Riding Different Waves: Recapping The Skills That Kept Johnny & Susan Together When Grief Pulled Them Apart

The opinions and perspectives shared in this episode are those of Dr. Clay Brigance, Ginny Lupka, Susan Sirpilla, and Johnny Sirpilla and are intended for educational and informational purposes only as part of the Love & Infertility podcast. The content discussed is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you need assistance navigating infertility, reproductive trauma, or mental health concerns, please consult your healthcare professional or a licensed therapist in your area.

This episode contains topics that may be upsetting to some listeners including infertility and reproductive trauma, miscarriage and pregnancy loss, medical procedures (including IVF and IUI), childlessness, and mental health challenges.

Welcome to episode three and our first recap episode of Love & Infertility—the podcast specifically created for couples navigating the emotional rollercoaster of infertility, IVF, IUI, miscarriage, and reproductive trauma together. Today, hosts and therapists Dr. Clay Brigance and Ginny Lupka unpack their conversation with Johnny and Susan Sirpilla, drawing out the key relationship insights and offering practical tools that couples can use right now.

Johnny and Susan survived IVF, the loss of triplets, a twin miscarriage, a complicated international adoption journey, and a male-factor infertility diagnosis — all while keeping their marriage not just intact, but stronger than ever. Clay and Ginny examine what made that possible, and translate those lessons into skills every couple can practice.

What You’ll Learn:

(01:07) The gift of hindsight when processing grief

(05:58) Balancing conflict and connection in trauma

(11:07) Recurrent loss and its impact

(17:42) Building community and support networks

(25:24) Effective communication during crisis

(28:47) Encouragement to practice mindful engagement

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Life is Hard, But I'll Be Okay by Johnny Sirpilla

• Couple Therapy for Reproductive Grief by Dr. Clay Brigance, coming Fall 2026
• Gottman Method Couples Therapy
• Infertility and Mental Health Manual

LET'S CONNECT:

Johnny & Susan Sirpilla

• Book: Life is Hard, But I'll Be Okay by Johnny Sirpilla

• Website: Encourage 33

  Dr. Clay Brigance

• Instagram: @dr_claybrigance

• Website: www.drclaybrigance.com

  Ginny Lupka

• Instagram: @ginnylupkacounseling

• Substack: "That's Our Time"

• Website: www.ginnylupkacounseling.com