Life Beyond Infertility

Episode #037: Lilian Santini - Turning AI Into An Outlet for Infertility Grief You may not think that AI and infertility have anything in common, but you'd be wrong. In today's episode of the Life Beyond Infertility podcast, you'll meet Lilian Santini, a woman who was always at the top of the class, came to America with 80 in her pocket, and became a successful female entrepreneur. But the one thing she couldn't create was the family of her dreams. However, instead of turning to negative habits like many of us do, Lilian was introduced to AI and used her creativity to pour her feelings into creating incredible stories and visuals using this technology. In just 15 days she created and self published her book, Behold, Life Beyond Grief, which she so graciously gave me a copy of. The words and visuals are stunning, but more than that, it's a way for her to give back to the community and sisterhood of women who have supported her along the way. Lilian lives in Miami with her husband Jonathan and their two dash hounds, Canela and Pepper. She's the founder of the Copper Portico, a branding company focused on building authentic brands through beautiful design. This is Lilian's story. Connect with Lilian: https://liliansantini.com lilian@liliansantini.com Get the Book: https://amzn.to/4bx5dY9 ___________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit.

#035: Lana Manikowski - Life After Infertility Coach and Childless Not by Choice Advocate After 7 years of fertility treatments and a lifetime of dreaming of motherhood, Lana Manikowski faced the realization that she would not be a mom. The years that followed were full of loneliness, self-judgement and confusion about living a childless life. Then she discovered Life Coaching and everything changed. Through the powerful coaching tools she learned, she transformed every area of her life. That’s when she knew she had to become a Coach herself so she could bring those tools to all the women struggling with infertility and failed IVF. Just because life didn’t turn out the way we always thought it would doesn’t mean we’re destined to live a mediocre life. Connect with Lana: https://lanamanikowski.com/ Find her on the Socials: https://www.instagram.com/lana.manikowski ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. Email me at charlie@charliedice.com. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit.

#034: Julie DeLucca Collins - TEDx Speaker, Confidence Coach & Infertility Survivor Today, we're diving into the realm of confidence, entrepreneurship, and personal growth with none other than Julie DeLucca Collins. She's not just a speaker and business coach, but a beacon of empowerment for women everywhere. Known for her top selling book, confident you, Julie has graced the stages of prestigious media outlets like Fox and ABC championing the cause of female entrepreneurs. But Julie's mission extends far beyond the limelight as a certified tiny habits and thrive global coach she's on a quest to nurture holistic growth, both personally and professionally for her clients. And guess what? She doesn't stop there. Julie takes her wisdom to the airwaves hosting, confident you on the 360 talk radio for women network. Get ready to be inspired as we unravel the secrets to building unshakable confidence and thriving in the world of entrepreneurship. So sit back, relax, and get ready to unlock your full potential with Julie DeLuca Collins. Connect with Julie: Book time with me here Listen to my podcast here Get my BEST Resources here Find her on the Socials: https://www.instagram.com/julie_deluccacollins/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/goconfidentlyjulie/ https://www.facebook.com/jdelucca https://www.tiktok.com/@juliedcbusinesscoach Get her book here: https://casadeconfidence.com/book ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. Email me at charlie@charliedice.com. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit.

#033: Ben Walker - Procrastination and Mindset Coach On today's episode of the Life Beyond Infertility podcast, I'm bringing you a fellow coach, friend, fantasy fanatic and Penn State fan, Ben Walker. Ben is a former musical theater actor turned life coach for procrastinators. He specializes in finding the ROOT of your procrastination. Getting you out of your own way and building goals and action plans you'll actually do! He has so many amazing nuggets that he dropped in this episode! I guarantee you, this is one that you're going to want to relisten to over and over again. Connect with Ben: Website: https://coachbenwalker.com Instagram: @benjoywalker Email: builtbybenfitness@gmail.com Matt Shiver Coaching ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit.

#032: Donna Fields - From Growing Up With A Narcissistic Mother to Award-Nominated Teacher Donna is an author, podcast host, teacher/trainer, and creator of the award- nominated website: scaffolding magic.com. She travels the world giving talks and workshops to facilitate educators to create dynamic learning environments in which students develop agency and the skills that will make them viable in the future and professional world. Connect with Donna: Website: https://scaffoldingmagic.com ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#031: Lexy Leigh - Peace of Me Podcast - Being Childfree by Choice and a Stepmom Like most of us, Lexy just wants to live her best life. Have you ever felt something so compelling that you couldn’t ignore it? Maybe you weren’t sure what was calling from within, but there was a spark looking to be ignited. For years, Lexy knew she wanted to create a platform that could connect people around the world in conversation. An outlet to feel heard, seen and validated. An outlet to spark curiosity, queue the creativity and provide fresh content. Now she's on a journey to simplify the complicated, organize the mess, walk away from what no longer serves her and make peace the priority. Life is all about change, development, transition and reflection. Connect with Lexy: Instagram: @peaceofmepodcast Website: https://peaceofmepodcast.com/ ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#030: Samantha DelSignore - The Surrogacy Compass - a journey through surrogacy Samantha and her husband turned to surrogacy to help create their family after experiencing infertility and is on the podcast to share their journey. They are currently expecting twins and Samantha started a surrogacy coaching business to help other Intended Parents navigate the complex and beautiful journey to parenthood via surrogacy. Connect with Samantha: Instagram: @surrogacycompass Website: https://www.thesurrogacycompass.com/ ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#029: Erica Cadavid - The Mommy Healer - EMDR Therapist & Perinatal Mental Health While Erica did not personally deal with infertility, she did have a very traumatic birth. Through that she saw the lack of mental health support from medical professionals for pregnancy, labor and postpartum care, which lead her to finding her niche as a therapist. She's a RCSWI in Florida as well as a certified birth doula. She's also an EMDR therapist (eye movement desensitization processing), where she works with those struggling with infertility as each month is a traumatic trigger. As a certified birth doula, she loves working with women that specifically need emotional support and want to learn new coping skills. Listen in to learn some EMDR techniques you can use in your own infertility journey! Connect with Erica: Instagram: @themommyhealer Website: https://www.themommyhealerservices.com/ ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#028: Ali Prato - host of Infertile AF Podcast, Fertility Rally & Now Published Author! If you're in the infertility space and haven't heard of Ali Prato's podcast, InfertileAF, I think you've been living under a rock. Ali is an infertility warrior and advocate who went through secondary infertility before having her second child, Sonny, through IVF. Ali’s podcast, Infertile AF, which was founded in 2019, has released more than 250 episodes and has been downloaded globally more than 1.4 million times. Listen to Infertile AF here. Her new book, Work of ART, is a children’s book about IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), based on her own experience to conceive her now 8-year old son, Sonny. Connect with Ali: Instagram: @InfertileAF Website: https://www.infertileafgroup.com/podcast Email: infertileafstories@gmail.com Book mentioned: You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg - get it HERE (this is an Amazon affiliate link) ___________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#027: Rachel Van Thyn - Rabbi and Board-Certified Chaplain Today, I'm excited to have Rachel Van Thyn as my guest. Rachel is a board-certified chaplain and chaplain educator, who has been providing emotional and spiritual support to individuals and couples going through fertility struggles. She also has a personal experience with IVF, which she went through during the COVID-19 pandemic while working as a front-line hospital worker in one of the hardest-hit cities. Rachel shares with us her journey of how the wisdom of her Judaism helped her make sense of her own infertility journey. She talks about how her faith gave her strength and resilience to keep going, even during the toughest times. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and there is always a community of support and understanding waiting for you. Keep finding your own path, and never give up on your dreams of parenthood. Get in touch with Rachel: Website: http://www.rvtivf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvtivf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rvtivf ____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#026: Dr. Maddy Roth & Inspire Pelvic Floor Therapy Is sex painful for you at your “entry point”? Do you suffer from leakage? Chronic UTI’s, endo pain, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids? If you answered yes to any of those…what if I told you you could benefit from pelvic floor therapy… Excuse me, what? Yeah, I had never heard of this type of therapy either until I met today’s guest, Dr. Madison Roth, or Maddy as she prefers to be called. Dr. Maddy is a pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Inspire Pelvic Physical Therapy, located in Saginaw, MI. She founded Inspire in order to change the lives of people with pelvic pain and dysfunction in Michigan through her in-person therapy options and around the world through her virtual services. She is passionate about taking patients to the next level; not just decreasing pain and dysfunction, but also helping patients achieve what initially might seem impossible. Follow Inspire on Instagram for hundreds of funny, educational pelvic health videos. While Dr. Maddy and her team do treat a lot of pre- and post-partum moms, she’s also on a mission to educate women about the importance of being familiar with their anatomy in a non-judgmental way. Knowing what’s normal (for you) and what’s not so you can take better care of yourself and deal with issues earlier to avoid complications. If you’re a little squeamish, just hang tight and keep an open mind! As a bonus, premium subscribers to the show will get an extra clip of Dr. Maddy walking you through a simple exercise you can do in just 5 minutes a day to significantly improve your digestive health if you’re like me and suffer from chronic constipation and IBS. SIGN UP to be a premium subscriber today! ____________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and give you actionable steps you can take today to start feeling like yourself again. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone! _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#025: We're kicking off a new series on the podcast - Ask the Audience! I'm hitting the streets asking people who’ve dealt with infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy loss etc. one question each episode. It’s a way to gather advice from people who’ve actually been in the trenches of infertility. Not people who haven’t but think they know what it’s like. In this first episode of the series we're answering the question: "What I Wish I Knew Before My Fertility Journey". There's a reason the saying goes hindsight is 2020. It's like having a crystal ball that predicts what the stock market is going to do this here, or who's going to win the election. It's like walking into your last final senior year and having the answer key in your back pocket. Now you may be starting to wonder Charlie. What's this afternoon with infertility. Well, let me ask you this. What would it have felt like to know where the road was taking you before you left your garage? Would you even have turned on the engine? Or would you still be sitting in your car white knuckling, the steering wheel, because you were too afraid to go. My goal for this podcast is to always provide you with incredible value. Whether that's through interviewing industry experts, sharing stories from regular women, like you and me. We're sharing insights from my journey and how I was able to learn to love my life without kids. It's first and foremost about bringing you the information you need. To feel empowered in your choices. That's why I decided to start something new on the show. Introducing as the audience in this new series, which I'm sprinkling into the show at least once every other month. I'm hitting the streets and asking women like you who've been in the trenches of infertility. One question each episode that will give you insights and add to your toolbox of skills. You need to learn to love your life without kids. And today's first ask the audience series. I asked 11 women who have gone through infertility and decided to remain childless afterwards. What's one thing you wish you knew when you started your fertility journey. These are women from all walks of life. From a VP of HR for a technology company. To a homesteader in the mountains of Tennessee. This shows that infertility doesn't discriminate and it can affect anyone anywhere in any walk of life. I'll also be chiming in on the answers given. Let's dive in. ____________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and give you actionable steps you can take today to start feeling like yourself again. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone! _____________________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. ____________________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email:...

#024: Infertility Grief - Why the 5 Stages Don't Work! Remember being taught the 5 stages of grief in school? No? Ok, here's a quick recap: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally, acceptance. But why doesn't this popular model help us when we're dealing with infertility or pregnancy loss grief? In this podcast episode, I explore why the five stages do not fully capture the experiences of those facing, and ending a family building journey, and offer up a fresh perspective on how to view your grief that is much easier for us to understand and work through. I'm also sharing how stress can pop up even in situations we deem as "good" or "positive", and still bring about a sense of loss. So, how do you frame your grief in a way that makes sense? Tune in to listen now and find out! SIGN UP to be a premium subscriber today! _______________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. I have a few spots left for a completely free, no sales, no pitching, 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation, and you walk away with a personalized recommendation you can use to start seeing your life as one still worth living. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone! _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - When intercourse isn't working or not possible, try the first FDA-cleared at-home intravaginal insemination kit. _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram: @lifebeyondinfertility. __________________________________________________________________________ Click HERE to give a 1-time show of support - thank you so much! ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#023: Ever wonder what your parents think when their child goes through an infertility struggle? If they’ve never experienced it themselves, how can they relate to you to provide support and comfort? What helps and what doesn’t in terms of advice and opinions? Should a parent even offer them in this situation? It’s something I’ve always wanted to know, and in today’s episode I have a VERY special guest to answer those questions - my mom! It’s something she and I have never discussed publicly, and to be completely honest, we never even shared our TTC journey with her (or anyone in our families) until after my first miscarriage. We’ll unpack our reasons why we decided to keep it a secret, and if I regret that decision. We also chatted about how relationships with parents and siblings change as a result of being a child without children. Buckle up! This episode is going to give you the perspective of a parent, and help bridge the communication gap when something like this affects your family. After listening, I’d love to know your thoughts on if you think your parents would react the same way my mom did. ____________________________________________________________________________ WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility. I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and give you actionable steps you can take today to start feeling like yourself again. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone! _____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - Home Fertility for Every Home _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shout outs, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com.

#022: While pursuing parenthood through "non-traditional" methods, a lot can feel completely out of your control. Whether facing fertility treatments, an adoption process, or third-party reproduction, you may feel like you have way too many choices to make - with none feeling quite right. Layering on that family building also comes with lots of unsolicited advice, intrusive questions and toxic positivity - it can be really complicated. We're continuing our Season 2 kickoff with an incredible session that will provide some clarity, and set you up for success the next time you're feeling overwhelmed about what step to take next! My special guest, Kenzi Locks, LCSW, HWC, is a licensed therapist and family building coach. She provides support, education, and resources to give you peace of mind, knowing you arrived at the best decision for you and your situation. All while finding deeper connections in your relationships, and strengthening your resolve for the journey ahead. This episode will shift your mindset around what family "should" look like. Armed with Kenzi's tools and tricks, you'll be fully prepared to ask the right questions at your next OB appointment, or in working through that awkward conversation with your partner. And as a bonus, Kenzi and I also discuss how she's working with LGBTQ+ couples to help them navigate the special challenges they face when family planning or going through infertility. Don't miss out on this incredible chat. Listen in and enjoy! ____________________________________________________________________________ Click here to find out the No. 1 reason most women get stuck in the vicious cycle of infertility grief and how to break it ____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - Home Fertility for Every Home _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shout outs, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com. WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility, and teach you to not just survive, but thrive! I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and see if we're a good fit for each other. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone!

#021: For those of us who’ve gone through infertility, joy isn’t something we’re used to feeling right? Discipline, grit, heartache, hopelessness, sure, but here's the thing — no one wants to live in those emotions forever. Isn’t it time we get to look forward to things again? How can we find or rediscover joy this new year? How can we make this year our most fulfilling yet? We're kicking off the year and a new season with a short, but jam-packed episode that will answer these questions and energize you on your path to success in 2024! In this solo episode, I’m giving you 5 actionable items you can start doing TODAY to make this your most joyful year yet! Learn how to shift your mindset around feeling selfish and prioritizing personal growth, without feeling guilty. Armed with these 5 tips, you'll know exactly how to maximize your time and effort into being intentional with what makes you happy. Listen in and enjoy! ____________________________________________________________________________ Click here to find out the No. 1 reason most women get stuck in the vicious cycle of infertility grief and how to break it ____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - Home Fertility for Every Home _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shout outs, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com. WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility, and teach you to not just survive, but thrive! I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and see if we're a good fit for each other. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone!

#020: This episode mentions childhood rape and a short, graphic depiction of miscarriage. Listener discretion is advised. You are not your trauma. What comes to mind when you hear that phrase? For today’s guest, Harriet M. Harris, it means overcoming childhood trauma at the hands of a family friend. It means realizing those demons she thought were slain, resurfacing as an adult battling secondary infertility. But it also means rising from the ashes and creating a movement and community of people who no longer define themselves by what happened to them. Speaker, author, coach and fellow podcast host, Harriet is passionate about helping women to live life without limits. On today’s episode of the Life Beyond Infertility podcast, she shares with me how she transformed her limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors into empowering truths. Connect with Harriet: https://youarenotyourtrauma.com/ Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Instagram ____________________________________________________________________________ Click here to find out the No. 1 reason most women get stuck in the vicious cycle of infertility grief and how to break it ____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - Home Fertility for Every Home _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shout outs, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com. WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility, and teach you to not just survive, but thrive! I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and see if we're a good fit for each other. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone!

#019: You've just turned 50 and moved across country two weeks earlier. Over the next 10 days you find yourself in the ER, twice. With various symptoms, including a racing heartbeat. Got high blood pressure and a bladder control issue. After scores of tests and a trip to the cardiologists, it's determined that outside of hormones, due to menopause. There's nothing seriously, physically wrong with you. There is however, a serious issue with anxiety, codependency, performing and producing for approval, intrusive thoughts around health and no peace or contentment in your life...what do you do? Melissa Crook is a woman in her 50’s who currently lives in Fresno, CA with the great love of her life, best friend, spouse, and father of their children, Brady Crook. Melissa loves her husband, her daughters, her son-in-law, the beach, the lake, sunsets, mountains, the Washingtons State University Cougars, the 49ers, the Dodgers, and the Olympics (especially track). She’s passionate, driven, loyal, fierce, and brave. She believes in justice, mercy, equality, and empathy for ALL, and is especially passionate about women knowing their own worth and value, and investing in their wellbeing without guilt or feeling selfish. Connect with Melissa! https://www.embracinglayers.com/ Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Apple Podcasts Spotify ____________________________________________________________________________ Click here to find out the No. 1 reason most women get stuck in the vicious cycle of infertility grief and how to break it ____________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing partners! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! Mosie Baby - Home Fertility for Every Home _____________________________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shoutouts, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ___________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com. WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility, and teach you to not just survive, but thrive! I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and see if we're a good fit for each other. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone!

#017: Can you relate to this? You're an adult child with no kids and it's the holidays. Your parents call a week or two before and ask where you're going to be spending them this year. You can hear the expectation in their voice that you better say with them, or they're going to try and hide their disappointment and fail miserably. This in turn makes you feel guilty because before you've even had a chance to open your mouth to respond. Sound familiar? In today's episode I'm talking about holiday realities for adult kids without kids. Sometimes its not all jingles and bells. A rant? Maybe. A call for awareness? Absolutely! ______________________________________________________________ Click here to find out the No. 1 reason most women get stuck in the vicious cycle of infertility grief and how to break it ________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing affiliates! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY and use code LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! _______________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Sunday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shoutouts, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com. WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility, and teach you to not just survive, but thrive! I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and see if we're a good fit for each other. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone!

#016: Monique Farook is an entrepreneur, women’s health advocate, wife, and mom to one IVF conceived child. Monique began the Infertility And Me Podcast (I.A.M) & community in the winter of 2019; two years after giving birth to her son and after 4 1/2 years of struggling to become a mom. At the time, there weren't many women who looked like her speaking publicly about the impacts of infertility. I.A.M was created to give voice to the silent-sufferers everywhere, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or marital status. Today I talk to Monique about her journey to motherhood, her roots in the infertility community, and how spirituality and self-care saved her life. CONNECT WITH MONIQUE: https://linktr.ee/infertilityandmepodcast https://www.instagram.com/infertilityandmepodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/moniquefarook/ _______________________________________________________________ Click here to find out the No. 1 reason most women get stuck in the vicious cycle of infertility grief and how to break it ________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our amazing affiliates! Check out these deals just for you: Wild Wonder - Head to drinkwildwonder.com/LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY and use code LIFEBEYONDINFERTILITY to get 15% off your entire order! _______________________________________________________________ If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Sunday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram @lifebeyondinfertility. If Life Beyond Infertility has been at all valuable to you, help support me to ensure the future of the show. Every penny will help! To become a Life Beyond Infertility Premium Member and get amazing benefits such as extended guest interviews, ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, supporter shoutouts, and downloadable transcripts, click HERE. If subscriptions aren't your thing and you want to give a 1-time show of support, click HERE. ________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATES & SPONSORS: For podcast affiliate information or partnership inquiries, please email: charlie@charliedice.com. WORK 1:1 WITH ME: If you're struggling with your fertility journey, and are craving connection and direction from someone whose been in your shoes...I'd love to show you the exact steps I took to find peace and happiness, even with my infertility, and teach you to not just survive, but thrive! I have a few spots left for a completely free, no-obligation 30-minute connection call where we dive into your unique situation and see if we're a good fit for each other. Click HERE to secure your spot before they're gone!