on the podcast this week to discuss intimacy in a season of infertility. She shares some common threads she sees when meeting with couples struggling with infertility as it relates to intimacy. If this is an area of your marriage where you're seeing some wounds emerge, you're not alone. Clare will help put words to why we may be feeling the way we are, and what we can do to bring healing and help restore our relationships with...

In this Desert Reflection, Jillian and Stacey dive a little deeper into The Five Love Languages as we continue to reflect on how to keep the spark alive with our spouse. Being in tune with how our spouse ticks, can deepen our bond with them and strengthen our marriages which is something we all want! Links: The Five Love Languages The Five Love Languages Quiz --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/springsinthedesert/support

It can be a challenge to keep the flame alive during a season of infertility. Springs team members, Ian and Cassi Durnan, share with Ann their own personal struggles in their marriage when it comes to daily connecting with their spouse at a deep and intimate level. They also reveal some ways they've worked through things to get to a place of mutual nurturing, encouragement, and care in their relationship. After listening, you'll feel enticed to pour energy into your relationship with your own...

Happy New Year Springs in the Desert Listeners! We'll start the year off revisiting an old favorite, the Word of the Year. Have you picked a word for the year yet? Springs team members, Ann and Cassandra have, and they go deep sharing their personal reflections and insights as they unwrap what their words mean for them. Spoiler alert, one of the words is 'trust' and what they discuss regarding it, may be just what's sitting on your heart too. Links: Saints Name Generator Word of the...

Jillian and Ann discuss the various conversations where one might face challenges in a season of infertility in today’s episode. From setting up an appointment to talk with your pastor and navigating questions from family and friends to having fun with your spouse and changing up your practice of prayer, they talk through how to begin these conversations that may be difficult to navigate. Together, we can change the infertility conversation, so be sure to share your suggestions with...