Podcasts about Infertility

Have you ever wondered if infertility means you missed God's will or did something wrong? In this episode, we unpack the theology of God's providence and how to hold onto His goodness when the prayer for a baby remains unanswered.  

A Match.com message. A Facebook Live wedding during COVID. A zero sperm count diagnosis. And then — twin boys. Gregory and Jennifer File's path to parenthood was anything but conventional, but they'll tell you every detour was part of God's plan. In this episode of the Embryo Adoption Podcast, hear how embryo adoption gave them the family they'd always prayed for. 

What happens when one of the most disciplined bodies in the world can't do the one thing everyone assumes it should? On this episode -- one of our most downloaded of all time -- Ali sits down with Mathilde Froustey, principal dancer at the San Francisco Ballet and widely considered one of the most extraordinary dancers in the world.Born in Bordeaux, France, Mathilde began dancing at just nine years old, training at the prestigious Marseille National School of Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet School before rising to the top of the international ballet world. Onstage, her body is her instrument — powerful, precise, and seemingly unstoppable. But behind the curtain, Mathilde has been fighting battles that almost no one in the dance world talks about. In this candid and emotional conversation, she opens up for the first time about her experience with infertility — a subject she says remains deeply taboo in professional dance. Mathilde shares what it was like to go through IVF while performing at the highest level, navigating intense body scrutiny, and hearing painful comments about her appearance during one of the most vulnerable periods of her life. She also talks about her past struggle with an eating disorder, the pressure dancers face to maintain a certain body type, and the silent toll of trying to build a family inside a culture that rarely makes space for it.“In the dance world, infertility is a taboo subject,” Mathilde says.Not anymore.This is a powerful conversation about perfection, pressure, and what it means to reclaim your body — both onstage and off.EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIESAli's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology https://www.infertileafgroup.com/booksThe 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)!The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them.PHERDALIG: @pherdal_sciencePherDal is the world's first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who've been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com.Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off.BELIIG: @belibabywww.belibaby.com Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start.Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Our Sponsors:* Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp dot com. Your emotional wellbeing matters. Find support and feel lighter in therapy. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you are battling infertility, walking through IVF, or grieving miscarriage, this message will reignite your hope and strengthen your faith. Discover how to pray with precision, speak life over your womb, and stand on God's promises for conception and healthy pregnancy. Purchase Speak Life: Prayer Declarations for Fertility, IVF, Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery, and Healthy Babies on Amazon https://a.co/d/0hCMKe7Y or at: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product/speak-life-prayer-declarations-for-fertility-pregnancy-labor-delivery/  Purchase Anointing Oil with a prayer cloth that Kathy has personally mixed and prayed over on Kathy's Website or Amazon. Order anointing oil by Kathy on Amazon look for her brand here https://amzn.to/3PC6l3R or Kathy DeGraw Ministries https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product-category/oils/ Training, Mentorship and Deliverance! Personal coaching, deliverance, e-courses, training for ministry, and mentorships! https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/training/# Infertility is not just a medical diagnosis; it is an emotional and spiritual battle that touches the deepest parts of a woman's heart. In this powerful episode of Prophetic Spiritual Warfare, Kathy DeGraw shares her personal journey through infertility, miscarriage, and high-risk pregnancy, revealing how God brings life even in seasons of delay. With biblical insight and practical prayer strategies, she teaches you how to move beyond general prayers and begin speaking life over specific areas of the body—egg, sperm, uterus, hormones, chromosomes, and implantation. Drawing from Scripture and real testimonies, this message reminds you that throughout the Bible barren women conceived in God's timing and birthed destiny. Whether you are facing PCOS, blocked fallopian tubes, IVF procedures, pregnancy complications, or repeated loss, you will be equipped to partner with the Holy Spirit and declare life over your womb. This episode also introduces the Speak Life prayer declaration book for conception, pregnancy, labor, and healthy babies—created to help you pray intentionally from conception through delivery. Do not surrender to delay. Stand in faith. Speak life. Believe that God still creates miracles today. #infertilityhope #ivfjourney #speaklife #christianpregnancy #prayforconception **Connect with Us** - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydegraw/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydegraw/ Podcast - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and listen to Kathy's Podcast called Prophetic Spiritual Warfare, or on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/3mYPPkP28xqcTzdeoucJZu or Apple podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prophetic-spiritual-warfare/id1474710499 **Recommended Resources:** - Receive a free prayer pdf on Warfare Prayer Declarations at https://kathydegrawministries.org/declarations-download - Kathy's training, mentoring and e-courses on Spiritual Warfare, Deliverance and the Prophetic: https://training.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Healed At Last ~ Overcome Sickness and Receive your Physical Healing: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/healed-at-last/ - Mind Battles – Root Out Mental Triggers to Release Peace!: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product/mind-battles-pre-order-available-january-2023/ -Kathy has several books available on Amazon or kathydegrawministries.org **Support Kathy DeGraw Ministries:** - Give a one-time love offering or consider partnering with us for $15, $35, $75 or any amount! Every dollar helps us help others! - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/donate/ - CashApp $KDMGLORY - Venmo @KD-Ministries - Paypal.me/KDeGrawMinistries or donate to email admin@degrawministries.org - Mail a check to: Kathy DeGraw Ministries ~ PO Box 65 ~ Grandville MI 49468  

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Leslie shares the story of her daughter Cora born via emergency C-section after a full-term pregnancy and the unimaginable grief of losing her shortly after birth. She also opens up about secondary infertility, pregnancy after loss, a traumatic COVID birth, and the long road of healing that followed.This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and trauma can coexist and that both deserve care.

Infertility is often treated as a medical problem waiting for a solution. But for many women, the deeper questions begin after diagnosis.Samantha speaks with Leigh Snead, author of Infertile but Fruitful, about the emotional, spiritual, and relational realities of infertility — and the challenge of understanding the meaning of spiritual motherhood when life unfolds differently than expected.Together they explore how faith reframes suffering, vocation, and hope without reducing them to easy answers.In this episode:The lived experience of infertility beyond clinical languageMarriage, identity, and waitingChristian understandings of fruitfulnessFinding meaning when life diverges from long-held expectationsBuy the book: Infertile But FruitfulSubscribe to the newsletter!

“You do not need to earn this moment.” Topics Discussed • Fertility burnout that hides behind productivity and good intentions • The subconscious blocks that make rest feel unsafe • IVF trauma and the nervous system pattern of overdoing • How guilt shows up when movement slows down • Emotional healing through radical awareness not performance • Time pressure stories and the internal fear of being behind • Mindset shifts that support subconscious healing and frequency change • Why rest without guilt softens survival mode “Rest without guilt recalibrates your whole system.” Hello Beautiful, Monica here supporting you to become the conscious mama you were born to be… Last week you noticed how quickly doing replaces feeling. How productivity becomes a shield. This week we stay with what happens when that shield lowers. And usually what shows up first is guilt. Not laziness. Not failure. Guilt. Fertility burnout is rarely about doing too little. It is about never feeling allowed to stop. When rest appears your nervous system may panic. It might whisper that you are behind. That time is running out. That IVF trauma or past disappointments mean you must push harder. And here is the uncomfortable truth. That push is often the very thing keeping your body in survival mode. Emotional healing begins when you pause without earning it. No reward. No justification. Just presence. We are also opening the door to time pressure. Not the clock. The internal story that it is too late. That your fertility journey is on a countdown. You already know age is not the whole story. But your subconscious may still be running a fear based script. And that script shapes your frequency more than any supplement ever could. This is where subconscious healing gets real. Not dramatic. Not loud. Just steady. A sticky note that says you do not need to earn this moment. A breath. A softening. And the quiet realization that safety is not something you achieve through overdoing. Next week we go deeper into those time stories and the subtle ways they shape your choices. For now just notice what happens when you stop performing. It might be uncomfortable. It might also be the relief you have been craving. Timestamps 02:29 When overdoing softens and guilt shows up 03:58 Rest without earning it and what your body feels  05:18 Building awareness as subconscious healing  06:15 Time pressure stories and feeling behind 07:40 Trusting your body and staying committed Full Transcript Over on the Blog: https://www.findingfertility.co/blog/FertilityBurnoutGuiltRestNoOneTalksAboutDuringIVFInfertility  Let's Do This Together

This week, Erin and Sara catch up and discuss Sara's interview skills, robot hairdressers, and Love Story style. They are also joined by Feng Shui master David Cho to discuss the year of the fire horse, attracting abundance, and more.See the Feng Shui charts here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qui849dp5zfagf92xhp3u/AKw5hxnoeiytCjdVTPAxp6I?rlkey=zmot4jd0y3nggchqvful8avsz&st=xsxng4k3&dl=0Executive Producers: Erin Foster, Sara Foster, and Allison BresnickAssociate Producers: Montana McBirney and Olivia GeffnerAudio Engineer: Josh WindischProduced by Wishbone ProductionProduced by Dear MediaThis episode is sponsored by:Bon Charge (boncharge.com PROMO CODE: FOSTER)Purely Elizabeth (purelyelizabeth.com PROMO CODE: FOSTER)Boll & Branch (bollandbranch.com/foster15)Ritual (ritual.com/foster)Caraway (carawayhome.com/foster10)Betterhelp (betterhelp.com/foster)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trying something new here! I interviewed three women authors on the same day whose novels took me through the full spectrum of motherhood — so I wanted you all to have the same experience. We start with Angela Brown's Ways to Find Yourself in which Grace Whittaker meets younger versions of herself as she mourns her mother's loss while attempting to get pregnant. We then move on to British “it girl” Saba Sams's Gunk which really throws you into the birth and baby experience. And then we fast forward to empty nesting in Lindsey Goldstein's Gap Year in which a middle-aged mom takes off on an adventure after being left by her husband. Would love your input on this new episode format. I had fun doing it! Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby's Important People! As a Z.I.P., you'll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby's Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly Schechter always knew she wanted to be a mom. But getting there was a journey. After a car crash and two major spine surgeries, she struggled with infertility. Today, Holly shares her remarkable story of IVF… with a hopeful ending. … Recommendations from the archive • Infertility got you down? Maybe you need to laugh about it with infertility sketch comedy in our episode Awkward Adventures in Infertility. • Our early episode The Longest Longest Time is about one woman's struggle with miscarriages for 11 years… and how she eventually came to have a baby. … Episode resources • Holly is now head of education at Conceive, a digital platform that provides 24/7 medical and emotional support for people trying to get pregnant. … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

349: Conceiving naturally is a hot topic in this day and age, and IVF has skyrocketed as the go-to method of conceiving for couples. But is that the best option? And should we be looking at other variables before spending our time and money on IVF? Natalie Crawford is here with me today to talk all things infertility, biomarkers, “healthy habits” we may be doing that are actually hindering a woman's chances to conceive, and so much more. Natalie is a double board certified fertility doctor and has helped thousands of patients and followers learn about their bodies and their fertility, empowering them with education and learning to advocate for themselves in their own fertility journeys. Today's discussion is an eye opener for anyone trying to conceive naturally or via IVF. Topics Discussed: → Getting pregnant when you don't have a period→ Infertility causes and how to fix them→ Hormonal birth control's effects on fertility→ How our mothers' habits while pregnant affect our fertility→ AMH, what is it and why should we get tested→ “Healthy habits” sabotaging our fertility (including men) As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at digestthispod@gmail.com. And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By:  → Manukora | Head to https://manukora.com/DIGEST to get $70 off the Starter Kit → Ollie | Ollie. Feed the Obsession. Go to https://ollie.com/digest and use code digest to get 60% off your first box! → Kasandrinos | Go to https://www.kasandrinos.com/digest and use code DIGEST for 25% off Timestamps: → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:05:52 - Rapid fire questions → 00:07:01 - Pregnancy without a period → 00:10:14 - Pregnancy postpartum → 00:11:51 - Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea → 00:15:01 - Infertility + IVF → 00:20:20 - Common IVF scenarios → 00:22:41 - THC products + fertility → 00:24:13 - Infertility as a symptom → 00:30:03 - Health + infertility → 00:36:43 - Detox pathways → 00:38:09 - Nutrient deficiencies → 00:40:22 - AMH + fertility → 00:45:28 - Inherited fertility factors → 00:48:22 - Birth control + fertility → 00:55:27 - Common fertility barriers Further Listening: → Foods That Help & Harm Hormones, Infertility, Inflammation, + The Key to Hormone Balance Check Out Dr Natalie Crawford: → Instagram → Website → Her book, The Fertility Formula Check Out Bethany: → Bethany's Instagram: @lilsipper → YouTube → Bethany's Website → Discounts & My Favorite Products → My Digestive Support Protein Powder → Gut Reset Book  → Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often talk about infertility being a "path," and sometimes we can walk that path literally! Today we're welcoming community members Mark and Carissa to the podcast to share about their life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land and beyond. They'll share about:What it was like to walk where Jesus Himself had walked.What insights and healing they received regarding living through a season of infertility.The advice that they would give to couples who would like to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land themselves.It is our honor to walk this path with you!Links:Mark and Carissa's YouTube Channel

Help Make This Podcast Happen!We invite you to join the Uniquely Committed and help make this podcast happen. Learn more at uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committedThis podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at uniquelyknitted.orgSupport the show

 Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, the Fertility Docs walk listeners through what typically happens after a positive pregnancy test following IVF. The doctors explain how early pregnancy is monitored, beginning with the first pregnancy blood test about two weeks after embryo transfer and continuing with repeat hormone testing every few days to ensure appropriate rises. They discuss what doctors look for on early ultrasounds, why some patients need closer monitoring, and how different outcomes such as viable pregnancies, biochemical pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, or abnormal intrauterine pregnancies are identified and managed. The episode also covers when patients go back to their OB/GYN once a pregnancy is progressing normally. The doctors answered many common questions patients search for after seeing that first positive test. Questions such as what happens after a positive IVF pregnancy test and how often pregnancy hormone levels are checked come up frequently. They explain how much hCG should rise in early pregnancy and what it means if it does not increase appropriately. The episode addresses when the first ultrasound is done after IVF and what doctors are hoping to see at five to six weeks of pregnancy. They discuss what an ectopic pregnancy is, how it is diagnosed, and why it can be difficult to distinguish early on from an abnormal intrauterine pregnancy. Other common concerns include what a biochemical pregnancy means, how abnormal pregnancies are treated, and when expectant management may be appropriate. Finally, the hosts review how long fertility clinics typically follow patients during early pregnancy and when care is transferred to an obstetrician. 

Are you believing for a miracle baby? Discover powerful prayer declarations for fertility, IVF, pregnancy, and healthy delivery in Kathy DeGraw's brand new book Speak Life. If you are battling infertility, walking through IVF, or carrying a high-risk pregnancy, this book equips you with faith-filled, medically precise prayers to partner with God for conception, protection, and healthy babies. Purchase Speak Life: Prayer Declarations for Fertility, IVF, Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery, and Healthy Babies on Amazon https://a.co/d/0hCMKe7Y or at: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product/speak-life-prayer-declarations-for-fertility-pregnancy-labor-delivery/  Purchase Anointing Oil with a prayer cloth that Kathy has personally mixed and prayed over on Kathy's Website or Amazon. Order anointing oil by Kathy on Amazon look for her brand here https://amzn.to/3PC6l3R or Kathy DeGraw Ministries https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product-category/oils/ Training, Mentorship and Deliverance! Personal coaching, deliverance, e-courses, training for ministry, and mentorships! https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/training/# Friends, this book was birthed in the middle of spiritual warfare and a high-risk labor and delivery. Speak Life is not theory. It is prayer forged in the hospital room when doctors gave difficult diagnoses and the enemy tried to steal a miracle. Four times the enemy attempted to take my grandson's life, and four times the hand of God intervened. Co-written with my daughter Lauren during her labor experience, Speak Life is filled with prayer declarations for fertility, IVF, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and healthy babies. This is not a long teaching book. It is focused, strategic, faith-filled prayer. You will find medically researched, biblically grounded declarations that cover PCOS, blocked fallopian tubes, hormone imbalance, healthy DNA and chromosomes, protection from birth trauma, and a full 40-week pregnancy prayer protocol. If you have suffered miscarriage, infertility, a partial molar pregnancy, or fear during pregnancy, we understand the emotional and spiritual battle. These prayers help you partner with the Holy Spirit, speak life over your womb, and declare health over your baby from conception to delivery. This is about hope. This is about standing in agreement. This is about seeing healthy babies born and the kingdom of God advance through the next generation. #FertilityPrayer #IVFPrayer #PregnancyPrayers #HealthyPregnancy #SpeakLifeBook **Connect with Us** - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydegraw/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydegraw/ Podcast - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and listen to Kathy's Podcast called Prophetic Spiritual Warfare, or on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/3mYPPkP28xqcTzdeoucJZu or Apple podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prophetic-spiritual-warfare/id1474710499 **Recommended Resources:** - Receive a free prayer pdf on Warfare Prayer Declarations at https://kathydegrawministries.org/declarations-download - Kathy's training, mentoring and e-courses on Spiritual Warfare, Deliverance and the Prophetic: https://training.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Healed At Last ~ Overcome Sickness and Receive your Physical Healing: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/healed-at-last/ - Mind Battles – Root Out Mental Triggers to Release Peace!: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product/mind-battles-pre-order-available-january-2023/ -Kathy has several books available on Amazon or kathydegrawministries.org **Support Kathy DeGraw Ministries:** - Give a one-time love offering or consider partnering with us for $15, $35, $75 or any amount! Every dollar helps us help others! - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/donate/ - CashApp $KDMGLORY - Venmo @KD-Ministries - Paypal.me/KDeGrawMinistries or donate to email admin@degrawministries.org - Mail a check to: Kathy DeGraw Ministries ~ PO Box 65 ~ Grandville MI 49468

What if one of the the missing pieces in your fertility journey isn't another item "to-do" but a deeper understanding of your own body?If you're doing all the things—tracking, testing, supplementing, pushing through IVF cycles—yet still feeling disconnected, inflamed, anxious, or exhausted… you might be overlooking the foundation: how your body digests, absorbs, and feels safe enough to create life.Because fertility isn't just numbers and lab results. It's vitality.In this powerful conversation with Ayurvedic practitioner Madison, we demystify Ayurveda—the 5,000-year-old “science of life”—and explore how reconnecting to your body's natural rhythms can transform not just your fertility, but your entire relationship with yourself.Ayurveda teaches that we are made of the same elements as nature—earth, water, fire, air, and space—and that true balance comes from honoring your unique self.  When digestion is strong, your nervous system feels safe, and your body is nourished at a cellular level, reproductive health becomes supported naturally.We dive into concepts like prana (life force), why reproductive tissue is the last tissue to be nourished, and why it's not just what you eat—but how you digest—that matters most.If you've been operating in survival mode, this episode will gently invite you back into alignment.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:What Ayurveda really is—and why it's called the “knowledge of life”How your unique dosha (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) impacts your hormones and fertilityWhy digestion is the foundation of egg, sperm, and uterine healthHow increasing prana (life force) can support conscious conception and preconception preparationFertility begins with vitality—and when you learn to nourish your body in alignment with its nature, you don't just prepare for pregnancy… you come back to life yourself.Madison's Bio: Madison is an Ayurvedic Doctor, Functional Hormone Specialist, and Fertility Educator, as well as a longtime teacher of yoga and meditation. She helps women and couples prepare for pregnancy by balancing hormones, optimizing digestion, and creating the physical, emotional, and energetic conditions for new life to thrive.FREEBIEFree Ayurvedic Fertility Type Test -- Take the Fertility Type Test to uncover why your energy, digestion, and cycle symptoms are early clues about your future fertility—and how to work with your body's natural rhythms to attract a healthy pregnancy.https://subscribepage.io/fertilitytypetestCONNECT with Lisa & get IVF COACHING SUPPORT Download IVF Mindset Shift Guide https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.myflodesk.com BOOK a complimentary DISCOVERY CALL BOOK: ‘HOLD ON, BABY! A Soulful Guide to Navigating the Ups & Downs of Infertility & IVF.'INSTAGRAMWATCH on YOUTUBELISTEN to the PODCAST on Apple and Spotify:**Please Rate the show & Subscribe! THANK YOU so much for your Reviews of the podcast!Music Credit (Closing Song) by Sam Costigan. Follow her on Spotify and IG

Jessica Nuremberg chose to become a single mom by choice after 40, navigating IVF, donor conception, finances, and community building along the way. In this honest and grounded conversation, she shares what it really looks like to choose motherhood outside of the traditional script and why taking one step at a time matters more than having everything figured out. This episode covers: Why becoming a single mom by choice is often a slow decision, not a bold overnight leap The emotional reality of IVF, including grief, hope, and resilience Fertility timelines and what women should understand about egg and embryo preservation Financial planning for solo motherhood and building long term security The role of community, donor sibling groups, and finding support Letting go of settling in relationships just to have children Dating after becoming a single mom by choice Jessica reminds us that you do not need to have every answer to move forward. You only need your next right step. Books mentioned: Is Your Body Baby Friendly? by Dr. Alan Beer Guest website: https://www.jessicanuremberg.com/ https://www.patreon.com/womendontdothat Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/womendontdothat/ TikTok- http://www.tiktok.com/@womendontdothat Blog- https://www.womendontdothat.com/blog Podcast- https://www.womendontdothat.com/podcast Newsletter- https://www.beaconnorthstrategies.com/contactwww.womendontdothat.com YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@WOMENdontDOthat How to find Stephanie Mitton: Twitter/X- https://twitter.com/StephanieMitton LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemitton/ beaconnorthstrategies.com TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@stephmitton Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemitton/ Interested in sponsorship? Contact us at hello@womendontdothat.com Produced by Duke & Castle Our Latest Blog: https://www.womendontdothat.com/post/i-don-t-do-resolutions-i-do-this-perfect-for-busy-women Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Confidently Balance Your Hormones, Dee Davidson sits down with fertility educator Julie Lipsett to discuss how women can truly understand their menstrual cycle — and use that knowledge to either achieve pregnancy naturally or prevent it naturally.So many women are never taught how their cycle actually works. Instead, they are placed on hormonal birth control without understanding ovulation, cervical mucus patterns, progesterone shifts, or what a healthy cycle should look like.Julie shares how fertility awareness methods empower women to:Track ovulation accuratelyIdentify fertile windowsSupport hormone balance naturallyImprove chances of conceptionAvoid pregnancy without hormonal birth controlUnderstand what irregular cycles may be signalingWhether you're trying to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or simply want to understand your hormones on a deeper level, this episode gives you practical tools and empowering education.Understanding your cycle is not just about fertility — it's about metabolic health, hormone balance, and long-term wellness.Learn more about Julie and her work here:

Have infertility or loss ever made you feel like you're carrying more than you can hold?In this episode of Purpose Beyond Motherhood from Twelve 12 Ministries, we're sitting down with Heather LaVigne for a real conversation about infertility, miscarriage, endometriosis, and the slow work of healing when your heart is tired.Heather shares her long road through unexplained infertility, IVF, secondary infertility, and multiple losses. She also talks about the moment she realized endometriosis had been impacting her body for years, and what it looked like to keep showing up to God when she honestly felt like she couldn't anymore.We talk about lament, the words you're scared to say out loud, and the kind of community that helps you breathe again.If you need an episode that makes space for grief while still pointing you back to Jesus, press play.Book + resources mentioned Barren (Heather LaVigne) Dark Clouds, Deep MercySupport + community Twice-a-month virtual support group: Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

Dua of the Day - Infertility by Radio Islam

Welcome to Fertility and Sterility Roundtable, hosted by Dr. Emily Barnard and Dr. Ben Peipert! Each week, we will host a discussion with the authors of "Views and Reviews" and "Fertile Battle" articles published in a recent issue of Fertility and Sterility.  Today, we will be discussing the Fertile Battle from the February issue of Fertility and Sterility which is entitled "Should you do ultrasound monitoring and trigger for intrauterine insemination cycles? We are joined by two of the authors, Dr. Cassie Hobbs who will be taking the "pro" side in favor of ultrasound monitoring, and Dr. Lindsay Hartup, who will be arguing to do away with ultrasound monitoring.  Dr. Cassie Hobbs is a second-year Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her OB/GYN residency training at Brown University and received her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. She is passionate about examining disparities that exist in reproductive medicine and taking steps to make family building a more equitable process for all.  Dr. Lindsay Hartup is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She completed medical school and Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of Texas Health San Antonio. Her research interests are fertility preservation/oncofertility, assisted reproductive technology, and chronic endometritis. Read the Fertile Battle from Volume 125, Issue 2 p228-233 in the February 2026 issue View Fertility and Sterility at https://www.fertstert.org/  

Rebuilding Trust With Your Body After Infertility When IVF Failed (with Holly Perkins) When IVF failed and fertility treatments ended without a baby, you did not just lose a dream. You often lost trust in your body. After years of hormones, medical procedures, weight changes, and emotional whiplash, it can feel almost impossible to want to care for yourself again. Movement can feel loaded. Exercise can feel like punishment. And sometimes the quiet thought underneath it all is: Why should I take care of you? In Episode 200, you are getting a grounded, practical conversation about rebuilding your relationship with your body after infertility. You will hear from Holly Perkins, a women's fitness expert with 30 years of experience helping women build strength through science-backed, sustainable approaches designed for women in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. This is not about chasing a smaller number on the scale. This is about strength, muscle, metabolism, bone health, and feeling better in your body after everything it has been through. If caring for your body has felt complicated since IVF failed, this episode is for you. What You Will Learn Why it makes sense that self-care feels hard after fertility treatments end. How emotional healing and physical strength support each other. Why "just lose weight" is not the right goal after hormone disruption. What happens to muscle and metabolism in your 40s and 50s. Why muscle is more important than the scale for long-term health. How strength training supports bone density and aging well. What a realistic starting point looks like when you have felt disconnected from your body. A Message You Might Need to Hear You are not broken because it feels hard to care for your body right now. When IVF failed, your body can start to feel like the enemy. This conversation helps you shift from punishment to partnership so you can rebuild trust in a way that feels steady and sustainable. Join Holly's Free 3-Day Workshop: Muscle for Life If you are ready for practical guidance on building strength in a way that fits your life, Holly is offering a free 3-day workshop called Muscle for Life. It starts March 5, 2026! Inside the workshop, you will learn: Why BMI and body weight are outdated metrics. How to think about muscle-to-fat ratio instead of just the scale. The strength training principles that matter most for women over 30. How to support bone density and long-term health. Nutrition strategies that support blood sugar, energy, and metabolism. You can register for FREE here:

Around the world, one in six people will experience infertility in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organisation. In Africa, there is still a lot of stigma that surrounds infertility, but now, more people are starting to speak out about their struggles on social media. Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, sat down for a chat with Matshepo Segole, from Johannesburg, South Africa who has built a community on TikTok for women navigating infertility, and Jonathan Luwagga, who is British-Ugandan. He has been sharing his story on social media to encourage more men to speak out about this issue. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Daniel shares how breaking food addiction, finding clarity, and rebuilding discipline transformed his life through mindset, faith, and a meat‑focused lifestyle.Need help on your health journey? Sign up for a $39 Intro Coaching Call with one of our Kiltz Health Certified Coaches: https://calendly.com/d/cxdf-5ft-z2k/k...Sign up now and join the Kiltz Mighty Tribe – Dr. Kiltz's Free Keto and Carnivore Community! https://kiltz-mighty-tribe.mn.co/ Dr. Robert Kiltz is a double board‑certified OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist, and the founder of CNY Fertility—one of the most accessible and respected fertility centers in the world. He specializes in IVF, reproductive immunology, minimally invasive surgery, and advanced reproductive technologies, and he continues to actively practice medicine while leading a global community focused on metabolic health and fertility. As the creator of The Kiltz Method and founder of Kiltz Health and The Mighty Tribe, he is recognized for integrating nutrition, mindset, and ancestral healing principles into modern medical care. Dr. Kiltz trained at USC, UC Davis, UCLA and completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Harbor‑UCLA.Disclaimer: Dr. Kiltz does not promote or encourage the use of any substances, treatments, or practices that are not recognized as safe or effective by established medical authorities. The information in this video is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making changes to your diet, medications, or health practices. Do not ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of the content shared here. This material reflects general knowledge and is not a substitute for individualized medical guidance.

“Stillness removes the buffer. When you stop moving, sensation rises and that can feel uncomfortable AF.” Topics Discussed Why overdoing is often about avoiding stillness, not productivity How autopilot patterns keep the nervous system in motion The link between safety, control, and fertility burnout Why boredom and pauses support creativity and regulation Observing impulses without fixing, forcing, or judging Learning to choose stillness rather than demand it “The body doesn't avoid stillness without a reason. That reaction is information.” Hello Beautiful, Monica here supporting you to become the conscious mama you were born to be… This episode is for the woman who knows she is tired, but cannot quite slow down. The one who has done all the things. The journals. The planning. The perfect routines. And yet something still feels loud inside. We talk about why stillness can feel unsafe. Not because anything is wrong with you, but because stillness removes distraction. It asks you to be with yourself without a role, without momentum, without identity. And for many women on the fertility journey, that is where the anxiety lives. This week is not about forcing rest or becoming some calm unicorn overnight. It is about noticing. The reaching. The tightening. The impulse to fill space. And realizing that those mundane moments are where the deepest awareness begins. Next week, we soften even more as rest gets re-framed without guilt or shame. Timestamps 01:31 Getting out of autopilot in everyday moments 02:30 Why stillness can feel unsafe 03:54 What boredom teaches the nervous system 05:18 The impulse to escape as information 06:47 Re-framing rest without guilt Full Transcript Over on the Blog: https://www.findingfertility.co/blog/IVF%20Trauma,%20Stillness,%20and%20the%20Body%E2%80%99s%20Need%20to%20Pause%20During%20Infertility Let's Do This Together

This week, Erin and Sara weigh in on audience spirals. They also discuss embarrassing falls, Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr., chatGPT decorating skills, and more.Executive Producers: Erin Foster, Sara Foster, and Allison BresnickAssociate Producers: Montana McBirney and Olivia GeffnerAudio Engineer: Josh WindischProduced by Wishbone ProductionProduced by Dear MediaThis episode is sponsored by:AirbnbSkims (shop our favorite bras and underwear at skims.com/fosters)Bobbi Brown (bobbibrown.com PROMO CODE: SaraFoster15) Hers (forhers.com)SmartypantsPurely Elizabeth (purelyelizabeth.com PROMO CODE: FOSTER)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Kristin Collier joins host Dr. Mike Chupp and regular co-host Dr. Brick Lantz for part one of a two-part conversation on IVF and assisted reproductive technologies, an issue that touches real marriages, real longing, and often deep heartbreak. The desire for children is good and God-given, yet the technologies designed to help can raise significant ethical questions for Christian families and healthcare professionals. In this episode, Dr. Collier, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan and a leading voice on human dignity at the margins of life, helps us explore why being “pro-baby” cannot mean “by any means necessary.” Grounded in the imago Dei, we consider what's often overlooked in the IVF process, including embryo loss, freezing, genetic screening, and the broader moral framework shaping modern reproductive medicine.

A History of Sterilization The history of the science of sterilization is fascinating and tied inextricably with developments in germ theory and infection prevention. The pioneers of sterilization, at times working against great odds, laid the groundwork for the processes healthcare professionals use every day to keep billions of patients safe. In episode 145, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Kim Schober, Accredited Provider Program Director for Health.edu, all about the history of sterilization. Schober introduces the early physicians and scientists who saw that the world could be a safer place. She explains how their ideas and experiments helped shape key advances in sterilization and led to our modern practices and equipment. [Guest Speaker] Kim Schober Accredited Provider Program Director Health.edu Throughout her career, Kim Schober has gained diverse clinical experience in Labor and Delivery, Infertility, Home Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Her dedication to excellence in patient care and team development has led her to serve in a variety of roles, including floor nurse, charge nurse, nurse educator and nurse manager. In her current leadership role at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Schober educates and recruits instructors across numerous healthcare disciplines, including Nursing, EMS, Nurse Aide, Radiation Technology, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, and Sterile Processing. Schober holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Texas A&M University and a master's degree in Nursing Leadership and Education from Lubbock Christian University. Through her work, she continues to advance healthcare education and support the development of future healthcare professionals. Earn CE Now

Is everything we've been told about fat… wrong?In this episode, I sit down with Reproductive Endocrinologist & Fertility Specialist, Dr. Robert Kiltz, founder of CNY Fertility, to talk about infertility, gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, and the controversial idea that eating more fat — not less — may be the key to healing.Dr. Kiltz shares his personal health journey, how he began questioning conventional nutrition advice, and what he started noticing in his fertility practice when patients shifted toward paleo, keto, and even carnivore-style eating. We discuss rising infertility rates, pregnancy nutrition myths, blood sugar balance, liver health, inflammation, and why so many women today are being diagnosed with gestational diabetes.This episode will absolutely challenge the standard pregnancy nutrition narrative you've been receiving — and invite you to think more critically about what truly supports fertility and metabolic health.Here are some highlights from the episode: • Dr. Kiltz's unexpected journey from troubled teen to fertility specialist • Why infertility rates continue to rise — and what might actually be driving it • The connection between insulin, liver health, and gestational diabetes • How quickly hormones and blood sugar can begin to shift with dietary changes • Protein vs. fat — are we emphasizing the wrong one? • Whether you can really “eat too much” fat • The role inflammation may play in reproductive struggles • Why reproductive health reflects overall metabolic health • How mindset, faith, and stress impact healing and fertilityWhether you agree with everything shared or not, this conversation will help you ask better questions about what you're eating before and during pregnancy — and what truly nourishes your body while growing a baby.If you're trying to conceive, navigating gestational diabetes, or simply wanting to optimize your health for pregnancy, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tune in, decide for yourself, and let me know what you think!!Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast! Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> On Apple Podcasts Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast Select “Ratings and Reviews” Click the stars! Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! On Spotify Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast Click the 3 dots "..." Select "Rate podcast" Click the stars and write a quick review! FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier! Here's how to do it in just 2 seconds: On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page. On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: hello@myessentialbirth.com. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Fertility may be more about the daily choices we make rather than factors like delayed maternal age, says fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford. Markers of metabolic health, such as chronic inflammation, affect women's egg quality. Crawford, who experienced four failed pregnancies before having her children, began studying the link between inflammation and infertility. Taking charge of your fertility, she says, means having early conversations about hormonal health and taking steps, like better sleep and nutrition, to improve your chances of getting pregnant. She speaks with Pamela Brown, anchor and correspondent for CNN, about her new book The Fertility Formula: Take Control of Your Reproductive Future.

In this week's episode, we discuss infertility and past experience of abortion. Please take care of yourself and tune in next week if this conversation hits a too-tender spot in your heart.Today Ann welcomes Sisters of Life Sr. Veronica Mary and Sr. Mariana Benedicta to talk about experiencing infertility when one or both spouses has suffered from an abortion in the past. They discuss the importance of communication, prayer, and spouses carrying this cross together. The most important message the Sisters offer is that God loves you, and infertility is never His punishment for past sins and actions.If you are struggling with infertility or loss and have abortion in your past, don't be afraid to reach out for help and God's healing. Links:The Sisters of LifeHope and Healing After Abortion You can also contact your diocese for local resources!A note from Sr. Veronica Mary and Sr. Mariana Benedicta:“It isn't always in the couple's best interest - especially in this fragile culture - for the spouse who has suffered abortion to share it. It is a great discernment that would need to take into consideration multiple factors, and the timing would also be one of those factors.  Even if the 'abortion' is shared, there is no guarantee it will be processed as hoped by the other, and may create an even greater sense of divide and mistrust between them (" What else did you not tell me?"). Ideally, couples would be open and honest from the start, and continue this openness throughout their marriage, but in most marriages we encounter, this is not usually the case. Ministries like yours are therefore so very helpful in beginning the conversation and giving couples permission.”

Send a textIn this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino talks with fertility specialist Dr. Robert Kiltz about why chronic illness and infertility feel more common than ever. Dr. Kiltz shares his perspective on modern nutrition advice, the role of inflammation, and why he believes animal fat, eating less often, and fasting can be powerful tools for health.They also dive into indoor air quality, mold, and how today's sealed homes and HVAC systems can trap particles and microbes, making it harder to feel your best. Dr. Kiltz explains why mindset, faith, and visualization matter, especially for women navigating infertility.

Team USA parents Ellen and Jim Hughes join to discuss sons Jack and Quinn, their Olympic gold medal, and the experience of raising three brothers who all reached the National Hockey League. Matthew Morrison stops by to discuss his return to Broadway in the musical ‘Just in Time.' Plus, a closer look at how couples facing infertility are finding community on social media. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, we explore the various genetic tests available for infertility patients, including carrier screening, prenatal testing, and testing done during IVF. We discuss why these tests are important, what they detect, and how they can influence family planning decisions. We give you answers to many questions you may have. What is expanded carrier screening, and what types of traits does it look for in prospective parents? How does being a carrier for recessive traits affect a child, and what is the probability of a child being impacted if both parents carry the same trait? Which traits are typically tested, and why are only severe conditions included? How can results from carrier screening influence decisions about pursuing IVF and embryo selection? What is NIPT testing, and how is it performed during pregnancy? What types of chromosomal abnormalities can NIPT detect, and when is this testing appropriate? How is genetic testing performed at the time of IVF, and what are the different tests available for embryos? What is PGT-A, and how does it assess chromosomal abnormalities? How do PGT-M, PGT-SR, and PGT-P tests evaluate for recessive traits, structural abnormalities, and conditions caused by multiple genes? How do these tests help couples make informed decisions about their reproductive options? What are the advantages of testing embryos before implantation compared to testing during pregnancy? How can understanding these genetic testing options reduce risks and improve outcomes for patients undergoing fertility treatments? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide which of these tests are right for you. 

Send a textDeja Fabro brings big energy, sharp observations, and fearless vulnerability to this episode of the MySGV Podcast. She is a stand up comedian and expressive storyteller who uses self deprecating humor to talk about mental health, infertility, everyday struggles, and the weird little moments of modern life that somehow hit all of us at once. If you love comedy that makes you laugh and think, this conversation delivers.In our long form interview, we get into Deja's journey back to the spotlight and why stand up finally became the path in January 2024. She shares how five years of infertility and a major surgery reshaped her life, and how writing and humor helped her survive a season that felt heavy and isolating. Her gift is the way she can make space for the hard stuff while still keeping it human, relatable, and genuinely funny.Deja performs across Southern California from Los Angeles to San Diego, and she is a regular at the legendary Ice House in Pasadena, one of America's longest running comedy clubs and a true San Gabriel Valley staple. We also talk about what it takes to build confidence on stage, how she crafts material from real life, and how comedy can be both a release and a form of hope.Watch this full episode if you want an honest conversation about chasing the dream, finding your voice, and turning pain into purpose without losing your sense of humor. Follow Deja on Instagram at @deja.giggles and stay connected with the MySGV Podcast for more long form stories from the San Gabriel Valley._______________Music CreditsIntroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OGStingerScarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio LibraryOutroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG__________________My SGV Podcast:Website: www.mysgv.netNewsletter: Beyond the MicPatreon: MySGV Podcastinfo@sgvmasterkey.com

In this episode, Alissa returns to the podcast to share what life looks like 8 years after her daughter Anna was stillborn. If you want her full story, go back and listen to Episode #52 — we recorded that one 2.5 years ago, and hearing the evolution between then and now is powerful.  We talk honestly about grief life then vs now, how pain shifts but never disappears, and what it looks like to rebuild identity, perspective, and purpose after loss. Alissa opens up about parenting after stillbirth, navigating layered grief after losing her sister the year before Anna, and the unexpected “gifts” our babies leave behind — even when the journey is brutally hard.  If you're newly walking this path, this episode offers real perspective on how things can change over time… while still honoring the parts that never will. And if you're wondering how to keep your baby present as the years move forward, her insight is deeply grounding.  Alissa has always been incredibly transparent, and I'm so grateful our paths crossed early in my own journey.

*Disclaimer* This episode contains adult content and is not recommended for young listeners.   284. DON'T MISS THIS! Controversial Sex Questions, Answered with Dr. Juli Slattery   1 Samuel 24:19b NIV “May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today.”   *Transcription Below*   Bio: Instagram Facebook Authentic Intimacy Website Java with Juli Podcast   Thank you to Our Sponsor: Leman Property Management Company   Questions and Topics We Cover: As Christ followers, should we use a friend's preferred names and pronouns? If one part of Scripture talks about turning the other cheek, is that the same as saying God expects you to stay in an abusive marriage? Is it reasonable to assume that once they have a smartphone, 100% of kids will be exposed to pornography?   Previous Episodes on Sexual Intimacy on The Savvy Sauce, Including Past Episodes with Dr. Juli Slattery: Fostering a Fun, Healthy Sex Life with your Spouse with Dr. Jennifer Konzen  Ways to Deepen Your Intimacy in Marriage with Dr. Douglas Rosenau  Ten Common Questions About Sex, Shared Through a Biblical Worldview with Dr. Michael Sytsma Hope For Treating Pelvic Pain with Tracey LeGrand Treatment for Sexual Issues with Certified Sex Therapist, Emma Schmidt Talking With Your Kids About Sex with Brian and Alison Sutter Natural Aphrodisiacs with Christian Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Douglas Rosenau Healthy Sexuality, Emotional Intelligence, and Parenting Children with Autism with Counselor, Lauren Dack Pain and Joy in Sexual Intimacy with Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Jessica McCleese Identifying and Fighting Human Trafficking with Dr. Jeff Waibel Bridging the Gap Between Military and Civilian Families with Licensed Professional Counselor, Cuthor, Podcaster, and 2015 Military Spouse of the Year, Corie Weathers Enjoying a God-Honoring, Healthy Sex Life with Your Spouse with Certified Sex Therapist and Ordained Minister, Dr. Michael Sytsma Enjoying Parenting and Managing Conversations About Sex with Certified Sex Therapist and Author, Dr. Jennifer Konzen Conflict Resolution, Infidelity, and Infertility with Licensed Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Jessica McCleese Hormones and Body Image with Certified Sex Therapist, Vickie George Passion Pursuit with Dr. Juli Slattery Female Orgasm with Sue Goldstein Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation, and Treatments Available with Dr. Irwin Goldstein Turn Ons, Turn Offs, and Savoring Sex in Marriage with Dr. Jennifer Konzen Desire Discrepancy in Marriage with Dr. Michael Sytsma Answering Listener's Questions About Sex with Kelli Willard Anatomy of an Affair with Dave Carder Supernatural Restoration Story with Bob and Audrey Meisner Healthy Minds, Marriages, and Sex Lives with Drs. Scott and Melissa Symington Female Pornography Addiction and Meaningful Recovery with Crystal Renaud Day Building Lasting Relationships with Clarence and Brenda Shuler Healthy Ways for Females to Increase Sexual Enjoyment with Tracey LeGrand Pornography Healing for Spouses with Geremy Keeton Sexual Sin Recovery for You and Your Spouse (Part Two) Personal Development and Sexual Wholeness with Dr. Sibylle Georgianna  Our Brain's Role in Sexual Intimacy with Angie Landry Discovering God's Design for Romance with Sharon Jaynes Sex in Marriage and Its Positive Effects with Francie Winslow, Part 1 Science and Art of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage, Part 2 Making Love in Marriage with Debra Fileta Mutually Pleasing Sex in Marriage with Gary Thomas Sex Series: God's Design and Warnings for Sex: An Interview with Mike Novotny Sex Series: Enhancing Female Pleasure and Enjoyment of Sex: An Interview with Dr. Jennifer Degler Sex Series Orgasmic Potential, Pleasure, and Friendship: An Interview with Bonny Burns  Sex Series: Sex Series: Healthy Self, Healthy Sex: An Interview with Gaye Christmus Sex Series: Higher Sexual Desire Wife: An Interview with J Parker Sex Series: Six Pillars of Intimacy with Tony and Alisa DiLorenzo 215 Enriching Women's Sexual Function, Part One with Dr. Kris Christiansen 216 Enriching Women's Sexual Function, Part Two with Dr. Kris Christiansen 217 Tween/Teen Females: How to Navigate Changes during Puberty with Dr. Jennifer Degler 218 Secrets of Sex and Marriage: Interview with Dr. Michael Sytsma 222 Pornography: Protecting Children and Personal Healing, Victory, and Recovery in Christ with Sam Black Special Patreon Release: Holy Sex: An Interview with Dr. Juli Slattery Special Patreon Release: His Desires and Her Desires in the Bedroom with Dr. Jennifer Konzen 224 Surprising Discoveries of Sex in Marriage: An Interview with Shaunti Feldhahn 252 Maximizing Sexual Connections as Newlyweds to Long Term Marriages and Recovering from a Sexless Marriage with Dr. Cliff & Joyce Penner 260 Sex After Cancer with Dr. Kris Christiansen 277 Breaking Through Addiction in Marriage with Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:11 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 – 2:21) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Today's message is not intended for little ears. We'll be discussing some adult themes, and I want you to be aware before you listen to this message.   Leman Property Management Company has the apartment you will be able to call home, with over 1,700 apartment units available in Central Illinois. Visit them today at lemanproperties.com or connect with them on Facebook.   My returning guest for today is Dr. Juli Slattery.   She has authored another book entitled Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes Everything, and we're going to cover a few themes from this book, but I think what you're going to find most helpful are her candid responses to some really tricky questions related to dating and pornography, technology, thought life, shows that we watch as believers, divorce, and just intimacy in general as married couples.   So, I think this is an episode that you're going to want to learn from yourself, but you'll also want to share with others because Dr. Juli has offered us such a gift as she directs us back to the heart issues and wisely guides us into sexual integrity in our own lives.   Here's our chat.   Welcome back to The Savvy Sauce, Dr. Juli.   Dr. Juli Slattery: (2:21 – 2:21) Thanks so much for having me back. It's always a joy.   Laura Dugger: (2:21 – 2:22) Well, I love that you've been a repeat guest many times. So, we get to just dive right in today because I'm going to link all of your previous episodes in the show notes. But to dive in, I'm just curious, as believers, where does your heart break as you see us compromising on God's design for sex?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (2:22 – 3:31) Hmm. That's such a good question. You know, I think my heart breaks the most in that when we compromise God's design for sexuality, or even when we don't understand it or understand His goodness, it means that there is a breach in our relationship with God.   And so, I am so passionate about what I do, not necessarily because I love talking about sexuality, but because for a lot of people, sexuality represents a wall between them and God, like an issue they can't resolve, or a place of shame that they just can't quite shake free from, or battle with sin that they feel like they're enslaved to. And so, those things mean that there's a limit to how much they invite God into their lives.   And so, for me, that's where my heart breaks the most is, you know, ultimately, we were created for the greatest fellowship with God and anything that gets in the way of that is something that God cares about and something that I care about.   Laura Dugger: (3:32 – 4:03) You say that well, and you've written many books, but in this most recent one, you plainly state one issue when you write, “You will not be able to obey God with your sexual thoughts, while binging shows and music that continually display the exact opposite.”   And I love how practical that is. So, Juli, why do you think this has become so normalized? And I would say, especially in Christian marriages.   Dr. Juli Slattery: (4:05 – 5:58) Yeah, you know, I think a lot of it is that the church has been historically really quiet about sexuality, you know, like we might talk about save sex for marriage, and don't cheat on your husband and that sort of thing. But the gray areas about how we think about our sexuality and kind of what we have the liberty and freedom to engage in, there's kind of silence, or maybe there's legalism.   And I think in that space, what ends up happening is the culture is so forthright with a message about sexuality, like woven throughout every single show that you could stream on any platform, you know, your music on Spotify, even the news you consume, the Instagram feeds, whatever, it's consistently showing you a way to understand sexuality that is contrary to God's design, and the messaging can be so subtle, or so repetitive that we don't even realize we're ingesting it.   And so, it's normal to talk about with your friends, like the latest season of The Bachelor, or, you know, the latest thing that you're streaming that if you really look at it, there's probably 100 references to sexuality that are outside of God's design. And so, we end up just having our mind conformed to this world.   And the scripture says really clearly in Romans 12, that we can't offer ourselves to God while we're still thinking like the world thinks that it requires an act of transformation of our thinking. And I don't know that there's anywhere more than we need this than in the topic of understanding our sexuality.   Laura Dugger: (6:00 – 6:59) Okay, so for I'm thinking of married couples, because I was recently at a wedding shower. And I love a friend from church. Her name is Dawn Karius. And she was giving the devotional and just sharing. You know, it's very easy to get married and fall into this trap. She was talking about what you watch specifically.   And she said, so many couples will watch something together, watch a show before bed, but be really intentional. If that is what you choose to do, then the shows that you're watching, even though you're with your spouse, is that drawing both of you closer to Christ? Because if it's pulling you further away from Christ, it's also pulling you away from one another.   And so, with all of that, and with what you've studied and written about, if a couple's hearing that and or some single person just hearing this, what would be your practical advice or encouragement for them?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (7:00 – 9:29) Yeah, some of it is, we can't live in a bubble. You know, it's, I think that there are some couples will have the conviction that, you know, we're just going to get rid of all of our devices, we're going to get rid of every streaming service. And there's nothing wrong with that decision, you might feel convicted to do that.   But for most couples, I would say, they're like, okay, we live in this world, we need to understand even the world we live in. And so, it's not like we're going to completely be cut off. But are we being discerning about what we consume?   And what are the standards that we might hit where we might just say, “You know what, we don't need to be watching this.” You know, like I can think of one show in particularly that my husband and I were watching. And it was a well-written show. It was exciting. But there was just so much profanity and just gross kind of sexual content that after two or three episodes, we're both just like, “You know what, as good as the show is, we just, this isn't, we're not watching this. Like we need to stop.”   And I think you need to have those discussions and you might have a different level of conviction than your spouse does. And that's okay, but at least have those conversations and you need to follow your conviction.   But then the other thing I would say that is equally important, if not more important, what are you consuming that helps you get God's perspective of sexuality? And what I've found is that a whole lot of Christian married couples know very little about what it looks like to build a healthy sex life in their marriage. And they're not consuming anything that helps them know how to love each other better, how to overcome differences, even how their bodies work, how to focus on one another and enjoy sex in a holy erotic way.   And so, even if you're watching and consuming very little content from the world, but you're not actively pursuing anything that gives you a biblical perspective, you're still going to end up defaulting to what the world says. And so, I think that again, it's equally as important or not, if not more important to be pursuing what's true and what's right and what's good.   Laura Dugger: (9:31 – 9:53) I love that, how you flipped it. And that discernment piece is huge because we don't want to be desensitized to then that we're consuming and we also want to feed on the good. So, I think it even leads to a broader question, again, as Christ followers, how can we recognize if our conscience is being pricked?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (9:54 – 12:05) Yeah, we can start by asking the Lord. You know, I mean, I think it's in, is it Psalm 139, where, you know, David is basically saying, “Search me, oh God, and know my thoughts, you know, show me if there's any offensive way within me.”   I think that's a beautiful prayer as an individual and as a couple, like God, we want to honor you with what we consume in media, with what we think about, would you guide us and would you show us? And then I think we all have that experience of watching something or listening to something or reading something where we're like, “Uh, I don't know, like, this is sort of a gray area. Like, I'm uncomfortable here. I probably shouldn't be watching this.” Or “Wow, that's really, that's really in your face. Like that's really graphic.”   And it's heeding the Holy Spirit when you get those prompts, instead of just pushing through and being like, “Ah, it's not that big of a deal. It's not going to affect me.” Like when you feel that sense of prompting, you respond to it and you say, “All right, I'm going to put this down. I'm going to shut this off.”   And, um, you know, the scripture says that we can become callous to those promptings of the Holy Spirit if we are in a habit of just running right through that. But we become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit when we yield and when we obey.   Um, and so, I think even just keeping track, you know, every day or every week, like where were the times regarding this or anything else that I really felt convicted by the Holy Spirit about maybe something I said about a friend, uh, or about a little white lie I told, you know, where were the times where I really felt the Holy Spirit nudging me and what did I do? Um, where do I need to confess that I didn't respond well? And where do I need to celebrate that? Yes, I listened, I obeyed, I yielded. Um, and so, I think that's a practice we get into of either ignoring that conviction or really yielding to it.   Laura Dugger: (12:06 – 12:28) Hmm. And that gets after the heart issue, which Jesus is so concerned about our heart. And that's a very softened heart approach. Yes. I hope we can have. And as it relates to sexual integrity, then what are some other ways that we need to be on guard so that we're careful not to be misled?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (12:29 – 13:37) Yeah, boy, I think there's just so much conversation. Um, again, even in Christian circles, sometimes around having a negative attitude towards sex, um, kind of accepting some forms of pornography as normal and even good, you know, husband bashing, wife bashing, you know, like complaining, kind of letting the thought feed in your mind of maybe I should have married somebody else.   Maybe that my life would be easier if I, I weren't married to this person. I wish they were this or that. So, sort of that discontent that is natural to feel in marriage. But the question is, what do you do with it? Do you give it space to grow and to nurture, or do you bring that before the Lord?   Um, so, I think those are some of the ways that we want to look at, like, how am I giving the enemy space in my life and in my marriage versus how am I inviting God to really reclaim what's broken here?   Laura Dugger: (13:38 – 14:01) Well, and then even thinking of the other side to guard ourselves from having a critical and judgmental spirit toward others or just having self-righteous pride. Can you educate us on some common reasons why some people may be predisposed to struggle with some certain sexual sins?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (14:02 – 17:20) Yeah, absolutely. I think that's so important, um, because the research really shows that some of us are more, I don't know if I'd say it that way, but we are going to be more predetermined maybe to struggle with things like pornography or same-sex attraction, or even hooking up.   And it's never like a one plus one equals two exactly. But there are what we might say indicators or risk factors that make you more vulnerable to those kinds of sexual struggles. And some of them might be unhealthy family dynamics growing up, you know, none of us had a perfect family, but let's say you grew up in a family where one of your parents was like overtly critical towards you all the time.   Maybe you went through a divorce with your parents where, um, you know, at a certain age, you just, your family fell apart and you're kind of looking for that stability and love. People who have experienced sexual trauma in childhood or the teen years are going to be more pre-dispositioned to want to understand that or act that out.   People who might struggle with anxiety. And, you know, some of it is we got to understand that sex, because it elicits dopamine in our brain and oxytocin and endorphins, which are all really feel good kind of experiences and hormones and neurotransmitters. When we had a sexual experience at a young age, our brain can learn, “Oh, this is how I deal with stress. This is how I deal with depression. This is how I deal with loneliness.”   So, a lot of times when you talk to somebody who has an ongoing struggle with a sexual temptation or sin, it's because they've learned as a pattern from maybe the time they were 10 years old or 12 years old or 15 years old, that this is how I dealt with the stress in my family. This is how I dealt with when my father died. This is how I dealt with when I was sexually abused. Like this was the way that I found to self-regulate and to self-medicate and to find comfort.   And that can be masturbation. It can be pornography or again, you know, acting out sexually. And so, for people who have that kind of story, and this might be your spouse, or this might be against somebody that you're looking at and judging to just say, “You need to stop that behavior,” is often not going to be enough. They need to do the work of really looking at what am I using sex for? What are the wounds that I'm using sex to cover up?   And how do I actually get the healing I need and find healthier and safer ways for me to cope with negative emotions? And that's why groups are really important for people who have sexual struggles. Counseling is really important. And again, that long journey of healing and freedom, not just a one-time decision that I'm going to try to never do this again.   Laura Dugger: (17:21 – 20:19) Love that word freedom, even because that hope is available. And just pointing out how you said this is not deterministic. That's not what we're saying is if you experience something, you will act out sexually. But I agree with you that it is fascinating and helpful to hear the correlation of certain things that happen, especially in childhood, and how that plays out long-term.   And I am blanking on which guest it was on The Savvy Sauce, but somebody was enlightening me. I think it was for females that if they were sexually abused, typically before a certain age, then they were more likely to struggle in marriage with wanting to completely avoid sex. But then if it was after a certain age, that it was completely opposite where they maybe used sex to medicate, or they were very aggressive and even would act out, let's say in single years, that they would sleep around with a bunch of partners if they had been wounded.   And so, I just think it just, it helps us to not be judgmental of one another. We don't know the full story.   Dr. Juli Slattery: (20:20 – 21:09) Yes. Yeah. There's always more there than we usually realize at first. And, you know, this plays out a lot in marriage because there are a lot of women who are married to guys who are addicted to pornography. And that's a deeply painful dynamic. That's really hard.   But to understand that your husband didn't want to have this struggle, often doesn't know how to get out of it, you know, gives you compassion. It doesn't mean that you look the other way, you need to get help, and you need to insist on getting help. But it does give you empathy and compassion that there's something underlying this and feeding it. It's not just, “Oh, I think I'm going to, you know, look at porn and hurt my wife again,” that there's always a deeper dynamic at work.   Laura Dugger: (21:10 – 21:50) Absolutely. And even an example from your book, I'll just read a quote where you said, “I spoke with a man who runs a sexual addiction program. He told me he had never met someone with sexual addiction, who did not also have significant sexual or psychological trauma in their past.”   And I think it goes along with what we're saying. But if we also then flip it and look at more of the positive side, how can we rightly prioritize connection and intimacy in marriage as God intended?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (21:53 – 24:24) I think first of all, we need to be convinced that this is worth it. You know, when we look at everything there is to do in life, there's so many worthy demands on our time. You know, from I want my house to look nice, and we need to make friends and we need to be an outreach to our community. And our kids are taking a lot of time and they should, and they've got all their activities and our church needs our help. Like when do you have time to do all this? And then, oh yeah, prioritize your marriage.   And I think we have to become convinced that if we're not working on our marriage, and specifically if we're not working on the sexual connection in marriage, then all those other things have the potential to fall apart. That the way I've learned it over time is that sex is never going to be a neutral issue in your marriage. It's either going to be something that is bonding you together and causing you to work on the deeper levels of intimacy, even as you talk through sexual difficulties, or it's going to be something not immediately, but over time, that becomes a wedge between you.   It might start as a wedge of resentment of my needs aren't getting met, or I feel like you're objectifying me or you're putting pressure on me. Or it might be a deeper wedge of a pornography addiction or something that's not being addressed. Or I don't trust my husband because of my trauma. And those things don't just stay dormant. The wedge becomes bigger and bigger and bigger until you get to the place where now you're not comfortable being in the same room anymore and you feel like roommates. And then now one of you is attracted to somebody else and the story plays on.   And there are very wonderful godly men and women who have gotten married with every purpose to stay together. But a wedge like this has grown over time to the point where they're now thinking about divorce or one of them has cheated on the other. And so, we have to be convinced that honoring God in our lives means prioritizing our marriage, and it means working on this intimate aspect of our marriage so that we can be a stable foundation for our families and our churches and our communities.   Laura Dugger: (24:26 – 24:39) And so, if we're getting as practical as possible, what are the best practices that you've seen in married couples who are happily married? How have you experienced that?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (24:40 – 28:04) Yeah. I'll put it in kind of like a cliche sort of way because I think sometimes that's catchy. Number one, I would say they're couples who will resist the drift, who will repair the rift, and who will adjust to the shift.   So, I can kind of break that down a little bit. But you know, the first thing is resisting the drift of you can go weeks without meaningfully connecting with your spouse. And I don't just mean sexually, but I mean like eye to eye, you know, just loving touch, just connecting to their hearts. And so, couples who know how to resist that drift, like they have regular times built into their calendar where this is where we connect every day. Like even for 10 minutes, this is where we hold each other's hands, we look at each other in the eye, we really connect with what's in your heart, how are you? And they have regular rhythms of once a week or once every other week, we're going to go out and do something fun together, just the two of us. We've worked through what sex looks like in this season. Like how many times do we want to have sex? Are we scheduling that? How are we making sure that's a priority? And so, that's the resisting the drift.   And the second one is repairing the rift. And at every marriage, there are going to be things that tear you apart. And sometimes those things might be sexual in nature, like a temptation, an emotional affair, pornography use, sometimes it's going to be something else where you have a deep disagreement that you can't resolve on your own. And you need to be courageous enough to reach out for help and say, like, if we don't get help, if we don't address this issue, like it's going to become something that tears us apart. Any couple that you meet who is happily married for like 30 years or more, they can tell you a story of when they had a rift, and the kind of help that really address that.   And then I think the third thing is adjusting to the shift. And in even the normal stages of marriage, there are shifts that happen. Like, you know, I'm in the stage right now where me and the people my age are going through biological changes with menopause and with aging. And, you know, some people are going through becoming grandparents and retirement. And there's all these shifts that are happening even naturally. There's other couples that are younger who are going through the shift of pregnancy and battling infertility. And some people are going through cancer. And there are things that happen that require you to shift your expectations. And to not just wish that it is like it used to be. But this is the marriage we have now. Here are the circumstances we have now. Here are the bodies we have now. How do we learn to love each other and embrace this season, given the changes that we're experiencing?   And so, I think that's a framework that I've seen healthy couples navigate over time that really fosters intimacy.   Laura Dugger: (28:05 – 29:29) That is incredible. I love how you put that. And I've shared with you before that my background is in Christian sex therapy. So, sex is a topic that does come up a lot and people feel comfortable sharing or asking questions. So, just in regular conversation, I want to recap two conversations that kind of show stances on both ends of the spectrum. And I'd love to hear your wisdom on how to respond to each one.   So, first, there was a Christian married woman with children, and she was teaching younger women to say yes to every single sexual advance from their husband. And she said, “If your husband has the higher drive, and he wants to have sex twice a day, then consider yourself lucky. And don't ever say no, because your body is not your own.” Yeah, it's hard to recap. So, this is not my perspective. So, sharing both ends.   So, that was one person. And then on the other end, I've heard a woman tell me, “You know, I just didn't feel like having sex for about a year and a half after we had our baby. So, I just told my husband, you're going to have to wait.”   So, loaded question, but Dr. Juli, how would you respond to each of those?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (29:29 – 32:31) Well, Laura, I feel like you probably would have just as good of response as I would to those. Yeah, I like that you're presenting those as two extremes, because they are two extremes. And I think both extremes kind of miss the heart. We want to be able to say yes to sex and intimacy. And being able to say yes means also being able to say no.   In that first situation, essentially, what is going to end up happening is that that wife is going to start feeling like my husband wants me for sex. And I don't have the capacity to enjoy it twice a day. I'm starting to feel like an object or used. And the husband is never going to learn that covenant love requires self-denial. And at every level, you know, what did, what did Paul say to husbands in Ephesians 5, like love your wife as you love your own body and be willing to lay down your, your life for your wife. And that means being sensitive to the fact that she doesn't have the same sexual appetite as you do. She doesn't have the same biology you do, that it actually can be physically painful, emotionally traumatic for a wife to have sex when she's not physically ready. Really, that couple is not working on intimacy. They're, they're kind of reinforcing a pattern that sex is about the husband getting his needs and desires met only through the wife without considering her. And that might work for short term, but that's not building intimacy in the long term. And it's not teaching either of them. And that wife needs to learn her own sexual desires and patterns and be able to communicate those to her husband. So, that's what I would say in that first one.   And the second one, essentially, you have a wife kind of having that more selfish perspective of, I only have sex when I want it and on my terms, instead of considering the husband. And, you know, how do I focus on him? How do I work on experiencing sexual desire? How do I foster that? Because it's important for my husband, it's important for our marriage. And I don't want to be selfish.   And so, I think both of those situations are kind of approaching sex where one person gets to be selfish, and the other person has to sacrifice. That's ministry, that's not intimacy. And so, we really want to be at a place where both of us, the higher desire one and the lower desire one, are learning what does it look like to really love well, to love sacrificially and to communicate the ways that I feel loved. I don't know, what would you add to that or change?   Laura Dugger: (32:31 – 33:11) That's why I asked you, you said that beautifully, better than I could have responded. And again, you're getting back to the heart of it and pointing us back to Jesus with each answer. And, you know, commonly people do struggle with having a safe place where they can ask candid questions about sex.   So, I am going to throw some more at you. And some of these are ones that you wrote about. But just to give us a little taste, even of the book, or if somebody has a burning question like this, I'd love your healthy response.   So, how do you respond when people ask, “How far is too far to go in a dating relationship?”   Dr. Juli Slattery: (33:14 – 36:32) Yeah, I think people are looking for a line, you know, like, as long as I don't cross this line, are we good? And of course, I think their traditional line would be as long as you're not having intercourse. But I think that misses the larger context of the purpose of sex. I've had to be convicted of this in my own life. And we talked very early in our conversation about how we've just sort of ingested messages from the culture. And the culture says that healthy sexuality is an expression of how I feel, right? So, so if I feel safe with you, if I feel romantically connected to you, if I feel sexually attracted to you, then it would be healthy for me to engage sexually with you. And then Christians would come and say, yes, but as long as you don't cross this line. So, that's sort of the narrative that I think a lot of us have heard in the church.   But if we look at, from a biblical perspective, God did not design sex to be an expression of how I feel. Okay, let that sink in for a minute. God did not design sex to be an expression of how I feel. He designed it to be a seal and a celebration of covenant, of the choice that a man and a woman make to covenant their lives to one another. And for them to say, just like I give you my whole life, I promise faithfulness to you. I promise that we are becoming one as a family. We have now a physical way to symbolize that in becoming one with our bodies. And so, even if I feel romantically attached to somebody I'm not married to, I don't act on that. Or even if I don't feel romantically attached to my husband, we work on our sex life because we're in covenant.   And so, when you begin to understand sex from that standpoint, you answer that question differently of how far can I go? Why are you sharing your body with another person when you haven't shared your life with them? And, you know, I think that the standard is not legalistic, but the heart of the question is a lot, that's a harder question. You know, like it says, and I think 2 Thessalonians or 1 Thessalonians, you know, Paul says, the will of God is that you do not engage in sexual immorality. Don't take advantage of a brother or sister.   And how many times in dating relationships do you look back and you're like, “Wow, I gave too much of myself to that person or I took too much of myself from that person. Like we engaged in things that now we're broken apart. Like I wish I could take back.” And so, what does it look like to honor each other? What does it look like to honor the Lord? So, I think those kinds of questions help you get to the heart of how do we steward dating relationships a lot better than looking for a line we're not supposed to cross.   Laura Dugger: (36:33 – 37:31) When was the first time you listened to an episode of The Savvy Sauce? How did you hear about our podcast? Did a friend share it with you? Will you be willing to be that friend now and text five other friends or post on your socials anything about The Savvy Sauce that you love? If you share your favorite episodes, that is how we continue to expand our reach and get the good news of Jesus Christ in more ears across the world.   So, we need your help.   Another way to help us grow is to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. Each of these suggestions will cost you less than a minute, but it will be a great benefit to us. Thank you so much for being willing to be generous with your time and share. We appreciate you.   As Christ followers, should we use a friend's preferred names and pronouns? So, how would you respond to that?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (37:32 – 39:20) Boy, this is a hot topic. There are people who have really strong opinions on this. You're saying, do I use a friend's preferred names and pronouns?   And I think the fact that you have a friendship means that you can have a deeper conversation about the meaning of the names and pronouns. And I think that deeper conversation needs to happen. Because, you know, ultimately we don't like, we don't want to just say, “Oh yeah, whatever you want to call yourself is fine with me. Truth doesn't matter.” But on the other hand, we really want to get to the spiritual issue underneath this. And there's a, there's a big difference between somebody who doesn't know the Lord, doesn't know where you stand on any of this, and somebody that you can engage in a conversation with and seek wisdom on.   I think there, there's probably more latitude to use somebody's preferred name than pronouns. And I think in friendships, sometimes you can work that through and just say, you know, “Hey, I love you. I understand where you're coming from. I'm going to try my best to use the name that you're asking. But the pronoun is something that I'm not comfortable with. And here's why. And just like I'm, I want to understand where you are. I hope that you would have grace and understand where I am.” So, in a friendship, you're able to have those kinds of conversations. Whereas if it's a coworker or it's a stranger or a neighbor, sometimes we can't have that level of conversation. And so, I, we might choose to handle the situation a little differently.   Laura Dugger: (39:21 – 39:36) That's good. A hundred percent truth, a hundred percent love or kindness. And what if somebody asks, how much attention should we be giving these secondary issues as believers?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (39:39 – 41:03) Boy, I, I think first of all, the secondary issues come out of the primary issues. So, the primary issue, and you know, the issue I wrote Surrendered Sexuality is about is if my life belongs to the Lord, then my whole life needs to belong to Him, including how I think about cultural issues, including how I treat my neighbor.   And so, I don't see them as secondary issues. I see them as an outgrowth of the primary issue. I think when they become secondary issues are when we argue with other believers about it and it becomes the most important thing. Like I put you in a category based on, will you use preferred names and pronouns? And then I think we're missing what God calls us to.   The primary issue is that we want to honor God and we want to love each other. And so, let's keep going back to that primary issue. How do I love my neighbor well? How do I honor God's truth well? How do I pursue unity within the body of Christ well, as we're navigating some of these secondary issues? So, you know, like if we're going back to the primary issue, it means that we have to talk about the secondary issues, but we talk about them in light of what's primary.   Laura Dugger: (41:04 – 41:17) I like that. And I just have three more of these kind of tricky questions. So, another one, does pornography addiction qualify as reasons for a biblical divorce?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (41:20 – 42:50) I would say, first of all, technically, if we look at the word for sexual immorality in the scripture, which is porneia, we would say, yeah, you know, pornography does qualify for that.   But for the person who's asking this, maybe the woman who's asking this, I would say, why do you want to get out of the marriage? And what Jesus said is Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of your heart. And I think a more important question is where's your heart and where's your husband's heart? Because I've seen people with pornography addictions who have really open hearts towards healing, and they're willing to get the help that they need. They're repentant. They're willing to do the work. They're willing to go through even a time of separation to show that they're serious about that work.   And then there are people who have very hard hearts of, “This is who I am. I might go through the motions, but I'm really not interested in change.” And so, I think the pornography addiction is less the issue than the posture of the person's heart and their willingness to work. And if your spouse is willing to work, then I think it's on us to have soft hearts too, and to be open to the work that God can do.   Laura Dugger: (42:51 – 43:34) That's good because saying you have to zoom out and see more of the story in that stance, because that's very different. Somebody who's working on it and hates the struggle and is wanting to break free versus being married to a narcissist who is abusing you and treating you in a certain way and addicted to pornography. So, you point out well that all of these questions have more to them.   Okay. So, two more, if a spouse has had an emotional affair in the past with a coworker, but they still work with this person, what is the wise thing to do and how should they handle it if their spouse is uncomfortable with them still working there?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (43:36 – 44:33) Yeah, boy, that's something that I would want to seek counseling on. You and your spouse really need to get with a counselor and talk that through. The generic advice in that situation would be to get a different job, to not have that relationship still a temptation or available.   But there are sometimes very extenuating circumstances where that's not a possibility, or at least for now, that's not a possibility. And so, I would really encourage you to meet with a third party to sort through the details of your particular situation. Because it could be that your spouse isn't willing to take that hard step of cutting off that relationship, or it could be that they're willing, but again, there's extenuating circumstances. And I would really want a wise person who is engaging with you to help you navigate that.   Laura Dugger: (44:34 – 44:44) But I love that, how you highlight that something to look for though, is that you would hope your spouse would be willing to make that right, especially if they were the offending.   Dr. Juli Slattery: (44:46 – 44:46) Okay.   Laura Dugger: (44:47 – 45:00) And then also, Juli, because scripture does talk about turning the other cheek, does that mean it's the same as saying God expects you to stay in an abusive marriage?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (45:02 – 47:41) Absolutely not. If you were in an abusive marriage, you are not doing your spouse any good. You are allowing your spouse to be in a place where they're destroying their own life and they're destroying the people that they love.   Now you say, okay, where biblically do we see this? We see that Jesus, he says in John, he says, “I laid down my life for my sheep. I lay it down willingly. No one has the authority to take it from me. I have the authority to lay it down and I have the authority to take it up again.” And we see Him living that out with religious leaders who were after Him all the time, who wanted to stone Him, who were accusing Him of things. It says over and over again that Jesus escaped from them. He just got out of there until it was time that the Father said, now is the time for you to give yourself for the world.   So, we take that principle and we say, Jesus was not abused. Jesus did not let Himself be abused. He gave Himself as a lamb to the slaughter as a sacrifice for the Father and for the world. But that's very different. Up until that time, we see Him have great boundaries. We see Him not get, it even says He didn't entrust Himself to man because He knew what was in their hearts. I mean, He had boundaries with people that could have hurt Him.   And I also love when we see this in the story of King David and Saul, when Saul is chasing David, Saul is abusive, right? He wants to kill David. And so, David escapes. And there's a situation where David has the power or the opportunity to kill Saul and he doesn't do it. And then Saul just is struck by his conscience, and he comes back to David. He goes, “You're a better man than I am. I'm so sorry. You know, come back with me and I'll treat you well.” And even though David doesn't take revenge, he doesn't go back with Saul. He's still, he's like, “You go your way. I'll go my way. I'm going to let the Lord judge between us.”   And I think that's a great model. If you're in any kind of abusive relationship, you don't take revenge, but you also don't stay in that situation. You go your way, let them go their way, and you let God judge between you. And I think we see that over and over again in scripture.   Laura Dugger: (47:42 – 48:19) I think that is so well said. And it reminds me of a somewhat recent conversation in 2025 with Stacey Womack who's saying with domestic violence, really the way God would see it is child abuse. And that kind of helps our paradigm because we are His child.   And she elaborates on that. So, I said that that was the last one, but I actually thought of one more as it relates to our children.   So, is it reasonable to assume that once a child has a smartphone, 100% of them will be exposed to pornography?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (48:21 – 49:15) Yeah, it is. And I would say not just once they have a smartphone, because I know with one of my kids, we delayed the smartphone decision, but he had a learning disability that required him to have an iPad for school. And somehow, even though we locked down all the apps, somehow he's able to access it through that. Or it can be a gaming system, or it can be a friend's phone. And so, having a smartphone or device like that certainly makes it more probable.   But you know, like our kids are surrounded by screens and technology, not just what's in our home, but in other people's homes and at school. And so, I think it's safe to assume, unfortunately, that yes, 100% of our kids are going to be exposed to pornography, probably by the time they're 13 or 14.   Laura Dugger: (49:16 – 49:31) And sadly, some much younger than that. But even if there's parental controls, or filters put on, it is just something on my heart that we have to be so vigilant against.   Dr. Juli Slattery: (49:32 – 50:12) Yeah, no, I felt like when, you know, I have three boys, and when they were all three kind of in those teen years, I felt like I was trying to plug holes in a boat, and there'd be new ones popping up all the time. Whether it's like apps, or you know, things that you think are completely safe. Somehow, pornography can get through.   And our kids are smart, like they know the workarounds to the parental things. And that's why we just need to have conversation after conversation, just discipling them, not just protecting them from pornography, but discipling them through what they're inevitably going to be exposed to.   Laura Dugger: (50:13 – 51:05) That's a great point that not just being reactive, but proactive. I think why I have such a heart for this is because practicing and doing therapy and having so many people come in those wounds, that if that addiction gets a stronghold, and that pornography use, it just can wreak havoc in people long term. And so, if we can do that hard work of discipling early on, it is such a blessing to our children, to the generation.   So, I'm just so grateful for your candid responses. And I think it's also a helpful reminder just to never take on a burden that was never meant for us to carry. So, are there any ways that God has taught you to not try and do His business?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (51:07 – 52:16) Yeah. Boy, that's such a great question. I've had to come to the conclusion that I can't convince anyone of right and wrong. You know, like, I can't convince anyone that pornography is wrong, or gay marriage is wrong, or you know, like, that's not my job. My job is to walk with the Lord with integrity and faithfulness and to testify as to who He is.   And so much of this work, whether we're talking about marriage or our friends or our children, so much of this work has to be the Lord's work. And you reach a stage with your kids when they hit those teen years, where you realize the things my kids most need, I can't give them. I can't give them a relationship with God. I can't give them the desire to follow and seek the Lord. Like, I can model that for them. I can encourage them. But that is between them and the Lord. And if I try to control that, I'm just getting in the way of the work that God wants to do in their lives.   Laura Dugger: (52:18 – 52:33) Goodness, I will need to write that down and reflect on that. That is so good, Juli. And there's still so much more that you could share with us.   So, where is your preferred place that we can go online and continue learning from you?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (52:34 – 52:48) Yeah, I would say two places. Number one, our website is authenticintimacy.com. And the second one is the podcast that I do called Java with Juli. It goes along with The Savvy Sauce, you know, like they kind of go together.   Laura Dugger: (52:49 – 53:11) Yes, absolutely. We will certainly link to all of that in the show notes for today's episode.   And you're familiar, I've asked you many times before, because we are called savvy, because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or discernment. So, as my final question for you today, Dr. Juli, what is your savvy sauce?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (53:13 – 53:58) Oh, I don't even remember how I answered this the last few times. I think I may have said this before, but I think reading the dead old guys is one of my savvy sauce, like reading people who didn't live in this generation who loved the Lord.   And learning from them is just, that's probably taught me more discernment than anything, because they just cut right through the cultural noise that I think sometimes can blind us. And they really help me see my heart for what it is and help me really want to pursue God at a deeper level.   Laura Dugger: (53:59 – 54:03) Wow. Any specific recommendations that have been personal favorites there?   Dr. Juli Slattery: (54:04 – 54:22) Yeah, I love A.W. Tozer. I love many of Andrew Murray's books, particularly Humility and Absolute Surrender. And C.S. Lewis is another great one, Mere Christianity. So, those are some that I would recommend you start with.   Laura Dugger: (54:23 – 54:44) That is wonderful. Thank you for sharing that.   And Juli, it's just always such a delight to get to share an hour of conversation with you. And you are just this beautiful mixture of bold and gentle and humble, all combined into one. So, thank you for being my returning guest today.   Dr. Juli Slattery: (54:44 – 54:49) Oh, thank you. And it's such a pleasure to be with you. Thanks for your great questions.   Laura Dugger: (54:51 – 58:33) One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

What does it really mean to own your fertility? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Jaime Knopman from CCRM Fertility of New York and author of Own Your Fertility, for a candid conversation about egg freezing, fertility preservation, and grief. Dr. Knopman shares what inspired her to write the book, who it's for, and why fertility preservation can be one of the first acts of agency in reproductive health. We unpack common misconceptions about egg freezing. The conversation also turns to a topic often left unspoken: fertility-related grief. Dr. Knopman reflects on how grief shows up when timelines shift and how patients can hold both hope and loss at the same time. This episode is for anyone navigating fertility decisions, questioning timing, or seeking clarity and compassion along the journey. Own Your Fertility is now available on Amazon! Guest: Dr. Jaime Knopman, Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Director of Fertility Preservation for CCRM Fertility of New York Hosts:  Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services, Progyny --- For more information, visit Progyny's Education page. This show does not constitute medical advice. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @progynyinc, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more resources.   Music: YH1DOJKVSNXFR8GG (00:00) - Intro (01:58) - Why egg freezing and grief? (02:26) - Fertility preservation and egg freezing (05:06) - What is a good age to freeze eggs? (07:04) - If I freeze my eggs am I losing eggs? (08:55) - Egg freezing and birth control (09:30) - Breast cancer and fertility preservation (10:00) - Grief and family building (13:28) - The role of partners and community in family building (15:06) - Dr Knopman's Book! (16:12) - Fertility benefits create better outcomes (18:22) - Resilience (00:00) - Chapter 13 (00:00) - Chapter 14

In this episode, an expert breaks down irregular periods, what they are, how do you know if you're experiencing them, and what to do next? Dr. Ijeoma (Ij) Iko, Pinnacle Fertility Chicago https://www.pinnaclefertility.com/phy...  For more information about advocating for fertility benefits, visit Progyny's Talk To HR page at progyny.com/talktohrtoday Visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Progynyinc.

In this video, an expert breaks down genetic testing of embryos, from PGT-A to PGT-M. What does it mean, and who should consider this option during an IVF cycle. Dr. Katherine Koniares, CCRM Boston https://www.ccrmivf.com/  For more information about advocating for fertility benefits, visit Progyny's Talk To HR page at progyny.com/talktohrtoday Visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ProgynyInc 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility in women, but what if the real issue isn't the ovaries?In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Steven Palter, reproductive endocrinologist and founder of Gold Coast IVF, about the powerful connection between PCOS, metabolic health, mental health, and fertility.For decades, PCOS has been treated symptom-by-symptom: birth control for irregular cycles, fertility drugs for ovulation, IVF for infertility. But Dr. Palter explains why this approach often misses the root cause: insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.When you address the metabolic driver, everything can change.Ketogenic and low-carbohydrate dietary approaches are showing promise in improving insulin sensitivity, restoring ovulation, improving mood, and even supporting fertility, often before significant weight loss occurs. In many cases, women who were preparing for IVF are conceiving naturally after correcting their metabolic health.In this video, you'll learn:Why PCOS is best understood as a metabolic disorderHow insulin resistance drives infertility, mood changes, and long-term health risksWhy traditional “eat less, move more” advice often failsHow ketogenic therapy may restore ovulation and improve fertilityThe connection between PCOS, depression, and binge eatingWhy GLP-1 medications aren't the same as metabolic repairIf you or someone you know is struggling with PCOS, infertility, or unexplained hormonal symptoms, this episode offers a hopeful and science-based perspective on what's possible when metabolic health becomes the priority.As always, consult your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

Is Pilates the missing piece for midlife hormone balance?In this episode of Confidently Balance Your Hormones, Dee Davidson, FDN-P, sits down with Beth Sandlin of Trifecta Pilates to discuss why Pilates is one of the most powerful forms of exercise for women over 40 navigating perimenopause, stress, and body changes.Beth shares her personal journey of discovering Pilates while recovering from cancer treatment. She didn't need intense workouts or high cortisol training — she needed movement that helped her heal, reconnect, and rebuild trust with her body. What she found was a sustainable, strength-building approach that supports both physical and emotional resilience.In this conversation, you'll learn:• Why traditional workouts may backfire during perimenopause• How Pilates supports nervous system regulation• The connection between stress hormones and overtraining• How to build strength without increasing cortisol• Why intentional movement improves metabolism and longevityIf you're feeling frustrated that what used to work no longer does, this episode will help you understand how to move in a way that supports your hormones — not fights them.Subscribe to Confidently Balance Your Hormones for weekly conversations on functional health, metabolism, stress resilience, and thriving in midlife.Medical Disclaimer:This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

Fertility is something many couples struggle with quietly.   Stress. Long work hours. Financial pressure. Environmental toxins.   Birth rates are dropping worldwide, and more couples are facing "unexplained infertility."   In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Marina, OB-GYN, to talk about what's really happening — and what couples can actually control.   We cover:   Why global fertility rates are falling The real impact of stress on conception The connection between sleep and fertility How diet affects both egg and sperm health The overlooked role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals Why infertility is a couple's issue — not just a women's issue IVF realities and success rates Functional medicine vs. conventional medicine approaches Practical ways to reduce toxin exposure Simple habits that can improve fertility outcomes     Dr. Marina shares real examples from her 35 years in practice — including how small changes made a major difference for patients struggling to conceive.   We also discuss:   The Environmental Working Group (EWG) resources Heart rate variability and stress reduction tools Why sperm counts have declined over 50% in two decades How lifestyle habits compound over time     This is not just about pregnancy. It's about health, long-term wellness, and the future of society.   If you or someone you love is thinking about starting a family—or struggling to grow one—this episode offers clarity and practical insight.      

Have you ever had unwavering faith, prayed with everything inside of you, and still watched God not come through the way you believed He would?

 After receiving their infertility diagnosis the day before Christmas Eve, Brett and Erika Hamoen faced a year of deep grieving before discovering embryo adoption through the NEDC. In this heartfelt conversation, they discuss the challenges of being a Canadian couple pursuing embryo adoption, the hostile adoption training environment they avoided, and the incredible moment when Eloise entered the world. 

Infertility and pregnancy loss are far more common than we talk about — and far more isolating than most couples expect.Book a Discovery Call for Relationship Renovation CoachingIn this deeply vulnerable episode, we sit down with Alan and Kasey to explore their journey through:Multiple miscarriagesAn ectopic pregnancy that nearly turned fatalPTSD and trauma after medical emergencyThe invisible grief of infertilityAnd the complicated question: What does our future look like now?What makes their story powerful isn't just the pain — it's how they stayed connected through it.They share: ✔️ How to stay emotionally close when you're grieving differently ✔️ Why proximity matters more than “fixing it” ✔️ The biggest mistake couples make during infertility ✔️ How trauma can impact intimacy ✔️ Why grief isn't linear — and what that means for your relationship ✔️ How to avoid drifting apart during long-term lossIf you or someone you love has experienced miscarriage, infertility, or pregnancy loss, this episode will make you feel less alone.Because infertility may be common — but it's often invisible.And you don't have to navigate it alone.Learn More About Relationship RenovationOrder Relationship Renovation at Home Manual from AmazonJoin Our Patreon CommunitySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/he-said-she-said/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week Erin and Sara catch up and discuss Sara's birthday, Erin's writing process, “regular jobs,” and more.Executive Producers: Erin Foster, Sara Foster, and Allison BresnickAssociate Producers: Montana McBirney and Olivia GeffnerAudio Engineer: Josh WindischProduced by Wishbone ProductionProduced by Dear MediaThis episode is sponsored by:Bon Charge (boncharge.com/foster)Fatty 15 (fatty15.com/foster)Minnow (shopminnow.com PROMO CODE: MEETMINNOW15)Ritual (ritual.com/foster)Hers (forhers.com)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I have so many friends struggling with infertility or getting different fertility information from their doctors—”freeze your eggs, don't freeze your eggs, it's okay that you don't get your period, it's a warning sign”. Then I read Dr. Natalie Crawford's amazing book, The Fertility Formula, and I found out that there's a HUGE underlying cause of infertility that I've never heard anyone talk about.  So today, I'm fortunate to have on Dr. Natalie Crawford, a world renowned fertility doctor, a double board certified OBGYN, and author of The Fertility Formula, to clear things up. We're talking about exactly what to do in your 20s, 30s, and 40s for your fertility. And heads up—even if you don't want kids, your fertility is incredibly important for your overall health.  Whether you're trying to put yourself in the best possible position for the future you want, or you're trying to solve a problem, this episode is going to help, and you're going to get information you won't hear anywhere else.

 Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, we discuss everything patients should know when preparing for a frozen embryo transfer (FET). From what to do the day before to how the procedure is performed, we cover the steps to help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. We answer all of your questions about what to do before, during, and after the procedure. What should you do to prepare before coming in for a frozen embryo transfer? Why is staying well hydrated the day before so important? Which routine medications should you continue, including those for high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid conditions? What types of clothing are recommended for comfort during the procedure? What happens when you first arrive at the clinic? Why is a full bladder necessary for the transfer, and what happens if it is too full? How is the embryo transfer procedure performed, and how is the catheter prepared and loaded? What should you expect immediately after the procedure? How soon can you get up, use the restroom, and go home? What activities can you resume that day, and are there any restrictions? Understanding these steps helps reduce anxiety and improve the overall experience of a frozen embryo transfer. 

Your metabolism isn't about how fast you burn calories. It's about how well your cells create energy. And when cellular metabolism slows down, everything slows down — including ovulation. In today's episode, we're breaking down the 3 key markers we use inside fertility recovery to assess metabolic health: Your metabolic type (via HTMA) Your basal body temperature (BBT) Your full thyroid panel (not just TSH) Because when we support metabolism at the cellular level — whole body healing becomes possible again, and this is what restores your fertility. If you're ready for personalized support, there are 2 spots left in Premier Period Recovery for Fertility this month. Apply HERE.