The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility – Details, episodes & analysis

How are you dealing with infertility grief? Have you been able to come to a place where that grief can be acknowledged?

In this episode, Ann and Cassandra explore the unique grief of infertility. We'll talk about:

• How emotions like jealousy and anger can come under the umbrella of grief
• The value of learning from other people's experiences of infertility, including primary/secondary infertility and miscarriage
• The beautiful fruit that can be drawn out of grief

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.

As we wrap up Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we're bringing Margalita Poletunow, LPC on the podcast for an encouraging episode that will touch your heart.

No matter where you are on the path of infertility/loss, you'll take away from this episode:

• The difference between grief coaching and therapy
• The fact that "God sees you whole" – even when you're struggling with infertility/loss
• The message that you are a beloved daughter (or son!) of the Most High

Please share this episode with anyone who needs that reminder on the path of infertility!

Links:

Where Grief Meets Grace: Grief Coaching w/ Margalita Poletunow, LPC

"What do we do if we don't have children?"

If this is a question you've wondered about in a season of infertility, this episode is for you! Springs contributors Ellie and Trey Weaver join Cassandra for another great episode on our theme, "Your Marriage Has a Mission."

The Weavers used to feel like they weren't sure about the mission of their marriage – but today they have come to embrace the abundant opportunities that God has put in their path!

This episode is filled with encouragement on embracing God's invitation to give life in a season of infertility. Infertility is not the mission of your marriage, and it does not define you! Your gifts are necessary for the Church. How will you use them to give life today?

Links:

Broken Arrow OK retreat registration

Richmond VA retreat registration

Cassandra and Jillian chat with Mary Bruno all about Spiritual Motherhood and how to cultivate it. They discuss that because infertility exists, we can be confident that God has entrusted us with many avenues in which to be fruitful. Through discernment and our daily “yes,” spiritual motherhood and fatherhood make God’s love tangible to those around us in an abundance of ways!

Links:

• 12 Stripes Deep
• Mary Bruno's Instagram
• Mary Bruno Website

Our Desert Reflection this week deals with the timely topic of gratitude. As we are about to sit down at the Thanksgiving table, it's an appropriate time to consider the feelings of gratitude we may sometimes struggle to cultivate during a season of infertility. Ann and Cassi help renew our perspective on gratefulness and offer practical suggestions so we can go from rotely listing our blessings to really experiencing the joy of gratitude deep within our hearts.

Links:

• John 6:1-15

Are you praying in desperation? Do you wonder why it seems God is answering everyone else's prayers except your own? Fr. Paul shares his wisdom regarding prayer with Ann and Jillian on this week's desert reflection. We are importantly reminded that God always answers our prayers though not always how we had envisioned or in our timing. But it's always better than what we had in mind!

Links

• Women at the Well Virtual Prayer Group
• Fr. Paul, the spiritual Father for Springs in the Desert, is available for spiritual direction, prayer, or just simply to talk! You can reach him at fr.paul@springsinthedesert.org
  

What does being okay with being okay look like in a season of infertility? Ann and Cassi share how it's possible to grieve your infertility while also experiencing deep joy and surrender. It doesn't mean that you don't have your hard days, but rather, that you can still enjoy an abiding peace all while knowing God is working everything out for your good.

Link

• Blog Post - The Difference Between Acceptance & Giving Up

Have you been thinking about adoption? Not sure where to start? It's normal to have a lot of questions and maybe even some fear. Cassandra chats with Catholic writer, Emily Stimpson Chapman, and one of the Springs founders, Kimberly Henkel, and picks their brains on all things adoption. If you feel like God might be calling you to adopt, you'll want to listen in!

Links:

• Emily's Website
• Emily's Instagram
• Emily's Facebook
• Springs of Love

In today's episode, Ann and Jillian invite special guest, Victoria Cerise, back on the show to discuss a deeply personal and difficult topic, grieving a miscarriage. Victoria generously shares her story of loss and offers healthy suggestions on how to journey through the grief that often accompanies miscarriage. They discuss the difficulties that even this community can face in comparing the crosses we carry, but they share ideas of ways to lighten the cross for each other.

Links:

• The Nursery of Heaven
• Springs in the Desert Instagram
• Springs in the Desert Facebook
• Mystical Rose Photography Website
• Mystical Rose Photography Instagram
• Victoria Cerise Instagram

This week Cassandra and Ann welcome special guest and licensed counselor, Clare Kane, to the podcast. The women discuss processing the transition into menopause and where it intersects with the experience of infertility. Clare shares some of her story and gives encouragement to those walking this path into a new horizon of life and marriage.

Links:

• A God at Hand: Part One
• A God at Hand: Part Two
• Clare's Practice