The Forward Healing Project: Recent Episodes
Whitney Allen
The Forward Healing Project is a weekly podcast where we acknowledge the challenges and grief experienced with infertility and miscarriage. Through honest and real talk we will share stories, explore emotions and seek healing by reclaiming, redefining and renewing what it means to heal a hopeful heart.
I had the absolute gift to interview Ann Koshute from Springs in the Desert. Be sure to check out the amazing work they are doing and the fantastic resources.
Springsinthedesert.org
Instagram: @springsinthedesert_
Getting emotionally stronger by building our healing muscles.
Poem by Alexandra Vasiliu
As we head into Mother's Day weekend, a few thoughts on how this is a hard weekend and it's ok to not be ok.
This episode is inspired by an episode of Downton Abbey and the line, I am not unhappy, I am just not ready to be happy. Happiness is a choice, a hard choice, but a choice nonetheless.
We can't get to a place of healing while remaining in a place of sadness and despair. We must choose to move forward.
Watering the desert is impossible but we try to do it and we try to do it alone, but we don't have to.
In this episode I talk about the grace God gives us on our healing journey.
Apologies for any dogs barking in the background :)
In the third and final part of feeling, finding and filling the void I share how we can fill the void.
Working through grief not past it. Healing takes time and we stumble but we can not forget we are working through the grief.
Our stories matter. This episode is about the healing power of sharing our stories and how it can help us heal and help us heal others.
Side note: Apologies for the poor sound on this episode. I had to record on a lapel mic in a closet in a hotel. It's been a busy fall!
Hello! I am so sorry but I am taking this week off but I will be back next week on November 2!
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are right around the corner and with them come major triggers for those navigating infertility, miscarriage and childlessness. I outline a few tips and advice on how to prepare for Trigger Season.
In this episode I discuss something I call the Joy Deficit. How we can all feel it and how we can begin to make it smaller.
I had the great honor of interviewing Brandi Lytle, founder of Not So Mommy... creator of the olive green Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon, Brandi is a wife, dog mom, aunt, host mom, and infertile woman who has redefined what momhood means to her. Not So Mommy…’s purpose is to support, educate, and advocate for the infertility & childless not by choice communities.
Learn more about Brandi:
https://notsomommy.com/childless-resources/
https://www.instagram.com/notsomommy/?hl=en
https://issuu.com/tutumjournal
Coutrney Warday is the founder and owner of Abide With Me Nutrition, Courtney is a Catholic wife and mother of two with a mission to bring hope to all women suffering the heavy cross of infertility and hormone imbalances. Both of these crosses she knows deeply and intimately. Courtney is a Registered Dietitian who received her bachelor's degree and master's degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of Lincoln-Nebraska. And is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist.
You can contact Courtney at
courtney.wardayrd@gmail.com
www.courtneywardayrd.com
https://www.instagram.com/natural.fertility.dietitian/
In this episode I talk about getting older and the fears of losing our legacy without someone to hand our possessions and legacy to.
In this episode I share the worst best advice I was given on my path to forward healing.
I will not be posting a podcast this week but wanted to hop on and let you know what's in store for next week...the worst, best advice I was given on this journey.
This episode we unpack the difference between fitting in and belonging on the path to forward healing.
This week's episode is how we can all relate to the Shoulder Wound of Christ through our healing and grieving journey.
A powerful faith over fear healing tool is gratitude, and a special kind of gratitude, belligerent gratitude.
This is the first of a three part series on healing tools that let you choose faith over fear on the path to Forward Healing.
What does it mean to rely on God, to have a relationship with Him on this journey? I am just beginning to figure it out. Listen in on my insights on how we must reply on God to find true healing.
I will be taking two weeks off for some family time and an eight day silent retreat. The next episode will come out July 13. Please pray for me and I will be praying for all the listeners. If you have a special prayer request please send me a message on Instagram or email me at forwardhealingproject@gmail.com.
This episode is on how to walk with your friends dealing with miscarriage, infertility and childlessness when announcing a pregnancy. And it's complicated.
The Litany of Humility can be a powerful way to move towards Forward Healing, surrender and consolation.
This episode I talk about the incredible healing that comes from tears when we surrender our suffering to God.
In today's special guest interview I sit down with a good friend of mine, Erin Phillips, to talk about the emotional challenges of a pregnancy after a miscarriage.
Show Notes:
BaptiCatholic Show https://open.spotify.com/show/75pnuqMQEOoTgHqE0ulSlZ?si=XZD5BNu9SK6OxUfN1hMPcw
This episode we explore the importance of being in the present moment along the forward healing process.
Contact:
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
This episode I talk about the meaning and the power of the phrase Nunc Coepi.
Show notes:
https://www.omvusa.org/bruno-lanteri/about-bruno-lanteri/spirituality/nunc-coepi/
https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-qb-philip-rivers-explains-nunc-coepi
Contact:
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
Secondary infertility is confusing, painful and frustrating and often misunderstood. Join me this week with special guest, Katie Wood of The Joyful Leap https://www.instagram.com/thejoyfulleap/ and author of Waiting With Mary: A Seven Sorrows Devotional for Catholic Women Facing Infertility.
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/kathryn-wood/waiting-with-mary-a-seven-sorrows-devotional-for-catholic-women-facing-infertility/paperback/product-1gqgzvmq.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Contact:
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
In this week's episode we take a look at the emotional trap of indifference and how love can heal our wounds.
Contact:
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
This episode is about the emotional challenges of navigating mother's day when you are dealing with infertility, miscarriage, childlessness and the loss of a mother.
Show Notes:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/05/11/what-not-do-during-mothers-day-mass
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/04/22/women-bibile-infertility-scripture-240494
Contact:
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
CORRECTION: I am so sorry I misspoke when this was originally published and I switched the time frames for infertility if you are under or over 35. I have edited this podcast with the corrected information that infertility is defined as the inability to conceive on natural cycles after one year of trying for a woman who is under 35 and six months for a woman that is over 35. My deepest apologies.
This episode I walk through some of the statistics, options and realities of miscarriage, infertility and treatments. This is a high level overview, a 101 where i try to cover some of he most common terms and issues one might encounter on their journey.
Resources and References:
https://www.amazon.com/Infertility-Companion-Catholics-Spiritual-Practical/dp/1594712891
https://ascensionpress.com/products/infertility-and-reproductive-technologies-a-guide-for-catholics-pamphlet?variant=7553709309988¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-10-16&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAjw6qqDBhB-EiwACBs6x320tQfjC4RV7hRYgSssYo3C_0kn1jAAg9jxS9yuXz6-U1_HtpTSnhoCe2oQAvD_BwE
https://verilymag.com/2019/03/ttc-infertility-treatment-that-is-cheaper-better-than-ivf-napro-technology-2019
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6027082/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29946210/
In this episode I take a look at what Spiritual Motherhood is and how all women are called to motherhood.
Show Notes:
https://carmelitesistersocd.com/2014/spiritual-motherhood/
https://lifeteen.com/cym/blog/spiritual-motherhood-2/
http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1988/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19880815_mulieris-dignitatem.html
http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1995/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_29061995_women.html
Thomas Merton Conjunctures of a Guilty Bystander
Contact:
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
This week's episode is about the healing power of silence. I share a part of my journey into the discovery of silence and the gifts we can find there. I also share some practical tips you can use each day to start a practice into finding silence in your life and how it can provide healing.
Notes:
The Power of Silence Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Robert Cardinal Sarah with Nicolas Diat
Ignatianspirituality.com
https://www.jesuits.org/our-work/retreat-centers/
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
In this special guest interview episode I interview Fran Boarders, the manager at Calvary Cemetery in Lexington, KY on the importance of the burial and remembrance services, naming your baby, and how we all grieve differently. Fran walks me through how people can utilize he cemetery and work with the hospital to collect their lost little one to be prepared for a burial.
Sound note: We were wearing masks and social distanced so the sound is a little different than usual but we were being safe!
Additional Notes: St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY videos the services where peopled to not attend and have it available for those families to view the service.
https://cdlex.org/calvary-cemetery
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/to-jesus-through-mary-why-yes-and-twas-ever-thus/5970/
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Instagram/forwadhealingproject
Instagram/healinghopefulhearts
Twitter/forwardhealing
In this episode, along with my good friend Meg Edwards Schneider, I pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary.
I use the version you can find on Churchpop.com https://www.churchpop.com/2020/09/14/how-to-pray-the-7-sorrows-rosary-our-ladys-miraculous-promises-according-to-a-visionary/
In this episode we look at the Seven Sorrows of Mary and how we can find healing through pain.
References:
Your Sorrow is My Sorrow by Joyce Rupp
Waiting with Mary: A Seven Sorrows Devotional for Catholic Women facing Infertility by Kathryn Wood
Article by James Finley https://cac.org/exploring-the-mystics-with-james-finley-weekly-summary-2017-10-14/
How to pray the seven sorrows rosary: https://www.churchpop.com/2020/09/14/how-to-pray-the-7-sorrows-rosary-our-ladys-miraculous-promises-according-to-a-visionary/
Send comments and questions to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com or healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram at @forwardhealingproject and @healinghopefulhearts
Twitter at @forwardhealing
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
This episode unpacks how when we compare what other's have to what we desire, we despair. And of course we look at how we can find forward healing in this space.
Send comments and questions to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com or healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram at @forwardhealingproject and @healinghopefulhearts
Twitter at @forwardhealing
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
This month's guest interview is with Rachel Richards. Rachel is an old friend and one with a difficult infertility and miscarriage story that led to the beautiful adoption of her son. Join us as we discuss the fears around adoption, trusting your heart and how the wounds of infertility and miscarriage never leave us but as always, there's hope.
Rachel is a life coach and you can find her at https://sunnythelifecoach.com/
She also has her own podcast called What Light's You Up https://sunnythelifecoach.libsyn.com/
Send comments and questions to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com or healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram at @forwardhealingproject and @healinghopefulhearts
Twitter at @forwardhealing
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
Non-negotiables are that which is not open to discussion or amendment. We can use non-negotiables as we define what we can and can not, what we will and will not, allow into our space as we grieve and try to heal.
They can also be used to create physical, emotional and spiritual space to bring you peace and a quiet space to hear God.
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmal.com
Twitter @forwardhealing
Instagram/Forwardhealingproject
When we feel flawed or less than or that we are not keeping up with everyone else we can feel shame. And shame leads is to believe we are unworthy of love. Listen to hear some of my own personal struggles with shame and how I was able to overcome them.
Web: theforwardhealingproject.com
Email: forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
healinghopefulhearts@gmail.com
Twitter: @forwardhealing
Instagram.com/healinghopefulhearts
Instagram.com/forwardhealingproject
This episode I am joined by three awesome men who agreed to share their perspective in miscarriage and infertility. This was my first interview so I am thankful to these men for their generosity and candor as they walked together in sharing the male perspective.
www.theforwardhealingproject.com forwardhealingproject@gmail.com Twitter@forwardhealing Instagram.com/The Forward Healing Project
We were made for each other. We were made for community so when something makes us different we can become isolated. Infertility, miscarriage and childlessness can make you isolated and kicked out of the tribe. Walk with me as we look at the challenges of isolation and finding a new tribe.
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
Instagram.com/forwardhealingproject
Twitter.com/forwardhealing
This episode unpacks what self care should look like, it is loving and creates growth.
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
Instagram.com/forwardhealingproject
Twitter @forwardhealing
Notes:
Litany of Humility: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/litany-of-humility
James Finley Quote: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Richard-Rohr-s-Meditation--John-of-the-Cross--Part-II--The-Dark-Night.html?soid=1103098668616&aid=iKJi6fcLP-I
Seven Sorrows Rosary: https://www.marian.org/mary/prayers/sorrows.php
Novena to St Jude: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-jude-novena
Novena to St Gerard: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-to-saint-gerard
We unpack the things we lose with infertility and miscarriage but also take a look at what we gain.
www.theforwardhealingproject.com
forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
Instagram.com/ForwardHealingProject
In today's episode I talk about hope, what we think it means, what it really means, and how we can be wounded by it or use it to slay despair.
Send comments or questions to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
Show Notes:
Catechism of the catholic Church (CCC) 1817-1820
Thomas Merton: No Man is and Island
follow TFHP on Instagram @forwardheaingproject
www.theforwarhealingproject.com
This episode we discuss how expectations can be dangerous if we fail to communicate and where joy can be found.
I'd love to hear from you. Send questions and comments to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
A brief breakdown of who this podcast is for, what we will be discussing the the reasons we need to have more conversations about infertility and miscarriage.
Send questions and comments to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com
An introduction to The Forward Healing Project podcast
I'd love to hear from you. Send questions and comments to forwardhealingproject@gmail.com