The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

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