The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

You may have heard of the papal document Humanae Vitae, but have you ever read it? Today we’re welcoming Elizabeth Kirk to the podcast to reflect a little on this important text. We’ll talk about:– why couples struggling with infertility might want to sit down and read Humanae Vitae– how we can understand the ideas of emptiness and privation on the path of infertility– living out hope in a season of infertility - even when “‘not yet’ is ‘not ever’”Links:Humanae Vitae, 50 Years LaterElizabeth KirkCenter for Law & the Human Person

It’s the first episode of a new year, so you know what that means – it’s time for the Word and Saint of the Year!Ann and Cassandra are back for round four of this Springs tradition. We’re not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions around here, but we love to meet new saints and get inspiration from these fun tools!Do you participate? We want to hear from you – find us on social media and let us know about your Word and Saint of the Year!Links:Word of the Year GeneratorSaint of the Year GeneratorTinySaints Saint GeneratorSt. Wolfgang - Catholic Encyclopedia

As we prepare to step into the New Year, Ann and Cassandra take a look back on our theme for 2025, “Your Marriage has a Mission,” and dig into our new theme for 2026, “Take It to Heart.”We’ll talk about:– the witness of our marriages on the path of infertility– how we can embrace big missions, but also those smaller, everyday, but still beautiful missions in this season– how we’re inviting this community to take God’s infinite love to heart in the New YearThank you so much for listening and for your continuing support. It is an honor to walk with you!LinksSupport Springs and this podcast!

Blessed Christmas Eve to all! As we await our Savior’s birth this Christmas, we’re welcoming Fr. Joseph Aytona, CPM of the Fathers of Mercy to the podcast. Fr. Aytona shares about the Spiritual Motherhood Sodality and helps us to better understand a topic that, while so important, can also be hard to wrestle with on the path of infertility. We’ll talk to Fr. Aytona about:woman’s longing for her maternal mission, and how we are all called to help others grow in grace.how our Blessed Mother truly understands what we’re going through!the importance of praying for priests, and how it can be a beautiful expression of spiritual motherhood.We hope you’ll find Fr. Aytona’s message of grace, hope and mercy to be a comfort to you this Christmas!Links:Fathers of MercySpiritual Motherhood Sodality

How can we find fulfillment when we can’t conceive? Today we’re welcoming Leigh Snead, Fellow of the Catholic Association and co-host of Conversations with Consequences, back to the pod to preview her upcoming book, Infertile but Fruitful: Finding Fulfillment When You Can't Conceive (Sophia Institute Press, 2026).We’ll talk with Leigh about:– why it was important to include different infertility perspectives in her book.– the continually changing infertility conversation.– her advice for Catholic brides who are really struggling with the experience of infertility.Links:Infertile but Fruitful (Sophia Institute Press)